Cristiano Ronaldo’s final European Championships ended from 12 yards out as five flawless French penalties eliminated Portugal in the quarterfinals, sending pre-tournament favorites Les Bleus into a semifinal with a Spain side who emerged victorious in a pulsating clash with Germany.
The same could not be said about two attritional hours in Hamburg where teams replete with attacking talent sparked into life at best infrequently on their way to a penalty shootout. Joao Felix was the only player to miss their spot kick, his stutter run up ending with him thudding a shot against the post from 12 yards out.
That aside the finishing in the shootout was altogether more impressive than in normal and extra time. A generous assessment might be that the likes of William Saliba and Pepe shut down Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappe et al but two teams who have developed a reputation for being less than the sum of their parts plumbed new depths in an attritional encounter. Mike Maignan saved well from Bruno Fernandes and Vitinha early in the second half, Portugal perhaps creating the better chances than a France side that only sparkled after Ousmane Dembele’s introduction.
Mbappe, wearing a mask after breaking his nose in the Euro 2024 opener against Poland, struggled throughout, perhaps feeling the after effects of a Bernardo Silva header that smashed against his head in the first half. His replacement Bradley Barcola delivered from the spot, France winning a penalty shootout at the same stage where they were eliminated three years ago by Switzerland.
They will meet Spain, who sent hosts Germany crashing out of Euro 2024 thanks to a 119th minute header from Mikel Merino. Julian Nagelsmann’s side had already been facing up to the prospect of a disappointing exit, trailing to Dani Olmo’s strike until the 89th minute of normal time, when Florian Wirtz converted a stylish volley.
Denied a penalty for a possible handball in extra time, Germany then had their hearts broken when Real Sociedad midfielder Merino ghosted into the box to meet a cross from the outstanding Olmo.