Portugal face France in the quarter-finals at Euro 2024 this evening in a rematch of the European Championship final between the teams eight years ago.
Here is everything you need to know about the clash in Hamburg.
Form
Portugal: WWWLD
Portugal arrived at Euro 2024 with huge confidence after a perfect qualification campaign and secured passage into the knockout rounds with a game to spare. Victories over the Czech Republic and Turkey have been followed by unconvincing performances, however. A rotated side was stunned by Georgia in their final group fixture before Portugal squeezed past Slovenia on penalties in the Round of 16.
Cristiano Ronaldo endured a frustrating night against Slovenia, including a missed penalty in extra time, and remains goalless at Euro 2024. His XG underperformance (-2.85) is the biggest in the tournament so far. The 39-year-old’s place in the team has come under question again with Diogo Jota and Goncalo Ramos alternatives at centre-forward.
Ronaldo will be thankful to have Diogo Costa to call upon in goal with the 24-year-old exceptional in the win over Slovenia. After a brilliant one-against-one save from Benjamin Sesko late in extra time, the Porto goalkeeper saved all three Slovenia spot-kicks in the shootout.
Diogo Costa saves three penalties to send Portugal to the quarter-finals! ????????#EURO2024 | #PORSVN pic.twitter.com/ZLEuhACmpI
— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) July 1, 2024
Portugal have reached their seventh European Championship quarter-final since 1996, more than any other nation.
France: DWDDW
France have not lived up to their pre-tournament favourites tag with Didier Deschamps’ side having stumbled into the last eight.
Incredibly, Les Bleus have reached the quarter-finals without scoring an open-play goal of their own. Their only goals in the tournament so far have been own goals from Austria’s Maximilian Wober and Belgium’s Jan Vertonghen, and a Kylian Mbappe penalty.
France, however, have recorded three clean sheets from four games and shut out Belgium with a 1-0 win in the Round of 16. That defensive strength offers hope for Deschamps, who is aiming to become just the second man to win the European Championship as a player and coach, after Berti Vogts. He will also become the first man to win both the World Cup and Euros as a player and coach if France take home the trophy.
A massive moment for France ????#EURO2024 | #FRABEL pic.twitter.com/5WAmx8sDN5
— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) July 1, 2024
Les Bleus will be without Adrien Rabiot through suspension with Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga expected to come into the starting side.
Last Meeting
Portugal 2-2 France, 21st June 2021, European Championship
Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo were each on target twice as France and Portugal played out an entertaining draw at Euro 2020.
Ronaldo opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 31st minute, but two goals in quick succession either side of the half-time interval saw France turn the game around. A second spot-kick saw Ronaldo smash home an equaliser on the hour and his 109th international goal, equalling the record held by Iran’s Ali Daei.
A point saw France top the group, while Portugal snuck through as one of the best third-placed teams.
Predicted Lineups
Portugal: Costa; Cancelo, Dias, Pepe, Mendes; Palhinha, Vitinha; Silva, Fernandes, Leao; Ronaldo.
France: Maignan; Kounde, Saliba, Upamecano, Hernandez; Kante, Tchouameni, Camavinga; Griezmann; Mbappe, Thuram.
Who is the referee?
Michael Oliver (England).
What channel is Portugal vs France on?
The match will be shown on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
What time is kick-off?
8 pm BST.
Odds
Portugal – 12/5
Draw – 19/10
France – 7/5
Read – Iconic Performances: When Zidane left the Portuguese chasing shadows at Euro 2000
See more – Spain vs Germany – Euro 2024 quarter-final match preview
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