World Cup 2022

PORTUGAL defender Pepe left manager Fernando Santos in stitches after comparing the national team to a salad.Fernando Santos’ men booked their place in the last-16 of the World Cup with a game to spare after wins over Ghana and Uruguay.
Pepe used the salad analogy which he suggested came from boss Fernando SantosCredit: FOOTBALL DAILY

Cristiano Ronaldo and Co will meet Switzerland in the last-16 on TuesdayCredit: Getty
But they were then left disappointed on Friday as South Korea scored a dramatic late winner to beat them 2-1 in Doha.
Despite the loss, Portugal still topped Group H and will now face Switzerland on Tuesday for a place in the quarter-finals.
Pepe, 39, is competing at his fourth successive World Cup since making his debut at the tournament back in 2010.
And he was on top form at the press conference on Friday with the salad analogy he suggested came from head coach Santos.
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He began: “We have several ingredients but unless we put all the ingredients together… as our coach said, can I say it coach?”
Santos, already laughing at Pepe, then nodded.
The centre-back continued: “You see, we have different types of salad. I mean you can’t have a tomato on one side, the onion on the other side. It’s important to put all the ingredients together.
“Indeed, we have a high quality national team but unless we work very hard, unless we respect our opponents, unless we do what our coach says, we won’t benefit so much from this quality.
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“So the most important thing is to be aware regardless of who is on the pitch or not, we have to do our very best so that we can secure a win. And that’s the most important thing.”
Portugal have not gone beyond the second round of the World Cup since they made the semi-finals back in 2006.
A victory over Switzerland would see them meet either Morocco or rivals Spain in the last eight. More

NEYMAR has handed Brazil a major injury boost as he trained with the rest of the squad ahead of the 2022 World Cup knockouts.The star forward limped off the pitch during the Selecao’s World Cup opener against Serbia due to an ankle injury and was sidelined for the rest of the group stage.
Neymar returned to training with the rest of Brazil’s squad ahead of the World Cup Last 16Credit: https://twitter.com/bellexcosta/status/1599094047771009024?s=20&t=oZ0dJ4eAF8fjMaFEpn6kAg
Brazil superstar Neymar was in high spirits during Saturday’s training sessionCredit: https://twitter.com/bellexcosta/status/1599094047771009024?s=20&t=oZ0dJ4eAF8fjMaFEpn6kAg
The Paris Saint-Germain superstar also suffered an illness that didn’t allow him to watch his national team beat Switzerland 1-0 at the 974 Stadium.
However, the Brazil international recovered from his fever and watched Tite’s men during their shock 1-0 loss to Cameroon on Friday at the Lusail Stadium.
The loss to the Indomitable Lions didn’t cost the Brazilians as they still finished top of Group G and will take on South Korea in the Last 16 on Monday.
And Neymar has handed Tite a major boost as a clip emerged on social media showing him training on Saturday and looking fit enough for a return against the South Koreans.
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The ex-Barcelona star performed some clinical shots with both legs in front of the camera.
The 30-year-old also scored a cheeky goal as he nutmegged third-choice goalkeeper Weverton.

Neymar was in very high spirits as he also had a quick celebration after his beautiful set of skill.
The Brazilian suggested he will be fighting fit for the knockouts as he pointed at the camera with a big smile.
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Neymar suggested he could be fit enough to return for Brazil against South KoreaCredit: https://twitter.com/bellexcosta/status/1599094047771009024?s=20&t=oZ0dJ4eAF8fjMaFEpn6kAg
This comes after recent fears suggesting he suffered ligament damage and would be out for the whole tournament.
However, Neymar’s presence in training has lifted spirits as he was also joined by Danilo, who suffered an ankle injury as well.
This is very good news for Tite after both Gabriel Jesus and Alex Telles were ruled out of the rest of the tournament with a knee injury. More

