Portugal and France clash in the European Championship quarterfinals this Friday, showcasing a head-to-head battle between two of soccer’s biggest stars: Cristiano Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappé. The victor will advance to face either Spain or host nation Germany in the semifinals
Les Bleus have netted only three times in four games, with one a penalty by Mbappe and the other two coming from own goals, including Jan Vertonghen's which allowed them to beat Belgium in the last 16.
Mbappe's broken nose
Mbappe has been hindered by a broken nose, which saw him miss one group game before returning to action while wearing a protective face mask. He also suggested on Thursday that he is not currently fully fit.
"I don't think I'm fully fit. It's not an excuse, but I think to be really at 100 percent, explosive and fast, I need a proper pre-season with my club," he said.
Mbappe, who recently signed for Real Madrid, will come up against his boyhood idol in Ronaldo, the Portugal captain who is now 39.
"Whatever has happened before or will happen after, he will remain a legend in the game, but of course, we hope to win tomorrow and get through to the semi-final."
Ronaldo's difficulties
Ronaldo is enduring a difficult tournament, failing to find the net and ending up in tears after missing a penalty in the last-16 tie against Slovenia from which Portugal squeezed through on penalties.
Portugal coach Roberto Martinez, meanwhile, insisted the focus cannot solely be on the two opposing superstars.
"Football is a team sport. Tomorrow is not a match between two individuals. They are two incredible players who have a big influence on the game worldwide, and that influence will continue, but tomorrow we will need a real top-level team performance if we are to win," Martinez said.
