Portugal survives penalty drama to reach Euro 2024 quarterfinals

While many Canadians were out celebrating Canada Day, across the pond Euro 2024 round of 16 action continued in Germany.

France advanced to the quarterfinals after a lackluster display and yet another own goal, while Kevin De Bruyne & Co. bowed out much earlier than they would have liked. Later in the day, Portugal narrowly edged Slovenia on penalties after the latter put up a valiant effort.

Looking ahead, it’ll be back to the drawing board for France and Portugal, who will need to be much sharper if they want to make it past the next round. The quarterfinal matchups will be far beyond a walk in the park.

Read on for what you need to know about Monday’s games at Euro 2024.

THE RESULTS

France 1, Belgium 0 in Düsseldorf

Portugal 0 (3), Slovenia 0 (0) [penalties] in Frankfurt

MAIN TALKING POINTS

Blah Bleus barely beat barren Belgium (say that three times fast)

If Euro 2024 has taught us anything, it’s that tournament soccer isn’t always pretty or exciting. In fact, it can sometimes be quite cruel, as both Didier Deschamps and Domenico Tedesco’s side displayed in Monday’s dreary yet tight round of 16 match.

The first 45 was a technical, tactical game of chess. In all honesty, it was one of the most boring halves at the tournament thus far. Despite highly calculated movements, both sides had hardly anything to show for. Belgium only tallied one shot the entire half, and while France monopolized possession and passed the ball well, Les Bleus didn’t capitalize and its masked star, Kylian Mbappé, was barely involved. At the break, it felt like one of those games where a single goal would win it – and that’s exactly what happened.

While the second half picked up in intensity, it took until the 85th-minute to break the deadlock. Substitute Randal Kolo Muani’s shot deflected off Jan Vertonghen’s knee and into the net only minutes after Kevin De Bruyne’s brilliant strike was saved at the other end of the pitch. While the goal was enough to send France into the quarterfinals, its goal-scoring prowess has to be questioned. The French have recorded just three goals at Euro 2024 – two own goals and one penalty – yet somehow find themselves in the final eight without scoring in open play.

Is this a slice of luck? Perhaps. But whether it’s luck, lack of finishing or something else entirely, France can no longer rely on just scraping by. The amount of balls over the bar or missed headers was shocking for a team of such quality. Only recording two shots on target is hardly good enough, and France didn’t seem to take advantage of a Belgian side that wasn’t at its best (especially with De Bruyne playing deeper, a questionable positioning decision to say the least). If Deschamps can’t find a way to get his team to become creative and take more risks, the roosters will be headed back to the coop.