Tuesday, November 5, 2024

Portugal vs France – Euro 2024: Ronaldo and Mbappe have one last dance

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From Jack Rosser in Hamburg

The French fans have been around the stadium for hours before the kick off, waving their flags and singing La Marseillaise on the long walk from the nearest train station.

Almost every shirt on that near two kilometre walk from station to stadium bore the name of either Mbappe or Ronaldo – all eyes will be on them tonight.

France’s tournament so far has been built on their back four and the midfield pairing of N’Golo Kante and Adrien Rabiot – with the latter suspended it will be interesting to see how they get on.

Bernardo Silva spoke to the press yesterday and was grilled on why he is yet to click with Bruno Fernandes, those two will need to be at it if they are to test a defence which has conceded just once – a penalty – so far in Germany.

France XI

Randal Kolo Muani steps in for Marcus Thuram, while Eduardo Camavinga replaces the suspended Adrien Rabiot.

Maignan, Kounde, Upamecano, Saliba, Hernandez, Kante, Tchouameni, Camavinga, Griezmann, Kolo Muani, Mbappe.

Portugal XI

Portugal boss Roberto Martinez has named an unchanged side from the Slovenia win.

Costa, Cancelo, Pepe, Dias, Mendes, Vitinha, Palhinha, Silva, Fernandes, Leao, Ronaldo.

Road to the final

This is the current road to the final in Berlin

France’s form

France have also struggled in front of goal and remain without an open play goal scored by one of their players.

Their three goals in Germany consist of two own goals and an Mbappe penalty.

However, they are unbeaten in seven matches dating back to a March defeat to Germany.

Portugal’s form

Roberto Martinez’s side have already lost three times in 2024, including in their final group match against Georgia.

Meanwhile, their free-scoring attack from the start of the tournament has gone cold.

The goalless draw with Slovenia means it is now almost 250 minutes since Portugal last scored at Euro 2024.

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