World Cup 2022

SPAIN manager Luis Enrique has come up with an innovative way of coaching his players – installing a tower at the team’s training base in Qatar.The former Barcelona boss barks orders using a walkie-talkie with a microphone attached to each player.
Luis Enrique and his coaching staff climb a ladder to get their improved viewCredit: TWITTER / BarcaUniversal
Enrique uses a walkie-talkie to communicate from high upCredit: TWITTER / BarcaUniversal
The ex-Barcelona boss is always looking for innovative coaching methodsCredit: Getty
Enrique, 52, watches training from his vantage point as he is set on coaching a possession and positional based style with his view allowing him to see everything better and provide quick feedback.
A tower made out of scaffolding has been installed at Spain’s University of Qatar training base.
ITV pundit Joe Cole joked if he was in the Spain team he’d say: “I’ve lost reception boss, I can’t hear ya.”
It has been a tactic the gaffer has reportedly used since 2013 when he was in charge of Celta Vigo.
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When the Spanish side meet up on home soil in Madrid, Enrique continues to be contemporary using a giant screen by the side of the pitch to analyse practice immediately.
Enrique has been doing nightly Twitch streams that have proved popular in Spain where fans can ask him questions.
In one of his streams he opened up on his use of technology saying: “Today, for example, I decided that the strikers will wear them [walkie-talkies] and we have had much calmer communication.
“I don’t talk to them when the play is in motion, because they don’t need to think that I’m running after them, but when the move is over, if there’s something to correct, I’ll correct it.
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“We train more on video than on the pitch.
“There are players who do things with their clubs that are very different to what we ask, but we have seen when they come with us they do brilliantly.”
Enrique then revealed that he has always had a passion for using tech to help football despite his lack of knowledge with it at times.
He said: “I like computers, at 21 when I arrived at Real Madrid, the first thing I did was buy one.
“My team-mates told me ‘but you don’t even know how to turn it on’. [I said] well, don’t worry, some day I will learn.
“I’ve always liked technology. I remember being one of the first players to get on the Internet, working out emails and helping everyone else. I’ve always liked it.
“Now I’m an old geezer who doesn’t know how to work the Bluetooth on his headphones.”
Enrique methods have had success. Spain reached the semi-final of Euro 2020 losing to eventual winners Italy on penalties.
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He also won two LaLiga titles and a Champions League while managing Barcelona but was blessed to have a front three of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar.
Enrique is well-known for being a demanding coach insisting that his players practice “1,000 penalties” before arriving at the World Cup. More

MATTY CASH bumped into Brazilian legend Ronaldinho days after being dumped out of the World Cup.Poland lost 3-1 to France on Sunday in the last-16 as two Kylian Mbappe stunners set them apart.
Poland and Villa star Cash met the legendary midfielder Ronaldinho
The Villa star was taken to task by France’s main man Mbappe on Sunday during the World Cup knockout
But it was a valiant effort from the Poles and Cash, 25, had a good tournament for his mother’s home nation.
And he is taking a deserved break on the beaches of Qatar.
The Aston Villa star has even had the chance to meet a hero in Ronaldinho.
He posted it on Twitter and next to an emoji of a goat, Cash simply wrote: “Legend.”
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Despite Cash’s sunburn and Ronaldinho’s choice of attire, fans on social media absolutely loved the combo.
One wrote: “A footballing icon. And Ronaldinho.”
Another added: “The magician of the ball, captivating with a smile, like a panther on the pitch. Ronaldinho is cool too.”
Cash did his best to mark Kylian Mbappe during Poland’s defeat to Les Blues and walked away breathless after the game with his shirt as a mark of respect.
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It was the closest he had got to it all game.
Cash is no slouch and did his homework but there is only so much preparation anyone can do against the young ace.
Mbappe is just three games away from winning a second World Cup – two days before his 24th birthday.
England stand in his way on Saturday and Cash described the challenge that Kyle Walker and the Three Lions defenders will have this weekend.

He joked: “I watched the videos while lying in bed – then in real life Mbappe’s burning my legs, that’s the difference. 
“It’s a massive difference, when he stands you up and moves he does it really well. He drops the shoulder, goes short then long. 
“I got into a couple of races with him, and I did alright. You look over your shoulder and he’s there.
“For me personally it’s amazing, to have that experience and that learning curve.
“I’m obviously still a young kid, learning the game, and to be at a major tournament playing against the world’s best players is something you dream of, so it’s amazing.
“He is on a different level. It’s even hard stopping the ball getting to him because their game plan is to get the ball to the wingers and when it’s one v one you’ve got to try to stop him.
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“He obviously does it really well because he scores and he’s probably in the top two, three players in the world at the minute.
“But I’m delighted, playing against Messi and Mbappe in the space of four days is a learning curve. It’s a boy’s dream to play in a major tournament against these types of players and to get their match shirt.” More

