When you think of iconic football rivalries, Spain vs Germany, Brazil vs Argentina, or England vs Germany might instantly come to mind. But if you dig a little deeper into European football, you’ll realize that the Portugal National Football Team vs France National Football Team rivalry is just as historic—and every bit as dramatic.
For almost a century, these two nations have clashed on some of the biggest stages: the UEFA European Championship, the FIFA World Cup, and more recently, the Nations League. The timeline of their encounters tells a story of heartbreak, redemption, and unforgettable moments.
Let’s take a friendly stroll down memory lane and revisit how this rivalry was born, the key matches that defined it, and why Portugal vs France is one of football’s most fascinating rivalries.
The Early Days: 1926–1930
The rivalry kicked off in 1926 when France hosted Portugal and won 4–2. It looked like France would dominate, but Portugal didn’t take that lightly. Just a year later, in 1927, Portugal bounced back with a 4–0 win at home—their first victory in the head-to-head history.
The 1920s and 1930s saw a back-and-forth battle:
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1928 – France 1–1 Portugal (draw in Paris)
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1929 – France 2–0 Portugal (home win)
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1930 – Portugal 2–0 France (Lisbon win)
By the end of this era, the score was pretty even. Neither side had established dominance, but the seeds of a competitive rivalry were planted.
Mid-Century Battles: 1940–1959
Post-World War II, football resumed, and so did this fiery rivalry.
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1940 – France edged Portugal 3–2.
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1946 – Portugal got revenge, winning 2–1 at home.
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1947 – Both sides split wins, one each.
But things changed in the 1950s. France took control:
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1952 – France crushed Portugal 3–0.
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1957 – France edged another 1–0.
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1959 – A high-scoring thriller saw France win 5–3.
By the end of the ’50s, France looked like the stronger side, leaving Portugal struggling to keep up.
The 1970s & 80s: A Shift in Momentum
The 1970s brought some much-needed hope for Portuguese fans.
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1973 – Portugal stunned France 2–1 in Paris.
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1975 – Another away win, this time 2–0.
Two big victories on French soil gave Portugal confidence. But France wasn’t going to sit quietly:
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1978 – France hit back with a 2–0 win.
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1983 – France followed it up with a 3–0 away victory.
Euro 1984: A Classic Encounter
Ask any fan, and they’ll tell you the Euro 1984 semifinal was one of the greatest games in this rivalry. France, powered by Michel Platini, edged Portugal 3–2 in extra time.
Portugal may have lost, but their resilience on such a big stage showed they weren’t just underdogs anymore.
The 1990s to Early 2000s: France Takes Over
The 1990s were brutal for Portugal. France simply had their number.
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1996 – France 3–2 Portugal (friendly).
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1997 – France 2–0 Portugal.
Things didn’t get better in the 2000s either.
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Euro 2000 Semifinal – France beat Portugal 2–1 with a controversial golden goal by Zidane.
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2001 – France hammered Portugal 4–0 in a friendly.
At this point, it felt like whenever it mattered most, France always had the edge.
World Cup 2006: More Heartbreak for Portugal
The rivalry hit another high in the 2006 FIFA World Cup semifinals in Germany.
Led by Zinedine Zidane, France won 1–0 through a penalty, crushing Portugal’s dreams of their first-ever World Cup final. Another gut-punch loss for the Portuguese.
The 2010s: France Strong, But Portugal’s Turn Comes
The decade started in familiar fashion, with France winning again:
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2014 – France 2–1 Portugal.
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2015 – France 1–0 Portugal in Lisbon.
It looked like business as usual… until 2016.
Euro 2016: Portugal’s Redemption Story
If there’s one match that changed the entire Portugal vs France timeline, it’s the Euro 2016 Final in Paris.
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France were the favorites, playing at home.
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Cristiano Ronaldo went off injured early, and it looked like Portugal were doomed.
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But then, substitute Éder scored a stunning extra-time goal, giving Portugal a 1–0 win.
Not only did Portugal finally beat France in a major final, but they also secured their first-ever international trophy. It was a fairy-tale night, and one that every Portuguese fan will remember forever.
2020–2021: Nations League & Euro 2020
The Nations League and Euro 2020 added new chapters:
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2020 – France won 1–0 in Lisbon after a 0–0 draw in Paris.
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Euro 2020 group stage – Portugal and France battled to a thrilling 2–2 draw, with Ronaldo and Benzema both scoring twice.
The draw showed just how evenly matched the teams had become.
Euro 2024: Penalty Heartbreak
Their latest encounter came in Euro 2024, where the two sides met in the quarterfinals. After a cagey 0–0 draw, France advanced on penalties, once again leaving Portugal heartbroken.
Head-to-Head Record: France Still Ahead
Despite Portugal’s historic Euro 2016 win, the overall head-to-head numbers favor France heavily.
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France wins: 20
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Portugal wins: 6
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Draws: 3
When it comes to the big stage (Euros & World Cups), France still holds the advantage.
Big Themes in the Rivalry
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Tournament Drama – The most memorable clashes almost always came in the Euros or World Cup, where the stakes were sky-high.
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Golden Generations – Think Zidane, Henry, Platini versus Ronaldo, Figo, Eder. Legends defined this rivalry.
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Tactical Evolution – Early matches were open and high-scoring, but modern clashes are often tight, tactical battles.
Final Thoughts
The Portugal vs France rivalry is a tale of two nations that have pushed each other for nearly a century. France may dominate the win-loss record, but Portugal’s Euro 2016 triumph in Paris remains one of the rivalry’s most iconic chapters.
Looking ahead, both teams are packed with young talent—Mbappé for France, João Félix for Portugal, and more. The next clash? You can bet it’ll be another epic chapter in this century-long football saga.
