Sports Mole’s player ratings as Portugal exit Euro 2024 quarter-finals at the hands of fortunate France.
Perhaps signing off the Cristiano Ronaldo era, Portugal have been eliminated by France in the last eight of Euro 2024, following a penalty shootout defeat in Hamburg.
Following 120 goalless minutes, the right to meet Spain in next week’s semi-finals went to Les Bleus, who dispatched all of their spot-kicks, while Joao Felix missed for the Selecao.
Here, Sports Mole takes a close look at how each player performed during the quarter-final contest.
Portugal player ratings vs. France: Pepe rolls back the years, Ronaldo underwhelms again
GOALKEEPER
Diogo Costa – 7/10
Though unable to reprise his shootout heroics of the last-16 tie against Georgia, when he saved all three penalties, Costa still made some sharp stops to help Portugal come within a whisker of the semi-finals.
DEFENCE
Joao Cancelo – 7/10
Regularly raided forward before being withdrawn late into normal time, supporting his forwards and linking up with the Portuguese midfield.
Pepe – 8/10
Excelled in recovering when Portugal let their guard down, making a couple of superb blocks and standing firm alongside his much younger centre-back partner. Another commendable performance by the 41-year-old in surely his last international game.
Ruben Dias – 8/10
Similarly strong display to that of Pepe, having denied Randal Kolo Muani an almost certain goal during the second half.
Nuno Mendes – 8/10
Has come of age at this tournament, and once more provided the perfect balance of defensive resilience and attacking intent. A long-term mainstay for the Selecao at left-back.
MIDFIELD
Joao Palhinha – 7/10
Picking up his customary booking would have seen the Bayern Munich-bound midfielder miss the semi-final, but despite another industrious display, his team bowed out in any case.
Vitinha – 7/10
Like Nuno Mendes, showings this summer have confirmed he will be hard to shift from the Portuguese starting XI for several years. Used the ball well, but could not quite unlock the French door.
Bruno Fernandes – 6/10
After by far his best year in a Portugal shirt, Bruno’s quarter-final performance was not up to those sky-high standards. Had one shot deflected behind; then managed to snaffle a free-kick from Ronaldo, which he skied over the crossbar. Substituted in normal time.
ATTACK
Bernardo Silva – 7/10
Always heavily involved in linking midfield and attack, but could not produce one of his moments of magic when most needed and started to tire.
Cristiano Ronaldo – 5/10
Another fruitless outing for international football’s top goalscorer, who is now a shadow of his former self. Lacking pace or the will to link up with others, he proved more of a burden than a help to his side. Time to retire.
Rafael Leao – 7/10
Perhaps Portugal’s most impressive player during the first half, often combining with Nuno Mendes on the left flank; faded thereafter, but worked hard throughout.
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France player ratings vs. Portugal: Subdued Mbappe taken off injured
GOALKEEPER
Mike Maignan – 8/10
After an early footwork error almost put his team in trouble, ‘Magic Mike’ redeemed himself by making two impressive close-range saves that helped France reach extra time.
DEFENCE
Jules Kounde – 7/10
An excellent penalty capped another solid performance from the versatile defender, who perfectly fits Didier Deschamps‘ requirements at right-back.
William Saliba – 7/10
Composed as ever, did as much as anyone else in Les Bleus’ XI to keep their sheet clean. Surely doubtful Deschamps is convinced now?
Dayot Upamecano – 7/10
As with Saliba, kept Ronaldo and his supporting cast relatively quiet; now undroppable.
Theo Hernandez – 7/10
Stayed cool when it mattered, to convert the winning penalty. Saw one thunderous strike stopped by Diogo Costa and got forward as much as France’s cautious tactics allowed.
MIDFIELD
N’Golo Kante – 6/10
Covered plenty of ground and fought well in midfield, but sometimes wasteful, shooting ill-advisedly on two occasions. Not the best performance of his comeback tournament.
Aurelien Tchouameni – 8/10
An impressive display in the engine room – one of his best at Euro 2024 – which should ensure selection for the upcoming semi-final against Spain.
Eduardo Camavinga – 7/10
Asked to replace Adrien Rabiot in the team, did his hopes of being retained for the semis no harm with an energetic performance.
ATTACK
Antoine Griezmann – 6/10
Withdrawn after 67 minutes, this was not one of the elusive forward’s best showings. Usually so influential, he was largely squeezed out of a tightly contested game.
Kylian Mbappe – 6/10
Another below-par display by the France captain, who did manage to get a couple of shots off before aggravating his nose injury and being taken off before the penalty shootout. A major concern for Deschamps and the French public alike.
Randal Kolo Muani – 6/10
Missed maybe the best chance of a close encounter and rarely made an impact otherwise. May not be preferred to Marcus Thuram against Spain, having also been outshone by Griezmann’s replacement Ousmane Dembele.
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