FRANCE’S shocking 1-0 defeat to Tunisia could be dramatically overturned.
Antoine Griezmann thought he had rescued a point for the world champions deep into stoppage time before the goal was chalked off in a controversial offside call.
But France have demanded Fifa change the result as Tunisia had kicked off before the equaliser was ruled out which goes against the rulebook.
Meanwhile, Argentina recovered from their opening-day defeat to Saudi Arabia by topping Group C with a win over Poland.
And England are training with the entire remaining squad after the departure of Arsenal star Ben White ahead of Senegal clash.
Below are TODAY’S World Cup fixtures:
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Stay tuned with all the latest ahead from tournament…
England Head and shoulders above the rest says Hoddle
Former England manager reckons Gareth Southgate’s side have been comfortably better than any of their rivals at the World Cup.
He told Betfair: “Now it’s the knockouts it’s a step up in quality of opposition, but you can only do what you can in the group that you’re in, and look at some of the other teams, Belgium, Argentina, France, they’ve all had little obstacles and dropped points.
“We’re head and shoulders above those at the moment, we’ve made it easier for ourselves by playing so well.
“I love the fact that the boys genuinely feel like a team. Saka would have been very disappointed that he wasn’t playing against Wales, he didn’t do anything wrong in the game against the USA.
“Foden came in, did brilliant, scored, made the goal with the freekick, and he runs at people.
“There are some tough selections to make now for Gareth, but they are only tough in the positive way, not in the negative way. As a manager you always want those kind of decisions.”
Half-time
Canada 1 Morocco 2
Croatia 0 Belgium 0
It’s half-time and it’s good news for Croatia and Morocco, who are heading through.
As for Belgium, they need to find a goal from somewhere or they’ll crash out in the group stages for the first time since the 1998 World Cup.
But it’s been more than three hours since their only goal of the tournament so far.
Canada 1 Morocco 2
Canada are back in the game and in fortuous circumstances.
Adekugbe gets in down the left and fires a ball across that deflects in off West Ham defender Aguerd.
The Africans are still sitting at the top of the group, but they will give them something to think about.
Belgium feeling the heat
From Martin Lipton in Qatar
There is a strange mood inside the stadium.
Subdued, uncertain, nervous.
Croatia still appear the more composed team, although the statistics suggest it’s far more even a contest than it feels.
And, of course, if you have De Bruyne, you will always have hope.
At some point, surely, Martinez will have to think about Lukaku, no matter how fit he really is.
Canada 0 Morocco 2
Morocco appear to be cruising into the knockout stages as they doubled their lead inside 30 minutes.
En-Nesyri latches onto an excellent ball in behind the Canada backline and composes himself before clinically firing low past Borjan.
Suarez showing no mercy
Luis Suarez has been speaking ahead of his reunion with Ghana and said that he’s not sorry about his handball incident 12 years ago.
The ex-Liverpool striker was famously sent off for handballing on the line in the last minute of their clash at the 2010 World Cup.
He said: “I don’t have to apologize for the handball in 2010.
“I touched it with my hand, they sent me off and Ghana took their penalty and missed it. I didn’t make any mistakes.”
Credit: Getty Croatia 0 Belgium 0
15 minutes in and we already have some VAR drama.
Carrasco brings down Kramaric and concedes a penalty and just as Modric is about to take the kick, Anthony Taylor is asked to go over to the monitor and check for an offside.
The decision is eventually overturned and Modric and his Croatian team-mates are furious.
Belgium get away with another one.
Credit: Reuters Canada 0 Morocco 1
But we do have an early goal in the other game.
It’s a goalkeeping mistake from Milan Borjan, who gets takes a heavy touch and gets caught in no man’s land.
Hakim Ziyech picks up the loose ball and takes full advantage by coolly chipping the ball home from 35-yards.
As it stands, Morocco are winning the group and Belgium are heading home.
Croatia 0 Belgium 0
Croatia almost lead inside 10 seconds.
Ivan Perisic picks up the ball on the left and cuts inside before firing a spectacular effort just past the post.
