Portugal 0-0 France (aet, 3-5 on pens): Les Bleus reach Euro 2024 semi-finals after dramatic penalty shoot-out victory… as Cristiano Ronaldo and Co are knocked out of the competition

France came to Germany as favourites for the trophy but struggled to play smoothly, lacking their usual flair and scoring few goals, with their first three goals in the competition coming from two own goals and a penalty from Mbappe against Poland.

Deschamps made a number of changes in search of a spark, replacing Adrien Rabiot (who was suspended) in midfield with Eduardo Camavinga and Randal Kolo Mauni in attack in place of Marcus Thuram.

Mbappe, still wearing the mask he hates to wear to protect his broken nose, led the first attacks, but the game started cautiously. Portugal settled into a controlled spell of possession, passing the ball around freely and Rafael Leao’s power and pace getting the better of Jules Kounde without creating a real chance.

France were prepared to lose ground and lose. They are solid in defence, with a trio of ball-winning midfielders in front of the back four, though they can lack imagination in attack. They spent the first half trying to get Mbappe to pounce on turnovers in the spaces that Joao Cancelo’s instincts allowed to get forward.

Bruno Fernandes saw the first effort of the night deflect wide. Portugal had also lost their way in previous games, failing to score in a defeat to Georgia when Martinez made sweeping changes with qualification already won, and then against the concentrated defensive lines of Slovenia in the last 16.

Didier Deschamps’ team were delighted as they won 5-3 in the shoot-out in Hamburg

Portugal looked threatening all evening but will now be on their way home

There was little to separate the two sides during the 120 minutes of action in Hamburg

Cristiano Ronaldo looked frustrated as he failed to find the net.

One of the themes of the tournament was that unpredictable but well-organized teams managed to frustrate stronger opponents.

But here it was more a case of capable and confident players who could pass and move well, and who played the first half to the rhythm of the Portuguese goalkeeper’s incessant pounding, but they had to make sure they didn’t make mistakes and didn’t give away the initiative.

Portuguese goalkeeper Diogo Costa was the hero against Slovenia in Frankfurt, saving three penalties in the shootout and making his first save of the night when he saved a fine long-range strike from Theo Hernandez.

Costa was alert and saved a cross from Mbappe, but France responded and their captain sprang into action.

France offered more adventure in the second half, which enhanced the spectacle and woke their supporters from their evening slumber. Mbappe passed to N’Golo Kante, took the return and tested Costa.

It was straight at the keeper, but it was a change of pace, a visible attempt to move the ball with more urgency. Hernandez flashed a low cross across the face of goal. He evaded everyone.

Kylian Mbappe (left) and Pepe (right) were evenly matched during the quarter-finals

Cristiano Ronaldo (right) was well contained by the French defense during the match

Rafael Leao caused problems down the left for Portugal, but in the end it wasn’t enough

This renewed intent gave Portugal more space behind the French ranks. Nuno Mendes launched a counter-attack down the left, first passing Kounde and then Dayot Upamecanp before throwing himself through the air, but there was no contact and referee Michael Oliver was not fooled.

Mbappe, back in his own penalty area to defend a series of set-pieces, suffered a painful blow when a Bernardo Silva header hit him in the face, ripping off his mask and requiring treatment.

Maignan made a fantastic save on the hour mark to deny Fernandes. The Manchester United playmaker, released by Cancelo, took the attempted shot straight away and sliced ​​it low towards the far corner. Maignan was quick to the right and kept it out.

Cancelo shot wide before the French keeper was needed again, this time making a fine save from Vitinha, who stormed into the penalty area from midfield.

At the other end, Portugal protected Costa. Ruben Dias blocked Muani’s effort well and Mendes closed down his Partis Saint-Germain team-mate to similar effect.

Deschamps sent on Ousmane Dembele to replace Antoine Griezmann, who had made little impact. Dembele immediately created an opening from which Camavinga should have scored, but he shot the chance wide.