In a closely contested Euro quarter-final, France faced off against Portugal in Hamburg. The match, which ended in a 0-0 draw and was decided by a penalty shootout, saw France emerge victorious with a 5-3 scoreline. Despite the win, the game was marked by an unexpected moment when Kylian Mbappé, the captain of the French team, requested to leave the pitch due to exhaustion and a nose injury. His departure, however, did not affect the team's performance, as they successfully advanced to the semi-finals.
Didier Deschamps, France's coach, confirmed that Mbappé's exit was a mutual decision made after the player expressed his fatigue. Deschamps praised Mbappé's honesty and acknowledged that the player was not in his best shape due to a back problem and the nose injury. Despite these challenges, the team managed to maintain their composure and secure a place in the last four.
Reflecting on the match, Deschamps also recalled the painful memory of the 2016 European Championship final, where France lost to Portugal. However, he emphasized that this time, the focus was on the present and the strengths of both teams. Deschamps acknowledged the quality of the Portuguese team, particularly the threat posed by Cristiano Ronaldo, but remained confident in his squad's ability to control the match.
Cristiano Ronaldo, a perennial threat, also expressed his optimism through social media, rallying Portuguese fans with a message of unity and belief. Bernardo Silva, another key player for Portugal, noted that France's attacking style could create opportunities for the Portuguese team. Despite the challenges, Portugal's supporters were enthusiastic, although local authorities in Hamburg had to impose restrictions to prevent large marches to the stadium.
As the match approached, the focus was on the attacking players, particularly Mbappé, who was set to face his childhood idol, Ronaldo. Deschamps expressed confidence in his team's attackers, including Marcus Thuram and Antoine Griezmann, and highlighted the positive aspects of their performances. Mbappé, who recently urged his compatriots to vote and prevent the triumph of the right, was motivated by the prospect of competing against Ronaldo once again. He expressed his admiration for Ronaldo but was determined to carve out his own legacy and make a significant impact at Real Madrid.
