Clash between world and Euro champions ends in stalemate

Despite a hugely impressive array of attacking player on the Stade de France pitch tonight, it was the defence for both sides who dominated tonight's contest. 

A draw in Paris will be a sweeter result for Fernando Santos and despite his France side dominating the second half, 'Les Bleus' carved very little in terms of clear cut scoring chances. 

In fact Portugal could have snatched maximum points in added time as Hugo Lloris had to be at his best to stop a ferocious Cristiano left footed drive. 

The draw sees the European champions retain their lead at the top of the group with Portugal set to face Sweden next whilst France travel to Croatia.

All over in Paris. Stalemate between the world champions and European champions. A decent game very much dominated by solid defensive displays by both sides.

Cristiano forces Lloris into action again with a fine save from a left fopoted effort from the striker.

Renato Sanches fires on goal but straight at Hugo Lloris in the France goal.

We'll have 3 minutes of added time.

Into the final minute of normal time we go. Portugal will be the happier of the two teams with the point if things stay as they are. 

Moutinho on for Carvalho, Cancelo on for Raphael and Trincao on for Joao Felix.

Despite the great attacking players on display tonight, we've seen very little of clear cut goal scoring chances with the game very much dominated by both sides defence. 

Less than 5' remain in Paris and it's still 0-0. 

Mbappe off with Coman his repalcement

One senses Portugal would settle for a point at this stage of the game with France doing all the pressing now. A point is enough to see Fernando Santos' men to stay top of Group 3 (League A).

France unable to find a way through the sea of green shirts. Wonderful disciplined defensive display from the Euro 2016 holders. 

Bruno Fernandes makes way for Renato Sanches with the Lille player returning to the ground where he made a name for himself back in 2016.

Pogba fouled by Carvalho and Griezmann is over the ball with a left footed inswinger imminent. The ball is floated in but Fernandes heads clear. Corner for 'Les Bleus' .... this time headedc away by Cristianoi, once again on defensive duty. 

Into the final 15' we go in Paris. The result (as it stands) would see Portugal remain on top of the group by virtue of goal difference. 

These sides will go head-to-head again in Portugal on November 14th .

The FC Porto man was marginally offside with the linesman getting the call correct.

The ball is in the next as Pepe nods the ball past Lloris but the flag is up.

That change will be made now with Giroud set to make way for the United striker.

Martial set to come on as Joao Felix has a shot but easy for Lloris to gather.

20' remain at the Stade de France. Does the game have a goal ? A 0-0 would not e out of the question with the solid defensive displays we're witnessing tonight. 

Great intervention from Dias as he steals the ball from Mbappe as the PSG striker threatened. The defensive play from both teams tonight has been exceptional. 

A congested sea of lime green shirts but Griezmann has a long range effort but easily gathered by Rui Patricio. 

Cristiano helping out in defensive duties, not often we see the striker so deep on the pitch. Portugal seem to have ridden out the intense early French start. 

Portugal still ahead in the possession stakes

Portugal win a series of corners as they try and regain a foothold in the game. Pepe fouls Mbappe and the move breaks down.

Bernardo Silva off/ Jota on for Portugal

More positive play from France as Pogba and Mbappe work well and look for Giroud as Pepe is forced to intercept the danger. France a very different looking side now.

Paul Pogba looks like an inspired player in the first ten minutes of this half, the United player at the heart of every France move. 

A far more open game now it feels in Paris with both sides playing a more expansive game with the ball moving from end to end with an increase in the tempo helping the match as a spectacle. 

Fine cross field ball from Pogba as his delivery is just a yard ahead of Giroud. 

Ronaldo latches onto the ball in the box but just fails to get a shot off. At the other end a fantastic duel between Mbappe and Pepe with the 37 year-old having the better of the contest.

Fernando Santos will be hoping to see more from Joao Felix with a discreet first half from the Atletico Madrid striker.

Danger as Mbappe gets into the area, weaves and forces a decent stop from Rui Patricio. Very positive start from the home side.

No changes for either side at the interval.

Teams are back on the pitch at the Stade de France with the home side to get the second 45' underway

Will Deschamps call on the services of Camavinga ? Earlier this week the France boss said that it was difficult not to pick the Rennes star.

More here

France's Lucas Hernandez in action with Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo tonight in Paris

All square at the break. Portugal on top but neither keeper really called into action in the first 45'.

Giroud unleashes a snapshot as the ball falls kindly for the Chelsea striker who lunges rather than takes an additional second to compose himself. 
A half-chance for France but the ball drifts over the bar.

What a ball from Carvalho as Pavard comes to France's rescue as 'Les Bleus' break. The final ball for the France side tonight has been a let down and something Deschamps will want to address at the interval.

