Football

Portugal and France, two European football powerhouses, will clash in a highly anticipated quarter-final match at Euro 2024. The match promises to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams boasting world-class players and a rich history of rivalry.The two sides have faced off in the previous two Euros, with Portugal emerging victorious in the 2016 final and the teams drawing 2-2 in the group stage at Euro 2020. This time, the stakes are even higher as Portugal's legendary captain Cristiano Ronaldo aims to end his European career on a high note.Ronaldo, who has won five Ballon d'Or awards, is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time. However, he faces a formidable opponent in France's Kylian Mbappe, who is considered one of the most promising young players in the world. Mbappe has already won the World Cup with France and is eager to add the European Championship to his trophy cabinet.The match will be played at the Volksparkstadion in Hamburg, Germany, on Saturday, July 6, at 12:30 AM IST. It will be telecast live on the Sony Sports Network and streamed live on the SonyLiv app and website.Portugal will be looking to build on their impressive performance in the Round of 16, where they defeated Slovenia in a penalty shootout. Goalkeeper Diogo Costa was the hero for Portugal, saving three successive penalties. France, on the other hand, will be confident after topping their group and defeating England in the Round of 16.The match is expected to be a close and competitive affair, with both teams having the potential to win. Portugal will rely on the experience of Ronaldo and the creativity of Bernardo Silva, while France will look to the pace and skill of Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappé, two of the most iconic footballers of their generation, are set to clash in a heavyweight quarterfinal match at Euro 2024. The match between Portugal and France promises to be a spectacle, with both players carrying the hopes of their nations on their shoulders.Ronaldo, now 39, has confirmed that this will be his last European Championship. The Portuguese legend has had a remarkable career, winning numerous trophies and individual accolades. However, he has been struggling for form in recent months, failing to score in his last eight matches at major tournaments.Mbappé, on the other hand, is the rising star of world football. The 25-year-old has already won the World Cup with France and is considered one of the best players in the world. He has a prolific scoring record, having netted 48 goals for France and 48 goals in the Champions League.The two players have a long history together. Mbappé grew up idolizing Ronaldo and even met him as a child at Real Madrid's training ground. In 2020, Mbappé tweeted that Ronaldo was his "idol."The quarterfinal match between Portugal and France is likely to be a close and intense affair. Both teams have talented players and are capable of winning the tournament. However, the clash between Ronaldo and Mbappé will be the main attraction.Ronaldo will be looking to end his European Championship career on a high, while Mbappé will be aiming to prove that he is the heir apparent to the throne of world football. The match promises to be a memorable one, with both players determined to leave their mark on the tournament.

Cristiano Ronaldo, the legendary Portuguese forward, has been a pivotal figure for his nation for nearly two decades. However, as he approaches the twilight of his illustrious career, the 39-year-old is facing the reality of his declining physical abilities.Ronaldo's presence in Saudi Arabia's Al Nassr has highlighted his diminished form. In Portugal's Euro 2024 campaign, he has failed to find the back of the net and has struggled to make a significant impact on the team's attacking play.Despite starting all four of Portugal's matches, Ronaldo's contributions have been limited. He assisted Bruno Fernandes in one goal but has otherwise been a peripheral figure. His missed penalty against Slovenia nearly cost Portugal a place in the quarter-finals.Coach Roberto Martinez has defended Ronaldo, stating that he "paved the way" for Portugal's eventual victory in the penalty shootout. However, it is evident that Ronaldo is no longer the formidable force he once was.Ronaldo's emotional outburst after failing to score in extra time against Slovenia and his apology to fans after netting in the shootout underscore his frustration and the realization that his time as a top-level performer is drawing to a close.Portugal faces a daunting task in the quarter-finals against France, whose defense has been impenetrable in the tournament. Ronaldo's record-breaking achievements in the European Championship, including being the all-time leading scorer and appearance maker, may not be enough to overcome the French defense.Unless Ronaldo can rediscover his scoring touch and forge a better connection with his teammates, Friday's match could mark a sad farewell to the Euros for the Portuguese icon.

