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      Harry Kane inspired by former idols David Beckham and Wayne Rooney as he captains England’s World Cup charge

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      HARRY KANE takes inspiration from former idols David ­Beckham and Wayne Rooney as he chases World Cup glory.Kane spoke to one-time England captain Beckham when Goldenballs visited the squad’s training base during the group stage.
      Harry Kane’s biggest idol is David Beckham, who he met in 2005 when the current Three Lions’ skipper was aged 11Credit: Rex Features
      Wayne Rooney’s reaction to becoming England’s record scorer has stayed in Kane’s mind and now the striker needs one more to equal that mark of 53Credit: Getty
      And after moving to within one goal of Rooney’s all-time Three Lions record, the Spurs striker revealed how another predecessor as skipper is driving him on to greatness.
      Kane, who famously met Beckham as a kid, said: “Becks went to my secondary school, Chingford Foundation. We both played for Ridgeway Rovers, our Sunday league team.
      “He was my biggest idol when I was growing up. He was here the other day. We had a good chat.
      “He was one of the best captains we ever had.
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      “I didn’t just ask questions about games or how he felt, it was more just getting to know his experiences, how he feels about our team, what he sees in our team.
      “We had a chat about loads of things. He’s really excited for the national side. He loves watching us play.
      “It’s great to have support from ex-players. They know how much it means to represent your country. They’re all part of the team.”
      Beckham visited the England squad after a training session at the invitation of Three Lions boss, and former international team-mate, Gareth Southgate.
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      Former Manchester United and Real Madrid superstar Beckham won 115 caps.
      And Goldenballs’ free-kick winner in the last-16 victory over Ecuador at the 2006 finals means he is still the only Englishman to have scored in three separate World Cups.
      Becks also netted in 1998, against Colombia, and 2002, the winner against Argentina, as well as appearing at the 2000 and 2004 Euros.
      But he suffered “the worst moment of my career” when he was sent off against Argentina for a petulant kick at Diego Simeone in 1998 and England crashed out on penalties.
      Kane, 29, never got to play alongside Beckham, but was on the pitch when Rooney broke Sir Bobby Charlton’s goal record with a penalty against Switzerland in 2015.
      That was Rooney’s 50th international goal and the Manchester United legend finished with 53 strikes in all from 120 appearances.
      Kane’s rocket shot in Sunday’s 3-0 win over Senegal puts him on 52 — and he has his sights set firmly on Saturday’s World Cup quarter-final with France.
      Kane said: “The record was not something I was thinking about at the start.
      Kane chatted with Beckham about his wealth of experience and what he thinks of the modern-day England squadCredit: Getty – Contributor
      “I was playing when Wayne Rooney broke the record and saw how much it meant to him.
      “A few months later he had a trophy presented to him (to commemorate the record) and said he wanted me to present it because he thought I’d go and break the record.
      “Praise from him, someone I looked up to my whole life watching England and playing with him meant a lot.
      “When he said that, I thought ‘maybe that’s something I can achieve.’”
      Kane’s goal against Senegal took him ahead of Gary Lineker as England’s most prolific striker at major tournaments, with 11.
      Kane told the Lions’ Den with M&S Food: “It’s hard when you are in it and you’re thinking about the next game, thinking about France and getting through.
      “When I’ve finished playing I’m sure I will look back and be extremely proud and I’ll be extremely proud whenever I do break the record.
      “If I was a teenager watching I’d be so excited and be in awe but it’s a different feeling when you’re in among it.
      It doesn’t matter who you are or what you’ve done, he keeps pushing you. Kane on Henderson
      “If it can be at this tournament, it would be nice, as it would probably mean the team are doing well as well — we’ll have to see.
      “It was nice to get that one against Senegal and get one step closer.”Kane is doing his best to match and surpass the standards set by the two former England captains.
      But he also appreciates the role that Liverpool skipper Jordan Henderson is playing as he and the team bid to become Qatar heroes.
      Henderson — a Champions League and Premier League winner with Liverpool — set England on their way with the opening goal against Senegal and Kane said: “Hendo is one of the best leaders I’ve played with.
      “He is very vocal, he pushes players to go to the max and that’s why he’s been great.
      “He is outstanding with and without the ball and he is pushing everyone. The way we have been pressing, it’s good to hear him pushing you on.
      “We have different types of leader — we maybe have four or five different types of personalities but people have big personalities and he’s one of them.
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      “And it doesn’t matter who you are or what you’ve done, he keeps pushing you.
      “It was great for him to score and a lot of the good stuff we’ve done is down to his role in the team.” More

