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    England U20 3 Uruguay U20 2: Young Lions qualify for last 16 in front of hostile crowd as God Save the King booed

    ENGLAND’S Under-20s sealed qualification to the Last 16 of the World Cup after beating Uruguay 3-2 in front of a hostile crowd in Argentina.The Young Lions are now top of Group E and are waiting for Tunisia’s clash with Iraq to find out if they will go through as winners.

    England’s Under-20s defeated Uruguay 3-2 in front of a hostile crowdCredit: Getty
    England sealed qualification to the Last 16 of the Under-20 World CupCredit: Getty
    England have now won both of their first two World Cup matchesCredit: AFP
    The game didn’t start with the best signs as the national anthem was booed by scores of fans in attendance at the Estadio Unico Diego Armando Maradona stadium.
    But that wasn’t enough to put Ian Foster’s men off as they started strong and opened the scoring after just 22 minutes.
    Bashir Humphreys, one of Chelsea’s many loanees who currently plays for Paderborn, drew first blood for Foster’s side.
    England doubled their lead in the first half but left it until the fourth minute of stoppage time.
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    That was when Tottenham’s Alfie Devine beat Penarol’s Randall Rodriguez.
    Uruguay fought back in the second half and gave England something to worry about when Danubio’s Franco Gonzalez beat Brentford’s Matthew Aidan Cox.
    But Marcelo Broli’s side couldn’t produce an equaliser and instead saw England sealing the win just before full-time.
    This time it was Leeds’ Darko Gyabi, who buried it at the back of the net in the fifth minute of stoppage time.
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    Uruguay managed to get their missing goal with Matias Abaldo but Foster’s men held tight and are now looking forward to the Round of 16.
    That is a perfect start for England as they also won their first match against Tunisia 1-0 thanks to Dane Scarlett’s winner.
    Now the Young Lions are set to meet Iraq on Sunday hoping to seal first place. More

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    Man Utd ‘join transfer race for World Cup and Champions League winner’ but fans say ‘he’s just not needed’

    MANCHESTER UNITED fans have been left completely underwhelmed after the Red Devils were linked with a move for Benjamin Pavard.The Frenchman has been at Bayern Munich for four years and established himself as one of their first-choice full-backs.
    Pavard arrived at the Allianz Arena from Stuttgart in 2019Credit: AFP
    But reports indicated he could be on his way this summer with clubs enquiring about his availability.
    Man United have reportedly joined the queue for the 27-year-old – but fans aren’t best please with the news.
    One said on Twitter: “No. Don’t do this.”
    Another fan added: “Absolutely not needed.”
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    While another supporter said: “Why are we always linked with older players?”
    German outlet Kicker carried the initial report that Pavard has become of interest to Old Trafford chiefs.
    This is despite the fact that United are already well-stocked in full back areas, with Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia occupying the left-back area and Diogo Dalot and Aaron Wan-Bissaka the main right-backs.
    But Pavard comes with pedigree having won the World Cup in 2018 with France and the Champions League with Bayern in 2020.
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    He has has made 29 appearances for Bayern this season, scoring four goals and registering a single assist.
    His at club level has been far more fruitful than with France, where Pavard was sensationally accused of leaking dressing room information during the World Cup.
    Bayern’s season had at one stage appeared to be heading towards a potential treble as the domestic season went into the March international break.
    But the baffling decision to sack Julian Nagelsmann and replace him with Thomas Tuchel has been followed by an incredible collapse.
    The European powerhouse were quickly knocked out of the Champions League and German Cup and now face losing the league if Dortmund win on the final day of the season.
    Bayern have won the last 10 Bundesliga titles. More

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    James Rodriguez hits out at former side as World Cup legend is released by third club in three years

    JAMES RODRIGUEZ has hit out at former club Olympiacos a month after his sudden release.Rodriguez joined the Greek giants in September and put together a series of impressive performances in his first few months.
    James Rodriguez hit out Olympiacos after his sudden releaseCredit: EPA
    But after a niggling injury the playmaker fell out of favour and was suddenly let go by the Piraeus outfit just seven months after his arrival, which was greeted with glee by the club’s faithful.
    The Colombia international insists he doesn’t regret leaving Evangelos Marinakis’ club as he claims he wasn’t treated well “or in a serious way”.
    The 31-year-old added that Olympiacos didn’t appreciate his contribution in Piraeus after five goals and six assists in 23 appearances.
    Rodriguez told RCN News: “I was in 24 games and I played a lot, there could have been more goals. I played well. The numbers are a bit low for what I played.
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    “I do not regret it [leaving Olympiacos], as I said before. And more when they don’t treat you well or in a serious way and they don’t appreciate what you’ve done.”
    This comes only a month after Rodriguez issued a touching farewell post to Olympiacos fans on Instagram.
    The former Real Madrid star declared he wants to remain a “member and welcomed in the family of Olympiacos.”
    Rodriguez posted: “I would like to thank everyone for all the time that we have spent together.
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    “Although we are going our separate ways, I feel that I will always be a member and welcomed in the family of Olympiacos and the great port Piraeus.
    “I wish all the best to Olympiacos and every success in the future.”
    Rodriguez joined Olympiacos alongside fellow legends Marcelo and Sime Vrsaljko, who also failed to live up to expectations.
    This adds to the Colombian’s recent woes that have seen his stock plummet ever since his 2014 World Cup heroics.
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    Rodriguez claims Olympiacos didn’t treat him well or appreciate himCredit: Getty
    The versatile forward failed to stand out at Real ever since his move in 2014 and also struggled at Bayern Munich during his two-year loan stint.
    Rodriguez left Los Blancos in 2019 and joined Everton soon after but left in 2021 despite a decent debut season.
    That led the ex-Monaco star to Al-Rayyan but he ripped his contract up just 12 months later.
    The former Porto star’s departure from Olympiacos means he has been released by three clubs in the last three years. More

