Sport
France Ends Penalty Shootout Curse, Knocks Out Ronaldo’s Portugal to Reach Euro 2024 Semifinals
HAMBURG, Germany (AP) — France’s longstanding penalty shootout woes came to an end as they secured a 5-3 victory over Portugal, advancing to the Euro 2024 semifinals. The match ended in a 0-0 draw, leading to a tense shootout in which Portugal’s Joao Felix hit the post with the only miss. Theo Hernández clinched the win for France with a confident kick into the top corner.
This marked the end of Cristiano Ronaldo’s record sixth and final European Championship. The 39-year-old scored Portugal’s first penalty and consoled his tearful teammate Pepe afterward. Ronaldo’s illustrious 20-year Euro career included a 2016 title victory over France. It’s uncertain if he will continue playing for Portugal through the 2026 World Cup.
Despite the presence of star Kylian Mbappé, France struggled to find their form, reaching the semifinals without scoring from open play. Their passive performance allowed Portugal to dominate possession, but France’s defense held firm. Ousmane Dembele’s energetic display off the bench suggests he may start in the upcoming match against Spain. To reclaim the European crown, France will need to ignite their attacking prowess.
Ousmane Dembele has been named UEFA Champions League Player of the Season after playing a key role in PSG’s title-winning run. The French winger delivered standout performances throughout the competition, scoring six times in the group stage and adding crucial goals against Liverpool and Arsenal in the knockout rounds.
Although he didn’t score in the final, Dembele was a constant threat as PSG crushed Inter Milan 5-0 to lift the trophy. His teammate, Desire Doue, also grabbed headlines after being named Young Player of the Season. The teenage sensation scored twice and assisted once in the final, becoming the first teenager to hit a brace in a Champions League final. He had already scored twice earlier in the knockout stages, capping off an unforgettable campaign.
Newcastle legend Alan Shearer has weighed in on Cristiano Ronaldo’s future, saying the Portuguese star won’t be pushed into retirement — not by Portugal, not by anyone. With the 2026 World Cup around the corner, Shearer believes the 40-year-old remains in control of when and how he bows out of international football, even if he’s no longer at the peak of his powers.
Ronaldo’s time at Al-Nassr also appears to be winding down, with his contract expiring at the end of June. The forward recently hinted that his chapter with the Saudi club may be closed, sparking fresh rumours about his next destination. Despite all that, Ronaldo continues to be a key figure for Portugal under Roberto Martinez and shows no signs of slowing down on the international scene.
Speaking to Betfair, Shearer said, “He’s not what he used to be — that’s natural at his age — but he’s still going and still finding the net. Portugal won’t drop him. When he stops, it’ll be because he decided it’s time.” As for what’s next, the football world is watching closely, with multiple clubs reportedly interested in snapping him up if he leaves Al-Nassr this summer.
Russia’s head coach, Valery Karpin, believes Nigeria will still pose a strong challenge despite the absence of star forwards Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman. As Russia prepares to take on the Super Eagles in a friendly match at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium this Friday, Karpin acknowledged the quality of the players missing from the Nigerian squad, but insisted their absence doesn’t weaken the team in a major way.
“I would have liked to see Osimhen and Lookman in action,” Karpin said in a chat with Komsomolskaya Pravda. “It would have been a good test for us. But even without them, Nigeria remains a solid side.” Nigeria’s coach, Eric Chelle, also left out Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey for the clash, but the team still has momentum. The Super Eagles are coming off a Unity Cup win, having edged Jamaica 5-4 on penalties after a thrilling 2-2 draw in regulation time. The friendly against Russia is set to kick off at 6 p.m. Nigerian time.
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