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      Raheem Sterling was ‘FOURTH Chelsea star to be hit by highly organised gang’ after terrifying raid on his mansion

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      RAHEEM Sterling was said to be the fourth Chelsea player hit by the same gang after his mansion was robbed for £300,000 worth of watches and jewellery.The distraught Three Lions star rushed back to comfort his family – and has vowed to return to England’s World Cup campaign only when his family are “safe”.
      England ace Raheem Sterling – pictured here with fiancée Paige – has vowed he will only return to England’s World Cup campaign when his family are ‘safe’
      The horrific raid took place on Saturday night – less than 24 hours before England’s clash against SenegalCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      A private security patrol is seen outside Sterling’s estate in Cobham, SurreyCredit: LNP
      Sterling’s Chelsea teammate Reece James was also targeted by robbers in September 2021Credit: Getty
      Police understand his fiancée Paige Milian, 27, discovered the raid on Saturday night, less than 24 hours before England’s clash with Senegal on Sunday.
      Raheem, also 27, met with detectives from Surrey Police on Monday who are investigating the crime.
      It comes after one of the other Chelsea victims, defender Reece James, 22, was raided by a gang who targeted his home in Cobham, Surrey, in September 2021.
      They stole his safe containing his Champions League, Super Cup and Euro 2020 medals.
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      Two other teammates have also suffered similar crimes in recent months, with cops now looking into potential links.
      It is feared a highly organised criminal gang has the club’s wealthy players in its sights.
      Raheem and his family moved into his ­property in Oxshott, Surrey, after Chelsea paid Man City £47.5million for the winger this summer.
      It is understood Paige returned to the UK from Qatar with his three young children after cheering on Raheem in the group stages.
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      She had a work commitment related to her property firm.
      Raheem pulled out of Gareth Southgate’s squad and dashed home after learning of the terror.
      He is hoping to return to Qatar for Saturday’s quarter-final against France — but only if he thinks his home is secured and his family are not at risk.
      A source said: “Raheem has told everyone, ‘There is no way I’m going anywhere unless I’m 100 per cent sure that my family can be kept safe’.
      “He is security conscious and part of the reason they moved into the property was that it is on a very exclusive estate, with regular security patrols.
      “Despite this, he has still managed to be targeted, which is very upsetting for Raheem and Paige. They have just moved back to London and want to feel safe.”
      England ace Harry Maguire today blasted the thugs who ­targeted Raheem.
      Man United star Harry, 29, said: “It’s extremely disappointing to hear that when we are out here playing for our country and giving everything, there are people back home targeting us.
      “The game could have gone different and we might have needed Raheem.”
      And England skipper Harry Kane, also 29, was helping to calm his teammates worried by the raid.
      A Three Lions source said: “Harry knows the players’ families are really shaken up by what has happened and that is a worry for the players themselves.
      “He sees it as his job as skipper to keep the morale of the team up and to focus everyone on the France match.”
      England manager Gareth Southgate said that he and the FA had discussed security arrangements with the squad prior to leaving for Qatar.
      When asked if the FA had offered to increase security, he said: “We had offered that to players. I think there’s a little bit [for Raheem] in the midst of moving house that played a part in that.”
      And other Wags have offered Paige their support.
      Surrey Police said there were no reports of any threats of violence linked to the incident.
      They also dismissed earlier suggestions that the burglars were armed.
      However, Raheem plans to beef up security at his home once the police have finished their investigations.
      A source said: “He has a firm on stand-by to go straight in to install 24/7 security with enhanced infrared night vision. He’s looking to get dozens of cameras installed.
      “And he’s going to employ a security firm to patrol his house night and day, and will keep them in place until the World Cup is over.”
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      Last night, a security guard ­provided by Chelsea FC stood watch outside the house.
      Police said no arrests had yet been made. More

