France beat Portugal on penalties to advance to the Euros semi-finals against Spain

no clear opportunities after  120 minutes

During the 120 minutes in Hamburg, both teams encountered significant difficulty in generating clear opportunities. Joao Felix was the sole player to miss in the shootout, and Theo Hernandez scored the winning penalty attempt.

France successfully executed all of their penalties, thereby securing a meeting with Spain in the last four. Portugal’s Joao Felix was the sole player to fail, as he directed his team’s third penalty attempt into the post.

France’s recent triumph in a shootout was long overdue, as they were eliminated from the 2022 World Cup final on penalties by Argentina and from the previous Euros in the last 16 by Switzerland three years ago.

In the 2006 World Cup final, they were defeated by Italy on penalties, which was the last significant tournament to be held in Germany.

Mbappe replaced

Bradley Barcola replaced Mbappe midway through extra time, and he was already off the field when the shoot-out commenced, as he had missed the critical attempt against the Swiss.

“I am proud of my players.” “France coach Didier Deschamps stated, ‘We do not give up, even if we are not performing everything perfectly.'”

“We are once again in the semi-finals.” I will take the time to appreciate this, despite the fact that we have another game scheduled.

Mbappe endured a frustrating evening as he continued to pursue his optimal performance in the competition. However, he appears to be hindered by the mask he is wearing to safeguard his nose, which he fractured against Austria in France’s opening game.

final game for Ronaldo

While Ronaldo, at 39, appears to have played at a Euros for the final time, he will at least have another opportunity to perform in the semi-final.

Although this was his sixth European Championship, he was unable to add to his tournament record tally of 14 goals in Germany after failing to score in all of Portugal’s five encounters.

Roberto Martinez’s team was unable to score a goal in over six hours of play, resulting in their elimination. However, he converted Portugal’s initial penalty.

They prevailed over Slovenia on penalties in the last 16 following a goalless draw, but they were ultimately unsuccessful in Hamburg due to a disappointing game.

“In the same way that it may have been cruel for Slovenia in the last 16, it was cruel for us today.” Bernardo Silva informed CNN, “That is football.”

Neither of these teams had performed at a level that was remotely indicative of their potential in their previous games at the tournament, particularly France, which has progressed this far without any of its players scoring a goal in open play.

 game performance

Antoine Griezmann was deployed as number 10 behind the attackers, while Randal Kolo Muani and Eduardo Camavinga were introduced to the France line-up.

In addition to their ability to rely on an exceptional defense, France has been content to hold off teams and has struggled to play with any genuine intensity when in possession.

The game was never particularly exciting, but it did momentarily come to life in the second half, even though they had a reduced amount of possession of the ball.

Just after the hour mark, Bruno Fernandes’ shot was saved by Mike Maignan, and Portugal began to cause issues with runners entering the box from midfield.

Only moments later, Vitinha attempted to capitalize on Rafael Leao’s low center. Maignan, who was adamant about not allowing Ronaldo to score the first goal in open play of the competition, saved his shot and promptly intervened to prevent him from backheeling the ball in from close range.

Kolo Muani executed a one-two with Kounde and attempted to score, but Portugal was ultimately saved by a crucial Ruben Dias interception.

Griezmann was subsequently substituted for Dembele by Deschamps, who promptly created a prime opportunity for Camavinga, which the midfielder missed.

Subsequently, the game gravitated toward extra time, during which Ronaldo failed to capitalize on a promising opportunity resulting from substitute Francisco Conceicao’s cutback.

France’s captain observed the conclusion of extra time from the sideline, as Maignan denied Nuno Mendes at the very end of 120 minutes, and penalties ensued. Mbappe was unable to surpass that performance.

Maignan was unable to make a save, but he did not need to, as the shoot-out occurred at the Portugal end of the Volksparkstadion.

Portugal’s Diogo Costa was able to save three penalties from Slovenia in the previous round, but he was unable to do so this time.