Football – France National Team
France – Portugal: After Zidane and Platini, it's Mbappe's time!
Posted on July 3, 2024 at 1:00 PM.
After Belgium were eliminated in the round of 16 of the Euros, France will meet Portugal in the quarter-finals. A classic match between two nations who are used to facing each other. If the Blues have bad memories of Euro 2016, before that, two legendary number 10s allowed the French to beat the Portuguese. Michel Platini and Zinedine Zidane have already made the French team happy. Kylian Mbappé's role?
The French national team had a very stumbling start in the Euro Championship, especially on the offensive level since then only Kylian Mbappe He scored from the penalty spot against Poland. For the rest, there are two civil service positions. Therefore, we will have to perform better on Friday evening against Portugal in the quarter-finals in order to hope to qualify for the semi-finals, while maintaining this defensive solidity. But above all, the man will be expected at the turning point, which is Kylian MbappeEspecially since in the past the Blues' number 10 shone against the Portuguese.
Platini and Zidane made France shine against Portugal
Start with the inevitable Michael PlatiniIn the semi-finals of Euro 1984, France and Portugal faced each other for the first time in official competition. It was in Marseille in velodrome stadium The two teams will be presented with an uncertain encounter that will be played in extra time. Xavier Domergue And Jordan Each provided two goals, but it was the Blues' legendary No. 10 who got everyone on the same page by delivering the winner for the French side in the 119th minute. Author of The Stratospheric Euro, Michael Platini It will also carry men. Michael Hidalgo Until the final victory. The first major title in the history of French football.
From one legend to another, from one number 10 to another, here comes the next. Zinedine Zidane Which would disgust the Portuguese. Twice. The first would be at Euro 2000, a stratospheric competition that would see France beat Portugal again in the semi-finals after a stunning extra-time finish. Zinedine Zidane He would score a penalty in the 117th minute to send the Blues into the final thanks to a golden goal. He would go on to score another in the final against the Italians, this time scoring. David Trezeguet.
Rebelotte in 2006, this time in world Cupbut still in the semi-finals. Impressive in the quarter-finals against Brazil. Zinedine Zidane He didn't shine much against Portugal, but he will still be decisive. In fact, it is the Blues' number 10 who will convert the penalty he won. Thierry Henry In the 33rd minute, which would be enough to qualify the French team.
Where is Mbappe on Friday?
Number 10 and captain of the Blues team Michael Platini In Euro 1984 and Zinedine Zidane During the 2006 World Cup, Kylian Mbappe That's why he'll be eagerly awaited on Friday night against Portugal. Especially since the future Real Madrid striker has been disappointing since the start of the Euros. Didier Deschamps confided after the match against Belgium that wearing a mask wouldn't help him: He gets used to it, the important thing is the consistency which improves every day. There is the sweat aspect. He got used to it, but as for vision, he told me he had the impression of seeing 3D images. Even if it is tenths of a second, everything that is lateral is less clear, but he will have to get used to it because he risks wearing it for a few weeks, or even a few months. “But if he wants to become a legend alongside the Blues' other iconic No. 10, Kylian Mbappe He will have no choice.
