World Cup 2022

CRISTIANO RONALDO could MISS Portugal’s final group game against South Korea on Friday.National team coach Fernando Santos has confirmed that the ex-Manchester United forward missed training on Wednesday – instead working in the gym on his own.
Cristiano Ronaldo could miss Portugal’s third and final group stage matchCredit: Getty
Ronaldo returned to Portugal training on ThursdayCredit: Getty
And the absence could mean he is ruled out for Portugal – who are already through to the knockout stages after winning their opening two games against Ghana and Uruguay.
That is despite Ronaldo returning to training on Thursday, just 24 hours before the game with South Korea.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Santos said: “Let’s see. In principle, Ronaldo will train soon.
“I don’t even know if it’s 50/50 [the probability of being fit for the game]. If you train normally.
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“Cristiano Ronaldo was replaced in both games. There’s a plan in case Cristiano can’t play.
“There is no player guaranteed to play at all time. It would hardly run if we didn’t have a plan.”
Ronaldo, now a free agent after parting ways with Man Utd last week, has started both of Portugal’s games in Qatar so far.
He scored a penalty in the 3-2 win over Ghana, but then failed to hit the back of the net in the 2-0 victory over Uruguay.
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That was despite the Real Madrid legend claiming he had scored his ninth World Cup goal when he ran off celebrating after leaping to meet a Bruno Fernandes cross.
However, replays showed he did not touch the ball and his former United team-mate was awarded the goal.
Now his fitness issues heading into the South Korea clash threaten to hamper his pursuit of the Golden Boot even further.
Ronaldo is already two goals behind the leading candidates for the award.
France’s Kylian Mbappe, Ecuador’s Enner Valencia, Holland’s Cody Gakpo and England’s Marcus Rashford all scored three goals in the group stage.
Ronaldo has never won the World Cup Golden Boot and has failed to help Portugal progress beyond the last 16 of the competition since he reached the semi-finals in 2006.
Meanwhile, manager Santos was also missing Otavio, Danilo Pereira and Nuno Mendes during Wednesday’s training session.
Portugal have not progressed beyond the second round of the World Cup since 2006Credit: Getty More

ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI has revealed what he told Lionel Messi at full-time – after the pair had an awkward moment in the World Cup. A lot was at stake last night with Argentina and Poland both vying for qualification.
This was the awkward moment when Messi ignored LewandowskiCredit: AP
The pair could be seen sharing a chat at the end of the gameCredit: Getty
The game pitted two of the world’s deadliest forwards of the past decade against each other but it was Messi who was more involved.
The 35-year-old won a controversial penalty before missing his spot kick in the first-half.
But he was far more his old self in the second half and helped to orchestrate the victory as Alexis Mac Allister and Julian Alvarez scored.
Lewandowski meanwhile was far more quiet but got caught in a strange moment with Messi towards the end of the game.
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The Polish striker fouled the PSG star and attempted to apologise.
But Messi, focused on seeing Argentina over the line, visibly ignored his attempts to communicate.
But the pair were seen chatting away at full-time and Lewandowski revealed what their exchange was all about.
He told Bild: “We talked a little, had fun. I told Messi that I played more defensively than usual – but something like that is sometimes necessary for the team.”
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He added of his more defensive role that saw him foul the Argentine: “This is very rare, yes: Me in the defensive midfield. But I knew I had to help the team.”
Lewandowski, who arrived at Barcelona a year after Messi’s emotional departure, barely had a sniff going forward.
Poland had entered the night as group leaders but at one point were only qualifying due to having picked up fewer yellow cards than Mexico.
But they got over the line on goal difference in the end thanks to a late strike from Saudi Arabia’s Salem Al Dawsari against the Mexicans. More

ENGLAND have the only player “on the planet” that can stop France superstar Kylian Mbappe in the 2022 World Cup, claim Rio Ferdinand and Gary Neville.The Three Lions and Les Bleus both punched their ticket to the Last 16 where they will face Senegal and Poland respectively.
England could face France star Kylian Mbappe in the World Cup quarter-finalsCredit: Getty
If Gareth Southgate and Didier Deschamps’ teams make it out of the Round of 16 they will face each other in a crunch quarter-final clash.
That means England’s defence will go up against Paris Saint-Germain superstar Mbappe, who has already scored three goals and bagged one assist in three World Cup games.
However, Ferdinand and Neville insist the Euro 2020 finalists have nothing to fear as they have the right man to keep the star forward quiet.
And that is none other than Manchester City right-back Kyle Walker.

