The action continued at Euro 2024 on Saturday, with Portugal becoming the second side to clinch their place as group winners, after Spain.
It was a memorable day for Cristiano Ronaldo, and not only because a total of six pitch invaders attempted to get a picture with the legendary forward.
He laid on a record-breaking seventh goal at the European Championships as the Selecao crushed Turkiye 3-0, while there was nothing to separate Georgia and Czechia in a 1-1 draw elsewhere in Group F.
In Group E, meanwhile, it's all to play for with all four teams on three points after two games, following Belgium's 2-0 victory over Romania.
Here, we run through all the best Opta stats to emerge from the day's matches.
Georgia 1-1 Czechia: Mikautadze replicates Shevchenko feat
The first game of the day served up yet another entertaining encounter as Georgia claimed their first point at a major tournament against Czechia in Hamburg.
Georges Mikautadze gave Georgia the lead after Robin Hranac was adjudged to have handled the ball inside the area, scoring from the penalty spot to become the sixth player to net both of his nation's first two goals at the European Championships, and the first since Andriy Shevchenko in 2012 for Ukraine.
Giorgi Mamardashvili made eight saves in the first half, equalling the most of any goalkeeper in an entire game at Euro 2024, as Georgia held their advantage until the break.
Despite his heroics, Georgia's lead was gone 14 minutes into the second half as Patrik Schick moved ahead of Milan Baros as Czechia's top scorer at the Euros, putting the ball in off his chest from close range for his sixth goal at the competition (five in 2020).
Czechia continued to dominate proceedings, but their lack of clinical edge in front of goal proved costly. They recorded 12 shots on target against Georgia; the most by a team who failed to win a match at the European Championships on record (since 1980).
But a lot of that was down to the inspired performance of Mamardashvili. The Georgia goalkeeper made three saves in the second half, taking his tally to 11 for the match, with only Latvia's Alexanders Kolinko (12) making more in a game at the Euros on record (since 1980), against the Netherlands in 2004.
However, Georgia had a golden opportunity to earn their maiden win at a major tournament when they found themselves three-on-one with the clock ticking down, but Saba Lobjanidze could only fire the ball over the bar.
Georgia now know they must beat Portugal in their final group game in Gelsenkirchen next Wednesday, but they can take confidence from their recent form.
Since losing three in a row between June and September 2023, Georgia have only lost two of their last nine games in all competitions (four wins, three draws).
Turkiye 0-3 Portugal: Ronaldo breaks all-time assist record
259 miles west of Dortmund, Portugal became the latest team to confirm their place in the last 16 of Euro 2024 with a comfortable triumph over Turkiye, recording their joint-biggest victory in a match at the Euros in the process.
Roberto Martinez's side were aided by a defensive disasterclass from their opponents, having taken the lead through Bernardo Silva's first international goal at a major tournament.
Samet Akaydin's calamitous own goal doubled their advantage, the defender's misplaced back pass rolling in for only the second own goal from outside the box in European Championship history, after Pedri achieved the unwanted feat for Spain against Croatia at Euro 2020.
Portugal will, however, be without Rafael Leao for their final group game against Georgia, having picked up his second yellow card of Euro 2024, both for diving, becoming the only player on record (since 1980) to have multiple cards for simulation at the tournament.
Bruno Fernandes made sure of the victory 10 minutes into the second half, with more defensive blunders allowing Ronaldo to lay the ball on a plate to secure his seventh assist at the European Championships – the most on record (since 1968) of any player in the competition’s history.
Manchester United midfielder Fernandes continued his stellar spell for his national side, and he has now been involved in 28 goals in his last 23 appearances for Portugal in all competitions, scoring 15 and assisting 13.
Martinez's side have now won both of their group-stage games so far in Euro 2024, more than they did in the 2016 and 2020 editions combined (one win, four draws, one defeat). It’s the third time they’ve won their opening two games at a single edition of the competition, after Euro 2000 and Euro 2008.
After an impressive opening display against Georgia, Turkiye suffered their 11th defeat in the group stages of the Euros, with only Denmark (13) having more such defeats in the history of the competition.
