EM 2024 - France fight their way to the semi-finals in a penalty thriller
Ronaldo's Career at the EM Ends
Favorite team France ended Cristiano Ronaldo's European Championship career and reached the semifinals dramatically against Spain, the victors over Germany. In the clash of superstars, Mbappe's French team won in Hamburg with 5:3 in the penalty shootout against Ronaldo's Portuguese team. No goals were scored during regular play and extra time.
Ronaldo Retires
The 39-year-old record player and top scorer Ronaldo, who completed his task in the penalty shootout, had already announced before this game that he would not be present at the next European Championship in 2028 in Great Britain and Northern Ireland. João Félix hit the ball in the penalty shootout only against the post.
France's captain Mbappe can hope with the Tricolor team for France's third EM title after 1984 and 2000 and faces the Spaniards on Tuesday, 21:00, in Munich, who had previously defeated Germany 2:1 after extra time.
In the presence of 47,789 spectators at the last EM game in Volksparkstadion, the Portuguese team gained advantages in the initial phase. Much of the play went over the left wing with the agile Rafael Leão. The game passed Ronaldo by.
Mbappe, France's Ball Distributor
His French counterpart Mbappe was frequently sought after by his teammates. The 25-year-old future Real Madrid professional usually acted more as a ball distributor. Playing alongside him in the spearhead was the former Frankfurt player Randal Kolo Muani.
After an hour, it was spectacular in both penalty areas: First, Bruno Fernandes failed against Maignan (61.), two minutes later, Maignan was there against Vitinha. On the opposing side, defender Rúben Dias prevented a goal for his team through Kolo Muani (66.). Eduardo Camavinga came close from short range in front of Portugal's goal (70%). The substitution of Ousmane Dembélé for Antoine Griezmann briefly revived the French team's play.
No decision could be made by either team. So it went to extra time, and Ronaldo had a big chance to take the lead in the third minute, but he missed the goal from short range.
Pepe, the 41-year-old, cleared everything away
The Portuguese continued to try for a clear-cut finish, but it was missing. France built on counter-attacks, in particular through the fast Dembélé. When it became dangerous for the Portuguese, Pepe cleared everything away. In the second half of extra time, Mbappe was on the bench. The star player treated his face on the bench with a blue cooling bottle. His teammates had to handle it in the penalty shootout.
- Despite Cristiano Ronaldo's presence, Portugal struggled to gain control of the game, with much of the play occurring on the left wing with Rafeal Leão.
- Mbappe, France's captain and future Real Madrid professional, was frequently sought after by his teammates and often acted as a ball distributor.
- In the penalty shootout, Ronaldo completed his task, but João Félix hit the ball only against the post for Portugal.
- France won the clash against Portugal in the semifinal of the European Football Championship, securing a 5:3 victory in a thrilling penalty shootout.
- Mbappe and his French team will face Spain in the next round of the European Championship, hoping to win France's third title after 1984 and 2000.
- Portugal's veteran defender Pepe played a crucial role in the game by clearing away dangerous situations and preventing goals, enabling his team to keep the score level.
- As the game progressed, both teams struggled to score, with Spain's Bruno Fernandes and Mbappe missing chances, leading to a drawn game that eventually went to a penalty shootout.
