France coach Didier Deschamps did not hide his great joy at qualifying for the semi-finals of Euro 2024.
The Roosters beat Portugal 5-3 on penalties in Hamburg.
"It was a very difficult game. We knew how good a team Portugal was and both teams could have won.
"In extra time it was a bit more difficult for us, maybe because we were tired and they had a lot more possession, but we kept our composure and the penalty takers did well," said Deschamps.
France lost the 2022 FIFA World Cup final on penalties to Argentina, and at the last European Championship three years ago they also went out on penalties against Switzerland. The Roosters were also beaten by Italy on penalties in the 2006 World Cup final. The triumph against Portugal was France's first win on penalties since they beat the Italians in the quarter-finals of the 1998 World Cup, when Deschamps was still a player.
"I'm proud of my players, even if we don't do everything perfectly, we don't give up and we're in the semi-finals again," said Deschamps.
France are in their fourth semi-final in the last five major tournaments and will face Spain in the semi-final in Munich. | BGNES