Belgium, who must avoid defeat to have any chance of progressing to the round of 16, just about survive the early scare.
Maguire mocked by Ghanaian politician
A Ghanaian MP bizarrely used Harry Maguire to attack his political opponents during a debate on the economy.
Isaac Adongo said: “If you’re a fan of football … there was a player in England called [Harry] Maguire who was playing for Manchester United. He’s a defender.
“[At Leicester] he was tackling everybody and throwing his body everywhere. He was seen as the best defender in the world.
“Manchester United went and bought him. He became the biggest threat at the centre of Manchester United’s defence, tackling [his own] players and giving assists to opponents.
“Mr Speaker, when even opponents fail to score, Maguire will score for them. Mr Speaker, you remember in this country we also have an Economic Maguire.”
Harry Maguire bizarrely mocked by Ghanaian MP as he compares Vice President to Man Utd defender for scoring ‘own goals’Scaloni downplays Argentina ‘favourites’ tag
Lionel Scaloni says Argentina are “not favourites” to beat Australia in the last-16, saying: “They’re all difficult, we saw that with Saudi Arabia.
“If you think Australia will be easy you’re wrong because they have shown that getting through against tough teams in this World Cup.
“All the games are hard. Anyone who thinks the match against Australia will be easy is wrong. We’re not favourites.
“If you think that just because we won against Poland, we are going to become World Cup winners, you’re wrong.”
Team news – Canada vs Morocco
Canada have made four changes for their final group game, having already been knocked out of the World Cup.
But Morocco can still go through and have made two changes.
Canada: Borjan; Johnston, Vitoria, Miller; Adekugbe, Osorio, Kaye, Davies; Buchanan, Larin, Hoilett
Morocco: Bono; Hakimi, Aguerd, Saiss, Mazraoui; Ounahi, Amrabat, Sabiri; Ziyech, En-Nesyri, Boufal
FOLLOW THE ACTION HERE
Team news – Croatia vs Belgium
Croatia have named an unchanged side from the one which beat Canada.
But Belgium have made several changes, with Leandro Trossard in for Eden Hazard.
Croatia: Livakovic, Juranovic, Lovren, Gvardiol, Sosa, Brozovic, Kovacic, Modric, Persisic, Kramaric, Livaja
Belgium: Courtois, Meunier, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Dendoncker, Witsel, Castagne, Carrasco, De Bruyne, Trossard, Mertens
FOLLOW THE ACTION HERE
Ronaldo doubtful for South Korea
Cristiano Ronaldo is a major doubt for Portugal’s final group game against South Korea.
Boss Fernando Santos said: “Let’s see. In principle, Ronaldo will train soon.
“I don’t even know if it’s 50/50 [the probability of being fit for the game]. If you train normally.
“Cristiano Ronaldo was replaced in both games. There’s a plan in case Cristiano can’t play.
Partey time for London rivals
Arsenal star Thomas Partey is ready to lock horns with Uruguay’s Tottenham man Rodrigo Bentancur in Doha.
Ghana ace Partey said: “Bentancur is a very good player and a great midfielder. I respect him a lot and know how careful we will have to be against him.
“He plays for a great team in Tottenham and we don’t have to be told about the quality of his game.
“But he is not the only one who is dangerous. They also have Darwin Nunez and we have seen what he can do in the Premier League.”
World Cup key dates revealed
SunSport brings you the ENTIRE fixture list for the World Cup – including England’s dates.
- The group stages got underway on Sunday, November 20.
- Round of 16 will be on December 3 – December 6.
- Quarter-final stages begin on December 9 – December 10.
- Semi-finals are taking place on December 13 – December 14.
- The World Cup final will be on Sunday, December 18.
SEE ALL WORLD CUP DATES HERE
Aussie stars’ ‘disbelief’ at Tunisia
Australian players thought it was a JOKE when they heard Tunisia were beating France.
Milos Degenek said: “[I said to the team] If we don’t win, the Tunisians will sneak through to the round of 16 on goal difference.
