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 was 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.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/football/euro-2024-spain-continue-flawless-run-to-knockout-hosts-germany-kroos-drops-curtains-on-illustrious-career-738377">Euro 2024: Spain continue flawless run to knockout hosts Germany; Kroos drops curtains on illustrious career</a>

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who missed the crucial kick against the Swiss, was already off the pitch by the time this shoot-out came around, having been replaced by Bradley Barcola midway through extra time.

Barcola, Ousmane Dembele, Youssouf Fofana and Jules Kounde also scored from the spot for France.

"I am proud of my players. Even if we are not doing everything perfectly, we don't give up," said France coach Didier Deschamps. "Once again we are in the semi-finals. I will savour this a little even if we have another game coming up."

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.

"In the same way that it was maybe cruel for Slovenia in the last 16, today it was cruel for us. That's football," Bernardo Silva told CNN.

Neither of these teams had played anywhere close to their potential in their previous games at the tournament, but especially France, who have got this far without any of their players scoring a goal in open play.

<h2>Frustrating night for Mbappe</h2>

Randal Kolo Muani and Eduardo Camavinga came into the France line-up, while Antoine Griezmann was deployed as a number 10 behind the attackers.

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, a contest which never caught fire but 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 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 drifted 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.

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.

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 was 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. ALSO READ: Euro 2024: Spain continue flawless run to knockout hosts Germany; Kroos drops curtains on illustrious career 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 Bradley Barcola midway through extra time. Barcola, Ousmane Dembele, Youssouf Fofana and Jules Kounde also scored from the spot for France. "I am proud of my players. Even if we are not doing everything perfectly, we don't give up," said France coach Didier Deschamps. "Once again we are in the semi-finals. I will savour this a little even if we have another game coming up." 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. "In the same way that it was maybe cruel for Slovenia in the last 16, today it was cruel for us. That's football," Bernardo Silva told CNN. Neither of these teams had played anywhere close to their potential in their previous games at the tournament, but especially France, who have got this far without any of their players scoring a goal in open play. Frustrating night for Mbappe Randal Kolo Muani and Eduardo Camavinga came into the France line-up, while Antoine Griezmann was deployed as a number 10 behind the attackers. 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, a contest which never caught fire but 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 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 drifted 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.

Euro 2024: France beat Portugal in penalties to set up semis clash with Spain

Cristiano Ronaldo predicted Portugal&#39;s Euro 2016 hero Eder would score the winning goal in their 1-0 extra-time triumph over France and gave him the encouragement to settle Sunday&#39;s final. 
 
Eder came on in the 79th minute and, having played only 13 minutes at the tournament before his introduction, struck the winner with a venomous long-range strike in the 109th minute. 
 
Portugal were outsiders to win the final and were dealt a significant blow early on when their talismanic captain Ronaldo had to be replaced through injury in the 25th minute. 
 
Eder, who plays for French side Lille, said his captain&#39;s words had inspired him to make the decisive contribution. 
 
&quot;(Ronaldo) told me I would score the winning goal for the team,&quot; the striker told O Jogo. &quot;He gave me this strength, this energy and it was vital. 
 
&quot;It was a goal I&#39;ve been working for from the first minute of the Euros. 
 
&quot;For all the work we did, for all of the Portuguese, it&#39;s fantastic,&quot; he added. &quot;It&#39;s well deserved and we should all be congratulated.&quot; 
 
France had better chances in regular time but were unable to capitalise on their superiority despite Ronaldo&#39;s exit. 
 
Portugal coach Fernando Santos brought on Eder for Renato Sanches and he broke the deadlock in the extra period after muscling his way past defender Laurent Koscielny before firing a low right-foot shot into the corner of Hugo Lloris&#39;s goal. 
 
&quot;The disappointment is immense,&quot; his club Lille wrote on their official Twitter account, &quot;but there is considerable pride to be able to count such an attacker in our ranks.&quot; 
 
Eder&#39;s winner gave Portugal their first major title and ended a run of 10 straight defeats by France since 1975. 
 
