Both France and Spain emerged victorious in their respective Euro 2024 quarter-finals matches, each securing their spots in the semi-finals in dramatic fashion!
The road to the EURO 2024 semi-finals has been paved with intense drama, unforgettable moments, and nail-biting finishes. Here’s a comprehensive look at how these exciting and thrilling matches unfolded.
Following a dull draw, France defeats Portugal on penalties
Portugal vs France – Full Time: 0-0 (Penalties: 3-5)
France’s journey to the EURO 2024 semi-finals was marked by a tense and tactical battle against Portugal, ultimately decided by a nerve-wracking penalty shootout. The match, which ended 0-0 after extra time, highlighted the defensive prowess and goalkeeping skills on both sides.
First Half: A Cautious Start
The first half of the match saw both teams adopting a cautious approach, with neither side willing to take significant risks. The opening period was characterized by a lack of clear-cut chances and a focus on maintaining defensive solidity. It wasn’t until the second half that the game truly came to life.
Second Half: Portugal’s Offensive Surge
The hour mark seemed to be the catalyst for an explosion of action. Portugal’s João Cancelo unleashed a powerful shot that forced a superb save from France’s goalkeeper Mike Maignan. Moments later, Cristiano Ronaldo attempted a clever backheel, but Maignan was once again up to the task, making another crucial save.
France responded with their own offensive efforts. Rúben Dias executed a critical sliding block to deny Kolo Muani, followed by Eduardo Camavinga squandering an excellent chance to score. Despite the increased tempo, neither side could break the deadlock, and the match headed into extra time.
Extra Time: Missed Opportunities
Extra time saw both teams come agonizingly close to scoring. Cristiano Ronaldo had a golden opportunity to put Portugal ahead, but his shot flew well over the bar. France’s Ousmane Dembélé created a promising chance by evading Pepe, only to see his pass to Kylian Mbappé result in a wasted opportunity.
Portugal’s Rafael Leão and João Félix also came close, but their efforts were thwarted by France’s resilient defense. With no goals scored in extra time, the match was destined for a penalty shootout.
Penalty Shootout: France Hold Their Nerve
The penalty shootout began with Ousmane Dembélé confidently converting the first spot-kick for France. Cristiano Ronaldo matched him for Portugal, and the shootout continued with both sides converting their penalties. The turning point came when João Félix hit the post, giving France the advantage. France’s substitute Bradley Barcola, under immense pressure, showed remarkable composure to score his penalty. Nuno Mendes kept Portugal’s hopes alive by scoring their fifth penalty, but it was Theo Hernández who sealed the victory for France, calmly slotting home the decisive spot-kick.
With this dramatic win, France booked their place in the EURO 2024 semi-finals, showcasing their mental toughness and ability to perform under pressure.
Spain’s last-second extra-time goal wins a thrilling quarterfinal
Spain vs Germany – Full Time: 2-1
Spain’s path to the semi-finals was no less thrilling, as they overcame Germany in a match that featured a dramatic last-minute goal. The 2-1 victory for Spain was a testament to their resilience and determination to secure a spot in the final four.
Early Setback: Pedri’s Injury
The match started on a challenging note for Spain, as Pedri was forced off the field after a heavy challenge from Germany’s Toni Kroos just seven minutes into the game. This early blow could have derailed Spain’s plans, but Dani Olmo, who replaced Pedri, made an immediate impact.
First Half: Spain Take the Lead
Despite the early setback, Spain managed to take control of the game. Lamine Yamal’s perfectly weighted pass found Dani Olmo, who finished clinically into the bottom corner to give Spain the lead. Germany responded with attempts of their own, with Unai Simon making a crucial save from a Robert Andrich shot and Niclas Füllkrug hitting the post.
Germany’s Equalizer: Late Drama
Germany continued to press for an equalizer in the second half, with Kai Havertz coming close to scoring with an audacious chip that just missed the target. Their persistence paid off in the dying minutes of regular time. Toni Kroos lofted a cross to the back post, which was headed back across by Joshua Kimmich and slammed into the bottom corner by Florian Wirtz.
Extra Time: Merino’s Heroics
As the match entered extra time, both teams searched for the winning goal. Germany’s Florian Wirtz came close, shooting just wide of the post. A controversial moment occurred when Spain’s Marc Cucurella handled the ball inside the box, but no penalty was awarded.
The decisive moment came from Mikel Merino, who rose high to head home a brilliant goal just as the game seemed destined for penalties. Germany nearly equalized again in the final moments, with Niclas Füllkrug’s header narrowly missing the target. Dani Carvajal was sent off in the closing seconds, adding to the drama, but Spain held on to secure their place in the semi-finals.
Conclusion: A Path to Glory
The quarter-finals of EURO 2024 have delivered some of the most dramatic and memorable moments of the tournament. France and Spain have demonstrated their resilience, skill, and determination to advance to the semi-finals. As they prepare for their next challenges, fans around the world eagerly anticipate more thrilling action and unforgettable moments.
Stay tuned for more updates on EURO 2024 as the competition reaches its climax. With France and Spain continuing their quest for glory, the stage is set for an epic conclusion to this prestigious tournament. Who do you think gonna win Euro 2024? Share your views in the comment box!
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