Other Competitions
Euro 2024: France edge Portugal, Spain beat Germany
In a rugged draw in Hamburg, France and Portugal matched each other blow for blow for 120 minutes in a rematch of the final match of the 2016 European Championships. Missing the suspended Adrien Rabiot, Didier Deschamps made a like-for-like swap in midfield, bringing in former Stade Rennais player Eduardo Camavinga. The match's early going saw France control possession and play some neat football, but by midway through the first half, the game had taken on an attritional character.
In goal, both former LOSC Lille goalkeeper Mike Maignan and his counterpart, Diogo Costa, who had been the hero of Portugal's penalty shootout win over Romania in the Round of 16, each made a bevy of saves to keep the match level. Ousmane Dembélé came off the bench and turned in an electric performance, winning Man of the Match honors.
The best chance of the match came just near the end of extra time for Paris Saint-Germain left back Nuno Mendes, but he fluffed his lines, and the match went to a penalty shootout. Each of the five French takers found the back of the net, and when João Felix missed his, it was enough for France to earn a place in the semifinals against Spain on Tuesday.
Our MVP 🇫🇷🔥 pic.twitter.com/332X5O5OZZ
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) July 5, 2024
SPAIN 2-1 GERMANY (aet)
In Stuttgart, Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Fabian Ruiz and Spain needed a late, late winner from Mikel Merino in the 119th minute, getting the win to advance over the hosts in a closely fought match that saw Germany hold the advantage in possession and shots, even as they were left forced to rely on a last-gasp goal of their own.
Spain had taken the lead just after the break through Dani Olmo, but were under pressure from the Germans for the majority of the match's closing stages, and eventually conceded a goal to Florian Wirtz in the 89th minute. Extra time was a nervy affair, but Merino's fine header would seal the result as Spain sealed their palce in Tuesday's semifinal.
READ MORE:
