Portugal Knocks Off France 2-0, Will Meet Brazil in U-20 World Cup FInal

Portugal is in the midst of an incredible run to the World Cup Finals. They have no conceded a goal in the entire tournament and had only scored three goals entering Wednesday's match with France.

The offensive attack showed up for Portugal against France as they recorded two goals. France was very inconsistent this tournament and did not bring their A game for this semifinal match.

The match against France was the best match played by Portugal this entire tournament after many expected them to be eliminated against Argentina.

Portugal went ahead very early in this match and France didn't appear ready to respond and were easily disposed of by Portugal.

Portugal is now ready to face Brazil in the World Cup Final. Brazil has been dominant this World Cup and are coming off victories over Spain and Mexico in their last two matches. They breezed through the match against Mexico, winning 2-0, and knocked off Spain in penalty kicks.

Brazil is the best U-20 team in the world right now, so it will be a very tough match for Portugal. Brazil has a terrific offensive attack and a solid defense, while Portugal has a decent attack and a terrific defense and goalkeeper.

Mike, the Portuguese keeper, will be essential to victory for Portugal as he has not given up a goal the entire tournament. However, something has to give between Brazil's offense and Portugal's defense, and it will end up being Portugal's defense.

Brazil's offense is the best attack Portugal has faced all tournament and they will find themselves losing in the World Cup Final to the Brazilians.

Keep it locked to Bleacher Report's World Football page for all the latest news and analysis from around the sport and the U-20 World Cup.

—Matt Faulconer

Portugal vs. France Preview for Mika

Mika has been tremendous in this year's FIFA U-20 World Cup and was instrumental in defeating Argentina in the quarterfinals. He is going to be called on early and often against France but he won't be denied a chance to win the U-20 World Cup.

Entering Portugal's match against Argentina, Esteban Andrada was considered the top goalie in the tournament. Andrada is expected to sign with Barcelona shortly and was the goalie with the highest profile. However, Mike has made a name for himself in this World Cup and is proving to be an elite goalie in his own right.

While Mike did not have the hype surrounding him entering the tournament he has certainly lived up to the expectations around him. To this point in the tournament, he has not allowed a single goal. Andrada gave up one goal, however, it came on a penalty kick.

Mika is the difference for this Portugal side as they have not gotten much going offensively. He is going to be called on often to stop shots from an inconsistent, yet explosive French attack.

If Mika continues to play this well and this match goes to shootouts, Portugal can feel comfortable that they have the best goalie remaining in the tournament on their side.

Keep it locked to Bleacher Report's World Football page for all the latest news and analysis from around the sport and the U-20 World Cup.

—Matt Faulconer

Portugal vs. France Preview

Portugal and France are prepared to meet in the semifinals of the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup. Both teams are on magical runs but someone has to go home. Both teams deserve a spot in the World Cup Finals, unfortunately for France, Portugal deserves it more and they will find themselves advancing to the Final.

The French finished second in Group A to start the tournament after losing to Colombia but they have since knocked off Ecuador and Nigeria. The win over Nigeria was quite impressive as they came away with a 3-2 victory over one of the favorites in this tournament.

On the other hand, Portugal has fought through adversity in this tournament and is poised to advance to the World Cup Final. In five matches they have only scored three goals, yet they have not lost a match. They played to a draw against England in the group stages and advanced to the semifinals with a shootout victory over Argentina.

Argentina was one of the favorites entering the quarterfinals but they were unable to score during the match and were unable to hold on for the shootout victory.

Portugal will now be prepared to bring their ferocious defense into the match against France. France's attack has been up and down at best throughout this tournament, while Portugal's defense has been incredible in every match.

Things won't slow down for Portugal's defense and they may be able to finally convert a goal as they come away with a victory. However, don't be surprised if they need extra time or even penalties to advance to the Final.

Keep it locked to Bleacher Report's World Football page for all the latest news and analysis from around the sport and the U-20 World Cup.

—Matt Faulconer

Who cares about offense?

Portugal sure doesn't.

The U-20 Portuguese squad doesn't score a lot of goals. Heck, they have more wins than goals.

Yes, more wins than goals.

On paper, this run seems improbable. However, if you watch Portugal play, you can see why they win matches.

Their defensive intensity is outstanding. Even though the players are young, they are clearly dedicated to clean sheets. Whenever young players can play that maturely, the team has a good chance to win.

Now, with momentum, Portugal seems unbeatable. Their offense may be lackluster, but their defense is impenetrable. They simply refuse to concede.

Sure, the odds are that Portugal will let a goal in. Despite the odds, I just can't imagine them picking the ball out of the net. It just seems too foreign.

They are 109 minutes away from Brazil's record of 634 minutes without conceding. Obviously, that's more than a match away. Still, why would anyone believe Portugal will concede before then?

Yes, France has shown the ability to score. They play a relatively open style, which results in a lot of goals.

Regardless, I think Portugal will dictate the pace of the match. In doing so, they will keep France from finding the net.

If Portugal reaches the final, they will face either Brazil or Mexico. Both of those sides have shown how easy scoring comes to them. Brazil is the tournament's leading scorer, and four different players have scored three goals each.

In the quarterfinal, Mexico dismantled the hosts, Colombia. They are looking to ride that momentum to an upset over the unbelievably talented Brazilians.

Still, it won't matter who wins that match. Portugal is the team to beat.

With their spectacular defense, the Portuguese can handcuff even the best of teams.

