France's lead over Portugal cut to just 3 points in UEFA rankings race

France holds onto fifth place in the UEFA rankings, but its lead over Portugal has been cut to just 3.146 points after a mixed week for Ligue 1 clubs, marked by RC Lens’s historic 1-9 home defeat to Como.

On paper, the French record remains respectable: six clubs competing, three wins and three draws. Paris Saint-Germain thrashed Villarreal 6-0, Olympique de Marseille won at Leverkusen (1-0) and Monaco dominated Nordsjaelland (2-0). Lille, Rennes and Lyon each grabbed a point, respectively against Bodö/Glimt (0-0), Olympiacos (0-0) and Real Sociedad (1-1). But the hammering handed to Lens heavily weighed on the total points accumulated by Ligue 1.

Meanwhile, Portugal had an almost perfect week with four wins and one draw. Sporting Lisbonne beat Shakhtar (1-0) and FC Porto dominated Napoli (4-1) in the Ligue des Champions. In the Ligue Europa, Benfica eliminated Lech Poznan (3-1), while second-division club Torreense pulled off a surprise against Ararat-Armenia (3-2). Only Braga conceded a draw against Aarhus (0-0) in the Ligue Europa Conférence.

The UEFA coefficient calculation, smoothed over five rolling seasons, has already cost France dearly this summer with the exit of the 2021-2022 season, which was particularly favourable. Since the start of the season, Portugal has accumulated 8.900 points compared to 7.214 for France, already erasing a third of the 4.832-point cushion Ligue 1 had at the start of the season. Portugal now stands at 69.150 points, compared to 72.296 for France.

The stakes are considerable. Fifth place in the UEFA rankings guarantees seven tickets for European competitions, including four in the Ligue des Champions — three direct qualifications and one for the third qualifying round. A slip to sixth place would reduce this allocation to six clubs and deprive France of a direct ticket to the league phase. Belgium, in seventh, remains far behind, but the Portuguese threat is now very real.