- Live Group F updates from 8pm BST kick-off in Budapest
- Portugal’s ‘bus driver’ Santos hopes to find route to last 16
- Email Paul or tweet @Paul_Doyle with your thoughts
Santos has moved decisively to address the shortcomings that Portugal showed in midfield in their opening games, with Fernandes and Carvahlo replaced by Moutinho and Sanches. That should make Portugal more coherent and creative. Meanwhile, France have made three personnel changes - changing both their full-backs and replacing Rabiot with Tolisso in midfield. They also look set to make a slight adjustment to their formation, switching from a midfield diamond to 4-2-3-1 in an effort to get their high-grade frontline firing. That means that Portugal’s right-back, Semedo - who was overrun against Germany - will find himself having to try to keep tabs on Mbappé. Bon courage!
Portugal: Patricio; Semedo, Pepe, Dias, Guerreiro; Moutinho, Danilo, Sanches; Silva, Ronaldo, Jota
Hello. It’s only a showdown between the world champions and the European champions, with qualification for the Last 16 on the line. France are already through – they just need to find out in which position – but Portugal are living on the edge, still capable of winning the group or being ousted from the tournament. Fernando Santos has copped plenty of flak for the way Portugal have performed so far – like a strangely fractured side with no serious midfield – and if he doesn’t find a way for his team to get at least a point today, then he could find himself relying on intricate calculations to go through as one of the best third-placed teams (and that could ultimately be decided by disciplinary record or even Uefa coefficient).
France haven’t quite clicked yet either and Didier Deschamps is expected to make changes as he tries to finetune his formula and ensure Les Bleus justify their labels as tournament favourites. There would be no better way to prove they are growing into the tournament than by beating the team who spoiled their party at Euro 2016. That victory in the final was the only time Portugal have beaten France in 13 meetings since 1976: now would be a good time to repeat the trick. And then the countries could meet again in this year’s final. They may have to beat England to get there: because whoever finishes second in Group F will face Gareth Southgate’s team at Wembley in the Last 16. Intrigue? You bet. Thrills? Hope so. Kickoff? Coming soon. Brace yourselves, this could be epic!
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