Explainers

ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI has been one of the most prolific goal scorers in Europe of his generation.The Poland star became one of the greats during his time at Bayern Munich after joining from Bundesliga rivals Borussia Dortmund.
Robert Lewandowski in action for BarcelonaCredit: Getty
Netting 344 goals in 375 appearances for the Munich side, Lewandowski was one of the top performers at club level.
He has now joined Barcelona and will be hoping to keep the goals coming for Poland during the 2022 World Cup.
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How many goals has Robert Lewandowski scored for Poland?
Lewandowski made his Poland debut in 2008, two years before his move to Dortmund.
Robert Lewandowski applauding Poland fansCredit: Mike Jones/News Images
During his time with Lech Poznan, a young Lewandowski had clearly impressed to earn a chance in his national side before he departed his native country, scoring 20 goals in 41 games for Poznan.
The forward has since earned the captains armband for Poland and leads by example for the national team.
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Lewandowski is the most capped Poland player of all time, with 134 matches under his belt at the time of writing.
He also holds the record as Poland’s all-time top scorer with 76 goals during his time in the national team.
The Barcelona forward will be looking to add to these stats during the World Cup in Qatar as they face Mexico, Saudi Arabia and Argentina during the group stages. More

WITH the first World Cup being held in winter, the final will take place on an unusual date in 2022.Qatar are hosting the World Cup this year, with the competition kicking off on Sunday, November 21 as the hosts take on Ecuador.
England will be hopeful of lifting the 2022 World CupCredit: ©MI News & Sport Ltd
England will kick-off their campaign full of hope as they face Iran on November 21, a 1pm kick-off UK time.
The Three Lions will be hopeful of making the final, having reached the semi-final of the World Cup in Russia last time before falling to defeat to Croatia in Moscow.
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When is the World Cup final?
The final will take place just under a month following the opening game of the tournament.
The Lusail Iconic Stadium will play host to the final match of the tournament, being the 64th game of the competition as two teams will battle it out for the trophy.
Sunday, December 18 is the official date for the final, with kick-off set to begin from 3pm UK time.
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Gareth Southgate’s England will be hoping to come out victorious in Qatar, having finished as runners-up to Italy in Euro 2020 and fourth placed in the previous World Cup.
The Three Lions must first overcome Iran, the USMNT and Wales if they are to qualify for the knock-out stages and look to reach the final. More

CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN will feature for Denmark at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar despite his career being in DOUBT last year.The midfielder made the move from Brentford to Manchester United after his contract in London expired at the end of last season.
Christian Eriksen celebrated with Marcus Rashford for Manchester UnitedCredit: Reuters
Erisken has started well at Old Trafford and is one of the first names on Erik ten Hag’s team sheet.
The same will likely be true in Qatar when Eriksen will be handed the responsibility of marshalling the Denmark national team’s midfield in the Middle East.
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What happened to Christian Eriksen at Euro 2020?
Denmark reached the semi-finals of Euro 2020, falling to defeat against England at Wembley before beating Spain to officially finish third in the tournament.
They were without Eriksen for the majority of the tournament, however, with his playing career put at risk.
The midfielder collapsed 43 minutes into Denmark’s first match of the tournament, playing in front of a crowd in Copenhagen.
Christian Eriksen has returned to action for Denmark since his collapseCredit: Reuters
After receiving a throw in, Eriksen fell to the ground and with nobody close to him there was immediate concern.
Denmark captain Simon Kjaer realised the severity of the issue and put his teammate onto his side to ensure that his airway was open.
While having a defibrillator used on him on the pitch, fans of both Denmark and Finland chanted Eriksen’s name as he was rushed to hospital.
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The Dane was discharged the same week, having a cardioverter defibrillator implanted, which would shock his heart if he is to experience a cardiac arrest again.
The midfielder was since cleared to return to playing football, with Brentford signing him last season.
Upon the expiry of his deal in London, Eriksen joined Manchester United, where he remains a key player. More

