World Cup 2022 LIVE: Raheem Sterling misses England win after home broken into, Neymar latest – updates

Bellingham’s bandage

Jude Bellingham cut a bandage off his arm after starring in England’s win over Senegal.

The Three Lions defeated the African champions 3-0 to seal a meeting with France in the World Cup quarter-final.

Bellingham was outstanding once again as he produced the assist for Jordan Henderson’s opener and started the move for the second goal with some stunning play.

The 19-year-old was substituted in the second half to save his legs for the next round, but he was still busy as he sat on the bench.

Bellingham cut a bandage off his upper left arm as he sat next to Trent Alexander-Arnold on the bench.

The Borussia Dortmund star fiddled around with a pair of scissors before eventually managing to tear the material off.

More Sterling details

England’s Raheem Sterling raced back from the World Cup yesterday after an armed raid at his mansion.

Terrified fiancée Paige Milian, 27 — at home with their two kids — raised the alarm after the gang took £300,000 of watches.

Sterling told FA chiefs he had to go home. News that he’d left the squad broke shortly before the last-16 clash with Senegal.

Sterling, 27, may return to Qatar for Saturday’s quarter-final against France.

Boss Gareth Southgate said: “He is dealing with a family matter. I had quite a bit of time with him this morning but I have had to pass that on to other people to help him with that.

“He will go and deal with that matter and we will have to take it from there.”

The raid at Sterling’s home, less than 15 minutes from Chelsea’s training ground in Cobham, Surrey, happened on Saturday night.

It is not known if property developer Paige confronted the raiders or whether they fled when they realised someone was in.

The gang may have thought she and the couple’s sons, aged five and three, were still in Qatar.

Before England’s first game she posted pictures of the two boys on a cruise ship in Doha, and she was tagged in social media images with cocktails.

Mbappe’s warning

By MARK IRWIN

Kylian Mbappe has fired an ominous World Cup warning after firing France into a quarter-final showdown with the Three Lions on Saturday.

The PSG superstar is now the tournament’s top scorer after his second-half double sealed a 3-1 win against Poland and took his goals tally to five.

And the powerful 23-year-old now has his sights set firmly on Gareth Southgate’s team as he targets a second World Cup winners’ medal.

He said: “This is the competition of my dreams and my only objective is to win the World Cup again.

“The most important thing for me right now is the quarter-final match. That is my only focus.

“I have been preparing for this competition all season both mentally and physically. I wanted to be ready and I am delighted to be here.

“We are still a long way from our ultimate objective which is to win the trophy. But we are delighted to win this game and get through to the quarter-finals.

“I have not come to Qatar to win the Golden Boot or the Golden Ball. If I get them I will be happy but that’s not what I am here for.

“I am here to help the French team to win the World Cup.

“Today was a difficult game against a very tough Polish side but we managed to score at the important moments.

“We showed good control even though we didn’t play as well as we could have. But we got the result and that is all that matters.”

France next

It’s Kylian Mbappe and France who await England next.

Three Lions manager Gareth Southgate is fully aware of what awaits.

“They’re an outstanding team with a phenomenal tournament record and some outstanding individuals. 

“Without doubt we have to find our highest possible level.”

Sterling situation

Raheem Sterling is heading home from Qatar, after The Sun revealed his home was burgled.

Sterling was initially withdrawn from England’s team against Senegal at the eleventh hour for personal reasons.

And now boss Southgate is unsure if Sterling will return.

He told ITV: “We’ll have to wait and see. The priority is for him to be with his family and we are going to support that. We’re going to leave him to have as much time as he needs. 

“He is going home.

“I really don’t know if he will return. It’s a situation he needs time with his family to deal with and I don’t want to put him under pressure. Sometimes football isn’t the most important thing and family should come first.”

Superstar Bellingham

Jude Bellingham produced another display beyond his years, as England swept Senegal aside 3-0.

And Southgate reserved some praise for the Borussia Dortmund midfielder, as well as the his other young guns.

Southgate told ITV “We have got some super young players we feel it’s been right to give them their head and opportunities. 

