PLAYER RATINGS | Portugal 0-0 France (3-5 on pens): Les Bleus book semi-final spot in dramatic shootout win | OneFootball

George Boxall, reporting from Volskpark Stadion – Hamburg

UEFA Euro 2024 Quarter-final, 05/06/2024

Portugal 0-0 France (3-5 pens)- The Match

It wasn’t pretty, but Les Bleus found a way through. France booked their spot in the semi-finals of Euro 2024 with a dramatic penalty shootout win (5-3) over Portugal at Hamberg’s Volskpark Stadion. Now reaching the semi-final stage in four of their last five major tournaments, Didier Deschamps side held their nerve in the shootout without missing for the second time in their history.

Despite starting the game on the front foot with a spell of promising possession, Les Bleus started to retreat into their half as Portugal looked to get on the attack. With little of note being created before the 10 minute mark. It looked as if Les Bleus could come out of their shell and start to play, kicking off a pattern of cautiously looking forward to attack, but using a shifting midfield three between Tchouaméni, Kanté, and Camavinga to build a solid base off the ball.

On one of their first real forays forward, Théo Hernandez would strike from outside the box, stinging the palms of Costa and forcing a parry but no one was able to pick up a clear opportunity from the rebound. Kylian Mbappé drove into the box and provided a sumptuous ball which was again parried by Costa and almost fell the way of N’Golo Kanté. After soaking up some more Portuguese pressure, Kanté and Mbappé would combine well to break forward on the counter-attack, but when the ball fell to Camavinga the Real Madrid man couldn’t keep his shot down.

The first half break would conclude a quietly confident period for Les Bleus who looked defensively solid, and able to threaten a bit better than in previous outings going forward. The second period would start in similar fashion, with Kylian Mbappé cutting inside and firing off a warning shot at Costa. Théo Hernandez would flash a tempting low ball across the box but Kolo Muani didn’t anticipate in time to tuck home.

Portugal would get close to breaking the deadlock, after Raphel Leao fed a ball into Vitinha in plenty of space in the box and the PSG man would force a brilliant save out of Mike Maignan. Ronaldo would follow-up after a botched clearance by Théo Hernandez, and Magian once again managed to deny another clear goal-scoring opportunity.

Randal Kolo Muani had a glorious opportunity to put France in front – reminiscent of that 2022 World Cup final effort – when he was played over the top a wonderful weighted ball by Jules Koundé, but the PSG man’s effort was rushed an painfully floated wide of the post. It was Kylian Mbappé’s turn next to get involved, but his strike was sensationally blocked by Ruben Dias. Next up would be Camavinga, who received the ball on the turn only a yard from goal, but would strike excruciatingly wide of the post. A curling strike from Dembélé would conclude a dominent period fro Les Bleus as the game would enter into its latter stages. Chances limited, with the same sterile attacking play, France would finish another full 90 minutes without officially scoring from open play.

In extra time, Ousmane Dembélé would weave in and out and cause the Portugal defence some problems, but following the first period, but then Deschamps would make a drastic decision to haul off Kylian Mbappé and instead give fellow PSG man Bradley Barcola the chance to make the difference in the remaining time of open play. Yet, it would be too little too late, as Les Bleus had to face the daunting prospect of the penalty shootout for the first time since their 2022 World Cup failure.

Portugal 0-0 France (3-5 on Pens) – The Shootout

Les Bleus came through clean in the ensuing penalty shootout without Olivier Giroud, Kylian Mbappé, nor Antoine Griezmann on the pitch to face the spot kick. Ousmane Dembélé, Youssouf Fofana, Jules Koundé, and Bradley Barcola all stepped up to convert their spot kicks without error. Joao Felix would hit the post to give France the advantage, and Théo Hernandez then dispatched calmly to send his nation to the semi-finals of a major tournament for the fourth time in their last five attempts.

FRANCE PLAYER RATINGS:

Mike Maignan, 6 – After a quiet first half, the AC MIilan shot-stopper once again proved his worth for his national side, being on hand to deny Cristiano Ronaldo and Vitinha in quick succession to keep the game at bay at 0-0.

Jules Koundé, 5

Dayot Upamecano, 6

William Saliba, 7 – Outstanding again from the Arsenal man alongside Upamecano. His last two performances for Les Bleus have been the personification of calmness both on and off the ball, and in his timing in his duels with Cristiano Ronaldo especially. A classy performance from the French Rolls Royce of a defender.

Théo Hernandez, 6

N’Golo Kanté, 4

Eduardo Camavinga, 7 – Slotted very seamlessly into what was previously an area of the pitch where Les Bleus struggled. He worked well with Tchouaméni and Kanté in a very organised midfield three to stave off the Portuguese threat through the middle. Was vital in his defensive work off the ball, and provided stability on it. In the second half he was involved more in France’s attacking playt

Aurélien Tchouaméni, 6 – One of his better performances at the Euros so far. He looked more settled working in a fluid midfield shape with Kanté and Camavinga, and had the confidence to step up when needed. It was a confidence that then bred into his game on the ball, where he looked more at ease than in recent outings. He isn’t afraid to shoot, for sure, but perhaps a little restreint at times would be welcome.

Antoine Griezmann, 5

Kylian Mbappé, 4 – Another difficult performance for the ex-PSG man, once again offering limited glimpses of his potential in the pitch. Perhaps it’s the mask, perhaps it was his reported fitness issues. One thing is sure: a mix of the two is severely impacting his performances in the Euros, as he tries to grow his way back into the tournament.

Randal Kolo Muani, 4 – There was a clear opportunity for the PSG man to try and stake a claim in this France side, but it felt as if the Bondy native didn’t clearly grab it with both hands. Whilst improving on Thuram’s previous outings in the same position (which was admittedly not hard to do), he looked lacking in confidence and the big miss that was reminiscent of his World Cup final effort did not help one ounce.

Ousmane Dembélé, 5 – Was influential when introduced in the second period, and forced the occasion with his familiar pacey runs down the right channel – cutting inside on more than several times to give the Portugal defence something to worry about. Yet, on repeat, the same trick would prove less useful if his strike on goal was consistently blasted over the bar.

GFFN | George Boxall