Evening all!
Sports Mole's live
Euro 2016 coverage continues from Paris as Portugal take on
Austria in Group F. Both teams recorded disappointing results in their opening games on Tuesday – Portugal drawing 1-1 with Iceland and Austria losing 2-0 to Hungary. As a result, the pressure is on both of these teams tonight in the French capital. It should be an entertaining match-up!
Tonight's match will be the 11th meeting between Portugal and Austria in international football. Five of the previous 10 have finished level, with Portugal just leading the head-to-head record three victories to two. That said, the two nations have not met since 1995, when Portugal won 1-0 at home and drew 1-1 away during qualification for Euro 1996. History points to a close game tonight.
Right, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from Paris. Portugal boss Fernando Santos threatened to make changes from the Iceland match. Has he? Let's take a look!
TEAMS!
POR: Patricio; Vieirinha, Pepe, Carvalho, Guerreiro; Moutinho, Gomes, Carvalho; Nani, Ronaldo, Quaresma
AUT: Almer; Klein, Hinteregger, Prodl, Fuchs; Harnik, Baumgartlinger, Ilsanker, Alaba, Arnautovic; Sabitzer
Portugal boss Santos has made two changes to his starting XI tonight, with William Carvalho and Ricardo Quaresma replacing Danilo Pereira and Joao Mario. Danilo misses out due to a back problem, while Mario has been dropped to the bench. Otherwise it is the same team that drew 1-1 with Iceland last time out, leaving
Cristiano Ronaldo to lead the line with support from Nani.
© AFP
Austria, however, have been forced into a change at centre-back as the suspended Aleksandar Dragovic, who was sent off against Hungary, is replaced by Watford's Sebastian Prodl. There is also a change at centre-forward as Marcel Sabitzer replaces Marc Janko, while Stefan Ilsanker takes the place of Zlatko Junuzovic, who has been ruled out through injury. Leicester City full-back Christian Fuchs once again skippers Austria, while Bayern Munich's David Alaba will start in an advanced midfield role.
So there we have it. The two teams are in and we are now just over 40 minutes from kickoff on this mild evening in the French capital. I shall speak about Austria a little bit later, but let's start with Portugal, who will be looking to bounce back from a 1-1 draw with Iceland in their Group F opener last week.
When Nani sent Portugal into a 31st-minute lead in Saint-Etienne, it did appear that the Euro 2012 semi-finalists would claim all the points. Iceland, in their first ever European Championships, had other ideas, however, and levelled the scores early in the second period through Birkir Bjarnason. As a result, Portugal currently sit third in Group F - three points off the section leaders Hungary.
© Getty Images
RESULT! Speaking of Hungary, they came from behind to claim a point against Iceland in Group F's other match earlier this evening. Iceland looked to be heading into the round of 16 when Gylfi Sigurdsson scored from the penalty spot, but a late own goal from Mar Saevarsson levelled the scores at 1-1. Hungary currently top the group on four points, while Iceland are second on two points.
Portugal are competing in their seventh straight European Championship finals, which is an impressive record. They failed to qualify in either 1988 or 1992 after making the semi-finals in 1984, but have been strong players in the competition since then. They are seen as dark horses this summer, but will definitely need to improve on their performance against Iceland last time out.
At Euro 1996, Portugal made the quarter-finals, before making the semi-finals of Euro 2000. On home soil, they were runners-up at Euro 2004 and have made the quarter-finals and semi-finals respectively in the last two editions of the tournament. In truth, it would be major surprise if Santos did not lead this Portugal team into the knockout rounds considering the strength of their group.
In terms of qualification for this summer's tournament, Portugal finished top of Group I after winning seven of their eight matches and collecting 21 points in the process. They actually only scored 11 times in their eight fixtures, but still finished seven points clear of second-place Albania.
Austria, meanwhile, will enter this match off the back of a 2-0 defeat to Hungary in their Group F opener. Marcel Koller's side will feel that they should have taken a lead into the interval of that match, but Hungary held firm and then scored twice in the second period through Adam Szalai and Zoltan Stieber to claim the points. As a result, Austria will enter this match bottom of Group F.
Portugal might be experienced at this level, but the same cannot be said for Austria, who have qualified for their first ever European Championships. They did take part in Euro 2008, but automatically qualified as co-hosts and exited in the group stages after losing two of their three matches.
© Getty Images
Incredibly, Austria won nine of their 10 matches during qualification and only conceded five times in the process. Koller's team beat Russia 1-0 home and away and also recorded a 4-1 win over Sweden last September. There is no question that they have the players to harm Portugal tonight, but they will need to improve on their performance against Hungary, which was not good enough.
Confirmation of the two teams for tonight's match...
POR: Patricio; Vieirinha, Pepe, Carvalho, Guerreiro; Moutinho, Gomes, Carvalho; Nani, Ronaldo, Quaresma
AUS: Almer; Klein, Hinteregger, Prodl, Fuchs; Harnik, Baumgartlinger, Ilsanker, Alaba, Arnautovic; Sabitzer
Here we go then - the national anthems and pre-match handshakes have been undertaken. Portugal need to bounce back from their 1-1 draw with Iceland last time out, but Austria also need to win after losing last time out. Something has to give and it should be an open game in Paris!
