It was a day of close encounters in the Euro 2024 knockout rounds on Monday as France and Portugal progressed.
In the early game, France prevailed 1 – 0 over Belgium thanks to an 85th minute own goal. In the evening, Portugal needed penalties to advance at the expense of Slovenia.
We learned nothing new about France, and their games seem destined to not inspire. Later on, though, it was existential night for Cristiano Ronaldo who missed a penalty.
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France weren’t amazing against Belgium, but they did dominate. They had 19 shots to Belgium’s 2 and dominated 56% of the possession. Their main weapon was balls into the box from Jules Kounde from the right hand side. It took substitute Kolo Muani to force an own goal from Jan Vertongen to break the deadlock.
Later on in Frankfurt, there was a little bit more than a Euro 2024 knockout tie going on. For the first time, Portugal’s supporters are turning on Cristiano Ronaldo. The now infamous ‘I have loved you but not tonight’ T shirt has been seen by everyone in the world.
When Ronaldo missed a penalty at the end of the first half of extra time, he broke down in tears. He appeared to be a man who knew it was over for him at the top level. He’s spent the tournament struggling to compete physically and taking terrible free kicks. Everybody, even Ronaldo, falls from grace eventually.
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Tellingly, he took the first penalty in the shootout rather than the last. His tears will not go down as his last action for Portugal at a major tournament. He has Diogo Costa for that, who saved three penalties in a row in an exemplary performance.
Portugal will face France in the quarter finals. Meanwhile the Netherlands, Romania, Austria and Turkey play for a place in the next round on Tuesday.
