RAHEEM STERLING could feature for England against France tonight after returning to the UK to attend to personal matters.
The winger saw his Surrey home broken into during the World Cup but is now back in Qatar training with his teammates.
While the favourites Brazil are OUT of the World Cup after defeat to Croatia in the quarter-finals.
But the same can’t be said for Lionel Messi’s Argentina – they overcame Netherlands in a dramatic shoot-out.
Keep up to date with all of the action from our live match blogs:
World Cup 2022 sign up offer: Get £40 in FREE BETS when you stake £10 at Sky Bet
Stay tuned with all the latest from the tournament…
Argentina are through
Argentina have qualified to the 2022 World Cup semi-finals after beating the Netherlands 4-3 on penalties.
Lautaro Martinez netted the crucial spot-kick by beating Andries Noppert.
Lionel Messi, Leandro Paredes and Gonzalo Montiel all scored for the Albiceleste with Enzo Fernandez missing the target.
Teun Koopmeiners, Wout Weghorst and Luuk de Jong hit the target but Virgil van Dijk and Steven Berghuis were denied by Emiliano Martinez
Credit: Getty FT: Netherlands 2-2 Argentina
That’s the end of extra-time at the Lusail Stadium as the Netherlands and Argentina are set for penalties.
Nahuel Molina opened the scoring thanks to a stunning assist by Lionel Messi, who doubled the Albiceleste’s lead from the penalty spot soon after.
But Holland completed a stunning comeback with an amazing brace by Wout Weghorst.
Follow all the action in SunSport’s live blog
Going on extra-time
Netherlands and Argentina’s thrilling World Cup quarter-finals is now on extra-time.
Here’s what SunSport’s man on the field Martin Lipton makes of Wout Weghorst’s incredible equaliser:
Now that IS incredible.
That’s a version of the free-kick Argentina scored against England in St Etienne in 1998.
But in the 100th minute. To take it to extra-time.
Brilliant deception by one sub, completed by another.
Koopmeiners caught the entire Argentine defence off guard by rolling inside the wall but Weghorst still had so much to do.
Back in 1978, a Dutch substitute named Dick Naninga came off the bench to take it to extra-time – and was the thickness of the woodwork away from putting his side in front.
No idea what happens next…
Martin Lipton
Netherlands 2-2 Argentina
Unbelievable! The Netherlands have equalised in the final minute of stoppage time!
Argentina are absolutely stunned, Holland have levelled with an absolutely brilliant set piece.
Wout Weghorst has equalised with his second goal of the night.
And it all started with Teun Koopmeiners faking a shot from a free-kick and instead passing through to Weghorst who beat Emiliano Martinez from close distance
Netherlands 1-2 Argentina
Netherlands get one in with Wout Weghorst after 82 minutes!
Weghorst picked up a wonderful cross by Steven Berghuis and beat Emiliano Martinez with a stunning header.
Looks like we have a match at the Lusail Stadium with seven minutes to go.
Holland are really pushing for late equaliser!
Credit: AP Netherlands 0-2 Argentina
Argentina look to have sealed their place in the 2022 World Cup semi-finals.
Lionel Messi has beaten Andries Noppert from the penalty spot after Denzel Dumfries fouled Marcos Acuna.
Here’s what SunSport’s man on the field Martin Lipton has to say about it:
At least I got that one right.
Dumfries gets more than enough of Acuna to make up the Spanish referee’s mind for him and Messi clips home with utter assurance.
Another ear-splitting scream from the massed Argentine ranks.
Watch out Croatia.
They’re coming. He’s coming.
Martin Lipton
More from the ground
SunSport’s man on the field Martin Lipton also had this to say about the ongoing match between Argentina and the Netherlands:
That would have been the way to seal it.
Messi induces the foul by van Dijk on the edge of the box – no question about the decision – and strokes the free-kick over the wall, beyond Noppert’s groping fingers, but a whisker of paint too high.
Now, at last, van Gaal changes it up.
Big bad Luke de Jong up top, Blind off, Ake at left back in a four.
But Messi has his dander up. A second Argentine goal still appears more likely than an equaliser.
Martin Lipton
Word from the ground
Here’s what SunSport’s Martin Lipton makes of the ongoing World Cup quarter-final clash between Argentina and the Netherlands, which currently sees the Albiceleste lead 1-0:
The rhythm of the Argentine drums is not stopping. I don’t think it’ll stop all night.
