Blues in Euro semi-finals after unbearable penalty shootout

Special Envoy to Hamburg

“We're in the half, we're in the half.” The 8,000 French fans in Hamburg were not shy about enjoying themselves on Friday evening. It will be a warm and beautiful night. After a disappointing quarter-final and a surprisingly good penalty shootout (0-0, 5 points to 3), Les Bleus have confirmed their place in the semi-finals of the European Championship. Fourth in six tournaments with Didier Deschamps. Anything but chance. With their two phantom stars Mbappé and Griezmann, attacking from half-mast (3 goals scored) but a team that would crush any nation, the Blues are there. Many teams would like to be in our place. Not to be underestimated, even if we have to go back to the show side. And on Tuesday evening in Munich, a date with Spain, with their crushing victory over Germany (1-2, AP). Another shock. A new battle.

Journey to the end of boredom…

We must realize that the Blues are one of the constants in this Euro. Be solid, be strong and don’t concede many goals. Apart from the match against Austria, France were held to their fourth 0-0 first-half defeat by Portugal in five Euro matches. Classic (sad). After witnessing a titanic battle between the Germans and the Spanish, we had to rub our eyes at the poor spectacle presented by the French and Portuguese during the hypnotic first 45 minutes. Two low blocks in a closed and boring encounter. A real waste considering the names on the pitch. No presence in the area and only one shot on target (Hernandez, 20^H), the blues never stopped purring. To create boredom. As is often the case this summer in Germany.

Read alsoBlues' post-Portugal-France notes: Maignan unplayable, Griezmann and Mbappe sidelined

See also – Euro 2024: Spain celebrate qualification to the semi-finals after beating Germany (2-1)

Then a real boxing fight.

In this case, the further the match progressed, the more the organisms were consumed, the clarity faded, and the situation became tense. With the suspense at its peak. Each goal was met with tension and anxiety on the sidelines. Twice, the Portuguese thought they could swing the quarter-final to the right side, but Fernandes (61^H) And its two parts (63)^H) Located on the mighty Maignan, the empire in Germany. Two grandiose displays. The response from the French in the process, with Kolo Muani (67^H) and Camavinga (70^H), all close to fooling Costa's vigilance. A real boxing match. He hits, he dodges, but no KO.

Griezmann in pain, Mbappe and Ronaldo missing

In this exchange of big words, Griezmann, who was repositioned as playmaker on Friday night, was no presence. No juice. No size. No soul. Everything but chance if he was the first Frenchman to replace Dembélé (61^H), far from his usual level of play. It would also be an exaggeration to say the same for Mbappé and Ronaldo… The two men, who were happy to find themselves in Hamburg, played the encounter like zombies. Without enthusiasm or precision for the first time. In the complete anonymity of the second, Saliba-Upamecano devoured it. It is difficult to see a poster going off when the main actors are not on equal footing. Logical extension at the end of regulation time (0-0, 90^H). The evidence of this is the disastrous match of the Blues captain, when he left the field for Barcola before the last fifteen minutes of the match (105).^H). A strong choice by Deschamps. Symbolic… and logical. Mbappe-Griezmann, same fight, for the Euros without any flavour.

The Blues know how to win penalties…

Three years after Switzerland in 8^H A year and a half after the disastrous penalty shootout in the World Cup final against Argentina, history dictated that qualification to the semi-finals would be decided on penalties. As if to stave off fate. For the first time since 1998 (World Cup quarter-final against Italy), the French team emerged victorious from this tournament (5 shots on target to 3), the first since then. “Dr” He is in his position. With two own goals and one penalty, against three goals, the Blues have reached the semi-finals of the Euros. Historic. It is not pretty, it is very ugly, but they win. And on Tuesday, we will have to get a ticket for the final against Spain (9pm). And history continues to be written.