The performances of two stars Kylian Mbappe and Cristiano Ronaldo could decide the big match between France and Portugal in the Euro 2024 quarter-finals today.
Ahead of the big match between France and Portugal, social media has been circulating a photo of their first meeting at Real Madrid’s training ground in Valdebebas in 2012. At that time, Mbappe, 13 years old, stood next to his idol Ronaldo during a visit to the Spanish club’s headquarters.
In 2020, Mbappe posted on Twitter – now renamed X – that Ronaldo was his “idol”. And just a few months ago, under a post in which Mbappe confirmed his free transfer to Real Madrid, Ronaldo commented enthusiastically: “I’m excited to watch you light up the Bernabeu. Hala Madrid”.
Ronaldo and Mbappe were close after France’s 2-2 draw with Portugal in the Euro 2020 group stage. Photo: AFP
But both stars, individually, are having a below-par tournament. Ronaldo has taken 20 shots since the start of the tournament, achieving an expected goals ratio of 2.85, but has yet to score.
Even when Portugal was awarded a penalty in extra time against Slovenia in the round of 16, the 39-year-old striker missed. But in the end, Ronaldo still showed his mettle when he successfully converted the first penalty, helping Portugal win 3-0 and enter the quarterfinals.
Before that, Ronaldo ‘s only mark was the cross for Bruno Fernandes to seal a 3-0 victory over Turkey, thereby setting a record for assists at the Euro.
The day Mbappe faced Ronaldo.
Similarly, Mbappe has only scored one goal – a penalty in the 1-1 draw with Poland in the group stage. The France captain was also unlucky when he broke his nose in the opening match against Austria, then had to wear a protective mask in training and missed the second match, the draw with the Netherlands. He returned for the games against Poland and Belgium, but admitted that he could not play well because he was not yet used to the mask.
When the brightest star had a “problem”, Portugal and France both struggled to reach the quarter-finals. Ronaldo’s missed penalty forced Portugal and Slovenia to settle the match in a penalty shootout. Here, Diogo Costa shone by becoming the first goalkeeper to successfully save three penalties in a single Euro match, and was voted UEFA’s best player.
Ronaldo covers his face after missing a penalty kick in extra time of the Portugal-Slovenia match in the Euro 2024 round of 16. Photo: AP
France , meanwhile, were the only team to not score a goal from open play to reach the quarter-finals. They drew 0-0 with the Netherlands, drew 1-1 with Poland thanks to an Mbappe penalty and beat Austria thanks to an own goal from Maximilian Wober. France endured a similar scenario in the round of 16, beating Belgium thanks to Kolo Muani’s shot deflecting off Jan Vertonghen and being redirected. Vertonghen’s goal was counted as an own goal.
The Opta supercomputer rates France as favourites with a 39.4% chance of winning after 90 minutes – compared to 31% for Ronaldo and Co. When extra time and penalties are factored in, France have a 60.6% chance of reaching the semi-finals – compared to 39.4% for Portugal. Opta also rates France as third favourites with an 18.2% chance of winning, with Portugal sixth with 7.6%.
This will be the fifth meeting between Portugal and France at the Euros. France won the first two and went on to win the tournament (in 1984 and 2000). Another victory at the Volksparkstadion in Hamburg would put France on course for a third title.
Conversely, eliminating France also increases Portugal’s chances of winning the tournament. The four teams that have eliminated France in the quarter-finals of a major tournament have all gone on to win the tournament: Italy at the 1938 World Cup, Greece at Euro 2004, Spain at Euro 2012 and Germany at the 2014 World Cup.
As captains of Portugal and France, Ronaldo and Mbappe will shake hands and hug before kick-off, and will likely do the same after the final whistle. By then, one of the two most anticipated stars of Euro 2024 will have left Germany. For Mbappe, there will certainly be more Euros with France. For Ronaldo, this could be the end of the road.
Probable teams :
France : Maignan, Kounde, Upamecano, Saliba, Theo Hernandez, Camavinga, Kante, Tchouameni, Griezmann, Thuram, Mbappe
Portugal : Costa, Cancelo, Pepe, Dias, Mendes, Vitinha, Palhinha, Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes, Jota, Ronaldo
