World Cup 2022

ENGLAND stars have found a novel new way to pass the time at the World Cup.That’s by starting up raucous games of the “fork challenge” in their team hotel.
England players have found a new way to pass the time at the team hotelCredit: https://www.instagram.com/england/?hl=en
Stars including James Maddison have been trying – and failing – the ‘fork challenge’Credit: https://www.instagram.com/england/?hl=en
The Three Lions got off to the best start possible at Qatar 2022 with a 6-2 win over Iran on Monday.
Gareth Southgate’s men are now preparing to face the USA on Friday, with victory all-but sealing their spot in the knockouts.
But despite using gaps between games to train and recover, there is still plenty of room for down time.
And one way England’s stars have been keeping busy is by participating in the new “fork challenge.”
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The aim of the game is to roll a coin towards a horizontal fork, and get said coin to rest in between the gaps of the utensil.
It sounds simple enough on paper, but the Three Lions proved it’s actually a lot harder than it seems.

No less than eight players gave the challenge a go in a video posted on England’s social media channels.
But only ONE star was able to successfully complete it.
Trent Alexander-Arnold failed to stop the coin inside the forkCredit: https://www.instagram.com/england/?hl=en
Marcus Rashford also found the game rather challengingCredit: https://www.instagram.com/england/?hl=en
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Kalvin Phillips had no luck on his attemptCredit: https://www.instagram.com/england/?hl=en
Jude Bellingham laughed as he failed to even get the coin rollingCredit: https://www.instagram.com/england/?hl=en
Leicester’s James Maddison, who remains an injury doubt, was the first to play before failing miserably.
Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold and Man United’s Marcus Rashford also struggled for accuracy.
And Man City’s Kalvin Phillips fared little better when he joined in the fun.
Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham, Newcastle’s Callum Wilson and Chelsea’s Connor Gallagher also failed to get the better of the challenge.
Callum Wilson came close to finding the targetCredit: https://www.instagram.com/england/?hl=en
Connor Gallagher was also unable to crack the challengeCredit: https://www.instagram.com/england/?hl=en
But City slicker Phil Foden ensured the Three Lions were not left totally red-faced in their endeavours.
Demonstrating the type of silky skills and precision he displays on the pitch, Foden deftly rolled the coin straight into the heart of the fork.
And much to the annoyance of pal Maddison, the coin gently came to a rest instead of rolling back on to the table.
England fans were certainly blown away by Foden’s technique.
Phil Foden was the only player to succeed with a perfectly-timed shotCredit: https://www.instagram.com/england/?hl=en
Pal Maddison was not too pleased at losing to his England team-mateCredit: https://www.instagram.com/england/?hl=en
One said: “Phil really was that kid at school who could do everything.”
Another laughed: “Maddison’s face at the end!”
One declared: “Foden with a worldie.”
Another added: “Maddison’s double-take. Very funny, like a cartoon.” More

ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC hilariously only had one player on his mind when he was quizzed about who would take the World Cup by storm.The Swedish legend, who has penned a new contract at AC Milan despite turning 41, will unfortunately not be part of the Middle East football fest.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic expects his Milan team-mate Olivier Giroud to sjine in QatarCredit: AFP
The Swede was typically hilarious with his World Cup predictionsCredit: Getty

His nation failed to qualify and he is also recovering from knee surgery.
Last season he helped Milan win the Serie A title, scoring eight goals in 23 outings and playing for SIX MONTHS with his ACL injury.
But with his country not participating, it is his strike partner at the San Siro who is rooting for out in Qatar.
During an interview with 443, he picked Olivier Giroud, who is already off to a flying start after a brace in France’s 4-1 win over Australia on Tuesday, to win the World Cup Golden Boot.
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However, the AC Milan star’s 36-year-old club-mate was also on his mind when he was asked to name who will be the biggest surprise of the tournament.
And Ibra continued with that theme as he was then asked who he thought would be the best player in Qatar.
The icon, 41, replied: “I root for my friend Olivier Giroud.”
Next he was asked: “Who will be the biggest talent of the tournament?”
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And, you guessed it, Ibrahimovic went for the ex-Arsenal and Chelsea star again.
He responded: “Olivier Giroud because he is still young and if I say that he’s young then that means that I am young also.”
Ibrahimovic will no doubt be tuning in and rooting for his pal again on Saturday as he looks to surpass Thierry Henry as his country’s all-time top scorer after equalling his record against the Aussies.
France take on Denmark knowing a victory will secure their place in the knockouts.
They then face Tunisia next Wednesday in their final Group D game. More

