Here we go - Penalties it is!
You just have to wonder how Renaldo is going to deal with this 1st penalty after missing
one already. Its hard to back Slovenia on this now, its purely new territory for them while
Portugal have already had 5 or so penalty shootouts.
EDIT:::::::::
What a calamity for Slovenia, Has that ever happened before to miss the first
3 penalty kicks?
Topic: ⚽ UEFA Euro 2024 in Germany ⚽ - Qualifiers - page 105. (Read 46401 times)
Ronaldo also cried when he faced the goalkeeper from Slovenia who played very well to keep his goal from conceding, because Jan Oblak always saved several of Ronaldo's kicks, including penalty kicks.
Actually, Slovenia didn't play well, it's just that the goalkeeper was very good and I'm sure all the spectators admired Jan Oblak in this match. And it looks like the match will end in a penalty shootout, and this makes Portugal worried because Slovenia has a strong goalkeeper.
If eventually Portugal do lose this match on penalty then I think Ronaldo won't forget the fact that he had a chance to actually seal the whole deal off and it's just too bad that Oblak again has come to taunt him . But irrespective of that penalty is a game of luck and so its filled with so many surprises so even with Slovenia having Oblak Portugal can still make it through on penalty. Actually, Slovenia didn't play well, it's just that the goalkeeper was very good and I'm sure all the spectators admired Jan Oblak in this match. And it looks like the match will end in a penalty shootout, and this makes Portugal worried because Slovenia has a strong goalkeeper.
France were really lucky with that winner in the last minutes. Such a domination by 20 goal attempts but only 2 on target? This isn't good statistics at all honestly. 
There is a serious finishing issue with this team. If France had a more capable opponent I think they would probably got eliminated.
I knew that France against Belgium would be a very tough match and I'm happy it did not fall below expectations. France had more opportunities but Mbappe wasted many of them. Maybe that face shield did not allow him enjoy the sharp eyesight that make him dangerous around the opponent's eighteen yards. I would say that France was lucky to have won because the match was a balanced match that would have ended in a draw. France have not been as good as we know in this competition and to even score have become a very big challenge for them unlike before that they were famous for their scoring skills. They will be facing the winner of the match between Portugal and Slovenia, another match that has entered penalty shoot out. There is a serious finishing issue with this team. If France had a more capable opponent I think they would probably got eliminated.
Ronaldo also cried when he faced the goalkeeper from Slovenia who played very well to keep his goal from conceding, because Jan Oblak always saved several of Ronaldo's kicks, including penalty kicks.
Actually, Slovenia didn't play well, it's just that the goalkeeper was very good and I'm sure all the spectators admired Jan Oblak in this match. And it looks like the match will end in a penalty shootout, and this makes Portugal worried because Slovenia has a strong goalkeeper.
Actually, Slovenia didn't play well, it's just that the goalkeeper was very good and I'm sure all the spectators admired Jan Oblak in this match. And it looks like the match will end in a penalty shootout, and this makes Portugal worried because Slovenia has a strong goalkeeper.
The match is heading into extra time, neither teams could find the back of the net after 90 minutes regulation time. Another extra time today after the one of yesterday. Portugal wastefulness might cost them today but hopefully they will utilize this extra time to score the winning goal. Both teams have really performed very well and at this point I would personally like the game to end with a penalty shootout, at least let's watch a penalty shootout for the first time since the beginning of the knock out phase.
Extra time did come and there was a real opportunity with a penalty at the end of the first 15 minutes only for Cristiano to miss it and the score to remain unchanged.I've liked Cristiano's game in the previous few games in the group stages but in today's game there were so many chances that could have been maximized especially with the free kicks and penalties that were scored but there was just a little problem with Cristiano that kept him from performing well in today's game.
With 15 minutes to go and a penalty shootout to prepare for if the score doesn't change, let's hope that Portugal don't lose their mental edge due to Oblak holding Cristiano's penalty a while back because if they do, it could make things even more difficult for Portugal.
But on the other hand, I like the defensive play that Slovenia showed today because I think they were really good at concentrating on their defense.
In today’s second match, Portugal will face Slovenia. The winner of this match will go on to face France in the quarter-finals. Portugal advanced to the round of 16 as the group leader, while Slovenia secured their spot by being one of the best third-placed teams. Portugal, considered the favorite in this match, has five players on the yellow cards limit. This could potentially be a significant issue for Portugal in the next round. Like many others, I’ll focus to watching Cristiano Ronaldo.
