France v Spain is the first semi-final of Euro 2024 after Mbappe and Co edged past Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal on penalties after 0-0 at the end of 120 minutes. The Lusitanian Joao Felix was the only one who could not score from 11 meters, sending the ball into the crossbar.
Cristiano Ronaldo ended the 6th Euro of his career in tears. Facebook photo
On the Volksparkstadion arena in Hamburg, the two teams competed in misses throughout the match. Once again it came to penalty kicks, luck was no longer on Portugal’s side. Dembele, Cristiano Ronaldo, Fofana, Bernardo Silva, Kounde, Bradley Barcola and Nuno Mendes all converted, while Joao Felix also missed from 11 yards, the winning penalty being converted by Theo Hernandez.
France have not scored a goal in action so far
Portugal therefore leaves the competition, after failing to score in the second group match, 3-0 against Turkey. It was followed by the song match with Georgia (0-2) and the eighth with Slovenia (0-0), in which the goalkeeper Diogo Costa saved all 3 shots executed by the former Yugoslavs and 0-0 now, with France.
At the 6th European final tournament of his career – an absolute record – Cristiano Ronaldo did not stick a goal in any match at Euro 2024, something that had not happened in the previous 5 editions, in which he had scored 14 times. The Lusitanian, the first player in history to reach 30 matches played at the European Championships, wanted so much to score that he managed absolutely nothing in this final tournament.
France – Spain in the semi-finals
On the other hand, France reached the semi-finals in stunning fashion without scoring a single goal from the action. With Austria and Belgium, Les Bleus won 1-0, following an own goal each, with the Netherlands they drew 0-0, and with Poland they tied at 1 following a penalty. Now, they passed the Lusitanians after 0-0 at the end of 120 minutes.
France, who played the last extra half without injured star Kylian Mbappe, are set to meet Spain in the first Euro semi-final on July 9 in Munich (10pm).
France’s path to Euro 2024 – 3 goals in 5 games
1-0 with Austria
0-0 with the Netherlands
1-1 with Poland
1-0 with Belgium
0-0 with Portugal
Euro 2024, quarter-finals
Friday
Spain – Germany (Stuttgart) 1-1 (2-1 after extra time)
Portugal – France (Hamburg) 0-0 (3-5 on penalties)
Saturday
England – Switzerland (Düsseldorf, 19:00)
Netherlands – Turkey (Berlin, 22:00)