USA striker Ricardo Pepi was spotted pole dancing in a Holland kit after he appeared to lose a bet on the World Cup last-16.Pepi was a surprise omission from Gregg Berhalter’s side, who were knocked out of the tournament by the Dutch.
USA striker Ricardo Pepi has been seen wearing a Holland kitCredit: https://twitter.com/StefanBleeker
Holland knocked USA out of the World Cup in the last-16Credit: https://twitter.com/StefanBleeker
Pepi, left, was snubbed for USA’s World Cup squad, but appears to have worn the Holland shirt after losing a betCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Christian Pulisic and Co suffered heartbreak at the hands of HollandCredit: Reuters
Footage of Pepi, who plays in Holland for Gronigen, donning a Dutch kit was then posted to Twitter.
The 19-year-old was seen laughing as he jokingly danced around a pole.
But fans were quick to leap to the teenager’s defence.
Comments on social media claimed the snubbed USA striker was in fact forced to wear the Holland shirt after losing a bet with a team-mate.
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There are no suggestions the 12-cap USA international wore the shirt to mock the 3-1 defeat to Holland in the last-16.
Pepi has scored six goals in nine league games for Gronigen this season, on loan from German outfit Augsburg.
And leaving the teenager out of USA’s World Cup squad raised some eyebrows pre-tournament.
Explaining the decision to leave out Pepi, Berhalter said: “The Dutch league, I think it’s a great league, but it doesn’t bring the same physicality that the Premier League or the Championship brings.
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“That was something that went into the decision.”
Pepi himself also admitted that it was “disappointing” to miss out on the squad.
He said: “[It’s] disappointing because I felt like I gave myself the best opportunities to be in the World Cup roster.
“I felt like I had a chance, but also not disappointing at the same time because, like I said, I did my thing, I went out there, I played many minutes, I scored my goals. I’m really happy with that situation.
“At the end of the day, it’s a coach’s decision that I can’t control. 
“I feel like once he told me, I wanted to flip the page as soon as possible and just focus on the game now. I can’t keep thinking about why I didn’t make it or why I did.” More

GEORGINA RODRIGUEZ went for a walk in the desert ahead of her partner Cristiano Ronaldo’s crunch World Cup game on Tuesday evening.Ronaldo, 37, is a part of the Portugal squad that will take on Switzerland in the last-16 in Qatar.
Georgina Rodriguez spent some time in the desert in QatarCredit: Instagram @georginagio
She is set to cheer on partner Cristiano Ronaldo from the stands on Tuesday eveningCredit: Instagram @georginagio
Georgina spent time in the desert ahead of Portugal’s clash with SwitzerlandCredit: Instagram @georginagio
Georgina’s sister also shared a snap of her in the desert
Georgina posted an image of the World Cup logo projected onto the sand
Ronaldo has scored one goal so far at this year’s World CupCredit: Getty
Georgina, the long-term girlfriend of Ronaldo, is out in the Middle East supporting her other half.
But she took some quiet time ahead of the match on Tuesday by heading for a gander in the desert.
She shared a host of pictures on her social media alongside a love heart.
Her sister, Ivana, also posted an image of Georgina with the caption: “Desert of Qatar. Super experience. What a great time we had!!!
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“Thank you #qatar2022 for gifting us these moments together ❤️ I love you, sister ✨😘.”
However, there are no guarantees Ronaldo will start for Portugal against the Swiss.
Manager Fernando Santos was left unimpressed by the former Manchester United forward after he sulked when substituted against South Korea.
He was replaced by Andre Silva in the 65th minute of their 2-1 loss – with Portugal having already qualified for the second round.
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Speaking about the incident, Santos said: “Have I seen the images? Yes, I didn’t like it, not at all. I didn’t like it. I really didn’t like it.
“But from that moment onwards everything is finished regarding that issue.
“These matters are resolved behind closed doors. It’s resolved.
“Full stop on this matter and now everyone is focused on tomorrow’s match.”
He then cast doubt on whether Ronaldo, who has started each of Portugal’s four games in Qatar, will lead the line in the last-16 tie, adding: “I only decide who is going to be captain when I reach the stadium.
“I still don’t know what the lineup will be. That’s what I’ve always done and that’s what I’m always going to do and it’s going to be the same tomorrow.
“The other topic is solved. We have fixed that in-house and that’s it.”
Georgina met Ronaldo towards the end of 2016Credit: Getty
She has jetted out to the Middle East to support Ronaldo at the World CupCredit: Getty More

