The French team has advanced to the semi-finals of Euro 2024 after a dramatic penalty shootout victory against Portugal. Despite the win, concerns linger over their performance, which has been marred by a lack of clear opportunities and technical mistakes. The French press has been quick to point out these issues, noting that the team was somewhat fortunate to progress.
L’Equipe highlighted the emotional aspect of the victory, stating that the French team 'exorcised some of the demons of Qatar,' referring to their loss in the 2022 World Cup final against Argentina, also on penalties. Le Monde echoed this sentiment but emphasized the team's continued offensive struggles, describing their play as 'laborious' and 'sterile.' Le Figaro called the match a 'poor spectacle' and criticized star players Kylian Mbappé and Antoine Griezmann for their lackluster performances.
On the other hand, the Portuguese press focused on their team's offensive deficiencies. Record lamented João Félix's missed penalty, while A Bola pointed out that Portugal has gone six hours without scoring in open play. O Jogo noted that this is the first time Portugal has failed to score in three consecutive matches in the final phase of a major tournament.
Kylian Mbappé, who admitted to physical struggles during the match, expressed his happiness over the qualification but acknowledged the need for improvement, especially in scoring goals. He praised the defensive solidity of the team and highlighted the crucial role of goalkeeper Mike Maignan in the penalty shootout.
France's journey to the semi-finals has been statistically remarkable yet challenging. This is their sixth semi-final appearance in the history of the European Championship. Despite not scoring a goal in open play during the tournament, the team's defensive strength has been a key factor in their success.
Didier Deschamps, who was also the coach during France's painful loss to Portugal in the 2016 Euro final, emphasized that both teams have evolved since then. He acknowledged Cristiano Ronaldo's enduring threat but expressed confidence in his team's ability to control the match.
Public sentiment in France has been mixed. A recent survey revealed that a majority of French people are dissatisfied with the team's performance, particularly criticizing the individual commitment and level of the players. However, there is still optimism, as many believe the team can overcome their challenges and succeed in the semi-finals against Spain.
