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.

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.

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.

France and the Netherlands played out a goalless draw in Leipzig, edging closer to the last 16 of Euro 2024. The match lacked the spark of Kylian Mbappe, who sat out due to a broken nose.Despite the absence of their talisman, France had the better chances. Antoine Griezmann missed two glorious opportunities, while Marcus Thuram and Aurelien Tchouameni also came close. The Dutch, roared on by a large contingent of fans, had a goal controversially ruled out for offside. Xavi Simons fired in the rebound after Mike Maignan saved from Memphis Depay, but Denzel Dumfries was adjudged to have interfered with Maignan's line of sight.The draw leaves both teams level on four points at the top of Group D, one ahead of Austria. France face Poland, while the Netherlands take on Austria in the final games of the section on Tuesday.France coach Didier Deschamps opted for security in midfield, replacing Mbappe with Tchouameni. Without their captain, the 2022 World Cup finalists looked to Griezmann for inspiration. The stand-in skipper tested Bart Verbruggen from distance but missed a sitter before half-time.The Dutch had their moments, with Jeremie Frimpong forcing Maignan into an early save. Cody Gakpo also tested the French goalkeeper with a low drive.In the second half, France continued to create chances. Thuram fired wide from the edge of the area, while Tchouameni headed over. Griezmann was guilty of another big miss when he failed to convert a clear-cut opportunity.The major talking point of the match was the disallowed Dutch goal. Simons' effort was ruled out after a lengthy VAR check, much to the frustration of the Dutch players and fans.Deschamps resisted the temptation to risk Mbappe in the closing stages, instead sending on Olivier Giroud and Kingsley Coman. However, neither side could find a winner, and both teams settled for a point that is likely to be enough to secure their passage to the knockout rounds.

France, boasting an impressive squad depth, faces a significant challenge in the absence of their talismanic forward Kylian Mbappe, who is sidelined with a broken nose. The injury, sustained in their opening Euro 2024 match against Austria, casts doubt on Mbappe's availability for the upcoming clash with the Netherlands on Friday.Despite the setback, France remains confident in their ability to overcome the Netherlands without their star striker. Midfielder Adrien Rabiot expressed optimism, stating, "We have an exceptional squad. I have total confidence in the guys on the bench and the quality we have."Mbappe's absence is a significant blow, given his prolific scoring record and impact on the team's performances. However, France has shown resilience in recent matches without him, including a 2-1 victory over the Netherlands in Euro 2024 qualifying.Coach Didier Deschamps has several options to replace Mbappe, including veteran striker Olivier Giroud, who played a key role in France's World Cup triumph in Qatar. Giroud, despite his age and recent groin injury, remains a reliable goal threat.Another option is Marcus Thuram, who can move from the left wing to a central role. However, Thuram has limited international experience and has only scored twice for France. Randal Kolo Muani is another possibility, but he has struggled for confidence after a difficult season at PSG.Despite the absence of Mbappe, France's performance against Austria suggests they have the defensive solidity to shut out most opponents. N'Golo Kante's return to the midfield has provided stability, while the defense has looked impressive.If France can secure a positive result against the Netherlands, they could seal their place in the last 16, allowing Mbappe to potentially sit out the final Group D game against Poland. However, the team will be eager to prove that they can succeed without their star player, demonstrating the depth and quality of their squad.

France celebrated a milestone victory as they secured a 1-0 triumph over Austria in their Euro 2024 opener, marking manager Didier Deschamps' 100th win at the helm. However, the victory was marred by an injury to star forward Kylian Mbappe.France's dominance was evident from the outset, with Mbappe's dazzling dribbling and incisive passing causing constant problems for the Austrian defense. In the 38th minute, Mbappe's brilliance paid off as he danced past three defenders and delivered a pinpoint cross that forced Austria's Max Wober to inadvertently head the ball into his own net.Despite their early advantage, France struggled to maintain their momentum. Austria's relentless high-pressing and aggressive tackling kept them in the contest, and they nearly took the lead before France's goal when Marcel Sabitzer's cross found Christoph Baumgartner, whose shot was deflected wide.After the interval, France regained some control, with Marcus Thuram forcing a fine save from Austria goalkeeper Patrick Pentz. However, the Austrians remained resolute, and their passionate fans roared them on until the final whistle.Mbappe's night took a sour turn late on when he collided with Austria's Patrick Pentz, resulting in a suspected broken nose. The incident left Mbappe bloodied and bruised, and he was eventually substituted with a yellow card for sitting down on the pitch after receiving treatment.Despite the injury to their talisman, France held on for the victory, thanks in no small part to the masterful performance of N'Golo Kante in midfield. The returning midfielder justified his recall to the squad with a dominant display, breaking up Austria's attacks and providing a solid foundation for his team.France now join the Netherlands on three points after the Dutch beat Poland 2-1 on Sunday. They will face the Netherlands in their next match, while Austria will take on Poland in a bid to keep their hopes of reaching the knockout stages alive.

