France progressed to the semi-finals of the UEFA European Championship after defeating Portugal 5-3 on penalties on Friday night.
EURO 2024
Report: Portugal 0-0 France
Date: 05 July 2024
Venue: Volksparkstadion
Portugal kept the same side that could not score in 120 minutes but eventually defeated Slovakia on penalties, as captain Cristiano Ronaldo was accompanied by Rafael Leao, Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva.
France, meanwhile, made two changes following their narrow win over Belgium, as Eduardo Camavinga and Randal Kolo Muani, who joined the face-masked Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann in attack.
The Selecao started the brightest going forward, looking to locate Ronaldo up top but they could not quiet find the spaces they were looking for.
Les Bleus got into the game after the first quarter of an hour but they were also not allowed enough room in the last third, as the speedy Mbappe broke away only once on the flank before he was crowded.
The sides were tactically matched even towards the end of the first stanza, with either goalkeeper not having much to do and a change of approach was required from the break.
The second stanza got off to a slow start up until around the hour-mark after Fernandes had a big chance for Portugal, through on goal but he was denied by goalkeeper Mike Maignan from point-blank range.
The game suddenly opened up and ten minutes later Camavinga had unbelievable opportunity for Didier Deschamps' charges, with only shot-stopper Diogo Costa to beat but he curled his shot just wide of the far post.
Roberto Martinez showed attacking intent with his change 15 minutes before time as Fernandes made way for Francisco Conceicao.
However, it was Les Bleus who looked much more threatening in the closing stages, largely thanks to the spark brought by substitute Ousmane Dembele but neither side could seal and extra-time was required.
Ronaldo had the first big chance for the Selecao early in extra-time after a cut-back found him unmarked in the box but he fired his shot wide.
France needed more spark in the second period of extra-time after Mbappe was withdrawn and he was replaced by Bradley Barcola.
The game stretched from end to end in the latter phase of extra-time and Nuno Mendes had a glorious chance to seal it for Portugal in the last minute after he charged his way through in the box but his shot was smothered by Maignan and the sides could not be separated and had to go to penalties.
Les Bleus won the shootouts 5-3 after Joao Felix had a spot-kick that came off the post for Portugal and Theo Hernandez made it five out of five for Deschamps' troops.
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