Portugal 0-0 (3-5 on pens) France
This all-star extravaganza in Hamburg may not have produced goals galore but my word, you could not keep your eyes off it.
That was particularly the case in a second half full of Euro 2024 highlights as the heavyweights of Portugal and France probed each other in a contest akin to a game of chess.
As one made a move before their opponent was next to ask questions, it was utterly compelling, utterly relentless, yet controlled.
This Euro 2024 meeting, reminiscent of their clash in the Euro 2016 Final, would have made another great showpiece eight years on.
The only downside was a series of unnecessary bookings were awarded by English referee Michael Oliver.
Highlights of the game
A rivalry with real history specifically stemming from this tournament, the nations tested each other in bursts from the outset as France dominated the initial exchanges before Portugal had a spell in charge.
In the last 16, Portugal had seen off Slovenia in dramatic fashion with a star goalkeeper in Diogo Costa and he was busy again early on.
The advancing Theo Hernandez took aim 25 yards out which forced Costa into action and the Portuguese number one then had to be alert to punch away after Kylian Mbappe’s frightening pace took him clear and he delivered into the danger zone.
It was then Portugal’s turn to attack as Bruno Fernandes fired in a good long-range effort which came off the shoulder of centre back William Saliba and narrowly past goalkeeper Mike Maignan’s post.
With Rafael Leao causing trouble down the left, the tie was evenly poised with the first goal likely to prove crucial.
The closest to an opener came on the hour when a Joao Cancelo pass, with the outside of his foot, found Fernandes whose first-time effort was destined for the bottom corner until Maignan stuck out a hand.
When the ball came back out, Cancelo curled it narrowly over the bar.
If that was fairly close, both sides should have scored moments later.
Leao made another fine run down the left and found Vitinha but the Barcelona man could only fire straight at Maignan.
The rebound fell to captain Cristiano Ronaldo who tried to improvise with a backheel when he could do little else but, again, Maignan was in the right place.
France went even closer and Randal Kolo Muani would have scored but for a quite superb block by Ruben Dias who diverted the goalbound shot inches wide of the post.
If that was a match-saving challenge, how France didn’t score again moments later remains a mystery as the ball dropped to Eduardo Camavinga from close range, yet somehow his snatched effort crept just wide of the target.
Substitute Ousmane Dembele curled a left foot effort just off target, Saliba made a fine block on a Bernardo Silva shot, while 41-year-old Pepe showed a determination and character which belied his years on an energy-sapping pitch.
The introduction of Francisco Conceicao gave Portugal fresh impetus and Leao saw a shot blocked in extra-time, while his replacement Joao Felix should have steered a header on target, but there was a feeling that, while both nations would attack, they would not overcommit and risk conceding.
With Mbappe struggling with the broken nose sustained in Les Bleus’ opening game, he came off which meant both he and Antoine Griezmann would not be available if the match went to a penalty shoot-out.
In the last 30 seconds, Nuno Mendes should have scored but hit the ball straight at Maignan, before France countered and Marcus Thuram was only stopped by last-ditch defending.
Neither side deserved to lose but in spot-kicks there could only be one winner – and that was France.
Key statistics
France have only lost one of their past 15 games against Portugal (won 12, drawn two), although that defeat came in the Euro 2016 final at the Stade de France.
They have now reached the semi-finals for the fourth time in the past five major tournaments.
This was Portugal’s seventh appearance in the quarter-finals of the tournament – the most of any side since the round was introduced in 1996.
France have failed to score a goal from open play in their past six matches, with their three goals at Euro 2024 coming from two own goals and a penalty by Mbappe.
Portugal have failed to score in their past three matches. They’ve never failed to score in three consecutive games at a major tournament.
What’s next?
It’s a France vs Spain semi-final on Tuesday night (July 9) in Munich.
Don’t forget to look at the SBOTOP Euro 2024 betting odds before deciding who to back.
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