SwedenLivingWorld world_2_fill WorldBusiness BusinessSports sports-soccer SportsEntertainmentEntertain

France advances on penalties – Pepe in tears

France is clear for the semifinal in the European Championship. After a goalless quarterfinal against Portugal, penalties were required to secure advancement. In the semifinal, Spain is now waiting. Star back Pepe cried after the elimination. It's very painful, says the Portuguese.

» Updated: 16 July 2024, 14:19

» Published: 05 July 2024

France advances on penalties – Pepe in tears
Photo: Hassan Ammar/AP/TT

France is clear for the semifinal in the European Championship. After a goalless quarterfinal against Portugal, penalties were required to secure advancement.

In the semifinal, Spain awaits. Star defender Pepe cried after the elimination.

It's very painful, says the Portuguese.

For the second European Championship match in a row, penalties were required for Portugal, but unlike in the round of 16 – where the team eliminated Slovenia – it was a loss to France in the quarterfinal.

Big scapegoat became 24-year-old João Félix, who shot his penalty into the post and out for Portugal.

It was otherwise a quarterfinal between two top teams with each their superstar on the pitch – France's Kylian Mbappé and Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo – then the audience in Hamburg was treated to an extremely cautious start, where neither team seemed to want to take any risks.

Forced to one-handed save

It took over an hour of play before the match got going. Then, Portugal seemed to shift into higher gear, and lined up three dangerous chances within a couple of minutes.

First, the French goalkeeper Mike Maignan was forced to make a brilliant one-handed save after Bruno Fernandes got a chance. In the sequence that followed, João Cancelo got a chance – but the shot went wide. Only minutes later came the next chance when Vitinha missed a giant opportunity.

France's response to that: Randal Kolo Muani with a chance that forced Portugal's goalkeeper Diogo Costa to intervene to keep the match goalless. Eduardo Camavinga was the next Frenchman to get a chance – but from close range, he sent the ball just outside the goal.

Pepe in tears

Despite the many chances, no goals were scored, and the match went to extra time, which also ended goalless – and penalties were a fact.

After Theo Hernandez scored the last penalty kick – and thus sent "Les Bleus" on to the championship – the 41-year-old veteran Pepe cried and received comfort from Cristiano Ronaldo, who hugged his compatriot.

We must go through this moment of our loss, it's very painful, says Pepe after the match.

In the semifinal, which takes place on Tuesday, the French will meet Spain.

Tags
TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

Reluctant Poster Girl in Donald Duck and Talk Show
4 MIN READ

Reluctant Poster Girl in Donald Duck and Talk Show

Swedish show in NHL – goal fest for Bratt and Wennberg
2 MIN READ

Swedish show in NHL – goal fest for Bratt and Wennberg

Grant near the top in LPGA finale
1 MIN READ

Grant near the top in LPGA finale

Quick Hero - Arsenal to Quarterfinal
1 MIN READ

Quick Hero - Arsenal to Quarterfinal

Confirmed: Frida Karlsson Competes in the Swedish Premiere
1 MIN READ

Confirmed: Frida Karlsson Competes in the Swedish Premiere

Hammarby's anger after the celebration: "Disgusting"
2 MIN READ

Hammarby's anger after the celebration: "Disgusting"

Frustrated Frölunda fell: "Worst we've done this year"
2 MIN READ

Frustrated Frölunda fell: "Worst we've done this year"

Confirmed: Guardiola Extends with Manchester City
1 MIN READ

Confirmed: Guardiola Extends with Manchester City

Sweden in European Championship final after thriller: "Proud and happy"
1 MIN READ

Sweden in European Championship final after thriller: "Proud and happy"

Blytung comeback for Åberg: "A bit rusty"
2 MIN READ

Blytung comeback for Åberg: "A bit rusty"

Hammarby set a new attendance record: "Love every single one"
3 MIN READ

Hammarby set a new attendance record: "Love every single one"

Referee suspended after Isak-miss
1 MIN READ

Referee suspended after Isak-miss

Super strikers in qualifying – Värnamo equalized late
2 MIN READ

Super strikers in qualifying – Värnamo equalized late

Sjöström's Criticism: "Would Have Been a Worthy Winner"
2 MIN READ

Sjöström's Criticism: "Would Have Been a Worthy Winner"

Tough for Team Edin - misses European Championship semifinal
1 MIN READ

Tough for Team Edin - misses European Championship semifinal

Roberts: Nothing is broken in any case
2 MIN READ

Roberts: Nothing is broken in any case

Rookies get a chance in the World Cup premiere
2 MIN READ

Rookies get a chance in the World Cup premiere

MFF confirms: Dahlin has a cruciate ligament injury
1 MIN READ

MFF confirms: Dahlin has a cruciate ligament injury

Operated on after horror injury – testicle burst
1 MIN READ

Operated on after horror injury – testicle burst

Guide: Everything you need to know ahead of the distance premiere
2 MIN READ

Guide: Everything you need to know ahead of the distance premiere