The second quarter-final of Euro 2024 is another exciting match in which France, the winner of the 2018 World Cup, will take on Portugal, the 2016 European champions.
Didier Deschamps’ men have managed to reach the last eight without scoring a goal from open play, with two own goals and a Kylian Mbappe penalty enough to see them through tests against Austria, the Netherlands, Poland and Belgium. Their narrow win over Belgium in the last 16 lacked quality and excitement, although the French will be encouraged by several missed chances and the fact that Mbappe has regained his form since suffering a broken nose.
By comparison, Portugal needed penalties to beat Slovenia in the round of 16. Roberto Martinez’s team struggled to create chances in their first knockout match, with Cristiano Ronaldo in particular missing good chances, including a missed penalty in extra time.
The match will be a battle of generations, with Mbappé taking on Ronaldo, but both teams know they need to improve if they are to get the job done tonight.
Follow all the action from Portugal v France via our live blog below:
Euro 2024: Portugal 0-0 France
Mbappe manages to avoid Mendes with excellent pace, but the attack ends with a wrong ball from Camavinga.
Chris WilsonJuly 5, 2024 8:28 PM
Euro 2024: Portugal 0-0 France
The game is not yet frantic, but both sides have had half chances and threatened at times. Neither has been dominant overall, but Portugal have probably given it their all so far in terms of their willingness to put numbers forward.
Leao hits Kounde again on the left and his cross is put behind the ball for Porugal’s fifth corner.
Chris WilsonJuly 5, 2024 8:28 PM
Euro 2024: Portugal 0-0 France
Ronaldo is out of action for a while after a collision with Hernandez, but he will be fine.
France are awarded a free-kick in a dangerous position on the right side of the Portuguese penalty area, but Ronaldo is there to head away Greizmann’s cross.
Chris WilsonJuly 5, 2024 8:25 PM
Euro 2024: Portugal 0-0 France
Mbappe bursts into the box and sends a low pass across the goal, but Costa again saves well. France now hold the ball better, until Camavinga sends a cross that goes past Hernandez.
Chris WilsonJuly 5, 2024 8:23 PM
Euro 2024: Portugal 0-0 France
Portugal’s corner is cleared and France counter well, led by Hernandez. He eventually lines up a shot from distance, but Costa does well to move to his left and parry it away.
Chris WilsonJuly 5, 2024 8:21 PM
Euro 2024: Portugal 0-0 France
Ronaldo drops deep again, but it has a good effect, helping Portugal out of their half and launching the counter. The ball is hit in from the left, but he runs over all the red shirts.
Much was made of Ronaldo’s performance against Slovenia, but it was one of his better performances for the Selection during the past years.
Chris WilsonJuly 5, 2024 8:20 PM
Euro 2024: Portugal 0-0 France
Mike Maignan inexplicably miscontrols the pass back to him and it’s a Portuguese corner, but the French keeper makes up for it by catching the ball well. He throws it to Mbappe, but Cancelo makes amends by intercepting it.
Leao goes left and beats Kounde, but his ball eventually finds Silva, but it comes to nothing. Shortly afterwards, Fernandes’ long-range shot is deflected behind the ball for a corner.
Chris WilsonJuly 5, 2024 8:17 PM
Euro 2024: Portugal 0-0 France
Cancelo wins a kick-off from Mbappe and Portugal win again by overthrowing the defence of Dias, Costa and Pepe.
Neither side really puts any pressure on, so Pepe decides to throw a good ball over the line, but it’s too much for Leao.
Chris WilsonJuly 5, 2024 8:15 PM
Euro 2024: Portugal 0-0 France
Fernandes’ cross is wasteful, but Costa quickly gets the ball back.
Leao makes a brilliant pass with his back heel through Kounde’s legs and towards Mendes, but the latter’s cross is too much for Ronaldo.
Chris WilsonJuly 5, 2024 8:13 PM
Euro 2024: Portugal 0-0 France
Fernandes wins Saliba’s first dangerous free kick, and – for once – Ronaldo doesn’t take it! He must have read the news.
Fernandes throws the ball in, but Kounde gives it a corner.
Chris WilsonJuly 5, 2024 8:10 PM