Consequently, it doesn't matter how impressive these other sides have looked offensively. Portugal has looked even more impressive on defense.

As a result, Portugal is definitely the team to beat.

France has had an unbelievable U-20 World Cup.

They were dismantled by the hosts, Colombia, in their first match. Since then, the French have continued to improve.

They rolled through the rest of group play by an aggregate score of 5-1. They have played well in the first two rounds of the knockout stage. Now, they have made it further than any other French team in U-20 World Cup history.

The run stops here.

The French have relied on magic from Alexandre Lacazette. The supersub has netted four goals in limited time. In other words, he has one more goal than the entire Portugal side in less than half the time.

Unfortunately, Portugal has too good of a defense. They will not concede, especially to a substitute. If France can't muster up more offense before Lacazette enters the match, they stand virtually no chance.

France doesn't exactly have the greatest defenses either. They have conceded seven goals in five matches, which could come back to bite them. Considering they will be lucky to score a single goal against Portugal, the French defense needs to rise to the occasion.

That's not going to happen.

France could play well, but I just can't see them maintaining a clean sheet. In addition, I don't think they will muster a goal against the seemingly impenetrable Portuguese defense.

Based on those two beliefs, I think France will fall short.

After an embarrassment at the 2010 World Cup, this U-20 team has brought respect back to French football. Unfortunately, their magical ride for redemption will fall short of the final.

Portugal hasn't conceded in the U-20 World Cup.

Don't expect them to concede in the semifinals.

Captain Nuno Reis leads one of the best young defenses in the world. Now, after their play in the World Cup, it is pretty easy to call them the best young defense in the world.

When you don't concede goals, it is impossible to lose. Portugal has taken that mindset to an entirely new level.

Regardless of how their offense plays, Portugal knows the defense will come up big. The defenders can all tackle dribblers, mark attackers and clear danger with relative ease. With quality at each position, the Portuguese do not have to worry about a weak link.

Most importantly, the defense keeps focused at all times. In doing so, they do not give up any easy chances. The opponents have to work incredibly hard just to get a shot, which is both physically and emotionally exhausting.

With their stellar defense, Portugal relieves pressure from their offense.

Even though Portugal has only scored three goals in five matches, they have four wins. By maintaining a spectacular defense, Portugal has a chance to win every match.

Mika has played every minute in goal. Considering how he has played, I wouldn't be surprised to see two more clean sheets from him. He communicates well with his defense, makes necessary saves and keeps his composure like a seasoned veteran.

With such a confident goalkeeper, the Portuguese play comfortably. The defenders know that there is someone to come to their rescue, if necessary. That confidence spurs a constant intensity on defense.

With this confidence, Portugal know they will not concede. Every match, they know that they are going to earn a clean sheet. In doing so, they have a great chance to win.

There are plenty of good defenses in the U-20 World Cup. However, based on their confidence, talent and performance, Portugal has separated itself as the best defense in the entire tournament.

Portugal and France were longshots to win the 2011 U-20 World Cup, but that is exactly what one of them is going to do. 

I have not decided who is going to win this game. I have only decided that the winner is going to win the whole thing.

Both of these teams have gotten better as the tournament has progressed, and they are displaying the kind of team play that it will take for them to pull off a huge upset.

It would be natural to assume that both of these teams are already content with their performances. But that is far from the case. 

These two teams have shown the kind of fortitude, drive and spirit that will push them well beyond any complacency, and will allow them to battle through any perseverance.

You cannot count out either of these teams until the match is over. And that is going to set up for a hard fought and scrappy match.

Just look at how both teams advanced past the quarterfinals.

Portugal took a talented Argentina squad to a penalty kick shootout. They entered the fourth round of the shootout trailing 3-1, and they were facing the best goalie in the tournament.

That didn't phase Portugal. They were able to knot the shootout at three and then prevail in the seventh round of kicks.

In France's quarterfinals they spent most of the match being outplayed by Nigeria. Nigeria controlled 54 percent of the possession. They also took eight more shots on goal, had fewer yellow cards and more corner kicks. But the France squad came up big when it mattered, and they pushed that contest into extra time

France dominated in extra time by netting two early goals, and now they are in their first ever U-20 World Cup semifinals.

The resolve and ability to perform big in the biggest moments is going to carry one of these teams to be champions of the 2011 U-20 World Cup.

Portugal and France are two very evenly matched teams that are about to battle in an epic U-20 World Cup semifinal. This one is destined to be decided in a penalty kick shootout. 

These teams teams are very similar. Both have exceeded expectations by reaching the semis, and both have shown a lot of grit and determination in the process.

You cannot count out either of these teams until the match is over. And that is going to set up for a hard fought and scrappy match.

Just look at how both teams advanced past the quarterfinals.

Portugal took a talented Argentina squad to a penalty kick shootout. They entered the fourth round of the shootout trailing 3-1, and they were facing the best goalie in the tournament.

That didn't phase Portugal. They were able to knot the shootout at three and then prevail in the seventh round of kicks.

In France's quarterfinals they spent most of the match being outplayed by Nigeria. Nigeria controlled 54 percent of the possession. They also took eight more shots on goal, had fewer yellow cards and more corner kicks. But the France squad came up big when it mattered, and they pushed that contest into extra time

France dominated in extra time by netting two early goals, and now they are in their first ever U-20 World Cup semifinals.

After all both of these teams have been through, they are not going to go down quietly. This contest is going to be tied after 90 minutes. It will be tied after 120 minutes, and it will probably be tied after five penalty kicks.