Penalty drama sends Cristiano Ronaldo into European Championship retirement
In the Round of 16, Portugal wins in the penalty shootout, but in the Quarterfinals, Cristiano Ronaldo & Co. are the tragic losers on points. After scoreless and uninspiring 120 minutes, France advances to the semifinals with nerves.
France's stars sent Cristiano Ronaldo into retirement from European Championships, and they are on course for their third European Championship title. The Vice-World Champion defeated Portugal in the Quarterfinal-Battle of Hamburg with 5:3 in the penalty shootout - the highly touted young star Kylian Mbappé was not even there anymore. In the first half of extra time, he had already left the pitch, with an ice pack on the nearly three-week-old broken nose.
After 120 minutes, it had been 0:0, Theo Hernandez decided the game from the spot for the depleted but glittering French. Mbappé celebrated, it was still a special win: In the clash of generations against his 14-year-old childhood idol Ronaldo, the 2018 World Champion reached its first European Championship semifinal. After the Round of 16 elimination in 2021, the title is a must now.
Portugal and especially Ronaldo, who converted his penalty kick, experienced the ultimate European Championship disappointment in the rematch of the 2016 final (1:0). Ronaldo wished to retire from the grand stage after the Round of 16 elimination in 2021, but the 30th European Championship appearance in 20 years became his last. Dead end: Quarterfinals - at his sixth European Championship participation (14 goals), the 39-year-old Ronaldo was for the first time without a goal.
Martial Announcement, but Little Action
The eyes of the 49,000 spectators in the Volkspark were mainly on Ronaldo and Mbappé. France is "one of the favorites for the title," Ronaldo had announced martially before the game.
But those who expected an offensive firework from the big football stars were initially bitterly disappointed. Few ball contacts, no finishes: From Ronaldo and Mbappé, there was nothing to see for a long time. CR7 managed against France's inner defense with Bayern professional Dayot Upamecano in the first half scarcely anything. On the other side, the French turbodribbler seemed to be still restrained by his facemask.
Scoreless goes into extra time
The first shot on target? It came surprisingly from a defender. But Theo Hernandez's attempt from a distance did not pose a significant challenge to Portugal's Round of 16 hero Diogo Costa. It was indeed the only "chance" in the first half. No wonder, given the meager tournament output of only five (Portugal) and three (France) goals beforehand.
In the second half, the game became much more entertaining. Both teams took off their defensive chains, it went back and forth - with big chances on both sides. But Mbappé (50.), Randal Kolo Muani (66.), and Eduardo Camavinga (70.) missed theirs too wide. On the other side, Bruno Fernandes (61.) and Vitinha (63.) failed in front of France's brilliantly reacting goalkeeper Mike Maignan. And so it remained scoreless in extra time.
Shortly after the restart, Ronaldo chased the ball from the best position free-kick over the goal, and Mbappé was substituted out for Bradley Barcola.
In the European Football Championship 2024, Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal face a disappointing Quarterfinals exit after a close 5:3 penalty shootout loss against France. Despite this setback, Kylian Mbappé shines, contributing to France's advancement to the semifinals.
In the highly anticipated match between Cristiano Ronaldo and his 14-year-old childhood idol Kylian Mbappé, the 2018 World Champion France triumphs in the penalty shootout during the European Championship 2024 Quarterfinals, setting them on course for their third title.
