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    Inside the border village where English and Welsh fans are divided by a single street

    WELSH and English fans are divided by a single street in the border village of Llanymynech.Rival flags adorn each side of the road. 
    Fans from England and Wales are divided by a single street in the border village of LlanymynechCredit: fpnw.co.uk©2022
    England-born Jean Williams and Welsh husband Kevin, married 20 years tomorrow, will watch separately.
    Jean, 65, said: “I’m hoping for a Three Lions victory. I reckon we’ll beat The Dragons 3-O. I’ll be over the moon.”
    Electrical engineer Keith, 59, chipped in: “I think my wife’s got that wrong.”
    Supporters in the Dragon Inn, which straddles the border, were celebrating early.
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    Welsh farmer Dan Lee said: “We’re going to win 4-1.” 
    English mate Jay Holding, 21, said: “There’s a lot of rivalry but it’s friendly.
    “I’d like to say 10-0 for England but I’d better say 2-1 as I’m drinking with a Welsh friend in a Welsh pub.
    “Yes, there’s a lot of rivalry and banter but it’s all quite friendly.”
    Most read in Football
    Meanwhile scaffolder pal Tommy Pugh, 20, who was born in Wales but grew up in England, is confused who to support.
    He said: “Some of my mates support England, Wales, I am right down the middle.
    “I thought I was an England fan living in Wales and now I may be a Welsh fan living here.
    “You know what I’ll be supporting the team that wins, whoever wins!” More

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    Fans demand genius Phil Foden be urgently called up by England for World Cup

    SIDELINED footie genius Phil Foden was at the centre of an England fan clamour for an urgent World Cup call-up earlier tonight.Supporters, backed by ex-stars and pundits, were baffled as to why the country’s most gifted and in-form star has sat on the subs’ bench in Qatar.
    Fans are baffled why Phil Foden has sat on the subs’ bench in QatarCredit: Getty
    The brilliant Manchester City playmaker has had just 19 minutes of action after coming on as Gareth Southgate’s men coasted to a 6-2 triumph over Iran.
    He was an unused sub as England’s creative spark fizzled out in Friday’s dire 0-0 draw against the USA.
    Southgate was under pressure tonight to start the 22-year-old maestro in Tuesday’s Battle of Britain against Wales.
    His trickery, technical skills and vision are seen by many as key to unlocking stubborn defences in later rounds.
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    Fans in Qatar ramped up calls for a Foden fillip tonight.
    Businessman Mark Hillman, 46, from Shepherd’s Bush, West London, said: “We were awful against the USA and he still didn’t get a kick.”
    Steve Gallacher said: “Foden would play for Brazil.”
    Richard Innes questioned why he could not get in an England team “which can’t string three passes together”.
    Most read in The Sun
    Even Brazil fan Guilherme Fidalgo Neves said: “We easily could find a place for him.”
    Three Lions legends have also been queuing up to blast his exclusion.
    Wayne Rooney said: “I think if you have a talent like Foden, you simply have to play him.”
    Michael Owen said he was “astonished” Foden was not in the team.
    Meanwhile, England striker Marcus Rashford said he was “raring to go” to face Wales — and make fans forget the USA bore draw.
    Marcus, 25, has come on as a sub twice and bagged a brilliant goal with his first touches against Iran.
    Despite the US draw, England need only to avoid losing by four goals against the unfancied Welsh to reach the last 16.
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    But they need a win to ensure they top the group and land a smoother path through the knockout stages.
    Wales need to win by four to advance, or by any margin if Iran and the US draw. More

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    England’s best player’s so obvious it isn’t even close – Southgate didn’t play him against USA & the result was dismal

    ENGLAND’S best footballer is Phil Foden.
    It’s not even close.
    Phil Foden is obviously England’s best playerCredit: Getty
    Gareth Southgate’s baffling choice is clearly responsible for Friday’s forgettable matchCredit: Getty
    Piers is saying what we’re all thinkingCredit: Facebook
    He’s the most wondrously gifted player we’ve had since Paul “Gazza” Gascoigne.
    And he’s been proving it with dazzling performances, week in week out, for Manchester City in both the Premier League and Champions League.
    Which all begs the question: why the hell didn’t manager Gareth Southgate bring him on in England’s World Cup match against the United States on Friday night?
    As an equally bemused Wayne Rooney said: “If you have a talent like Foden, you simply have to play him.”
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    Yet for some unfathomable reason, Southgate stubbornly refused to throw Foden into action despite England, so thrilling in the 6-2 rout of Iran, playing like the zombified patients in the Robert De Niro/Robin Williams movie Awakenings after the medication wears off.
    Southgate’s explanation afterwards was almost as incomprehensible as his decision.
    “We love Phil, he is a super player,” he said.
    So why leave him on the bench?
    Most read in The Sun
    “We didn’t quite have that same zip,” Southgate admitted.
    So why not bring on the guy with the most zip?
    Then came his inexplicable excuse.
    “We didn’t feel it was right for Phil [to play] in the middle because he doesn’t play there for his club.”
    Sorry, what?
    a) Foden has played down the middle for City on numerous occasions, and b) City boss Pep Guardiola said: “For Phil, responsibility is not a problem.
    “Since day one going to bigger stages, bigger scenarios and important games, it’s not a problem. He loves to play. He can play in all five positions up front: winger on both sides, striker through the middle and in the pockets like an attacking midfielder.”
    Did Southgate not hear this assessment from the world’s top manager?
    Or did he choose to ignore it?
    Either way, he dropped the ball, and the result was a dismal performance and dire 0-0 draw.
    Southgate’s been a very good England manager, but his instinctive timidity in the final cost us the Euros.
    He would do well to heed Albert Einstein’s warning: “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over but expecting a different result.”
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    You don’t win World Cups by keeping your best, most exciting player off the pitch.
    Get a grip Gareth, take the safety pads off, and start Foden in every game for the rest of this tournament. More