AARON RAMSEY has been one of Wales’ key players since his breakthrough at Cardiff City as a youngster.Making 75 appearances for Wales and scoring 20 goals, Ramsey has been part of an impressive squad.
Aaron Ramsey was impressive at Euro 2016 as Wales reached the semi-finalsCredit: Reuters
The most impressive run for the Dragons was in Euro 2016, where Wales reached the semi-final before falling to defeat to Portugal.
Ramsey netted once and registered four assists in the tournament, including setting up two goals against Belgium in a famous quarter-final victory.
He will be hoping to impress when Wales travel to Qatar for the World Cup in November.
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Who does Aaron Ramsey play for?
The midfielder’s most notorious spell was with Arsenal, where he spent 11 years and made 371 appearances before taking a risk to move to Italy on a free transfer.
A significant pay rise saw Ramsey touted as the future of Juventus’ midfield but his time at the club was hampered by injuries, playing just 70 times in three years.
With speculation surrounding his future in 2021, Ramsey departed on a season-long loan to Scottish side Rangers.
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Unfortunately for Ramsey, the most memorable moment of his spell at the Gers was a penalty shoot-out miss in the Europa League final against Eintracht Frankfurt.
His Juventus contract expired in 2022, allowing Ramsey to depart for free and he was heavily linked with a move to Nottingham Forest as well as a potential return to Cardiff being touted.
However, he ended up signing for French side OGC Nice, where he continues to ply his trade in Ligue 1. More

WALES star Gareth Bale had his most successful spell for Real Madrid in his illustrious career.The 33-year-old joined Los Blancos from Tottenham Hotspur back in 2013 before lifting five Champions Leagues during his time in Spain.
Gareth Bale scored 106 goals in 258 Real Madrid appearancesCredit: AP
The winger had a turbulent time throughout his spell in La Liga and was criticised for celebrating Wales’ Euro 2020 qualification with flag stating ‘Wales, golf, Mardid in that order’.
Despite this, Carlo Ancelotti was keen for the Welsh star to be given a warm reception when he departed Real Madrid at the end of last season on a free transfer.
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Who does Gareth Bale play for?
There was much speculation about where Bale would go once his contract at Madrid expired.
Spending a season back at Spurs in 2020, his former club remained an option despite rumours of a potential retirement.
However, with Wales qualifying for the 2022 World Cup, Bale decided against retirement and the search for a new club was on.
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Cardiff City were the favourites to secure his signature, with it believed that the winger could return to Wales to finish his playing career.
However, in a surprise move, Bale was named as a new LAFC player as he opted to join the MLS side.
Bale is still in California, plying his trade for LAFC and has played 12 times, scoring on two occasions for Steve Cherundolo’s side. More

WALES, GOLF, MADRID – in that order. The infamous phrase about Gareth Bale has earned it’s own song for the Dragons.The winger was at the top of his game during his early spell at Real Madrid but things turned sour before he departed for LAFC this summer.
Gareth Bale celebrating Real Madrid’s Champions League win in 2022Credit: PA
Moving to the MLS to get game time and keep match fitness, Bale has netted twice in 12 games for his new side.
The move was seen as a surprising one, with the Welshman heavily linked with a return to Cardiff before deciding to join the California-based side.
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Why do Wales fans sing ‘Wales, golf, Madrid’ about Gareth Bale?
With Wales qualifying for Euro 2020 back in 2019, the players took to the pitch to celebrate in front of their fans.
However, Wales caused a storm as Bales’ teammates brought a banner onto the pitch during a time where he was facing criticism from Real Madrid fans.
On this banner? ‘Wales, golf, Madrid in that order’.
Gareth Bale celebrating against Ukraine as Wales qualified for the 2022 World CupCredit: Alamy
The flag referenced Bale’s preference for international football as well as his love for playing golf during his time in Spain, with there being prior heavy criticism for the amount of time he spent on the golf course and injury table for Los Blancos.
Speaking on the banner, Bale previously admitted: “I’d seen the banner a few weeks before.
“The boys had shown me and they said ‘if we do qualify, let’s try and find it and bring it out.’ I was like ‘do what you want but I won’t be going over to get it.’
“They brought it down, we were all celebrating as a team and I’m not going to not jump around with my teammates.
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“It was a bit of banter. A bit of fun. People can see it how they like.”
Since then, Wales fans turned the celebration into a chant to highlight how Bale put his country over his love for golf and club football during his time in Spain.
With Bale now plying his trade at LAFC, it remains to be seen as to whether the chant will be changed during the World Cup. More