A superb Spain team led by Rodri and Lamine Yamal were fitting winners of Euro 2024 after lighting up an often disappointing tournament in which too many of the continent’s star players failed to produce their best form. Kylian Mbappe, the world’s best striker, had been hoping to prepare for joining Real Madrid by captaining France to glory but broke his nose and scored just once, from a penalty, as his team lost in the semi-finals. Jude Bellingham, who will play with Mbappe in Madrid next season, might have been the favourite to win the Ballon d’Or had he added the Euros with England to the Champions League with his club.

But Bellingham had a poor campaign aside from two vital goals, tiring early in games and proving incapable of swinging Sunday’s final in Berlin England’s way.

Cristiano Ronaldo, meanwhile, had hoped to add to his tournament record 14 goals but failed to score for Portugal as age finally caught up with the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.

Spain needed a late Mikel Oyarzabal goal to beat England 2-1 in the final and win their fourth Euros, but they were comfortably the best side from the beginning of the competition.

Luis de la Fuente’s team won all seven games. They beat the reigning champions, Italy, and in their last three matches saw off the host nation and the two pre-tournament favourites.

It is a remarkable feat to defeat all of the biggest four Western European nations — Germany, France, Italy and England — at the same competition.

“We have made history. We have beaten four (former) world champions all in one go,” savoured Rodri.

“We are all agreed that they are the team who have played the best football at the tournament,” France midfielder Adrien Rabiot said of Spain before his side lost to them in the semis.

Spain’s victory builds on the promise shown when they won the Nations League last year and raises hopes of another golden period of dominance.

They thrilled with a perfect blend of control in midfield and flair on the wings, while other teams failed to meet expectations.

Quantity over quality?

Euro 2024 ended with 117 goals scored in 51 matches, an average of 2.29 goals per game.

England reached the final, but their 0-0 group-stage draw with Slovenia was an eyesore, while a Portugal team full of outstanding talent went home after playing in two laborious goalless knockout ties that were decided on penalties.

The average number of goals scored contrasted with the 2.78 per match at Euro 2020, and 2.69 at the 2022 World Cup.

The latter tournament in Qatar was often thrilling, the quality of football apparently helped by the decision to stage the competition in the middle of the European season.

Euro 2024, meanwhile, has come at the end of another exhausting campaign for the continent’s best players, making it hard for Bellingham or Mbappe, Harry Kane or Antoine Griezmann, to find peak form.

That strikes to the heart of the matter at a time when UEFA and FIFA continue to expand their most lucrative competitions, increasing demands on players.

Global players’ union FIFPro announced just before the Euros began that it had filed a legal claim against FIFA, calling on the European Court of Justice to rule on the body’s right to impose new tournaments.

“Players and their unions have consistently highlighted the current football calendar as overloaded and unworkable,” FIFPro warned, accusing FIFA of “violating the rights of players”.

The season in Europe’s biggest leagues begins in a month, and the expanded Champions League starts in September, with participants now having eight guaranteed games instead of six previously.

The first version of FIFA’s new Club World Cup will go ahead in the United States next June and July, with 32 participating teams including 12 from Europe.

The likes of Manchester City, Madrid and Bayern Munich will be involved, and that will eat into a precious summer break ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which with 48 teams will feature an extra knockout round.

Again more games will generate more money but only increase the demands on players.

The concern is that a constant focus on quantity will have a lasting impact on quality, but there can be no doubting the brilliance of this Spain side.

Cristiano Ronaldo after Portugal’s defeat against France in Euro 2024.© AFP

Former England forward and Arsenal great Ian Wright believes that Portugal’s iconic forward Cristiano Ronaldo is no longer “cut” to play at the top level. Ronaldo and Portugal’s campaign in the Euro 2024 ended after France handed them a defeat in penalties in the quarter-final. After his prolific season with Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, goals were expected from the Portuguese goal-scoring machine. However, for the first time in his illustrious career, Ronaldo failed to score a single goal in a major competition.

After Portugal crashed out of the tournament, speculation has been building around the future of Ronaldo at the international level.

Wright believes that with the way Ronaldo performed throughout the tournament, his compatriot Diogo Jota would be disappointed about not getting enough opportunity to not get time on the pitch.

