July 05, (THEWILL) – France have secured a spot in the Euro 2024 semi-finals after defeating Portugal in a tense penalty shootout. The late Friday match ended 0-0 after 120 minutes of play, forcing the teams to decide the outcome from the spot.
In a display of nerves of steel, the French side converted all five of their penalties with conviction. Portugal’s hopes were dashed when João Félix missed his attempt, allowing France to clinch the victory. The result sets up a highly anticipated semi-final clash between France and Spain.
The quarter-final match itself was a cagey affair, with both teams struggling to create clear-cut chances throughout regular time and extra time. The defensive prowess of both sides was evident, resulting in a tactical stalemate that ultimately led to the penalty shootout.
French manager Didier Deschamps will be relieved to see his team progress, despite the lacklustre performance over 120 minutes. The victory keeps France’s dreams of adding another European Championship title to their collection alive, following their triumph in 2016.
The stakes will be higher when the semi-final showdown between France and Spain takes centre stage. Both teams will be keen to stamp their authority on the competition and book their place in the final.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
