Everything you need to know before the quarter-final in the form of a star track between Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal and Kylian Mbappé’s France, this Friday (9 p.m.) in Hamburg.
A shock, a real one. Didier Deschamps’ Les Bleus face Portugal this Friday, 9 p.m., in Hamburg, in the quarter-finals of Euro 2024. A five-star match at the end of which the winner will qualify for the last four and will challenge Spain or Germany. It will be on July 9 in Munich. As for this Portugal-France, M6 et beIN SPORTS are the broadcasters. A match also to follow live commentary on our site, with of course our special correspondents in Germany, Baptiste Desprez and Christophe Remise, as well as Vincent Rozeron from Figaro Live.
Who is the favorite?
Is there one? The French and the Portuguese were among the favourites for the final victory for observers from all sides before the start of the tournament, along with England and not far behind Germany and Spain. Since then, La Roja has made the best impression (4 wins, 9 goals scored, 1 conceded). The fact remains that this Portugal-France is shaping up to be undecided to say the least, between two great nations, two great generations, stars in all four corners of the pitch. A clash of big names before which it is very difficult to designate a favourite. In fact, we won’t risk it. We can only hope that the match will live up to the billing and, cock-a-doodle-doo, that France goes through.
Also read: Euro 2024: quarter-finals to finally launch a hitherto soporific edition?
What path for the two teams?
The French team did the bare minimum in the first round, with a narrow victory against Austria (1-0) and draws against the Netherlands (0-0) and Poland (1-1). Good for second place in Group D, before a snatched victory against Belgium (1-0) in the last 16. Three goals scored, none in open play, two own goals and a penalty. Offensively, it’s weak… Defensively, on the other hand, it’s impressive. A safe that scares the rest of Europe, like the tactical plans of the Oranje and the Red Devils, which are at least timid… Note that if they had finished top of their group, the vice-world champions would have fallen to the lower part of the table, with a last 16 match against Turkey, then the Netherlands (third in Group D) or Romania in the quarter-finals. They would only have faced a “big” team from the semi-finals, with a potential duel with England.
Also read: The Blues’ ratings after France-Belgium: Koundé impassable, Griezmann ghostly and Kolo Muani the hero
The Portuguese, for their part, started much better, with victories over the Czech Republic (2-1) and Turkey (3-0). They were already assured of winning Group F before… losing to Willy Sagnol’s Georgia (0-2). Roberto Martinez had fielded a reserve team, keeping only Diego Costa, João Palhinha and Cristiano Ronaldo in his 11. In the 8th round, the Portuguese held their breath until the end against modest Slovenia, pushed into extra time and penalties, with Jan Oblak notably stopping a penalty from “CR7” – who has still not scored at the Euro – in the 105th minute. Costa, for his part, worked wonders in the penalty shootout (0-0 aet, 3-0 tab).
Also read: Portugal-Slovenia: Diogo Costa impassable, Sesko misses… the tops/flops
Which Blues against Portugal and who instead of Rabiot?
As surprising as it may seem, the Blues should start with an 11 similar to the one that started against Belgium (1-0). Surprising because the production of the French team had not excited anyone. Except Didier Deschamps and the staff. And then in the end, there was victory at the end, right? In short, no reason to change anything in the defensive sector, with Mike Maignan and the quartet Koundé/Upamecano/Saliba/Hernandez. Who will compensate for the absence of Adrien Rabiot, suspended? Eduardo Camavinga starts with the favor of the forecasts. The Madrilenian would be associated with Aurélien Tchouaméni and N’Golo Kanté, with therefore still Antoine Griezmann on the right and Kylian Mbappé, on the left. Despite courageous but discreet performances so far, Marcus Thuram should complete the attacking line. Hero against the Belgians, Randal Kolo Muani should come off the bench.
Also read: Euro 2024: what is Didier Deschamps playing with Antoine Griezmann?
What did a combined 11 from both teams look like?
To an All Star team! Despite his recent feats, Diego Costa still doesn’t have Mike Maignan’s CV. On the right, it’s a question of taste and style between the solid Koundé, author of a Euro that was convincing to say the least, and the very offensive Joao Cancelo. The current form suggests leaning towards the Frenchman. On the left, we can bet on Hernandez, but the Parisian arrow Nuno Mendes wouldn’t be a bad choice. In the axis, Ruben Dias is essential. With his Euro, William Saliba too. In the middle, we will favor the activity of Kanté over the power of Tchouaméni or the vista of another Parisian from the Seleçao, Vitinha. As true-false relays in our dream 11, Bruno Fernandes and Antoine Griezmann. Offensive but balanced by the profile of “Grizou”. Especially since we put Bernando Silva on the right wing. On the left, no debate for Mbappé, even if it is heartbreaking to put Rafael Leao on the bench. And up front, who else but Cristiano Ronaldo? On the bench, Didier Deschamps rather than Roberto Martinez.
The combined 11 Portugal-France : Maignan – Koundé, Dias, Saliba, Hernandez – Kanté, Fernandes, Griezmann – Bernardo, Ronaldo, Mbappé.
Also read: “What is happening to him is normal and logical”: Mbappé, what is the problem?
What is the history between the two nations?
France and Portugal have met 28 times, with a record largely in Les Bleus’ favour: 19 wins, three draws and only six defeats in 28 confrontations. In the final phase of major tournaments, it was a flawless record for the Tricolores… until Eder’s goal in the final of Euro 2016, in France, and the Portuguese victory (0-1 aet). Before that, Michel Platini and his comrades had overturned Portugal in the semi-finals of Euro 1984 (3-2 aet), in Marseille. Then there was the semi-final of Euro 2000 (2-1 aet) and that of the 2006 World Cup (1-0). It should be noted that the French team had won 10 consecutive matches against Portugal before 2016. As has been said, the record of the confrontations is favorable to France, but over the last four matches, it is one win each and two draws, the last duel between the two nations dating back to June 2021 and a 2-2 in the group stages of the Euro.