“Jude, Phil and Bukayo in particular tonight. They are heading in a really good direction and these games are brilliant life experiences for them. The progress they are making is phenomenal.

“The team made a very complicated game tonight look straight forward. That wasn’t the case but because of our mentality and attitude they’ve made it look that way.”

Kane breaks duck

England boss Gareth Southgate has spoken of the importance of Harry Kane breaking his World Cup scoring duck against Senegal.

Southgate revealed: “Any centre-forward wants to be off the mark and for him it stops questions.

“He started to find a bit more space in the second half and his link play was better as well.

“It was important for Harry and for us.”

Southgate pleased

Gareth Southgate was pleased with England’s ruthlessness and the way they worked off the ball.

He also reserved special praise for Jordan Henderson.

“The ruthlessness of our execution and the way the team worked off the ball,” Southgate told ITV Sport.

“We were a bit sticky with the ball in the first 25-35 minutes. Senegalhad a lot of energy, pressed well and their shape was good. And I felt our best opportunities came from winning the ball from them.

“Jude and Hendo in particular were outstanding in that aspect of the game.

“They are both forward running and thinking midfield players. Hendo doesn’t get many for us but he’s been outstanding. 

“He’s such a leader, he knits the team together and around the camp he is brilliant. His performances have been top drawer.”

Sterling burglary

Raheem Sterling was forced to race back from the World Cup today after burglars smashed into his home, The Sun can reveal.

The Chelsea ace pulled out of England’s last-16 tie with Senegal after learning of the invasion at his Surrey pile on Saturday night.

A spokesperson for the FA said Sterling would not play in the game.

The statement read: “Raheem Sterling is not available for selection for the #ThreeLions tonight as he is dealing with a family matter.”

The shock announcement came just hours before the Three Lions were due to kick off against the African Cup of Nations champs.

Asked at a pre-match press conference why Sterling was left off the team sheet, England Manager Gareth Southgate said: “He’s dealing with a family matter.

“I had quite a bit of time with him this morning but I have now had to pass that on to other people to help him with that.

“He’s going to go and deal with that matter. And then we will have to take it from there really.”

Sterling is expected to return to Qatar as England head into a quarter final clash with France next Saturday.

Peep Peep!

England are through.

The Three Lions have made short work of African Cup of Nations champs Senegal – winning 3-0.

Jordan Henderson set the ball rolling, Harry Kane added a second, while Bukayo Saka put the icing on the cake.

It’s France next. Bring on Mbappe… gulp.

Gomez ‘fine’

Argentina midfielder Papu Gomez has shrugged off injury fears ahead of Friday’s huge World Cup quarter-final against Holland.

The Sevilla star admitted he sprained his ankle as he was taken off in the 2-1 last-16 win over Australia.

But the 34-year-old insists he will be “fine” for what could be one of the games of the tournament.

Dreamland for England

It’s three!

And that’s three goals for Bukayo Saka in this World Cup too.

Now that really is game, set and match now – surely?

England can dream of the last eight now.

Deschamps rages at Kounde

France boss Didier Deschamps was RAGING with defender Jules Kounde after he was forced to remove a GOLD NECKLACE during their 3-1 win over Poland.

The 24-year-old began the match with the jewellery on and it was visible to those watching on TV, with many flagging it on social media.

When asked about the matter, he said: “He has no right. I don’t know what he has on his chain, I know that Jules has a bit of a superstition, he has it in training.

“I don’t know the meaning. I even told him – ‘You’re lucky you’re not in front of me, or else…’.

“The referee had told us that as soon as there was a stoppage in play… players are not allowed to wear a bracelet or a necklace. They’re not going to start wearing watches or sunglasses either.

“It’s not allowed. I thought he was taking it off but apparently that wasn’t the case.”

One foot in the quarters

It’s now 2-0 to the Three Lions and there’s delirium around the nation.

And finally Harry Kane has broken his World Cup duck – firing home.

On the half-time whistle too.

Surely there’s no coming back for Senegal now?

1-0 England!

Jordan Henderson has given England the lead after 38 minutes.

Fantastic finish from the Liverpool midfielder – who burst into the box and slid the ball low in the corner.

