Euro 2024: France & Portugal secure quarterfinal spots, Belgium eliminated
France edges past Belgium with late own goal, Portugal triumphs in penalty shootout to reach quarterfinals.
KATHMANDU: France and Portugal have qualified for the quarterfinals of the 2024 European Championship.
In the pre-quarterfinal held in Dusseldorf, France defeated Belgium with the only goal coming in the 85th minute, scored as an own goal by Belgian defender Yan Bartanga.
This goal secured France’s place in the quarterfinals.
Both teams presented a tightly contested match, with few clear opportunities created.
The game saw moments of struggle as both sides sought to create chances, culminating in the decisive own goal late in the match.
France will now face Portugal in the quarterfinals.
In another match played at night, goalkeeper Diogo Costa saved three penalties in the penalty shootout, leading Portugal to victory over Slovenia and securing their spot in the quarterfinals.
After a goalless draw in regulation time and extra time, Cristiano Ronaldo scored an additional-time penalty in Frankfurt to force the match into a penalty shootout.
Diogo Costa’s heroics in saving all three penalties allowed Portugal to win 3-0 in the shootout.
Portugal will now meet France in the quarterfinals.
The other confirmed quarterfinal matchups are England vs Switzerland, and Germany vs Spain.
