Ronaldo’s Ego Tour hits Hamburg a fortnight ahead of Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour - EURO 2024 Preview: Portugal -v- France

Macdara Ferris reports from the Volksparkstadion in Hamburg

PORTUGAL

When the Euros conclude in a little over a fortnight, in the Volksparkstadion Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour will hit Hamburg but on Friday night in the same venue it is the latest show in Ronaldo’s Ego Tour - support will be provided by his Portuguese teammates and by France. 

Victory will earn a place in the semi-final in Munich on Tuesday, while defeat for the Seleção could be the end of an era for Ronaldo, leaving a cruel summer ahead for the tortured Portugal football department.

After his penalty miss in extra-time in the last 16 during the week, we saw Ronaldo’s tears ricochet off the turf in Frankfurt but Portuguese goalkeeper Diogo Costa put in a penalty shoot-out performance that he could only have imagined in his wildest dreams.

Incredibly he saved three Slovenian spot kicks in the shoot-out. Now Ronaldo needs to put last Monday’s drama behind him, shake it off, and go out and defeat France.

His team are facing a French side who have made three of the last four major tournament finals. Of course Portugal beat them in one of those finals, defeating the hosts of EURO 2016 in the Stade de France. 

That is Portugal’s only win over Les Blues in the previous 14 matches dating back to 1975 – even Ronaldo wasn’t playing back then.

Speaking in the pre-match press conference, Portuguese boss Roberto Martínez spoke about his 39-year-old super star forward.

“The freshness he brings is surprising. He's an example of someone who wants to win every day, who wants to compete every day. When you've got a player that committed, forget about what he's done in the past – it's a privilege (to have him)."

The star player that Portugal need to shut down is Kylian Mbappé and he is someone who Bernado Silva saw up close during their time together in the French league.

Silva said: "Kylian started with us at Monaco at 16 and, after a week, I'd look at João Moutinho and say 'Who is this kid?' He stood out from the crowd. In my last season with Monaco, he scored so many goals and really shone in the Champions League. 

“I'm delighted he's been able to have a blossoming career and I wish him the best for his career – but not tomorrow."

Reflecting on their shoot-out win over Slovenia, Silva said: “We felt relieved, we felt happy. It's not easy to go to a penalty shoot-out and play the way we played. We felt we deserved to qualify for the quarter-finals. We had a hero as Player of the Match in Diogo Costa (who saved three penos).

Kylian Mbappe doesn’t kick political football to touch ahead of French election: ‘We cannot let our country fall into the hands of these people.’ https://t.co/5uxo56yg27pic.twitter.com/TiJorc1ZSL

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FRANCE

Didier Deschamps is hoping that his team can build on their excellent defence to take down Portugal in Friday’s quarter-final – acknowledging that he might need to see the best of his skipper Kylian Mbappé up front to do that.

“We are a very strong team at the back,” said Deschamps. “That is so important in a competition like the Euros. We have good control of the game. We can create chances and the negative thing is maybe we are struggling in front of goal. 

“We have got here but the level is getting higher. If we can be better in front of goal that would be important. Kylian has a broken nose. It is no mean feat to play. We will need the best Kylian Mbappé [in this match].”

Deschamps spoke about Portugal’s strengths including their flexibility at the back.

“It is going to be a power struggle as they have the ability to keep the ball. We’ve found ourselves in this situation before. We saw the Netherlands against us were a lot more cautious and the same could be said of Belgium. Maybe Portugal might be similar.

“I have a lot of respect for Roberto Martinez – sometimes he goes with three in defence and sometimes can add an extra defender in.” 

The 55-year-old was asked about their loss to Portugal in the EURO 2016 final in the game played in the Stade de France.

“It was eight years ago. That was painful for us as we wanted to be European champions. Portugal are still strong. Starting the tournament they were one of the favourites. When we get to the quarter-final, there is only the best of the best. 

“Cristiano Ronaldo is always a threat. He has the ability and motivation. He can score goals. He is still a highly competitive player.”

Referee: Michael Oliver (England)

PREDICTION

Portugal 1 – 2 France

MATCH STATS

Ronaldo at 39 years of age is playing in his sixth European Championship and holds the Euros record for most goals (14) and appearances (29) at the tournament.

Pepe became the oldest player to feature in a EURO finals when, aged 41 years 126 days on 1 July, he started against Slovenia.

The match takes place 18 years on from the day France beat Portugal 1-0 in the 2006 World Cup semi-final – Ronaldo played in that game!

France faced Portugal in the last UEFA Nations League with a scoreless draw at the Stade de France in October 2020, before N'Golo Kanté scored the only goal in Lisbon the following month. France won the group and went on to claim the overall Nations League crown by beating Spain 2-1 in the final.

The winners of this tie will play Spain or Germany in the semi-finals in Munich on 9 July.