France secured another big win tonight, handing Portugal its second defeat at the Paredes European Championship. The French team looked sharp, but their coach, Nuno Lopes, is keeping a cool head despite the success.
Lopes admitted the 1-0 scoreline felt a bit thin for how well his team played. “We really controlled things,” he explained. “Conceding a goal right before halftime was a surprise. We thought Portugal would try more long-range shots. But we fixed that issue pretty quickly.”
Despite the win, Lopes stressed the need for calm. “When you’re winning, everything seems perfect,” he said with a knowing look. “But let’s be clear: we haven’t won anything yet. We need to stay focused.”
This tournament in Paredes feels different from earlier matches, like those in Catalonia. The stakes are higher now. New rules have also changed how the game plays out. Lopes noted that holding onto the ball was key against Portugal to protect their lead.
So, can France finally achieve what they’ve always chased? Lopes isn’t making promises. “I really don’t know,” he shrugged. “Everyone on this team works incredibly hard for that goal. I truly believe our day will come.”