After two long days without any Euro 2024 action, the quarter-finals got going on Friday.
There were two mouthwatering ties on offer as Spain played Germany, while Kylian Mbappe and Cristiano Ronaldo went head-to-head for France and Portugal.
And what about the action online?
Here is the best of the social media posts from Thursday and Friday at Euro 2024.
New look?
The hosts have already caught the eye with their performances en route to the quarter-final.
And now, Robert Andrich has caught attention with a bold new style, possibly inspired by Germany's away kit at the tournament.
Ultimately, Andrich did not get a chance to debut his new look from the start of Germany's clash with Spain, as he was named on the bench.
Walker the cheerleader
Before starting training for the day, Kyle Walker took some time to check in on how the goalkeepers were preparing for England's tie against Switzerland.
John Stones tagged along with his Manchester City team-mate, and almost got themselves into trouble after getting a little too invested in the session.
Spanish goalkeepers put to the test
Things can get a little hectic in the penalty area during set-pieces with both teams desperate to get on the ball.
Spain have figured out an impressive way to give their goalkeepers an in-game experience during training.
Although, some of those shirt tugs would likely catch the referee's attention...
The Portuguese take over Hamburg
The Portuguese fans were out in full force before their round of 16 penalty shootout victory in Frankfurt.
They have now taken to the streets in Hamburg, with the hopes that their side can recreate the magic of the Euro 2016 final, when they beat France 1-0 to lift the trophy.
Back to their roots
France's squad is full of household names, with their players spanning the globe for their various clubs.
In a special photo shoot, they instead looked back to their beginnings, each donning the shirt of their first-ever club, and they gave a glimpse behind the scenes to see how it all came together.
The competition heats up
The Netherlands produced their best performance so far at Euro 2024 on Tuesday when they booked a place in the quarter-final with a 3-0 victory over Romania.
And their competitive spirit stretches past the pitch and into the game room at their training base.
While Nathan Ake showed off his interesting technique for a new high score, tensions were on the rise at the ping-pong table.
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."
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
