, Sunday's Free Tip

10th July 2016

Hi ,

Griezmann and France Top Scorer and Winners Double

France have won the last two major football tournaments played in their own country while Portugal have never won the World Cup or European Championship finals. Those trends can continue in the final of Euro 2016 which France are tipped to win thanks partly to Antoine Griezmann scoring more goals than Cristiano Ronaldo.

Today’s final in Paris will help the city and country move on from the atrocities of last November. France beat Germany in a friendly on that occasion so it was apt they proved too strong for the world champions in the semi-finals of the Euros. Griezmann’s two goals took his tally to six and he is three goals clear of any other payer who can still overhaul. The Atletico Madrid forward is also in the running to be the UEFA Player of the Tournament.

France and Portugal have met in 24 full internationals, spanning 1926 to 2015. France have lost only five of those fixtures and have won the last 10 meetings going back to 1978. Both teams have scored in four matches and six of the fixtures have produced more than two goals. France have scored 23 goals and conceded six over this run of victories. The last meeting was a friendly last September in Lisbon which France won 1-0. Ronaldo has never scored against France and will need a hat-trick to draw level with Griezmann in the scoring charts.

Portugal are 8th in the FFA rankings, 13 places above France. However, the relative standings are distorted because France did not play any qualifying matches for the finals as hosts. The rankings put a weighting on recent competitive internationals so while France were playing friendlies Portugal came through the qualifying process. They won their group with ease but only had to take on Albania, Denmark, Serbia and Armenia. Portugal won seven and lost one of their qualifiers scoring 11 goals in eight matches and conceding five.

Portugal reached the last four in France without winning a match. They had three draws in the groups and then won in extra time and on penalties in the first two knockout rounds. There was little to choose between Portugal and Wales in the semis but two goals early in the second half decided the contest. Ronaldo has not had an outstanding tournament but his headed goal against Wales was awesome. Nani added a second soon after, latching on to a Ronaldo shot to score for the third time in the tournament. Both Portugal scorers were signed by Sir Alex Ferguson for Manchester United.

Griezmann missed a penalty against Real Madrid in the final of the Champions League. Despite emerging as France’s poster boy for the tournament he has never played in the French league. He moved to Spain aged 13 after numerous rejections in the country of his birth because he was seen as being too small. Griezmann has played his way through the ranks and on the back of the Euros could command a huge transfer fee though whether he would play in Spain for another team is debateable.

There has been no transfer speculation during the competition but a move to Arsenal would make sense though Griezmann would be in demand from the superpowers. He plays with Oliver Giroud for the national team and is Arsene Wenger’s type of player. If the long serving manager is to move on at the end of the season capturing Griezmann would be a great legacy and allow Wenger to leave the club with his reputation maintained and even enhanced.

France were under pressure for long spells during the first half in the semi-final against Germany. The penalty converted by Griezmann just before half time was fortunate but the player’s second goal after 72 minutes decided the contest. Germany being Germany never gave up and created chances but the French defence were strong and Hugo Lloris in goal made crucial saves when he was called upon. The best team advanced to today’s final in Paris.

Ronaldo is still a world-class operator and Portugal have plenty of options in midfield. A number of key men are past their best but they have been difficult to beat. However, this is Griezmann’s time and he can score again and help France beat Portugal and win Euro 2016.

Best Wishes,

BetFan