(Reuters)

Eder came on in the 79th minute, struck the winner with a long-range strike in the 109th minute

Cristiano Ronaldo predicted Portugal's Euro 2016 hero Eder would score the winning goal in their 1-0 extra-time triumph over France and gave him the encouragement to settle Sunday's final. Eder came on in the 79th minute and, having played only 13 minutes at the tournament before his introduction, struck the winner with a venomous long-range strike in the 109th minute. Portugal were outsiders to win the final and were dealt a significant blow early on when their talismanic captain Ronaldo had to be replaced through injury in the 25th minute. Eder, who plays for French side Lille, said his captain's words had inspired him to make the decisive contribution. "(Ronaldo) told me I would score the winning goal for the team," the striker told O Jogo. "He gave me this strength, this energy and it was vital. "It was a goal I've been working for from the first minute of the Euros. "For all the work we did, for all of the Portuguese, it's fantastic," he added. "It's well deserved and we should all be congratulated." France had better chances in regular time but were unable to capitalise on their superiority despite Ronaldo's exit. Portugal coach Fernando Santos brought on Eder for Renato Sanches and he broke the deadlock in the extra period after muscling his way past defender Laurent Koscielny before firing a low right-foot shot into the corner of Hugo Lloris's goal. "The disappointment is immense," his club Lille wrote on their official Twitter account, "but there is considerable pride to be able to count such an attacker in our ranks." Eder's winner gave Portugal their first major title and ended a run of 10 straight defeats by France since 1975. (Reuters)

Ronaldo told me I'd score the winner, says Portugal's Eder

Football tensions mounted and patriotic hopes rose Sunday ahead of the Euro 2016 final between hosts France and Portugal that will unleash a clash between one of the world&#39;s greatest ever players Cristiano Ronaldo and would-be pretender Antoine Griezmann. 
 
After 50 matches over a month of football that has seen stunning shocks by Iceland and Wales, Ronaldo is counting on his side to produce one more upset so he can finally win an international trophy. 
 
Portugal will have to beat a French side who have found new inspiration from Griezmann, the tournament&#39;s leading scorer with six goals and will be willed on by a nation longing to rediscover the feelgood factor. 
 
With the country still on terrorist alert after the November 13 attacks in which 130 people died, more than 3,400 police will be on the Champs Elysees in Paris alone when the match starts at the Stade de France at 1900 GMT. 
 
National flags hung from apartment blocks and homes in cities across France and Portugal as football fever mounted. 
 
The buildup to Euro 2016 was clouded by fears that the tournament would be targeted by jihadists after 130 people were killed in terror attacks on Paris in November. 
 
&quot;The French people needed to find their way again,&quot; President Francois Hollande said in a commentary on the wave of support for the national team that has been in disgrace in recent years. 
 
&quot;We saw it at the time of the attacks. We came together in the dramas, we had to find ourselves in the happiness, to come together.&quot;Rival coaches Didier Deschamps of France and Fernando Santos of Portugal have been desperately trying to shield their teams from the sky-high hopes of their nations. 
 
Deschamps, who captained the French side that won the 1998 World Cup and the Euro title in 2000, said he could feel the adrenaline pumping. 
 
&quot;It`s an exceptional moment, a privilege, a unique chance because there is a title at the end,&quot; Deschamps said of the final. 
 
&quot;What you need to do is approach it as relaxed as possible while being at the same time totally focused on the match,&quot; he added. 
 
&quot;On the bench, there is a frustration in not taking part, but I can&#39;t do that anyway. But I&#39;m fine, I don&#39;t feel any pressure, no stress, just adrenaline and that&#39;s positive.&quot; 
 
France have put in some stylish performances, including their 5-2 win over Iceland to end the giant-killing run of the team that dumped England out of the contest. 
 
