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The second quarter-final of Euro 2024 is another blockbuster tie pitting 2018 World Cup winners France against 2016 European champions Portugal.
Didier Deschamps’ men managed to reach the last eight without conceding a single goal in open play. Two own goals and a Kylian Mbappe penalty were enough to get them through Test matches against Austria, the Netherlands, Poland and Belgium. Although their narrow win over Belgium in the last-16 lacked quality and excitement, the French players were heartened by several missed chances and attributed to Mbappe rediscovering his form from a broken nose.
In comparison, Portugal had to come through a penalty shootout to beat Slovenia in the round of 16. Roberto Martinez’s side struggled to make an opening in their first knockout match with Cristiano Ronaldo.
With Mbappe taking on Ronaldo this match will be a battle of the generations, but both sides know improvements are needed if they hope to get the job done tonight.
Follow all the action from Portugal v France on our live blog below:
Penalties: Portugal 2-3 France – Miss!
Joao Felix, who has not been on for a long time, stepped up. He fumbles his run too and drags his shot against the post!
Chris Wilson5 July 2024 22:40
Penalties: Portugal 2-3 France – Goal
Slow run up but a great penalty, he flicks it high to the left and wide. Correct.
Chris Wilson5 July 2024 22:39
Penalties: Portugal 2-2 France – GOAL!
Next up for Portugal is Bernardo Silva. He won against Slovenia.
And he made no mistake again, firing high and out of Mignon’s reach into the top corner.
Chris Wilson5 July 2024 22:39
Penalties: Portugal 1-2 France – Goal
Fofana is next and he guns it down and down mid on. Easy.
Chris Wilson5 July 2024 22:38
Penalties: Portugal 1-1 France – Goal!
Ronaldo is next…
He fumbles the run-up, before blasting it low to his left and past the close Mignon.
Chris Wilson5 July 2024 22:37
Penalties: Portugal 0-1 France – Goal!
Dembele stepped up and sent Costa down, shooting his penalty just short.
Chris Wilson5 July 2024 22:36
Penalties: Portugal 0-0 France
Coin circulation is coming. It looks like Ronaldo won it, so penalties will be taken in the Portugal end, but it looks like Ronaldo gave France the first penalty.
Within minutes of Dembele going up.
Chris Wilson5 July 2024 22:35
Penalties: Portugal 0-0 France
So the scary place kicks in. Can Costa repeat his heroics from Monday?
Mbappe off, Fernandes off, Ronaldo on. Which side is 15 minutes from the heartbeat?
Chris Wilson5 July 2024 22:33
Extra time: Portugal 0-0 France
A brilliant performance from Mendis took two men down halfway through. Acres of space on the right, he clears it to Bernardo, who lays it back to Mendes, but he fires his shot straight at Mignon!
The referee blows his whistle and we go to penalties!
Chris Wilson5 July 2024 22:31
Extra time: Portugal 0-0 France
Ronaldo wins with a header from a long ball, but Kante is there to cover. France counter but it’s a little half-hearted and Hernandez’s ball gets a red shirt.
Chris Wilson5 July 2024 22:29
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