Euro 24 Scores: France Reaches Semifinals with Zero Open Play Goals

France secured a spot in the Euro 2024 semifinals after defeating Portugal in a penalty shootout. This victory marked a unique, albeit unusual, historical milestone: France became the first team in Euros history to reach the semifinals without scoring a single goal in open play. All five of France’s goals in the tournament have come from either own goals or penalty kicks. Les Bleus also had two scoreless draws: one against the Netherlands in the group stage and the recent 0-0 (5-3) shootout victory against Portugal.

France benefited from the surge of own goals in this tournament. An own goal against Austria during the group stage secured a crucial 1-0 victory for Les Bleus. Another own goal against Belgium propelled France to the quarterfinals with a 1-0 win. The tournament has witnessed an unprecedented nine own goals so far. Remarkably, France hasn’t conceded any goals in open play either. The sole goal allowed by the French team was a penalty kick by Polish captain Robert Lewandowski in a group stage match.

Lewandowski’s penalty equalized the only non-own goal scored by France in the tournament: a penalty kick by captain Kylian Mbappé. The 1-1 draw against Poland barely allowed France to edge out the Netherlands for a spot in the knockout stage.

Kylian Mbappé taking a penalty kick for France during a Euro 24 match

France, currently ranked No. 2 by FIFA, surprisingly struggled to score in open play. However, the issue doesn’t appear to be a lack of attempts. France outshot all opponents, accumulating 87 shots with 20 on target over five games.

Despite scoring difficulties, France persevered. Their semifinal opponent, Spain, poses a significant challenge, having netted 11 goals in five Euro games. Only one of Spain’s goals, an Italian own goal, wasn’t scored in open play.