Kylian Mbappe is determined to write his own script when he has the "honour" of facing Cristiano Ronaldo in the Euro 2024 quarter-finals.
France will take on Portugal for a place in the last four on Friday, having overcome Belgium 1-0 in the last 16 via a late Jan Vertonghen own goal.
Portugal, meanwhile, beat Slovenia on penalties after Ronaldo missed a plethora of chances in a goalless draw, seeing an extra-time spot-kick saved by Jan Oblak.
Ronaldo has had more shots (20) than any other player at Euro 2024, accumulating a total expected goals (xG) figure of 2.75 but failing to score.
At each of his previous 10 major international tournaments (World Cup or European Championships), he got off the mark before the end of the group stage.
The battle between Mbappe and Ronaldo is sure to turn heads on Friday, with the former also enduring a frustrating tournament, suffering a broken nose in Les Bleus' first group match and only scoring from the penalty spot against Poland on matchday three.
Many have touted Mbappe as something of a successor to Ronaldo since he sealed his move to Real Madrid, but the France skipper is determined to be his own player.
"It's an honour, everyone knows the admiration I have for him," Mbappe said of Ronaldo at Thursday's pre-match press conference.
"We are always in touch. He will remain a legend of the game but we hope to beat him tomorrow.
"Do I envy him? You have to know how to appreciate what he is and what he has been. He is a unique player, his CV speaks for itself. We have respect for him.
"He's unique! There is only one like him. I just want to follow my passage. I hope that I will write a big page at Real but it will be different to his."
France lost to Portugal on home soil in the Euro 2016 final, with Eder netting an extra-time winner as Ronaldo gave instructions from the sidelines after going off injured.
Didier Deschamps refused to be drawn on whether the Selecao have regressed since then, saying: "They were strong. That was eight years ago but it was painful.
"I don't know if they are stronger or weaker, but we're in the quarter-finals. All the best teams are there. They are one of the best teams in Europe. It will be a great game."
France are yet to score a goal from open play at this tournament, only netting via an Mbappe penalty and two own goals, leading to criticism from the media at home.
Les Bleus' total of 67 shots has only been bettered by Spain (82), Portugal (73) and Germany (72), but they have underperformed their xG figures by a greater margin (-3.94, three goals from 6.94 xG) than any other side at the tournament.
Asked about that criticism, Deschamps said: "That is a popular craze now. There are people who may not be happy but I have seen other people happy.
"It would be more exciting to win 5-4, for sure. The critics are there to do their job, they have always been part of my daily life. It doesn't stop me from living."
Khadija Shaw brace powers Manchester City to commanding 4-0 win over Leicester City in WSL
Jamaican forward Khadija "Bunny" Shaw delivered a stellar performance on Sunday, scoring twice as Manchester City Women cruised to a 4-0 victory over Leicester City in the Women’s Super League (WSL). Jess Park and Mary Fowler also found the net in a dominant display that underscored City’s title ambitions.
The win was a much-needed bounce-back for Gareth Taylor’s side, who were coming off a disappointing loss to Chelsea. The victory keeps Manchester City second in the WSL standings and reinforces their strong start to the season.
City wasted no time asserting their dominance, with Shaw finding the back of the net just two minutes into the match. Kerstin Casparij whipped in a pinpoint cross, and the Jamaican striker rose above the Leicester defense to head home from close range.
Shaw doubled her tally in the 22nd minute, this time benefiting from Leila Ouahabi’s precision delivery from the left flank. The goal capped an electrifying first-half performance from Shaw, who showcased her aerial prowess and clinical finishing.
Jess Park made it 3-0 early in the second half with a stunning strike from distance, leaving Leicester’s goalkeeper with no chance. Mary Fowler completed the scoring with a superb half-volley after a defensive miscue from Leicester, sealing a comprehensive victory for City.
Despite the emphatic win, there was a minor concern for City late in the game as midfielder Jill Roord required treatment for an apparent injury. Roord left the pitch as a precaution, and City finished the match with 10 players.
