World Cup 2022

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      Chris Waddle explains why England will thrash Wales and backs Southgate even though he doesn’t think he’ll win World Cup

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      ENGLAND legend Chris Waddle is confident the Three Lions will thrash Wales at the World Cup.The Three Lions and the Dragons meet in the Battle of Britain on Tuesday at the Ahmed bin Ali Stadium in their final match of the group stage.
      Chris Waddle has predicted England will thrash Wales at the World CupCredit: Getty
      Gareth Southgate’s men will top Group B if they win and a draw would be enough to qualify to the Last 16, although if Iran beat USA then England will finish second.
      Wales, on the other hand, need to beat their British counterpart with a score of at least 4-0 to have any hopes of going through after their drab 1-1 draw with USA and their shock 2-0 loss to Iran.
      Waddle, who amassed 62 England caps, does expect a 4-0 result but predicts it will be the other way around.
      The Tottenham and Newcastle great believes Southgate’s side will stand tall because Gareth Bale and co will chase for goals and that will leave them exposed at the back.
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      Waddle told SunSport: “I’m gonna say England win because I think Wales are gonna chase and they’re not the best defensively, let’s be honest.
      “Losing [Wayne] Hennessey is a bit of a blow, it’d be interesting to see what Wales do. Do they sit tight and think, ‘We’ll give them an hour and then we’ll throw everything at it’?
      “But if I was Wales then might as well go for it and if you get caught on the break and get hammered then you get hammered.
      “Listen, you might as well show ambition and say, ‘Look we are going to try and score four goals’ which when you look at it it’s a very tall order but if you don’t have a go at it you’ll never know so I’d be very surprised if they sit back and think, ‘We’ll get a draw’.
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      Chris Waddle insists Gareth Southgate is still the right man to lead EnglandCredit: Dan Charity
      “I’m gonna go 4-0 England. I’m gonna say Harry Kane is gonna get off the mark. I think he will get two and I think we will see the introduction of [Phil] Foden and I think he’ll score.”
      England got their World Cup campaign off to a flying start with a 6-2 win over Iran.
      But the Three Lions’s celebrations were short-lived as they then sustained a hapless 0-0 draw with the US.
      England are practically through to the knockouts, as long as they don’t lose 4-0 to Wales and Iran don’t beat America in the final round of fixtures.
      But questions were risen regarding Southgate’s tactics and choices in the starting line-up, with many left baffled by Manchester City ace Phil Foden’s omission.
      This comes after a disastrous Nations League campaign that saw England relegated from the competition’s top flight.
      Chris Waddle doesn’t expect England to win the World CupCredit: William Hill
      However, Waddle still has full faith in the 52-year-old tactician as he insists he’s the right man for the job after leading the nation to the World Cup semi-finals in 2018 and Euro 2020 final.
      But the former attacking midfielder doesn’t think the World Cup is coming home because the performances are too “inconsistent”.
      Waddle said when asked if the draw with USA hampers Southgate’s position: “No. The Nations League was a disaster, let’s be honest. But again, players looked tired, we played three at the back and went back on four.
      “I think with the squad we’ve got we look better as a four even though we lack pace at the back. We look better in a four, we don’t need three against the teams we play. He may go back to three against a good side, which is good to have if we can be flexible. I like that.
      “But no, just because we had a bad Nations League, if you’re gonna look at it like that then that means Hansi Flick of Germany should lose his job. He’s just only been in it for a year.
      “You look at other teams who haven’t done well in Europe and aren’t in the World Cup. Did they all get the sack? I think it’s the easiest thing to say if you get bad results. Let’s sack the manager.
      “Players like Gareth Southgate and I think he’s done a terrific job to get us in the semi-finals of a World Cup and a final in the Euros. I think he’s been brilliant.
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      “Yes, it’s been very patchy, form is not great and we will be inconsistent and that’s why I don’t think we will win it. But there’s no reason we can’t get in the quarters.”
      Chris Waddle was speaking at the launch of William Hill’s first Home Shop in Hillsborough. Home Shops give customers a unique matchday experience, with another eight going live when the Premier League returns. More

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      Portugal 2 Uruguay 0: Confusion over opener as Cristiano Ronaldo and Fernandes claim it – before dodgy handball penalty

