He found the… key to qualifying for the semi-finals France! The “tricolors” were no better than her Portugal which had many good times, however after 90 “barren” minutes and thirty overtimethey managed to make it 5/5 in the penalty shootout and taking advantage the lost of Joao Felix qualified for the foursome where they will face the Spain (0-0 overtime).
Tremendous chances from either side with Martinez’s side threatening to claim more, but falling into the… hole in the process that saw them qualify for the quarter-finals. Shocking match from Pepe who was a “rock” in defense, Ronaldo leaves the Euros without scoring, losing the chance to become the first player in history to find the net in six consecutive European Championships.
Inferior to the circumstances, France reaches the top four without a goal in a normal flow of the match by its own player, however breaking the curse of “Russian roulette”.
The match:
France was the one who at the start of the match had control and possession of the ball, moving it around and trying to reach the Portuguese area.
As the minutes passed, the Iberians balanced and the match with the left wing of Mendes and Leao monopolizing the interest with the excellent combinations of the two players. The whole of Martinez was the one that took the reins from the tenth minute onwards, but without managing to create any noteworthy moment.
His first final came with 20 minutes remaining. Nice counter attack with the ball moving quickly from the right to the left wing and Theo Hernandez unleashing a powerful shot which Diogo Costa struggled to clear.
Betting on the speed of Mbappe, but also the creative virtues of their midfielders, France took measures on the pitch, but neither could create a final one, after once Diogo Costa with the help of Dias cleared the ball away from Mbappe’s turn , while in the second the great Pepe put a magnificent “stop” on Kolo-Muani.
The last, even suspected chance belonged to Portugal in the 42nd minute with a free kick won by Vitinia outside the area and executed by Bruno Fernandes sending the ball wide.
Without changes but with the same mood, the teams started the second part of the match with France registering their first final in the 50′. Mbappe from the left converged, played “1-2” with Kolo-Mouani and shot directly, but Diogo Costa blocked.
Portugal’s “answer” came ten minutes later with a double good moment. A FANTASTIC pass from the outside by Cancelo saw Bruno Fernandes move into the area and shoot, only to see Menian make the save, then Cancelo attempted a deflected shot that went wide.
The Iberians remained in front and in the 63rd minute they came close to the goal again. Leao from the left passed to Vitinia who squared into the drive, Menian instinctively cleared, with Ronaldo trying to take the rebound and the Milan keeper kicking it away for a corner.
It was France’s moment to threaten Portugal and that was done in the 66th with a very good chance. Kouté and Kolo-Mouani combined beautifully and the French forward in a phase of “deja vu” with that of the World Cup final, came out in the tete-a-tete, shot, but with a great tackle Ruben Dias drove away for a corner.
But this was not the time when France became more dangerous, as there was that of the 70th minute. Dembele, who had crossed earlier in the match, made a terrific move from the left, attempted the turn, the ball countered and reached Kamavinga who was caught off guard, but shot wide!
Martinez and Deschamps made changes with Portugal not particularly threatening, mainly focusing on the back.
In 74′, Dembele sent the ball out with beautiful individual energy and placement, while Mbappe’s two shots in 88′ and 90’+3′ were not able to worry Diogo Costa, with the match going to extra time.
Portugal were more active in the first 15 minutes of extra time and had their first big chance in the 103′. The impressive Conceição made a terrific effort from the right and, after beating Hernandez, stepped into the area and turned to Ronaldo, who produced a disappointing finish.
France looked… confused as Griezmann’s substitution unhinged them and Martinez’s men arrived with more pretensions closer to the tricolor area. In the 102nd minute came perhaps the biggest moment of the match and it also had Portuguese… origin.
Conceição made a cross from the right, Saliba again sent it to the short-bodied winger who headed straight to Leao who scored with one shot, but Leao saved France with a save.
Just into the first few seconds of the second half of extra time, Portugal missed an important chance to take the lead when after Conceição’s energy and cross at the far post, the unguarded Joao Felix headed the ball into the outside of the net.
Portugal were still in control of the match which they almost won in the last phase. Mendes with tremendous energy found Bernardo Silva, he pretended to see Mendes again who crossed with one, but Menjan blocked with the match going to penalties!
There, both teams were on target, but Felix turned out to be the fate of the night, sending the ball to the post, with the French making 5/5 and advancing to the top four.
The penalty shootout procedure:
1-0 France – Dembele
1-1 Portugal – Ronaldo
2-1 France – Fofana
2-2 Portugal – Bernardo Silva
3-2 France – Coute
Beam – Joao Felix
4-2 France – Barcola
4-3 Portugal – Nuno Mendes
5-3 France – Teo Hernandez
The elevens of the match:
Portugal (Roberto Martinez): Diogo Costa, Pepe, Diaz, Palinha (90+2′ Ruben Neves), Cancelo (75′ Cemento), Mendes, Vitinia (119′ Nunez), Silva, Fernandez (75′ Conceição), Leao (106′ Joao Felix), Ronaldo
France (Nidier Deschamps): Menian, Kouté, Upamekano, Kamavinga (91′ Fofana), Saliba, Hernandez, Kante, Tswameni, Griezmann (67′ Dembele), Bape (106′ Barcola), Kolo Muani (86′ Touram)
Source: Sport Fm
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