World Cup 2022

HARRY KANE has given England a massive injury scare after being sent for a scan on his ankle.The England skipper was in hospital on Tuesday night for a precautionary scan after suffering the knock in England’s 6-2 win over Iran on Monday.
Harry Kane went down holding his ankle during the win over IranCredit: Getty
The England players were concerned for their skipperCredit: Reuters
He looked to be in some distress following the challenge and has since had a scan in hospitalCredit: Getty
Kane was spotted limping out of the stadium and is now a doubt for the USA gameCredit: Twitter / @David_Ornstein
Kane is now a major doubt for Friday’s second group stage clash against United States.
The Spurs forward was still feeling discomfort on Tuesday and boss Gareth Southgate insisted on tests in Doha.
England are still hopeful that it is not too serious as he took part in a private warm-down session.
But the loss of Kane on Friday would be a huge blow for England despite their encouraging start.
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Kane has previously suffered ankle issues but there have been few problems in the last two years.
None of England’s starting XI trained in the warm-down session but Southgate insisted on Monday night he was not worried.
He said: “I think Harry’s fine. It looked a bad tackle but he carried on in the game.
“We took him off really because we felt it was a moment we could do that.
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“It was good to be able to refresh the forward line not only to get the players on, but also to get the players on because there were some very close calls in who starts in those positions.
“We have some fabulous talent and we had players that, if we needed them to change the game, they could do it.”
If England are to do well at the World Cup they need a fit Kane.
Their next training is a behind-closed-doors session on Wednesday morning.
Kane assisted two of England’s six goals in their stunning World Cup opener.
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He is just three goals away from overtaking Wayne Rooney as England’s all-time top scorer.
Kane has already netted 51 times in 76 appearances for his country. More

ZIDANE, Platini, Henry, Benzema, Mbappe, Griezmann, Fontaine….when you think of all the superstars who have graced the French shirt over the years, no-one would ever have bet on Olivier Giroud outscoring the lot of them.But the much-maligned 36-year-old has now equalled Thierry Henry’s 51-goal international record after silencing his army of critics with a Doha double.
Olivier Giroud scored twice as France came from behind to beat Australia 4-1Credit: AFP
Giroud was overcome with emotion as he levelled Thierry Henry’s all-time goals recordCredit: Getty
And it is surely only a matter of time before he is out there on his own as the King of France.
Maybe even as soon as Denmark on Saturday.
The former Arsenal and Chelsea target man didn’t manage a single shot on target despite playing in all seven games when Les Bleus won the World Cup in Russia four years ago.
But with the defending champions in danger of suffering the biggest upset on a day of shocks, it was Giroud who came to the rescue of suffering boss Didier Deschamps.
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What’s more, he opened his Qatar account with his first effort of the night to justify Deschamps’ bold decision not to call up a replacement for the injured Karim Benzema.
He reached his half century when Kylian Mbappe sent full-back Nat Atkinson into the crowd with an audacious backheel before Adrien Rabiot laid it on a plate for the veteran Milan striker.
And he hauled himself level with Henry in the 72nd minute when Mbappe hung up a cross and Giroud forced his way between the Aussie central defenders to power a header past keeper Mat Ryan.
It was just what Deschamps needed to steady his nerves after Rabiot had headed a 27th minute equaliser.
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Craig Goodwin fired Australia ahead after just nine minutesCredit: EPA
Adrien Rabiot levelled the score 18 minutes laterCredit: Reuters
Because up until that moment it looked as though the bold Socceroos were going to detonate the biggest bombshell in World Cup history.
Four years ago in Russia they had only lost their opening group game to France through a late own-goal.
And they had clearly been stewing on that one as they made it clear right from the outset that they weren’t interested in any more hard luck stories.
Yet even the most optimistic Aussies in the Al Janoub Stadium wouldn’t have envisaged their team seizing a tenth minute lead when Mat Leckie cut inside Lucas Hernandez to cross for Craig Goodwin to slam home at the back post.
Giroud bagged his first of the night after the half-hour markCredit: Getty
Kylian Mbappe made it 3-1 in the 68th minuteCredit: Getty
To make matters worse for France, Hernandez twisted his knee as he was beaten to the punch by Leckie and had to be replaced by his younger brother Theo.
Deschamps must have been starting to believe that someone up there doesn’t like him as he added yet another key player to his ever expanding  list of crocks.
He’s already had to get by without the injured Benzema, Paul Pobga, N’Golo Kante, Christopher Nkunku and Presnel Kimpembe and now must fear that he will also be without Bayern left-back Hernandez for the rest of the tournament.
But at least he can still count on Mbappe and after Lionel Messi and Robert Lewandowski had fluffed their lines earlier in the day, the PSG superstar would not have been human if he wasn’t worrying about delivering another World Cup turkey
Giroud netted his 51st international goal moments laterCredit: Getty
Teammates mobbed Giroud as his goal secured the victoryCredit: AFP
For Mbappe has been built up as one of the faces of Qatar 2022 with his image seemingly plastered on every billboard in Doha.
And with his team decimated by the absence of half their strongest line-up, there was an even greater weight of his expectation on his young shoulders ahead of the launch of France’s title defence.
Yet the brilliant 23-year-old carried the burden with ease and gained the reward his efforts deserved when he headed in from Ousmane Dembele’s 68th minute cross.
He should have scored even earlier but somehow volleyed over from two yards out while Giroud was only just off target with a spectacular second-half scissor kick.
But Deschamps could afford to shrug off those near misses as his team went through the gears like a well-oiled machine.
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Just like England, the French came into this tournament on the back of a miserable run of recent results with fans fearing their team had lost its joie de vivre.
But just like the Three Lions, they have quickly shown that they are serious contenders here in Qatar after laying down an impressive marker in their opening game. More

