New Delhi: France have made it through to the semi finals, leaving the Portuguese fans and the players heartbroken. Yet another game where the outcome had to be decided by a penalty shooutout after it ended deadlocked. Both the teams showed urgency and goot intent of going forward but yet again the end product was missing. Both the teams had their chances but somehow none of them could put the ball in the net. Eventually, the match went progressed through to extra time where there was no change in the scoreline whatsoever. The shrpness wasn’t quite there and the runs were simply not converted into something productive.
Portugal and France went into the second half at 0-0, as both the sides failed to produce any sort of finishing touch despite reaching each other’s opposition territory. With very little room in behind for players like Mbappe and Leao to sprint into, the two teams were finding it difficult to generate many opportunities. Although Hernandez’s long-range attempt to test Costa was France’s sole effort on goal in the first half, the team had looked dangerous on the break. In terms of possession, it was quite evenly split, with Portugal having an advantage.
The match was still deadlocked after ninety minutes of play. Both the teams looked disappointed not to have produced a winner since there were certain good opportunities in the second half. For Portugal, Vitinha and Fernandes had great chances to put the game ahead, but Maignan was able to stop them to keep it deadlocked.
Dias made a wonderful goal saving block to stop the progressing Kolo Muani, who found himself one-on-one against the defender. Camavinga had his chance to put France up front in the second half but he missed a close range shot.
After 120 minutes, neither team was able to score, as it led both the teams to a penalty shootout. Portugal had advanced from five of their previous six extra-time European Championship games. Throughout that run, they had only lost on penalties against Spain in the 2012 semi-finals. Portugal stepped on to the stage with confidence after their recent round of 16 triumph against Slovenia, where they managed to win the shootout comfortably.
However, it was Joao Felix who took the penalty kick for Portugal after the first five found the net, but his shot hit the post, giving France the lead. After that miss, Hernandez had an opportunity to give Deschamps’ team the victory, and he shot into the upper corner. Portugal were left heartbroken after the match while the French now have a task as they play Spain in the semifinals.
Top performers from the match
06 July 2024, Hamburg: Soccer, UEFA Euro 2024, European Championship, Portugal – France, final round, quarter-final, Volksparkstadion, France’s Ousmane Dembélé converts his penalty in the shoot-out. Photo: Jens Büttner/dpa (Photo by Jens Büttner/picture alliance via Getty Images)
Yet another match where there was limp in finishing and creativity that went all the way to penalty shootouts. Both the teams looked strong considering the running ability but somehow the end product wasn’t there throughout the game. Despite the players making those runs, the finishing touch was just not produced which eventually resulted in a deadlocked scoreline even after extra time. Ousmane Dembele looked the most lively amongst the French players, with his speed and acceleration that made him a dangerous threat for the Portuguese defence.
However, it was the same problem where he had the tenacity and ability but he just couldn’t get the job done, trying to finish it. Rafael Leao was having a great game with his ball control and movement where he made some exciting runs. However, he lacked the finishing touch as there were plenty of opportunities where he could have done a lot better. Despite his running ability and pace, the winger coudn’t cause any sort of real problem for the French defenders.
For Portugal, it was also the young Francisco Conceicao, who looked lively and a player confident with the ball at his feet. The 21-year-old was running through the spaces, trying to find a way to provide the finishing touch in the French box. Despite his attempts, the substitute couldn’t make the impact that was needed.
Portugal were left heartbroken after the match as Cristiano Ronaldo’s last UEFA Euro campaign ends in tears, just as his first, courtesy a penalty shootout loss to France in the quarterfinals of UEFA Euro 2024. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
