Portugal take on France in Hamburg in the second EURO 2024 quarter-final on Friday night, with the winner setting up a box-office semi-final against either Spain or Germany.
Neither side have been overly impressive so far, with France failing to score a single goal that wasn’t an own goal or a penalty.
Meanwhile, Portugal needing penalties to edge past 57th ranked Slovenia in the Round of 16.
Managers Didier Deschamps and Roberto Martinez, who met in the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup, have both come under fire for different reasons, and could be tempted to experiment with their teams to try and outwit their opponent.
Mail Sport’s James Harrop assesses how each country’s squad has performed so far.
Portugal progressed to the quarter-final after a penalty shootout win over Slovenia
France edged a 1-0 win over Belgium thanks to a late own goal by defender Jan Vertonghen
Portugal form:
Roberto Martinez’s side have had a tumultuous run in the tournament. After beating Czechia, albeit with some difficulty, and storming past Turkey, they found themselves 2-0 down to Georgia. Although the Spanish manager had made 8 changes to his team, the problems that arose during that game followed them into the Round of 16.
One of those problems happens to be called Cristiano Ronaldo. His display against Slovenia was plagued by desperation, anger, even sadness but above everything, it was selfishness that cost his team.
Despite only scoring one goal from 68 free kicks at major tournaments, Ronaldo chose to shoot from a near impossible angle and distance, despite having dead-ball specialists such as Bruno Fernandes amongst Portugal’s ranks.
Ronaldo has played almost every minute, and has failed to score, although he does deserve some credit for squaring it to Bruno Fernandes when he was through on goal.
Talisman aside, Portugal have struggled to fit some of their other key players into a cohesive system, and this has prevented them from being a free-scoring team. Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva, both fantastic players, have been moved around excessively by Martinez, preventing them from finding a rhythm.
Aside from the Georgia game, Portugal have looked solid at the back, with Ruben Dias and Nuno Mendes being particularly impressive, and France have desperately struggled to score. It could be a very low-scoring game, but the Ronaldo situation seems to overshadow Portugal, and how the 39-year-old plays will be hugely important to the result.
Roberto Martinez’s side is stacked with quality but they have looked unconvincing in their last two outings
Portugal Player Ratings:
DIOGO COSTA 8.5
Incredible in the penalty shootout against Slovenia, saving three penalties to take the pressure off his team. Has played every game and only let in three goals. Impressive throughout and still only 24.
JOAO CANCELO 7.5
Started every match bar the third group game and has seemed to benefit from Martinez switching to a back four. Creative force going forward who has completed 19 dribbles.
DIOGO DALOT 6
Featured at right centre-back on the two occasions Martinez used a back five, and is firmly behind Joao Cancelo in the pecking order. Looked after a tearful Ronaldo.
NELSON SEMEDO 6
The only Portuguese defender to have appeared in every game, but he has been limited to just 50 minutes. Brought on for defensive cover.
PEPE 7
At 41 years old, he has proved to still be effective, and remains brilliant at reading the game. Looked dead on his feet in extra time against Slovenia and was bailed out by Costa after giving the ball to Benjamin Sesko.
Diogo Costa was the match winner for Portugal in the last 16, saving three penalties as Slovenia were thwarted
Veteran defender Pepe has broken records with his involvement in Portugal’s campaign
RUBEN DIAS 7.5
Portugal’s best defender. Strong, tall, formidable in the air and excellent on the ball. Has made 272 of the 293 passes he has attempted and will likely have a key battle with either Marcus Thuram or Randal Kolo Muani
GONCALO INACIO 5.5
The highly-rated 22-year-old defender started in the 2-0 defeat to Georgia, and was part of a Portuguese backline who were tormented by Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Georges Mikautadze.
ANTONIO SILVA 5.5
Started against Georgia and took off after 66 minutes as Portugal switched to a back four. Struggled slightly but has bags of potential.
NUNO MENDES 7.5
Has impressed, even when asked to play in a back three by Martinez, despite being utilised exclusively as a full back for PSG. A lightning quick left-back who has marauded down the flank and put in an impressive ten tackles and made 206 successful passes.
JOAO PAHLINHA 7
Brought in after the first game, the Fulham man has been a consistent performer at the base of the Portuguese midfield in his usual tough-tackling style. Has allowed the more creative Vitinha to roam forward.