Belgium 2-0 Romania: De Bruyne the star as Red Devils bounce back
Following their surprise 1-0 defeat to Slovakia on matchday one, Belgium bounced back with a 2-0 victory over Romania in Cologne, ensuring they continued their run of winning at least one game on all seven of their appearances at the European Championships.
They wasted little time in getting their noses in front, with Aston Villa's Youri Tielemans lashing home from the edge of the box after just 73 seconds.
That was Belgium's fastest ever goal at a major tournament (World Cup/Euros) and the third-fastest strike in Euros history, after Russia's Dmitry Kirichenko (76 seconds) against Greece in 2004 and Albania's Nedim Bajrami (23 seconds) versus Italy this year.
It was Tielemans' first goal at a major international tournament on his 13th such appearance, with five of his eight strikes for his country coming from outside the area.
Domenico Tedesco's team continued to dominate as they sought a two-goal cushion, with Romelu Lukaku penalised for offside in the second half following a VAR review, having a third goal chalked off at this tournament – more than any player has scored thus far.
Fortunately for Belgium, Kevin De Bruyne stepped up to make the points safe 11 minutes from time, prodding past Florin Nita when one-on-one.
Since the start of the 2014 World Cup (his first major tournament), no Belgian has been involved in more Euro or World Cup goals than the Manchester City star, whose 13 goal contributions (four goals, nine assists) put him level with Lukaku and Eden Hazard.
De Bruyne's five shots against Romania were his most in a Euros match since 2016 (seven versus Hungary). No player on the pitch had more shots, shots on target (three), made more tackles (four) or won more fouls (four) than the Belgium skipper.
The result means all four teams in Group E have three points with one game remaining, setting up a tense finale for next Wednesday.
This is the first time that a European Championship group has featured four teams level on points ahead of the final set of fixtures.
Crystal Palace 0-7 Chelsea: Blues run riot to keep Bompastor perfect
Sonia Bompastor maintained her perfect start to life as Chelsea head coach as her side turned on the style in the second half to beat Crystal Palace 7-0 on Friday.
After Lauren James saw a goal ruled out, the Blues found their breakthrough in the 38th minute as Agnes Beever-Jones turned home Johanna Rytting Kaneryd's delivery.
Lucy Bronze handed the visitors the perfect start to the second half, guiding a strike into the far corner for her first Chelsea goal since her move from Barcelona.
The result was put beyond doubt just before the hour-mark as James finally got her name on the scoresheet, opening her account for the season from close range.
But the Blues were not done there. Guro Reiten struck beyond Shae Yanez for Chelsea's fourth, with Catarina Macario's corner then finished by Nathalie Bjorn.
Reiten notched her second in the 90th minute, with Macario adding gloss to an impressive showing from the defending champions as she capitalised on Yanez's parry to compound the newly-promoted Eagles to a second defeat of the season.
Data Debrief: Ruthless Blues clip Eagles' wings
After a battling display against Aston Villa on the opening day, Bompastor's side showcased the attacking ruthlessness that was missing a week ago.
James was a particular standout for the Blues, registering a team-high expected goals (xG) tally of 0.95 to Chelsea's 2.47 total from her four shots during the encounter.
Chelsea ended the contest with 24 shots, 11 of which were on target, completing 56 touches inside the opposition's box compared to Palace's 12.
But for all of their attacking brilliance, Chelsea have now kept a clean sheet in each of their last five games in the Women's Super League. Their last longer run of games without conceding a goal in the competition was a run of six matches between February and April in 2021.
Philadelphia Union v Atlanta United: No margin for error with playoffs in sight, says Curtin
Jim Curtin knows Philadelphia Union have no margin for error as they chase a playoff spot, with Atlanta United next up for them in MLS.
The Union are currently ninth in the Eastern Conference, having put together big back-to-back wins against New York City FC (5-1) and D.C. United (4-0) in their last two matches.
They have now won three of their last four matches in the league, but Curtin warned his players that they cannot ease off the pressure until their playoff spot is secured.
"Every game is must win now. There's no margin for error for any team that isn't above the red line comfortably," Curtin said.
