A highly anticipated Euro 2024 quarterfinal between France and Portugal turned out to be a goalless affair, with star players Kylian Mbappe and Cristiano Ronaldo unable to find the net. The game went into added time after 90 minutes but still ended in a draw, leading to a penalty shootout. France's Ousmane Dembele made the first successful penalty for his team, giving them an early lead.
Headless Draw: France and Portugal Starve Fans in Euro 2024 Quarterfinal
The eagerly awaited Euro 2024 quarterfinal clash between France and Portugal ended in a goalless stalemate, failing to live up to the high expectations set by the presence of star players Kylian Mbappe and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Despite valiant efforts from both teams, neither side could break the deadlock during regulation time. The game remained tense and evenly balanced, with few clear-cut chances created. Mbappe, the reigning FIFA World Player of the Year, and Ronaldo, the all-time leading international scorer, were closely marked and unable to exert their usual influence on the match.
With the scores level at 0-0 after 90 minutes, the game went into extra time. However, the additional 30 minutes failed to produce a goal, leaving the match to be decided by a penalty shootout.
France's Ousmane Dembele opened the scoring in the shootout with a composed finish. However, Portugal's Bruno Fernandes equalized shortly after, sending the shootout into sudden death. Both teams converted their subsequent penalties, raising the pressure on the next takers.
In the end, it was France's Aurelien Tchouameni who proved to be the hero, firing home the winning spot-kick to secure a hard-fought 4-3 victory. France will now advance to the semifinals, while Portugal's Euro 2024 journey comes to an end.
Top 5 FAQs and Answers:
1. Why were Mbappe and Ronaldo so ineffective in the match? Mbappe and Ronaldo were closely marked by the opposition defenses and were unable to receive the ball in dangerous positions. The absence of clear-cut scoring opportunities limited their impact on the game.
2. What was the turning point of the match? The turning point came in the penalty shootout, where France converted all their spot-kicks while Portugal missed two. Tchouameni's winning penalty proved to be the decisive moment.
3. What is the historical rivalry between France and Portugal in football? France and Portugal have a long-standing rivalry in football, meeting in numerous international competitions. Notable matches include the Euro 2016 final, which Portugal won 1-0.
4. What is the significance of this result for France? This victory takes France one step closer to defending their Euro title. They will face either Germany or England in the semifinals, setting up the potential for another thrilling encounter.
5. What is the future of Cristiano Ronaldo's international career? It is unclear whether Ronaldo will continue playing for Portugal after this tournament. The 37-year-old forward has hinted at retirement but has not yet made a formal decision.
Tottenham Hotspur suffered a heavy 4-1 defeat at the hands of their north London rivals Arsenal, in what turned out to be one of their worst performances of the season. Manager Thomas Frank's tactics and team selection came under scrutiny after he opted for a back three, which he eventually changed at half-time. The defeat saw Spurs record their lowest expected goals (xG) of the season, with just 0.07 xG registered against Arsenal. With just three wins in their last 11 games, Tottenham's season seems to be spiraling downwards and manager Thomas Frank has apologized to fans for their dismal display.
Get ready for a thrilling match as Arsenal, the current leaders of the Premier League table, face off against their rivals Tottenham in the highly-anticipated north London derby. Sky customers can tune in to watch the game on Sky Sports at 4pm or stream it on the Sky Sports app. Non-Sky customers can also catch the action by purchasing a NOW Day or Month pass. Both teams have something to prove as Arsenal looks to maintain its three-point lead while Tottenham aims to climb up the table. Don't miss this showdown at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday November 23 at 4.30pm UK time.
Arsenal's Leandro Trossard scored the opening goal in a 4-1 victory against Tottenham in the North London Derby, for the second season in a row. The Belgian forward expressed his joy post-match, crediting the goal for giving the team the confidence to dominate the game. Trossard also praised the team's overall performance and the support of the fans, who created a stunning atmosphere at the Emirates Stadium. With this win, Arsenal maintains their position at the top of the Premier League table.
Arsenal's star midfielder Eberechi Eze proved his worth in the North London derby, leading the Gunners to a 4-1 victory over rivals Tottenham with a stunning hat-trick. However, many were left wondering how different things would have been if Eze had joined Tottenham last summer. The playmaker was expected to join Spurs until Arsenal hijacked the deal due to Kai Havertz's injury. Now, Eze has put all talks about his failed move behind him as he dominates on the pitch for the Gunners.
In a highly anticipated Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, the home side emerged victorious with a 4-1 win. Arsenal's star player Eberechi Eze was the standout performer of the game, scoring a hat-trick and securing the win for his team. Tottenham's defense struggled to contain the Arsenal attack, with goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario conceding four goals. Despite some solid performances, including that of defender Cristian Romero, the night belonged to Arsenal and Eze's impressive display.
Tottenham manager Thomas Frank took the full blame for his team's embarrassing loss to bitter rivals Arsenal. He apologized to the fans and acknowledged that his tactics were a major factor in the defeat. The statistics also showed that this was the second time Tottenham had used a back three system and failed to score above 0.1 expected goals, leaving them in ninth place in the Premier League. Frank admitted his concerns about the team's lack of aggressiveness and creativity in a game like this, and promised to work harder to improve in the future.
The Indian women's blind cricket team has created history by emerging as the champions of the first ever Blind Women's T20 World Cup, held in Colombo. In a one-sided final against Nepal, India showcased their prowess in both bowling and batting to secure a convincing seven-wicket victory. This remarkable feat not only reflects their talent and composure under pressure, but also sends a powerful message about inclusion and expanding women's sport to new formats and communities. By lifting the trophy, the Indian side has given much-deserved recognition to blind cricket and its athletes both in India and globally.
As Arsenal continues to secure long-term commitments from key players, manager Mikel Arteta expresses his belief that discussions with youngster Bukayo Saka and his representatives are progressing positively. Saka, a central figure in Arsenal's development under Arteta, has become a consistent performer and important leader on the pitch. For the manager, the young star's journey with the club is a legacy they are determined to maintain.
Tottenham's manager Thomas Frank apologizes for their disappointing performance against Arsenal, stating that they were not aggressive enough and did not win enough duels. Goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario also apologizes for their lack of fight and acknowledges the importance of sticking together as a team. Despite their emotional defeat, they aim to learn from their mistakes and move forward for their upcoming game on Wednesday. Interestingly, Frank also addresses the controversial second goal scored by Arsenal, but admits that it wouldn't have changed the outcome of the game.
The recent international break was an eventful one for Arsenal, with injuries plaguing the squad. However, amidst the chaos, one former Gunner experienced a career-high moment. Kieran Tierney, who left Arsenal to sign with Celtic, scored a stunning goal for Scotland to secure their spot in the World Cup. Tierney's former teammates, including Mikel Merino, praised him as a "legend" and "deserving" of the achievement.