Cristiano Ronaldo (1st R) of Portugal reacts in the penalty shootout during the UEFA Euro 2024 quarter-final match between Portugal and France in Hamburg, Germany on July 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)
BERLIN, July 5 (Xinhua) -- France progress on penalties after converting all five shots from the spot to eliminate Portugal 5-3 (0-0) in the Euro 2024 quarterfinals of in Hamburg's Volkspark stadium on Friday.
France and Portugal staged an evenly balanced first half with chances at premium on both ends of the pitch.
The first half chances fell to Portugal with 16 minutes played, when Bruno Fernandes saw his promising effort on target blocked by defender William Saliba.
France created the best opportunity of the first half four minutes later when Theo Hernandez' attempt from the distance to force Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa into action.
After the half-time, Portugal took the reins and came close at the hour mark after Joao Cancelo's through ball found Fernandes, whose drilled effort is saved by Les Bleus custodian Mike Maignan.
Maignan remained busy as he was equal to Vitinhia's powerful but central shot on target moments later.
France almost caught Portugal flat-footed in the 66th minute, but Ruben Dias blocked Randal Kolo Muani's shot in the last nick of time.
Didier Deschamps' men had more momentum in the closing stages but Eduardo Camavinga and Ousmane Dembele couldn't turn their promising chances into a tangible reward.
In the overtime, Portugal was the more active team whereas France defended deep and waited for counterattacks. Joao Felix had the golden chance to snatch a late overtime winner, but he headed into the side netting from tight angle.
After goalless 120 minutes, the penalty shootout had to bring the decision. After two successful penalties for both sides, Felix missed and hit the left post with low shot. Hernandez clinched the win for France after making it 5-3 from the spot.
"It wasn't easy today. We made our own life difficult, but we defended very well and kept a strong opponent at bay. We were not nervous during the shootout and won the match," said France goalkeeper Maignan.
With the result, France will clash with Spain in the semifinal the at Munich's Allianz Arena on Tuesday. ■
Bernardo Silva of Portugal reacts after scoring in the penalty shootout during the UEFA Euro 2024 quarter-final match between Portugal and France in Hamburg, Germany on July 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Peng Ziyang)
Players of Portugal check their shoes before the penalty shootout during the UEFA Euro 2024 quarter-final match between Portugal and France in Hamburg, Germany on July 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Peng Ziyang)
Joao Felix of Portugal prepares to shoot the penalty kick in the penalty shootout during the UEFA Euro 2024 quarter-final match between Portugal and France in Hamburg, Germany on July 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)
Didier Deschamps (C), head coach of France, instructs Kylian Mbappe before the extra time during the UEFA Euro 2024 quarter-final match between Portugal and France in Hamburg, Germany on July 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)
Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal prepares before kicking the penalty kick in the penalty shootout during the UEFA Euro 2024 quarter-final match between Portugal and France in Hamburg, Germany on July 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)
Ousmane Dembele (front L) of France celebrates after winning the UEFA Euro 2024 quarter-final match between Portugal and France in Hamburg, Germany on July 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Peng Ziyang)
Bruno Fernandes (R) of Portugal shoots during the UEFA Euro 2024 quarter-final match between Portugal and France in Hamburg, Germany on July 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)
Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal shoots the penalty kick in the penalty shootout during the UEFA Euro 2024 quarter-final match between Portugal and France in Hamburg, Germany on July 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)
Kylian Mbappe (L) of France vies with Nuno Mendes of Portugal during the UEFA Euro 2024 quarter-final match between Portugal and France in Hamburg, Germany on July 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Peng Ziyang)
Kylian Mbappe (2nd R) of France shoots during the UEFA Euro 2024 quarter-final match between Portugal and France in Hamburg, Germany on July 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)
Kylian Mbappe (R) of France shoots during the UEFA Euro 2024 quarter-final match between Portugal and France in Hamburg, Germany on July 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)
Cristiano Ronaldo (R) of Portugal reacts during the UEFA Euro 2024 quarter-final match between Portugal and France in Hamburg, Germany on July 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)
Aurelien Tchouameni of France shoots during the UEFA Euro 2024 quarter-final match between Portugal and France in Hamburg, Germany on July 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Peng Ziyang)
Cristiano Ronaldo (front R) of Portugal passes the ball during the UEFA Euro 2024 quarter-final match between Portugal and France in Hamburg, Germany on July 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)
Cristiano Ronaldo (R) of Portugal vies for a header with Dayot Upamecano of France during the UEFA Euro 2024 quarter-final match between Portugal and France in Hamburg, Germany on July 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Peng Ziyang)
Starters of France pose before the UEFA Euro 2024 quarter-final match between Portugal and France in Hamburg, Germany on July 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)
Players of Portugal react after losing the UEFA Euro 2024 quarter-final match between Portugal and France in Hamburg, Germany on July 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Peng Ziyang)
Ousmane Dembele (R) of France vies with Pepe of Portugal during the UEFA Euro 2024 quarter-final match between Portugal and France in Hamburg, Germany on July 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)
Kylian Mbappe (front C) of France breaks through during the UEFA Euro 2024 quarter-final match between Portugal and France in Hamburg, Germany on July 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)
A young fan of Portugal cries after the team lost the UEFA Euro 2024 quarter-final match between Portugal and France in Hamburg, Germany on July 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Peng Ziyang)
Cristiano Ronaldo (3rd R) of Portugal reacts before the UEFA Euro 2024 quarter-final match between Portugal and France in Hamburg, Germany on July 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)
Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal reacts during the UEFA Euro 2024 quarter-final match between Portugal and France in Hamburg, Germany on July 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)
Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal prepares to shoot a free kick during the UEFA Euro 2024 quarter-final match between Portugal and France in Hamburg, Germany on July 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Peng Ziyang)
Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal shoots the penalty kick in the penalty shootout during the UEFA Euro 2024 quarter-final match between Portugal and France in Hamburg, Germany on July 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Peng Ziyang)
Cristiano Ronaldo (2nd L) of Portugal greets Kylian Mbappe of France before the UEFA Euro 2024 quarter-final match between Portugal and France in Hamburg, Germany on July 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)
Cristiano Ronaldo (2nd R) gestures to referee Michael Oliver during the UEFA Euro 2024 quarter-final match between Portugal and France in Hamburg, Germany on July 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Peng Ziyang)
Cristiano Ronaldo (L) of Portugal vies with Theo Hernandez of France during the UEFA Euro 2024 quarter-final match between Portugal and France in Hamburg, Germany on July 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Peng Ziyang)
Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal vies for the ball during the UEFA Euro 2024 quarter-final match between Portugal and France in Hamburg, Germany on July 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)
Marcus Thuram (C) of France vies for the ball during the UEFA Euro 2024 quarter-final match between Portugal and France in Hamburg, Germany on July 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Peng Ziyang)