Kylian Mbappe, the talismanic forward for France, has yet to reach his peak performance at Euro 2024 despite leading his team into the quarter-finals against Portugal on Friday. The tournament has been overshadowed by speculation about his club future and a broken nose sustained in the opening match.Mbappe, 25, will once again don a protective face mask in Hamburg, a necessity after the injury he suffered against Austria. Despite his discomfort with the mask, he remains the focal point of a French team that has reached the quarter-finals with just three goals in four matches.France's Expected Goals (XG) metric, which measures the quality of chances created, stands at nearly seven, surpassed only by Spain, Portugal, and Germany. Mbappe's own XG is 2.54, trailing only Cristiano Ronaldo and Kai Havertz.Mbappe's frustration stems from his inability to replicate his success at the World Cups at the Euros. He was instrumental in France's triumphs in Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022, scoring a hat-trick in the latter's final defeat to Argentina. However, his only goal in seven Euros appearances is a penalty against Poland."My Euros didn't start like I wanted, but I am here to help the team and I really want to have success with this team," Mbappe said before the victory against Belgium. "The Euros is the only thing I have not won with the national team, so I really want to win it."France assistant coach Guy Stephan acknowledged that Mbappe was "traumatized" by the collision that resulted in his broken nose. Additionally, his difficult final season at Paris Saint-Germain may have contributed to his subdued form.Mbappe's impending clash with Portugal holds added significance as he faces his boyhood hero, Cristiano Ronaldo. The completion of his move to Real Madrid has fulfilled a long-held dream, and his admiration for Ronaldo played a role in his decision.Now, Mbappe has the opportunity to become the star in Madrid, where Ronaldo reigned supreme for nearly a decade. However, he knows that to keep his dream of winning the European Championship alive, he must first overcome Portugal and potentially end Ronaldo's illustrious international career.

Slovenia's historic Euro 2024 campaign has reached the last-16 stage, where they face the formidable Portugal. Despite their impressive unbeaten run, Slovenia's star striker Benjamin Sesko has yet to find the back of the net.Sesko's absence from the scoresheet is a departure from his prolific form for RB Leipzig, where he scored in each of his last seven games. His versatility as a striker is evident in his ability to score with his head, unleash fierce strikes from distance, and possess exceptional speed and physicality.Despite Sesko's goal drought, Slovenia has shown resilience and determination in their group stage matches. They held England to a 1-1 draw, narrowly missed out on a victory against Denmark, and drew with Serbia in a heart-wrenching 1-1 tie.Their third-place finish in Group C sets up a clash with Portugal, who impressed with wins over Czech Republic and Turkey. However, Portugal's talismanic forward Cristiano Ronaldo has also failed to score in the tournament.Ronaldo, despite his advancing age, remains a pivotal figure for Portugal. His experience and leadership will be crucial against Slovenia, who will be looking to exploit any weaknesses in the Portuguese defense.Sesko, who was just a toddler when Ronaldo made his Euro debut in 2004, will be eager to make his mark on the tournament. His potential and the underdog status of Slovenia could inspire a similar upset to Greece's victory over Portugal in the 2004 final.

Cristiano Ronaldo's Euro 2024 campaign has been a rollercoaster of emotions, marked by both brilliance and frustration. The Portuguese superstar has been a constant presence in the spotlight, but his on-field performances have left much to be desired.Ronaldo's struggles began with a series of on-field incidents. He was booked for a rash challenge against a referee, booted away a water bottle in frustration, and remonstrated angrily in the dugout. These outbursts have raised questions about his temperament and whether he is still capable of handling the pressure of major tournaments.Compounding his on-field woes, Ronaldo has failed to score a single goal in seven consecutive matches at major tournaments, including the 2022 World Cup and Euro 2024. This is the first time in his illustrious international career that he has ended a group stage without a goal.Despite his lack of goals, Ronaldo's coach, Roberto Martinez, remains steadfast in his support. He has praised Ronaldo's work ethic and his ability to inspire his teammates. Martinez believes that Ronaldo's experience and leadership are invaluable to the team, even if he is not scoring goals.However, some critics argue that Ronaldo's continued presence in the starting lineup is a distraction for the team. They point to his declining mobility and pressing ability, which they believe are hindering Portugal's overall performance.As Portugal enters the knockout stage, the question remains: will Ronaldo's drama continue to overshadow the team's pursuit of a major title? Or will he rise to the occasion and prove that he is still a force to be reckoned with?

Euro 2024 has witnessed thrilling football and passionate fans, but the tournament has been marked by the underperformance of some of Europe's biggest stars.Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal's talisman, has yet to score in three appearances, while Kylian Mbappe, arguably the world's best player, has only managed a penalty for France. Robert Lewandowski, Poland's star striker, has been hampered by injury and has been ineffective when on the pitch.England's Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane have also failed to live up to expectations, despite their impressive performances for their clubs this season. Antoine Griezmann of France and Phil Foden of England have also struggled to make an impact.Romelu Lukaku, Belgium's all-time top scorer, has yet to find the net, while Luka Modric, Croatia's veteran midfielder, has been inconsistent.Despite the underperformance of some stars, there have been some surprising performers. N'Golo Kante has been key for France, while Jamal Musiala has been Germany's leading light. Niclas Fullkrug has scored twice for Germany, and Ivan Schranz and Razvan Marin have also impressed.Cody Gakpo of the Netherlands has scored twice, but his team's performance has been disappointing. Georgia's Georges Mikautadze is the tournament's top scorer with three goals.Spain has been the most impressive team so far, qualifying top of Group B with a game to spare. Fabian Ruiz and Marc Cucurella have been unlikely key players for the Spaniards.With 15 matches still to play, fans are eagerly awaiting the tournament's star names to join the party and light up Euro 2024.