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      CRISTIANO RONALDO remains level with Lionel Messi for World Cup goals – despite claiming the opener.And when Portugal were given a ridiculous late penalty for handball, Ronaldo was already off the pitch, allowing Fernandes to complete a brace.
      Cristiano Ronaldo claimed to have scored Portugal’s winnerCredit: Getty
      Ronaldo celebrated as if he had scoredCredit: Reuters
      Fifa awarded the goal to Bruno FernandesCredit: Reuters
      But of the two superstars to have led their countries to victory at the stadium that will host the final, the Portugal captain looks the more likely to be back here on December 18.
      Ronaldo was initially credited with putting the faintest of touches on a Fernandes cross and moving one ahead of his Argentinian nemesis again after Messi’s goal at the other end of the pitch two nights before.
      His face when he looked up to the screen to see it had been awarded to the Manchester United man was a picture.
      Was Ronaldo playing to the cameras with his look of amazement and amusement?
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      Either way, he could yet have the last laugh over Messi at this tournament.
      Because Portugal are a better team than Argentina and look less reliant on the genius of one man.
      Not that they were brilliant, far from it.
      And they were on the ropes as Uruguay went close to grabbing the draw that was probably the limit of their ambitions at kick off.
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      Yet this squad has the make-up and look of a World Cup winner, and topping the group gives them a favourable-looking draw.
      If Ronaldo does lift the trophy, it would be a popular victory.
      If anything, it felt like there were more of his fan boys and girls in the crowd than there had been Messi supporters on Saturday night when the ranks of native Argentinians were swelled significantly by locals and tourists.
      Every flick, feint and stepover was greeted with the kind of gasps that normal people reserve for a decent fireworks display.
      Ronaldo could not produce the big bang this time but this win guaranteed he will have the chance to make the difference in the knockout stages.
      Which is more than Messi can say right now.
      Like Mexico vs Argentina, the actual football was a disappointment.
      As expected, the injury to Portugal defender Danilo enabled Pepe, 39, to become the second oldest outfield player to start a game at the World Cup.
      But fans of aggro were disappointed to see that Uruguay boss Diego Alonso had dropped Luis Suarez, a mere 35 year old, from the starting line-up.
      To watch the former Barcelona striker get his teeth – perhaps literally – into Pepe, the ex-Real Madrid defender had been an enticing prospect.
      In truth, Suarez could have no complaints after his performance in the opening goalless draw against South Korea.
      It said a lot about Uruguay’s options, however, that Suarez’s replacement was another 35 year old, Edinson Cavani, who was a passenger from the start.
      Ronaldo began as if he was in the mood, with a shoulder lay-off to William Carvalho, who volleyed well off target.
      But although he and Portugal’s three other attacking players rotated elusively, they were unable to find a way through dogged and well-organised Uruguay.
      Alonso’s team were doing little at the other end.
      But the undoubted highlight of the first half was Tottenham’s Rodrigo Bentancur running through Portugal from the centre circle to the penalty area, only for Diogo Costa to come out to save his tame finish.
      At the start of the second half, organisers were so desperate to drum up some excitement that they revealed Darwin Nunez had recorded the top speed of the match.
      Then a fan sprinted on to the pitch with a rainbow flag and a number of other protests to make.
      The game was temporarily halted when a fan ran onto the pitchCredit: Getty
      The pitch invader held a rainbow flagCredit: Getty
      But the game was going nowhere fast despite until the strange goal.
      Fernandes’ cross was lovely, Ronaldo’s run was well-timed, but Rochet focused so much on what the living legend might do to the ball that he forgot about saving it.
      Alonso waited a little while to act, finally taking off Cavani and – surprisingly – Nunez, and throwing on Suarez and Maxi Gomez with less than 20 minutes to go.
      The latter hit the post within minutes.
      Suarez could find only the side netting when the ball broke to him in the six-yard box.
      Then wing back Guillermo Varela burst through to force an unconvincing save out of Costa.
      It was by far Uruguay’s best spell of the game but not enough to deserve a point.
      Ronaldo’s ageing limbs were given a rest as he came off with about 10 minutes to go.
      Quite what convinced the VAR and then referee Alireza Faghani that Gimenez’s accidental handball as he fell to the ground was worth a penalty, heaven alone knows.
      But there was no doubt about Fernandes’ conversion of the spotkick.
      He would have had a hat-trick but Rochet saved and then he hit the post.
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      Ronaldo, you like to think, was pleased for this team-mate.
      And he can still dream of completing his set of major trophies with the one that he and Messi covet the most.
      Portugal were awarded a penalty for this handballCredit: Getty
      Bruno Fernandes sealed the win from the spotCredit: Getty
      Fernandes celebrates after scoring his second of the gameCredit: Getty More

