Within the historical past of the European Championship, no group within the semifinal has gotten there with out scoring a aim from open play — till now.
France managed to sneak previous Portugal within the quarterfinal stage of UEFA Euro 2024 on Friday following a scoreless encounter that included additional time and a tense penalty shootout.
Due to a 5 out of 5 efficiency from its penalty takers — and Portugal midfield substitute Joao Felix’s miss — the French lived to outlive one other spherical regardless of the goalless, first-of-its-kind run.
480 minutes, zero open play targets
France performed three group stage video games (270), a Spherical of 16 tie (90) and a quarterfinal that included additional time (120) for a whopping 480 minutes with out scoring from open play.
A pair of personal targets lifted the Frenchmen to 2 wins — one within the group stage towards Austria earlier than the identical occurred towards Belgium in spherical one of many knockout part.
A penalty kick conversion by Kylian Mbappe in a 1-1 group stage draw towards Poland is France’s solely aim scored by certainly one of its gamers.
Feeble France assault
From the eight quarterfinal members, France ranks within the backside three in pictures heading in the right direction per match, huge probabilities created, possession and pictures heading in the right direction.
Among the many 4 remaining groups, solely England (9) — who’ve scored three open play targets in its earlier two matches — have created fewer huge probabilities than Les Bleus (12) whereas the French are lifeless final in ball possession.
There are two metrics the place France does rank within the high half, however huge probabilities missed is just not a stat a group wish to function on the high a part of the record.
How can France win Euro 2024?
The constructive and most influential a part of France’s run to the semifinal is behind its stonewall protection.
Middle-back pairing William Saliba and Dayot Upamecano have established a powerful anchor on the again in entrance of goalkeeper Mike Maignan.
Collectively the trio helped France to a tournament-leading 4 clear sheets.
Similar to its assault, France’s opponents have scored zero targets from open play — Poland’s Roberto Lewandowski’s penalty is Les Bleus’ solely aim conceded.
Regardless of lacking a match following a damaged nostril, Mbappe ranked inside the highest three in complete pictures and pictures heading in the right direction amongst all gamers.
This helped carry France to fourth in anticipated targets, the opposite stat the place Les Bleus rank within the high half among the many quarterfinalists.
France will probably be dealing with the event’s most spectacular group Spain — leaders in each attacking metric talked about above besides possession (fourth) — within the semifinal.
A distinction of types, the French — who rely upon protection and benefit from one or two key probabilities up high — have to preserve Spain from scoring a number of targets on Tuesday if the previous wish to be in Sunday’s remaining.