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    David Brooks to receive a Wales call-up next week after nearly two years out with cancer

    DAVID BROOKS will cap his recovery from cancer with a Wales call-up next week.The Bournemouth winger, 25, made his first start in 598 days in the 1-0 Premier League loss to Manchester United last Saturday.
    Brave David Brooks has fought back from his stage two Hodgkin lymphoma diagnosis in October 2021Credit: Getty
    Bournemouth star Brooks made his first club appearance following his cancer battle against Aston Villa in MarchCredit: PA
    But, as revealed by SunSport in March, Brooks, will be named in Robert Page’s squad next Tuesday for the Euro 2024 qualifiers against Armenia and Turkey in June.
    Brave Brooks, who has made five Bournemouth appearances in total, has fought back from his stage two Hodgkin lymphoma diagnosis in October 2021.
    Page confirmed: “He will most definitely be in the squad. 
    “I am pleased for him because he’s had a long journey.
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    “I got a bit excited in March. 
    “I tried to get him on camp then because you want your best players around you. He definitely falls into that category. 
    “We knew we had to manage it. You don’t go through what he’s gone through and not have little setbacks along the way.
    “Bournemouth have been incredible with the way they have handled it and got him back up to speed. It’s great that we have got him available.”
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    Brooks’ last of his 21 Wales caps came at Euro 2020 when he was a sub in the 4-0 hammering by Denmark.
    While Brooks returns, Page is waiting to find out if Nottingham Forest’s Neco Williams will be available for the Group D double-header on June 16 and 19.
    Full-back Williams has been out of action since he broke his jaw in April.
    Page added: “There’s conversations to be had with ourselves and the club, both medical teams. 
    “The squad is going to be announced next week. We will have conversations in the meantime and see where we are at with that before we make that decision.” More

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    Southgate warns Harry Maguire ‘this can’t continue forever’ as under-fire Man Utd ace escapes England axe

    HARRY MAGUIRE faces the England axe unless he sorts out his Manchester United nightmare.The Old Trafford skipper is in the Three Lions squad for Euro 2024 qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia — despite only making seven Prem starts this season.
    New arrivals in Man United’s defence last summer has made first-team football far harder to come by for MaguireCredit: Getty
    Gareth Southgate has made some big calls in his latest squad announcementCredit: Getty
    But England boss Gareth Southgate warned: “It’s not a situation that can continue forever.
    “It’s like Kalvin Phillips, they are important players for us.”
    Midfielder Phillips has also struggled for minutes and only made his first Prem start for Manchester City in the 1-0 win over Chelsea on Sunday.
    Southgate added: “With Kalvin, we haven’t got many players who can play as that single pivot.
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    “Of course the longer that situation goes on the more concerning it is and we’ve got in Marc Guehi, Lewis Dunk, Tyrone Mings . . . players who are playing well without the same experiences of club European football or international football.
    “But we’ve got to keep searching for competition in that area of the pitch.”
    Southgate was asked if he would keep selecting keeper Jordan Pickford if Everton are relegated this weekend.
    He said: “That would depend on how well he was playing.
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    “It wouldn’t be ideal because clearly the level of attacks, finishing, speed of the game would be completely different, so I think it would be difficult — but let’s see what Sunday brings.”
    Raheem Sterling once again misses out owing to his poor form for Chelsea but it was the player himself who insisted he had not been playing at the right level.
    The winger is determined to return for England after a summer break.
    Southgate said: “He didn’t feel like he was in a condition to play. I spoke with him a week or so ago.
    “He is not happy physically and has been carrying a hamstring problem.
    “He was not in consideration so we did not get to the point whether he should be in or out.
    Raheem Sterling’s debut season at Stamford Bridge has left much to be desiredCredit: Getty
    “He does not think he is operating at the level he needs.
    “But I can’t see a scenario when Chelsea aren’t in the top six next year.
    “They have an outstanding squad, so they are going to have a good season and I’m sure he will be fundamental to that.
    “I would always back him to respond strongly and to have the resilience and tenacity to prove himself.
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    “It has been difficult for everybody with all the changes at the club. Three different managers, three different ways of training and playing.
    “They have no European football, so they will have a game a week. They will be really strong next season and I’m certain he will be a big part of that.” More