THE grinning Qatari fans who were caught snapping pics of former Miss Croatia Ivana Knoll actually wanted to report her racy outfit, a local has claimed.The 30-year-old model dubbed the World Cup’s hottest fan”, turned some heads during Croatia’s game with Morocco where she showed up in another sexy outfit- a red checked bikini top and leggings.
The two men were caught snapping pictures of IvanaCredit: Instagram
They were pictured checking her out as she arrived at the stadium
Ivana cheered on Croatia during the match with MoroccoCredit: Getty
Posting on Instagram after the match, she a photo of the men checking her out and snapping photos with the caption: “1000000 followers, thank you so much for your support. Love you all!”
And while her followers quickly pointed out the cheeky actions of the men in the photos, a local entrepreneur has claimed the men were actually photographing Ivana’s outfit to report it.
Taking to Twitter Qatari Mohammed Hassan Al-Jefairi, said in response to the picture: “Just for your info they take a photo not because they like her but because they don’t like the way she is mis-dressed on regards to our culture.
“You can confirm this with any local Qatari Probably to report it.”
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His explanation however has not convinced Twitter users who begged to differ.
One said: “No offense meant, sir, but your justification is funny.
“Their facial expressions, body language, and how they hold the phone all give away their intentions rather clearly.
“You’ve got to admit that Qatari men are not infallible saying this as a Qatari by the way.
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German-born model and designer Ivana has been pictured cheering on Croatia wearing a range of revealing outfits.
Despite Qatar’s strict modesty laws, the stunning brunette says she isn’t worried about being arrested.
She said: “I was never afraid to be arrested to be what I am, and I don’t think I can hurt someone wearing a bikini.
“And if that deserves to be arrested, then arrest me.”
Even though she has received abuse online from trolls warning her to respect the cultural code of Qatar, she is determined to continue wearing her racy outfits and says locals actually love it.
“First I was thinking if the World Cup is happening there (Qatar), for sure they will allow us everything to make it comfortable for all fans without any of the restrictions,” she said.
She added: “The locals confirmed to me that I can wear whatever I want.
“But I didn’t know that my video in a bikini walking by the sea would be such a big deal.
“The whole country is speaking about it. Everybody knows me here, and I saw that I was accepted.”
Ivana has been making headlines over her outfit choicesCredit: The Mega Agency
The model says she is not worried about getting arrested More

POLISH boss Czeslaw Michniewicz has been getting World Cup advice from Jose Mourinho, Max Allegri, Steven Gerrard and Xavi on how to beat the French.But striker Arkadiusz Milik reckons there’s only one way to stop Kylian Mbappe… with a motorbike.
Poland boss Czeslaw Michniewicz has been seeking advice from managers on how to beat FranceCredit: EPA
He has spoken to former Chelsea manager Jose MourinhoCredit: AP
He also spoke with former Aston Villa manager Steven GerrardCredit: Getty
Michniewicz has been revelling in his ‘Polish Mourinho’ nickname after pulling off a defensive master class to steer his nation through to the last 16 in Qatar.
And he makes absolutely no apologies for his cautious approach ahead of today’s clash with the defending champions at the Al Thumama Stadium. 
He says: “When I hear all the criticism, I can only smile. 
“Because all the teams who were not defensive and let their opponents score easily in the group stage are already back at home and watching on TV.
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“We were good at defending and our reward is a game against the world champions. If we can win against France, we could become the next champions. 
“The comparisons with Mourinho are out of date but I will just tell you that football is all about winning trophies and being successful.
“I have spoken with Mourinho, Allegri, Xavi, Steven Gerrard, Fabio Cannavaro and all the other coaches who have helped to prepare my players so well for this tournament.
“And I hope this is not my last chance to thank them from the bottom of my heart.
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“We always dreamed of leaving the group phase and we don’t care about any opinions of our team.
“The fourth of December in Poland is Barborka, the miner’s national holiday, and we will do our best to celebrate the day with victory against a wonderful opponent.”
But Juventus striker Milik knows just how difficult the task will be against French superstar Mbappe and says: “How do we stop him? With scooters!
“He is one of the best players in the world and he is so fast that it will be difficult to keep up with him without a motorbike.
“So we need to play collectively and have very good co-operation because no-one will be able to stop him on their own.”
But Milik believes that Poland also have an ace up their sleeve in his Juve team-mates Wojciech Szczesny, whose two penalty saves were enough to see them through the group stages on goal difference.
He says: “I am not sure why people are surprised by Wojciech, because it’s not as if he has just started to be a great keeper out here in Qatar.
“He has been showing his value for a very long time and has played for some wonderful clubs.
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“So we all knew what we could expect from him and we’re so happy that he is in such good shape.
“He has helped us a lot to get to this round and I hope he shows his best against France.” More

