Cristiano Ronaldo (39, Al Nasr)`s last Euro competition ended in tears. He only had one point of attack (one assist against Turkey) from the group stage.
Portugal met France in the quarterfinals of the UEFA European Football Championship (Euro 2024) at Hamburg Arena (Polksparckstadion) in Germany on the 6th (Korea time). Like the title “Preview Final”, it was not decided within 90 minutes of regular time, and the team that advanced to the semifinals was confirmed in the penalty shootout beyond overtime.
Portugal has deployed Cristiano Ronaldo to the forefront. Ronaldo is in his mid-30s and is nearing the age of 40, but he played full-time in all matches at this year’s Euro tournament. Up-front Ronaldo players Rafael Leão, Bruno Fernandes, and Bernardou Silva provided support. João Palinha and Vitinha coordinated attack and defense at the waist, while Nunu Mendes, Pepe, Hoobeng Dias, and João Cancelo played in defense. Diogo Costa defended the goal.
France aimed a two-top at the Portuguese net. Kylian Mbappe and Randal Kolo Moani shook Portugal from the front, while Antoine Griezmann launched his attack from one space down. Duardo Camavinga, Aurelien Chouameni and N’Golo Kante defended their backs in midfield, followed by Theo Hernandez, William Saliba, Dayo Upamecano and Jules Kounde. The goalkeeper’s gloves were worn by Mike Menyang.
After a short search, Portugal shook France. In the 12th minute of the first half, Leão and Mendes tried a sensational combination near the French goal, but failed to produce a result. In the 16th minute of the first half, Bruno Fernandes’ shot was deflected off French center back Saliba, which shocked France.
France threatened Portugal with intermittent mid-range shots. Luca Hernandez shook Portugal’s Costa goalkeeper with a powerful shot. Later, he gradually released his attack from his waist. Kante’s advance left a gap in Portugal’s midfield and Mbappe’s dribble broke through the barrier. He shook Portugal in the 31st minute with a beautiful pass play but failed to shoot as veteran central defender Pepe blocked him.
It was a pretty tight race for the first 45 minutes. Portugal aimed at the French net with a surprise free kick from Bruno Fernandes in the 42nd minute, but it went out of the net. Portugal and France, who were unable to shake the net in the first half, aimed to score in the second half.
In the second half, France opened the scoring first. Mbappe advanced with N’Golo Kante through a 2-1 pass, and threatened Portugal with a half-beat fast shot. However, Mbappe swallowed his disappointment as his shot went straight to the Portuguese goalkeeper.
Portugal penetrated France with Mendes’ fast-footed effort, but failed to overcome the last barrier, Upamecano. Portugal, which blocked France’s attack, advanced into the box with Leanne’s explosive dribble in the 14th minute of the second half. In the 16th minute of the second half, Bruno Fernandes received a penetrating pass from Cancelo, which was sent through the defense, and fired immediately.
Portugal gradually regained the lead in the game in the second half. Vitinha and Leanne exchanged one-two passes, shaking France. Ronaldo even attempted a menacing shot near the French goal. Ronaldo attempted a sensational backheel from the front, but was caught by the French goalkeeper, Manchester City, and lowered his head.
France volleyed inside the French penalty box in the 21st minute of the second half after Colo Muani received a pass from Kounde. Portugal’s central defender Díaz blocked the French shot with high concentration. France, which needed to change, except Griezmann, added Usman Dembele to target Portugal with a three-top. 메이저사이트
France used Dembele’s speed to threaten Portugal. Dembele’s cross was deflected off Pepe and delivered to Camavinga. Camavinga’s shot even pierced the Portuguese goalkeeper, but it failed as it went out of the goal.
France aimed at the Portuguese net with Dembele’s left-footed shot at the 29th minute of the second half. Portugal also deployed Francisco Conceição and Nelsong Semedo without Bruno Fernandes and Cancelo. France also placed Marcus Thurant without Collo Muani at the 41st minute of the second half. Both teams tried their best until extra time in the second half, but failed to produce a result within 90 minutes.
The tight race led to extra time. When the extra time began, France excluded Camavinga and added Yusuf Fofana. Portugal left the score to veteran player Ronaldo, but displayed a combination play with Concei in the third minute of the first half, but was disappointed because it was too high. France recovered its offensive lead with Dembele’s dribble in the seventh minute of the first half and delivered it to Mbappe to shoot. Portugal found a way to attack from the sides, but it was not threatening.
Both teams used substitute cards in the second half of extra time. Portugal called in Leão and sent in João Felix. Portugal called in Leão and put in João Felix. Portugal had a chance. Conceição delivered a cross to Felix in the third minute of the second half, but the ball went into the net. Conceição attempted an exquisite pass to Ronaldo in the fifth minute of the second half. However, he failed to score a goal after being caught by Tucca Hernández.
Time went by without end even after 120 minutes of bloody battle. Portugal took out Vitinha and deployed Matheus Nunes to prepare for the penalty shootout. France tried to counterattack until the last minute, but failed to hit the space behind Portugal.
In the end, the team that advanced to the quarterfinals was decided in the penalty shootout. For France, Dembele stood on the penalty spot as the first kicker and tricked Costa into shaking the net. For Portugal, Ronaldo was the first kicker and roared through the opponent’s goalkeeper with a powerful shot.
French second kicker Fofagna boldly pushed the ball to the center. Portugal’s Bernardou Silva also shook the French net with his elaborate shot. The third kicker of France was Kounde, who the Portuguese goalkeeper inserted into the ball with an unstoppable course.
Portugal missed the match here. Third kicker Felix calmly shot and the ball bounced off the left post. France gained momentum and scored with Barcola’s perfect shot. Portugal’s fourth kicker Mendes also continued the battle with a powerful shot.
However, the goddess of victory put a smile on France. From Portugal’s point of view, the last kicker Luca Hernandez had to miss a shot, but she succeeded with a calm shot.
Ronaldo shed tears due to missed penalty kicks in the round of 16 and was eliminated in the round of 8. “This will be my last Euro tournament. However, I will play with all my passion without being swayed by this,” Ronaldo said in the round of 16 but ended his career-ending Euro tournament with the quarterfinals.