“Portugal should be very disappointed about that [going out of EURO 2024] simply because of how good their team is – when you look at them from defence to attack. The way he [Cristiano Ronaldo] played in EURO 2024, as great as he’s been, surely Diogo Jota must be disappointed that he couldn’t get on that pitch,” Wright said on Sky Sports’ Stick to Football: The Overlap Special as quoted from Goal.com.

“What I saw of him [Cristiano Ronaldo], he can’t cut it at this level now. As good as he is, as fit as he is, as driven as he is, you can see he just can’t quite get it out of his feet to get a shot in, the movement with a header, he can’t get past a defender now,” he added.

Ronaldo’s teammate during his time at Manchester United, Roy Keane, believes that the seasoned striker should take a break from international football and assess his situation when World Cup 2026 is around the corner.

“He [Cristiano Ronaldo] should have a break and step back from international football, and if he’s still playing at club level, then have a look at the World Cup when it comes around. We look at [Harry] Kane when Kane’s quite off it, and your main goal scorers not at it, you’re playing with ten men. When you’re playing at the highest level, you really can’t carry anybody. His [Cristiano Ronaldo] movement is still there – against France, brilliant,” Keane noted.

Cristiano Ronaldo after Portugal were knocked out of Euro 2024 by France.© AFP

Have football fans seen the last of Cristiano Ronaldo in the Portugal shirt? The team’s departure from Euro 2024 at the quarter-final stage has had many wondering if Ronaldo would hang up his boots at the international stage after the tournament. Ronaldo didn’t look at his best the entire tournament and even failed to register a single goal or assist before the team’s exit. However, a report has claimed that Ronaldo isn’t willing to quit international football just yet. In fact, he is determined to play in the 2026 FIFA World Cup and bring the trophy home.

Ronaldo had an insipid Euro 2024 campaign that saw him contribute little to the team’s goals. Portugal reached the quarter-finals of the tournament, thanks to their goalkeeper Diogo Costa’s heroics in the penalty shootout after Ronaldo missed a penalty, putting the team in danger of elimination.

Even the quarter-final clash against France saw the team struggle in front of goal, forcing the match into another penalty shootout where Les Bleus emerged triumphant.

But, as per a report in Relevo, it isn’t all over for Ronaldo just yet. As per the publication, Ronaldo has his eyes on the 2026 FIFA World Cup. In fact, he also wants to become the first player in history to appear and score in six editions of the flagship competition.

Ronaldo came into the Euro 2024 on the back of a prolific season for Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr, scoring 50 goals in all competitions but his gameplay couldn’t assist Portugal in front of the goal.

After Portugal’s quarter-final win against Slovenia, Ronaldo did admit that this would be his last European Championship.

“Initial sadness and joy at the end, that’s what football gives you. These are inexplicable moments. I had the chance to put the national team ahead and I didn’t manage it. Oblak made a good save. I had to review the penalty, I don’t know if I shot well or badly, but during the year I didn’t miss a single time and when I needed it most, Oblak saved it. The most important thing is to enjoy qualifying, the team did an extraordinary job, we fought until the end and if you analyse the match well, Portugal deserved it because they had more chances,” he said.

A clear indication from the iconic footballer on his international future, however, is yet to come.

Theo Hernandez scored the winning kick as Kylian Mbappe‘s France edged a tense Euro 2024 quarter-final clash with Portugal 5-3 on penalties after a goalless 120 minutes on Friday in what will likely be remembered as Cristiano Ronaldo‘s last-ever match at the tournament. France were successful with all their penalties as they advance to a last-four showdown with Spain, while Portugal’s Joao Felix was the only player to miss, sending his team’s third kick against the post. It is overdue success in a shoot-out for France after they lost the 2022 World Cup final on penalties to Argentina and went out of the last Euros three years ago in the same way, against Switzerland in the last 16. They also lost on penalties in the last major tournament in Germany, going down to Italy in the final of the 2006 World Cup.

Mbappe, who missed the crucial kick against the Swiss, was already off the pitch by the time this shoot-out came around, having been replaced by Bardley Barcola midway through extra time.

Barcola, Ousmane Dembele, Youssouf Fofana and Jules Kounde also scored from the spot for France.