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    WAGs Charlotte Russell and Georgina Irwin do Wales and England proud

    World Cup model WAGs Charlotte Russell and Georgina Irwin are busting for Tuesday night’s Battle of Britain between England and Wales.Charlotte, 28, is the fiancee of Red Dragons forward Kieffer Moore, 30, while Georgina, 26, is engaged to back up Three Lions keeper Aaron Ramsdale, 24.
    Welsh WAG Charlotte Russell is engaged to striker Kieffer MooreCredit: instagram.com/charlotteamyrussell
    Georgina Irwin is the fiancée of England back-up goalkeeper Aaron RamsdaleCredit: instagram
    Wales need at least a win to have any chance of progress into the knock-out stages in Qatar.
    Meanwhile Gareth Southgate’s men require all three points to be sure of topping the group and avoiding a possible quarter final clash with tournament favourites Brazil.
    Bournemouth forward Moore came on for the second half of Wales opening 1-1 daw with the USA.
    He kept his place for the disappointing 2-0 loss to Iran.
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    Arsenal’s Ramsdale is keeping the bench warm thanks to the form of England number one Jordan Pickford.
    But both their ladies look winners in the glamour stakes.
    Several of England’s WAGs have been staying on a luxury cruise liner docked in Doha.
    They are sid to have racked up a £20,000 bar bill celebrating England’s opening win.
    Most read in The Sun
    Kieffer Moore will be taking on England in Tuesday’s showdown matchCredit: Getty
    Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale is waiting for his England chanceCredit: Getty More

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    Mason Greenwood probed by cops for ‘second bail breach after he paid for designer clothing for alleged sex victim’

    POLICE are looking into claims Manchester United’s Mason Greenwood breached bail conditions by paying for designer clothing for his alleged sex victim.It is claimed the woman had access to his bank account — despite being due to give evidence at the player’s trial.
    Mason Greenwood was said to be pictured with his alleged victim in a car last month
    It comes as the Manchester United player is being probed for a potential second bail breachCredit: Reuters
    Greenwood is said to have ‘paid for designer clothing for his alleged sex victim’
    The clothes were purchased online and sent to her address last weekOne of the charges against the footballer, previously accused of flouting bail rules last month is coercive and controlling behaviour.
    At his trial in November next year, he will also face charges of attempted rape and assault causing actual bodily harm.
    Greenwood, 21, who has also played for England, appeared before a judge on Monday at crown court in Manchester.
    Judge Maurice Greene reminded the £75,000-a-week striker that his bail conditions remain in place.
    READ MORE ON MASON GREENWOOD
    They are understood to ban him from having any direct or indirect contact with his alleged victim.
    But it is claimed on Friday a bank account belonging to Greenwood was used to purchase £86 worth of women’s clothes from online fashion brand Luxe To Kill.
    The company was allegedly instructed online to deliver the items to the home address of the alleged victim.
    Greater Manchester Police is aware of the alleged purchase and is looking into claims it might constitute a breach of Greenwood’s bail.
    Most read in The Sun
    A source told the Sun on Sunday Greenwood had not placed the order.
    Greenwood, of Bowdon, Gtr Manchester, was first held by police in January this year over allegations relating to a woman after images and videos were posted online.
    He was bailed but was re-arrested last month after he was pictured with his alleged victim in a breach of his conditions.
    He was remanded in custody after appearing at Manchester magistrates court on October 17 but was released from prison two days later following a private bail hearing.
    The attempted rape is alleged to have taken place in October 2021.
    The controlling and coercive behaviour relates to a period between November 2018 and October this year, where he is alleged to have made threatening and derogatory comments towards the complainant, as well as accessing and monitoring her social media accounts.
    The charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm is dated December 2021.
    Greenwood was suspended by United bosses after his arrest.
    England manager Gareth Southgate gave him his Three Lions debut aged just 18 in September 2020 for a Nations League clash against Iceland.
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    Before his arrest, Greenwood was valued at around £50million and regarded as one of the hottest young talents in European football.
    The defendant is set to enter a plea to the charges when he next appears in court on February 10. More

