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:
REST! Portugal 0-0 France
REST TIME! Michael Oliver blows his whistle, with no extra time.
An exciting and intriguing half in Hamburg, but not yet suitable for the neutral viewer.
Chris WilsonJuly 5, 2024 8:46 PM
Euro 2024: Portugal 0-0 France
Leao is lucky not to give away a free kick as he bundles the ball to Kounde and Portugal sweeps the ball wide to Cancelo. Vitinha hooks the ball into the penalty area but Maignan catches it well.
Chris WilsonJuly 5, 2024 8:45 PM
Euro 2024: Portugal 0-0 France
Ronaldo lets Fernandes take the free kick, which goes over the bar. Ronaldo would have saved it better, to be honest.
Chris WilsonJuly 5, 2024 8:43 PM
Euro 2024: Portugal 0-0 France
Silva gets behind the ball and crosses into the penalty area, but the ball is a bit too far and goes over Leao’s head.
France attack and patiently keep the ball on the edge of the Portuguese penalty area, but Pepe is there again to clear the ball.
Vitinha heads the ball away and makes his way into the penalty area, but the ball is cleared just before Muani brings down Vitinha from about 25 yards out.
Perfect terrain for Ronaldo (in 2008).
Chris WilsonJuly 5, 2024 8:41 PM
Euro 2024: Portugal 0-0 France
Portugal seem to have learned from that incident and are now trying to conquer the penalty area instead of throwing long balls. But once again Saliba is there to rob Vitinha of the ball.
Cancelo crosses shortly afterwards, but Leao can’t get the ball to it!
Chris WilsonJuly 5, 2024 8:38 PM
Euro 2024: Portugal 0-0 France
One thing about Ronaldo being isolated from Saliba is that, at 39, he will never win that battle. That was evident when Fernandes played a ball to him and Saliba simply guided him away.
Chris WilsonJuly 5, 2024 8:36 PM
Euro 2024: Portugal 0-0 France
Kounde’s ball is headed away by Cancelo. France come back and Camavinga does well to hook the ball to Greizmann, but he can’t control it and Fernandes comes in to clear it for a corner.
Griezmann fires the ball in, but Upamecano fails to get a good grip on the ball and the chance is wasted after Mendes intercepts the ball.
Chris WilsonJuly 5, 2024 8:35 PM
Euro 2024: Portugal 0-0 France
Brilliant play from both sides as Camavinga fires a pass to the feet that Mbappe lays off to Kolo Muani. Griezmann has made a great run down the right but Muani takes it himself and he almost gets the ball away before Pepe brilliantly holds him off and robs him of the ball.
Chris WilsonJuly 5, 2024 8:32 PM
Euro 2024: Portugal 0-0 France
This time Leao is up against Upamecano and he can’t get past him straight away. However, he manages to get a cross to the near post, which almost slips in. However, Maignan catches the ball.
Chris WilsonJuly 5, 2024 8:30 PM
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