Portugal's emphatic 3-0 victory over Turkey in the UEFA Euro 2024 group stage was marred by a series of pitch invasions that turned from heartwarming to concerning.The first incident saw a young boy invade the pitch and approach Cristiano Ronaldo. Ronaldo, known for his generosity, embraced the boy and took a selfie with him. However, subsequent pitch invasions took a more aggressive turn.Ronaldo refused to take a selfie with a second invader, who was promptly removed by stadium officials. As the game progressed, two more pitch invasions occurred during injury time, raising questions about the security measures in place.After the final whistle, two additional pitch invasions took place. One incident involved a security official colliding with Portugal striker Goncalo Ramos while attempting to apprehend an invader. Ramos was seen limping after the incident, highlighting the potential safety risks posed by such reckless behavior.The pitch invasions overshadowed Portugal's dominant performance on the field. Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes, and an own goal from Turkey secured the victory for the Portuguese. Portugal is now poised to top Group F and advance to the knockout stages.The incidents have sparked concerns about the security arrangements at Euro 2024, which is being hosted in Germany. The safety of players and the integrity of the competition are paramount, and authorities must take immediate steps to prevent further pitch invasions.

Cristiano Ronaldo, the legendary Portuguese forward, is determined to make history once again at the upcoming Euro 2024 tournament. The 39-year-old veteran believes his team deserves to add another major international trophy to their lone triumph at Euro 2016.Portugal will kick off their campaign against the Czech Republic in Leipzig on June 18, with Ronaldo expected to start and extend his record-breaking appearances at the Euros to six. Roberto Martinez's side qualified with a perfect record and should progress with ease from Group F, which also includes Turkey and Georgia."I believe this generation deserves to win a competition of this magnitude," Ronaldo declared upon arriving in Germany, setting his sights on the Henri Delaunay trophy. The former Real Madrid star triumphed with Portugal in 2016 but limped off injured against France in the final, with Eder firing the team to glory in extra time.Now plying his trade in Saudi Arabia with Al-Nassr, Ronaldo netted twice against the Republic of Ireland in a tune-up friendly last week to extend his international goals record to 130. Thus far, 14 of those have come at European Championships, making him the competition's all-time top scorer ahead of France great Michel Platini on nine.Ronaldo first appeared at the tournament in 2004 on home soil, scoring against eventual winners Greece on his Euros debut, and he has also struck in every edition since. The forward has 25 appearances at the finals, missing only one game at the tournament on the five occasions he has been selected as part of Portugal's squad.If Ronaldo nets in Germany, he will become the oldest ever Euros goalscorer, with the current record set by Austria's Ivica Vastic in 2008, scoring at 38 years and 257 days old. "I enjoy football, records are a consequence, so for me it's not a target, because I think they come naturally," said Ronaldo. "I'm happy to have a sixth European Championship and it's about enjoying it in the best way, playing well, making sure the team can win, trying to give my all and enjoying it."Despite his long and storied international career, Ronaldo said he still suffers with nerves after a men's record 207 caps for his country. "There's always that tingling in the stomach, especially the day before the game, but that's normal, that's part of it and I'm glad I feel it, because when I don't feel it, it's better to give up and stop," said the forward. "I still feel quite motivated, it's a different competition and we're all prepared."Ronaldo's ambition is fuel for his team-mates to thrive on. "Knowing Cristiano, he'll always think big, and we'll keep up with him," Manchester United defender Diogo Dalot told a news conference Saturday. "He's the one who's won the most among us... if we all realise that we have to go step by step, we can go far and I'm confident of that."While Portugal are among the favorites to lift the trophy, the Czech Republic have not gone beyond the quarter-finals for 20 years. Like their opponents, the Czechs have lifted the trophy on one occasion -- in 1976 as Czechoslovakia. A three-man defense with two wing-backs led by Slavia Prague's Tomas Holes must find a way to stop Ronaldo if they are to start strongly. However, few sides have managed that since Portugal's talisman took the stage two decades ago.One of the few challenges left for Ronaldo at the tournament is to score a hat-trick, last achieved by Spain's David Villa in 2008.