France edges out Portugal on penalties in tense Euro 2024 quarter-final

Euro 2024, France vs Portugal, Cristiano Ronaldo

July 6, 2024

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France edges out Portugal on penalties in tense Euro 2024 quarter-final

France reached the Euro 2024 semi-finals after a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Portugal. The match was a tense affair, ending 0-0 after extra time, but it was France who emerged victorious with a perfect penalty record. This marked the end of Cristiano Ronaldo’s Euro 2024 journey.

Unlike the exciting first quarter-final between Germany and Spain, this match lacked the attacking fireworks fans might have expected. Both teams struggled to convert their chances, with Portugal looking particularly wasteful in the final third. While France had a slight edge in terms of attacking threat, they too lacked the finishing touch to break the deadlock.

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The game saw both Cristiano Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappe fail to make a significant impact. Portugal leaned heavily on Rafael Leao and Nuno Mendes for attacking inspiration, while France relied on the pace of Randal Kolo Muani in the first half and Ousmane Dembélé in the second. However, none of these players could truly trouble the opposing defense.

The end of an era for Cristiano Ronaldo at the European Championships. #EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/KCJiTocPqG

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) July 5, 2024

One of Portugal’s biggest weaknesses throughout the tournament was their predictable attacking style. They consistently focused their attacks down the left flank through Leao and Mendes. This tactic quickly became transparent for the French defense, with Dayot Upamecano and Jules Kounde effectively shutting them down. The lack of creativity and variation in Portugal’s approach frustrated their fans, who voiced their displeasure throughout the match.

Despite the lack of goals, the game did see some impressive defensive performances. Portugal’s goalkeeper Diogo Costa continued his fine form, making crucial saves against the likes of Mbappe and Griezmann. He was well supported by the experienced defensive duo of Ruben Dias and Pepe. Pepe, in particular, silenced his critics after a shaky performance in the previous match, putting in a strong display against a dangerous French attack.

France’s midfield, boasting stars like Eduardo Camavinga, N’Golo Kante, and Aurelien Tchouameni, surprisingly struggled to contain Portugal’s attacking runs. Vitinha and Nuno Mendes were able to exploit gaps in the French midfield, finding space for themselves and their teammates. This will be a major concern for coach Didier Deschamps, who knows that a repeat performance against Spain in the semi-final could spell trouble for his team.

With the score locked at 0-0 after extra time, the match went to penalties. Here, France held their nerve, converting all five penalties. Unfortunately for Portugal, Joao Felix missed the crucial penalty, handing France a hard-fought victory and sending them through to the next round.