Ronaldo and Mbappé looking for form

Also because the Topstars of the two nations, Cristiano Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappé,have not yet reached their top level. While Ronaldo has not scored a single goal in regular time, Mbappé only managed one penalty goal against Poland. “I shared the dressing room with both of them,” said Portugal’s left-back Nuno Mendes“They are incredible and can make the difference from one moment to the next,” he says, hoping for an in-form Ronaldo on Friday against France.

Reaching the final as a goal

“It will not be an easy match, France were world champions six years ago and in the final in 2022. They are a team that is used to playing in the knockout phase and has a lot of experience,” said midfielder Bernardo Silva.

Nevertheless, the team is of course going into the match with the aim of reaching the semifinals. “We have a great team and want to take the next step towards the final,” emphasised the 29-year-old.

In 2016, the Portuguese had won the competition thanks to a goal from It is worth (109.) im Stade de France won the European Championship title against the hosts in extra time. Mbappé was not yet in the French squad at the time. The 25-year-old only made his international debut almost eight months after the final.

In the current tournament, the French have been minimalistic. In the 1:1 draw against Poland A penalty goal helped the French in the 1-0 win against Austria and in the round of 16 against Belgium In each case, an own goal tipped the balance in favour of the “Equipe Tricolore”. Netherlands and in the European Championship dress rehearsal against You have After a 0-0 draw, she has not scored a goal from open play in five matches.

The players can also live with the fact that no goals have been scored yet. “It is not important to play well. What counts is the victory,” emphasised Adrien Rabiot,who will miss Friday’s game due to a yellow card suspension.

The recent record speaks in France’s favour: of the last 14 games against Portugal, they only lost the 2016 European Championship final – with eleven wins and two draws.