Explainers

BRAZIL are hoping for success at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.The South American side are in Group G with Serbia, Switzerland and Cameroon – and are looking to lift the trophy for the first time since 2002.
Thiago Silva sings his heart out for the Brazil national anthem at the 2022 World CupCredit: Rex
Why is the Brazilian national anthem shortened?
The melody for the national anthem was composed by Francisco Manuel da Silva and was presented to the public in 1831.
The date it was presented was April 13, 1831 and it is now knownn as “Day of the Brazilian National Anthem” in the country.
It had been given at least two unofficial lyrics before the official ones were  written by  Joaquim Osório Duque-Estrada in 1909.
It is often shortened to just the first verse for sporting events due to the length.
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What is it called?
The first national anthem of Brazil was called the Independence Anthem but when the Emperor Pedro 1 – also the writer of the song – abdicated it fell in popularity.
It has no other name than the National Anthem.
What are the lyrics?
Verse One 
The placid shores of the Ipiranga heardThe resounding shout of a heroic folkAnd the sun of Liberty in shining beamsShone in the homeland’s sky at that instant.If the pledge of this equalityWe managed to conquer with strong arm,In thy bosom, O Freedom,Our chest defies death itself!O beloved,Idolized homeland,Hail, hail!Brazil, an intense dream, a vivid rayOf love and hope descends to earthIf in thy beautiful, smiling and limpid skyThe image of the (Southern) Cross blazes.Giant by thine own nature,Thou art beautiful, strong, a fearless colossus,And thy future mirrors that greatness.Adored LandAmongst thousand othersArt thou, Brazil,O beloved homeland!Of the sons of this groundThou art kind mother,Beloved homeland,Brazil!
Verse Two
Eternally lying on splendid cradle,To the sound of sea and under deep sky lightThou flashes, Brazil, crocket of America,Illuminated by the sun of New World!
Than the more garish land,Thy smiling, pretty prairies and more flowers”Our groves have more life”,”Our life” in thy bosom “more loves”.
O beloved,Idolized homeland,Hail, hail!
Brazil, of eternal love be a symbolThe starred labarum which thou displaystAnd say the laurel-green of this pennant”Peace in the future and glory in the past.”
But if thou raises the strong mace of justice,See that a son of thine flees not from battle,Nor do those who love thee fear their own death.
Adored LandAmongst thousand othersArt thou, Brazil,O beloved homeland!
Of the sons of this groundThou art kind mother,Beloved homeland,Brazil!
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SERBIA’S double barrelled duo have got everyone’s tongues wagging at the World Cup in Qatar.Serbian keeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic, formerly of Manchester United, and Sergej – who plays for Lazio – are two of the Balkan country’s top stars.
Vanja Milinkovic-Savic yells at his team-mates during Serbia’s game against BrazilCredit: Getty
Sergej Milinkovic-Savic takes on Vinicius Junior during Serbia’s opening game against BrazilCredit: AP
The pair have had very different careers and have only briefly played together at club level – but they took to the pitch together as Serbia faced Brazil in their 2022 World Cup opener.
Here is all you need to know about the two stars.
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Are Vanja and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic related?
Yes, Sergej and Vanja Milinkovic-Savic are brothers – and they are from a very impressive sporting family.
Both football stars were born in Spain, with Sergej born in Lleida in Catalonia, while the younger Vanja was born in Ourense in Galacia.
Their father, Nikola Milinkovic, was a professional footballer who had a journeyman career with Almaria, Chaves, Ourense and various other clubs.
Sergej and Vanja Milinkovic-Savic proudly represent their country together
Their mother, Milana Savic, was a professional basketball player – and so is their sister Jana.
Imagine the competitiveness over a game of Monopoly in that family!
What clubs do they play for?
Vanja, now 25, started his career at Vojvodina and was sold to Manchester United in 2013 for £1.5m.
He would never make a competitive appearance for United and after failing to secure a work permit, was released, moving to Lechia Gdansk before Torino swooped in a year later and signed him.
He has had loan spells at SPAL, Ascoli and is now at Standard Liege, where he plays as back-up keeper.
He has had seven appearances between the sticks for Serbia before his first World Cup game in 2022.
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Sergej, 27, also played for Vojvodina, before moving to Genk in Belgium in 2014.
He then moved to Lazio in 2015, where he has played for the last seven seasons. More

