Portugal vs France

Volksparkstadion in Hamburg forms the backdrop for a blockbuster Euro 2024 quarter-final tie between Portugal and France.

Despite Jan Oblak’s superb save to thwart Cristiano Ronaldo’s attempt from the spot in extra-time of Portugal’s last-16 tie against Slovenia, Roberto Martinez’s team progressed via a shootout to enter the quarter-finals for the seventh time in the last eight Euro tournaments. Diogo Costa became the first goalkeeper in Euros history to deny three penalties in the shootout, helping the Selecao set up a repeat of the Euro 2016 final. Eder’s extra-time goal inspired Portugal to their maiden continental success at the expense of France eight years ago, yet that’s their only success across the last 14 encounters between the sides (W1, D2, L11). On a more positive note, the Portuguese have only lost twice in 19 games in the build-up to this fixture (W16, D1), though one of those defeats came against Georgia in this tournament.

While France’s performances in Germany have flattered to deceive, they’ve reached the quarter-finals of a major tournament (World Cup/Euro) for the sixth time in the last seven events. A late own goal helped Les Bleus see off Belgium 1-0 in the round of 16, but despite going unbeaten in all four Euro 2024 matches (W2, D2), Didier Deschamps can’t be satisfied with his side’s performances. Yet to score from open play in Germany, the French have seen two of their three goals scored by opposition players, with Kylian Mbappe putting away a penalty in a 1-1 draw against Poland. As the 2022 World Cup runners-up continue to toil in the final third, chances are another late drama could be on the cards. Indeed, five of France’s last seven Euro fixtures have ended all square (W2, D5).