July 6th 2024.
William Saliba was ecstatic after France's victory over Portugal in the quarter-finals of Euro 2024. He couldn't contain his happiness as he spoke about how his team managed to keep Cristiano Ronaldo in check throughout the match.
The game was a tense one, with neither team able to score a goal in regular time. It all came down to a nerve-wracking penalty shootout, and France emerged victorious, setting up a semi-final clash with Spain. Portugal's Joao Felix even hit the post with his penalty before Theo Hernandez stepped up to score the winning spot-kick, leaving the Portuguese players devastated.
Leading up to the game, there was a lot of talk about Ronaldo's performance in the tournament so far. At 39 years old, this was his last chance to shine at the European Championships, but he hadn't been able to live up to his usual standards. Some even suggested that he should be dropped from the starting lineup, but Portugal's head coach stuck with him.
On the other hand, Saliba had earned his place in the starting lineup for France, and he once again put in a stellar performance, helping his team keep a clean sheet for the fourth time in the tournament. Speaking after the game, he said that it was not an easy game as they were facing one of the best teams in the tournament.
"We knew we had to be tight and not give Ronaldo any space," Saliba said. "It was a great team effort to keep a clean sheet against such a strong attacking team like Portugal."
France's solid defensive performances have been a key factor in their success so far, but they have struggled to score goals from open play. However, Saliba is confident that their star-studded attack will start firing on all cylinders soon.
"If we can keep our opponents from scoring, we have a 90% chance of winning the game," he said. "We just need to start scoring ourselves, and that will come."
France's head coach Didier Deschamps also acknowledged the need for more goals in their upcoming matches. "We need to find our scoring touch," he admitted. "Scoring more goals will give us more control over the game and not leave us at the mercy of our opponents."
Kylian Mbappe, who had been playing with a mask due to a broken nose, was substituted in the 105th minute after another below-par performance. Deschamps explained that the young forward was feeling tired and couldn't give his best on the pitch.
"He's always honest with me and the team," Deschamps said. "He knew he didn't have the energy to accelerate like he normally does. We can't afford to lose a player, but with the back problem he had before the tournament and now the nose injury, he's not at his best. But he's still giving his all for the team."
As France looks ahead to their semi-final match against Spain, they will be hoping for more goals from their attack while maintaining their strong defensive performances. With their determination and teamwork, they have a great chance of lifting the trophy on July 14.
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