VITINHA 7.5
An extremely tidy player who seldom gives the ball away, and has linked up nicely with Bernardo Silva and Bruno Fernandes. A joy to watch in midfield.
Portugal are blessed with immense talent in their midfield. Pictured: Bernardo Silva (left) and Bruno Fernandes (right)
BRUNO FERNANDES 7
Starred throughout the 3-0 win over Turkey, gratefully receiving a tap in from Ronaldo to grab his first goal in the tournament. Doesn’t seem to have particularly found his rhythm and not being allowed to take free kicks will not be helping his game.
BERNARDO SILVA 7
Took his goal brilliantly against Turkey but has not quite looked at his best.
Fielded in a midfield three against Czechia and has since been placed on the right wing. Martinez needs to get a tune out of him and Fernandes against France.
RUBEN NEVES 5.5
Restricted to 93 minutes, all of which have come from the bench. Appears to have suffered from a season in Saudi Arabia and came on at half time in the 2-0 loss to Georgia.
JOAO NEVES 5.5
Struggled in the 75 minutes he played against Georgia, but a prodigiously talented young player.
DANILO 5.5
Only appearance so far came at the base of the defence that lost to Georgia. Unlikely to feature further.
MATHEUS NUNES 5
Played 15 minutes against Georgia. Appears unfancied by Martinez.
AC Milan winger Rafael Leao has enjoyed some bright moments but has largely struggled for consistency so far in this tournament
RAFAEL LEAO 6.5
A very mixed bag. Looked very tricky, fast and direct in the first two games but found himself suspended for diving. A real threat going forward but hasn’t managed to turn good signs into goals or assists.
PEDRO NETO 6
Another member of the side that was shocked by Georgia. Made a positive impact off the bench against Czechia, setting up Conceicao’s winning goal.
JOAO FELIX 6
Looked fairly sharp against Georgia and could be an option from the bench, but was overlooked against Slovenia.
FRANCISCO CONCEICAO 6.5
Scored the winner in the first game and has looked a genuine threat off the bench. Has completed 13 dribbles and is a handful for defenders.
CRISTIANO RONALDO 6.5
Followed up his unselfishness against Turkey with a display of extreme selfishness against Slovenia, almost costing his team.
Needs to let Bruno take free kicks and perhaps isn’t as undroppable as Martinez believes. Remains a threat in the box but Ramos is worth a punt.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s struggles have been well documented, with him still in search of his first goal in the competition
DIOGO JOTA 6
Portugal improved when he came on in the first game, but his position in the squad is behind Ronaldo, restricting him to three appearances off the bench. Could have perhaps benefitted from playing against Georgia.
GONCALO RAMOS 5
Despite scoring a hat-trick at the 2022 World Cup, the striker has only played 24 minutes, with Martinez believing that Ronaldo is simply undroppable. Could have a real impact if he is given some time on the pitch.
France form guide:
Despite the incredible success he has had as France boss, Didier Deschamps has found himself under fire recently for his team’s lack of potency going forward, and rather dry style of football.
However, despite not clicking into gear, they have again proven to be a team that knows how to win, seeing off Belgium to reach the quarter finals thanks to a late Jan Vertonghen own goal.
They have an extremely talented group of players, and it may just require a bit of individual magic to defeat Portugal.
France’s strengths and weaknesses are clear. They have conceded one goal, but have only scored three. Only one player in the squad has a goal to his name, and that is Kylian Mbappe, who scored a penalty against Poland.
Deschamps have been unable to settle on a preferred front three, with Thuram, Mbappe, Dembele, Griezmann and Barcola all featuring in the starting lineup. Randal Kolo Muani, who forced the late own goal against Belgium, is likely to become the sixth different player to start in France’s attack.
Didier Deschamps’ side have been given the benefit of the doubt by many onlookers but performances have been poor
On the other hand, France’s defence has been nothing short of impenetrable, only conceding a singular goal, which came in the form of a penalty against Poland.
Assisted by Kante and Tchouameni in midfield, Deschamps hasn’t changed his rock-solid back four at any point, and is unlikely to change against Portugal.
Now would be an ideal time for France to come into their own, and the suspension of Adrien Rabiot may force Deschamps into further tinkering with his lineup.