"The home games always become really critical. We've had a tough schedule, but all these points matter because anything could be the difference.
"There'll be a lot of highs and lows, and everybody still has hope and it's going to be a sprint to the finish. We recognise the challenge, but you have to say must-win until you're mathematically eliminated."
Meanwhile, Atlanta sit two places and three points below their opponents in the table after failing to win any of their last three matches.
They have drawn their last two outings 2-2 though, and interim head coach Rob Valentino is hoping they can take a more direct approach in an attempt to find a cutting edge.
"Do we really think we can play through? Then great, let's do it," Valentino said. "But if I think that we can be more direct and expose their centrebacks or expose a certain area of the pitch, let's go and do it.
"Let's not waste time with the ball. The intentional possession of what we're doing with it. I just want to make sure that we're intentional about what we're doing with the ball."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Philadelphia Union – Mikael Uhre
Mikael Uhre scored the opening goal in the Union's win over D.C. United on Sunday, his fourth straight match with a goal.
Uhre is the fifth player in Union history to score in four straight regular-season matches, though only one, Daniel Gazdag, has scored in five straight (August-September 2022).
Atlanta United – Edwin Mosquera
Edwin Mosquera's goal at 90+2' for Atlanta United on Saturday was the club's 11th goal from outside the box this season.
Only Sporting Kansas City and Real Salt Lake (12 each) have more in 2024.
MATCH PREDICTION: PHILADELPHIA UNION WIN
The Union have won each of their last four regular-season home matches against Atlanta United. Atlanta's lone win at Subaru Park was a 2-0 victory in July 2018.
The Union have won two straight matches, winning each by a four-goal margin. This is the 15th time in MLS history a team has recorded back-to-back four-goal wins, including the second by the Union (August 2022), but no team has ever won three straight matches by four or more goals.
Meanwhile, Atlanta have won only two of their last 10 regular season matches (D3 L5) dating back to the beginning of July. Each of Atlanta's last two matches ended in 2-2 draws.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Philadelphia Union – 56.9%
Draw – 22.3%
Atlanta United – 20.8%
'I love him' - Arteta adamant title fight will not affect relationship with Guardiola
Mikel Arteta insists the title fight between Arsenal and Manchester City will not affect his relationship with Pep Guardiola.
The sides played out a dramatic 2-2 draw in the Premier League last Sunday, with City snatching a last-gasp equaliser after 10-man Arsenal had staunchly defended throughout the second half.
Leandro Trossard was dismissed at the end of the first half, receiving a second yellow card for kicking the ball away, and Arsenal were accused of using the "dark arts" in their attempts to come away with three points.
The Gunners spent a total of nine minutes and four seconds on their goal-kicks in Sunday's match – the most by any team in a Premier League game this season.
Meanwhile, the average delay at Arsenal restarts (goal-kicks, throw-ins and free-kicks) was 42.7 seconds, with only Aston Villa versus Wolves (47.3) taking longer this term.
Multiple City players have since criticised the tactics, with arguments also taking place on the pitch, but Arteta says his friendship with Guardiola would not suffer because of any on-pitch disagreements.
"I love him [Guardiola]. I respect him and admire him. I admire his team and everything he does," Arteta said.
"This is sport. One thing is our professional, another is my personal relationship. If that has to be damaged because we play against each other, then I wouldn't talk to him anymore!
"That's not the relationship I consider both of us have. Sport will never get in my way for a personal relationship, for sure."
Asked if the accusations aimed at Arsenal could affect it, Arteta added: "It depends. If it's true, but if it's not, and you show your integrity, do what you think is right, it doesn't have to.
"It's opinions. If you don't like them, you shouldn't be sitting where I am.
"It's simple, don't take it personally, make sure you handle the things you care about in the right way, and I really care about that relationship. It's the same as a lot of staff and players I've spent very important years of my life working with."
Arsenal are back in action against Leicester City in the Premier League on Saturday.
SportsMax is the Caribbean sports channel of choice, committed to providing sporting content of the highest quality to the Caribbean, delivered by a team of highly innovative, passionate and qualified professionals.
(876) 619-7629
digitalmedia@sportsmax.tv