JACK GREALISH celebrated his first World Cup goal in style after netting against Iran.England came out 6-2 victors in Group B’s opening match and put the pressure on Wales and the USMNT.
Jack Grealish blew a kiss to the camera after scoring against Iran
And Grealish netted the final goal in the clash after Gareth Southgate’s side put up an impressive performance.
But just what was Grealish’s celebration and who is Finlay, the child he performed the celebration for at the World Cup?
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Who is Jack Grealish’s young friend Finlay and what does the celebration mean?
Finlay is an 11-year-old Manchester City supporter who has cerebral palsy.
The young fan penned a letter to Grealish and got the ultimate surprise when the winger visited him earlier this year.
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When meeting the City star, Finlay was offered the chance to choose Grealish’s next celebration.
The England international said: “I’ll do a little celebration for you. What would you like me to do?”
And then, Finlay responded: “Do the worm!”
Jack Grealish pulled out ‘the worm’
However, this was not the usual ‘worm’ dance that you may have thought as the 11-year-old demonstrated it with his arms, and Grealish duly obliged next time he scored.
Netting against Iran, he celebrated with his teammates before pointing to the camera and pulling off the celebration for Finlay. More

CRISTIANO RONALDO will go down as one of the greatest players in Portugal’s history.The forward was part of the Portugal squad that lifted Euro 2016 and he will now be hoping to go one further in what could be his last World Cup.
Cristiano Ronaldo is appearing at his fifth World Cup
The 37-year-old, who is currently unattached after leaving Manchester United, will be hoping to add to his goal tally for his country.
And we have all the information about his goal scoring record at World Cups for his country.
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How many goals has Cristiano Ronaldo scored at the World Cup for Portugal?
Ronaldo has played in five World Cups, including the 2022 tournament in Qatar.
He played and scored against Ghana in the opening match for his country, who are considered one of the favourites to win the whole thing.
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And Ronaldo has an impressive scoring rate in World Cups, already adding to his tally.
Across the four previous tournaments, Ronaldo netted seven goals and he became the first player in history to score in five, making it eight goals against Ghana.
Cristiano Ronaldo in action against Ghana
Furthermore, he has scored 118 international goals so far and will be looking to add to this during the tournament.
It remains to be seen as to where the Portugal icon will be playing his club football at the end of the World Cup, but for now he will be focused on adding to his goal tally. More

SOUTH KOREA superstar Son Heung-min is in action for South Korea against Uruguay at the World Cup.And he is sporting an item of kit fans will not have seen him in before.
Son Heung-min wears a mask during South Korea’s World Cup opener against UruguayCredit: Getty
The Tottenham Hotspur ace was almost ruled out of the huge Qatar tournament before confirming that he wouldn’t miss it ‘for the world’.
And now, Son has been pictured in training wearing a marvel-type mask ahead of South Korea’s opening clash against Uruguay.
Find out why the tricky winger has been forced to wear a mask below…
Why is Son Heung-min wearing a mask?
Son Heung-min is wearing a protective mask following a fractured eye socket he sustained in a Champions League win on November 1.
Son suffered a fractured eye socket in a Champions League win over MarseilleCredit: Reuters
Son was forced to come off early in the win against MarseilleCredit: Reuters
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The Spurs star had a sickening collision with Marseille defender Chancel Mbemba’s shoulder.
And as a result, Son required immediate attention, before coming off the field early where he then needed to undergo surgery a few days later.
Thankfully for the South Korea captain, the surgery was a success and he was then called up to the Asian giants World Cup squad.

What has Son Heung-min said?
The Tottenham forward revealed how honoured he is to play for his country and that it will take a lot more than a fractured eye socket for him to miss the World Cup.
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Son said: “Playing for your country at the World Cup is the dream of so many children growing up, just as it was one of mine too.
“I won’t [miss] this for the world. I can’t wai to represent our beautiful country. See you soon. Sonny.”

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WALES take on Iran in their second Group B game at the 2022 World Cup. The Dragons have a tough group to navigate, having already drawn 1-1 with USA and a clash with England still to come.
Iran took on Wales in their group at the 2018 World CupCredit: Getty – Contributor
Gareth Bale may see Qatar 2022 as his last opportunity to play at a World CupCredit: AP
Iran have some experienced players, including Sardar Azmoun and ex-Brighton midfielder Alireza Jahanbakhsh.
The Middle Eastern side will be giving it their all to reach their first ever knockout stages at the World Cup, but they got off to an awful start as they lost 6-2 to England on Monday.
But Robert Page’s Dragons will also want to progress, with the tournament likely being one of superstar Gareth Bale’s last as a Wales international.
Bale moved to LAFC in the summer, and may see his plying opportunities for Wales decrease as he gets older.

When is Wales vs Iran?

Wales’ big clash with Iran will take place on Friday, November 25.
The game will kick off at 10am UK time, which is 1pm local time.
Wales vs Iran will take place at the Ahmed bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan.
The stadium was opened in 2003 and can hold up to 50,000 spectators.

What channel is it and can it be live streamed?

Wales vs Iran will be shown live on BBC One in the UK.
You can live stream the action from the BBC iPlayer, which is available for download onto your mobile or tablet device.

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Is Wales vs Iran FREE to watch?
Yes, the game is available to watch for FREE, so long as you have a TV licence in the UK. More