France captain Hugo Lloris said the team wants to put their name in the history books to redeem themselves for a player revolt at the 2010 World Cup that made them a national disgrace. 
 
The troubles were worsened by the exclusion of star striker Karim Benzema over an alleged sextape blackmail attempt. 
 
&quot;We have come through a crisis in French football,&quot; the Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper said. &quot;We have climbed back up the slope, we have done it step by step.&quot; 
 
Lloris said Sunday&#39;s final is &quot;the chance to go into French football history.&quot; 
 
France, with home advantage in the 85,000-capacity stadium, and with Griezmann, star midfielder Paul Pogba and the calming influence of Lloris, start as favourites. 
 
But they acknowledge the omnipresent danger of Ronaldo on the pitch. 
 
Santos has succeeded by building a team around the superstar striker and winning &quot;ugly&quot; when necessary to get to the next round. 
 
Portugal&#39;s 2-0 win over Wales in the semi-final was their first in the tournament achieved within 90 minutes. 
 
Veterans such as defender Pepe and Ricardo Quaresma have played lynchpin roles on days when Ronaldo has failed to fire.Portugal have been criticised for some of their European Championship performances but Santos said he does not care. 
 
He also says France are the favourites but believes Portugal can win. 
 
&quot;Let them carry on saying that Portugal won without deserving it,&quot; he said. 
 
&quot;I will be very happy if they say that again tomorrow. I will go home very happy.&quot; 
 
Portugal have never fully recovered from losing the 2004 Euro final to Greece when they hosted the tournament. 
 
Ronaldo, who shed tears as a 19-year-old at that match, said this week he wants to be &quot;crying with joy&quot; today. 
 
Ronaldo&#39;s Real Madrid teammate Pepe is fully fit again after missing the semi-final through injury. Pepe said Portugal were strong because they want to win. 
 
&quot;I&#39;ve been at a very demanding club for 10 years and I`ve been playing for Portugal since 2008,&quot; he said when asked about his own ambition to win at the age of 33. 
 
&quot;I have three European Championship and two World Cup campaigns to my name. 
 
&quot;I have always been very demanding of myself. I don`t like to lose, I want to help my team. That makes me play at the highest level and to be recognised at the highest level.&quot; 
 
(AFP)

France Captain Hugo Lloris said Sunday's final is 'the chance to go into French football history'