Mbappe endured a frustrating evening as he continues to search for his best form in the competition but appears inhibited while wearing a mask to protect the nose he broke against Austria in France’s opening game.

At least he will get another chance to star in the semi-final, while Ronaldo, at 39, appears to have played at a Euros for the last time.

This has been his sixth European Championship, but he failed to add to his tournament record tally of 14 goals in Germany after misfiring in all of Portugal’s five matches.

He scored his penalty, Portugal’s first, but Roberto Martinez’s team go out having failed to find the net in over six hours of football.

They beat Slovenia on penalties in the last 16 after a goalless draw, but this time fell short in what was a disappointing game in Hamburg.

Neither of these teams had played anywhere close to their potential in their previous games at the tournament, but especially France, who got this far without any of their players scoring a goal in open play.

Randal Kolo Muani’s reward for coming off the bench to force the late own goal which allowed Les Bleus to beat Belgium in the last round was a place in the starting line-up.

Eduardo Camavinga also came in, replacing the suspended Adrien Rabiot in midfield, while Antoine Griezmann was deployed as a number 10 behind Kolo Muani and Mbappe.

France have been happy to sit off teams and rely on an excellent defence, while also struggling to play with any real intensity when in possession.

They had less of the ball in this game, an often disappointing contest, which did briefly come to life in the second half.

Portugal began to cause problems with runners getting into the box from midfield, first when Bruno Fernandes had a shot saved by Mike Maignan just after the hour mark.

Vitinha was next to try his luck moments later as he got on the end of Rafael Leao’s low centre. Maignan, determined not to concede a first goal in open play at the competition, saved his shot and reacted quickly to stop Ronaldo back-heeling the ball in from close range.

France responded as Kolo Muani played a one-two with Kounde and went for goal, only for a vital Ruben Dias interception to save Portugal.

Deschamps then withdrew Antoine Griezmann and sent on Dembele, who wasted no time in setting up a golden chance for Camavinga which the midfielder put wide.

After that, the game began to drift inevitably towards extra time, in which Ronaldo squandered a good opportunity from substitute Francisco Conceicao’s cutback.

That was more than Mbappe managed, and France’s captain watched the end of extra time from the bench, as Maignan denied Nuno Mendes at the very end of 120 minutes and penalties followed.

The shoot-out unfolded at the Portugal end of the Volksparkstadion, with Maignan not managing to make a save but not needing to.

Portugal’s Diogo Costa saved three Slovenia penalties in the last round, but could not stop any this time.

Portugal vs France, UEFA Euro 2024 Quarterfinal LIVE Updates© AFP

Portugal vs France Live Streaming Euro 2024 Quarter Final Live Telecast: When And Where To Watch© AFP

Cristiano Ronaldo has been Portugal’s main man for nearly two decades but the veteran forward is a long way from peak performance before Friday’s Euro 2024 quarter-final showdown with France. Now 39 years old and playing his club football in Saudi Arabia, Ronaldo is showing his age in what must surely be his last major international tournament. Ronaldo’s goalscoring prowess has been the hallmark of an incredible career in which for years he vied with Lionel Messi for the crown of the world’s best player.

But he has failed to score a single goal in Germany and has not really looked like doing so in a series of displays which have added little to his country’s attacking output.

Coach Roberto Martinez has started Ronaldo in all four of Portugal’s matches in which he has set up a goal for Bruno Fernandes and done little else.

Ronaldo even put Portugal’s chances of qualifying for the last eight in jeopardy when he missed a penalty against Slovenia on Monday as the match finished goalless and went to a shootout.

Martinez said Ronaldo “paved the way” for Portugal’s eventual victory which set up Friday’s match with Les Bleus by smashing in the first spot-kick.

“It was a victory for unity, from the dressing room,” said Martinez. 

“Cristiano is our captain and he showed that in life and in football there are difficult moments and we can’t give up.

“We have to keep going and it was a demonstration of what to do when things aren’t going well.”

But regardless of the courage Ronaldo showed to take the first penalty so soon after missing, it has been clear for a long time he is no longer the magnificent player he once was.

Ronaldo had burst into tears after failing to score in extra-time, and, overcome with emotion, apologised to fans after netting in the shootout.

