Portugal's journey in the Euro Cup came to an emotional end after a nail-biting quarter-final against France, which concluded with a 5-3 penalty shootout in favor of the French team. Despite several opportunities, the Portuguese team failed to convert their chances into goals, leading to a sense of frustration and injustice among the players.
Vitinha, the Paris Saint-Germain midfielder, expressed his disappointment, stating, 'There is a lot of frustration right now. We felt we deserved it, we worked hard, we gave everything, and when it's like that it hurts. But it's football.' His sentiments were echoed by teammate Ruben Neves, who felt the defeat was 'unfair for all the work done since the start of the Euro.'
Coach Roberto Martinez praised his team's collective performance despite the setback, emphasizing the values of Portuguese football. He stated, 'It's a sad moment because the players fought. They showed the values of Portuguese football. It's sad, the supporters deserved to be happy, but we lost on our feet. We gave everything. We had very good possession. The defeat is cruel. I leave the message that we lost, but with pride. Portuguese, we will not stop there.'
The match also marked a poignant moment for Cristiano Ronaldo, who at 39 years old, may have played his last game in a major national team tournament. Ronaldo, who has been a key player in five European Championships and five World Cups, left the Euro without scoring, highlighting the passage of time even for the greatest athletes.
Kylian Mbappé, touted as the successor to Ronaldo and Messi, watched the penalty shootout from the bench but played a crucial role in motivating his team. The French team executed a flawless penalty shootout, with goals from Dembelé, Fofana, Koundé, Barcola, and Hernández.
Despite the defeat, the Portuguese team showed resilience and determination. Nuno Mendes emphasized the role of luck in penalties, stating, 'The last match was for us, today was lucky for them. It's about continuing, keeping our heads held high and continuing the work we're doing.'
Pepe, moved to tears after the match, reflected on the team's efforts, saying, 'For what we did, for everything my teammates did, we don't deserve to have lost. Football is cruel, sometimes it gives glory and sometimes it takes it away. Our trip was short. We could have gone much further.'
As France advances to play Spain in the semi-finals, the Portuguese team and its supporters are left to reflect on a tournament that showed their potential but ended in heartbreak.
- The penalty shootout saw Joao Felix missing a crucial penalty, a moment that highlighted the fine margins in football. Ruben Dias noted, 'Penalties are a lottery and today they did not smile on us.'
- Cristiano Ronaldo's performance in the tournament was a topic of discussion, with the forward struggling to find the back of the net despite his illustrious career. His presence on the field, however, remained a source of inspiration for his teammates.
- Kylian Mbappé's role in the French team continues to grow, with the young star showing leadership qualities despite being substituted before the penalty shootout. His ability to motivate his teammates was a key factor in France's victory.
- Pepe's emotional farewell to international football was a significant moment, marking the end of an era for the 41-year-old defender who has been a stalwart for Portugal over the years.
