Flamboyant hosts earn final chance

By Andrew Haslam at the Stade Jean Leroi

A scintillating display of attacking football in the early stages of the second half sent France through to the final of the UEFA European Under-17 Championship and ended Portugal's hopes of retaining their trophy.

Key trio
Trailing 1-0 at the interval to Bruno Moreira's 26th-minute strike, goals in the second period from Samir Nasri, Jérémy Menez and Hatem Ben Arfa - the trio whose incisive interplay has illuminated France's campaign - ended the holders' challenge. Some 14,000 spectators are now expected for Saturday's final against Spain in Châteauroux. That will be preceded by the third-place match in which Portugal will play England for a berth in the 2005 UEFA-CAF Meridian Cup, for which France have now qualified.

Minor changes
France coach Philippe Bergeroo made two changes from the side that clinched first place in Group A with a 2-1 victory against Turkey on Sunday, Ben Arfa - who came off the bench to score in that win - and Kévin Constant coming in for Franck Songo'o and Stéphane Marseille. Bergeroo's Portuguese counterpart Carlos Dinis made one alteration, João Fonseca taking Paulo Rodrigues's place in defence.

Constant chance
Both sides began cautiously, with Portugal enjoying more early possession but without really threatening. Indeed it was France who came closest to taking an early lead, Constant meeting Nasri's left-wing corner with a powerful header but, with the majority of the crowd already rising to acclaim a goal, the ball flashed wide of the near post.

Temporary confusion
Portugal continued to dictate the pace but without putting the French defence under serious pressure, although Bruno Gama's curling left-wing free-kick was flicked on by Moreira and caused confusion in the French goalmouth.

Too high
At the other end, Menez's break down the left led to a clever French passing move to work a shooting chance for Constant, but the midfield player sidefooted over.

Moreira moment
Midway through the first period, Portugal silenced the noisy crowd. Rui Gomes did well down the right and crossed into the centre where Moreira got ahead of his marker and the striker's effort looped over Costil and dropped inside the far post.

Cool finish
It was the first time France had been behind in the tournament and the hosts came out for the second half looking revitalised and parity was restored 12 minutes after the restart through a well-worked goal. France broke quickly following a Portuguese corner, Nasri finding Ben Arfa who in turn moved the ball on to Mangani. The left-back attempted a pass to Nasri, but instead the ball broke back to the defender, who burst down the left before crossing low for Nasri to lift past Ricardo Janota.

Defensive misunderstanding
Four minutes later, France were ahead. Menez chased a long ball forward although Janota looked to have the situation under control. His clearance hit Fonseca, however, and span past the Portuguese goalkeeper, leaving the French striker to shoot into an empty net.

Decisive third
Four minutes past the hour, it was 3-1 and the match was effectively over. Again it was Menez who did the damage, twisting inside from the left-hand side and unleashing a stinging shot that Janota could only parry, leaving Ben Arfa to tap in.

Hopes ended
Portugal continued to probe, but Hélder Barbosa's effort that curled fractionally wide was the closest they came to getting back into the match. At the other end, Ben Arfa and Menez had chances to make the final score even more emphatic, but the hosts had already done more than enough.