France defeated Portugal on penalties within the quarter-finals of the European Championship, after a 120-minute goalless run. Their semi-final opponents might be Spain, who received 2-1 in further time in opposition to the match hosts, Germany.
/FILIP SINGER /PAP/EPA
Portugal’s match with France in Hamburg was billed as a conflict of strikers and leaders from each groups. Cristiano Ronaldo, 39, idolized Kylian Mbappe, now 25, who had posters of CR7 on his bed room partitions as a baby. The 2 gamers have nice respect for one another.
“Since I used to be a baby, I’ve felt nice admiration for Cristiano. Over time, I’ve had the chance to get to know him and discuss to him many instances. We’re nonetheless in contact and he typically helps me,” stated Mbappe.
The 39-year-old Portuguese has failed to attain in his 4 earlier Euro 2024 matches, and in opposition to Slovenia within the spherical of 16 he missed even a penalty when his shot from 11 metres was saved by Jan Oblak.
It does not matter what occurred on this match or what occurs after, he’ll all the time be a soccer legend. After all, we hope to win and attain the semi-finals,” the French striker added.
The “tricolours” had a rating to settle with the Portuguese, as they misplaced the Euro 2016 last, which they hosted, to them. On the Stade de France they misplaced 0:1 after Eder scored in further time.
Within the twentieth minute, Theo Hernandez fired a robust long-range shot that Diogo Costa was not fooled by. The Portuguese goalkeeper intervened shortly after, intercepting Mbappe’s cross.
Simply earlier than the break, Bruno Fernandes struck a free kick over the bar. The primary half noticed each groups successfully neutralising one another and there have been few goal-scoring alternatives.
The French within the 53rd minute performed the ball in entrance of the penalty space, and Mbappe’s shot was safely caught by Costa. Then the French striker was hit by the ball on his damaged nostril and needed to cease taking part in for a second due to the ache he felt.
Within the subsequent motion, Rafael Leao was stopped on the final second by the returning Edouardo Camavinga. The Portuguese took the initiative. Vitinha shot straight at Mike Maignan from shut vary. The French goalkeeper additionally saved Ronaldo’s rebound.
Ruben Dias saved Portugal within the 66th minute when he stopped a shot from Randal Kolo Muani heading in the direction of purpose. Then Ousmane Dembele, who got here off the bench, dribbled previous a few defenders and handed to Camavinga, who missed an ideal probability by capturing from a couple of yards out. Then the well-disposed Dembele bumped into the centre from the left and fired a harmful shot from distance, which flew simply extensive of the put up.
The thrill died down for some time. Each groups seemed like they had been ready for further time. Earlier than the ninetieth minute, N’Golo Kante had two pictures on track, however they did not trigger Costa any issues. The spotlight of the match was a duel between Marcus Thuram and Pepe, in the end received by the Portuguese defender. The gamers needed to play a further half-hour.
Early in further time, Ronaldo acquired a cross and shot extensive, however missed. Then Leao’s close-range shot was blocked by Dayot Upamecano.
Joao Felix changed Leao within the extra-time break, whereas Mbappe was changed by Bradley Barcola. Felix may have scored along with his first contact however hit the facet netting. Barcola’s run ended equally a couple of minutes later.
Nuno Mendes wasted the “match ball” within the last motion, capturing straight on the French goalkeeper. There have been no targets in 120 minutes, so the winner needed to be determined by penalties. The Portuguese failed to attain for the third consecutive match. In addition they failed to take action in opposition to Georgia and Slovenia.
Dembele, Ronaldo, Youssouf Fofana, Bernardo Silva and Jules Kounde transformed the penalties. Felix was the primary to make a mistake, hitting the put up. Barkola and Mendes then scored. Hernandez transformed the decisive penalty and France received 5-3.
Ronaldo performed his thirtieth and last European Championship match, whereas 41-year-old Pepe performed on the Euro for the twenty third time.
Within the semi-finals, France will face Spain.
/Grafika RMF FM
Yellow card – Portugal: Joao Palhinha. France: William Saliba.
Referee: Michael Oliver (England). Attendance: 47,789.
Portugal: Diogo Costa – Joao Cancelo (75. Nelson Semedo), Pepe, Ruben Dias, Nuno Mendes – Vitinha (119. Matheus Nunes), Joao Palhinha (90+2. Ruben Neves), Bruno Fernandes (75. Francisco Conceicao) – Bernardo Silva, Cristiano Ronaldo, Rafael Leao (106. Joao Felix).
Francja: Mike Maignan – Jules Kounde, Dayot Upamecano, William Saliba, Theo Hernandez – N’Golo Kante, Aurelien Tchouameni, Eduardo Camavinga (91. Youssouf Fofana), Antoine Griezmann (67. Ousmane Dembele) – Randal Kolo Muani (86. Marcus). Thuram), Kylian Mbappe (106. Bradley Barcola).