Football tensions mounted and patriotic hopes rose Sunday ahead of the Euro 2016 final between hosts France and Portugal that will unleash a clash between one of the world's greatest ever players Cristiano Ronaldo and would-be pretender Antoine Griezmann. After 50 matches over a month of football that has seen stunning shocks by Iceland and Wales, Ronaldo is counting on his side to produce one more upset so he can finally win an international trophy. Portugal will have to beat a French side who have found new inspiration from Griezmann, the tournament's leading scorer with six goals and will be willed on by a nation longing to rediscover the feelgood factor. With the country still on terrorist alert after the November 13 attacks in which 130 people died, more than 3,400 police will be on the Champs Elysees in Paris alone when the match starts at the Stade de France at 1900 GMT. National flags hung from apartment blocks and homes in cities across France and Portugal as football fever mounted. The buildup to Euro 2016 was clouded by fears that the tournament would be targeted by jihadists after 130 people were killed in terror attacks on Paris in November. "The French people needed to find their way again," President Francois Hollande said in a commentary on the wave of support for the national team that has been in disgrace in recent years. "We saw it at the time of the attacks. We came together in the dramas, we had to find ourselves in the happiness, to come together."Rival coaches Didier Deschamps of France and Fernando Santos of Portugal have been desperately trying to shield their teams from the sky-high hopes of their nations. Deschamps, who captained the French side that won the 1998 World Cup and the Euro title in 2000, said he could feel the adrenaline pumping. "It`s an exceptional moment, a privilege, a unique chance because there is a title at the end," Deschamps said of the final. "What you need to do is approach it as relaxed as possible while being at the same time totally focused on the match," he added. "On the bench, there is a frustration in not taking part, but I can't do that anyway. But I'm fine, I don't feel any pressure, no stress, just adrenaline and that's positive." France have put in some stylish performances, including their 5-2 win over Iceland to end the giant-killing run of the team that dumped England out of the contest. France captain Hugo Lloris said the team wants to put their name in the history books to redeem themselves for a player revolt at the 2010 World Cup that made them a national disgrace. The troubles were worsened by the exclusion of star striker Karim Benzema over an alleged sextape blackmail attempt. "We have come through a crisis in French football," the Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper said. "We have climbed back up the slope, we have done it step by step." Lloris said Sunday's final is "the chance to go into French football history." France, with home advantage in the 85,000-capacity stadium, and with Griezmann, star midfielder Paul Pogba and the calming influence of Lloris, start as favourites. But they acknowledge the omnipresent danger of Ronaldo on the pitch. Santos has succeeded by building a team around the superstar striker and winning "ugly" when necessary to get to the next round. Portugal's 2-0 win over Wales in the semi-final was their first in the tournament achieved within 90 minutes. Veterans such as defender Pepe and Ricardo Quaresma have played lynchpin roles on days when Ronaldo has failed to fire.Portugal have been criticised for some of their European Championship performances but Santos said he does not care. He also says France are the favourites but believes Portugal can win. "Let them carry on saying that Portugal won without deserving it," he said. "I will be very happy if they say that again tomorrow. I will go home very happy." Portugal have never fully recovered from losing the 2004 Euro final to Greece when they hosted the tournament. Ronaldo, who shed tears as a 19-year-old at that match, said this week he wants to be "crying with joy" today. Ronaldo's Real Madrid teammate Pepe is fully fit again after missing the semi-final through injury. Pepe said Portugal were strong because they want to win. "I've been at a very demanding club for 10 years and I`ve been playing for Portugal since 2008," he said when asked about his own ambition to win at the age of 33. "I have three European Championship and two World Cup campaigns to my name. "I have always been very demanding of myself. I don`t like to lose, I want to help my team. That makes me play at the highest level and to be recognised at the highest level." (AFP)

France, Portugal head for Euro 2016 final showdown

The Portuguese football team led by Cristiano Ronaldo returned home to a heroes welcome today after their upset triumph over France in the Euro 2016 final. 
 
Tens of thousands of fans waited for the team at Lisbon airport when their special flight arrived. There have been joyous nationwide celebrations since the 1-0 win at the Stade de France in Paris on Sunday night. 
 
Two airport fire trucks sprayed jets of water in the green and red national colours as the the plane taxied to the terminal. 
 
Ronaldo and coach Fernando Santos were first to emerge from the plane with the trophy. 
 
Man-of-the-match defender Pepe carried the prize down the steps, where the 23-man squad boarded an open-top bus to start a victory parade for the country&#39;s first major international football honour. 
 
After meeting President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, the bus was to take Ronaldo and his fellow-conquerors on a tour of the capital. 
 
(AFP)

Tens of thousands of fans waited for the team at Lisbon airport, the city was one huge party pad

The Portuguese football team led by Cristiano Ronaldo returned home to a heroes welcome today after their upset triumph over France in the Euro 2016 final. Tens of thousands of fans waited for the team at Lisbon airport when their special flight arrived. There have been joyous nationwide celebrations since the 1-0 win at the Stade de France in Paris on Sunday night. Two airport fire trucks sprayed jets of water in the green and red national colours as the the plane taxied to the terminal. Ronaldo and coach Fernando Santos were first to emerge from the plane with the trophy. Man-of-the-match defender Pepe carried the prize down the steps, where the 23-man squad boarded an open-top bus to start a victory parade for the country's first major international football honour. After meeting President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, the bus was to take Ronaldo and his fellow-conquerors on a tour of the capital. (AFP)

Lisbon welcomes its Europe-conquering heroes in style