BELGIUM star Jan Vertonghen admits he is afraid to speak out against Qatar.That’s because he fears being BANNED from playing at the World Cup.
Belgium star Jan Vertonghen fears a World Cup ban for speaking out against QatarCredit: Reuters
Roberto Martinez’s men kick off their group stage campaign against Canada tomorrow.
But just like England on Tuesday, Belgium will not be wearing their One Love armband.
England pulled the plug on the gesture of solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community over fears of Harry Kane receiving a booking.
It’s reckoned the Three Lions captain and other international stars were threatened with “extreme blackmail”, forcing them to back down from wearing the armband.
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Kane later revealed he was “disappointed” at being blocked from wearing the armband.
And Belgium star Vertonghen has now given his views on playing in Qatar.
He and teammates have had to ditch their colourful pre-match jerseys, and have also had to remove the word “love” from their away kit.
But Vertonghen admits he is hesitant to criticise Qatar and Fifa’s actions amid fears he will be banned from playing in the tournament.
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The former Tottenham star, now at Anderlecht, said: “It’s a tough question. If it’s too late [to make a statement against discrimination], I don’t know. If you make a statement now by wearing it, that would mean punishing yourself.
“But now I’m afraid to say anything. I don’t feel comfortable saying anything, and that’s telling enough, that we are put under pressure.
“That’s a regrettable situation that I’ve never experienced in football and I hope I won’t experience again.
“We are being controlled and I don’t really like making political statements anyway, but if you can’t even wear a captain’s armband with normal messages like ‘no to racism’, or ‘no to discrimination’, then hey, then what [can you say]?
“I shouldn’t be saying anything about it because tomorrow I want to appear at the game. It’s a pity that we have been put in this situation, and I want to leave it at that.” More

A SAUDI ARABIAN fan celebrated his country’s winner over Argentina by ripping his OWN DOOR off.Saudi Arabia put together one of the greatest World Cup shockers of all time when they beat Lionel Messi and co 2-1 in the group stage.