Jude Bellingham with the assist.

Come on England!

Giroud’s not going to stop

By MARK IRWIN

Olivier Giroud insists he is not going to stop at 52 after breaking Thierry Henry’s French goal record to fire his country into the World Cup quarter-finals.

The 36-year-old AC Milan striker set his team on their way to a 3-1 victory over Poland before a double from Kylian Mbappe finished the job in style.

Wife Jennifer and their four children were all at the Al Thumama Stadium to see him making history and he said: “It’s a childhood dream to beat Thierry Henry like that. 

“A lot of people told me it was coming, but now my obsession is to go as far as possible with this team.

“Now the adventure continues. We have had to show solidarity and unity to get this far and the team has been rewarded for its efforts.”

Delighted French coach Didier Deschamps said: “Olivier has always been an important player for us, even four years ago in Russia when he didn’t score.

“He has had some difficult periods in his career and has often been criticised but he has always stayed strong mentally and now we are seeing his quality.

“He has broken a very difficult record held by Henry and to score so many goals at international level isa great achievement.

“But now there is another boy in Kylian Mbappe who might break that record one day and perhaps he has a better understanding now with Olivier.

“Four years ago we played a 4-4-2 with Kylian more on the right, but now they are closer together and I don’t mind if it doesn’t work as long as we can get the same results as in 2018.

“Both players need each other because a striker like Olivier likes to play with Kylian because he likes laying balls off for him.

“Kylian didn’t have his best match tonight and he knows that but he is a player who can change a match in just a moment.

“He always plays with joy and we all want to share those smiles. France needed a great Kylian Mbappe and tonight we got one.”

Belgium players go home

Five Belgium players reportedly took earlier flights home to the rest of the squad after crashing out of the World Cup,

The Red Devils exited the tournament in the group stage after failing to beat Croatia in their final match.

Roberto Martinez’s side created plenty of chances against the 2018 finalists but were unable to find a clinical finish.

Some of the players were visibly devastated at full-time, with Romelu Lukaku having to be consoled by assistant manager Thierry Henry.

The draw left Belgium in third place, with Morocco finishing top and Croatia going through in second place.

Throughout the duration of the tournament, there have been reports of unrest in the team’s dressing room.

Why Sterling is missing

England are taking on Senegal in the World Cup as they aim to reach the quarter-finals.

Though star man Raheem Sterling will be playing no part for the Three Lions.

Raheem Sterling is not available for England’s World Cup clash with Senegal as he is dealing with a family matter, the FA have confirmed.

The Chelsea ace has been a mainstay in the national team ever since Gareth Southgate took charge back in 2016.

Sterling started both of England’s games against Iran and USA but was then benched for the 3-0 win over Wales.

The 27-year-old has scored 21 times in 80 times in total.

Suarez parting shot at Fifa

Luis Suarez aimed a parting shot at Fifa as he exited what will almost certainly be his final World Cup.

The controversial Uruguay striker, 35, was furious at the way his team’s matches have been officiated after they slipped out of his fourth tournament on goals scored on Friday.

Portugal’s second goal against them last week was scored via a penalty for handball which many claim should not have been given.

And as they chased extra goals in their 2-0 win over Ghana on Friday they were denied two  penalties by German ref Daniel Siebert, taking charge of just his second World Cup match.

Suarez also said he was stopped from seeing his children at the end.

The former Liverpool forward said: “It seems that Uruguay has to have more power, Fifa is always against Uruguay.

“After the game I wanted to see my children and the Fifa people told me, ‘No’ — yet a player from France was with his children on the bench.

“The people of Fifa and the Referees Committee have to give explanations as to what they are basing the obvious penalty decisions on that are being taken. On Friday, they didn’t give us two.”

Saka and Foden to start

Phil Foden and Bukayo Saka are set to start against Senegal tonight.

Manager Gareth Southgate is keeping Foden in the team while he is also poised to bring Saka back into the starting XI for the last-16 clash.

And that is heartbreak for Marcus Rashford, who has scored three times this tournament including two against Wales.

And it is also a blow for Raheem Sterling who was pushing for a place after failing to feature in the 3-0 win over Wales.