The result marks another chapter in Khadija Shaw’s sensational season, with the Reggae Girlz star continuing to cement her reputation as one of the league’s top strikers. Manchester City will look to carry this momentum into their next fixture as they push for WSL glory.
Galaxy dedicate record-extending MLS Cup triumph to 'special' Puig
The LA Galaxy won a record-extending sixth MLS Cup title with a 2-1 victory over the New York Red Bulls on Saturday, with their triumph motivated by Riqui Puig's injury.
The Galaxy found themselves two goals in front after 13 minutes thanks to strikes from Joseph Paintsil and Dejan Joveljic before Sean Nealis reduced the deficit.
Greg Vanney's side were able to hang on to seal the victory after the break, with many of the Galaxy players paying tribute to the absent Puig.
The Spaniard missed Saturday's showpiece after sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in their Western Conference final victory over the Seattle Sounders.
Puig had been instrumental for the Galaxy this season, registering 31 goal involvements (17 goals, 14 assists) across all competitions.
He also created more chances (70) than any of his Galaxy team-mates, who dedicated their victory to Puig.
"It’s really special," said Mark Delgado. “When Riqui went down in the last game, and that final whistle blew, we were all happy. But to see him go down, we all felt so sad for him.
"It was just more of a motivation and another reason to step out there and win. A brother of ours went down, and we got to win this thing. We’re so happy to win this for him.”
After opening the scoring in the ninth minute, Paintsil was swarmed by his team-mates after tucking his shot past the onrushing Carlos Coronel.
But among the madness, the Ghanaian looked to the bench to grab Puig’s jersey and raise it toward the Galaxy faithful, with Joveljic following suit after his strike.
“This guy is unbelievable. One of the best players in the league, Riqui," added Diego Fagundez. “And today showed, even though he wasn’t on the field, we’re a family in here.
"We’re with each other so much that we’re like brothers. And it doesn’t matter if someone goes down, we’re all together. And today, we did it for him, and we did it for ourselves.”
“The first message that he said before we were in the huddle was ‘don’t do it for me, do it for each other,’ and that’s the right kind of mentality we want to have.
"He, as a player, he deserves everything. I know this is what he wanted.”
Puig was in the stands to support his side during the match, and despite not being able to help on the pitch, the Spaniard expressed his gratitude to his team-mates.
“Honestly, I’m very happy," Puig told MLS El Resumen. “It’s been a very complicated week for me, but people are giving me a lot of support, sending me messages.
"I apologise for not being able to respond to almost anybody because it’s been really complicated for me to face this type of injury.
"I was very afraid of it, even more so for nine months, to wait for this match. And I think today the team played spectacularly.”
Dortmund will learn from Gladbach draw, says 'hurt' Sahin
Nuri Sahin was left "hurt" and frustrated after his Borussia Dortmund team were pegged back to a 1-1 draw by Borussia Monchengladbach.
Dortmund took the lead through Jamie Gittens in the 75th minute of Saturday's Bundesliga contest, but hosts Gladbach swiftly hit back when Kevin Stoger converted a penalty.
Gladbach were reduced to 10 in stoppage time when substitute Tomas Cvancara received two bookings in quick succession, but Dortmund were made to settle for a draw.
It means Sahin's team, who created three big chances – defined as an opportunity from which a player would reasonably be expected to score – and had 16 shots, have still not won an away game in the league this term.
"It is frustrating that we did not kill off the game, that we did not score a second goal," said Sahin, who saw his goalkeeper Gregor Kobel make a fine save late on to deny Robin Hack.
"It hurts and is maybe more frustrating than the away defeats before. But we will learn from this."
Dortmund also lost Niklas Sule and Maximilian Beier to injury.
And the duo are now doubts for Dortmund's Champions League meeting with Barcelona next week.
"This is like a bad joke to be honest," said Sahin, who has had to grapple with a long injury list all seen.
"I don't know if I have done something wrong to have that many injures.
"Obviously after having taken them off, they are doubtful for Wednesday."
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