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      Inside David Beckham’s £20,000-a-night suite in five star Qatar hotel, as star checks out after almost a week

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      DAVID Beckham has checked out of his five-star Qatar hotel after almost a week as fans discovered where he was staying.The former England star has reportedly been enjoying a stint at the elegant Baraha View suite at the Mandarin Oriental in Doha – costing up to £20,000 a night.
      The hotel’s Baraha View suite costs £20,000 a nightCredit: Oriental Mandarin hotel
      The luxury suite boasts rooftop views of the Qatari capital of DohaCredit: Oriental Mandarin hotel
      Beckham had reportedly been staying in the plush pad for almost a weekCredit: Oriental Mandarin hotel
      The former England captain checked out of the Oriental Madarin hotel this weekend, sources suggestCredit: Oriental Mandarin hotel
      Located on the hotel’s top floor, the room comes with its own dining area, private concierge, an open air courtyard, private pool and gym.
      But according to the Mail Online, Beckham checked out over the weekend after word spread about his accommodation status.
      A source told the outlet: “The staff have loved having him here and referred to him as ‘Sir David’ because he was so respectful and respected back by everyone.
      “He wasn’t seen much at all by the other guests because he had a lovely suite which is like a hotel within a hotel, meaning he didn’t need to mix with them.
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      “He’s been very polite and charming to the staff and seems like a very decent man. Sir David is one of the most famous men in world football and it’s been an honour having him here.
      “It’s a pity he’s no longer here but I’m sure he’ll be back. Who wouldn’t love staying here?”
      During his stay, the football ace reportedly enjoyed the use of a personal chef while taking in the stunning views from the luxury city suite.
      Sources suggest his menu included Japanese Kobe steak, cooked rare and a selection of pasta dishes.
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      To avoid being detected by paparazzi, Beckham has been making his way in and out of the luxury hotel using a private lobby entrance.
      On matchdays, he has reportedly been ferried around the capital in a blacked out limousine.
      In addition, Beckham has also spent time broadening his knowledge of local culture in his role as a public relations officer for the Qatari organising committee.
      So far, he has already spent an afternoon at Doha’s Museum of Islamic Art – snapping images of large colourful art installations and impressive technological light shows.
      However, he has been soaking up the lavish Qatari lifestyle alone, with his wife Victoria and their children thought to be in the UK.
      The former football ace has been in the spotlight for some time after he sealed his reported £150 million ten-year deal with Qatar to be its ambassador.
      Commentators – including comedian Joe Lycett – have slammed him for his association with the gulf nation, due its human rights record and its attitude towards women and the LGBT community.
      But, since the tournament began, Beckham has kept a low profile and has not commented on the matter.
      The former England star has been attending matches at the World CupCredit: Alamy
      He signed a deal worth £15million a year over the next decade to become the country’s ambassadorCredit: Rex More

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      Portugal clash with Uruguay at World Cup halted after protester with rainbow flag runs onto pitch and ‘frogmarched’ off

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      PORTUGAL’S clash with Uruguay was forced to stop after a spectator invaded the pitch carrying a rainbow flag.The protester raced onto the field from the stands just moments before Bruno Fernandes put Portugal ahead in their World Cup Group H showdown – although Cristiano Ronaldo may dispute who got the final touch.
      A pitch invader carrying a rainbow flag stopped Portugal’s clash with UruguayCredit: AFP
      The protestor had ‘Save Ukraine’ on the front of his t-shirtCredit: Reuters
      He also had ‘Respect For Iranian Woman’ on the backCredit: EPA
      ITV’s commentary team said he was ‘frogmarched’ off by securityCredit: Reuters
      The ITV cameras failed to show the individual, but commentator Jon Champion confirmed that they were carrying a rainbow flag.
      Photos emerged later showing that the man was also wearing a blue t-shirt with the ‘Superman’ logo with the words ‘Save Ukraine’ written on it.
      And on the back it had ‘Respect for Iranian Woman’.
      After the short delay to the match, which Portugal won 2-0, Champion added that security had caught the person and ‘frogmarched’ him off the grass.
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      Seven nations, including England and Wales, planned for their skippers to wear One Love armbands in their opening World Cup matches.
      The armbands promote inclusivity and LGBTQ+ rights, with same-sex relationships illegal in Qatar.
      Alongside the above three, Germany, France, Belgium, and Switzerland had all also wanted their captains to wear them.
      But the seven skippers were warned by Fifa that they faced a yellow card as a “minimum” punishment for wearing the armbands.
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      Germany sent a defiant message to Fifa with an iconic team photo ahead of their shock World Cup defeat to Japan yesterday.
      Their players lined up for the pre-match team photo and all covered their mouths with their right hand – an act to show they had been silenced by the tournament organisers.
      We also reported last week how Qatar has been ordered by Fifa to stop forcing fans to remove their rainbow hats when they enter stadiums.
      Security guards ahead of Wales’ 1-1 draw with the USA cracked down on fans wearing pro-LGBTQ+ clothing at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium.
      Fans reported being forced to remove rainbow-coloured bucket hats, rainbow wristbands and even rainbow laces.
      And one man even reported he was refused entry to the stadium because he was wearing a T-shirt sporting a rainbow.
      LGBTQ+ rights have been at the centre of controversies around the World Cup – with same-sex relationships punishable by death in Qatar.
      Welsh fan group The Rainbow Wall reported only women were targeted and forced to remove their rainbow clobber.
      And this included former Wales international football star Laura McAllister. More