Saudi Arabian fans erupted into wild celebrations after the win over Argentina
One Saudi Arabian fan went so crazy he ripped a door off its hinges
Saudi have sprung the biggest shock fo the World Cup so farCredit: PA
Messi opened the scoring after just 10 minutes from the penalty spot and it looked like the Copa America winners would cruise to an easy victory.
However, Herve Renard’s men fought back in the second half and equalised with Saleh Alshehri on 48 minutes.
And Salem Aldawsari netted a stunning winner just five minutes later to seal Saudi Arabia’s most famous World Cup victory.
A group of fans watched the game from home and were lucky to record the moment Aldawsari scored his screamer without knowing they would soon go viral on Twitter.
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Wild celebrations erupted inside a small house and one of them went so crazy he actually ripped the main door off its hinges.
He then dragged the door outside and dropped it on the floor while his fellow fans cheered inside.
No one seemed too bothered by the damage caused as the perpetrator received a big hug as he walked back inside.
This was such a historic victory that the kingdom of Saudi Arabia declared that a national holiday will be in effect on Wednesday.
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This means Saudi Arabians can carry on with their celebrations without the worry of needing to go to work tomorrow.
Both private and public sector workers will be given this break alongside students of all educational ages.
The football world has been left stunned by super SaudiCredit: Getty More

SERGIO AGUERO has been blocked from visiting the Argentina squad at their World Cup training camp.The Manchester City legend retired from football last year and was expected to be part of his national side’s coaching staff for the tournament.
Sergio Aguero has been denied access to the Argentina squadCredit: AFP
However, he rejected a role and now has not even been able to visit the squad.
Aguero told ESPN: “I haven’t seen the national team yet. Hey, let’s see, but everything is kind of weird. Supposedly you have to have a credential to pass through.
“It sounds strange to me that it takes three or four days to arrange. I asked and was told the decision has come from above – but I see there are others who have been allowed in.
“It’s strange that they can’t give me the right credentials quickly.
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“I’ve been in the national team and know they make a credential for you quickly. What do I know? I’m not going to bother. I’m going to wait for everything to finish.
“I wanted to go earlier, to wish them luck. The situation is rare. I’ve never done anyone wrong.
“I’ve always behaved well. Maybe there are people who don’t like being told bad things.
“It annoys me that others arrive the same day of their trip and suddenly they are in there. I sent a good luck message. If they don’t want me to go, it’s all good, but tell me to my face.”
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Aguero has gone to Qatar as an Argentina fan after making the decision not to help coach the side that he played 101 times for.
He added: “The invitation to be part of Argentina staff was in the table.
“I spoke with Chiqui [Tapia, Argentina Football Association president] and I was clear with him about my goal to enjoy my time.”
He would have been left extra disappointed as Argentina were stunned in their World Cup opening game by Saudi Arabia.
Aguero also had a rough journey to Qatar as he found himself surrounded by Brazil fans on his flight over.
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His former team-mate Lionel Messi is also now shacking up alone in the team hotel, as he would usually stay with Aguero.
The bond between the two was so strong that Argentina decided not to make the PSG star share a room with someone else. More

SAUDI ARABIA players wanted to “eat the grass” after an inspirational half-time team talk in their stunning win over Argentina.The World Cup minnows had a mountain to climb as they trailed their illustrious opponents at the break after Lionel Messi’s penalty.
Abdulelah Al-Malki has credited the win over Argentina to manager Herve Renard’s motivational team talkCredit: Getty
Renard convinced the players to leave everything on the pitchCredit: AFP
And it could have been worse for the Saudi’s in Qatar as Argentina had three goals ruled out for narrow offsides in the first half too.
However, manager Herve Renard’s team talk did the trick as second half as goals from Saleh Al-Shehri and Salem Al-Dawsari earned their side a surprising win.
The victory for the Saudis has since been hailed as the biggest shock in World Cup history.
And Abdulelah Al-Malki has put the comeback down to the manager’s words, revealing they made players want to run themselves into the ground.
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He told Alkass Sports channel: “We have a crazy coach.
“He motivated us during half-time, telling us stuff that made us want to east the grass.”
“Before the game, in the pre-game talk with the coach, I swear to God I was crying.
“He motivated us to the extent that we couldn’t wait for the game to begin.”
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Renard has hailed the victory and suggested that it will go down in the team’s history “forever”.
He said: “We made history for Saudi football, it will stay forever.
“That is the most important thing. But we have to look forward — we have two difficult games for us ahead.” More