Five minutes to go in the first half here in Paris and the 1,000 fans still providing a great backdrop to the action. It's Fernando Santos, however who will be the happier manager as the clock winds down.

Joao Felix takes the ball off Ronaldo's foot with a touch of communicatioin breakdown as Portugal go close.

Facemasks on as France fans adhere to hygiene protocol measures at the Stade de France tonight, maybe slipping up in the 1.75m distancing .....

Rabiot looking good for France tonight but a discreet performance from Giroud and Griezmann in the France attack. As we say that the ball falls to the Barcelona striker and from an acute angle, drives the ball straight at Rui Patricio.

Next up for these sides: Portugal welcome Sweden next week and France travel to Croatia for the fourth round of Nations League games. The final two match-days will take place mid November.

Vital interception from Lucas Hernandez as he sticks a boot in front of Cristiano with the striker poised to pull the trigger. Semedo this time fires on goal but drills the ball into the side netting. Portugal very much in control now.

Portugal enjoying the better in terms of possession after the first 20 plus minutes of the action.

Allez les Bleus rings out from the fans. Despite being just one thousand a credit to all generating a decent amount of noise.

A real sense of ebb and flow to the action with both teams enjoying spells of domination and passages of possession. Having said that, neither keeper has really been tested in this opening phase of the action.

Great work from France as they work the ball into the Portugal but the flag is raised for offsiude.

Confusion between Rui Patricio and Pepe and the veteran defender opts for an old school 'whack it away' style clearance and has a word with his keeper over the lack of a call.

Pavard and Rabiot barge into Joao Felix and Portugal win a free kick as the ball is delivered into the French box and just eludes a stretching Bernardo Silva. 

Fernando Santos will be the happier of the managers with this opening spell as Semedo forces Lloris into action with Lucas taking the sting out of the pass. 

Pogba delivers a wayward ball across field with the Man United wearing a thick strapping on his right arm.

Mbappe does well getting on the ball for the first time but his cross is bliunted as Pepe intercepts.

Cristiano wearing his special 100 goals Nike boots tonight.

Portugal enjoying the better of the opening stages here in Paris with 'Les Bleus' yet to enjoy any sustained spell of possession.

Both sides with a 100% record in their 2020/21 UEFA Nations League campaign to date with two wins from two.

Blood streaming from the forward's head after an aggressive challenge from the new Manchester City defender. 

Plenty of noise from the 1,000 fans with some intense drumming sounding at the Stade de France as Dias picks up an early yellow as he elbows Giroud.

It will be Portugal to get us underway tonight

Portugal in a lime green away kit tonight with France in their iconic blue kit. 

Final preparations as Carlos del Cerro Grande oversees the coin toss between Ronaldo and Lloris.

Time for the national antghmes with Portugal up first followed by 'Le Marseillaise'

1,000 fans in Stade de France tonight, a stark contrast to the packed house back in 2016.

1,000 fans in Stade de France tonight, a stark contrast to the packed house back in 2016.

In tonight's earlier League A (Group 3) game, Croatia held out to see off Sweden 2-1 and leaves the group looking like this 

A fresh evening in the French capital tonight with a current temperature of 12C/53F and just a 2% probability of rain falling during the game. 

Cristiano to use bespoke 100 goal Nike boots tonight

The Madeira born striker has bagged 101 goals for the Portugal national side in 161 games with sportswear giant Nike creating special boots to celebrate the feat.

The special red boots will make their debut tonight in Paris.

The last time these sides met was in back in 2016 where Portugal upset the form book with a Renato Sanches goal enough to see Fernando Santos' men crowned European champions.

Talented teenager Eduardo Camabinga starts for 'Les Bleus' on the bench tonight with the Rennes player making all the headlines after a great to start to Ligue 1 and his performances for Deschamps.

Kylian Mbappé to face idol Cristiano Ronaldo again

Kylian Mbappé will fulfil a dream once again today at the Stade France. The PSG striker will be facing his childhood idol Cristiano Ronaldo on the pitch for his country, just as he did in 2018 for his club.

read more

What an array of footballing talent on display tonight with the likes of Mbappe, Cristiano Ronaldo, Griezmann, Joao Felix, Paul Pogba and Bernardo Silva (to name but a few) all gracing the same pitch. 

Fernando Santos' XI for tonight's clash

Fernando Santos' XI for tonight's clash

The French starting XI has been confirmed: 

A mouth watering game in prospect with the world champions going head-to-head with the European champions and winners of the inaugural Nations League competition.  

Hello and welcome to our live UEFA Nations League coverage as France face Portugal in Paris with the action getting underway at 2045 CEST.