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      Fans confused as Ronaldo wildly celebrates 100th competitive Portugal goal… before Fifa give it to Bruno Fernandes

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      FANS have been left confused over who scored Portugal’s opening goal in their 2-0 win over Uruguay. Bruno Fernandes whipped in a cross towards the head of Cristiano Ronaldo and it found it’s way into the back of the net.
      Cristiano Ronaldo was convinced he had scoredCredit: EPA
      Fans were left debating whether he scored or notCredit: Twitter
      Fans were unsure who scored but celebrated jubilantlyCredit: Getty
      The 37-year-old climbed highest and threw his head at the ball before it bounced in.
      Ronaldo ran away celebrating claiming he got a touch on his former Manchester United teammates’ cross but replays were not conclusive.
      But the authorities disagreed with Ronaldo and gave the goal to Fernandes in controversial circumstances.
      Firstly, Fifa gave it to Ronaldo before changing their minds. They tweeted: “The goal has officially been ruled as scored by Bruno Fernandes.”
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      It would have been the striker’s 100th competitive goal for Portugal.
      Commentator Ally McCoist joked: “I guarantee after the game he [Ronaldo] says he touches it.”
      Fans were left debating over who the goal should be awarded to.
      A Ronaldo fan claimed: “Cristiano robbed of his ninth World Cup goal as two of his hair follicles touched the ball.”
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      But another did not think he touched it slamming the ex-Real Madrid man saying: “The fact that he actually tried that tells so much about him as a person. Only thinks about himself.”
      More commented: “No he clearly didn’t [touch it] yet he shamelessly celebrated as it was his goal, most shameless player ever.
      Another joked “he’s going to tell Piers Morgan” in reference to his explosive interview where he slammed Man Utd and a number of former teammates like Gary Neville.
      Pundits were left equally perplexed.
      Joe Cole wasn’t sure, telling ITV: “I can’t see where he touches it”.
      Graeme Souness urged Ronaldo to fess up, saying: “Only one person knows”.
      Whether Fernandes scored the first one or not, he definitely got the second as he netted from the spot in injury time. More

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      Watch Cristiano Ronaldo’s brilliant shoulder pass as Portugal star sets up team-mate Carvalho in Uruguay World Cup clash

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      CRISTIANO RONALDO almost set up a goal in Portugal’s crunch World Cup meeting with Uruguay thanks to an outrageous piece of skill.Fans were wowed as the 37-year-old nearly grabbed an assist with his SHOULDER.

      Cristiano Ronaldo nearly grabbed an assist with an outrageous shoulder passCredit: Getty
      Ronaldo somehow managed to use his shoulder to direct the ball to team-mate William CarvalhoCredit: BEIN SPORTS
      Ronaldo’s pass dropped perfectly for CarvalhoCredit: NOS
      Ronaldo scored in Portugal’s opening win over Ghana – days after he was sacked by Manchester United following his bombshell interview with Piers Morgan.
      And the free agent looked in the mood for more in the game against Uruguay.
      With the match in just the third minute, left-back Nuno Mendes launched a long throw towards Ronaldo in the box.
      There wasn’t much on for the forward as it fell to him, but he somehow managed to connect perfectly with the ball using his shoulder.
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      It looped in the air and dropped perfectly for William Carvalho to hit on the volley.
      But the midfielder blazed his effort over the bar, costing Ronaldo an incredible assist.
      Fans though were left in awe by Ronaldo’s skill.
      One wrote on Twitter: “Bruh the shoulder pass by Ronaldo was clean af.”
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      Another gushed: “Ronaldo that shoulder pass was FILTH more of that please GOAT.”
      A third added: “That Ronaldo shoulder was insane…”
      And another declared: “That Ronaldo shoulder flick was outrageous.”
      Ronaldo and Portugal went on to qualify for the World Cup knockout stages with a 2-0 win over Uruguay.
      It seemed Ronaldo scored the opener – before it was then credited to Bruno Fernandes.
      The Manchester United midfielder then added a second from the penalty spot in injury time.
      Ronaldo scored in Portugal’s opening win over GhanaCredit: AP More

