Robert Lewandowski, Gareth Bale and now Cristiano Ronaldo have already bowed out of Euro 2020, with the biggest names in European football largely failing to step up and carry their respective sides so far this summer.
All eyes will now be on Kylian Mbappe and France as he seeks to guide Les Bleus past Switzerland on Monday evening, knowing that he and his world champion teammate are firm favourites for the clash.
Cristiano's crisis
Cristiano Ronaldo left the European Championship as this year's leading goalscorer with his five goals and as the tournament's all-time leading marksman, but he had no way of beating Thibaut Courtois in Portugal's round of 16 exit on Sunday.
Despite his undoubted positive contributions to the side, one of the most striking statistics to emerge after the reigning champions' elimination was Cristiano's consistent shortcomings on freekicks. Having pulled rank to take one from Bruno Fernandes against Belgium, he has now attempted 28 since his tournament debut in 2004 without scoring, at least four times more than anybody else.
Caution needed
Although Italy booked their place in the quarter-finals with a win over Austria, that they went as far as extra time should serve as a warning for France as they head into their game as heavy favourites, much like the Azzurri did. In that game, Real Madrid's David Alaba did his utmost and even looked to have had an assist only for VAR to rule Marko Arnautovic offside.
As well as that, Memphis Depay and the Netherlands were unable to get past the Czech Republic, with Matthijs de Ligt getting himself sent off as well.
Lewandowski, meanwhile, barely got going as Poland crashed out in the group stage while Bale showed some brief flashes but was ultimately unable to deliver anything near his best for Wales.
Mbappe is ready
The Paris Saint-Germain star hasn't lit the tournament alight this summer with top-level performances, but he's been good for France and has developed a great understanding with Karim Benzema in attack.
Now, with all eyes fixed onto him, Benzema and Paul Pogba, France will be expecting Mbappe to deliver.
D10S_LM10
451
Shoutout to @ishit he's a brilliant afer with his funny jokes🙄👌👏
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He is the GOAT of all football.
Chima92
430
Leave Lewandowski out of this! Poland has no recognisable world class quality player other than Lewandowski who single handedly scored all goals for Poland in the group stage nearly helping his country qualify for the knockout stages. Lewandowski is pure world class and a Hero who deserves better!
AMSCR7
243
Can messi will save argentina!? I am waiting for this type of article on this app. let's see All Football.
dstnmy
8
Can messi will save argentina!? I am waiting for this type of article on this app. let's see All Football.
It's about a young star player the question has been raised. You brought Messi in this. Why? Now people will try to Compare Mbappe with Messi. Don't you think you need to be more mature in understanding!! Messi doesn't have player like Greizmann, Pogba ,Conte. All the French players play and train with the world's best clubs. Not every player in Argentina played with the world's best clubs. How could you even think of comparing those two teams. Every one knows the world rankings. Besides I can tell you something with utter confidence. Mbappe will never be able to conquer what Messi did. One more think If you compare individual players you need to compare individual trophies not team trophies. Besides Messi had a Ballondor and European golden boot at Mbappe's age.