Portugal: Diogo Costa, Joao Cancelo, Pepe, Ruben Dias, Nuno Mendes, Vitinha, Palhinha, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Rafael Leao, Ronaldo
Slovenia: Oblak, Karnicnik, Drkusic, Bijol, Balkovec, Stojanovic, Cerin, Elsnik, Mlakar, Sesko, Sporar
Portugal: Diogo Costa, Joao Cancelo, Pepe, Ruben Dias, Nuno Mendes, Vitinha, Palhinha, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Rafael Leao, Ronaldo
Slovenia: Oblak, Karnicnik, Drkusic, Bijol, Balkovec, Stojanovic, Cerin, Elsnik, Mlakar, Sesko, Sporar
This game really getting tougher, the both are struggling to survive, now the full 90 minutes had gone but still on the extra time, Portugal have captured all the necessary aspects of the game both ball possession, chance created, big chances and also shot, upto this moment I can't say that this is favourite team but let see the end one. Currently it still draws.
France were really lucky with that winner in the last minutes. Such a domination by 20 goal attempts but only 2 on target? This isn't good statistics at all honestly. There is a serious finishing issue with this team. If France had a more capable opponent I think they would probably got eliminated.
By the way the first half ended in the Portugal - Slovenia game. Ronaldo wasted a lot of goal chances. They are also having the same issue with France for now.
Slovenia could have been more dangerous though but Nuno Mendes is really like a machine today. He is doing his job great in defense.
The match is heading into extra time, neither teams could find the back of the net after 90 minutes regulation time. Another extra time today after the one of yesterday. Portugal wastefulness might cost them today but hopefully they will utilize this extra time to score the winning goal. Both teams have really performed very well and at this point I would personally like the game to end with a penalty shootout, at least let's watch a penalty shootout for the first time since the beginning of the knock out phase. There is a serious finishing issue with this team. If France had a more capable opponent I think they would probably got eliminated.By the way the first half ended in the Portugal - Slovenia game. Ronaldo wasted a lot of goal chances.
They are also having the same issue with France for now.Slovenia could have been more dangerous though but Nuno Mendes is really like a machine today. He is doing his job great in defense.
I don't know if playing against weaker teams is much tougher than playing a team that's above average.. because seeing Portugal fail to break the Slovenia defence is hurtful to watch, and with how Slovenia is playing...they could force the game into penalties which are 50-50 and that could be the gameplan they have.
Btw looking back at the odds of the game, I think bookies got the pricing wrong as 1.3 odds suggests an easy game with is far from it!!! And if these lads want to make it to the last 8, they better score in open play, otherwise so far so good for Slovenia
Btw looking back at the odds of the game, I think bookies got the pricing wrong as 1.3 odds suggests an easy game with is far from it!!! And if these lads want to make it to the last 8, they better score in open play, otherwise so far so good for Slovenia
France advanced to the quarter-finals of EURO 2024 after a tight Round of 16 match against Belgium. The decisive moment came in the 85th minute when Randal Kolo Muani’s shot deflected off Jan Vertonghen and ended up as an own goal. Notably, two of France’s three goals in the tournament so far have been own goals by their opponents. To be honest, it was a very boring match. Consider the total Xg value of the two teams as 1.25, there were not that many positions.
The match is not easy as we may expect and France or Belgium will never find it easy in the match.
I wasn’t opportune to watch the match in the first half, but when I check the statistics I see how France were able to keep dominating the match, they have recorded 15 shots so far with two shots on goal, while Belgium were just calm because they knew how dangerous the France team is.
Nevertheless, I am expecting a 90 minute draw in the match but France might win the match at the end because they are creating more chances than Belgium; although if Belgium bring in Trossard, they can put more pressure to lgetba goal if they are lucky.
This i think is the biggest fixture in the round of 16 and the match will be a difficult one to predict. Such matches are usually very tight and the score line is usually 1-0, 1-1 or might even end in extra time. I wasn’t opportune to watch the match in the first half, but when I check the statistics I see how France were able to keep dominating the match, they have recorded 15 shots so far with two shots on goal, while Belgium were just calm because they knew how dangerous the France team is.
Nevertheless, I am expecting a 90 minute draw in the match but France might win the match at the end because they are creating more chances than Belgium; although if Belgium bring in Trossard, they can put more pressure to lgetba goal if they are lucky.
The results from previous matches proves that France was a bit better than Belgium but that didn’t prove they would progress. Belgium performance in this competition was not convincing enough to beat France, France really controlled the game they were better in all aspects but they were lucky score from an own goal. It was an interesting match though but let’s see how far France can go.
Portugal on the other hand is still unable to score a goal against Slovenia and it 75’ minutes played now. Are we seeing a late drama? Or are they going into extra time? I hope Portugal qualifies.
France were really lucky with that winner in the last minutes. Such a domination by 20 goal attempts but only 2 on target? This isn't good statistics at all honestly. There is a serious finishing issue with this team. If France had a more capable opponent I think they would probably got eliminated.
