The national hockey team returned to the World Cup final, after beating France in the semi-finals, with a 4-0 victory, winning a lot of sweat and focus. A very different game from the one in which Renato Garrido’s team, have just crushed the group stage, the Frenchman 5-1, but the truth is that Portugal will be able to defend the title they won two years ago in Barcelona.
France is completely different from the one that Portugal faced in the opening group stage, as the French team reached this stage in high spirits, after defeating Spain, the chronic candidate for the world title, in the quarter-finals, by winning it. Penalty kicks (1-0), then a 4-4 draw at the end of the match. With the three brothers Benedetto, Bruno, Roberto and Carlo, at first, the French entered the game boldly, responding to the Portuguese initiative with a violent attack.
Even Portugal came strong, with Goncalo Alves, who was trained by his “pliers”, after he left the first match with the French, and played at the start. The Portuguese tried to impose their game, getting the first shot, but the French reciprocated. And so the match was open, with Portugal showing their respect in front of a team that managed to score four goals against strong Spain.
France even came close to scoring without the attention and reactions of Angelo Giroux. After two threats from Gonzalo Alves, Portugal took an unexpected lead, as Gonzalo Alves pulled the French defense and left an opportunity for Rafa Costa, from the middle of the street, to shoot Bono’s goal. The sign was open and the greater calm of the Portuguese in the ring was clearly visible. Now it was France that had to take more risks and leave room for the transfers of the world champions.
Portugal does not tremble, France is gone
A short advantage, but Portugal managed cleverly, with great defensive safety, and then looked for mistakes on the part of the French to reach the second goal. The French also did not risk much in attack, but they had chances to equalize, especially a powerful shot from Roberto Di Benedetto.
With time to end, France had to risk more and Portugal had a sovereign opportunity to double the advantage, scoring a direct free kick, but Gonzalo Alves hit the ball. The ball did not enter at that moment, but it did enter soon after, with a powerful shot from Helder Nunes that surprised everyone four minutes from the end.
France ended up falling apart like a deck of cards when, in an effort, they looked for a target that would allow them to re-enter the debate on the score. Portugal did not stumble and scored two more goals, in quick transfers, as Henrique Magalhaes made the score 3-0, before Helder Nunes scored two goals in the match. There was still a few seconds left, but Carlo de Benedetto immediately hugged Henrique Magalhaes. The first finalists for the World Cup were found.
Portugal is now waiting for the outcome of the confrontation between its hosts Argentina and Italy to see who it will discuss with whom it will discuss the 17th title in its history next Sunday.
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