5-3! France eliminated Portugal in a penalty shootout and advanced to the Euro Cup semifinals, where they will face Spain.

The 2024 Euro Cup quarter-finals are underway. In the opening match, Spain defeated Germany 2-1 in extra time thanks to Merino's late goal, booking their spot in the semifinals. Next up was another key clash: Portugal versus France! In the previous round, Portugal beat Slovenia on penalties, while France edged out Belgium 1-0. Both teams had underperformed relative to expectations. This single-match showdown would determine who emerged victorious—the tension was palpable!

In the 5th minute, France intercepted a ball in their own half and launched a counterattack, but Palhinia made a crucial sliding tackle to avert the danger. At 12 minutes, Leão executed a clever backheel pass on the left flank; Nuno Mendes received it and crossed, but the ball went straight out of bounds. By the 17th minute, Bruno Fernandes, receiving a pass from Leão, drove forward to just outside the penalty area and unleashed a sudden shot that hit Saliba and went out. In the ensuing corner, Cristiano Ronaldo pushed down Theo Hernández and was called for a foul.

In the 20th minute, Theo Hernández fired a powerful shot from the left outside the box, which Diogo Costa managed to parry. At 21 minutes, Mbappé carried the ball down the left and crossed; it deflected off Cancelo's leg, and Costa leaped to save it. By the 30th minute, Leão's cross from the left was too close to goal and was collected by Maignan. At 37 minutes, Cancelo's right-wing cross skimmed past the goalmouth!

The first half ended 0-0. Portugal held 55% possession but had only two shots, none on target; France registered five shots with two on target. After the break, in the 48th minute, Mbappé combined with Kanté upfront before blasting a shot that Costa gathered. At 50 minutes, Nuno Mendes burst into the box and fell, but the referee awarded no penalty.

At 61 minutes, Cancelo delivered an outside-foot pass into the path of Bruno Fernandes, whose shot from the right side of the box was saved by Maignan; Cancelo's subsequent curler then missed wide. By 63 minutes, Leão broke through on the left and crossed; Vitinha's close-range effort was blocked by Maignan, and Ronaldo's follow-up backheel shot was deflected out—Portugal's attack was intensifying! In the 66th minute, France countered with Muani bursting into the area for a fierce strike, but Rúben Dias made a vital block to send it out.

At 67 minutes, Dembélé came on for Griezmann, and France's offense noticeably improved. By the 71st minute, Dembélé broke through on the right side of the box and crossed, but it was blocked; Camavinga took the ball and shot, sending it across the goalmouth. At 74 minutes, Dembélé advanced on the right wing and fired a long-range shot that struck the outside of the post. Portugal then also made substitutions: Conceição replaced Bruno Fernandes, and Semedo came on for Cancelo.

In the 84th minute, Bernardo Silva delivered a through pass on the right; Saliba fouled Conceição and received a yellow card. Subsequently, Ronaldo's free kick hit the wall and bounced out. By the 88th minute, France mounted a counter; Kanté shot from just outside the box, and Costa securely gathered it. At 93 minutes, Mbappé's central shot from the area was caught by Costa, sending the match into extra time. In the 93rd minute, Ronaldo's close-range attempt sailed high, squandering a golden opportunity.

Neither side could alter the score thereafter, and the contest entered a decisive penalty shootout. Dembélé scored first, followed by Ronaldo's successful strike. France converted their next two attempts, while Felix hit the post. Ultimately, France prevailed 5-3 over Portugal to reach the semifinals, where they will meet Spain.