The Portugal Under-21s, captained by Celtic's Paulo Bernardo, kicked off their U21 European Championship campaign with a hard-fought 0-0 draw against France. The match, held in Slovakia, saw both teams struggle to find a breakthrough, resulting in a point each in Group C.
Bernardo's Performance: A Mixed Bag
Bernardo played the full 90 minutes and demonstrated solid passing accuracy, completing 94% of his passes. However, he also missed two significant opportunities to put his team ahead. Despite his efforts, Portugal managed only three shots on target compared to France's four, highlighting the tight nature of the contest.
Group C Dynamics
The draw leaves Group C wide open. In the other group match, Georgia secured a 2-1 victory over Poland, giving them an early advantage. Portugal now faces Poland in their next match on Saturday, followed by a clash with Georgia on Tuesday. Securing wins in these matches will be crucial for Portugal to advance to the quarter-finals.
New Rule Introduced: Eight-Second Goalkeeper Limit
The U21 Euros also marks the debut of a new UEFA rule. Goalkeepers are now restricted to holding the ball for a maximum of eight seconds while unchallenged. This regulation, aimed at speeding up the game, will be implemented across all UEFA competitions next season. Referees will visibly count down the final five seconds to ensure compliance.
- Portugal drew 0-0 with France in their U21 Euros opener.
- Paulo Bernardo captained Portugal and played the full match.
- Georgia defeated Poland 2-1 in the other Group C match.
- A new rule limits goalkeepers to eight seconds of ball possession.
The competition promises exciting matches and showcases the future stars of European football. Fans can expect to see more tactical adjustments and high-pressure moments as the tournament progresses.