4 key battles to watch during the semi-finals of Euro 2016
With the semi-finals of Euro 2016 mere hours away, we look at four individual clashes that could play a vital role in determining which two sides get a shot at glory, and which two will be watching the tournament final on television like the rest of the world.
Portugal vs. Wales (Wednesday, July 6)
Cristiano Ronaldo vs. Ashley Williams
Though he's been stifled for much of the tournament - his brilliant two-goal, one-assist display against Hungary was the outlier, not the norm - Cristiano Ronaldo is still, well, Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese captain has looked short of full fitness at Euro 2016, his dynamic bursts few and far between, but he remains an elite penalty box poacher.
Acting as the anchor of the Welsh backline, fellow skipper Ashley Williams will likely assume the task of keeping Ronaldo under wraps. James Chester and James Collins - expected to slot in for the suspended Ben Davies - will have their number called at times as well, but Wales will surely prefer its captain to keep tabs on Ronaldo inside the penalty area.
Renato Sanches vs. the two Joes (Allen and Ledley)
Teenage sensation Renato Sanches has provided dynamism to a static Portuguese midfield as his role with the Selecao grows from exciting substitute to integral cog. His seemingly boundless energy allows him to bounce between both attacking and defensive duties, scoring goals (hi, Poland) and winning tackles in his own end to launch counter-attacks (hi, Croatia). With William Carvalho suspended, Sanches could be tasked with a heavier defensive workload against Wales, though the corresponding absence of Aaron Ramsey should mitigate that somewhat, allowing him the freedom to get forward at his pleasure - something he is certainly not shy about doing.
In lieu of Ramsey, Welsh boss Chris Coleman will be relying heavily on Joe Allen and his namesake, Joe Ledley, to control the pace of play in the middle of the park. Whoever wins this confrontation could very well emerge with a spot in the final.
Germany vs. France (Thursday, July 7)
Mesut Ozil vs. N'Golo Kante
Arguably the most intriguing pending conflict of all.
N'Golo Kante, France's indefatigable tackling machine, is expected to slot back into the lineup after serving his one-match ban for yellow card accumulation, and if so, will be tasked with eradicating the threat posed by German wizard Mesut Ozil.
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By simple optics, it's a fascinating battle: the all-action style of Kante clashing with the tranquil, smooth game of Ozil. But it's not just one for the cameras, either. Les Bleus' defence has been easily the most vulnerable of any team still in the tournament, and if Kante can't provide an adequate shield by harassing Ozil when he gets on the ball, the Arsenal star will pick France's backline apart one perfectly-weighted pass at a time.
Dimitri Payet vs. Joshua Kimmich
This one may not come to fruition at all, depending on where Didier Deschamps deploys Dimitri Payet, but if it does, it will pit two men who have taken exceedingly different paths to their emergence onto the international scene. Payet, 29, was on the periphery of the national team mere months before Euro 2016, but has developed into Les Bleus' standout player at the tournament.
Joshua Kimmich, meanwhile, arrived in France on the back of a season at Bayern Munich where he was continuously hailed by Pep Guardiola. After sitting on the bench in the opening two matches, he replaced Benedikt Howedes on the right flank, offering his side a key attacking outlet to take some of the burden off the shoulders of opposite full-back Jonas Hector.
If Kimmich once again assumes the right-back - or right wing-back - role for Joachim Low, he'll need to strike the necessary balance between getting forward and not leaving space for Payet to exploit behind him.