Kylian Mbappé will start for France in their crucial Euro 2024 Group D match against Poland on Tuesday, showcasing his importance in the French lineup.

Sources reveal that France manager Didier Deschamps informed the team of this decision earlier today. The 25-year-old striker had suffered a broken nose during France’s opening 1-0 victory against Austria, which led to him being benched for the goalless draw with the Netherlands as he continued his recovery.

Although Mbappé did not require surgery, he will wear a protective mask during the game. Over the weekend, he demonstrated his readiness by scoring two goals in a behind-closed-doors practice match.

In a news conference on Monday, Deschamps confirmed that Mbappé was “raring to go” for the Poland game but acknowledged that the mask slightly impairs his vision.

“No problems with breathing but the way he sees, yes,” Deschamps stated. “For those who play with a mask, it’s not a constraint but it does limit your vision. He wears it because he needs to protect his face in certain incidents that could occur.”

France has already secured a spot in the round of 16, thanks to their win over Austria and draw with the Netherlands. To clinch the top position in Group D, they must outperform the Netherlands’ result against Austria.

Poland, on the other hand, has been eliminated from Euro 2024 after losing their first two matches, making this game a formality for them.

By starting Kylian Mbappé, France aims to maintain their momentum and secure the top spot in Group D, a crucial step for their Euro 2024 campaign.

Over recent days, speculation has been rife regarding the future of Nico Williams, the 21-year-old Spanish winger who has emerged as a top transfer target for FC Barcelona this summer.

Williams, currently with Athletic Club, has a €58 million release clause in his contract, making him a hot commodity. Alongside Barcelona, Chelsea, Arsenal, and Liverpool have shown significant interest in securing his talents.

Initially, reports suggested that Chelsea were prepared to meet the Spaniard’s release clause, posing a significant threat to Barcelona’s plans.

Chelsea Decides Against Triggering Nico Williams’ Release Clause

In a development that benefits FC Barcelona, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Chelsea will not activate Nico Williams’ €58 million release clause.

Chelsea has been monitoring Williams since last year, keeping him on their transfer radar. However, they have now opted against proceeding with the deal, deeming the total cost too high. Beyond the €58 million buyout clause, the club would also have to accommodate Williams’ salary demands and associated taxes.

Chelsea’s decision not to trigger the release clause alleviates one obstacle for Barcelona in their pursuit of the Spanish international. Nevertheless, competition remains fierce with Liverpool and Arsenal still in the fray, and Barcelona must resolve their financial constraints to make a viable offer for Williams.

Manchester United’s initial bid for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) midfielder Manuel Ugarte has been turned down according to source. The Uruguayan international, who joined PSG last season from Sporting Lisbon for approximately £51 million, has quickly drawn interest from the Premier League giants.

Ugarte has made a notable impact at PSG, amassing 37 appearances and contributing to the team’s successes in Ligue 1, the Coupe de France, and the Trophée des Champions. Despite being relatively new to the French capital, his performances have caught the eye of Manchester United, who are eager to strengthen their midfield options.

The 23-year-old is also a regular for the Uruguayan national team and recently featured in their Copa America campaign, starting in the 3-1 victory over Panama. His consistent international presence highlights his value and potential impact on any team.

With four years remaining on his contract at PSG, Ugarte’s potential move to the Premier League would mark a significant step in his career. As Manchester United continues their pursuit, it remains to be seen whether they can meet PSG’s demands to secure the talented midfielder’s services.

In their much-anticipated Copa America Group D debut on Monday night, Brazil, led by the dynamic presence of Neymar in the stands, found themselves thwarted in a goalless draw against a resilient Costa Rica side. Despite dominating possession throughout the match, Brazil’s efforts were repeatedly stymied by Costa Rica’s disciplined defensive strategy, which effectively neutralized Brazil’s attacking prowess.

The match began with Brazil asserting early dominance, dictating the tempo and creating several scoring opportunities. However, Costa Rica’s deep defensive block proved impenetrable, frustrating Brazil’s attempts to break through. The frustration for Brazil was compounded by contentious decisions from the match officials, notably a critical moment in the 30th minute when a goal by Marquinhos was disallowed for offside after a review by the video assistant referee (VAR).

Throughout the encounter, Brazil’s star-studded lineup, including the likes of Richarlison and Gabriel Jesus, struggled to find openings in Costa Rica’s well-organized defense. Neymar, serving as a spectator due to injury, could only watch as Brazil failed to convert their dominance into tangible goals.

The second half saw Brazil intensify their efforts, with coach Tite making tactical adjustments and substitutions in search of a breakthrough. However, Costa Rica remained resolute, marshalling their defense admirably to deny Brazil’s advances.

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As the final whistle blew, Brazil were left to rue missed opportunities and the VAR decision that denied them a potentially decisive goal. The draw leaves Brazil with one point from their opening fixture in a tightly contested Group D, where every point will be crucial in the pursuit of advancing to the knockout stages.

The Future for Brazil

Looking ahead, Brazil will need to regroup quickly and address their finishing in preparation for their upcoming matches in the Copa America. Meanwhile, Costa Rica will take confidence from their defensive performance as they aim to build momentum in the tournament.

The result underscores the unpredictable nature of international football and serves as a reminder that even powerhouse teams like Brazil can face formidable challenges when up against determined opponents.

Match Overview

Portugal delivered a dominant performance in their Euro 2024 group stage match against Turkey, securing a convincing 3-0 victory. This win reinforces Portugal’s strong form and strategic brilliance as they progress in the tournament.

First Half

Kick-off: The match kicked off with Portugal immediately taking control of the game, showing their attacking intent from the start.

21′ – Goal (Portugal): Bernardo Silva scored the opening goal, capitalizing on an assist from Rafael Leao, giving Portugal an early lead.

28′ – Own Goal (Turkey): Samet Akaydin’s own goal further extended Portugal’s advantage, as he mistakenly passed the ball into his own net under no pressure.

Second Half

55′ – Goal (Portugal): Bruno Fernandes sealed the victory by finishing off a pass from Cristiano Ronaldo, demonstrating Portugal’s dominance throughout the match.

Conclusion

Portugal’s 3-0 win over Turkey secured their top spot in Group F, showcasing their tactical superiority and setting them up as strong contenders in Euro 2024. Turkey will need to regroup for their final group game against the Czech Republic to determine their fate in the tournament.