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The strange free kick that happened between Ronaldo and Bruno and no one understood it against France in the Euro
The Euro 2024 quarter-finals continue tonight with a huge meeting between the Selecao and Les Bleus in Hamburg. Many are pitching it as a battle between Cristiano Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappe but it is more than that, as two great footballing nations duel for the right to face Spain, who earlier on knocked out hosts Germany.
It is a repeat of the 2016 final which saw Portugal stun France in Paris and that remains the crowning achievement of the Iberian nation, now led by Roberto Martinez and boasting arguably the most talented starting line-up in the Euros. They are unchanged for today’s game.
France have introduced Eduardo Camaving and Randal Kolo Muani with Adrien Rabiot suspended as Didier Deschamps looks to ignite a tame campaign for the pre-tournament favourites, who are yet to score a goal of their own from open play. Follow latest updates from Portugal vs France LIVE via Standard Sport’s match blog!
Portugal vs France updates
Portugal team news: Ronaldo leads the line with XI unchanged
France team news: Camavinga and Kolo Muani start, Rabiot banned
FT! Goalless draw goes to extra-time
Portugal 0-0 France | Extra-time: 115 mins
Same story for France, lovely jinking run by Bradley Barcola before he loses all composure in the box and oddly chips his shot off target.
Portugal 0-0 France | Extra-time: 112 mins
Superb control by Ousmane Dembele and a neat run towards the D, before a wild shot over the bar.
Portugal 0-0 France | Extra-time: 111 mins
Cristiano Ronaldo for the first time tonight, it feels like, goes on a run of his own into the box but the flag is up as Theo Hernandez slides in well.
Portugal 0-0 France | Extra-time: 108 mins
Like-for-like swaps from both teams there to replace their left wingers.
Still, a noticeable lack of pace in the game before Portugal try to leap into an attack.
Francisco Conceicao picks out Joao Felix with a deep cross… side netting!
Kick-off!
Penalties loom large in this game so let’s see who can provide a moment of magic (or a massive error) to win it.
France bring Kylian Mbappe off! He applies some ice to his broken nose, which got bashed earlier, and on comes Bradley Barcola.
No such luxuries for Cristiano Ronaldo, mind. It’s Rafael Leao off for Joao Felix as Roberto Martinez makes a change.
AFP via Getty Images
Half-time!
Naturally the pace has been pretty low for the majority of extra-time.
Nuno Mendes provides a burst forward and Francisco Conceicao curls over from 20 yards.
And that’s half-time in extra-time!
Portugal 0-0 France | Extra-time: 102 mins
France can’t clear a cross and Rafael Leao’s shot is closed down at close range! Vital interception.
Portugal 0-0 France | Extra-time: 98 mins
Marcus Thuram sums up the evening somewhat with a wild shot from inside the D, well off target. There’s been very little quality in the execution for both attacks tonight.
Portugal 0-0 France | Extra-time: 97 mins
Ousmane Dembele palms off Nuno Mendes to spark a counter and beats a challenge before opting to find Kylian Mbappe…
Pepe blocks the shot! Dembele should have shot, really.
Portugal 0-0 France | Extra-time: 94 mins
Cristiano Ronaldo pops up in the box for his moment… and skies a shot well over the bar!
Francisco Conceicao does really well to hit the byline and cut it back but that is a poor, tired finish from Ronaldo.
