The best fixtures of UEFA Euro 2024 are set to take place on 5th July. Three-time champions Spain will face hosts Germany in the quarter-finals and the next match is between the foes from 2016, Portugal and France. Neutral fans are already split regarding who they want to support as one of the greats of the sport Cristiano Ronaldo will lock horns with generational icon Kylian Mbappe. Disappointingly, both Portugal and France have underperformed in the tournament so far.

Portugal suffered a shock defeat to a lower-ranked Georgia and France is yet to find the net from open play apart from own goals. While Ronaldo will be looking to score his first goal in the competition, France will be looking to avenge the loss of the 2016 final as they will try and advance to the top 4. But what can we expect in terms of starting XI and possible results? Let’s take a look.

UEFA Euro 2024, Portugal vs. France: All you need to know

Injury and team news

Portugal: The Navigators might have been concerned when Cristiano Ronaldo suffered a calf issue and had to miss a few club games at the beginning of the year. However, he has recovered and looked fully fit in the tournament so far, and just like the captain, the entire squad appears to be fit for tomorrow’s game. Portugal is missing one of its members from the 2016 campaign, Raphaël Guerreiro who is out due to an ankle ligament injury he suffered in May. For tomorrow’s quarter-final of Euro 2024, Roberto Martinez will not experiment much and go with the same starting eleven he played against Slovenia.

France: The former European Champions of 2000 faced a setback in May after losing defender Lucas Hernandez. The PSG left-back suffered an ACL rupture in the Champions League match versus Borussia Dortmund. However, Theo Hernandez has been quite useful in the position. Meanwhile, Kylian Mbappe seems to be coping with his mask after fracturing his nose against Austria. According to coach Didier Deschamps, the striker has slight discomfort with his vision due to the mask but his overall condition is better. He will be crucial for France as always.

Les Blues will miss the services of two players. Kingsley Coman, who had muscle issues towards the dying stages of the 2023-24 season, has left the camp for the birth of his child, while Adrien Rabiot will also miss the quarter-final after he took two yellows in consecutive games. Ousmane Dembele is expected to replace him.

Expected Lineups

Portugal XI: Diogo Costa; Joao Cancelo, Ruben Dias, Pepe, Nuno Mendes; João Palhinha, Vitinha; Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes, Rafael Leao; Cristiano Ronaldo.

France XI: Mike Maignan; Jules Kounde, William Saliba, Dayot Upamecano, Theo Hernandez; N’Golo Kante, Aurélien Tchouameni; Ousmane Dembele, Antoine Griezmann, Kylian Mbappe; Marcus Thuram.

Head-to-head and Prediction

Both teams have faced each other 28 times in the history of international football and France has a historical advantage of winning 19 times. Portugal aced the battle 6 times, while 3 games have ended in a draw. The 2022 World Cup finalists are favorites to win again, but Ronaldo’s determination cannot be written off. However, France could progress to the semi-final of Euro 2024 despite a tough contest.

Prediction: Portugal 1 – 2 France

Where and how to watch Cristiano Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappe battle for Euro 2024 semi-final spot

Volksparkstadion in Hamburg is the venue for tomorrow’s battle with the kick-off time being 1500 hrs ET/ 1200 hrs PST on July 5th, 2024. Fans can watch the game live on Fox Sports and stream it on Fubo TV.