After the powerful quarter-final clash between Germany and Spain, it seemed that the clash between France and Portugal would send the public into a realm of sleep. Even despite the duel between Mbappé and Cristiano. The former did not score in the match (one penalty and two own goals), the latter did not open the scoring against the teams from Georgia and Slovenia (here it was on penalties). Expectations were confirmed for most of the match, but later the opponents rewarded the spectators’ patience.
The first shot, at least on target, came in the 16th minute. It almost became productive thanks to the top scorer at the European Championships: an own goal. However, the ball went wide after being hit by Bruno and rebounded off a defender. The opponent responded with a long-range effort from Theo at a speed of 127 km/h; Costa did not waste it. No other ball found the target.
The Portuguese continued to charge aimlessly into the box, earning several corners. The ball constantly failed to reach Cristiano, so he excitedly showed it to his teammates. The French, as always, pressed high, acted as number two and waited in vain for quick attacking opportunities. Only personal fans of Mourinho, Allegri and Southgate enjoy this kind of football.
In the second half, France took the initiative. Did it give them anything? No. In terms of expected goals per 45 minutes, the teams averaged just 0.15 xG between them and proved that entertainment at Euro 2024 is clearly not their thing. Judge Oliver didn’t add a single minute and he was right. Fans who paid a lot of money for such a performance frankly regretted it.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Photo: Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
After the match resumed, Mendes collapsed in the penalty area due to the wind, feigning a foul by Yupamecano. As if Leau’s warnings about such behaviour had not taught him anything. However, the PSG defender did not receive a yellow card. And then a “ten” almost unintentionally took the second out of the game: Bernardo headed the ball and the ball hit Mbappé’s head. Kilian received help for a long time, but still remained on the field.
There was also a weak shot on goal from Mbappé, and a pass from Leau, who tenaciously finished past Camavinga. In general, everything but goal-scoring opportunities. But from the 60th minute onwards the heat finally began, which Maignan extinguished. First, Mick, with a spectacular leap, placed Bruno’s cannon in the far corner, a little later, he shot past Vitinya and finished off Cristiano with his back heel.
France got going and responded with a lively run and volley from Kolo Muani. Dias removed the threat with a sliding tackle. Deschamps sensed Portugal were not perfect and replaced Griezmann with the speedy Dembele. It worked. Usman turned his opponent and shot. After the rebound, the ball flew towards Camavinga, who was alone. Edu aimed for the far corner and missed.
Dembélé then came close to a masterpiece, turning into the far corner and hitting the crossbar. So what were the teams waiting for? Why couldn’t the joke have been made earlier?
The match between Spain and Germany started much earlier:
Germany at the Euros: That’s all! The incredible drama with Spain deprived them of even the semi-finals
The stability of the two Portuguese super-veterans is noteworthy. Cristiano received the right to take a free kick, stood in his characteristic stance and confidently fired into the wall. Classic. This is his 35th failed attempt to win the European Championship. And 41-year-old Pepe was not inferior in speed to 26-year-old Thuram, caught up with him and deprived him of the ball. We expect the same performance from them at the 2026 World Cup.
Despite the abundance of chances at the end of regulation time, the game went to extra time. For the Portuguese, for the sixth time in the last eight at the European Championship. Compared to a combined 0.15 xG in the first half, France managed 0.82 in the second and Portugal 0.67. The difference is colossal.
Kylian Mbappé
Photo: Alex Pantling – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
Pepe continued to humiliate the French youngster and blocked Mbappé’s shot. Leau missed the ball when he was 10 meters from goal. Mendes treated Maignan with a weak push. But in general the football was no longer brilliant. The opponents seemed to have accepted the penalty shootout and waited for it. Thank you for opening them up at least for a while.
There is also sad news: Mbappé, who was feeling unwell, did not come on in the second extra time. Still, the match was presented as a confrontation between Kylian and Ronaldo, but it did not work as such: both were clearly not at their best.
The first approaches to the 11-metre mark flew unerringly. Dembélé rolled to the right. Cristiano uncharacteristically took a couple of breaks and planted it hard to the left. Fofana fired down the centre. Bernardo sent the ball into the top right corner. Kunde repeated in the opposite direction. But Félix shot against the post and the miss proved fatal. Barcol and Theo did not forgive João. Mendes’ precise shots into the net did not save Portugal.
Cristiano didn’t cry anymore, he seemed to cry all his tears in the extra time of the match against Slovenia. This was Ronaldo’s last Euro. And the only one in which Krish didn’t score a single goal. But the Portuguese star will obviously go to the 2026 World Cup due to his frantic determination. France will play the semi-finals with Spain and will clearly not be the favourites. Although nobody would do it against Spaniards like that.
We study the updated European network:
The first pairing in the Euro 2024 semi-finals is in! What the playoff bracket looks like now
