FRANCE-PORTUGAL: SALIBA SO PRECIOUS, MBAPPÉ IN A BAD EVENING… THE RATINGS OF THE BLUES

The French team qualified after a thrilling encounter for the semi-finals of Euro 2024, eliminating Portugal on penalties (0-0, 5-3 on penalties). Les Bleus relied on the imperious Mike Maignan and William Saliba when Kylian Mbappé suffered. The Blues’ ratings.

Mike Maignan: 8 ⭐

The bulwark of the Blues. Huge on two saves : firm hand on a strike from Bruno Fernandes (60th) and reflex against Vitinha (63rd). Concentrated at all times until the end of extra time, except for a fraction of a second on a missed control which caused a corner without consequence (15th).

Jules Kounde: 5

A contrasting match. His climbs were interesting even if they were sometimes too cautious. Some good crosses. But the defensive retreats against Leao were complicated. Beaten several times in speed and liveliness in the duels against the Milanese.

Dayot Upamecano: 6

Another good match. His duo with Saliba remains very strong. A few small lapses in concentration. But always present in the duels. His counter against Leao in the area in extra time is decisive. A few good breakthroughs to try to start an offensive.

William Saliba: 7

His progress has been constant in this Euro. Always more sure of himself. Good positioning, interceptions, ball protection, one-touch recovery, presence in the aerial game. He does almost everything well. No matter who he is facing, including Cristiano Ronaldo . Still came close to a punishment at the end of the match for this foul on Conceiçao.

Theo Hernandez: 6

Precious in his left corridor. He always brings an offensive solution. Combined well with Mbappé and Kanté in particular. Not far from the goal with his very good shot on target in the 16th. A notch below in the second period.

Aurelien Tchouaméni: 6

Another good match in the midfield. Manages to make the link between defense and attack. Good direction of the game. His long game is a delight. Good anticipation in the positioning which allowed him to recover several balls.

N’Golo Kante: 5

Fairly neutral match. Neither good nor bad. He wasn’t always found between the lines but made the effort to stay well placed.

Eduardo Camavinga: 6

Took a while to get into the game. Good interventions like his return to the feet of Vitinha in the 49th or Leao (59th).

Antoine Griezmann: 4

A bit like his last matches. Was interesting in his use of the ball. Was not sufficiently influential offensively. Replaced (67th) by Ousmane Démbélé who made a good comeback. Only player to have created danger in the Portuguese defense.

Randal Kolo Muani: 6

Generous in all defensive efforts and in retreats. His shot, at close range, blocked would have deserved a different fate (66th). Replaced (86th) by Marcus Thuram too isolated and rarely precise.

Kylian Mbappé: 3 ❌

Too far from the level he has accustomed us to in these big meetings in Blue. Little difference. His mask bothers him , that’s a certainty but it doesn’t explain everything. Ended up on his knees. Bradley Barcola took his place for the last 15 minutes of extra time.