By the way the first half ended in the Portugal - Slovenia game. Ronaldo wasted a lot of goal chances. They are also having the same issue with France for now.
Slovenia could have been more dangerous though but Nuno Mendes is really like a machine today. He is doing his job great in defense.
What Portugal needs is that lucky moment that they have a beautiful chance in breaking the deadlock. Portugal is playing with all seriousness but they are not able to convert any of the or chances to a goal. Ronaldo is finding it difficult to score in this match because he has some good opportunities. If Slovenia see a good counter attack, they might surprise us and score to take the lead. Before 90minites will be over one of them will score amd that might be the only goal in the match. There is a serious finishing issue with this team. If France had a more capable opponent I think they would probably got eliminated.By the way the first half ended in the Portugal - Slovenia game. Ronaldo wasted a lot of goal chances.
They are also having the same issue with France for now.Slovenia could have been more dangerous though but Nuno Mendes is really like a machine today. He is doing his job great in defense.
It looks like Spain and Germany are only teams that can win the cup. England, France and Portugal were big disappointments. Either an underdog win the tournament or winner of the Spain - Germany game win it. There is no other option left.
France were really lucky with that winner in the last minutes. Such a domination by 20 goal attempts but only 2 on target? This isn't good statistics at all honestly. There is a serious finishing issue with this team. If France had a more capable opponent I think they would probably got eliminated.
By the way the first half ended in the Portugal - Slovenia game. Ronaldo wasted a lot of goal chances. They are also having the same issue with France for now.
Slovenia could have been more dangerous though but Nuno Mendes is really like a machine today. He is doing his job great in defense.
There is a serious finishing issue with this team. If France had a more capable opponent I think they would probably got eliminated.By the way the first half ended in the Portugal - Slovenia game. Ronaldo wasted a lot of goal chances.
They are also having the same issue with France for now.Slovenia could have been more dangerous though but Nuno Mendes is really like a machine today. He is doing his job great in defense.
An interesting first half but it ended goalless.
There was nothing interesting about that first half. In fact, nothing was interesting about the whole match. It was a very boring match with both teams either too scared to go all in or just lacked the urgency to do. France was dominant, but they didn't do anything with the ball the whole first half. They were playing like they had an agreement that only Mbappe was allowed to look for something, because he was the only one that seemed a little bit hungry for a goal, and even he was average today.
Why is Griezmann playing on the RW? See how clueless he looked. Isn't his normal position for France behind the striker?
As for Belgium, why did De Bruyne play as a CM? The game was a disaster. Lukaku was awful as usual. He's always wrestling with the defender before he even receives the ball. Belgium were more or less playing with 10 men because Lukaku was none existent on the pitch. He doesn't open up properly for passes and when he receives the ball, he doesn't know what to do with it half the time.
I can't even say France deserved the win because they were awful too, but congrats to them.
Well well, looks like it's end of the road for Belgium and unfortunately from how they played it's more like they were prepared to push the game to penalties which was never going to work when one team is defending for most of the game and the other keeps knocking on the door till an opportunity presented itself...of course they almost pulled it but unfortunately for them Francis had the final say about this game...
Btw these fixtures are now going to get tougher to predict because all teams in the quarter finals as not to be written off...and I have a feeling Hosts Germany could be eliminated here...
There was no other way Belgium played defensively relying on counterattacks, because they attacked a little troublesome with the French defense even though Lukaku and De Bruyne shot but it was still successfully saved by Maignan.Btw these fixtures are now going to get tougher to predict because all teams in the quarter finals as not to be written off...and I have a feeling Hosts Germany could be eliminated here...
France had a couple of shots but the ball went up a couple of times but in the end Kolo Muani had a good shot on an opponent that was deemed a goal (GBD) This was France's only goal if this had not happened then maybe a penalty shootout until the end could have been possible.
Seeing the strength of France and Belgium, which in fact from the fifa ranking now they are in positions 2 and 3, I actually expect more in today's match because after all until now these two teams are indeed strong candidates considering the majority of their players have good individual skills and experience in big competitions so that in the actual match I expect buying and selling attacks.
But what I saw was the opposite of what I expected. Their performance is far from good and in my opinion today's match is not too interesting for France and Belgium.
Indeed, in terms of opportunities in this match France are still very good just like they showed in the previous few matches but on the other hand, their finishing remains unchanged and even worse where they are unable to make the final finish that is in line with expectations.
On the other hand, Belgium's star players I didn't see them play in today's match because they seemed very ordinary and not like a big team.
The other match is Portugal against Slovenia. I hope this match lives up to my expectations for Portugal.
But what I saw was the opposite of what I expected. Their performance is far from good and in my opinion today's match is not too interesting for France and Belgium.
