France and Portugal will re-enact their rivalry at the European Championship in a quarter-final match where almost all attention will be focused on captains Mbappe and Cristiano Ronaldo.
The quarter-final clash in Hamburg brings together two of the favourites at Euro 2024, but France and Portugal have so far failed to impress in Germany.
Captain Mbappe has only scored one penalty goal
France have reached the quarter-finals for the sixth time in their last seven major tournaments (Euro/World Cup), and have been heavy favourites to win each tournament. However, Les Bleus have only scored three goals in four games at this Euro, one a penalty from Mbappe and two own goals, including Jan Vertonghen’s strike that helped them beat Belgium 1-0 in the round of 16.
On the other hand, France have only conceded one goal, a penalty from Poland’s Robert Lewandowski in a 1-1 draw. Notably, captain Mbappe was hampered by a broken nose in France’s opening match against Austria, forcing him to miss the goalless draw with the Netherlands.
Captain Mbappe scored from the penalty spot in the 1-1 draw with Poland in the group stage. Photo: GETTY.
Captain Mbappe has also not been at his best since returning and his penalty against Poland is the only goal the Real Madrid star has scored in seven appearances at the Euros.
“I think people are too preoccupied with the fact that captain Mbappe broke his nose. That’s not an excuse, but he is affected by the injury after the collision,” said France assistant coach Guy Stephan. “It’s not easy for Mbappe to play with a mask on, as he said. Moreover, Mbappe has just had a rather tiring end to the season. But Mbappe is captain Mbappe. He has scored almost a goal per game for us since 2021.”
Portugal, meanwhile, reached the quarter- finals after having to rely on penalties to beat Slovenia after 120 minutes of goalless play. Goalkeeper Diogo Costa was their hero, saving three Slovenian penalties from the spot, but the match will also be remembered for Ronaldo’s tears after missing a penalty in extra time.
Ronaldo has yet to score a goal after four matches at Euro 2024. Photo: GETTY.Ronaldo has not scored yet and the race with Mbappe
While captain Mbappe opened his Euro 2024 account, albeit from the penalty spot, captain Ronaldo has yet to score in his sixth appearance at the big stage. Mbappe has long idolized Ronaldo and the two are about to have a fiery clash to score at all costs for their national teams.
Ronaldo’s bid to become the tournament’s oldest scorer and set a record for scoring in six consecutive Euros has also caused controversy in Germany, with captain Ronaldo missing a penalty and breaking down in tears adding to the anger of those who feel he is holding back a hugely talented squad.
Portuguese superstar missed a penalty in the round of 16. Photo: GETTY.
However, coach Roberto Martinez continued to defend the veteran striker, despite the reactions. Portugal defender Nuno Mendes said of Ronaldo’s tears: “Those emotions are wonderful, for someone who has won so much and experienced everything. Ronaldo doesn’t need to care much about public opinion .
I also thank Ronaldo for being so honest. The Portuguese team is a united group of players and that gives us strength, like when goalkeeper Diogo saved three penalties.”
Portugal came from behind to beat the Czech Republic 2-1 in their opening game and then beat Turkey 3-0. So Ronaldo and Co. had fewer problems scoring goals than France. But they lost 2-0 to Georgia, a heavily changed side, in their final group game. That came after Portugal had already secured top spot, meaning they went more than four hours without scoring.
Portugal were beaten 2-0 by underdogs Georgia in their final group stage match. Photo: GETTY.Good omen for the winning team to win the tournament
Portugal must now try to find a way to break down France’s solid defence, while 2022 World Cup runners-up coach Didier Deschamps needs to find a replacement in midfield for the suspended Adrien Rabiot.
The two teams met in the group stages of the last Euros three years ago, with Ronaldo scoring two penalties for Portugal in a 2-2 draw. When the two teams meet in the knockout stages, the victors always lift the trophy.
Captain Mbappe will face idol Ronaldo in the quarter-finals of Euro 2024. Photo: GETTY.
Portugal won the Euro 2016 final against France in extra time in Paris, while France had Michel Platini’s extra-time goal to thank when they won the Euro 84 semi-finals, and Zinedine Zidane’s golden penalty in the 2000 semi-finals.
There was also the 2006 World Cup semi-final in Munich, exactly 18 years before this season’s rematch, when Zidane again won for France. Ronaldo, who has said this is his last Euros, was one of two living witnesses to that defeat in Germany 18 years ago. The other was Willy Sagnol, the coach who took Georgia to the last 16.
