Portugal vs France Combined XI: Fernandes the star as Portugal dominate
The blockbuster games just keep on coming as Portugal take on France in the second quarter-final at Euro 2024.
Ahead of this showdown, we run through the combined XI between the two sides, a team that is dominated by Portugal.
Featuring between the sticks is the first of three France players. Mike Maignan has conceded just once in four Euro 2024 outings, that a Robert Lewandowski penalty no less. The AC Milan star has made 11 saves on his way to a WhoScored rating of 7.12.
Joao Cancelo (Portugal) - 7.18
Joao Cancelo has got forward well from right-back where possible having completed nine dribbles, that more than any other defender and seventh overall. It's been a solid Euros campaign so far for the versatile full-back.
Featuring at the heart of the defence in this combined XI, the experienced Pepe has so often been in the right place at the right time for Portugal. Indeed, an average of six clearances per game is the fifth most at Euro 2024.
As is to be expected, Ruben Dias has been key to getting the ball rolling for Portugal this summer. Only Toni Kroos is making more passes per game than Dias (99) at Euro 2024, doing so with a success rate of 92.3% to partner Pepe in this XI.
Rounding off an all-Portugal backline is left-back Nuno Mendes, who has returned a WhoScored rating of 7.27. The 22-year-old is winning the eighth most aerial duels per game (3.3) in Germany to make the cut.
The second France player in the side, N'Golo Kante has been a revelation at Euro 2024, stepping back onto the international stage with ease. Kante has returned a 90% tackle success rate, which is impressive given his all-action performances, to help land a WhoScored rating of 7.22.
Joao Palhinha (Portugal) - 7.35
Joining Kante in the middle of the park is Portugal ball winner and soon-to-be-Bayern star Joao Palhinha. Palhinha is making the second most tackles per game (4.3) at Euro 2024, and boasts the best ground duel success rate (73.1%) at the tournament.
Bernardo Silva (Portugal) - 7.29
Nailing down the right wing spot is winger Bernardo Silva. The Manchester City man has been unfortunate not to register an assist having made seven key passes, while Silva also has a goal to his name to contribute to a WhoScored rating of 7.29.
Bruno Fernandes (Portugal) - 7.40
Like Silva, Bruno Fernandes is another unfortunate yet to register an assist having made six key passes so far. Fernandes also has one goal to his name, while he's worked hard off the ball, too, as evidenced by an average of 2.3 tackles per game.
Rounding off the France trio is captain Kylian Mbappe, who has earned a WhoScored rating of 7.35. While Mbappe has scored just the once, it's not for want of trying as evidenced by a return of five shots per game. The French forward is also completing more dribbles per game (4.7) than any other player at Euro 2024.
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) - 6.98
Leading the charge is Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo. Like Mbappe, Ronaldo is also averaging five shots per game - no player is doing so more than the big-name pair - while the 39-year-old has registered an assist at the tournament, that coming in the comfortable 3-0 win over Turkiye.