HOLLAND scored one of the goals of the World Cup so far against the USA as Memphis Depay finished off a breathtaking team move.The Dutch booked their place in the quarter-finals with an accomplished 3-1 victory over the US in Qatar on Saturday.
Memphis Depay finished off a wonderful Holland move to give the Dutch the leadCredit: Reuters

It was a sumptuous team goal that cut through the heart of the USA teamCredit: AP
Depay has now scored 43 goals for HollandCredit: Getty
And Depay’s strike caught the eye as Louis van Gaal’s men showcased the impressive talent throughout their team.
Holland played 20 uninterrupted passes in the lead-up to the Barcelona man’s finish.
That is more than any Dutch World Cup goal since records began way back in 1966.
And football fans were gushing in their praise for Van Gaal’s side as they produced a statement team goal during the last-16 clash.

Reacting on social media, one person said: “Arguably the best team goal we’ll see in #Qatar2022 because this will take something special to beat.
“Right from their own half, Holland worked it beautifully with tidy and timely passes until Depay fires home. Lovely move 👏.”
While former Ireland international David Meyler added: “That’s my favourite goal of the World Cup so far.
“Beautiful football by the Dutch. Lovely one touch passing from back to front and a quality finish from Depay 👏🏼.”
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And another fan said: “What a build up, what a goal. Memphis Depay 😮‍💨.”
Depay has scored 15 goals in 17 appearances for Holland since Van Gaal returned to the national team in August 2021.
He is now second on the list of his country’s all-time top scorers with 43 and is just seven behind record-holder Robin van Persie.
Next up for Holland is a quarter-final clash against either Argentina or Australia on Friday. More

PORTUGAL star Cristiano Ronaldo has refuted suggestions that he swore at coach Fernando Santos after being subbed against South Korea.Ronaldo’s side were surprisingly beaten 2-1 by the Koreans in the World Cup on Friday as both sides progressed to the knockout rounds.
Cristiano Ronaldo appeared to be annoyed when he was subbed off by manager Fernando SantosCredit: Getty
However, he has said that he was talking to a South Korean playerCredit: Getty
The former Manchester United attacker was hooked in the 65th minute of the match, and Portuguese media suggested that he used some poor language towards the manager.
However, Ronaldo has since claimed that the comments he made were aimed at a South Korean player.
He was quoted by reporters saying: “What happened was before my substitution, the South Korea player told me to get off quickly.
“I told him to shut up as he doesn’t have that authority. There was no disagreement (with the coach).”
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Coach Santos was asked about the incident and he supported Ronaldo’s comments about the South Korean.
He suggested that the opposition player had been aggressive towards the former Real Madrid man.
Santos said: “I saw the interaction with the Korean player, and I have no doubts about what happened.”
Ronaldo has scored one goal at the World Cup so far as he tries to equal the national record of World Cup goals which is held by Eusebio, who scored nine times in the 1966 tournament.
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The 37-year-old’s single goal of the tournament was record-breaking as he became the first player ever to net in five World Cup campaigns.
But against Korea, Ronaldo was largely ineffectual and was partly at fault for one of the goals his side conceded as the ball deflected off his back for Kim Young-gwon to score. More