The date of the quarter-final of the European Championship between France and Portugal has not been set for a long time and it can only end on penalties (0-0 after extra time). In this exercise, Theo Hernandez gave the Blues victory (5-3). In the semi-final, Didier Deschamps' men will face Spain, who eliminated the host country Germany (2-1).
There is never a three without a four, it does not exist. After three failures on penalties, in the World Cup final (2006 and 2022) and in the round of 16 of Euro 2021, France beat India to qualify for the semi-finals of Euro 2024 on Friday, in a controlled session. In a match that remains frustrating, Didier Deschamps' men foiled the Portuguese trap.
But before that, the French were a bit nervous during the painful extension, which left Mbappé in the middle, still suffering from a broken nose. Upamecano saved Leao's shot (102), while Felix's attempt found the small net (108). Barcola missed the goal inside the penalty area (114), before Maignan intervened at the end of the match.
Thirty more minutes, as if we were summarizing the last ninety, if we push this point. We still have to wet our necks after watching the Spaniards win the first quarter-final 2-1 against the Germans after extra time. Before watching much of the match, both teams started their encounter timidly. The Portuguese are a little less so, even if Mike Maignan was not too scared, failing to be surprised by his failure to control the fifteenth. The Blues goalkeeper was still alert to Leao's cross (30).
Magnan, define
But while Cristiano Ronaldo's teammates took a fourth corner in the 20th minute, the French took the opportunity to get more out of the game. Hernandez's long-range shot went to Costa (20th minute), as did Mbappé's cross two minutes later. But the 4-3-1-2 formation devised by Didier Deschamps, with Griezmann supporting Mbappé and Kolo Muani, did not generate any major differences with what the French team has shown in recent weeks: not crazy in attack, but very strong defensively.
After the break, Hernandez provided a hot ball to Kolo Muani, but the Parisian, who preferred Thuram up front, was too short (52). The striker made a perfect run with a scoop from Kounde in the Portuguese area, then passed the striker Dias in the path of his shot, in the 66th minute, in the biggest chance for the Blues. Before that Camavinga, in the 70th.
Maignan, Saliba and Upamecano on the rocks: French results after qualifying for the Euro semi-finals against Portugal
The Madridista, who took advantage of Rabiot's suspension to start in midfield, went over the post from Costa, after inheriting a pass from Dembele into the area. He had previously managed to contain Leao perfectly in front of the French goal (59). And when Portugal found opportunities in the Blues' defence, such as Fernandes and Vitinha after almost an hour, Mike Maignan also pulled all the stops.
Dembele licked the edge of Costa's goal from the left (min. 74). Kante also tried his luck from a distance twice. But he always found the Portuguese goalkeeper in his way (87 and 89). And without result, in the end.
Technical paper:
Hamburg (Volksparkstadion). Portugal – France: 0-0 (3 tabs vs. 5). Referee: Mr. Oliver (M.).
Penalties.Portugal: Ronaldo, P. Silva, Felix (missing), N. Mendes. France: Dembele, Fofana, Kounde, Barcola, Hernandez.
Warnings.Portugal: Palhinha (79). France: Saliba (83rd).
Portugal.Costa – Cancelo (Semedo, 74), Dias, Pepe, N. Mendes – Fernandes (Conceicao, 74), Palhinha (Neves, 90 +2), Vitinha (Nunes, 119) – P. Silva, Ronaldo (C). Leao (Felix, 106).
France.Maignan – Kounde, Upamecano, Saliba, Hernandez – Kante, Tchouameni, Camavinga (Fofana, 91) – Griezmann (Dembele, 67) – Kolo Muani (Thuram, 86), Mbappe (G.) (Barcola, 106).
Laurent Calmut
