France secured their spot in the Euro 2024 semi-finals after a tense penalty shootout victory over Portugal, ending Cristiano Ronaldo’s hopes of a final European Championship triumph. The quarter-final match, held at the Volksparkstadion in Hamburg, finished 0-0 at the end of regular and extra time, leading to the dramatic shootout where France emerged victorious.
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Key Moments Euro 2024 France vs Portugal:
- Penalty Shootout Drama: Theo Hernandez scored the decisive penalty for France, slotting the ball into the top corner, sealing the win and booking a semi-final clash against Spain.
- Emotional Farewell: Cristiano Ronaldo, visibly emotional, stood apart after the shootout, contemplating what could be his final appearance in a European Championship. His long-time teammate, Pepe, was inconsolable, burying his head into Ronaldo’s chest in a poignant moment of sportsmanship and shared sorrow.
- France’s Celebration: The French squad celebrated exuberantly in front of their fans, waving tricolore flags and dancing to “Freed From Desire” as they rejoiced in their hard-earned victory. Kylian Mbappe, who was substituted in extra time, watched anxiously as his teammates secured the win.
Background and Context:
- Pre-Tournament Favourites: Both Portugal and France entered Euro 2024 as favourites but faced challenges throughout the tournament. Portugal, after two initial wins, struggled to score in their last two matches.
- Historic Rematch: This match was a rematch of the Euro 2016 final, where Portugal triumphed over France. It also fell on the 18th anniversary of the 2006 FIFA World Cup semifinal clash, where Zinedine Zidane’s penalty led France to victory over Portugal.
Spain vs Germany Quarter-Final:
In the other quarter-final, Spain triumphed over hosts Germany in a thrilling 2-1 victory after extra time. The match saw dramatic late goals from both sides:
- Spain’s Victory: Dani Olmo’s goal for Spain was equalized by Germany’s Florian Wirtz in the 89th minute. However, Mikel Merino’s header in the 119th minute secured Spain’s place in the semi-finals, ending Germany’s hopes of a home-turf victory.
Semi-Final Matchups:
- France vs Spain: France will face Spain in the semi-finals, promising another high-stakes encounter between two of Europe’s football powerhouses.
- England vs Switzerland and Turkey vs Netherlands: In the other quarter-final matches, England will take on Switzerland, and Turkey will face the Netherlands on Saturday, completing the lineup for the Euro 2024 semi-finals.
These gripping quarter-final results set the stage for an exciting conclusion to Euro 2024, with fans eagerly anticipating the upcoming semi-final clashes.