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      Gareth Southgate orders England lions to go for France’s throats in World Cup quarter-final showdown

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      GARETH SOUTHGATE will order his England lions to go for France’s throats in the World Cup quarter-final.He believes his attacking team have the ability to finally beat a top nation in the knockout stage of a major tournament on foreign soil in Saturday’s tie.
      Gareth Southgate is ready to go on the offensive against FranceCredit: Getty
      Bukayo Saka and Marcus Rashford have been in fine goalscoring formCredit: Reuters
      The Three Lions are the top scorers in Qatar with 12 and he will urge his stars to hunt for goals like did in victories over Iran, Wales and Senegal.
      Boss Southgate said: “We’ve made quite a bit of history over the last four-and-a-half years. Not all of it good! But that’s the great challenge.
      “What we talked about before Senegal was keeping up the relentless pressure, not sitting back if we are ahead, making sure we keep the intensity of our game.
      “So we’ve got to do that now against the world champions.
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      “When you look back through our previous tournaments, you see the teams that have knocked England out.
      “So that’s the next test for this team.”
      Yet Southgate believes England’s record in previous tournaments has prepared them for the France showdown.
      The Three Lions reached the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup in Russia, then made the final of Euro 2020, beating Germany on the way, before losing to Italy on penalties.
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      Southgate, 52, added: “There is a lot of experience of these moments and the players know they’ve had to win games in different ways, they’ve had to come from behind in big matches.”
      England have met France twice before at the World Cup, winning both.
      In 1966, Sir Alf Ramsey’s heroes triumphed 2-0 at Wembley in the group stage, courtesy of a Roger Hunt double, on route to lifting the Jules Rimet trophy.
      But it is the 3-1 victory in Bilbao in 1982 which is Southgate’s most vivid childhood World Cup memory.
      Southgate said: “1982 was the first World Cup I can remember watching England.
      “That tournament also had the Brazilian team of Zico, Eder, Falcao and Socrates, so that was part of falling in love with the game.
      “I also remember the sticker albums and the songs are in my head.”Bryan Robson scored twice in that famous 3-1 opening game win — the first after 27 SECONDS.
      Southgate said: “Bryan was my hero and I remember both his goals in ’82.
      “I don’t know how manager Ron Greenwood was perceived at the time but England went out of that tournament without losing a game.”
      England’s top scorer is Bukayo Saka More

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      Gareth Southgate is humming 1982 England squad’s pop song as he hones his battle plans to beat France

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      THREE Lions boss Gareth Southgate has been humming England’s 1982 World Cup squad song as he hones his plans to beat France on Saturday night.The ex-Crystal Palace, Aston Villa and Middlesbrough defender, 52, is getting inspiration from This Time (We’ll Get It Right).
      Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate has been humming England’s 1982 World Cup squad song as he hones his plans to beat France on Saturday nightCredit: Getty
      The 1982 anthem which starred ‘Captain Fantastic’ Bryan Robson, above being held, and bubble-permed Kevin Keegan, reached No2 in the chartsCredit: Bob Thomas Sports Photography – Getty
      The song, which starred “Captain Fantastic” Bryan Robson and bubble-permed Kevin Keegan, reached No2 in the charts.
      And England beat France 3-1 at that World Cup in Spain — with a young Southgate watching from home as his hero Robson scored twice.
      He said: “1982 was my first World Cup watching England. I remember the sticker albums.
      “I obviously know the songs — and they are in my head.”
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      England’s only previous World Cup meeting with France was a 2-0 victory on the way to winning the tournament in 1966.
      There have been two draws and one France win at Euros matches, and Southgate said: “It is a brilliant challenge for us.” More

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      Inside Japan’s dressing room as stars leave touching note and origami despite World Cup shootout heartbreak vs Croatia

