Cristiano Ronaldo’s sixth and final European Championship ended in disappointment as Portugal were eliminated on penalties by France, after two consecutive stalemates and 364 minutes without scoring. Joao Felix’s missed penalty was the final blow in an otherwise tight shootout where all other players scored.
France’s proficiency in penalties—after a string of missed opportunities—proved decisive. While Diogo Costa had previously saved three Slovenian penalties, France’s Ousmane Dembele, Youssouf Fofana, Jules Kounde, and Bradley Barcola all converted, setting up a semi-final against Spain.
Didier Deschamps’ defensive approach has led France to their fourth semi-final in five major tournaments, even if it meant sacrificing flair for resilience. France exorcised some past demons by avoiding a third consecutive penalty shootout loss after their defeats in Euro 2020 and the 2022 World Cup final. They also avenged their Euro 2016 final loss to Portugal.
Despite the high expectations, the match itself was lackluster, hindered by Deschamps’ caution and Portugal’s unwillingness to bench Ronaldo. The highlight of the first hour was comically the referee dropping his yellow card. The second half offered marginally more excitement, with Dembele, who entered in the 67th minute, earning the title of man of the match.
Real Madrid’s current and future stars failed to score in open play throughout the tournament. Ronaldo’s late, wayward shot epitomized Portugal’s struggles. Mbappe, who didn’t finish the match, and Ronaldo, who took Portugal’s first successful penalty, both underperformed.
The game exemplified the tension and caution of knockout football, with both teams wary of making critical errors. Deschamps’ defensive strategy included three holding midfielders, while Portugal, with Ronaldo leading the line, lacked pressing and dynamism.
Defensive performances were key: Pepe’s crucial tackle on Marcus Thuram, N’Golo Kante’s relentless covering, Eduardo Camavinga’s consistency, and Mike Maignan’s vital saves. Offensive players like Mbappe and Rafael Leao showed flashes of brilliance but failed to deliver final results.
For France, the result validated their strategy. Portugal, on the other hand, were left to ponder missed opportunities and a lack of ambition. Francisco Conceicao’s energetic cameo contrasted with Bruno Fernandes’ subdued display. Under Roberto Martinez, Portugal appeared conservative, reminiscent of Fernando Santos’ tenure.
France’s cautious play yielded few first-half chances. Theo Hernandez’s shot, parried by Costa, was the sole shot on target. Portugal’s sudden surge in the second half saw Bruno Fernandes and Vitinha test Maignan, but tellingly, Ronaldo was not involved in either chance.
France responded with opportunities of their own. Randal Kolo Muani’s shot was deflected wide by Ruben Dias, and Camavinga missed a chance. The game’s climax saw Nuno Mendes nearly snatch victory, but penalties seemed inevitable. Felix’s miss ended Portugal’s tournament, leaving a talented team feeling like underachieving underperformers.
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