World Cup 2022

FANS were staggered by Jordan Henderson scoring the opener to transform England’s 3-0 World Cup win over Senegal.And Liverpool fans were dreaming of a club link-up with Jude Bellingham after the two midfielders combined sublimely for the 38th minute opener in Sunday’s last-16 clash.
Jordan Henderson hails a goal that shocked even England fansCredit: Reuters
Jude Bellingham had Liverpool fans dreaming he’ll join Jordan Henderson at Anfield next season after the opener against SenegalCredit: PA
Henderson had only netted twice before in 72 internationals – but now has two in the knockout stages of major tournaments.
And as social media exploded with incredulity, one observer posted: “If you had Henderson, give me the Powerball numbers.”
Similar stunned responses included: “Jordan Henderson first goal scorer! Bookies can’t find a single winning ticket.”
And of course the big question was: “How many people had Jordan Henderson as first goal scorer?”
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Another fan joked: “Henderson poor at being solid in midfield but offering a real goal threat, just as we all expected.”
And one watcher said: “Jordan Henderson is the greatest England player of all time if we’re being completely honest and unbiased.
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher waded in with: “Brilliant Jordan Henderson! So often questioned, but always answers in the right way.”
The anchorman, 32, slipped home nonchalantly after a slick move ended with Bellingham sliding the ball across the box to him.
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That ignited both Twitter and a slow-starting England team – as Harry Kane thumped a second and Bukayo Saka lifted a deft third goal to set up a victory stroll.
One fan posted what he called an “updated” list of all-time great Three Lions ‘ midfielders: 1) Bellingham 2) Henderson 3) Scholes 4) Lampard 5) Gerrard.”
And Liverpool supporters are crossing the fingers Anfield boss Jurgen Klopp can somehow beat Real Madrid, Manchester City, United and Chelsea to the mega-money signing of Borussia Dortmund hero Bellingham next summer.
Such comments included: “Could get used to watching that combination. Brilliant from Bellingham, what a run and finish from Henderson.”
And noting the touching celebration of the goal maker and taker, a misty-eyed observer posted: “I thought Henderson and Bellingham were going to kiss then… most romantic thing I’ve seen this year.”
32 – Aged 32 years and 170 days, Jordan Henderson is England’s second-oldest ever World Cup scorer, after Tom Finney against USSR in 1958 (36y 64d). Wisdom. pic.twitter.com/0QoXkGEQQW— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 4, 2022 More

FRANCE superstar Kylian Mbappe admitted he avoided World Cup media duties to focus on his football.Mbappe, 23, led Les Bleus to the 2022 World Cup quarter-finals after a dominant 3-1 victory over Poland at the Al Thumama Stadium.
France superstar Kylian Mbappe admitted he avoided his World Cup media dutiesCredit: Getty
Olivier Giroud scored his 52nd international goal to surpass Thierry Henry and become his country’s all-time top scorer, but the Paris Saint-German star stood out with a brace.
The striker was named man of the match and was obliged to speak to the media after the Last 16 encounter or else France would be fined.
The ex-Monaco star admitted he has been avoiding the cameras and even offered to cover the French football association by paying the fines himself.
Before answering questions, he addressed the lack of media appearances so far in the tournament.
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Mbappe said: “It wasn’t anything personal, I have nothing against journalists. I just needed to focus on the tournament and my football.
“When I want to concentrate on something, that’s the way I function. That’s why I didn’t do press before.
“Now I know the FFF get fined and I said I would pay the fine myself, I didn’t think they should pay on my behalf.
“This is the competition of my dreams, I’ve been preparing all my life.
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France star Kylian Mbappe avoided his media duties to concentrate on the World CupCredit: Getty
“So far it seems to be going well, we’re on our way to the ultimate objective, winning the World Cup, and now we have to focus on the quarter-final, that’s the objective now.”
Mbappe wouldn’t find it hard to pay such fines as he signed a lucrative three-year deal with PSG back in May that will see him pocket an astronomical £507million salary. More

