Frenkie de Jong has returned to non-contact training with the Netherlands as he steps up his recovery from an ankle injury, but he may not make their Euro 2024 opener against Poland.
De Jong was included in Ronald Koeman's final 26-man squad for the Euros despite an ankle issue preventing him from featuring for Barcelona since a 3-2 loss to Real Madrid on April 21.
He made 30 appearances across all competitions as the Blaugrana endured a disappointing 2023-24 campaign, finishing well adrift of Madrid at the top of LaLiga and exiting the Champions League against Paris Saint-Germain in the last eight.
He has been a fixture in the Oranje side since making his senior international debut in 2018, and Koeman is hopeful he might play a part in Group D fixtures against France and Austria, even if he is not available for their opening game against Poland next Sunday.
"He was part of training but we kept him away from any contact," Koeman said at a press conference ahead of Monday's final warm-up game against Iceland.
"It is possible that Frenkie will not make it to the first match, but we can wait until the second or third game. That's a possibility.
"Even if he can't play the first two games, we'll stick with him. But if it looks as if he will miss the entire group stage, I might have to rethink his selection."
In De Jong's absence, PSV's Jerdy Schouten started in midfield alongside Georginio Wijnaldum and Ryan Gravenbech as the Netherlands beat Canada 4-0 in a friendly on Thursday.
Asked about the general condition of his squad, Koeman added: "A number of the players had some rest towards the end of the season and came in fresh.
"There were also players who were not yet ready for a full 90 minutes, but we were able to train well. It is up to us to loosen the reins in time, to start the first match super fit."
Euro 2024 will be the 11th edition of the tournament to feature the Netherlands, who won their only major international trophy when the competition was last held exclusively in Germany in 1988.
Only Germany (six times) have reached at least the semi-finals of the Euros more often than the Oranje (four times) since 1988. However, they have not made the final four since 2004.
Martinez putting World Cup frustration behind him as Copa America Golden Boot beckons
Argentina striker Lautaro Martinez feels he has put his World Cup struggles firmly behind him by getting amongst the goals at the Copa America.
Martinez scored twice as Argentina saw off Peru 2-0 in their final Group A game on Saturday.
That victory ensured the holders progressed to the quarter-finals as group winners, as expected, and they will now face either Venezuela, Mexico or Ecuador.
Inter forward Martinez, who was the leading scorer in Serie A in 2023-24, finished the group stage as not only the tournament's leading scorer, but also the Argentina player with the most shots (nine), despite not starting two out of the three games.
Yet standing in for Lionel Messi, who was rested, Martinez thrived, and he believes he has cast aside his woes from the Qatar World Cup, where he failed to get on the scoresheet.
"I'm happy, because I was able to score in the three group-stage games and because I was able to help the team, which is what counts," the 26-year-old told TyC Sports.
"I'm fine, as I said when the match with Chile ended, I had a great season at my club and I felt good.
"I felt ready to get rid of the thorn from the World Cup, that was important for me, to prepare well for the Copa America, which I did and I'm showing it. Let's keep working."
Martinez is two goals ahead of any other player in the Copa America Golden Boot race as it stands.
In fact, since his debut in the Copa America in 2019, Martinez is the tournament's top scorer with nine goals (two in 2019, three in 2021, four in 2024), four more than Messi and Luis Diaz (five each).
Meanwhile, Argentina assistant Walter Samuel, who was filling in for the suspended Lionel Scaloni, suggested that Messi is on course to be fit for the quarter-finals.
"He was in the locker room, we noticed [he was] better," said Samuel.
"The situation is improving but it's a few days and the situation is premature to talk about. We'll talk about it on a day-to-day basis with him, and talk to the doctors."
Martinez was more positive, saying: "Leo is fine, we hope he can be in the next game. I dedicated the goal to him because I know what Leo means to us."
Angel Di Maria added: "Leo is fine, he's recovering, we hope he will be ready for the next game. Today's victory is for him."
Argentina have won their first three matches of a Copa America on 18 occasions. However, this is only the third time they have done so in their last 12 participations (along with 2007 and 2016).
Nashville SC 1-2 Inter Miami: Alba stunner sees Herons maintain winning form without Messi and Suarez
Jordi Alba filled in for his absent Inter Miami stars Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez as the Herons made it three MLS wins on the spin with a 2-1 victory over Nashville SC.
With his former Barcelona team-mates Messi and Suarez away at the Copa America, Alba provided the stardust as he volleyed home in the 44th minute on Saturday to put the away team 2-0 up.
The Spaniard's sensational strike, which came with an expected goals (xG) value of just 0.01, arrived four minutes after Ian Fray had headed home from Julian Gressel's corner to nose Miami ahead.
Yannick Bright's clumsy challenge on Tyler Boyd provided Hany Mukhtar the chance to drag Nashville back into the contest in the second half - an opportunity the German duly took from the penalty spot.
Forster Ajago almost completed the comeback, but Miami goalkeeper Drake Callender made a fine save to deny the hosts a late equaliser.
Miami remain top of the Eastern Conference, two points clear of FC Cincinnati.
Data Debrief: Gressel the creator
Gressel provided an assist to Fray for Miami's opener against Columbus Crew on June 19, and that duo teamed up again this time out.
Since he joined MLS in 2017, Gressel has provided 62 assists, with only Cincinnati's Luciano Acosta (65) setting up more goals.
Marsch: Canada 'not satisfied' after reaching Copa America quarters
Jesse Marsch and his Canada team are not satisfied with their achievements so far after reaching the Copa America quarter-finals.
A goalless draw with 10-man Chile on Saturday was enough to send Marsch's side into the last eight.
Canada finished second in Group A behind Argentina, and will now face either Venezuela, Ecuador or Mexico in the quarters.
The Reds became the third team from outside CONMEBOL to reach the knockout rounds in their first Copa America appearance after Mexico (1993) and Honduras (2001), but former Leeds United boss Marsch is not done yet.
"We are not satisfied. The group is not satisfied. They want to keep going," Marsch said.
"They know, no matter who our next opponent is, it will be a difficult match. But they believe in themselves. We're excited for this next challenge.
"I'm challenging them to grow and get better, to be more savvy professionals, more mature players.
"I've been incredibly impressed by them, from the first training session. I'm enjoying being their coach. I'm proud of this accomplishment. But again, we're not satisfied."
With their numerical advantage, Canada kept Chile at arm's length at Inter&Co Stadium, restricting the two-time Copa America champions to just 0.52 expected goals (xG).
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