IT was the Mexicans waving them bye-bye four years ago.And as a Mexican wave broke out here at Doha’s Khalifa Stadium, Germany may well be on the way to heading home early again thanks to Japan’s supersubs.
Japan secured a famous victory over Germany with a late rallyCredit: Getty
Ritsu Doan fired the Japanese level just moments after coming off the benchCredit: Reuters
Takuma Asano then raced clear to fire Japan into the leadCredit: Reuters
That secured Japan the most famous victory in their World Cup historyCredit: Getty
Germany and their fans could now be heading for another group stage exitCredit: Getty
Hansi Flick’s side looked to be cruising when Ilkay Gundogan’s penalty put them ahead just after the half hour.
But their Asian opponents hit back with two goals from substitutes in eight second-half minutes, first through Ritsu Doan and then a stunner from Takuma Asano.
Asano’s effort will go down in World Cup history as he brilliantly controlled a long ball, sped into the area and beat Manuel Neuer at his near post with a thumping finish.
It leaves Germany in familiar territory, having crashed out at the group stage four years ago in Russia as reigning champions having lost their opening game to Mexico.
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Recovering from here could be very tricky given 2010 champions Spain are also in their group, along with Costa Rica.
Midfielder Joshua Kimmich had spoken on Tuesday of the team’s “huge motivation” to put things right this time and the importance of winning the first game.
Yet despite starting so well, they are now in an equally perilous position and face a massive uphill battle to get out of the group.
Germany’s players protested against Fifa ahead of the game, outraged by the pressure the world football governing body had put on them not to wear a One Love rainbow armband via threats of sporting sanctions.
Japan won a memorable game with just 26 per cent possession
Germany dominated most of the game but slumped to a shock 2-1 defeaet
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That included warming up in training kit with rainbows on the sleeves, having rainbows etched on their boots and covering up their mouths for the team picture to indicate how their planned show of support to the LGBTQ community had been silenced.
German interior minister Nancy Faeser also wore the One Love armband while sitting next to Fifa president Gianni Infantino up in the stands.
It really was one-way traffic in the first half, making the turnaround all the more remarkable. Japan only completed 62 passes, while untroubled German goalkeeper Neuer had 35.
Saying that, it was actually the Asian side who had the ball in the net first when striker Daizen Maeda emphatically finished off a rapid counter only to be ruled offside.
Kimmich and Gundogan were firing warning shots from distance before Salvadoran referee Ivan Barton, at 31, the tournament’s third youngest whistler, awarded a penalty against Shuichi Gonda, two years his senior for tripping David Raum and then falling on him for good measure.
Japan barely got out of their own half in their historic win

It allowed Manchester City star Gundogan to coolly slot in his 17th goal for his country.
Kai Havertz thought he had doubled the lead just before the break – and minutes after the Mexican wave around the Khalifa Stadium – but he too had strayed offside.
England were dealt a blow last year when former Young Lion Jamal Musiala switched allegiances to play for Germany, the country of his birth.
The wonderkid, who went to the same private school in Croydon as Callum Hudson-Odoi and Danny Cipriani, went on a stunning mazy run at the start of the second half, beating three players but fired over the bar.
On the hour, Musiala squared to Gundogan who struck the base of the post with his shot.
Gonda went some way to making up for his penalty error by making FOUR saves in a matter of a seconds, three from Serge Gnabry and another from sub Jonas Hofmann.
Antonio Rudiger had plenty of the ball against Japan
Germany were left stunned by their late collapseCredit: Getty
Japan celebrated their epic victory wildly on the pitch after the whistleCredit: Reuters
Germany’s stars covered their mouths for the team picture having been silenced by Fifa in their support to the LGBTQ communityCredit: Rex
Japan fans cranked up the nose late on to help get their heroes over the lineCredit: Rex
Japan’s fans cranked up the noise in a bid to inspire their team and they would have had a leveller sooner were it not for Manuel Neuer’s brilliant stop to deny Junya Ito, before Hiroki Sakai blazed over.
Eventually the equaliser did come as ex-Liverpool man Takumi Minamino, who had just come on as a sub, saw his cross-shot palmed out by Neuer, only for Doan to find the net.
Eight minutes later, it got even better for Japan thanks to Asano’s moment of genius.
He masterfully controlled a routine long ball from defender Ko Itakura, managing to take it past Nico Schlotterbeck and race in on goal before burying it past Neuer at his near post.
It was a wonder goal worthy of winning any game – and one that has put four-time champions Germany in deep trouble already. More