EURO 2024 - Penalty thriller: France in the European Championship semi-final against Spain
Favorite team France ended Cristiano Ronaldo's European Championship career and reached the semifinals dramatically against Spain, the conquerors of 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.
The 39-year-old record player and top scorer Ronaldo, who completed his duty in the decisive penalty, had already announced before the game that he would not be present at the next European Championship in 2028 in Great Britain and Ireland. João Félix hit the ball in the penalty shootout only against the post.
France's captain Mbappe can hope to win France's third European title after 1984 and 2000 with the Tricolore team and faces the Spaniards on Tuesday (21.00 hours) in Munich, who had previously defeated Germany 2:1 after extra time.
In the early stages of the game, the Portuguese team had the upper hand. Much of the play went over the left wing with the agile Rafael Leão. However, the game passed Ronaldo by.
His French counterpart Mbappe was constantly sought after by his teammates. The 25-year-old future professional of Real Madrid mostly acted as a ball distributor. Playing alongside him in the spearhead was the ex-Eintracht Frankfurt player Randal Kolo Muani.
Both defensive lines dominated the game. Theo Hernández tested Diogo Costa as the first Portuguese goalkeeper from 18 meters (20.). Shortly afterwards, Costa was challenged by Mbappe in a through ball (22.). Rafael Leão only put Mike Maignan in the French goal under pressure with a shot on the short corner (30%).
The game finally picked up speed after the break. A scary moment came for the French team: After a header from Portugal's Bernardo Silva, Captain Mbappe lay down (54%). The ball had hit his face mask directly, which he wears due to a nasal bone fracture.
An hour later, it was action-packed in both penalty areas. First, Bruno Fernandes failed against Maignan (61%), two minutes later, Maignan was there against Vitinha. On the opposing side, Ruben Dias prevented a goal for his team through Kolo Muani (66%). Eduardo Camavinga almost scored from short range for France (70%). The substitution of Ousmane Dembélé for Antoine Griezmann briefly revived the French team's play.
Neither team could force a decisive result. So it went into extra time like in the first quarterfinal of the day. And already in the third minute, Ronaldo had a big chance to take the lead, but he headed the ball over the goal from short range.
The Portuguese team continued to try for a clear finish, but it was missing. France built on counter-attacks, in particular through the fast Dembélé. When it got 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.
The European Football Championship semifinal between France and Portugal was a thrilling affair, with Kylian Mbappe's team emerging victorious in a penalty shootout after a goalless match in Hamburg. Portugal's top scorer and record player, Cristiano Ronaldo, announced his retirement from international competitions, including the 2028 European Championship in Great Britain and Ireland.
Ronaldo's teammates, including João Félix, failed to convert their penalties against Mike Maignan while the French goalkeeper made crucial saves. The French team, captained by Mbappe, now faces Spain in the semifinals, a team they defeated in a penalty shootout after a 2:1 extra time win against Germany in the Quarterfinals.
Portugal had the upper hand in the early stages of the game, with Rafael Leão dominating the left wing, but the game seemed to pass Ronaldo by. Mbappe, on the other hand, was a constant threat to the Portuguese defense, acting as a ball distributor for his team.
The Portuguese defense was impressive, as was the French, with Theo Hernández testing Diogo Costa and Mbappe challenging him in a through ball. Rafael Leão putting pressure on Mike Maignan was the closest Portugal came to scoring in the first half.
After the break, the game picked up pace, with both teams having opportunities to score. France almost took the lead through Ruben Dias's clearance and a close call for Eduardo Camavinga. The substitution of Ousmane Dembélé for Antoine Griezmann revived France's play.
Neither team could force a decisive result in regular play or extra time, so it went to a penalty shootout. Ronaldo had a chance to take the lead for Portugal but headed the ball over the goal. The Portuguese team continued to press for a clear finish but struggled to convert their chances.
France, on the other hand, built on their counter-attacks, with Dembélé proving to be a threat. When it went to penalties, Mbappe and his teammates had to handle the pressure without their star player, who was on the bench treating his face with a blue cooling bottle.
In the end, it was France who emerged victorious, reaching the semi-finals of the European Championship for the third time, having previously won in 1984 and 2000. Spain awaits them in the semifinals in Munich, looking to continue their impressive run in the tournament.
