“The history of football is not the history of the righteous, but the history of the wicked.” breathes But football. Friday, July 5, in Hamburg, in the quarter-finals of the Euro, Portugal showed “courage” Against France, according to the estimates of the specialized Portuguese website. There is no doubt that the Selecao played more and deserved to win like its opponent at the end of regular time and extra time, and it ended in a goalless draw 0-0.
But the blues were too. “faultless” During the penalty shootout, he won 5-3, and conceded. But football. Didier Deschamps' team thus joins Spain, who defeated Germany a few hours earlier (2-1, after extra time), in the semi-finals of the European Championship. That's football. “cruel and unforgiving” The electronic sports newspaper denounces.
The battle was between the French and the Portuguese. “slow, grey and boring” Tells The mondo, Spanish general daily newspaper. Even the eyelids had to close. “During the first quarter of an hour of pure indifference” Which contradicts “A whiff of heat” The conservative newspaper wrote that the Spaniards felt the extra time against the Germans in Stuttgart a few minutes earlier.
Dictate the Selecao “The rhythm of the game, making your opponent run,” analysis But football But it is “fire power” He failed. In contrast, the Blues applied a strategy they had mastered to perfection, as noted. The mondo : “Ugly play. That’s how they won the World Cup in 2018, and that remains the norm in Germany. [où se déroule la compétition]While they have the best team in the tournament in their dressing room.”
French ugliness
But play “ugly”, He also plays quite well. Indeed, for the conservative Madrid newspaper, France “They defend exceptionally well, they are the strongest team in the competition and it is very difficult to surprise them in the transition period. Even if you are Portugal.”
The expected duel between the strikers Cristiano Ronaldo – “Even if he's just a shadow of himself” -Kylian Mbappe- “He is also far from his best and aspires to be a noble successor to his idol.” – In the end it didn't excite the crowd at all, Confirms In Paula, Lisbon Sports Newspaper. Worse still, defenders William Saliba (Blues) and Pepe (Seleção). “We were better in the first half, that says it all” Insists The mondo.
In the second half, as the minutes passed and the chances were not converted into goals, “Extensions are long overdue” summary But football.
“End of an era” for Portugal
In the round of 16 against Slovenia, the Portuguese had already played penalties, and won 3-0 (after a goalless draw at the end of the match). Then their goalkeeper Diogo Costa stood “To the rank of Olympus” He remembers that he stopped all Slovenian attempts. In Paula. This time, the goalkeeper of Porto club “He couldn't stop any penalty kick taken by the French.” While the Portuguese Joao Felix's attempt hit Mike Maignan's post, the newspaper regrets.
to But football This failure, as well as Baby's tears [41 ans]hugging Ronaldo [39 ans] In his arms after the penalty shootout, it means the end of an era.” For Portugal. However, Seleção fans can happily remember the fact that they saw this golden generation deny France the European Championship title on home soil in 2016.