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      Portugal star Nuno Mendes limps off in tears in Uruguay clash with PSG star’s World Cup looking in peril

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      PORTUGAL star Nuno Mendes limped off in tears in the 2-0 win over Uruguay.The left-back hobbled off the pitch crying into his shirt with his World Cup dream potentially over.
      Nuno Mendes cried as he sustained an injuryCredit: Getty
      He was consoled by the team’s doctors and teammates as he left the field and headed straight down the tunnel.
      The Paris Saint-Germain youngster, 20, went off just 42 minutes into the clash with Uruguay and was replaced by Raphael Guerreiro.
      Mendes went into the tournament nursing a slight problem and he did not feature in Portugal’s opener against Ghana.
      It is believed he had a hamstring issue but was deemed fit enough to play in Qatar.
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      However it appears he may have aggravated the injury and judging from his reaction Mendes could be on the sidelines for some time.
      He missed five of PSG’s matches prior to the World Cup hiatus with the muscular problem.
      Portugal’s injury woes are mounting with a number of key players in the treatment room.
      Liverpool ace Diogo Jota was not named in the squad due to a calf problem and while at the World Cup both Danilo Pereira and Otavio have picked up knocks.
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      Pereira, who also plays for PSG, has broken his ribs but his manager appeared confident in a press conference that he will be fit again soon.
      Portugal went on to qualify for the World Cup knockout stages with a 2-0 win over Uruguay.
      It seemed Cristiano Ronaldo scored the opener – before it was then credited to Bruno Fernandes.
      The Manchester United midfielder then added a second from the penalty spot in injury time.
      Portugal will play South Korea in their final match in Group H. More

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      I’m a World Cup time-traveller and I know who’s going to win between Iran and USA – I have footage of the final whistle

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      A SELF-proclaimed time traveller has wildly claimed they know the result of Tuesday’s crunch clash between Iran and the USA – adding they even have the footage to prove it.TikTok user @guardian_angel_5 has spent the last week sharing predictions for the tournament, but went one step further in their latest post.
      A time traveller believes Iran will beat the USA in Tuesday’s crucial Group B clashCredit: guardian_angel_5
      Iran would qualify for the knockout stages with a winCredit: guardian_angel_5
      In the bizarre clip, the user claimed they know the result of Group B’s pivotal match on Tuesday evening, including what the score will be.
      Sharing footage, which they claimed was taken in the future, they claimed that Iran would beat the USA 3-1.
      The clip, shared with their 8,000 followers, shows Iranian fans celebrating, while Christian Pulisic shakes hands with the opposition.
      On the screen is the scoreline Iran 3 -1 USA, with the official-looking World Cup screen graphics.
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      The screen even shows the apparent goalscorers in the match, leaving the self-proclaimed time traveller with very little wiggle room.
      According to the clip, the Iran scorers include a brace from prolific hitman Mehdi Taremi and defender Morteza Pouraliganji.
      For the USA, the scorer is Chelsea’s Pulisic.
      In the short video, the TikTok user said: “I’m a time traveller, we are going to lose to Iran 3-1.”
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      Many were impressed with the “time traveller’s” editing skills, even if they were more doubtful about their claims.
      “Is this fake or real,” one said.
      “And he included the minutes of the goals,” another exclaimed.
      But others were quick to point out that the clip of Pulisic shaking his hands was from their Group B clash with England on Friday night.
      Another pointed out that the Iran kit sported in the video was from their campaign in the 2018 World Cup.
      Iran, in the wake of their dramatic win over Wales, currently sit second in Group B.
      As a result, the Persian Stars sit just a point off table-topping England.
      USA, meanwhile, have the opportunity to secure a qualification place with a win over the Iranians.
      A scenario where both teams would miss out is in the unlikely event they draw and Wales beat the Three Lions by a four-goal margin.
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      The game will take place tomorrow – Tuesday, November 29 and will kick off from 7pm UK time.
      Iran vs USA will be shown live on BBC One in the UK. More