You can see why. Holland may have plenty of the ball but they do not look as if they have a clue what to do with it.
Those small bunches of Dutch fans already appear resigned to their team’s fate.
Of course, it is only 1-0. One moment, one mistake….ask Brazil.
But it doesn’t feel like that is going to happen.
Martin Lipton
England vs France preview
England are set for their toughest test in the 2022 World Cup as they take on France in the quarter-finals at the Al Bayt Stadium.
Chelsea star Raheem Sterling returned to Qatar after flying home to London but doesn’t seem likely to take part in the match.
Arsenal ace Ben White left the squad for “personal reasons” with reports suggesting he fell out with manager Gareth Southgate’s assistant Steve Holland.
Newcastle’s Callum Wilson is nursing a minor strain, while West Ham’s Declan Rice missed training on Wednesday due to an illness that is unlikely to prevent him from playing.
France manager Didier Deschamps, on the other hand, is set to have star man Kylian Mbappe available following an injury scare that led him to miss training
Credit: Getty
Netherlands 0-1 Argentina
Argentina have opened the scoring against the Netherlands with Nahuel Molina’s opener.
Molina broke the deadlock after a stunning assist by Lionel Messi on 35 minutes.
Here’s word from SunSport’s man on the field Martin Lipton:
Sorry. I thought it was loud before.
Completely wrong.
But as that ball rolled into the Dutch net, the whole flipping roof came off.
A genuine explosion of raw joy, passion, desire.
Sheer genius by Messi, ghosting away from a blanket of orange shirts to prod through, with Molina getting the wrong side of opposite number Blind to poke past Noppert.
Now Holland have to change it up. Can they?
Martin Lipton
Word from the ground
Argentine fans had been getting a little more edgy with Holland starting to impose their game-plan on affairs, writes SunSport’s man on the field Martin Lipton.
But that little shuffle and spin by Messi got them going again, even if the shot didn’t really trouble Noppert at any point.
Clear that the Dutch think they can get in behind the Argentine full-backs.
The South Americans inside, though, are making one hell of a racket. Relentless
Southgate on Walker vs Mbappe
England manager Gareth Southgate insists Kyle Walker and the whole team will have to be at their best when they face France and Kylian Mbappe, writes SunSport’s Charlie Wyett.
“We are talking about the opposition but they are a fantastic team.
“We are aware of the whole squad and they have been able to cope with the loss of some big players.
“Didier [Deschamps] has created a team which is stronger than the individuals which was not always the case with France in the same way it was not always the case with us. We have to be at our best”
Kane on Lloris
England captain Harry Kane is ready to face “one of the best keepers out there” when he takes on France skipper and Tottenham team-mate Hugo Lloris, writes SunSport’s Charlie Wyett.
Kane said: “Huge is a fantastic leader. Leads by example, is quite calm in pressure situations and knows when his voice needs to be heard. I have learnt a lot from him and his leadership skills.
“We train a lot, together, play a lot together, but I am someone who always backs myself against any keeper.
“But I have seen Hugo pull off fantastic saves and hopefully tomorrow, I will have some chances I will be able to put away.
“I will have to be at the top of my game as I am facing one of the best keepers out there”
Credit: Getty Atmosphere at the stadium
The wall of sound from the Argentine supporters was absolutely incredible, writes SunSport’s Martin Lipton.
All it needs is the ticker-tape and we could be back in 1978.
But Holland knew this was going to be an “away” match.
Van Gaal wants the South Americans to get giddy with that fervent backing and over-commit
Word from the ground
Louis van Gaal has first criticised, then mocked, the tiny numbers who have come from Holland to support their team, writes SunSport’s man on the field Martin Lipton
Less the famed Oranje Army. In fact, barely a platoon.
And, unsurprisingly, those few orange shirts dotted around the Lusail Iconic Stadium have been almost swept away by the tide of sky blue and white.
Buenos Aires is two and a half times further away from Doha than the “mere” 3,000 miles from Amsterdam.
But the fans from the capital, from Rosario, from Mendoza and Mal Del Plata have made the journey in their thousands.
They believe this WILL be the year when Lionel Messi proves, for once and for all, that he truly is the inheritor of Diego Maradona’s mantle of World Cup greatness.
Kane praises Walker
Harry Kane hailed Kyle Walker as the best right-back of the last decade ahead of his duel with Kylian Mbappe, writes SunSport’s Dan King.
