After a 0-0 draw, Portugal’s Joao Felix hit the submit within the penalty shootout and Theo Hernandez scored the profitable penalty for France to set Deschamps’ facet towards Spain Reached the semi-finals of Euro 2024.
This time, there have been no tears for Cristiano Ronaldo, who was overcome with emotion throughout Portugal’s last-16 win over Slovenia, however regardless of scoring a penalty himself, the 39-year-old’s closing European Championship look was Ended with failure. In the long run, he might solely consolation his 41-year-old excellent teammate Pepe.
Cristiano Ronaldo comforts Pepe after Portugal lose to France at Euro 2024
Ronaldo was on the sting for a lot of the cagey sport, though each side thought they may win it within the second half of regular time. France’s Mike Maignan made two fast stops to disclaim Bruno Fernandez and Vitinha earlier than suppressing Ronaldo’s follow-up backheel, whereas Randall-Kloe Mouani’s shot was blocked on the different finish. Ruben Dias blocked it, after which Eduardo Camavinga cleared the far submit from shut vary.
Shock substitute Ousmane Dembélé grazed the submit within the dying seconds of the 90s however the two latest European champions proved too cautious in further time. Whereas Pepe and Dayot Upamecano had been celebrating targets and blocks like that, Ronaldo had half his likelihood lower quick.
The primary speaking level of additional time was Kylian Mbappe, who got here off at half-time after struggling a facial damage earlier within the sport. Sporting a masks and nursing an injured nostril, the France star should have felt extraordinarily uncomfortable leaving the pitch earlier than the penalty shootout, however his compatriot was excellent from 12 yards.
Joao Felix was the one participant to overlook when his shot hit the upright, offering Hernandez with the possibility to ship France into the final 4 and a showdown with Spain in Munich on Tuesday Alternative.
Ronaldo takes heart stage once more – however is that this his closing name?
Cristiano Ronaldo vs Theo Hernandez
Even with famous person Kylian Mbappe on the pitch, the main target remains to be on Cristiano Ronaldo. His penalty kick summed up the drama round him. Breathe in sharply. Staggered run-up. When he impressively knocked the ball in, it was an enormous celebration.
Nevertheless, whereas he could have performed a job in Portugal’s two penalty shootouts within the knockout phases of this European Cup, his contribution in regular video games was much less convincing. He was remoted right here, and when the chance got here to him, he gave up.
As Portugal failed to attach within the closing third, Goncalo Ramos (who scored a hat-trick when changing Ronaldo within the beginning XI on the World Cup) and Diogo Jota had been left on the bench, one have to be questioning. When will they be accessible? Roberto Martinez by no means nodded.
The Portuguese coach backed Ronaldo till the very finish. Perhaps this would be the final time we see him in a serious match. His closing European Championship ended with none targets, which, not less than to observers outdoors the Portuguese camp, steered it was time to maneuver on to the subsequent technology.
It isn’t fairly, however France finds a approach
Kylian Mbappe hopes to get his shot on aim away towards Portugal
So it is not simply England followers who bemoan the shortage of thrilling soccer from their groups in these tournaments. French followers should really feel the identical approach. Extremely, the Gallic Roosters reached the semi-finals with out scoring a single aim in a no-show.
They hardly ever appear to be ending their weird drought towards Portugal.
Deschamps’ facet had been very passive, permitting Portugal to dominate possession for lengthy intervals of time. After they did get the ball within the opposition half, there gave the impression to be little cohesion between an assault that had proved devastating up to now. Star participant Kylian Mbappe was clearly not in the suitable place – as was proven when he was substituted halfway by further time. However round him, his teammates appeared to lack the idea or dedication to combat for it.
Ousmane Dembele has not less than proven the wanted momentum coming off the bench and can absolutely push for a beginning spot towards Spain. In fact, France might want to discover a spark within the closing third sooner or later on this sport if they’re to reclaim the European crown.
Chuameni: We don’t care if it’s price going by
France midfield Aurelien Tsoameni: “We do not care if it is price it, we need to take pleasure in this victory. Not all the pieces is ideal offensively and defensively, that is a truth.
“We are going to get overwhelmed, typically that is a given. However we cannot be choosy and we’re within the semi-finals [against Spain]. Everybody can communicate, together with you reporters, and also you do your job.
Pepe: It hurts to lose like this, we deserve extra
Portugal defender Pepe Inform Document: “It is so painful to lose like this. It is exhausting to place into phrases what we did. We deserved a unique consequence for what we did, however that is soccer. We had been delighted with the penalty 4 days in the past, Now we’re unhappy.
“We performed two video games towards Slovenia and the Czech Republic and so they had a decrease formation and it was tough to face these groups. We tried to present them width. At the moment shall be extra open with a unique tempo, similar to Turkey, They need an open sport with us.
“I need to proceed enjoying on this sport. This hug means lots… now isn’t the time [to talk] As a result of it’s extremely painful, and we’ll have an opportunity to speak about that later. I’ll have time to speak about my future, we now have to beat this enormous ache, we now have the flexibility to win video games and now we now have to carry our heads excessive.