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Ferdinand said on his FIVE show: “For me, Kyle Walker is the only defender on the planet right now that will stand there and go to Mbappe: ‘Right, 1-v-1, let’s have a race’.
“He will back himself too. We saw it in the Euros. He’s got the confidence to do that and he’s the only one capable of doing that I think.”
Neville echoed his former Manchester United team-mate’s statement as he feels Walker has the right pace, physicality and experience to deal with Mbappe.
The former England international added that this is a “collision course waiting to happen”.
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England star Kyle Walker is the only one who can stop Kylian Mbappe, say Rio Ferdinand and Gary NevilleCredit: Getty
Neville told Sky Sports: “I always thought we’d play three at the back in this tournament, but I don’t think we will now.
“I didn’t think the centre-back pairing would be strong enough, but John Stones and Harry Maguire are holding up.
“It’s whether what they’ve played against so far in the first three games is going to be anything like what they face moving forward, and I don’t think it is.
“It looks like a collision course waiting to happen doesn’t it? Mbappe versus Walker.
“We’ve got the perfect right-back to deal with Mbappe if anyone can – physical, pace, experience.” More

ENGLAND’S stars returned to training to begin their preparations to face Senegal in the World Cup last-16 on Sunday.The Three Lions were given a rest day on Wednesday following the late night after beating Wales.
England began their preparations for Senegal this afternoonCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
Three-goal hero Marcus Rashford will be hoping to keep his placeCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
England are back in action on Sunday eveningCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
Jack Grealish’s calves were bulging as everCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
Temperatures were around 29C as they took to the fieldCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
The players went through some light recovery work at their Qatar hotel – including swimming, stretching, massages and basketball – and also spent time with their families.
Declan Rice faced the media this morning – both in his press conference and on the darts board.
But then it was back to business on the field.
There was no Ben White in training after he returned back home for personal reasons.

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The Arsenal defender is not expected to return to Qatar.
But the remaining 25 players were all in action for the 3pm session in 29C heat.
Rice looked relaxed as he loosened up while Jack Grealish quickly demonstrated his class with some cheeky keepy-uppies.
Marcus Rashford was in the thick of the action, just as he was against Wales on Tuesday.
Raheem Sterling wants to win his place in the starting XI backCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
Harry Kane is still looking for his first goal of the tournamentCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
Jude Bellingham was one of the stars of the group stages for EnglandCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
James Maddison is still waiting to make his debutCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
Eric Dier may have to settle for a place on the bench againCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
Gareth Southgate appeared in good spirits in DohaCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
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England topped Group B so take on the runners-up from Group A at 7pm at the Al Bayt Stadium.
Senegal, without star man Sadio Mane, secured wins over Qatar and Ecuador to finish behind the Netherlands and progress.
Gareth Southgate’s side know they go into the knockout clash as the heavy favourites and will be buoyed after scoring nine goals in their opening three matches.
However, should the game finish level after extra-time, it will go down to penalties.
But with the likes of Harry Kane, Callum Wilson and James Maddison in the squad and a special net to practise spot kicks, England will be confident of putting their Euro 2020 final heartache behind them and progressing.
Declan Rice hit the darts board before facing the mediaCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
Wednesday was a recovery day for the England playersCredit: Getty
Jude Bellingham enjoyed a swim in the hotel poolCredit: Getty
Mason Mount got some air on the basketball courtCredit: Getty More