The England captain said: “Me and Kyle have known each other a long time.
“Kyle is a fantastic defender. He’s probably the most consistent right-back there has been for the last 10 or so years.
“He’s improved as he’s gone along in his career and I think he’s playing at the highest level he ever has.
“I know there’s a lot of talk about Kyle and Kylian, but Kyle will be focused on doing his job for the team as he always does. Whether that’s with or without the ball he will be ready.
“I’m always happy to play with him. I think he’s one of the best players there is”
Argentina celebrate Brazil elimination
Argentina fans were spotted celebrating Brazil’s elimination from the 2022 World Cup.
The Selecao were shockingly knocked out by Croatia on penalties and the Argentinean fans watched from the Lusail Stadium ahead of their quarter-final clash with the Netherlands.
And the Albiceleste faithful loved the sight of their rivals going out.
More below:
Croatia 1-1 Brazil
Brazil are out of the World Cup! Croatia have made it through to the semi-finals!
The Croats have done it again and won their FOURTH penalty shootout!
Zlatko Dalic’s men won 4-2 thanks to a save by Dominik Livakovic and Marquinhos ultimately hitting the post.
Croatia didn’t miss a SINGLE penalty! How scary are they…?
Croatia 1-1 Brazil
That’s the end of extra-time, Brazil and Croatia are set for a penalty shootout.
The Selecao opened the scoring during extra-time with Neymar but the Croats wouldn’t give up.
And so they equalise with Bruno Petkovic to set up a spot-kick bonanza.
Follow all the action in SunSport’s live blog
Croatia 1-1 Brazil
Croatia have equalised with Bruno Petkovic during extra-time on 117 minutes!
The Croats caught the Selecao with a stunning counter-attack that allowed Mislav Orcic to set Petkovic up with a beautiful low cross from the left.
Just three more minutes before penalties, in which Croatia thrive!
Follow all the action in SunSport’s live blog
Antony’s Samba dive
Brazil and Manchester United ace Anthony has been caught attempting an outrageous dive against Croatia in the 2022 World Cup quarter-finals.
The winger was attempting to win his side a free-kick in a dangerous position when he took the embarrassing tumble.
The 22-year-old had moved the ball past Ivan Perisic but then collapsed to the ground on 74 minutes.
Fortunately, the Brazil international was not rewarded for his antics and play was waved on by referee Michael Oliver, despite the player’s protests.
Although, Antony did have some luck as he did escape punishment for what was a clear dive
Watch Antony’s outrageous dive against Croatia as Man Utd ace somehow avoids yellow card in Brazil World Cup clash
Croatia 0-1 Brazil
Brazil have finally broken the deadlock against Croatia during extra-time.
The Selecao opened the scoring during stoppage time in the first half.
Neymar tied Pele’s goal tally in style as he dribbled past a Croatian defender and goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic after an assist by Lucas Paqueta.
Just one more half of extra-time keeps Brazil from the semi-finals
Southgate on White
England manager Gareth Southgate insists Arsenal ace Ben White left Qatar due to “personal reasons”.
This comes after reports suggesting White had a bust-up with Southgate’s assistant Steve Holland.
“As far as I am aware the article used words like alleged so whoever wrote it did not feel strongly enough it was correct.
“Ben left for personal reasons, we made that very clear. And in this day and age it is important a situation like this is respected”
Credit: PA John Stones’ picks
John Stones was asked on the Lions Den to name his dream five-a-side team, writes SunSport’s Charlie Wyett.
Surprisingly, he named Bobby Moore, Pele, Lionel Messi, Phil Foden and. . . Joe Hart.
Stones also claimed he would have been a decent Premier League striker.
He said: “I would have been a big target man. I only say that because of who I have played with, who I have played against day-in day-out.
“I am nowhere as good as them but I have learnt from them. Maybe not at the top of the Premier League but I would like to think I would be in the Prem”
Stones on Beckham
John Stones revealed he was star-struck when David Beckham paid a surprise visit to the England camp, writes SunSport’s Charlie Wyett.
Beckham watched training at the team’s Al Wakrah Sports Club training base during the group stages
Stones said: “I have never felt like that before when they said ‘Beckham is coming to training and wants to meet you all’.
“This was at the start of the session and I kept looking over to the tunnel where he was going to come out thinking ‘is he here yet?’ We got to meet him. I was a big fan as a kid”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
