Portugal 0-0 Austria: EURO 2016 Group F Report

Cristiano Ronaldo missed a penalty and Portugal spurned a host of other chances as they drew 0-0 with Austria in the Parc des Princes.

Despite having more than 20 efforts on goal, Portugal couldn’t find a way past Robert Almer in the Austria goal, meaning the two pre-tournament favourites for Group F lie behind outsiders Hungary and Iceland going into the final matchday.

Portugal made two changes to the side that drew 1-1 with Iceland in their opening Group F match, with William Carvalho and Ricardo Quaresma coming in for Joao Mario and Danilo, while Cristiano Ronaldo became his nation’s all-time record appearance holder by picking up his 128th cap.

Austria made three changes, with Watford’s Sebastian Prodl replacing the suspended Aleksandar Dragovic, who was sent off in the 2-0 defeat to Hungary, at centre-back, while Stefan Ilsanker came in for the injured Zlatko Junuzovic, and Marcel Sabitzer started in place of Marc Janko in attack.

Both teams made a lively start to proceedings in the French capital, with Portugal forcing a couple of early corners, before Austria had a great chance to take the lead in the fourth minute.

Sabitzer found some space on the right side of the box but his cross could only be headed wide by Martin Harnik from six yards out.

Two minutes later, Portugal had a chance with a header of their own, but former Manchester United forward Nani could only send his effort over Robert Almer’s crossbar.

Fernando Santos’ side then went close again on two occasions in the same period of play. Firstly, Nani broke into the box but saw his low curling effort saved by the legs of Almer, before Vieirinha then hit a shot from outside the area that the Austrian stopper diverted past the post for a corner.

Ronaldo endured a terrible evening in Paris. Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.

Ronaldo had an excellent chance to open his account at the 2016 European Championships in the 22nd minute, however he could only side-foot Nani’s cut-back inches wide of the post.

Just before the half-hour mark, Nani had another great chance, but his header from eight yards crashed back off of the post, before Joao Moutinho hit an effort just over the crossbar as the ball rebounded to him just outside the penalty area.

Seven minutes before the interval, Ronaldo had another sight of goal, but he could only send his a weak volley from 12 yards straight into the arms of a grateful Almer.

Alaba was relatively quiet in the first half, but his fierce free-kick on 40 minutes flashed across the face of the goal before Vieirinha did well to clear under pressure.

Austria went close less than a minute into the second half, when Ilsanker let fly from 25 yards, but Rui Patricio saved well down low to his left-hand side.

Ronaldo then had two more efforts on goal, starting with a fierce shot from just outside the area that Almer parried away for a corner. From the resulting set piece, the Real Madrid forward leapt higher than anyone else and directed a header down towards the goal, but once again Almer was in the way.

He then sent another free-kick inches over the crossbar, meaning he has now failed with all 36 attempts he has had at major tournaments.

Incredibly, the 31-year-old then had another golden chance to take all three points for Portugal after he was brought down in the area by Martin Hinteregger, but incredibly his spot-kick hit the post with Almer diving the other way.

It wasn’t to be the Ballon d’Or holder’s night, and it was proven when he finally beat Almer with a header, but was correctly adjudged to be offside.

Man of the Match: Robert Almer (Austria)

Although he looked uncertain at times, the the Austrian goalkeeper prevented Portugal efforts on goal on a number of occasions to get the clean sheet for his nation, and their first point at this summer’s tournament, keeping them in contention to qualify going into their final Group F game.

What’s Next: Portugal face Hungary in their final Group F match in Lyon on Wednesday evening knowing that a win will see them through to the knockout stages, while Austria know they must beat Iceland in the Stade de France on the same evening if they are to have any chance of reaching the last 16.