Cristiano Ronaldo's tears upon missing a penalty in Portugal's Euro 2024 last-16 tie versus Slovenia are not worthy of discussion, says his team-mate Bernardo Silva.
Ronaldo saw an extra-time spot-kick saved by Jan Oblak as Portugal played out a goalless draw in Monday's tie, only to scrape through to the quarter-finals on penalties.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner scored in the shoot-out but is yet to net in regular play at this tournament, despite amassing a competition-high 20 shots worth 2.75 expected goals (xG).
He has failed to score in his last eight appearances at the World Cup or European Championships, having netted 10 times in his previous nine between 2018 and 2022.
When asked about Ronaldo's tears at Thursday's pre-match press conference, Silva said: "We're humans and he felt emotional when he missed a penalty.
"It's acceptable, isn't it? Sometimes you react in ways you don't expect... he felt he could have done better in that moment.
"He cries for a bit, which is how humans deal with emotions sometimes.
"So I don't see any reason for people to discuss it. Obviously people will, because that's the business."
Though Portugal impressed as they beat Turkiye 3-0 in their second group-stage match, they have disappointed in their other games and been criticised at home over a lack of attacking thrust.
Asked about that criticism, Silva said: "We understand it, it's part of the business, it's the reason why we earn so much money and we are able to give our families and friends a better life.
"We don't complain about the criticism, it's for good and for bad, it's our job.
"When it comes to June and a World Cup or Euros, everyone thinks they're a manager. We get that and we accept that."
Spain v France: 'Outsiders' tag has aided La Roja ahead of semi-final showdown, says Cucurella
Spain heading into Euro 2024 as "outsiders" instead of the pre-tournament favourites has aided La Roja, says Marc Cucurella ahead of Tuesday's semi-final against France.
Luis de la Fuente's side are looking to reach their fifth European Championship final, with only Germany playing in more (six), after remaining perfect through five games so far.
Spain needed a last-gasp Mikel Merino header for their 2-1 extra-time victory over hosts Germany in Friday's quarter-final, but Cucurella insists confidence continues to grow within the La Roja camp.
"Within football, there has long been respect for Spain, how we play and the players we have, but maybe coming in [to Euro 2024] as outsiders helped us," the Chelsea full-back said on Sunday.
"We started with the confidence of having nothing to lose. Now that confidence has grown and we are in the key moment of the tournament.
"I knew we had a great team, which has been proven. We have fought so hard to be here, and now we need one last big effort. Two more steps."
De la Fuente's team will meet an out-of-sorts France in Munich for their last-four clash after Les Bleus scraped past Portugal on penalties in the quarter-final.
Didier Deschamps' men once again failed to find the net across 120 minutes of action in their last-eight goalless draw on Friday, with only four goals scored by either team in France's five Euro 2024 matches thus far.
Indeed, all 128 non-penalty shots have failed to be scored (86 for France, 42 for opponents), while they are the only team on record since 1980 to have more than 50 non-penalty shots at a Euros and fail to find the net with any of them.
Kylian Mbappe's form remains a concern for Deschamps, too, with the Real Madrid-bound forward scoring just one goal from 20 shots at this edition, a penalty against Poland in their final group game.
Rather than excitement around Mbappe, who has scored just once from 34 attempts at the European Championship overall, most of the focus revolves around Spanish wingers Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams.
"With the Spanish national team, danger can come from anywhere," France midfielder Youssouf Fofana said at his pre-match press conference.
"Nico Williams and Yamal have had a great season, but I expect them to lose on Tuesday. We have to stay as solid as we have been so far in defence."
As for the criticism over France's playing style, Fofana insists he has no problem, adding: "In the end, we're in the semi-finals."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Spain – Lamine Yamal
Yamal has created 14 chances at this tournament, the most by a Spaniard at a major tournament since Xavi en route to winning Euro 2012 (25).
The Barcelona winger's 14 chances created are also the most by a teenager at a major tournament that Opta has on record (since 1966 for World Cup, 1980 for Euros).
And the 16-year-old has three assists within that tally, too, with no Spanish player ever registering more at a single European Championship tournament.
