July 5 – Another goalless performance by France saw them eventually beat Portugal on penalties in Hamburg and set up a semi-final against Spain.
Billed as Kylian Mbappe against Cristiano Ronaldo, it had all the makings of the exhilarating 2022 World Cup final match-up between Mbappe and Lionel Messi.
Ultimately neither of the superstars were able to step up, Ronaldo not quite being able to find enough space, Mbappe clearly troubled by his mask and perhaps life in general.
The rest of their teams did step up in a match that proved a goalless draw can still be a thrilling game of football. At times breathlessly end-to-end, it was roared on by two sets of expectant fans, though the Portuguese edged that battle.
It was perhaps inevitable that this match would go to penalties. France have now gone five matches without a goal in open play, having netted just three times through an Mbappe penalty and two own goals. There is something of an irony in a team that struggles to finish their opportunities in open play but were so clinical from the penalty spot.
The match also marked the end of Ronaldo’s Euros odyssey. Perhaps Europe’s greatest ever, it wouldn’t have been the way he wanted to end his stardom over the years in this tournament, but he did so graciously, and without tears.
Roberto Martinez kept the same starting eleven that overcame Slovenia on penalties, while Didier Deschamps made two changes to his team that squeezed past Belgium by a penalty.
With Aurelien Rabiot carded out Eduardo Camavinga came in. Randal Kolo Muani was preferred to Marcus Thuram.
Portugal lined up 4-3-3 looking to use the width with Rafael Leao on the left and Bernardo Silva on the right while France line up 4-3-1-2 with Antoine Griesman behind the more direct approach of Kylian Mbappe and Kolo Muani.
There is much to like about both these teams, not least in the simplicity and ease they hold and move the ball, pushing and probing for gaps.
France kicked off and kept the ball for two minutes before handing the ball to Portugal who found a soothing rhythm in time with their impressive fans’ chanting for the next five.
The first real attempt on goal came from Portugal. Nuno Mendes marauding forward from left back hit his shotacross the face of Mike Maignan’s goal.
In the 15th minute Maignan couldn’t control a simple back pass and gave away a corner. He collected the incoming corner and quickly released Kylian Mbappe towards his baying French support.
The match was gaining in momentum as Bruno Fernandes, increasingly influential, unleashed a shot from outside the box that was deflected for Portugal’s third corner At the other end Diogo Costa parried away a long range pile driver from Theo Hernandez. Now it was France’s turn to build a period of pressure.
On 23 minutes Cristiano went down with what might have been a bang to the head. Of course, at his age you have to be careful with older folk falling over. Play respectfully stopped while tribute was paid, no medic needed though.
Play resumed and Eduardo Camavinga lashed another long distance shot over the bar for France.
Leao, a menacing threat lurking on the left, worked inside his defender to get to the byline but Maignan gathered comfortably.
Five minutes before the end of the half Vitinha, who had become increasingly busy around the edge of the French box, was brought down 22m out. Fernandes curled his shot over as the last at before half time.
France opened the second period with possession. Mbappe powered in from the left but hammered his shot into Costa. On the counter a flying Nuno Mendes took off in the French box but no penalty.
France had moves of their own and they countered Portugal, delivered a ball across the face of the goal but no-one could latch on to. From calm and collected the button had been pressed for urgent and frantic.
Maignan punched a ball away and Griesman charged up the other end but was disposed. Back to Maignan who palmed another shot away from Leao.
Fernandes, in space on the right, forced Maignan to palm away again, Joao Cancelo lifted his shot over. Portugal were having the better of the chances and their fans knew it as they turned the volume up a notch.
Vitinha, so often at the centre of everything good Portugal had to offer, drove towards the French goal found, again, Leao outside him but Maignan was again equal to the shot with rebounds somehow staying out of his net.
France could have been ahead seconds later but Kolo Muani’s attempt was deflected agonisingly across the face of Costa’s goal. France were starting to find more penetration on the right with Ousmane Dembele on for Greizman.
Inside the last 10 minutes Saliba brought sub Francisco Conceicao down on the corner of the box. Was this at last time for some Ronaldo magic? Sadly not as he could only fire his shot into the French wall.
Portugal were building pressure but France were still a threat on the counter with Kante twice hitting a shot into the grateful arms of Costa.
Silva fired into the French defence while Pepe required all his years of experience to poke the ball away from Dembele.The last action of regulation time saw Mbappe, in space in front of goal, tamely shoot into Costa’s arms – it was the story of his night.
Perhaps extra time was always an inevitability for this fixture between two sides who at times this tournament have seemed to be contriving to miss opportunities.
Three minutes into added time Ronaldo should have scored. Conceicao beat his marker on the goalline and fired a ball across to Ronaldo that he wellied first time over the bar. It was perhaps the clearest cut chance of the game for either team.
Dembele responded by picking up the ball in his own half and driving deep into Portugal’s goal area, squaring for Mbappe who had clearly left his shooting boots at the hotel. So much so that at half time in extra time Deschamps pulled him off for Bradley Barcola.
Portugal had had the best of the first half of added time and started on top in the second. Joao Felix should have scored angling in on the left post but only headed into the side netting. France were looking over muscled and a little weary as Portugal pinged the ball around them.
Nunes wasted a shot in the dying seconds inside the box and penalties loomed with one of the loudest roars of the night coming when the referee pointed towards the Portugal fan end for the shoot out.
Costa had been brilliant in the shoot out against Slovenia, Maignan had been excellent all night. Neither could make a save. Ultimately it wasn’t to be Portugal or Ronaldo’s night, they both deserved more.
France went first and Dembele, Fofana, Kounde, Barcola and Hernandes all scored. Joao Felix hit the post for Portugal and it was tournament over for Portugal.
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