France sealed its place in the Euro Cup semi-finals in the penalty shootout, after the score remained goalless for 120 minutes.
The first half went smoothly, with few dangerous opportunities for both sides. The two rears were well planted, without granting spaces, which complicated Kylian Mbappé and Cristiano Ronaldo They will find scoring options.
In the complement there was greater daring, with Portugal much more vertical, taking advantage of the field from side to side and showing off their speed on the wings.
The first big opportunity came in the 62nd minute when Joao Cancelo filtered the ball so that Bruno Fernandes found himself alone against Mike Maignan; However, the French goalkeeper held on and rejected the ball.
The Portuguese went on the attack and in the 64th minute Rafael Leao beat Jules Koundé to serve Vitinha; but again Maignan saved his goal.
France reacted quickly, Randal Kolo Muani He received a pass from Koundé inside the area, shot, but Rúben Dias managed to deflect and concede the corner.
Didier Deschamps decided to refresh the attack, giving the opportunity to Osumane Dembélé who came on for Antoine Griezmann, and he did not disappoint.
The ‘Mosquito’ removed the brand and combined with Edward Camavinga to take a sharp shot that went just over the rival goal.
There was no time for more and with the score tied at zero, extra time began.
In the first there was very little from both squads; The highlight was the departure of Kylian Mbappé, who had received a ball in the face, suffering from the injury to his nose.
Another own goal, another victory and the ticket to the quarterfinals for France
In the second, Roberto Martínez gave minutes to Joao Felix. The forward had a clear opportunity, with a header that went past Maignan’s goal.
In the 120th minute, the Portuguese had the 1-0 lead in Nuno Mendes’s boots, but his shot lacked direction and the French goalkeeper controlled it without problems.
With no movement on the scoreboard, the penalty shootout arrived to define the winner. France hit all their shots, thanks to Ousmane Dembelé, Youssouf Fofana, Jules Koundé, Bradley Barcola and Theo Hernandez.
Meanwhile, for Portugal, Cristiano Ronaldo, Bernardo Silva and Nuno Mendes got it right; while Joao Félix crashed the ball into the base of the post.
Now ‘Les Bleus’ will face Spain in the semifinals, next July 9 at the Allianz Arena.
Kylian Mbappé’s elegant mask to face Poland
