PLAYER RATINGS: Which France forward left a lot to be desired? Who was incredibly frustrating for Portugal? And Cristiano Ronaldo simply doesn't have the legs anymore
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After a tense 120 minutes of action, France emerged victorious beating Portugal on penalties to reach the semi-finals of Euro 2024.
All eyes were on Cristiano Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappe, but in the end it was Theo Hernandez who got the crowning moment with the deciding penalty in the shootout.
There were some top saves from France goalkeeper Mike Maignan, and the likes of Bruno Fernandes, Cristiano Ronaldo and Randal Kolo Muani squandered big opportunities.
Joao Felix missed the crucial penalty, meaning France will now go on to play Spain in the semi-finals, with Portugal left to rue a missed opportunity.
Here, Mail Sport's NATHAN SALT runs the rule over the two teams...
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PORTUGAL (4-2-3-1)
Diogo Costa - 6.5
Was the hero of the last-16 when he saved three penalties in a shootout - but this was a much quieter evening for the Portuguese shot-stopper. Just two shots on target in normal time for France, rendering him a relative spectator.
Nuno Mendes - 7
He is such a willing runner and that gave Jules Kounde plenty to worry about with Rafael Leao full of legs also down that Portuguese left side. Once he can refine his final delivery he has the potential to be one of the best full-backs in the world.
Pepe - 6.5
Continues to roll back the years at this tournament. Should look a lot more ruffled than he does, particularly when trying to shackle a young upstart like Mbappe but his football IQ is off the charts. Anyone questioning if he is in this group on merit need to think again.
Ruben Dias - 7
Delivered a monumental block to prevent Randal Kolo Muani’s strike flying at Diogo Costa and he continued to make a series of key interventions which seemed to go under the radar.
Ruben Dias made a monumental block to prevent Randal Kolo Muani's strike going into the net
Joao Cancelo - 7
Incredible outside of the foot pass to set Bruno Fernandes free - deserved an assist for it. Was a surprise when he was among the first substitutions made by Roberto Martinez with the game in the balance at 0-0.
Vitinha - 7.5
Will be left ruing his miss inside the six-yard box which smacked into the chest of Mike Maignan. He broke the lines really well and was the stand-out player across midfield between the two sides, helping Portugal enjoy better spells for long stretches. All his performance lacked was a goal.
Vitinha was the stand-out player across the midfield between the two sides
Joao Palhinha - 6
Was lucky to escape punishment for a blatant pull-back of Antoine Griezmann earlier in the game but wasn’t so lucky with what appeared to be a clean tackle late in the game. Broke up play effectively and Fulham will miss him dearly as he looks ahead to a move to Bayern Munich.
Rafael Leao - 6
Incredibly exciting and incredibly frustrating. With the speed he has he should be one of the most feared wingers in the world… and yet, he isn’t. His decision-making needs refining and then his goals and assists at this level should rocket.
Bruno Fernandes - 6.5
Was heavily involved in everything Portugal did - as he often is for Manchester United - and he looked thoroughly unimpressed when he was among the first withdrawn by Roberto Martinez. Fans were equally perplexed.
Rafeal Leao was a livewire for Portugal in attack but his decision making needs refining
The decision to take off Bruno Fernandes instead of Cristiano Ronaldo left fans perplexed
Bernardo Silva - 6
Played a largely peripheral role on this contest, even after switching out to the right in the second half. Lived off moments in this tournament and they were few and far between in this chess-like contest.
Simply doesn’t have the legs to merit the amount of minutes he was afforded at this tournament. Was easily marshalled by Upamecano and Saliba and it made the decision to take Bruno Fernandes off ahead of him increasingly puzzling.
Cristiano Ronaldo had another tough game for Portugal missing a good chance in extra-time
MANAGER: Roberto Martinez - 6
Still doesn’t seem to have the bottle to hook Cristiano Ronaldo, or demand he comes off free-kicks (which were wasted repeatedly). That ultimately proved his undoing.
SUBS:
Nelson Semedo (for Joao Cancelo, 74) - 6
Francisco Conceicao (for Bruno Fernandes, 75) - 6
Ruben Neves (for Joao Palhinha, 90+2) - 6
Joao Felix (for Rafael Leao 105)
FRANCE (4-1-2-1-2)
Mike Maignan - 8
Huge save to deny Bruno Fernandes when France’s centre backs fell asleep and then stood up tall to deny a near-certain goal for Vitinha. A high-level performance from a high-level player in a high-level moment.
Mike Maignan produced a massive save to deny Bruno Fernandes in the second-half
Theo Hernandez - 6.5
Started the season quick as a flash but his influence on games has waned with every passing round. Much like Kylian Mbappe you keep thinking: surely he’ll deliver a breakout game eventually. Showed immense composure to score the winning penalty.
William Saliba - 7
The fact Didier Deschamps had doubts about him for so long continues to beggar belief. He’s anchored a defence that has still only conceded once - a penalty - in this tournament. Booked.
William Saliba was again very solid at the back though he was booked in the second-half
Dayot Upamecano - 7
Lots of the headlines go to Saliba but Upamecano has proven a brilliant partner for him. Ronaldo chose to target him rather than the Arsenal man and he won the battle with ease. You would like to see him offer more of a threat on attacking set pieces, if you were being picky.
Jules Kounde - 6.5
Didn’t stand out but didn’t do a lot wrong at the same time. Was always going to have a job on his hands with Mendes and Leao to keep under control. Even the best find that assignment a tough ask.
N’Golo Kante - 7.5
Has been a real positive for France in this tournament and has also helped stick two fingers up to critics of the Saudi Pro League with his level of performance.
Aurelien Tchouameni - 6
Took a wild shot in the second half that only just avoided going out for a throw-in, it was that bad.
Eduardo Camavinga - 7
When Portugal started to make their mark on the game and take control through Vitinha and Joao Palhinha, it was Camavinga that produced some timely interceptions. It continues to amaze just how refined the 21-year-old is… even if he should have scored with his weak foot with 20 minutes to go.
Aurelien Tchouameni (left) wasn't at his best though Eduardo Camavinga (right) produced some timely interceptions
Antoine Griezmann - 6
Still without a goal in this tournament, the Euro 2016 golden boot winner hasn’t produced anywhere near enough. He picks up clever little pockets of space in the No 10 role and always looks in control but he has the ability to take games over and he didn’t do that in Hamburg.
Randal Kolo Muani - 5.5
Should have scored midway through the second half but chose the wrong finish on a night when his decision-making - in the rare moments he did get a run at this Portuguese back-line - left a lot to be desired.
Kylian Mbappe - 6
Was in agony when a Portuguese header cannoned back off the side of his mask. This was a largely frustrating evening for a player that has yet to catch fire at this tournament. You just keep thinking the next game, the next game, the next game… well, he’s running out of games in Germany. Was a shock to see him depart before the shootout
Randal Kolo Muani should have scored and his decision making left a lot to be desired
Kylian Mbappe surprisingly has yet to catch fire at the European Championship
MANAGER: Didier Deschamps - 6
Made the right call - eventually - in ditching the midfield diamond and getting Ousmane Dembele on. Been there, seen it, done it, but losing Mbappe before the end even had a man of his experience sweating.
SUBS:
Ousmane Dembele (for Antoine Griezmann, 67) - 7.5
Marcus Thuram (for Randal Kolo Muani, 86) - 6
Youssouf Fofana (for Eduardo Camavinga) - 6
Bradley Barcola (for Kylian Mbappe, 105)