Football fans will be pleased that Foden keeps his place for the last 16 clash.

Saka started the first two games and will now be fresh as England look to reach the quarter-finals.

Unstoppable

There is no stopping that man.

Kylian Mbappe has two, curling another effort into the top corner, which Wojciech Szczesny got a hand to but couldn’t keep out.

He has 16 goals in his last 14 games for his country. He’s 23.

It’s 3-0 and that’s surely that.

Alcohol-free Irish pub

This is surely a first.

Next door to England’s hotel in Al Wakrah is Irish bar Bennigans.

We’re no experts, but this has to be the world’s first non-alcohol selling Irish bar?

Wenger backs England

Arsene Wenger says England have what it takes to win the World Cup – and predicts they are only going to get better.

The former Arsenal boss, now Fifa’s global head of football development and head of the Qatar 2022 technical study group, believes Gareth Southgate’s men can go all the way.

Wenger said: “The big teams have turned up at this World Cup.

“Like the rest of them, England have been inconsistent in the group phase.

“They were absolutely outstanding in the first game against Iran but then struggled in the second game against the USA.

“Then they came back when needed against Wales to give a convincing performance.”

Wenger added: “They have been up and down, like all of the big countries.

“But I would say that England are one of the countries that has learned a lot from their recent competitions.

“They were in the last four in 2018 and then reached the final of Euro 2020.

“Contrary to someone like Belgium, who have passed their peak, England look a team that is now at their peak to deliver and has learned. And it is still a young team.

“Gareth Southgate is a very intelligent man and he is capable of analysing  all the games and the performances as a team and as individual players.

“He is like his team. 

“Gareth has learned from the World Cup and the Euros and is now in a situation to deliver.”

Wenger’s verdict on England was backed up by Germany legend Jurgen Klinsmann, who said: “The England situation is fascinating because you can see the progression from Russia and the Euros, when you thought they were right there to win it and found the last piece was missing.

“But Gareth Southgate has only one goal here and that is to bring the trophy home.

“This is a new phase of the competition. Once the knock-out phase starts it’s a completely new tournament.

“You have a different mental approach. It switches something in your brain and turns it on.

“If you don’t feel 100 per cent right on the day, it can all go with one mistake or a set-piece.

“But this is what you live for. 

“I wish England good luck because we can all see the progression.

“They are coming. The team is very deep with high quality players who perform in the best league in the world, because the Premier League IS apart from all the other top leagues in Europe, everybody watches all the superstars.

“It’s a good time to deliver now.” 

Wenger, who appeared to suggest that first round flops Denmark, Belgium and Germany had allowed themselves to be distracted by off-field issues in Qatar, presented a statistical review of the  opening stage which confirmed some emerging trends.

Goals direct from open-play crosses are up 83 per cent on Russia four years ago, goals from outside the box are markedly down and the development of goalkeepers as critical release valves has grown exponentially.

Wenger added: “From what we have seen so far, the team with the best wide players will win the tournament.

“But we have also seen the importance of the goalkeeper as a playmaker.

“Most of us inside the game have long considered the keepers as a union apart but now they have to be viewed as a crucial part of any team. 

“Passes to the keeper have more than doubled. They are the first link. That is the modern evolution of the game.”

What a strike

Kylian Mbappe’s thunderous strike puts France 2-0 up.

And that looks like it’s game, set and match with just 15 minutes left.

He now has eight World Cup goals to his name – more than Pele.

Ferdinand bumps into Ji-sung

Rio Ferdinand and Park Ji-sung reconnected in Qatar while the pair were visiting for the World Cup.

The duo played together during the Red Devils’ successful years under former manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

Ferdinand grabbed a selfie with the former South Korean midfielder as he was on while taking a break from his punditry work.

In the picture the pair are smiling, although Park does look a lot smarter in his suit compared to Ferdinand’s white t-shirt.

Ferdinand posted the picture with the caption: “Good to see my guy Park Ji-sung.”

Fans loved the picture of the two as it was ‘liked’ over 120,000 times on Instagram and many were happy to see the midfielder again.