France advances to Euro 2024 semifinals after penalty shootout win over Portugal. “Les Bleus” have qualified for the next phase of the tournament after a penalty shootout, with the match being extremely evenly matched. “Les Bleus” scored all their penalties, while for the Portuguese only João Félix missed and so France won 5:3.
In the semifinals, they will meet the Spanish team, which earlier defeated the hosts Germany.
In the first 15 minutes, the game was extremely evenly matched and neither team took any risks to create dangerous situations.
However, a minute later the first shot of the match came. Bruno Fernandes shot from long range, but the ball ricocheted and went out for a corner.
The French quickly responded through Theo Hernandez, who took a great shot from distance, but Diogo Costa saved with an enviable reflex.
Again, there were minutes in which nothing special happened. Rather, the two teams were playing tactical games.
In the 42nd minute, Bruno Fernandes took a direct free kick, but sent the ball over the goal.
In the 49th minute, Kylian Mbappé took an accurate shot towards the Portuguese goal, but Costa saved without a problem.
Portugal had a unique chance to score in the 61st minute. João Cancelo managed to bring out Bruno Fernandes in a great way, who shot, but Mike Maignan intervened decisively and saved.
In the 63rd minute, Leao broke through and passed to Vitinha, who did not hesitate and sent the ball towards the French goal. However, Maignan managed to deal with this dangerous attack as well. After the save, Cristiano Ronaldo tried his luck, but also could not overcome Maignan.
In the 66th minute, it was France’s turn to make a dangerous attack. Kolo Muani shot from the penalty area, but inaccurately.
“Les Bleus” had a chance to score in the 70th minute. The ball ended up with Camavinga after a ricochet, but his shot was also inaccurate.
In the 74th minute, Ousmane Dembele tried to overcome goalkeeper Costa, but the ball passed centimeters from the goal.
In the 87th minute, France again managed to organize a good attack, in which N’Golo Kante shot from distance, but Costa saved.
In the third minute of added time, Kylian Mbappé shot from the edge of the penalty area, but Costa did a great job and again saved without much trouble. A few seconds later, the match referee Michael Oliver blew the final whistle of regular time. This meant that we would watch extra time.
At the very beginning of extra time, Ronaldo had a great opportunity to attack Costa’s goal. He received the ball in an excellent position, but sent it high over the goal.
In the 108th minute, Portugal had a brilliant chance to score! João Félix headed a cross from Francisco Conceição, but the ball got tangled in the side netting.
Exactly in the 120th minute, Nuno Mendes took a shot from a clean position towards the French goal, but Mike Maignan saved!
A penalty shootout followed, in which France were accurate with all their shots and so qualified for the semifinals!
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