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• Mendes prepared to face Mbappe in Euro 2024 quarter-final

  Nuno Mendes insists he is prepared to face Kylian Mbappe ahead of Portugal's quarter-final meeting with France at Euro 2024. 

  Mbappe, who officially joined Real Madrid at the start of the month, played alongside Mendes at Paris Saint-Germain for two seasons. 

  The France captain has scored once for Les Bleus at the tournament, a penalty against Poland in their final Group D fixture and is yet to sparkle so far. 

  However, Mendes knows all too well the threat Mbappe carries, and is relishing the opportunity of facing him at the Volksparkstadion on Friday. 

  "I don't think he will be playing on my flank, but if it happens I'm prepared," he said. "I train every day for these moments and we are prepared to face them.

  "They have high-level players, but we also have great players. We need to do everything we can to cancel France's strengths and play our game."

  All eyes look set to fall on Mbappe and Cristiano Ronaldo, as they look to spearhead their sides to the semi-finals of the competition. 

  Ronaldo saw his penalty saved in extra-time of Portugal's last-16 tie against Slovenia and is yet to score at Euro 2024, despite registering 20 shots at the tournament. 

  Mendes has had the luxury of sharing a dressing room with both Mbappe and Ronaldo, acknowledging the threat both possess ahead of their meeting in Hamburg. 

  "They are high-level, excellent players who can make a difference at any moment," Mendes said.

  "I shared a dressing room with both of them and it was a pleasure to play with Mbappé and play with Cristiano.

  "They are incredible, from one moment to the next they make a difference."

• Mitchell replaces Ashworth as Newcastle's sporting director

  Newcastle United have confirmed the appointment of Paul Mitchell as the club's new sporting director.

  Mitchell, who previously worked for Southampton and Tottenham, replaces Dan Ashworth who joined Manchester United earlier this week. 

  Ashworth's leave was due to run until mid-2025, but it emerged on Monday that the two clubs had agreed a compensation package to 

  The 42-year-old has been out of work since October 2023, having most recently been the sporting director at Ligue 1 side, AS Monaco. 

  Speaking on his arrival to St. James' Park, Mitchell said: "It's with immense pride that I accept the responsibility of being Newcastle United's new sporting director. 

  "I've seen the recent growth and ambition of the club. This, plus the amazing fan base, made the decision to join an easy one.

  "I can't wait to get started and help continue the organisation's growth and long-term competitiveness in all areas of elite football performance."

  Mitchell's time in the Premier League saw him start with Southampton, where he is credited for the signings of Toby Alderweireld and Sadio Mane, earned him a move to Tottenham.

  As head of recruitment with Spurs, he would help mastermind the signings of Dele Alli, Heung-Min Son and Kieran Trippier before leaving for RB Leipzig in 2018. 

  Newcastle chief executive Darren Eales added: “We are delighted to welcome Paul to Newcastle United. He brings a successful track record and wealth of experience to the club.

  “His extensive and diverse experience in football leadership, cultural change and recruitment mean he is the ideal person to lead our sporting directorate.

  “We look forward to working with Paul and supporting him in our pursuit of long-term, sustainable success.”

• Scaloni's Argentina 'an honour' to play, says Sanchez

  Ecuador head coach Felix Sanchez has said it is an honour to face Lionel Scaloni's Argentina ahead of their Copa America quarter-final on Friday. 

  Sanchez, looking to secure Ecuador's first victory over Argentina since October 2015, praised his opposite number for his role in their 2021 Copa America and 2022 World Cup successes. 

  "Scaloni has built something with which he has made history," Sanchez said. 

  "It's a team that, as a spectator, is great to watch. It is an honour to be able to play against a team of this level."

  Argentina are expected to be without captain Lionel Messi for the fixture at the NRG Stadium after sustaining a hamstring injury in their 1-0 win over Chile. 

  However, Sanchez insisted that his side will still face a tough task despite the absence of Argentina's all-time leading goalscorer. 

  "Obviously, he is a player who makes a difference," Sanchez said. "We have played against them with him and without him.

  "The way they play does not change because they have managed to create a solid group and a very defined playing style that can be tweaked depending on the situation.

  "We have to be prepared for any possibility and, based on that, adjust."

  Sanchez, who took over from Gustavo Alfaro in March last year, has faced La Albiceleste on two occasions, losing both 1-0. 

  Asked if he would do anything different this time around, he said: "We have to try to compete in the best way against a team that is difficult to score goals against.

  "They are very solid and have many offensive variables.

  "Something has to be changed to try to go toe to toe with them. Our last few matches against Argentina have been closely fought encounters.

  "But now we know that we have to win to advance and our aim is to give ourselves every chance to do that."