Six and out. Cristiano Ronaldo's sixth and last European Championships came to an end as Portugal paid for an impotence that stemmed from affording their captain privileged status. They went out on penalties, Joao Felix rolling his spot kick against the foot of the post as everyone else scored, but after a second successive stalemate, after 364 minutes without scoring.
If it is an equally damning statistic that no France player has scored for them in open play this tournament, five did in a shootout. Diogo Costa had saved a trio of Slovenian spot kicks in the last 16 but Ousmane Dembele, Youssouf Fofana, Jules Kounde and Bradley Barcola all found the net, allowing Theo Hernandez to set up a superpower semi-final against Spain.
The ends can justify the means and for Didier Deschamps, dullness has brought a fourth semi-final in the last five major tournaments. In the process, France conquered a demon or two. Eliminated from Euro 2020 on penalties, losing the 2022 World Cup final in a shootout, France avoided an unwanted hat-trick. They also gained a modicum of revenge for their Euro 2016 final defeat to Portugal.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Hull discovers the highs and lows of Test matches
England 325, Sri Lanka 211-5, visitors are 114 runs behind
Ron Yeats, Anfield legend and 'colossus', dies at 86
Ron Yeats, the defensive “colossus” who captained Liverpool when they emerged as an English football powerhouse in the 1960s, has died at the age of 86.
Winning start for Carsley as Rice and Grealish deliver
After all the focus on the soundtrack, Lee Carsley’s first game as England manager was certainly loaded with narrative.
Thousands take to streets over Barnier appointment
French left says move by Emmanuel Macron a 'power grab'
Calls for probe into killing of US-Turkish volunteer
Israeli forces shot dead Aysenur Ezgi Eygi in West Bank
Iran has supplied ballistic missiles to Russia, says US
The United States has informed allies that it believes Iran has transferred short-range ballistic missiles to Russia for its war in Ukraine.
Poking the bear: Ukraine's attack on Russia could sink
The daring invasion of Kursk began as an unlikely triumph but keeping a firm grip on occupied land is much tougher
The headless body murder haunting police 50 years on
In 1974, the body of an unidentified woman was found on farmland in Norfolk. Despite efforts to solve the case, the killer was never found. Barney Davis hears the theories
National Trust may go half vegan for net zero boost
The National Trust is considering making half of its cafe food vegan as part of a commitment to achieving net zero emissions.
McKellen took knighthood through lack of 'principle'
Sir Ian McKellen has explained why he accepted a knighthood after considering turning down the offer.