France converted all their kicks in
a shootout to edge Portugal 5-3 on penalties after a goalless stalemate in
their European Championship quarter-final on Friday, likely bringing the
curtain down on Cristiano Ronaldo's international career.
Theo Hernandez stroked home the
winning kick for a perfect sequence after Joao Felix’s effort, the third for
Portugal, hit the post. France will now play Spain in the semi-finals on
Tuesday in Munich.
Defeat for Portugal is set to spell
the end of the 21-year international career of 39-year-old Ronaldo, who
converted their first kick in the shootout but was also responsible for one of
the night’s many glaring misses.
Ousmane Dembele, Youssouf Fofana, Jules
Kounde and Bradley Barcola all netted their spot kicks for victorious France.
A game that was slow in firing up ended with
a myriad of missed opportunities at either end, with clear chances for both
sides in 90 minutes as well as the half hour of extra time.
France now find themselves in the semis
without scoring in open play at the tournament, having benefitted from two own
goals and a penalty in their previous four games.