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      JAPAN stars left a wholesome note in their dressing room after being knocked out of the World Cup.The Samurai Blue lost to Croatia on penalties in the last-16.
      Japan left behind a thank you message and origami cranesCredit: Getty
      Japan suffered a heartbreaking penalty shoot-out defeat to CroatiaCredit: Getty
      Japan took the lead as the game ended 1-1 after extra time, though scored just one penalty from four attempts.
      Despite their heartbreak and tears at the final whistle the squad still took time to clean their dressing room and left it in immaculate condition.
      The team also made origami cranes which they left behind as a gift to their hosts.
      And once again a message of gratitude was left, just as Japan did following their historic win over Germany.
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      The words ‘thank you’ were written in Arabic and Japanese as the team played their final match in Qatar.
      The team did likewise after losing to Belgium in similarly heartbreaking circumstances at the 2018 World Cup.
      Japan repeated the act following their Asian Cup defeat to Qatar in 2019, while their fans do likewise.
      At the end of the World Cup’s opening game between Qatar and Ecuador Japanese fans decided to clear the stands of rubbish.
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      Japan provided excellent entertainment throughout and produced memorable victories against Germany and Spain, beating the 2014 champions to qualification to the knock-out stage.
      Japan were also a penalty shoot-out away from reaching the quarter-finals for the first time ever. More

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      Croatia vs Brazil: Stream FREE, TV channel, team news, kick-off time for huge World Cup 2022 quarter-final

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      BRAZIL are in the World Cup quarter-finals once again and this time they will take on Croatia. Tite’s side were electric in their 4-1 win over South Korea in the last-16 as Neymar finally got on the scoresheet.
      Neymar scored in Brazil’s convincing 4-1 victory over South KoreaCredit: Getty
      Croatia beat Japan 3-1 on penalties after the game finished 1-1Credit: Reuters
      Croatia were less convincing as they overcame a tricky Japan side on penalties.
      And now the two sides will face in what is a rematch of the opening game of the World Cup in Brazil in 2014.
      On that day, Brazil ran out 3-1 winners, but Croatia have improved leaps and bounds since then.
      When is Croatia vs Brazil?

      Croatia’s clash with Brazil in the World Cup quarter-final will take place on Friday, December 9.
      The game will get underway from 3pm UK time.
      Croatia vs Brazil will be held at the Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan.

      What channel is it and can it be live streamed?

      Croatia vs Brazil 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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      Can I watch for FREE?
      Yes, you can watch Croatia vs Brazil for FREE, so long as you have a valid TV licence.
      Odds

      Croatia – 15/2
      Draw – 7/2
      Brazil – 4/11

      *Odds courtesy of Betfair and correct at time of publication. More

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      Raheem Sterling vows ‘I won’t go back to the World Cup until my family is safe’ after terrifying raid on his mansion

