- What: EURO 2024 Quarterfinals, Portugal vs France
- Where: Germany, Hamburg
- When: July 5, 22:00 (local time – 21:00)
- Stadium: Volksparkstadion (51,500 seats)
This is the second most powerful pair in the EURO 2024 quarterfinals. Both teams overcame the first playoff stage somewhat unconvincingly, but they demonstrate very different styles of play. Portugal often tries, and successfully, to play their dominant and attacking football. France, on the other hand, appears as a pale shadow of their usual self. According to bookmakers, France is the 4th favorite, and Portugal the 5th in the race for the trophy.
Portugal
They started strong in the group stage, defeating the Czech Republic and Turkey, but then faced problems against theoretically weaker opponents. The 2-0 loss to Georgia seemed like a fluke and an underestimation of a lucky opponent. However, in the playoffs, when they needed to secure their advancement without surprises, modest Slovenia held them to a goalless draw, allowing Portugal almost no opportunities. In the penalty shootout, Portugal's experience and nerves prevailed. This is not just a wake-up call; it’s an alarm bell!
Portugal at EURO: No. 1 in ball possession – 68.3%. No. 1 in successful dribbles – 13.3 per match. No. 1 in accurate passes – 611 per match. No. 2 in dangerous moments – 12. Cristiano Ronaldo: No. 1 in shots – 5 per match, No. 1 in shots on target – 2.3 per match, and No. 2 in xG – 2.75. Rúben Dias: No. 2 in accurate passes – 91.3 per game (92% accuracy). João Palhinha: No. 2 in tackles – 4.3 per game. João Neves: No. 2 in interceptions – 2.5 per game.
France
Unexpectedly dull and labored, France is moving through EURO. Although they have not lost a game, all their matches raise many questions. The team’s dependency on Mbappe is glaring – nothing works without Kylian, and even with him, things are not great. In France’s four EURO matches, there have been only four goals – three scored and one conceded. In the first playoff match, an own goal from Belgium helped secure the win late in the match. An astonishing inability to convert their dominance into goals!
France at EURO: No. 1 in goals conceded – 1. No. 1 in clean sheets – 3. No. 2 in missed scoring opportunities – 9. Kylian Mbappe: No. 1 in shots – 5 per match, No. 1 in successful dribbles – 4.7 per game. Mike Maignan: No. 1 among goalkeepers in clean sheets – 3.
Prediction
France has been more fortunate in their rather sparse but satisfactory results. Portugal is experiencing increasing issues with capitalizing on their chances. Given France’s exceptional defensive efficiency, it is unlikely that Ronaldo and company will score more than once.
Prediction xGscore: Portugal: Individual Total Under 1