KICKOFF! Portugal get this Group F clash underway...
... it must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium tonight. The national anthems were extraordinary as both sets of supporters sang for their nations! As expected, Portugal have taken control of the possession in the opening moments as they look to make a fast start.
Some work for Almer in the Austria goal as the stopper is forced to palm a deep Guerreiro cross over the crossbar under pressure from Ronaldo. Two corners in quick succession here and the second is met by Ricardo Carvalho, but his effort was always moving over the Austria goal.
Good grief! Pepe plays his goalkeeper intro trouble and Harnik threatens to beat Patricio to the ball, but the stopper just about manages to clear. Plenty happening in the early moments here!
CHANCE! Outstanding chance for Austria as Sabitzer finds space down the right before picking out the head of Harnik with a super cross, but the number 11 somehow heads wide - wow!
I would be astounded if this match did not produce goals as both teams continue to show their attacking intent in the early moments. Portugal make ground in a wide position through Quaresma and eventually Nani meets a high ball inside the box, but his header was always wide of the post.
There have been some tasty challenges in the early moments here and the referee wants a word after Ricardo Carvalho flies into a tackle with Harnik and does not make contract with the ball.
Quaresma has been nice and bright for Portugal in these early moments, with his teammates quick to find him in a forward position. Austria, meanwhile, are also showing their threat in the final third. You just get the feeling that the first goal tonight in Paris - if there indeed is one - could be vital.
The match has just settled down in the last couple of minutes and it is Portugal that are enjoying most of the possession. Not too much from a certain Ronaldo inside 13 minutes though!
CHANCES! Two chances in quick succession for Portugal. First, Nani breaks into the Austria box and draws a smart save from Almer, before the Austrian goalkeeper is forced to palm a Vieirinha effort wide of the post. Good pressure from Portugal in the last few moments here.
Harnik is playing through the middle for Austria tonight and the number 11 is causing problems when he is given the chance to break on Pepe and Ricardo Carvalho. Some pace from Harnik!
Arnautovic picks up possession in a wide position and looks to take on Ricardo Carvalho, but the centre-back is across to make the challenge and Austria's latest attack comes to a close. Portugal have shaded the opening 17 minutes tonight, but there is no question that Austria are dangerous.
Handbags between Nani and Arnautovic, but there is nothing there!
OOPS! Horrible mix-up in the Austrian defence as Hinteregger decides to play the ball back to his own goalkeeper and Almer smashes it against his own teammate and out for a corner. From the resulting set piece, Ricardo Carvalho makes contact, but his effort was wide of the post.
Portugal continue to look the more menacing in Paris as they pass and probe in the final third.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Portugal as Guerreiro breaks into the Austrian box after a one-two and sets up Ronaldo with a low cross, but his effort is just wide of the post!
Austria are just struggling to keep the ball at the moment as Portugal continue to dominate the midfield battle. Ronaldo, meanwhile, is starting to pick up dangerous positions inside the box.
Good grief - Almer looks a nervous man in the Austria goal. His kicking has been poor tonight and that will have been noted by Portugal, who continue to dominate this match all over the park. Still goalless though and that will worry Fernando Santos, who does not look overly comfortable here.
Still no yellow cards in this match, but we must be getting close as late challenges continue to arrive. Ronaldo has taken a couple of tasty knocks and the same can also be said for Arnautovic.
POST! Another super chance for Portugal as Nani meets a corner from the left, but his header smashes against the post and Moutinho fires the rebound over the crossbar!
BOOKING! Quaresma (Portugal) is booked for dissent.
Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining and somehow we are still level. I say somehow because Portugal have absolutely dominated this match and Austria cannot seem to keep the ball. What's more, Almer in the Austria goal does not seem capable of kicking straight at the moment.
Almer does well to keep out a close-range header from Ronaldo, but the flag is raised. Replays, however, have shown that Ronaldo was in an onside position. Lucky that he did not score then!
CHANCE! Ronaldo meets a header from Quaresma and manages to stay onside inside the Austria box, but his effort is straight at Almer. Austria are somehow surviving in Paris.
BOOKING! Pepe (Portugal) is booked for a late challenge on Alaba.
Austria have a free kick in a dangerous position here...
... OFF-THE-LINE! Alaba fires the free kick towards the far corner and somehow Vieirinha is on hand to make a goal-line clearance. Super piece of defending on the line there!
It must be said that this first period has absolutely flown past. Austria have had two excellent chances, but Portugal really should be leading as we approach the half-way stage in Paris.
HALF-TIME: Portugal 0-0 Austria
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Portugal and Austria level at 0-0. Austria have had two excellent chances - one at the start and one at the end of the first period - but Portugal have been the better team and really should be ahead at this stage of the contest in Paris.
