Sports
France Reaches Euro 2024 Semifinals After Thrilling Penalty Shootout
By Abubakar Yunusa
France secured their place in the Euro 2024 semifinals by edging past Portugal 5-3 in a dramatic penalty shootout on Friday, after a goalless draw in Hamburg.
Theo Hernández sealed the victory with the decisive penalty, while João Félix hit the post earlier in the shootout, tilting the balance in France’s favor.
The highly anticipated clash between Cristiano Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappé offered few clear chances as both teams’ defensive prowess took center stage.
Mbappé, playing with a protective mask due to a broken nose, was substituted at the end of the first period of extra time.
Ronaldo, who successfully scored Portugal’s first penalty in the shootout, missed a crucial opportunity during regular play when Francisco Conceição set him up.
The match saw its best chance in the second half when Bruno Fernandes unleashed a powerful shot, only to be denied by a superb save from France’s goalkeeper Mike Maignan.
France’s Randal Kolo Muani nearly scored, but a last-minute block from Portugal’s Rúben Dias prevented the goal. Eduardo Camavinga also came close, but his shot missed the target.
The introduction of Ousmane Dembélé in the second half gave France an attacking boost, with the winger narrowly missing with a curling effort.
In extra time, Ronaldo had another chance but fired over the bar. Dayot Upamecano’s crucial block denied Rafael Leão a goal-scoring opportunity.
A dramatic moment occurred when Mbappé handed his captain’s armband to manager Didier Deschamps and went to the bench with an ice pack on his nose after suffering a blow during the game. Despite wearing a protective mask, Mbappé had described playing with it as “horrible.”
In the final minute of extra time, Nuno Mendes had a golden opportunity for Portugal, but his effort was saved by Maignan, leading to the penalty shootout.
Dembélé started the shootout successfully, followed by a confident penalty from Ronaldo. The shootout’s turning point came when Félix hit the post, allowing France to capitalize. Bradley Barcola and Hernández scored the decisive penalties, securing France’s spot in the semifinals against Spain on July 9 in Munich.
For Ronaldo, the evening was particularly emotional, likely marking his final appearance in the European Championships.
The La Liga meeting between Barcelona and Osasuna on Saturday night has been called off at the last-minute.
This comes following the death of medical doctor of Barcelona.
The day’s action in Spain’s top-flight was due to be brought to a close in Catalunya’s capital late this evening.
As much came with table-topping Barcelona looking to extend their advantage over the chasing pack, in a home meeting with Osasuna.
The two squads had been close to finalising their warm-ups, with the respective starting XIs having been made official across social media, too.
As alluded to above, though, Barca and Osasuna will not take to the pitch on Saturday.
As confirmed by La SER, amongst others, this comes following the passing of an unnamed individual:
‘A person close to the FC Barcelona locker room has died and the players asked for the suspension of the match.’
Mohamed Salah scored two penalties as Liverpool came from behind to beat rock-bottom Southampton for the second time this season and moved 16 points clear at the top of the Premier League.
The Reds were miles below their best after their energy-draining late win at Paris Saint Germain on Wednesday – but all that matters at this stage of the season is results.
This takes them one step closer to the title and leaves Saints still in danger of the lowest Premier League points total ever.
The visitors allowed themselves to dream when Will Smallbone took advantage of a huge mix-up between Virgil van Dijk and Alisson to slot in from a tight angle.
But Reds boss Arne Slot made a triple substitution at half-time and Liverpool were much improved.
Darwin Nunez, perhaps fortunate not to be one of the ones replaced at the break, slotted in from Luis Diaz’s cutback.
And then the Uruguayan striker was fouled by Smallbone for a penalty, which Mohamed Salah predictably dispatched with style.
Liverpool fans started singing “now you’re going to believe us, we’re going to win the league” after that.
Salah also netted another spot-kick late on, for his 27th goal of the season, after the video assistant referee spotted a Yukinari Sugawara handball.
Second-placed Arsenal have two games in hand – including Sunday’s match with Manchester United – but it is impossible to see anyone overhauling Liverpool.
Nigeria’s U-17 national women football team Flamingoes on Saturday beat host South Africa’s Bantanwa 3-1 to take a giant step in the FIFA Under 17 women world cup qualifiers.
The Nigerian girls stunned their host in the match played at the Lucas Moripe Stadium following goals from Shukurat Moshood and Harmony Chidi who scored a brace, thus taking the upper hand in the two legged affair.
Malebana however scored one goal consolation for the hosting team.
The return leg will now be played in Abuja, Nigeria in a fortnight as the Flamingoes hope to qualify for the final round of the qualifiers in style.
The victory may serve as inspiration to other Nigerian national teams like the Super Eagles and Super Falcons who have been having a tough time dealing with the South Africans, especially away from home.
The Super Eagles will be hoping to replicate such performance when they play Bafana Bafana in the 2026 world cup qualifiers later in the summer.