Nelson Semedo has come in for praise from fans on social media after a good performance for Portugal against the world champions France.
Wolves’ most expensive signing of the summer was selected to start by manager Fernando Santos and got a full 90 minutes at the Stade de France.
(Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images)
Despite so many superstars on the field, the evenly-contested Nations League game ended in stalemate.
Both teams remain on seven points in their group, and will be hoping to get back to winning ways this week with Portugal facing Sweden on Wednesday and France playing away to Croatia.
It was a good evening’s work for Semedo, who was back in his more familiar right-back role after coming on at left-back against Spain last week to face Adama Traore.
The 26-year-old was solid on the night, typically great in attack and was actually really impressive defensively against one of the most frightening attacking teams in the world.
(Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images)
He did not give Kylian Mbappe anything, with the Paris Saint-Germain forward eventually being hooked by Didier Deschamps on 84 minutes.
Fans were quick to praise Semedo on social media, and his form for the national team is certainly encouraging news for Wolves:
Wolves fans will be delighted to hear that Nelson Semedo put up a strong performance against France and kept Mbappe quiet 🤫! pic.twitter.com/LYF2VNUAIL
— FcportoNJ (@FcportoNj) October 11, 2020
Nelson Semedo pocketing Mbappe isn’t talked about enough tbh. He has done well.
— Rajesh™ ⚡ (@rma_boi) October 11, 2020
Don Nelson Semedo at it again
— UpDaBlaugrana🥇 (@FrenkieVision) October 11, 2020
Tricky to say who the standout player for Portugal was. Really liked Nelson Semedo’s display, good going forwards and defensively. Pepe and Ruben Dias again forging a fantastic partnership at the back. Danilo Pereira just in front excellent. And William Carvalho. Pure quality.
— Alex Goncalves 🇵🇹⚽ (@Aljeeves) October 11, 2020
Also liked Nelson Semedo that half. Had Mbappé to deal with in his zone of the pitch but controlled the PSG man well, very solid defensively, linking up well and trying to get things moving further up the pitch. Bruno Fernandes perhaps Portugal’s most incisive player.
— Tom Kundert (@PortuGoal1) October 11, 2020
Nelson Semedo pocketing Mbappe? Why am I not surprised? Our RWB🤴
— Josh (@JoshPilee) October 12, 2020
Nelson Semedo is quality.
— Mthembu wase Gubazi (@uMusaNje_) October 11, 2020
🇵🇹 Nélson Semedo in #FRAPOR:
87 touches
55/65 (85%) passes
2 crosses
7/9 duels won
3 fouls won
4 recoveries
3 tackles
3 clearances
0x dribbled pastSometimes criticized for his defending, #Portugal right back was excellent. Helped ensure Mbappé didn’t complete a single dribble. pic.twitter.com/Ohgs2AQXZE
— Joga Bonito (@Jasoninho10) October 11, 2020