France and Portugal are set to renew their European Championship rivalry in a highly-anticipated quarter-final match on Friday in Hamburg, with much of the attention focused on team captains Kylian Mbappe and Cristiano Ronaldo. This clash brings together two of the tournament favorites, though both teams have shown inconsistencies in their performances so far.
France has reached the quarter-finals for the sixth time in the last seven major tournaments, despite struggling to score goals in open play. Les Bleus have netted only three times in four games, with one penalty from Mbappe and two own goals. Mbappe’s performance has been affected by a broken nose suffered in the opening match against Austria, forcing him to miss the game against the Netherlands and impacting his sharpness since returning.
France assistant coach Guy Stephan addressed Mbappe’s condition, stating, “I don’t think any of us have made enough of the fact he broke his nose. It is not an excuse, but he was traumatised by the collision.” Despite these challenges, Stephan emphasized, “Kylian is still Kylian. He has scored almost a goal a game for us since 2021.
On the other side, Portugal reached this stage after a penalty shootout victory over Slovenia following a goalless 120 minutes. Goalkeeper Diogo Costa emerged as the hero by saving all three of Slovenia’s penalties. However, the match was also notable for Cristiano Ronaldo’s emotional reaction after missing a penalty in extra time.
Ronaldo’s quest to become the oldest ever goal-scorer at the tournament has led to criticism from some who feel he may be holding back Portugal’s talented squad. However, coach Roberto Martinez continues to defend the veteran forward, praising his passion and commitment to the team.
Both teams have faced goal-scoring challenges in recent matches. Portugal has gone more than four hours without finding the net, while France has relied heavily on penalties and own goals. The upcoming match will test both sides’ ability to break through strong defenses.
The history between these two teams adds another layer of intrigue to the quarter-final. Their previous encounters in knockout rounds have always seen the winner go on to lift the trophy. Notable past meetings include Portugal’s victory in the Euro 2016 final and France’s wins in the 1984 and 2000 semi-finals.
As the teams prepare for this crucial match, both will be looking to overcome their recent scoring difficulties and secure a place in the semi-finals. With Mbappe and Ronaldo leading their respective sides, the stage is set for a potentially classic European Championship encounter that could define the tournament’s trajectory.
Punchng.com /AFP
