As the UEFA Euro 2024 quarterfinals approach, all eyes are on the thrilling clash between Portugal and France. Despite their rosters brimming with talent, both teams have had inconsistent performances throughout the tournament.

However, with their rich history and star players, this match promises to be a captivating battle. Fans are eagerly anticipating whether these football giants can overcome their recent struggles and rise to the occasion on the grand stage.

A Clash of Titans: Portugal vs France

Despite their star-studded lineups, neither Portugal nor France has been particularly convincing in the tournament so far. However, both teams possess potential match-winners who can turn the tide in an instant.

Portugal and France enter their quarterfinal clash as two of the tournament’s favorites, yet few actually expect them to win Euro 2024. This highly anticipated encounter features superstars on both sides, but both teams have notably struggled, especially in their attacking play.

Portugal’s Rollercoaster Campaign

Portugal’s journey has been a mix of highs and lows. The Selecao kicked off with two victories but then suffered a shocking defeat to Georgia. They needed a dramatic penalty shootout to overcome Slovenia and secure their place in the quarterfinals.

Bernardo Silva and Bruno Fernandes have found the net for Portugal, but their veteran captain, Cristiano Ronaldo, has faced difficulties. The 39-year-old, participating in a record sixth Euros, had a crucial penalty saved against Slovenia in extra time during the round of 16, leading to an emotional outburst of tears.

Ronaldo did score in the subsequent shootout, but his place in the starting lineup is now under scrutiny as his goal-scoring prowess seems to be fading. The Al Nassr forward has taken more shots than any other player at Euro 2024 (20), yet he has not scored in his last eight tournament matches.

France’s Struggles in Attack

Pre-tournament favorites and two-time world champions France have also been lackluster, failing to score from open play throughout the tournament.

Kylian Mbappe managed to score a penalty in his comeback against Poland after suffering a broken nose in their opening match. Meanwhile, France’s other two goals came from the opposition.

France’s assistant coach Guy Stephan defended Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann against harsh criticism. “We all downplayed Mbappe’s broken nose a bit,” Stephan told reporters. “It doesn’t explain everything, but the shock was traumatic. The mask he is forced to play with hampers his peripheral vision.”

Stephan added, “He also had a somewhat tiring end to the season. But Kylian remains a top-level player. There are times when these top-level players are a little less good.”

He also spoke about Griezmann, saying, “With Griezmann, we’re talking about a player with 133 caps and 44 goals. Until last March, he played more than 80 matches in a row for the France team.”

What’s at Stake

Both teams need their misfiring forwards to step up, as the winner of this contest will face either Germany or Spain in the semifinals in Munich.

Friday’s match is a replay of the Euro 2016 final in Paris, where Portugal stunned the hosts with a 1-0 victory, thanks to an extra-time goal from Eder. France aims for their third European Championship title, while Portugal seeks to add to their solitary 2016 triumph.

FIFA Rankings and Head-to-Head

FIFA Ranking:
- Portugal: 6
- France: 2
Head-to-Head Record:
- 28 games: 6 wins for Portugal, 19 wins for France, 3 draws
Last Five Matches:
- Portugal: Draw, Loss, Win, Win, Win
- France: Win, Draw, Draw, Win, Draw