⚽ How To Prepare To Face A Soccer Legend

Facing an all-time great is about proving your worth and earning their respect. [View in browser]( [FOX SPORTS INSIDER WITH MARTIN ROGERS] In today’s FOX Sports Insider with Martin Rogers: Every player wants to compete against the legends in their sport, but what is it like actually facing them? … Mike Vrabel has been a fantastic coach for the Titans, but now there is more pressure on him than ever before … and more! Every youngster who ever loved soccer has had a similar fantasy at some point, and it goes something like this. The World Cup, a screaming crowd, an international audience – and the chance to play against one of the all-time legends of the sport. At this tournament, and other World Cups before it, there are a handful of players for whom the dream came true. "And then it's a case of ‘Whoa'", FOX analyst DaMarcus Beasley, who represented the United States men's national team 126 times, said with a laugh. "Careful what you wish for." With just over a week to go in this World Cup, three-quarters of the field has already been eliminated, leaving only eight teams remaining to battle it out for soccer's grandest prize. Yet the four biggest names in the sport, by any reasonable metric, are still here. The hold that Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappé and Neymar have on soccer audiences is obvious enough to need no explanation. But the presence of the true current legends of the sport can also have a seismic influence, albeit in a slightly different way, on opposing players for whom facing them is often an unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime experience. "We really worked hard not to be in awe of [Messi], because of the great player he is," Australia head coach Graham Arnold told reporters after his team's hard-fought 2-1 defeat to Argentina in the round of 16. "But wow, he's remarkable." For the rest of the story, [click here.]( [STORY IMAGE 1] [IN OTHER WORDS] - A day after the firing of GM Jon Robinson, coach Mike Vrabel is [facing more pressure]( in helping shape the Titans in his vision. Ben Arthur has the story. - After bottling up Derrick Henry, the Eagles run defense suddenly could be a strength. Ralph Vacchiano breaks down why that is [scary for the rest of the NFL](. - The most famous soccer player on the planet is now facing another unique, and perhaps [irreversible shift in his career]( writes Martin Rogers. - The Padres now have three shortstops, but Xander Bogaerts gives them what they've [lacked in recent seasons]( consistency, Pedro Moura writes. - Star free agent Willson Contreras is off the board. Jordan Shusterman examines what his [signing means for the Cardinals]( and the rest of the catcher market. For the latest news and updates, [click here.]( [VIEWER'S GUIDE] LA Clippers at Miami Heat (NBATV, 7:30 p.m. ET) Paul George and the Clippers head to Miami to take on Bam Adebayo and the Heat. Las Vegas Raiders at Los Angeles Rams (PRIME VIDEO, 8:15 p.m. ET) Derek Carr and the Raiders battle the defending champion Rams hoping to keep their winning streak alive. Denver Nuggets at Portland Trail Blazers (NBATV, 10 p.m. ET) Nikola Jokić and the Nuggets face off against Damian Lillard and the Blazers in a Western Conference showdown. Croatia vs Brazil (Friday, FOX, 10 a.m. ET) Brazil and Croatia head into the quarterfinals with each country hoping to move one step closer to a World Cup title. For all of today's games and scores, [click here](. [BET OF THE DAY] Odds provided by [FOX Bet]( Morocco vs Portugal: Portugal (-162) to win From FOX Sports Betting Analyst: Jason McIntyre Morocco just picked up the greatest win in the country’s history, a stirring penalty kick (PK) triumph over Spain. Its strategy worked to perfection: Hunker down defensively for the final 45 minutes and both overtimes, let Spain pass the ball around, and get to PKs. The celebrations will be raging from Marrakesh to Casablanca for days. How will the players respond to an exhausting win like that? We will see, but one thing is certain, Morocco's defense has been amazing this tournament, as it didn't allow goals to Spain, Belgium and Croatia in regulation. Portugal, meanwhile, drubbed Switzerland 6-1 on the strength of a hat trick by Goncalo Ramos. Who’s that? He’s the 21-year-old who was tapped to replace Cristiano Ronaldo in the starting lineup. Portugal was thought to be an "in-between" team with veterans like 39-year-old Pepe and 37-year-old Ronaldo while also possessing budding 23-year-old stars like Rafael Leao and Joao Felix. Interestingly, Portugal has only trailed for a whopping five minutes through four games, so we haven’t seen that squad battle adversity. Morocco’s defensive run, led by goalie Yassine Bounou ("Bono") and ace defender Achraf Hakimi of Paris Saint-Germain, has permitted one goal in four games and kept Croatia, Belgium and Spain off the scoreboard. For the latest betting odds, [click here](. 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