France, the reigning World Cup champions, embark on their Euro 2024 campaign with a mission to conquer the elusive European Championship title. Led by the prodigious Kylian Mbappe, Les Bleus aim to make amends for their recent disappointments in the continental tournament.Despite their World Cup triumph in 2018 and UEFA Nations League victory in 2021, France has failed to lift the European Championship since Didier Deschamps took over as coach in 2012. As runners-up in 2016 and a disappointing exit in the last 16 of Euro 2020, the French are determined to make history in Germany.Mbappe, now a Real Madrid star, is eager to lead his country to glory. "The Euros is the only thing he [Deschamps] is missing as a coach," Mbappe said. "After that, he will have ticked every box."France boasts a formidable squad, with Mbappe as the centerpiece. Antoine Griezmann is expected to reprise his midfield role, while Marcus Thuram and Theo Hernandez will provide attacking threat from the left flank. The return of N'Golo Kante adds experience and stability to the midfield.Despite recent unconvincing performances, Deschamps remains confident in his team's ability to find their best form in Germany. He has made tactical adjustments, including experimenting with Griezmann's position and introducing a more attacking left side.William Saliba, Arsenal's rising star, is poised to establish himself in the central defense. Ousmane Dembele's pace and skill on the right wing pose a constant threat to opponents.France's ambitions are not dampened by their recent struggles. "Our ambitions have not changed," said winger Kingsley Coman. "We'll do everything we can."With a blend of experience and youthful exuberance, France has the potential to go all the way in Euro 2024. Their quest for European glory begins on Monday against Austria, as they aim to make a statement and bring a divided country together.

Real Madrid's acquisition of Kylian Mbappe has sent shockwaves through the football world, further solidifying their dominance over arch-rivals Barcelona. The Spanish giants have wrestled back the La Liga title and claimed a record 15th Champions League trophy, and Mbappe's arrival adds another layer of star power to an already formidable squad.Barcelona, on the other hand, continues to grapple with financial challenges that have hindered their ability to compete in the transfer market. The club has squandered hundreds of millions of euros on failed signings and exorbitant salaries, leaving them unable to match Madrid's financial muscle.Mbappe's free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain is a testament to Madrid's financial prowess. The 25-year-old's lavish salary and sign-on fee would be out of reach for Barcelona, who have been forced to rely on loan arrivals and out-of-contract stars.Coach Carlo Ancelotti faces the challenge of integrating Mbappe into an already star-studded attack that includes Vinicius Junior. The Brazilian winger occupies a similar position on the left flank, making Mbappe's arrival a potential luxury. However, Real Madrid president Florentino Perez views Mbappe as the final piece of the puzzle, completing the club's ambitious stadium refurbishment project.In contrast, Barcelona has been forced to settle for more modest signings, such as Nico Williams from Athletic Bilbao. The Spain international's 50 million euro release clause makes him a more financially feasible option than other players of similar quality. However, any significant arrivals would require Barcelona to offload players to balance the books.The Catalans hope that Mbappe's arrival could disrupt the harmony in Madrid's dressing room, given his superstar status. Ancelotti may also take time to find the best system to accommodate the forward.Barcelona's reliance on their La Masia youth academy has intensified in recent years, as the club seeks to develop homegrown talent to compete with Madrid's financial might. Young players like Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsi have emerged as potential stars, giving hope that Barcelona can continue to challenge Madrid's dominance.Mbappe's impact on La Liga is expected to be significant. With Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo's goalscoring exploits in the past, it has been eight years since any player has scored 40 league goals. Mbappe has the potential to break that streak, forcing opponents to sit deeper and deeper to prevent him and Vinicius from wreaking havoc on the counter-attack.