ARGENTINA midfielder Papu Gomez has shrugged off injury fears ahead of Friday’s huge World Cup quarter-final against Holland.The Sevilla star admitted he sprained his ankle as he was taken off in the 2-1 last-16 win over Australia.
Papu Gomez has no doubts he’ll be fit for Friday’s last-eight clashCredit: Getty
But the 34-year-old insists he will be “fine” for what could be one of the games of the tournament.
Gomez was replaced on 50 minutes against the Socceroos with Argentina leading through Lionel Messi’s first-half opener.
Messi then controlled the contest, with Manchester City striker Julian Alvarez punishing Mat Ryan’s error to double the lead.
Craig Goodwin did reply with a heavily-deflected snapshot but Argentina held on.
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And Gomez is sure he’ll be fit to start just six days later.
He told TyC Sports via mundoalbiceleste: “I twisted my ankle and couldn’t go on much longer. 
“I preferred that someone else that’s better than me comes in. 
“It’s a sprain, there are several days left to recover and everything will be fine.”
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Argentine journalist Gaston Edul called it a “slight ankle sprain”.
And although his team endured a nervous climax, Gomez claimed they are confident of challenging for the crown.
He added: “We could have scored several goals after but the important thing is that we won.
“We ended up suffering but we are Argentina, you always have to suffer.
“We are meeting the objectives that we set out for ourselves.”
He even believes opening with a shock 2-1 group loss to Saudi Arabia could have helped Argentina.
Gomez said: “The first game may have been good for us because it was a warning sign. 
“It woke us up and we improved things that we were doing wrong.”
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ENGLAND’S heroes shared passionate embraces with their Wags after their stunning 3-0 victory against Senegal in their World Cup last-16 clash.Goals from Jordan Henderson, Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka set up a mouth-watering quarter-final clash against France on Saturday.
Captain Harry Kane and wife Katie celebrate with his Man of the Match awardCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
Kane then plants a smacker on his other halfCredit: Rex
Jordan Pickford shared a smooch with Megan after the matchCredit: PA
Conor Gallagher scored despite not getting any game time
Phil Foden enjoyed a hug as England cruise through to the quarter-finalsCredit: Rex
Jack Grealish’s sweetheart Sasha Attwood cheered on her manCredit: World Cup News Pool (WCNP) – England vs Senegal
Walker’s wife Annie enjoyed a drink at the game
Jordan Pickford’s childhood sweetheart Megan Davison sported his yellow goalie kit in the crowd for his clean sheet.
Megan has travelled to Qatar to support her fella and she has been spotted in the stands at every match, as have many others.
Jack Grealish’s partner Sasha Attwood and Harry Maguire’s wife Fern Hawkins were also in attendance.
Eric Dier’s model fiance Anna Modler looked on nervously during the first part of the game.
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Pickford’s wife Megan watches on
Phil Foden Partner Rebecca Cooke (right)looks onCredit: World Cup News Pool (WCNP) – England vs Senegal
Anna Modler seemed to wear Eric Dier’s shirt from the group stageCredit: World Cup News Pool (WCNP) – England vs Senegal
Arsenal star Saka’s partner Tolami Benson smiles from the terracesCredit: World Cup News Pool (WCNP) – England vs Senegal
Kyle Walker’s partner Annie Kilner finished off her drink – like many watching back at home – with the score still goalless at the time.
But Harry Kane’s wife Katie Goodland got the chance to see her man hit the back of the net.
The Spurs striker buried his chance to put Gareth Southgate’s team two goals up.
The Three Lions broke the deadlock on 38 minutes as Jordan Henderson lifted the country.
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Jude Bellingham worked it down the flank before squaring in the box for Henderson to slam home after a gut-busting run.
And things got even better in first-half injury-time when Kane smashed home his first goal of the tournament after a beautiful counter-attack.
Saka then added a third in the second period as partner Tolami Benson watched on.
Jack Grealish came off the bench shortly afterward much to his girlfriend’s pleasure.
Attwood is a model and other half of the popular Manchester City and England star.
The glamorous blonde is known for being involved with big fashion labels – but she’ll be taking some time out of her schedule to cheer on Grealish as he represents the Three Lions in Qatar.
England face France in the quarter-finals on Saturday.
Harry Maguire’s partner Fern Hawkins (right) finding her seat before the game
Kane’s partner sported the No9 shirt as he found the back of the netCredit: Rex
Modler looks shocked as Senegal nearly take the leadCredit: World Cup News Pool (WCNP) – England vs Senegal
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FOOTBALL fans were very critical of the number of empty seats at England vs Senegal.Large sections of the Al Bayt Stadium were left empty for the World Cup Round of 16 clash.
Large sections of the Al Bayt Stadium were empty for England vs SenegalCredit: AFP
Fans were not impressed at the match failing to attract a sell-out crowdCredit: Reuters
Several World Cup games have had thousands of empty seatsCredit: AFP
The ground took a while to fill prior to kick off and seats remained vacant well after kick-off.
One dismayed fan took to Twitter to say: “So many empty seats for last 16 games of a World Cup game, shambles.”
Another added: “The empty seats at big games between countries with large followings doesn’t look like successful hosting to me.”
And a third said: “Empty seats everywhere 🤢.”

And those who failed to turn up missed as England masterclass as goals from Jordan Henderson, Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka sealed a 3-0 win against Senegal.
Southgate’s troops face France in the quarter-finals.
It is not the first time large sections of empty seats have been spotted at World Cup games.
The World Cup opener between Qatar and Ecuador suffered from a lack of interest, with thousands of Qataris leaving at half-time with their side 2-0 down.
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Yet the stadium announcer revealed the attendance was 67, 372, despite the Al Bayt Stadium only holding 60,000.
And the official attendance for England’s win over Senegal in the same arena was bizarrely given as 65,985.
The Three Lions breezed to a 3-0 win over the African champions thanks to goals from Jordan Henderson, Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka.
It means Gareth Southgate’s side have set up a mouth-watering quarter-final clash with reigning world champions France.
The first four games of the tournament all had official attendance figures higher than the capacity of the stadia in which they were held.
Fan were left baffled when the England vs Iran attendance was announced as 45,334 in a 40,000 capacity ground.
More questions began to be asked when it was claimed Senegal vs Netherlands had an attendance of 41,721 – again in a 40,000 seat stadium.
To make matters worse at the end of USA vs Wales, where empty seats were clearly visible on TV, an attendance of 43,418 was given. More