STATISTICS! Portugal have dominated the possession with 61%, while they have had 12 attempts - four of which were on target. Austria, meanwhile, have only threatened the Portuguese goal on two occasions and thus far failed to hit the target. There were two bookings in the first period, with Quaresma carded for dissent and fellow Portuguese Pepe for a rash challenge on Alaba.
BENCH WATCH! New Bayern Munich midfielder Renato Sanches is once again on the bench for Portugal tonight, in addition to the likes of Eder, Joao Mario and Rafa Silva. Austria, meanwhile, have attacking options in the shape of Janko, Schopf and Okotie. Will we see any changes at the break?
Record-breaker Ronaldo has had chances tonight...
© AFP
RESTART! Austria resume the action in Paris...
... no changes from either side at the break, which is not too much of a surprise. However, I suspect that both managers will have alterations in mind as the second period develops in the capital.
SAVE! Super goalkeeping from Patricio as the Portugal stopper gets down low to keep out a powerful drive from Ilsanker, who had worked some space outside the Portugal box!
BOOKING! Harnik (Austria) is booked for a late challenge on Moutinho.
Ronaldo lines up a free kick from distance, but his effort is straight into the wall. You just get the feeling that the first goal tonight - if there indeed is one - could be vital in terms of the final result.
Pass, pass, pass from Portugal as they continue to dominate the possession, but Austria are not giving too much away at the moment and you sense that they would be happy with a draw tonight. It would mean that they would have to win their final Group F match against Iceland next week.
Nani wants more noise from the Portugal fans and they respond as Quaresma delivers another corner from the right. The cross is poor, however, and Austria can clear their lines once again.
Portugal have the chance to threaten from a free kick down the right, but Guerreiro's delivery is too strong and Austria can build from the back once again. Still all square in the Spanish capital.
SAVE! Super work from Almer this time as the Austrian keeps out a powerful Ronaldo strike! Almer has had some dodgy moments tonight, but that was a very good save.
SAVE! Almer, this time, keeps out a Ronaldo header from the resulting corner!
Austria are living a charmed life in this match as they continue to struggle to keep hold of the ball. You just get the feeling that one goal to win this and Austria might fancy their chances of nicking it!
We are entering the stage of the match where both managers will be considering changes, but there is no movement on either bench as things stand. Austria just are not threatening, but at 0-0, they will always have a chance of nicking one on the counter-attack. Portugal need Ronaldo here!
BOOKING! Fuchs (Austria) is booked for bringing Quaresma to the deck.
Portugal are peppering the Austrian box at the moment with a series of high balls.
Portugal have a free kick in a very dangerous area as Moutinho is felled by Baumgartlinger...
... AUSTRIA SUB! Schopf replaces Alaba for Austria.
CLOSE! Ronaldo sends his free kick just over the crossbar!
Quaresma delivers straight into the arms of Almer as Portugal continue to huff and puff without breaking the door down. Still goalless with little over 20 minutes of this match left to play here.
Portugal again make ground down the right and Vieirinha delivers towards the near post, but Nani cannot make contact and the ball bounces behind for a goal kick. Portugal need a goal here.
PORTUGAL SUB! Joao Mario replaces Quaresma for Portugal.
You just get the feeling that there will be one goal, or at least one big chance in the final 15 minutes of this match. Portugal have been the better team from start to finish, but their finishing has been disappointing it must be said. Austria have seemingly settled for a share of the spoils in Paris.
Austria have a free kick in a dangerous area as Moutinho fells Baumgartlinger...
... Sabitzer scoops the ball into the Portugal box, but Pepe clears before Fuchs fires wide!
Better from Austria in the last couple of minutes as they manage to stop the flow of Portugal pressure and enjoy some possession of their own. Just over 10 minutes left of normal time here.
PENALTY PORTUGAL!
BOOKING! Hinteregger (Austria) is booked for pulling Ronaldo down inside the box!
POST! Ronaldo hits the post with his spot kick!
Little under 10 minutes of this clash remaining and it is all Portugal. All Portugal...
... you still get the feeling that there is one more big chance left in this match.
PORTUGAL SUB! Eder replaces Gomes for Portugal.
AUSTRIA SUB! Hinterseer replaces Sabitzer for Austria.
GOAL DISALLOWED! Ronaldo has the ball in the back of the net, but he was offside!
BOOKING! Schopf (Austria) is booked for dissent.
AUSTRIA SUB! Wimmer replaces Ilsanker for Austria.
Ronaldo again makes contact with a cross, but his header is wide of the post.
PORTUGAL SUB! Rafa Silva replaces Nani for Portugal.
Silva and Vieirinha both deliver crosses into the Austrian box, but the danger is cleared on both occasions and the team in white launch a break of their own, which Guerreiro manages to clear.
We are into the second of three additional minutes here.
Austria have possession inside the Portuguese half and time is almost out here.
FULL-TIME: Portugal 0-0 Austria
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close and Austria have somehow held Portugal to a goalless draw in Paris. Ronaldo missed from the penalty spot in what was a dominant Portuguese performance, but they just could not find a goal. Thanks for joining Sports Mole once again!