Portugal U21 0 – 0 France U21 Player Ratings: A Stalemate in Slovakia Saw the Two Teams Share Spoils

Portugal U-21 faced France U-21 in a Group C clash in the UEFA Euro U-21 at the Stadion na Sihoti, in Slovakia, on 11th June, 2025, at 7:00 PM (GMT). Both teams were playing their first match of the competition. Portugal started with more urgency, as the players drove forward with the ball whenever they were given a hint of space. France were slow to react but found their groove shortly after.

William Odobert was fouled in the 30th minute, quite close to the penalty box by Rafael Rodrigues, which the referee adjudged to be a penalty at first. After a routine VAR check, it was confirmed that the contact was outside the box and was overturned to a free-kick.

In the second half, France enjoyed a lot of possession of the ball but couldn't convert their half-chances in the meantime. Portugal stuck to their counter-attacking approach and took advantage of any French slip-up as they ran at the defenders at full pace. Both teams played a very open game, but with little to no clear-cut chances. Here are the Portugal U21 National Football Team vs France U National Football Team Player Ratings.

Portugal U21 National Football Team Player Ratings

Goalkeeper:

Samuel Soares - 6.5/10

Didn't have much to do in the first half. The goalkeeper was well alert between the posts and thwarted several crosses.

Defenders:

Rodrigo Pinheiro - 6/10

The right-back was well-positioned throughout the match and made a good number of attacking runs into the French final third.

Chico Lamba - 6/10

The defender was rock solid at the back, lunging into crucial tackles without any kind of fear.

João Antonio Nascimento Muniz - 6/10

Supported his partner well, as Muniz held the defensive line pretty solidly. The defender was quick to react to the loose balls and ensured no harm was inflicted on the Portuguese defense.

Rafael Rodrigues - 5/10

The left back had problems dealing with Wilson Odobert on the left, as he struggled to keep up with the pace of the French winger. Picked up a yellow quite early in the game.

Midfielders:

Paulo Bernardo - 6/10

Bernardo had an okayish game according to his standards, as the winger didn't get to see much of the ball. He provided a couple of good crosses in the box but was dealt with ease.

Diogo Nascimento - 6/10

The holding midfielder orchestrated Portugal's gameplay quite well. Diogo made some crucial tackles in the middle of the park to disrupt dangerous-looking French attacks.

Mateus Fernandes - 6/10

The midfielder ran tirelessly throughout the pitch, providing support to his counterpart on the left flank.

Forwards:

Geovany Quenda - 7/10

The right winger was lively throughout the game, as he outpaced the French left back numerous times to get into dangerous positions.

Tiago Tomas - 6/10

The forward had a good chance early in the game but saw his shot fly over the crossbar without causing much problem to the French goalkeeper.

Roger Fernandes - 5/10

Fernandes made a couple of good runs into the box but was largely ineffective throughout the game.

Substitutes:

Flavio Nazinho - 6/10

Rodrigo Gomes - 6/10

Carlos Forbs - 6/10

Gustavo Sa - NA

Manager:

Rui Jorge - 6/10

Jorge set his team up in a typical 4-3-3 formation with two pacy wingers up top. He relied on his team's pace, which paid dividends as the players pressed the French backline well, forcing mistakes. The quick style of play was pleasing to the eyes as Portugal looked very confident on counters.

France U21 National Football Team Player Ratings

Goalkeeper:

Guillaume Restes - 6/10

Pulled off a decent one-on-one save in the first half to deny Portugal their opening goal of the match. The goalkeeper was shaky at times while playing the ball from the back, as he almost gave away the ball in a dangerous position, which the Portuguese forwards made a real mess of.

Defenders:

Kiliann Sildillia - 6/10

Sildillia did a good job defensively, preventing the Portuguese left winger from getting into dangerous positions with the ball.

Chrislain Matsima - 6/10

The defender was caught out of position at times, causing problems for the defensive line to maintain its shape.

Castello Lukeba - 6/10

Lukeba was caught napping at times, which presented Tiago Tomas with a good chance, but the forward failed to capitalize on it.

Quentin Merlin - 6/10

The left back was tested well by the pacy Portuguese right winger, but Merlin was equal to the task majority of the contest.

Midfielders:

Andy Diouf - 6/10

Diouf was pretty decent in his defensive duties, as he won several duels in the middle of the park to thwart the Portuguese attacks.

Ismael Doukoure - 6/10

Doukoure was a bit sloppy in the middle, as he lost possession quite a few times, which presented Portugal with dangerous counter-attacking opportunities.

Johann Lepenant - 6/10

The attacking midfielder from Nantes was quite impactful throughout the game, with precise runs into the box. Lepenant held the ball well and passed it around in no time to shift the attack from one end to the other.

Forwards:

Wilson Odobert - 6/10

The right winger played like a live wire throughout the game, causing problems for the Portuguese left back with his blistering pace.

Matthis Abline - 6/10

Albine had a good chance in the early stages of the match but saw his shot blocked by Muniz at the right time. Missed an absolute sitter in the second half, which should have put France in the lead.

Mathys Tel - 6/10

Mathys Tel showed glimpses of his true potential on the left-hand side of the pitch but was well kept at bay by the Portuguese right back most of the time.

Substitutes:

Thierno Barry - 6/10

Loum Tchaouna - 5/10

Soungoutou Magassa - NA

Manager:

Gerald Baticle - 6.5/10

Baticle played a 4-2-3-1 formation with a midfield pivot of Diouf and Doukoure. His team started slightly behind Portugal in the first half but gradually picked up pace as the game went by. Made a few tactical changes in the second half, which saw his team keep the ball for much of the time.

Sportsdunia Player of the Match: Geovany Quenda