“The boys thought it was my psyching them up so we won’t lose. But it was actually me being serious.”
Things turned up trumps for the Aussies though, as they beat Denmark to progress to the knockout stages with France.
Fans celebrate at Maradona’s mansion
Diego Maradona’s old house was been used to stage a huge World Cup party after Argentina beat Poland.
The new owners of Maradona’s old family house hosted a massive celebration at his former luxury pad to celebrate the victory.
They are believed to have only bought the home six days ago but let people in free of charge to watch the World Cup clash.
Pictures and videos show incredible scenes of Argentinians crowded around the pool and having the time of their lives as they marked the win.
Croatia Wags ready for action
Croatia face a huge clash against Morocco to seal their spot in the last-16 of the World Cup.
And they will be cheered on from the stands by a host of glamorous Wags.
One is a personal trainer, and another is a supermodel-turned-fashion designer who now resides in London.
MEET CROATIA’S WAGS HERE
SunSport’s Dave Kidd in Qatar
“England are training at their Al Wakrah Sports Club after a day off with their partners and family yesterday.
“It’s cool and breezy by the Persian Gulf as Gareth Southgate’s men begin their preparations for Sunday’s last-16 clash with Senegal.
“All 25 remaining members of Gareth Southgate’s squad are out on the training field, after Arsenal defender Ben White left the camp for ‘personal reasons’ yesterday.
“White, one of only four outfield players not to feature in the group stage, is not expected to return to Qatar. “
MORE ENGLAND TRAINING PICTURES
Suarez still ‘hated’ in Ghana
Asamoah Gyan claims Ghanaians still “hate” Luis Suarez after his controversial handball in the 2010 World Cup.
But Ghana get the chance for revenge when they face Uruguay for a spot in the knockout stages tomorrow.
Gyan said: “Back home, everybody who watched the game, they dislike Suarez.
“He is a hero in Uruguay although people in Ghana see him as a cheat. People do hate him.”
Messi sets unwanted penalty record
Lionel Messi officially has the worst penalty record of any World Cup player to take at least two penalties since 1966.
The ace had his latest spot-kick saved by Poland goalie Wojciech Szczesny last night.
And Messi now holds an unwanted record ahead of the knockout stages.
SEE MESSI’S STATS HERE
Time will tell for final
A so-called time traveller has supposedly revealed the two nations in the World Cup final in the latest bizarre post sweeping the internet.
The TikTok user shared TV footage of a full-time scene of a match which they ridiculously claim to have taken in the future.
Sharing footage which they claimed was taken two weeks in the future at the World Cup final, they claimed Argentina will beat Brazil.
The bonkers video says: “I am a time traveller and Argentina just beat Brazil in the World Cup finals.”
I’m a World Cup time traveller – here are the two nations who will be in the final and I have video to prove itSunSport’s Dan King in Qatar
“The controversial ending to France v Tunisia had repercussions well beyond the pitch.
“Fans of the rival nations watching the game in a popular sports bar began squaring up to each other as the drama unfolded and Antoine Griezmann’s late equaliser for France was ruled out for offside by VAR.
“Security swooped quickly to stop things getting out of control and managed to calm the situation down.
“Just at that moment, the Fifa TV advert featuring Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar came on, to remind everyone that ‘Football Unites’.”
World Cup’s ‘sexiest fan’ defiant
A model dubbed the “World Cup’s hottest fan” says she doesn’t care if she gets arrested as she continues to show off her sexy outfits in Qatar.
Ivana Knoll said: “I was never afraid to be arrested to be what I am, and I don’t think I can hurt someone wearing a bikini. And if that deserves to be arrested, then arrest me.
“The locals confirmed to me that I can wear whatever I want. But I didn’t know that my video in a bikini walking by the sea would be such a big deal.
“The whole country is speaking about it. Everybody knows me here, and I saw that I was accepted.”
I’m the ‘World Cup’s hottest fan’ – the Qataris can arrest me if they want over my ‘immodesty’ but all the locals love it
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