LUCAS PAQUETA has defended Brazil’s dancing after Roy Keane blasted “it was like watching Strictly” when they celebrated.Brazil’s stars marked every goal in the 4-1 win over South Korea on Monday with a dance.
Brazil’s stars celebrated with a dance after all four goals in the 4-1 win over South KoreaCredit: AP
Lucas Paqueta scored the fourth and celebrated with a jiggleCredit: AP
Roy Keane blasted Brazil for their dancingCredit: ITV
West Ham star Paqueta, 25, scored the fourth goal as the tournament favourites turned on the style.
Manager Tite even got involved in the dancing after Richarlison ran over to the dugout after netting Brazil’s third.
But an unimpressed Keane fumed on ITV’s coverage of the game: “I’ve never seen so much dancing. It’s like watching Strictly. I can’t believe what I’m watching.
“I don’t like this. I think it’s disrespecting the opposition. It’s four [goals] and they’re doing it every time.”
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Paqueta then defiantly hit back at the Manchester United legend after the match.
The playmaker told Globo: “The dance is a representation of our joy after scoring a goal.
“We don’t do it to disrespect anyone, we don’t do it in front of our opponents.”
He added: “We all get together to celebrate. If they don’t like it, there’s not much to say.”
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And Paqueta vowed to keep dancing – as long as Brazil keep banging in the goals.
He declared: “We’ll keep scoring goals and keep dancing. This is a group that is happy to score, to get the victory and the goals.”
Paqueta’s Brazil team-mate, Raphinha, also promised that the team plan to carry on dancing after scoring.
He revealed: “The problem is those who don’t like it, because we’re going to keep doing it.”
Boss Tite also hit back at the “nasty” Keane for his reaction.
Brazil now face Croatia on Friday for a place in the World Cup semi-finals. More

GRANIT XHAKA’S dad hit out at a journalist after she slammed the Arsenal star for his “disgraceful” gesture. The Switzerland midfielder, 30, grabbed his manhood during the highly-charged 3-2 win over Serbia on Friday.
Granit Xhaka made the rude gesture on FridayCredit: https://www.krone.at/2875474
Zana Avdiu criticised the midfielderCredit: https://www.instagram.com/zana.avdiuu/
Xhaka sparked a mass pitch invasion and brawl when he did the move in front of the Serbian bench and appeared to aim a comment towards back-up keeper Predrag Rajkovic.
It was Rajkovic whose wife was rumoured to be having an affair with team-mate Dusan Vlahovic, a suggestion which the Serb striker has vehemently denied.
Xhaka was also at the heart of the stoppage time bust-up which saw him being grabbed around the throat by goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic and threatened by Aleksandar Mitrovic and Nikola Milenkovic.
He then triggered further Serbian anger by celebrating the win in a shirt with Jashari on the back – Adam Jashari founded the Kosovo Liberation Army – but escaped punishment from Fifa.
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But it was his naughty gesture that has caused a storm ahead of Switzerland’s last-16 clash with Portugal.
Kosovan activist and journalist Zana Avdiu raged on Facebook: “Granit Xhaka’s act is a disgrace. An act of a street boy.”
She added on TV channel T7: “What does it say about our society when we celebrate such a gesture?”
The rest of the panel – all males – tried to silence Avdiu by claiming she “doesn’t understand the emotions of a footballer” or even the gesture itself.
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But Avdiu responded: “I’ll explain it to you: Granit Xhaka’s gesture symbolizes a sexual assault.”
However, things got heated when Xhaka’s dad Ragip joined the show on the phone.
Addressing Avdiu in the third person only, Xhaka Sr said: “If she calls Granit Xhaka a street urchin, that’s a great shame! 
“The woman who sits on this show and has no idea about sports, emotions, or Albanians.
“These people insult his mother, his wife and children, make a number of gestures, chant ‘Kill the Albanians!’, ‘Kosovo is Serbia!’ and she calls Granit one street boys.
“The Xhaka family has never surrendered and does not surrender. Granit’s gesture was neither political nor sexist. 
“Granit is Granit. He didn’t make this gesture to offend anyone.
“I warn you again: you should be careful what you write about the Xhaka family.” 
Avdiu replied: “What else happens?”
Xhaka fired back: “I’ll tell you later what happens. You will have to answer for yourself in every respect. 
“But when the time comes, it will already be too late, I guarantee you that with my life. Because you don’t know the Xhaka family.”
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Xhaka’s dad – who is from Albania and moved to Switzerland before sons Granit and Taulant were born – also defended his son for campaigning for and supporting Albanian women whowere raped during the Kosovo War.
He added: “He is jeopardizing his career and telling the world who raped our Albanian mothers, sisters and children – over 20,000 victims.”
Xhaka’s dad Ragip defended his son publiclyCredit: Getty
Xhaka was at the thick of the action in the win over SerbiaCredit: Reuters More