France Player Ratings:
MIKE MAIGNAN 8.5
The Milan stopper has been one of the most impressive goalkeepers at the tournament, keeping three clean sheets and letting in just one goal. He has made 12 saves and is a real commanding presence in the box.
JULES KOUNDE 7.5
Didier Deschamps has named an unchanged back four in each of France’s games, and Kounde has played a key role.
He was especially impressive against Belgium’s Jeremy Doku, who is extremely tough to deal with one-on-one.
WILLIAM SALIBA 8
Has been characteristically impressive for Les Bleus, and has had a passing accuracy of 96.5 per cent, including 16 accurate long balls. A stalwart at the back who has been a large part of France’s watertight defence.
DAYOT UPAMECANO 7.5
Has played every minute of every game, and looked largely unruffled other than giving away a penalty against Poland. Faces criticism from fans back home but has given no real reason to be dropped.
THEO HERNANDEZ 7.5
The marauding left-back, who has hit a top speed of 35.71km/h in the tournament, has been solid defensively, but has struggled to utilise his very impressive attacking talents in Deschamps’ system. Had a very good game against Belgium.
William Saliba has repaid the faith of Deschamps, who has been reluctant to hand him a starting berth
N’GOLO KANTE 8.5
France’s most impressive player at the tournament so far, despite now playing in the Saudi Pro League. Has looked as energetic and tough-tackling as ever, being awarded Man of the Match in his first game for his country in nearly two years.
AURELIEN TCHOUAMENI 7.5
On the bench against Austria but restored to the starting lineup against the Netherlands, Tchouameni has been very impressive since, putting in a strong performance as France overcame Belgium. Has made 241 accurate passes including 28 successful long balls.
ADRIEN RABIOT 6
Has looked distinctly average, especially for a player keeping Eduardo Camavinga out the team. Suspended for the game vs Portugal but started the first four games. On paper the most attacking of Deschamps’ midfield trio but has not managed to link the midfield with the forward line.
EDUARDO CAMAVINGA 5.5
Remarkably underused for a player of such quality. Has only played 48 minutes but may get his chance against Portugal.
YOUSSOUF FOFANA 5
Restricted to just ten minutes at the tournament so far.
ANTOINE GRIEZMANN 6.5
Has slightly fallen victim to Deschamps’ inability to work out where to play him. Has played right-wing, number 10 and in a midfield three. Usually France’s most creative player but has suffered this tournament. System is not getting anywhere near the best out of him.
KYLIAN MBAPPE 7.5
France’s second top scorer behind own goals, Mbappe has also suffered from Deschamps’ unstable team selections, featuring both from the left and through the middle. Took his penalty well and has looked sharp at times, such as forcing the own goal against Austria. Limited by the defensive system but may drag France through by himself.
Antoine Griezmann (left) and Marcus Thuram (right) have not been as effective in their supporting roles so far
Kylian Mbappe’s has looked in blistering form without managing to score from open play
OUSMANE DEMBELE 6
Now aged 27, Dembele still appears to lack final product, despite completing 22 dribbles. Won the penalty against Poland but has been largely unable to influence the games he has played in. Frustrating at times.
MARCUS THURAM 6
Started France’s first two games and Round of 16 clash but hasn’t really been able to link up with Mbappe as naturally as Giroud in past tournaments.
A good player who Deschamps has struggled to unlock. Has only scored two goals in his 23 caps for France.
RANDAL KOLO MUANI 6.5
Forced the winning goal against Belgium with a sharp turn in the box and is a real presence. Has only played 51 minutes so far but could be rewarded with a start against Portugal. Worth a punt in the middle.
OLIVIER GIROUD 6
France’s all-time top goalscorer still appears to be the most natural fit at centre-forward for Didier Deschamps’ team, but at 37 years old, he is unlikely to be restored to the starting XI.
Has only played 45 minutes so far but could still have a big part to play.
BRADLEY BARCOLA 6
His only appearance came in the draw with Poland, as Deschamps tinkered with his front three. Hiked off after 61 minutes but one for the future.
KINGSLEY COMAN 5
Once a key part of France’s team, the 2018 World Cup winner has found himself largely unused, playing just 15 minutes.
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