France have been lethargic and predictable but they go into the break level thanks to a silly penalty, well converted by Benzema. That canceled out the one that Ronaldo scored for Portugal after recklessness by Lloris. As things stand, France are top of Group F and Portugal are second – and headed for a date with England. But there’s surely plenty more drama to come in the second half …
France had missed six of their last 11 penalties … but not this one. Benzema, who had one saved by Danny Ward in the build-up to this tournament, sends Patricio the wrong way. Portugal players are protesting. The ref points at his headset to indicate that the Var people are studying the evidence.
Penalty to France! Mbappé went down in the vicinity of Semedo as he tried to reach a pass from Pogba. It’s bad decision, in my book, as the fullback was guilty not nothing more serious than not getting out of the way of Mbappé as he ran with him, and Mbappé wasn’t going to get the ball either.
Lloris is not called into action because Moutinho fails to get the freekick beyond the wall. Ronaldo sells Kimpembe a few lollipops and then gets a boot in return. Freekick to Portugal wide on the right. Careful how you come for this one, Hugo!
Moutinho slashes wide from 20 yards. There’s a lot of discussion in my inbox about the penalty decision. Some say it was absurd, others back the ref. No one actually asked my opinion but I’m going to give it anyway: awarding the penalty was right, because goalkeeping recklessness should be punished more often. Lloris jumped at his opponents fist-first and caught him in the head. That wasn’t his intention but no outfield player would get away with it.
Griezmann booked for bumping late into Danilo. That’s three yellows already for France, and that reflects the fact that Portugal have been sharper than them all over the pitch.
Penalty to Portugal! Moutinho curled the freekick into the box. Lloris came to try to punch it clear but he misses it and catches Danilo in the face instead! Pogba gets a yellow card for protesting against the decision to award a penalty.
An exciting Second half awaits
