Portugal vs France: Euro 2020 permutations and prediction

Group F draws to a close on Wednesday night with all four teams still in with a shout of qualifying for the knockout round.

Portugal face France in a repeat of the Euro 2016 final and both head into their final group game bloodied.  

France were held to a surprise 1-1 draw with group minnows Hungary at the weekend, while Portugal were hammered 4-2 by Germany.

Ahead of such a pivotal game, we have all your need-to-know pre-match information, including team news, what both teams need to do to qualify and our key battle on the night.

When is kick off?
Wednesday 23rd June, 20:00 GMT
Where is the match?
Puskas Arena, Budapest
What TV channel is it on?
BBC One

Group F Permutations

With four points, France are the only side in Group F guaranteed through to the round of 16 even if they end up finishing third. Didier Deschamps' side would secure top spot with a win over Portugal but a draw would also be good enough if Germany fail to beat Hungary. Should France lose and Hungary beat Germany, second place would come down to goal difference as they drew their head-to-head meeting.

Holders Portugal will make it through to the next round with a win over France. A draw would also be good enough as long as Hungary beat Germany. They could even finish first as long as they beat France and Germany don't win. Fernando Santos' side would crash out in fourth if they lost and Hungary beat Germany. Defeat for Portugal would be enough to qualify in third place as long as they don't lose by at least three goals and Hungary fail to beat Germany.

Team News

Joao Cancelo's absence remains a massive blow for Portugal, with his replacement, Nelson Semedo, a massive downgrade. Potentially up against Kylian Mbappe this evening, it's going to be a long night for the Wolves right-back. After two quiet performances, Bruno Fernandes' place in the team is perhaps underthreat and Fernando Santos is surely considering at least one change in midfield.

France manager Didier Deschamps is considering three changes from the side that drew 1-1 with Hungary, with Lucas Hernandez returning to the side at left-back one of them. Sevilla youngster Jules Kounde will reportedly play at right-back instead of Benjamin Pavard, while Corentin Tolisso has been tipped to replace Adrien Rabiot in midfield. Deschamps desperately needs Karim Benzema to net, with Olivier Giroud waiting patiently in the background.

Probable XIs

Portugal (4231): Patricio; Semedo, Pepe, Dias, Guerreiro; Carvalho, Pereira; B. Silva, Fernandes, Jota; Ronaldo

France (4312): Lloris; Kounde, Varane, Kimpembe, Hernandez; Pogba, Kante, Tolisso; Griezmann; Benzema, Mbappe

Key Battle: Cristiano Ronaldo vs Karim Benzema

Desperate to overtake Ali Daei's record for the most goals in international football, Cristiano Ronaldo will hope to continue his fine start to Euro 2020 and prolong Portugal's stay at the tournament this summer. Ronaldo is now just two off the record after scoring three goals in his first two matches, with an assist to boot. The 36-year-old continues to prove age is nothing but a number and against France he will come up against his former strike partner at Real Madrid in Karim Benzema.

Benzema's return to the France national team caused major headlines ahead of the tournament and it's fair to say it hasn't quite gone as expected just yet. Benzema missed a penalty in a warm-up game and had one ruled out against Germany in France's torunament opener but is still looking for his first goal back for country. Benzema has certainly flourished at Madrid since Ronaldo's departure and now he will be out to get one over on his former club mate on Wednesday night.

Score Prediction: Portugal 1-2 France