France Wins Over Portugal in Shootout; Semifinal Clash with Spain Awaits
In the quarterfinal of the Euro 2024, Kylian Mbappe’s France defeated Portugal 5-3 on penalties following 120 minutes of goalless play. Theo Hernandez scored the game-winning penalty. Cristiano Ronaldo’s final tournament appearance is probably going to be remembered as this one.
Spain and France will play in the semifinals after Joao Felix of Portugal missed the game-winning third kick.
After losing to Argentina in the 2022 World Cup final and losing to Switzerland in a shootout during the most recent Euros, France finally achieved shootout success with this victory. On penalties, they were defeated by Italy in the 2006 World Cup final as well. Midway through extra time, Mbappe was replaced by Bardley Barcola after an arduous evening in which he continued to look for his best form while sporting a mask to shield his broken nose.
At 39 years old, Ronaldo appears to have participated in his final Euros. Roberto Martinez’s team managed to score Portugal’s first penalty, but they were unable to score in more than six hours of play, including a goalless tie with Slovenia in the round of 16. Before the crucial shootout, Mike Maignan made crucial saves to maintain the game goalless as France, unable to play with intensity, lost.