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The second quarter-final of Euro 2024 will be another exciting encounter as 2018 World Cup champions France take on 2016 World Cup champions Portugal, who won Euro 2016.
Didier Deschamps’ men made it to the quarter-finals without scoring a goal from open play. Two own goals and a penalty from Kylian Mbappe were enough to see them through tough matches against Austria, the Netherlands, Poland and Belgium. Their narrow win over Belgium in the last 16 lacked quality and excitement, but the French will take heart from a number of missed chances and the fact that Mbappe is set to return to form after a broken nose.
By contrast, Portugal needed to win on penalties to beat Slovenia in the last 16. Roberto Martinez’s side struggled to create chances in their first knockout game, with Cristiano Ronaldo in particular missing good opportunities, including a penalty in extra time.
The match will be a battle of generations with Mbappe and Ronaldo facing off, but both sides know that improvements are necessary if they hope to get the job done tonight.
Follow all the action from the Portugal vs France match via our live blog below:
Extra time: Portugal 0-0 France
Conceicao cuts the ball and sends it brilliantly to the back post, Vitinha shoots the ball unmarked, but heads it into the side netting!
Chris WilsonJuly 5, 2024 22:17
Extra time: Portugal 0-0 France
Kounde managed to make a last-ditch effort on Mendes. Portugal had more possession but no real chances early on.
Chris WilsonJuly 5, 2024 22:16
Extra time: Portugal 0-0 France
This substitution has been confirmed, with Leao also coming on for Joao Felix.
Chris WilsonJuly 5, 2024 22:14
Extra time: Portugal 0-0 France
It’s hard to convey the feeling and atmosphere, but it feels like we’re heading into a penalty shootout.
Mbappe looks set to replace Bradley Barcola. That’s probably the best way to put it.
Chris WilsonJuly 5, 2024 22:13
Extra time: Portugal 0-0 France
A great shot from Mendes to penetrate the opponent’s defence and pass the ball to Conceicao who tried to shoot it but in vain.
Michael Oliver blew his whistle to signal the end of the first period of extra time.
Chris WilsonJuly 5, 2024 22:10
Extra time: Portugal 0-0 France
The match is coming! Portugal had a good chance and suddenly it happened, the ball bounced around the penalty area and eventually reached Leao, but the French player pounced and managed to block it!
Chris WilsonJuly 5, 2024 22:08
Extra time: Portugal 0-0 France
Both teams are feeling each other out. It feels more like the first five minutes of the game than the first 100.
It sounds like they’d agree to penalties if you asked them now.
Chris WilsonJuly 5, 2024 22:06
Extra time: Portugal 0-0 France
Very choppy at the moment, but Portugal have the lion’s share of possession.
Chris WilsonJuly 5, 2024 22:05
Extra time: Portugal 0-0 France
Portugal are controlling the ball at the moment, while France are sitting back.
They found the opportunity to attack as Dembele brilliantly evaded a number of challenges and raced into the box, but he chose to pass the ball to Mbappe rather than shoot, and the eventual shot was blocked by Pepe.
A symptom of France suffering from the same “pass the ball to the best player” disease that Portugal suffers from.
Chris WilsonJuly 5, 2024 22:02
