Portugal vs France – Euro 2024: Live score, team news and updates as Cristiano Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappe take centre stage in blockbuster quarter-final
View from Martinez:
Roberto Martínez: ‘We’re now focused and ready for France. They are very strong but might leave space behind the lines. They can cause problems, but hopefully we will create more chances. The tournament now has different details, because you can win on penalties and you can create moments of individual quality.’
Hold up – Merino has won it for Spain!
With almost a minute left in the other quarter-final – Spain switch the play and Dani Olmo delivers a picture perfect cross for Merino to nod a great header past Manuel Neuer. Heartbreak for the hosts and Portugal and France will be playing for the right to face La Roja.
Warm up time
Just about half an hour to go until we kick off here and there’s still no indication of who the winner will play next – Spain and Germany are heading for penalties unless someone makes themself a hero.
All a bit friendly isn’t it?
It is mental that Ronaldo is still performing at the ripe old age of 39 and while he doesn’t have the gas of the man 14-years-younger than him, he still has the clever movement to cause all sorts of problems, it’s just been his finishing letting him down so far in Germany.
Kylian Mbappe praises Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of Euros clash
MATT BARLOW IN HAMBURG:
Huge cheers inside the Volkspark Stadion when the Wirtz equaliser went in but the goalkeepers are out to warm up for France and Portugal and the live feed of the Germany game has disappeared from the big screens…
Two changes for France, with Camavinga and Kolo Muani in for Rabiot (who is suspended) and Thuram.
Portugal select the same team that failed to break down Slovenia.
Hamburg is a sea of colour
Volksparkstadion is already packed with supporters wanting to drink in the atmosphere with just about 45 minutes until kick-off. The fans at this tournament have been magnificent for the most part and tonight will be no different.
Portuguese fans are bouncing!
It’s a familiar line-up tonight for Martinez, who will want more from the likes of Leao and Silva than they offered against Slovenia, although they’ll have far more space to operate in against France. Speaking of space to move in, there’s not much among the Portugal fans, who have congregated and are making one hell of a noise.
TEAM NEWS: PORTUGAL
Diogo Costa, Nuno Mendes, Pepe, Rúben Dias, João Cancelo, João Palhinha, Vitinha, Rafael Leão, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Cristiano Ronaldo
TEAM NEWS: FRANCE
Mbappe is in the building
Is tonight the night Mbappe really lights up the tournament. His broken nose has hampered him but the Portuguese defence, particularly Pepe, must be concerned about facing the soon to be Real Madrid man. He loves the big stage and no doubt wouldn’t mind upstaging his old idol.
Who’s hitting their stride?
Neither Portugal or France have played to their potential just yet but which of their players are bubbling up to hit top form for the business end of the tournament?
PORTUGAL v FRANCE FORM GUIDE: Ronaldo’s Euro 2024 struggle
Wonder if he’ll start?
Of course he will. Now is not the time for Roberto Martinez to blow everything up. Ronaldo, who is still yet to score this tournament other than his penalty in the shootout the other day, will feel he has plenty to prove. It will be eating away at him and tonight would be a perfect time to break that drought.
Who will Portugal or France meet?
Spain are currently 1-0 up against the hosts Germany but Nagelsmann’s side have just hit the post and are knocking on the door with ten minutes to go – follow all the action in the closing stages with out live blog here.
Spain vs Germany – Euro 2024: Live score, team news and updates
Ola and bienvenue!
Portugal vs France is about as tasty a quarter-final as you could hope for isn’t it? The headline acts of Cristiano Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappe (who used to have posters of the veteran striker on his bedroom wall) take centre stage but in truth, it’s the teams needing a lift in performance, with both sides huffing and puffing in the tournament so far.
Stay tuned for the build-up, team news and up to the minute updates throughout the evening.
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