Portugal 0-0 France (AET, 3-5 on penalties): Player ratings as Les Bleus reach Euro 2024 semi-finals
France squeezed into the semi-finals of Euro 2024 with a penalty shootout win against Portugal on Friday night.
Two of the tournament’s remaining heavyweights couldn’t be separated after a drab 120 minutes of football and spot kicks decided the outcome of their quarter-final tie in Hamburg.
Joao Felix was the only player to miss his penalty and the Selecao went crashing out, while Les Bleus. who have still not scored or conceded from open play all tournament – advance to take on Spain on Tuesday.
How the game unfolded
A dreary first half came and went without even any added time, with both sides reduced to potshots from distance in the opening 45 minutes.
Shortly after the break, Portugal had a penalty appeal dismissed when Nuno Mendes flew over the leg of Dayot Upamecano, but a spot kick was not forthcoming and he quickly got back to his feet to avoid any assertions of diving.
France went agonisingly close to an opener when Theo Hernandez’s cross through the six-yard box was just too strong for Randal Kolo Muani to get on the end of.
The first clear-cut chance came on the hour mark when Joao Cancelo picked out Bruno Fernandes running free into the France box, but the midfielder’s shot was palmed away by Mike Maignan.
France survived a scramble soon after when Vitinha was denied by Maignan at point-blank range, while the Milan goalkeeper blocked behind Ronaldo’s back-heeled rebound.
A similar chance for France went begging down the other end when Jules Kounde’s dink over the backline met a racing Kolo Muani, whose skewed volley was blocked behind by the retreating Ruben Dias.
Les Bleus again went close after Ousmane Dembele’s low cross ricocheted into Eduardo Camavinga, who dragged his shot from inside the six-yard box inches wide.
Mbappe brought one last save out of Diogo Costa before extra-time loomed in Hamburg.
Portugal conjured up extra-time’s first opening as Francisco Conceicao nipped to the byline and cut back for Cristiano Ronaldo, who skied the chance to put the Selecao ahead.
Dayot Upamecano then came to France’s rescue with a block to keep Rafael Leao at bay, while Mbappe had to be withdrawn from the game’s finale after taking a blow to his broken nose.
A few Portugal fans thought the ball had crept into the France net when Joao Felix headed a Conceicao delivery towards goal, but they would have been disappointed to realise it smacked the side-netting instead.
As the clock ticked over the 120th minute, Portugal were afforded one last chance, which fell the way of Nuno Mendes, but Maignan was equal to his effort and the game went to penalties.
France took first and scored all five of their efforts, while Joao Felix’s strike bounced back off the post and Portugal were sent home.
Source: 90mins