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      DISTRAUGHT Raheem Sterling has vowed he will only return to England’s World Cup campaign when his family are “safe”.The Three Lions ace’s mansion was targeted by a gang who stole £300,000 worth of watches and designer jewellery — he is said to be the fourth Chelsea FC player hit by them in recent months.
      England ace Raheem Sterling has vowed he will only return to England’s World Cup campaign when his family are ‘safe’ – pictured here with fiancée PaigeCredit: Getty – Contributor
      A security patrol is seen at the home of couple, in SurreyCredit: LNP
      The horrific raid took place on Saturday night – less than 24 hours before England’s clash against Senegal – pictured Sterling with Bukayo SakaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Police understand his fiancee Paige, 27, discovered the raid on Saturday night, less than 24 hours before England’s clash with Senegal on Sunday.
      Raheem, also 27, pulled out of Gareth Southgate’s squad and dashed home after learning of the terror raid. He is hoping to return to Qatar for Saturday’s quarter final against France — but only if he thinks his home is secured and his family are not at risk.
      A source said: “Raheem has told everyone, ‘There is no way I’m going anywhere unless I’m 100 per cent sure that my family can be kept safe’. He is security conscious and part of the reason they moved into the property was that it is on a very exclusive estate, with regular security patrols.
      “Despite this, he has still managed to be targeted, which is very upsetting for Raheem and Paige. They have just moved back to London and want to feel safe.”
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      The family moved into the property in Oxshott, Surrey, after Chelsea paid Man City £47.5 million for the winger this summer.
      ‘Patrol night and day’
      It is understood Paige returned to the UK from Qatar with his three young children after cheering on Raheem in the group stages.
      She had a work commitment related to her property firm. Yesterday, Raheem met with detectives from Surrey Police who are investigating the crime.
      One of the other Chelsea victims defender Reece James, 22, was raided by a gang who targeted his home in Cobham, Surrey, in September 2021. They stole his safe containing his Champions League, Super Cup and Euro 2020 medals.
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      Two other teammates have also suffered similar crimes in recent months, with cops now looking into potential links.
      It is feared a highly organised criminal gang has the club’s wealthy players in its sights. Yesterday, England ace Harry Maguire blasted the thugs who targeted Raheem.
      Man United star Harry, 29, said: “It’s extremely disappointing to hear that when we are out here playing for our country and giving everything there are people back home targeting us.
      “The game could have gone different and we might have needed Raheem.”
      And England skipper Harry Kane, also 29, was yesterday helping to calm his teammates worried by the raid.
      A Three Lions source said: “Harry knows the players’ families are really shaken up by what has happened and that is a worry for the players themselves.
      “He sees it as his job as skipper to keep the morale of the team up and to focus everyone on the France match.”
      England manager Gareth Southgate said he and the FA had discussed security arrangements with the squad prior to leaving for Qatar.
      Harry knows the players’ families are really shaken up by what has happened and that is a worry for the players themselves. A Three Lions source
      When asked if the FA had offered to increase security, he said: “We had offered that to players. I think there’s a little bit [for Raheem] in the midst of moving house that played a part in that.”
      And other Wags have offered Paige their support. Meanwhile, Raheem plans to beef up security at his home once the police have finished their investigations.
      A source said: “He has got a firm on standby to go straight in to install 24/7 security with enhanced infra red night vision. He’s looking to get dozens of cameras installed.
      “And he’s going to employ a security firm to patrol his house night and day, and will keep them in place until the World Cup is over. All the jewellery of value has since been removed from the house to a safe deposit place.”
      Read More on The Sun
      Last night, a security guard ­provided by Chelsea FC stood watch outside the house.
      Police said no arrests had yet been made. More

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      Chaos as South Korea manager Paulo Bento QUITS after 4-1 Brazil loss… but spokesperson claims he was mistranslated

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      PAULO Bento has left his post as South Korea’s manager after their 4-1 defeat by Brazil.Bento, 53, has been in charge of the South Korea national team since 2018.
      Paulo Bento has stepped down as South Korea managerCredit: Alamy
      He won 35 of his 57 matches in charge, but South Korea suffered a disappointing quarter-final exit at the 2019 Asian Cup and could not upset the odds against Brazil.
      Following that defeat, Bento said: “I have just announced to the players and the president of the federation that this is a decision I took in September.
      “It is set in stone and I have confirmed it. I have to thank everyone for everything they have done.”
      He added: “From now onwards we have to think about the future. I’m going to rest and we have to see what will happen after I rest.

      “We have to congratulate Brazil because they were better than us.”
      However a spokesperson from the South Korea federation reportedly intervened during the press conference to deny Bento had quit.
      He claimed the Portuguese was just taking a rest and considering his future, but it appears Bento has actually left his role.
      Bento becomes the third manager to leave his job at the World Cup following Roberto Martinez’s resignation as Belgium boss.
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      Mexico manager Tata Martino was also axed after failing to qualify for the knock-out round, losing out to Argentina and Poland.
      South Korea progressed to the last-16 after dramatically beating Portugal in their final group game.
      But they failed to replicate that shock and were blown away by a Brazil side who turned on the samba flair.
      Goals from Vinicius Jr, Neymar, Richarlison and Lucas Paqueta put the five-time champions 4-0 up within 36 minutes to send South Korea home. More