Indeed, in terms of opportunities in this match France are still very good just like they showed in the previous few matches but on the other hand, their finishing remains unchanged and even worse where they are unable to make the final finish that is in line with expectations.
On the other hand, Belgium's star players I didn't see them play in today's match because they seemed very ordinary and not like a big team.
The other match is Portugal against Slovenia. I hope this match lives up to my expectations for Portugal.
We saw that France played more effectively in the first half. They have the ball more, they pass more and they attack more. In fact, this was exactly what was expected. But they haven't managed to score goals so far and that's a problem for them.
We know that Belgium is not a very big offensive team, they may not be able to find many positions throughout the match, but if they manage to score a goal, France's job will be very difficult. The more risks they take, the more mistakes they will make
France has a good background, so their winning won't surprise anyone, their players are naturally gifted and they can play football well. I was even astonished that Mbappé could not do much, my head was racing with thoughts thinking that this kid will go to Real Madrid and not be able to perform, the expectation people have is that Mbappé will go to Madrid and he will score good goals but for his own national team he could not score it is better people start reducing their expectations. The first half that France played well they were only trying to understand the pattern at which France was playing because the game changed early. But even with the game changing Belgium could not win. It was a good game for France. From the beginning it was looking as if France wanted to score a goal, and they were able to score so they are going to the next round. At least Belgium was able to fight against France intimidation. We know that Belgium is not a very big offensive team, they may not be able to find many positions throughout the match, but if they manage to score a goal, France's job will be very difficult. The more risks they take, the more mistakes they will make
Personally I'm disappointed with the scoreline of the France vs Belgium game in the round of 16 of the ongoing UEFA Euros Championship because I was expecting to see over two goals in the game but surprisingly, it's Jan Vertonghen's own goal that's separating the two teams at the moment. France despite their intimidating quality attackers in haven't been able to score a goal that's not an own goal in the game but I guess they are not too bothered how the goal came provided that it'll help them progress to the next round of the tournament.
We need to realize that when they were in the group phase their performance was not too impressive and too monotonous so that when these 2 teams are matched then indeed the results will clearly be like what we saw in 90 minutes of competition in today's match because even though they have big names and are filled with the majority of players with above-average skills but their performance as a whole team whether it is in cooperation or finishing conditions nothing has changed and they still play the same monotonous as they have shown in the group phase.
1 goal and it was a deflected goal that was not intentional but it was painful as it came a few minutes before the end of the match.
France are through to the quarter finals but I don't see anything special from them as their performance remains the same which makes me lose my enthusiasm to see France play if their performance is like this.
Portugal vs Slovenia
Must win match for Portugal. And one thing I really hope is that Cristiano Ronaldo will at least score in this match. A player of his caliber, who has been in really good form before this tournament and who has also been given probably a better form in the group stage matches, has not been able to do a lot of things when it comes to the knockout matches.
Well the match have already started, however we can already see how Portugal has gained the highest possession, so is already becoming obvious that Portugal will be victorious at the end of the match, well if Portugal continues with this pressure they are seriously given Slovenia before the end of the first half they will score one or two goals.
We saw that France played more effectively in the first half. They have the ball more, they pass more and they attack more. In fact, this was exactly what was expected. But they haven't managed to score goals so far and that's a problem for them.
We know that Belgium is not a very big offensive team, they may not be able to find many positions throughout the match, but if they manage to score a goal, France's job will be very difficult. The more risks they take, the more mistakes they will make
It's obvious that the winner of this match would only make it through with a slim win considering how tight this match was, both teams where being defensively conscious trying to avoid any mistakes that could lead to disaster, though it wasn't looking like a match that would get into extra time due to the intensity of both teams and the constant attacking play from either side, it seems to me like the first team to find the back of the net will proceed to the next Round and eventually France did.We know that Belgium is not a very big offensive team, they may not be able to find many positions throughout the match, but if they manage to score a goal, France's job will be very difficult. The more risks they take, the more mistakes they will make
I was not expecting much goals from the match because of the way both teams were playing, especially Belgium who was focus more on defending because their squad is not as strong as France. Doku tried his best after they conceded a goal to see how the goal can be equalized but it is was in vain. France will be playing the quarter finals with whoever wins between Portugal and Slovenia on Friday.
Both teams played well in this match. Both teams prioritized defense. France had many shots but failed to hit the target. France took precautions against Belgium's dangerous attacks and didn't allow their defenders to get out of defense. I think both teams deserved to advance to the next round in this match. In the end France won and advanced to the next round.
I really liked Doku's performance in the match. Doku managed to get past the opposition players very easily but his team failed to score a goal and were eliminated. Defense was the priority for both teams in this match and I didn't expect many goals. There was 1 goal in the match and my expectations were met. If France prioritizes defense again in the next round, they might have a difficult task if they concede a goal.
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