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France edge Portugal 3-1 to book final in UEFA Under-19

Xinhua, July 22, 2016 Adjust font size:

France turned the tides to beat Portugal 3-1 thanks to Kylian Mbappe's brace at the second semifinal of the UEFA U-19 EURO in Mannheim, Germany on Thursday.

Ludovic Blas cancelled out Portugal's opener through Pedro Pacheco before Mbappe turned up to secure the comeback win with two second-half goals.

Portugal caught a fairy tale start into the clash as Pedro Pacheco broke the deadlock with just three minutes on the play clock after heading home Goncalo Rodrigues' free kick cross into the box.

It was nevertheless a short-lived joy for Portugal as France responded in the 10th minute through Blas, who poked home a cross past custodian Pedro Silva for the equaliser.

As the match progressed, both defences neutralized nearly all efforts. Thus, it had to come the 67th minute before Mbappe dipped in a low cross to establish the 2-1 lead. The Monaco striker was on target eight minutes later as he nodded the 3-1 lead to wrap up a berth in the final.

With the result, France will encounter Italy for the final in Sinsheim, Germany on Sunday. Endit