France – Mike Maignan
Les Bleus have had their backs against the wall for large parts of this competition in Germany, placing a heavy burden on Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan.
The Frenchman has a save percentage of 94% at Euro 2024 the best of any goalkeeper to have played more than one game.
Indeed, it is the best by a goalkeeper at a Euros tournament since Iker Casillas for the Euro 2012 winners Spain (also 94%).
MATCH PREDICTION: SPAIN WIN
Spain appear the narrow favourites to reach the final, with La Roja winning in 90 minutes in 38.1% of pre-match simulations by the Opta supercomputer.
France are still afforded a 31.8% chance of victory, with the draw – sending the tie to extra time and possibly penalties – forecast in 30% of the same data-led simulations.
Yet Deschamps will be well aware of Spain's quality, given De la Fuente's team have won 15 of their 19 matches since the start of 2023 – their 79% win percentage is the best of any European nation in that period.
Spain are the only team to have won all five games at this tournament, though no side has ever gone six in a row in the competition's history, nor triumphed in six matches across a single edition.
If La Roja can achieve that unprecedented feat here, then a place in the final in Berlin awaits against either England or the Netherlands.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Spain – 38.2%
France – 31.8%
Draw – 30%
Kolo Muani backs Mbappe to come good for France at Euro 2024
Randal Kolo Muani has backed Kylian Mbappe to take centre stage once again for France ahead of Les Bleus' semi-final clash with Spain at Euro 2024.
France needed penalties to edge past Portugal in the quarter-finals as Theo Hernandez capitalised on Joao Felix's missed spot-kick.
However, the performance underlined France's struggles in front of goal as Didier Deschamps aims to find a solution ahead of their meeting with La Roja in Munich.
Excluding penalties and own-goals, France are yet to score in their five games at Euro 2024, attempting 86 non-penalty shots (7.25 non-pen xG) without scoring from one at this year’s competition.
Mbappe was the player to net that penalty in their final group game against Poland and is yet to sparkle in Germany so far.
“I wouldn't say he’s had a poor tournament. He had a huge season, he scored more than 45 goals," Kolo Muani said of the France captain.
"Seeing him not score here, it's up to us to help him, to push him. The competition is not over. Apart from his broken nose, he's OK physically.”
Mbappe has not looked comfortable since sporting a protective mask after breaking his nose in France's opening Group D game against Austria.
Les Blues have not been at their free flowing best in Germany, but Kolo Muani was quick to reject the level of their performances had been disappointing.
“Disappointing? I wouldn't say that. It's difficult to score, but I don't find it disappointing,” said Kolo Muani.
Calhanoglu regrets Turkiye's defensive tactics in Netherlands collapse
Hakan Calhanoglu said he regrets Turkiye's defensive approach in their 2-1 loss to the Netherlands as they bowed out of Euro 2024.
Turkiye took the lead through Samet Akaydin's 35th minute header, becoming the seventh different goalscorer for Vincenzo Montella's side in the tournament.
However, Stefan de Vrij and a Mert Muldur own goal turned things around for the Netherlands, setting up a semi-final clash with England next Wednesday.
Having taken the lead, Turkiye aimed to defend it, but that came with a cost as Ronald Koeman's side ramped up the pressure in the second half.
Montella's side had 43.4% possession and completed 182 passes in the first half, compared to just 37.6% and 112 following the interval.
"When we look at the tournament in general, teams that take a 1-0 lead generally sit back," Calhanoglu said.
"I don’t know why this is the case, but it was the same for us today. We sat back a lot," he told reporters.
"We conceded two goals in seven minutes, which of course hurt us a little. In the end, we tried to try and had a chance with long balls, but we couldn't take advantage.
"Sometimes things like this happen in football. We need to learn from this. I am proud of everyone."
Turkiye impressed at the tournament, reaching the knockout stages of a European Championship for the first time since 2008.
The nation are set to co-host Euro 2032 along with Italy, and Calhanoglu believes his side can use their experience in Germany to build towards a bright future.
"As long as we are united, as long as we are together, we can achieve anything. We have always shown this," he said.
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