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.
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