HAMBURG, Germany (Reuters) – France won 5-3 in a penalty shootout against Portugal after a goalless game in their European Championship quarter-final on Friday. This match likely ends Cristiano Ronaldo’s international career.

Match Overview

France’s Penalty Shootout Win

France won the shootout by scoring all their penalties. Theo Hernandez scored the winning goal after Joao Felix’s shot for Portugal hit the post. France will now play Spain in the semi-finals in Munich.

Ronaldo’s Possible Farewell

This match might be the last for Cristiano Ronaldo, who has played for Portugal for 21 years. He scored Portugal’s first penalty but missed a crucial chance during regular play.

Key Moments of the Game

First Half: Slow Start

Both teams started carefully, focusing on keeping the ball and avoiding mistakes. The game had little action until Bruno Fernandes’ shot at the 16-minute mark, which was deflected by Hernandez.

Second Half: More Action

The pace picked up in the second half. Kylian Mbappe, wearing a mask, combined with N’Golo Kante for a quick shot, which was saved by Portugal’s goalkeeper, Diogo Costa. Hernandez almost assisted with a ball across the goal that went unmet.

Maignan’s Important Saves

France’s goalkeeper, Mike Maignan, was crucial with two important saves. He blocked Fernandes’ shot with a strong arm and stopped a close-range shot from Vitinha, keeping the score tied.

Missed Chances

Both teams missed several chances to score. Randal Kolo Muani’s breakaway was stopped by Ruben Dias, and Eduardo Camavinga missed a close-range shot set up by Ousmane Dembele. Ronaldo’s biggest miss came three minutes into extra time when he couldn’t score from Francisco Conceicao’s assist.

France’s Strong Defense and Mental Toughness

Solid Defense and Cool Nerves

France’s defense was strong throughout the match. Maignan highlighted the team’s mental toughness during the shootout. “We knew it was going to be a tough game, but we were solid in defense and we had a lot of mental strength and kept our cool during the shootout, that’s what made the difference,” Maignan said.

Reflecting on Missed Opportunities

France’s coach, Didier Deschamps, admitted the missed chances but said his team deserved to be in the semi-final. “You wonder what would have happened if we had scored goals. The opponent wasn’t that efficient either,” Deschamps commented.

Portugal’s Heartbreak and Reflections

Pepe’s Emotional Words

Pepe, who is likely ending his international career at 41, talked about the match’s outcome and the nature of football. “Football is cruel … and sadness is part of it. We were aiming to win for our country and bring joy to our people,” Pepe said, showing the emotional impact of the loss.

FAQs

1. What was the result of the France vs. Portugal match?

France won 5-3 on penalties after a goalless draw in regular and extra time.

2. Who scored the winning penalty for France?

Theo Hernandez scored the winning penalty for France.

3. Is this the end of Cristiano Ronaldo’s international career?

This match likely marks the end of Ronaldo’s 21-year international career with Portugal.

4. Who will France play in the semi-finals?

France will play against Spain in the semi-finals.

5. How did France perform defensively in the match?

France maintained a solid defense, with key saves from goalkeeper Mike Maignan ensuring they did not concede in open play.

Match Statistics

Statistic	France	Portugal
Shots	10	8
Shots on Target	4	3
Possession (%)	52	48
Pass Accuracy (%)	85	83
Fouls	12	14
Yellow Cards	2	3
Red Cards	0	0
Offsides	1	2
Corners	5	4

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