The Euro 2024 clash between Portugal and France kicked off with both teams showcasing a mix of defensive discipline and attacking intent. Within the first two minutes, Bruno Fernandes committed a foul on Antoine Griezmann, highlighting the early intensity of the match. This foul led to a free kick for France, setting the tone for a physical and closely contested first half. By the 9th minute, another foul, this time by France’s William Saliba on Bruno Fernandes, indicated a pattern of aggressive play from both sides.
Portugal managed to capitalize on these early set-piece opportunities, earning multiple corners. By the 15th minute, Portugal had already forced Mike Maignan to concede a corner, followed shortly by another corner conceded by William Saliba. Although Bruno Fernandes’s attempt from outside the box was blocked, the persistent pressure from Portugal kept France on the back foot. These early exchanges underscored the tactical battles and physical duels that defined the first half.
Injuries and Missed Chances
As the first half progressed, the match witnessed a significant moment of concern in the 24th minute when Cristiano Ronaldo suffered an injury, causing a brief delay in play. The incident, however, did not deter the Portuguese side as they continued to push forward. After the delay, Pepe’s foul on Eduardo Camavinga resulted in another free kick for France, reflecting the ongoing physical nature of the game.
France had their share of offensive attempts, with a notable effort in the 20th minute when Théo Hernández’s left-footed shot from outside the box was saved by the Portuguese goalkeeper. Despite these opportunities, France struggled to find the back of the net. Eduardo Camavinga’s attempt in the 28th minute sailed too high, while Antoine Griezmann’s shot was blocked. These missed chances highlighted France’s challenges in breaking down a resilient Portuguese defense.
Defensive Solidarity and Tactical Discipline
Both teams displayed commendable defensive organization throughout the first half. Portugal’s ability to force multiple corners and block key shots from France demonstrated their tactical discipline. Notably, Bruno Fernandes’s right-footed shot from a direct free kick in the 42nd minute missed the target by a narrow margin, exemplifying the fine margins that characterized the match.
France, on the other hand, showed defensive resilience by consistently repelling Portuguese attacks. Jules Koundé and Dayot Upamecano played crucial roles in maintaining France’s defensive solidity, conceding corners but preventing Portugal from converting these opportunities into goals. The first half ended goalless, reflecting the balanced nature of the game with both teams evenly matched in terms of skill and strategy. As the teams headed into the break, the anticipation for a breakthrough in the second half remained high.
Tactical Stalemate in Regular Time in Euro 2024
The second half began with both teams eager to break the deadlock, but defensive resilience defined the early moments. Portugal’s João Palhinha won a free kick almost immediately, with Eduardo Camavinga of France fouling him twice within minutes, showcasing the physical intensity that characterized the match. France’s Kylian Mbappé had the first real chance with a powerful shot from outside the box, but Portuguese goalkeeper Rui Patrício made a crucial save to keep the scores level.
Despite Portugal’s attempts, notably a blocked header from Bernardo Silva and a near-miss by João Cancelo, they struggled to penetrate the French defense. France responded with attempts from Aurélien Tchouaméni and Kolo Muani, but they too found it difficult to get past the Portuguese defense. The match saw multiple attempts saved or blocked, underscoring the disciplined defensive strategies employed by both teams.
Mid-Second Half Drama
As the clock ticked past the hour mark, both teams intensified their offensive efforts. Bruno Fernandes’ shot, followed by João Cancelo’s attempt, came close but missed the target. France had their fair share of opportunities, with Camavinga hitting the post and Ousmane Dembélé, who came on as a substitute, also hitting the woodwork from outside the box. These moments highlighted the fine margins and the tense nature of the contest.
The match’s physicality continued with frequent fouls and a notable yellow card for Portugal’s João Palhinha. Portugal made key substitutions with Francisco Conceição and Nélson Semedo entering the fray, aiming to inject fresh energy and break the deadlock. France’s defensive tenacity and quick counter-attacks kept Portugal on their toes, setting the stage for a gripping finale to regular time.
Extra Time Tension
The match proceeded to extra time, with both sides exhausted yet determined. Early in extra time, Cristiano Ronaldo missed a crucial chance, shooting high and wide. France’s Youssouf Fofana, who came on for Camavinga, had little time to settle before the pressure mounted. Portugal’s Rafael Leão and France’s Kylian Mbappé both had shots blocked, reflecting the unwavering defensive efforts.
As extra time progressed, Portugal and France continued to battle fiercely. Substitutions played a significant role, with João Félix and Bradley Barcola adding fresh legs and ideas. Despite multiple attempts from both sides, including a close header from Félix and a powerful shot from Dembélé, neither team could find the decisive goal. The extra period ended goalless, leading to the inevitable penalty shootout.
Penalty Shootout Decider
The penalty shootout began with high stakes and immense pressure. France’s Ousmane Dembélé calmly converted the first penalty, followed by Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo leveling the score. As the shootout progressed, both teams displayed composure, with Youssouf Fofana and Bernardo Silva successfully converting their penalties.
The turning point came when João Félix missed his penalty, hitting the post, giving France a crucial advantage. Bradley Barcola extended France’s lead, and despite a successful penalty by Portugal’s Nuno Mendes, Théo Hernández sealed the victory for France with a composed finish. The shootout ended with France triumphing 5-3 over Portugal, securing their spot in the next round and leaving Portugal to reflect on missed opportunities and the thin margins that define knockout football.
