The former World Cup defender, who played club football in England and Hong Kong, made his picks all the way to the final on a Chinese sports show.

The Frenchman famously grew up with posters of the Portugal skipper on his wall and will follow in his footsteps by moving to Real Madrid.

Austria had emerged as dark horses after topping their group, but Turkey progress to face Netherlands.

After a Cody Gakpo opener, Donyell Malen scores two late goals to see off Romania and send the Dutch into last eight.

Les Bleus have scored only three times in four games so far at the European Championship, once from a penalty by Mbappe and twice via opposition defenders.

Portugal won 3-0 in a shoot-out after Slovenia held them to a 0-0 draw following Cristiano Ronaldo’s extra-time miss from the spot in a dramatic last 16 clash.

Lucky break sends the 2022 World Cup runners-up into a last-eight tie on Friday as they remain on course to become European champions for a third time.

The German has restored his reputation after an ill-fated stint at Old Trafford by taking the Austrians to the verge of their first-ever Euro quarter-finals.

Goals from Rodri, Fabian Ruiz, Nico Williams and Dani Olmo see La Roja overcome the surprise package.

Jude Bellingham’s overhead kick and Harry Kane’s strike in extra-time breathe new life into Gareth Southgate’s reign as England boss.

The European Championship knockout round gets under way with the hosts reaching the last eight in a storm-interrupted encounter, while the holders are going home.

Billionaire former prime minister Bidzina Ivanishvili said on Thursday he would donate 30 million lari (HK$83.65m) to the national football team after they upset Portugal to qualify for the Euro 2024 last 16.

He remains one of Europe’s most feared attackers on the field – but the French forward’s appearances off it also show a similar instinct for the killer touch … in fashion

One of Netherlands, Romania, Austria and Turkey will be in semi-finals as tournament opens up following some surprise results to cap off the group phase.

England top Group C, but boss Gareth Southgate says reaction to team has created ‘unusual environment’

Italy progress in second place behind winners Spain with 1-1 draw against Croatia and will face Switzerland in the last 16.

Match was not a cruise for a Spain team showing 10 changes to the side which started their 1-0 win over Italy four days earlier.

Forward is likely to undergo surgery after fracturing several bones in his face in a clash with Scotland’s goalkeeper late in the teams’ final group match, which was halted for almost 10 minutes.

Result means Switzerland, rather than Germany, face a tougher last-16 assignment, setting up a potential meeting with holders Italy or 2018 World Cup finalists Croatia.

Kevin Csoboth’s goal in 10th minute of added time is a bitter end to Scotland’s bid to reach the knockout phase of a major tournament for first time.

Portugal’s star striker posed for a photo with a young boy during match against Turkey on Saturday but grew exasperated as at least five more fans also invaded the pitch hoping for photos.

Victory against Hungary on Sunday would almost certainly send Scotland through to knockout stages of major competition for the first time.

Readers discuss the level of parity among military rivals in the Asia-Pacific, a temporary cricket stadium in the US, and the football tournament of the moment.

Spanish could have had the match won before Italy suffer stroke of misfortune in the tournament’s biggest match to date.

Draw leaves the 2020 runners-up at the top of Group C, while Denmark are second after Slovenia’s result against Serbia earlier.

‘We do not give up,’ manager Dragan Stojkovic says, praising persistent attacks that earned a last-gasp equaliser, keeping Serbia’s tournament hopes alive.

A round-up of all the action from day six, which produced our first last-16 entrant and more last-minute drama in which an Albania midfielder went from villain to hero.

The French superstar broke his nose in an aerial collision during the 1-0 win against Austria and will have to wear a face mask if he plays on at the tournament.

Coach Luis de la Fuente is hoping for more of the same from his ‘fantastic’ Paris Saint-Germain playmaker, who was outstanding in the win over Croatia.