“First it was sadness and then it was joy, that’s what football gives you, inexplicable moments, a bit of everything,” Ronaldo said.

“I didn’t make a single mistake this year and when I needed something the most, Jan Oblak saved it.”

Ronaldo and Portugal will have to perform much better than they did against Slovenia if they are to get past an excellent French defence.

France’s backline excelled in keeping Romelu Lukaku and Jeremy Doku quiet in their tight 1-0 over Belgium in the last 16, and is yet to concede a goal in open play in Germany.

Ronaldo has scored more European Championship goals than anyone else with 14, is the tournament’s record appearance maker and is the only man to score in five straight Euros.

But he record-making days will be over if he is unable to find a way to click with his teammates, and Friday risks being a sad Euros farewell.

Kylian Mbappe leads France into Friday’s Euro 2024 quarter-final against Portugal having yet to find his best form at the tournament after months of speculation about his club future and then the broken nose which overshadowed his team’s opening game. The 25-year-old will again sport a protective face mask on Friday in Hamburg, a necessity following the injury he suffered in the 1-0 win against Austria on June 17. Mbappe admitted prior to Monday’s last-16 victory against Belgium that he hates having to wear the mask and that it makes him feel like he is watching the tournament with virtual reality goggles on, rather than being an active participant.

Yet he is the leader of a France team that has reached the quarter-finals despite scoring only three goals in four matches, one his penalty in a 1-1 draw with Poland and the other two coming from own goals.

He and his team have had chances, but have not been taking them.

France have an Expected Goals (XG; a metric used to measure the quality of a chance created) of almost seven, bettered only by Spain, Portugal and Germany.

Mbappe’s own XG is 2.54, with only Cristiano Ronaldo and Germany’s Kai Havertz having a higher number.

It is a source of frustration for Mbappe that he has lit up the last two World Cups but has not enjoyed the same success at the Euros.

He starred as France became world champions in Russia in 2018 and again in Qatar in 2022, when he netted a hat-trick in their final defeat against Argentina.

The new Real Madrid signing has 12 World Cup goals, but his penalty against Poland is his only goal in seven appearances at the Euros.

Three years ago he failed to find the net before missing the crucial penalty in the shoot-out defeat by Switzerland in the last 16.

“My Euros didn’t start like I wanted but I am here to help the team and I really want to have success with this team,” Mbappe said just before the 1-0 victory against Belgium.

“The Euros is the only thing I have not won with the national team so I really want to win it.”

France assistant coach Guy Stephan said on Wednesday that Mbappe had been “traumatised” by the collision with Austria’s Kevin Danso which left him with the broken nose.

Ronaldo his boyhood hero

The fact that his final season at Paris Saint-Germain was often difficult may not have helped either.

He scored 44 goals, but Mbappe was also frozen out of the squad at the start of the campaign after telling the club he did not plan to extend his contract beyond this year.

His playing time was again reduced in the final three months of the season, once he had confirmed to PSG that he would be leaving.

Sources recently told AFP that Mbappe is still trying to get PSG to pay significant sums of money owed to him in wages.

Yet France will hope Mbappe finds extra motivation against Portugal as he comes up against his boyhood hero.

The recent completion of Mbappe’s move to Madrid put an end to years of speculation about when he would sign for the Spanish giants, and his long-held desire to one day join them was in part down to Ronaldo.

He idolised Ronaldo growing up, and decorated his bedroom with posters of the Portuguese superstar.

Real attempted to sign Mbappe for the first time in December 2012, when he was approaching his 14th birthday.

He was invited to Madrid for a week, taken to a game and to the club’s Valdebebas training ground where he met Zinedine Zidane and Ronaldo.

There is a famous picture of Ronaldo with his arm around the youngster, who only comes up to his hero’s shoulder.

“He is a hero from my childhood and it was amazing to meet him when I visited Valdebebas,” he once told Spanish sports daily Marca.

Now Mbappe is about to become the star in Madrid, where five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo was the main man for almost a decade. 

But first he knows that in order to keep alive his own dream of winning the European Championship with France he will need to knock out Portugal, and in the process potentially bring an end to Ronaldo’s remarkable international career.