In a tension-filled encounter at the Euro 2024 quarter-finals, France emerged victorious against Portugal, securing their spot in the semi-finals after a dramatic penalty shoot-out. Defender Theo Hernandez clinched the win by netting the decisive spot-kick, concluding a match that saw both teams locked in a defensive stalemate.
The 90 minutes and extra time yielded no goals, as both sides’ defences held firm. The game’s first significant moment came over an hour in, when French goalkeeper Mike Maignan made crucial saves to deny Bruno Fernandes and Vitinha, keeping French hopes alive.
France’s substitution strategy nearly paid off in regulation time. Ousmane Dembele, brought on to inject pace and creativity, created a promising chance for Eduardo Camavinga. However, Camavinga’s effort missed the target, leaving the scoreline unchanged.
As the match drifted into extra time, Portugal’s Joao Felix came agonizingly close to breaking the deadlock. Felix’s shot hit the side-netting, and his decisive penalty attempt later struck the post, a miss that would prove costly.
Portugal entered the shoot-out with confidence, having defeated Slovenia on penalties in the previous round. But this time, their luck ran out. France executed their penalties flawlessly, with Hernandez, Bradley Barcola, Jules Kounde, Youssouf Fofana, and Dembele all converting their kicks. Portugal’s sole miss by Felix sealed their fate.
France’s resilience and composure under pressure were evident throughout the match. Their reward is a semi-final clash against a formidable Spanish side, who dispatched the host nation Germany in another quarter-final match.
As France prepares to face Spain, the team will need to draw on the defensive solidity and mental toughness that saw them through the gruelling encounter with Portugal. The semi-final promises to be another epic battle as these two football giants vie for a place in the Euro 2024 final.
