Ivan Toney remains confident of grasping his England opportunity at Euro 2024 when that arrives, though acknowledged the frustrations over a lack of minutes in Germany.
The Brentford striker came off the bench against Slovakia in the last 16 with a minute of normal time remaining, as Jude Bellingham's stunning overhead kick forced an additional 30 minutes in Gelsenkirchen.
Toney provided the assist for Harry Kane's winner just 50 seconds into extra time, the fastest such goal in Euros history, with a smart flick-on after Eberechi Eze's scuffed volley.
Yet that was Toney's first appearance at the competition, and a maiden outing of his career at a major tournament, with Gareth Southgate admitting the forward was "disgusted" with the late introduction.
"It's always going to be tough," Toney said at a pre-match press conference on Wednesday, three days before England meet Switzerland in the last eight.
"It's tough for all of us as we play week in, week out for our clubs. I have been in this position before and when I get an opportunity I'll take it."
Toney, indeed, took his opportunity against Slovakia, managing 22 touches in just 30 minutes, only six fewer than team-mate Kane, who played 105.
Having enjoyed a prolonged spell as Thomas Frank's first-choice striking option at Premier League side Brentford, Toney admits he is still getting to grips with playing a supporting role to Kane.
"At my club, there is a guy called Michael Caufield [a sports psychologist] and he talks about controlling your emotions," the 28-year-old added.
"Yes, I was annoyed but there was still 30 minutes of football to play [including extra time] and you have got to come out of that mood and focus.
"I feel like, people call them substitutes, others finishers. I think you have to be ready and there's more than 11 players needed to win a tournament."
Southgate and Toney smoothed the relationship "by winning", the current England international joked in front of the media.
The England manager may still need to call upon Toney on Saturday, however, if penalties are required to settle an enticing last-eight meeting with Switzerland.
"If I score, I score. If I miss, I miss," he said. "You have to step up and you have to have the courage to take a penalty. For those who racially abused a player for missing a penalty, more fool them."
Paraguay dismiss Garnero after dismal Copa America campaign
Paraguay have dismissed head coach Daniel Garnero after less than a year in charge following their woeful Copa America campaign.
The Paraguayan Football Association (APF) announced the decision on Monday, parting ways with the 54-year-old after just 10 matches in charge.
Paraguay finished bottom of Group D without a win at the 2024 Copa, losing to Colombia 2-1, 4-1 to Brazil and then 2-1 to Costa Rica.
"The APF announces the termination of the relationship with DT Daniel Garnero as head coach of the Paraguayan national team," the federation said in a short statement on social media.
The 54-year-old was only appointed in September 2023, replacing compatriot Guillermo Barros Schelotto.
Yet Argentina's Garnero was given his marching orders with Paraguay out of the continental tournament, and sitting seventh in the 10-team standings for South American qualification to the 2026 World Cup.
Borussia Dortmund seal €22.5m deal for Stuttgart captain Anton
Borussia Dortmund have signed Stuttgart captain Waldemar Anton in a deal said to be worth €22.5million.
Last season's beaten Champions League finalists have been on the lookout for reinforcements at centre-back after allowing Mats Hummels to leave on a free.
Anton, who appeared twice for Germany as they reached the quarter-finals at Euro 2024, was a key part of the Stuttgart team that finished second in the Bundesliga last season.
He played in 33 of their 34 league games in 2023-24 as they finished as runners-up to unbeaten champions Bayer Leverkusen, one point clear of Bayern Munich.
Anton, who has penned a four-year deal with BVB, told the club's website: "I didn't originally plan to change clubs – but then Borussia Dortmund came along. A top club that has just reached the Champions League final. This shows the potential of this club."
He is the first signing to arrive at Signal Iduna Park under Nuri Sahin, who succeeded Edin Terzic as head coach last month.
Mbappe at '50% is 100% for anyone else', warns De la Fuente ahead of semi-final
Luis de la Fuente has no doubt over Kylian Mbappe's threat in Spain's Euro 2024 semi-final on Tuesday, suggesting the France forward at "50% is 100% for anyone else".
Mbappe has scored just one goal from 20 shots at the tournament in Germany, a penalty against Poland in Les Bleus' final group game.
The Real Madrid-bound has been hampered by a mask, required after his broken nose against Austria in the opening game, but continues to struggle at the European Championship.
Mbappe has scored just once from 34 attempts in the Euros overall, a contrast to his record at the World Cup, where the former Paris Saint-Germain star has 12 goals from 39 shots.
Yet the Spain boss insists La Roja will not write off the Les Bleus captain, despite his recent underwhelming form.
"He is unpredictable, he never disappears," De la Fuente said at Monday's pre-match press conference. "His level at 50% is 100% for anyone else.
"He can beat someone in two moves. He is a genius and a superstar.
"We are going to try to minimise his influence, we have the tools to do it regardless of who is on the pitch. I have blind faith in my team to get to the final."
Mbappe may be a marked man for the Spanish, yet De la Fuente's team are in scintillating form as the only team to triumph in all five matches at Euro 2024 so far.
No team has ever won six matches at a single Euros tournament, however, nor managed six straight wins in the competition.
Yet De la Fuente has absolute confidence in Spain reaching their fifth European Championship final, with only Germany – who La Roja downed 2-1 in extra time in the quarter-finals – managing more with six.
"For me, my team is the best, but we have a great rival in front of us who is just as good," he added.
"I will think that my team is the best team even if they knock us out. I analyse the team's potential and they have exceptional potential.
"Everyone gets bored or has fun with what they want, football never bores me. We are recovering well, but it is only a few days, it is the same problem for everyone.
"We will see how we are tomorrow, motivation makes you overcome any adversity."
A France player is yet to score from open play at the tournament, with Les Bleus' game seeing two penalties scored and two own goals.
De la Fuente still refused to ignore the quality of Didier Deschamps' men, adding: "Physically, France are one of the strongest, we know the players and we know how to fight them."
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