Portugal, European champions in 2016, more or less have qualification in the bag after maintaining their100 per cent record with a hard-fought1-0 win over Slovakia in Bratislava and a 9-0 home romp against hapless Luxembourg – their biggest-ever victory in102 years of international football. With maximum points from their first six fixtures in Group J, 24 goals scored and none conceded, the Portuguese have gone about their business with a steely single-mindedness, though, as they must realise, much sterner tests await.
Another nation flying high at perfect altitude is France, who goalscorers, Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni breaking the ice with a sumptuous drive on19 minutes and substitute Marcus Thuram on target with his first national team goal shortly after the break.
