The extremely anticipated quarter-final conflict between Portugal and France on the 2024 European Championship is about to happen on Friday, July fifth, on the Volksparkstadion in Hamburg, Germany.
This rematch of the 2016 Euro last guarantees to be an thrilling encounter as each groups look to safe a spot within the semi-finals of the match.
Match Preview
Portugal, the reigning European champions, are making their ninth look on the Euros since their debut in 1984.
They’ve reached the semi-finals on three events, most just lately in 2012 earlier than profitable their first title in 2016.
Within the 2021 version, Portugal have been eradicated within the spherical of 16 by Belgium.
France, however, are making their eleventh look on the Euros since their debut in 1960.
France have received the competitors two instances of their historical past, in 1984 as hosts and in 2000.
Their final last look was in 2016, the place they misplaced to Portugal because the host nation.
In 2021, France have been knocked out within the spherical of 16 on penalties by Switzerland.
Portugal completed high of Group F after three video games, selecting up two wins and one loss, leaving them on six factors, equal with Turkey however above them on head-to-head document.
Of their spherical of 16 match towards Slovenia, Portugal had 20 photographs in 120 minutes however solely six have been on course, as Cristiano Ronaldo missed a penalty in further time.
Nonetheless, goalkeeper Diogo Costa starred within the penalty shootout, saving all three Slovenia penalties to offer Portugal the 3-0 win.
France might solely end second in Group D, selecting up one win and two attracts, leaving them on 5 factors, one level behind group winners Austria.
Within the spherical of 16, France overcame Belgium because of a Jan Vertonghen personal purpose within the eighty fifth minute.
An attention-grabbing stat for Didier Deschamps’ facet is that no France participant has scored from open play after 4 video games, with their targets coming from a Kylian Mbappe penalty and two personal targets.
Head-to-Head
Portugal and France have met 28 instances in complete, with the primary assembly coming in a global pleasant in 1926.
Traditionally France leads with 19 wins in comparison with Portugal’s six, whereas the opposite three video games resulted in a draw.
Within the final 5 earlier conferences, France has two wins, Portugal one win and one match resulted in a draw.
This fixture hardly ever sees each groups on the scoresheet, with 4 of the final 5 video games seeing only one facet discover the again of the web.
Damage and Suspension
Portugal might want to assess the health of their gamers who accomplished 120 minutes towards Slovenia, however there aren’t any critical considerations for the time being.
France will probably be with out the suspended Adrien Rabiot, who picked up one other yellow card within the spherical of 16.
Prediction
Each Portugal and France have struggled to seek out their greatest kind within the match thus far, with neither staff convincing of their performances.
France’s cautious strategy underneath Didier Deschamps might show efficient towards a Portugal facet that lacks a transparent identification.
Regardless of France’s lack of targets from open play, their protection has been stable, conceding only one purpose of their final six matches.
Portugal’s assault, led by Cristiano Ronaldo, has additionally been underwhelming, failing to attain of their final two matches.
Given the tactical battle that’s prone to unfold, a low-scoring affair appears possible. France’s expertise and defensive solidity might give them the sting on this quarter-final conflict.
Betting Suggestions
France to win: France’s defensive group and expertise would be the distinction in a decent sport.
Underneath 2.5 targets: With each groups struggling to seek out the web constantly, a sport with fewer than three targets appears possible.
Kylian Mbappe to attain: Regardless of France’s lack of targets from open play, Mbappe stays their most harmful attacking menace and could possibly be the one to interrupt the impasse.