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    Uri Geller challenges Tyson Fury to fight — after boxer says he uses mind powers to win bouts

    URI Geller has challenged Tyson Fury to a fight — after the boxer revealed he uses mind powers to win bouts.The 75-year-old spoon bender even fancies his chances against the 18st 6ft 9in Gypsy King.
    Uri Geller challenged Tyson Fury to a fight — after the boxer revealed he uses mind powers to win boutsCredit: Getty – Contributor
    Unbeaten world heavyweight champ Tyson claims he gets inside the heads of his opponentCredit: Alamy
    Israeli-based Geller said: “Anyone who can master telepathy and knocking out or confusing his opponent is going to win.”
    But he added: “Against me in the ring — I can’t discount it.
    “I am offering Fury to fight me.”
    Unbeaten world heavyweight champ Fury, 34, claims he gets inside the heads of his opponents.
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    Most read in Boxing
    Geller also offered to help Fury defend his WBC title against Derek Chisora on December 3.
    He said: “Come to Israel, come to the Holy Land, come to my museum.
    “And we’ll spend a few good hours training telepathically.” More

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    Search begins for England’s own Ivana Knoll – Croatia’s sexy World Cup fan

    SCORE blimey! Croatian Ivana Knoll is definitely in the knock-out stage of the World Cup after being dubbed its sexiest fan.Pictures of the 30-year-old cheering on her national team against Morocco have stunned supporters worldwide.
    Stunning model Ivana Knoll is known as Croatia’s sexiest fanCredit: Splash
    Ivana’s patriotic dress attempted to rally Croatia’s players to a win against MoroccoCredit: instagram
    Ivana has legions of fans on TikTok and has been heating up the winter World Cup in Qatar.
    Her racy outfit risked breaking the host country’s strict modesty laws.
    But The Sun is certain England can do better — and launching Operation Fit’s Coming Home.
    So if you’re in striking form, send us your pictures of yourself in an England strip.
    How to enter
    YOU can email your photos to exclusive@the-sun.co.uk with “Fit’s Coming Home” in the ­subject field, or WhatsApp to 07423 720250.

    The Sun is searching for England’s own sexy superfan to cheer the Three Lions onCredit: instagram More

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    England’s Wags rack up eye-watering £20,000 bar bill on luxury World Cup cruise liner

    ENGLAND’S Wags are clearly on a super booze, racking up a £20,000 bar bill on board their luxury World Cup cruise liner.The group glugged bottles of high-end champagne to celebrate the Three Lions win in the opening game of the tournament in Qatar.
    England’s Wags have racked up a massive bill on their luxury cruise linerCredit: AP
    Harry Maguire’s wife Fern was among the Wags partying until 2amCredit: Getty
    Jordan Pickford’s other half Megan was part of the group glugging champagneCredit: Getty
    And Jack Grealish’s model sweetheart Sasha Attwood was also on a super boozeCredit: Getty
    The women and their families gathered on board the stunning £1billion MSC World Europa to toast their men after Gareth Southgate’s team opened with a 6-2 mauling of Iran.
    And the Wags, including Harry Maguire’s wife Fern, Jordan Pickford’s missus Megan and Jack Grealish’s model sweetheart Sasha Attwood, partied until 2am.
    A source said: “They’re on a premium drinks package whilst on board the cruise liner.
    “It was all paid for before they arrived in Qatar. But they were ordering bottles of champagne at £250 a pop as well as cocktails.
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    “They then hit the karaoke and were belting out Three Lions and Sweet Caroline.
    “They had an absolute blast and drank so much the bar was restocking the following morning.”
    And Kyle Walker’s Wag, Annie, 29, who married the defender last November, has embraced the cruise ship experience.
    She headed to the ship’s main theatre to enjoy a singer belting out classics including Gloria Gaynor’s I Will Survive and Whitney Houston’s I Will Always Love You.
    Most read in The Sun
    The ship is docked in Doha for the duration of the World Cup.
    The Wags are among 6,762 guests who have paid up to £6,000 for five-star packages.
    The liner features a 643ft outdoor promenade, 14 ocean-view whirlpools, 13 dining venues and more than 30 bars and cafés.
    For kids and adults with a sense of fun, a Sportplex zone offers basketball, bumper cars and a roller disco.
    But the highlight is the 11-deck high helter skelter called The Venom Drop — the tallest slide on any ship in the world.
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    The Wags can also enjoy a spa and wellness centre, thermal baths, a beauty salon and a gym.
    Their Three Lions are staying at the nearby Souq Al Wakra hotel in a Covid bubble. More