France Beat Portugal To Meet Spain In Euro Semi-finals  

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France beat Portugal on penalties after a goalless draw to set up a semi-final with Spain at the ongoing Euro 2024 soccer tournament.

Defender Theo Hernández struck the winning penalty in a 5-3 shootout win against Portugal to reach the semifinals after João Félix missed for Portugal after the match ended 0-0 at extra time.

Both teams missed a string of chances in 120 minutes of open play at the Volksparkstadion, the best chance falling to Cristiano Ronaldo in the first period of extra-time when he skied over from close range.

France’s Kylian Mbappé looked uncomfortable in a mask he was wearing for a broken nose and was substituted during extra-time.

France will play Spain in Munich on Tuesday for a chance to reach the July 14 final of the continental showpiece.

Mikel Merino’s goal in the last moments of extra time gave Spain a dramatic 2-1 win over hosts Germany in an enthralling quarterfinal clash between the tournament’s two most successful nations.

The eagerly anticipated match hit fever-pitch as the teams slugged it out at a raucous Stuttgart Arena filled by a majority of German fans who were left heartbroken after the hosts’ gritty display fell short by the narrowest of margins.

Spain were the better side for the first hour and wasted several opportunities before Dani Olmo gave them a deserved lead six minutes after the break, drilling home a first-time shot into the bottom corner.

Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann made five substitutions in a desperate attempt to find the equaliser, which paid dividends in the 89th minute as substitute Florian Wirtz, the Bundesliga’s player of the year for champions Bayer Leverkusen, hammered home a shot from Joshua Kimmich’s header to force extra time.

The game was into the 119th minute and looked set for a penalty shootout when substitute Merino rose to head home the winning goal from Olmo’s cross.

The hosts Germany pushed hard for a late leveler, and full-back Dani Carvajal was sent off after receiving a second yellow card for tackling Jamal Musiala to avoid a counter attack.

He and centre-back Robin Le Normand will miss the semifinal, as Spain held out to advance to the last four and a meeting with France.

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