“Still suffering the defeat”: Roberto Martinez, Portugal’s Head Coach, Reflects On Defeat To France

Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez expressed lingering disappointment following his team’s quarter-final defeat against France in EURO 2024. Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal was eliminated after a tense match that ended 0-0 in regulation time but saw them lose 5-3 on penalties, failing to save a single shot from the French players.

Speaking after the match, Martinez addressed speculation about Cristiano Ronaldo potentially retiring from international football, stating that no decision has been made yet and emphasizing the emotional aftermath of their recent loss.

“No. Everything is too raw. We are still suffering the defeat. There’s no individual decision at this point,” Martinez said, as quoted by Goal.com.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner, Ronaldo, had a challenging outing against France, recording the fewest touches (40) of any outfield player who played the full 120 minutes. Despite his efforts, Ronaldo failed to score in the tournament, managing only one assist in five matches.

Portugal dominated possession in the quarter-final, holding 60% of the ball compared to France’s 40%. However, after both teams remained goalless through extra time, the match was decided by penalties. Portugal’s Joao Felix missed his spot-kick, ultimately leading to France’s 5-3 victory in the shootout.