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    Inside Messi’s new Salt Bae-style restaurant as diners slam eye-watering prices with £40 pasta & £30 chocolate football

    LIONEL Messi’s new Salt Bae-style restaurant has been slammed by diners over its eye-watering prices.Footy supporters have blasted him for charging £18.30 for a plate of macaroni.
    Lionel Messi, seen here during his recent Saudi visit, has opened a Salt bae-style restaurantCredit: Instagram
    Salt Bae poses with beaming Lionel Messi and Paul Pogba at his Dubai restaurant in 2018Credit: Instagram
    Spanish influencer Monica Moran tucks into the Ballon d’Or chocolate dessert which costs £30.90Credit: Jam Press Vid/@monismurf
    Monica’s TikTok video of the restaurant went viral, picking up 13.8m viewsCredit: Jam Press Vid/@monismurf
    Messi’s new restaurant is in the five-star MiM Hotel in AndorraCredit: Jam Press Vid/@monismurf
    The Argentine World Cup hero’s ravioli is £39.20 albeit it is filled with lobster.
    The 35-year-old PSG ace also sells a £30.90 Ballon d’Or chocolate dessert.
    Fans said they’d only pay for it if the former Barcelona great was serving it up.
    Spanish influencer, Monica Moran visited his Hincha – which translates as a supporter – restaurant in the five-star MiM Hotel, in the tiny principality of Andorra.
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    Monica shared a clip of her trip with her 9.4million TikTok followers.
    The video went viral with 13.8m views.
    Monica said: “We ordered a pizza to share and it was really good.
    “They came to show us the meat they were going to make us, and the truth is that it was 10 out of 10, incredible.”
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    To finish, the group decided to order the football shaded pud in honour of his record seven best football in the world titles.
    Monica described the sweet treat as “a very strange mixture”.
    She added: “Although it was very pretty, inside it was just cream, peanuts, popcorn, and marshmallow.”
    But fans were left bemused by the prices.
    One said: “The macaroni is £18 (€21)… Is Messi coming to prepare it? Hahaha.”
    Samir remarked: “If Messi doesn’t bring my food to the table and sit down with me to eat.
    “I don’t want anything.”
    Alejo wrote: “I’m going to sell my grandmother’s house, but I’m going, I’m going.”
    Another fan joked that it would cost “two kidneys, eight lungs and two hearts.”
    Unearthed footage of Messi visiting Salt Bae’s Dubai restaurant emerged following the outlandish Turkish chef’s World Cup final stunt last year.
    The celebrity chef was slammed for pestering Argentina’s talisman for a selfie on the pitch in an embarrassing display following the nailbiting shootout in the tournament.
    The Turkish cook and Instagram star – real name Nusret Gökçe – was filmed grabbing Messi by the shoulder at least twice.
    Messi tried to shrug him off before finally agreeing to pose for a picture.
    However it was not the first time they had met.
    Video shows Messi eating at Gökçe’s Dubai steakhouse with his wife Antonela Roccuzzo and a pal in November 2018.
    Barcelona forward Messi gives the chef a hug and shakes his hand as his table gets the full VIP treatment.
    After theatrically slicing their steak, Salt Bae invites Messi to sprinkle salt over it.
    Then other diners cheer and clap as the chef feeds a slice of meat into Messi’s mouth using the tip of his knife.
    He also grinned while posing for a picture with Gökçe and former Man Utd midfielder Paul Pogba, who dined there the same night.
    At the time the two stars were on a break from international duty.
    Another video showed them deep in conversation – sparking transfer speculation as Pogba urged Messi: “We have to play together”.
    Salt Bae’s restaurants are known for their exceptionally high prices, particularly their steaks.
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    Guests will fork out an astonishing £1,350 for a Golden Giant Striploin and £1,450 for a Golden Giant Tomahawk at his Knightsbridge eaterie.
    A Golden Burger sells for £100 each.
    Messi previously imitated the chef’s famous salt sprinkling gimmick in DubaiCredit: Instagram
    Argentina captain Messi eventually relented and posed for a selfie at the World Cup finalCredit: instagram More

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    England U20 1 Tunisia U20 0: Tottenham’s Dane Scarlett heads Young Lions to hard-fought win in World Cup opener

    DANE SCARLETT headed dominant England to a winning start in the Under-20 World Cup. Toothless Tunisia created little as Ian Foster’s men triumphed in second gear during a low-key group opener in Argentina.
    Dane Scarlett powers England in front midway through the first periodCredit: Getty
    Striker Scarlett, on loan at Portsmouth from Spurs, is mobbed after his winnerCredit: Getty
    England’s deserved breakthrough arrived after 25 minutes of possession-based superiority.
    Skipper Harvey Vale conjured space for a lovely cross that Scarlett rose to firmly nod home.
    The striker, who has been on loan at Portsmouth from Tottenham, is tipped for greater things at club level.
    And that clinical finish showed why.
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    The Young Lions remained on top, albeit with few clear opportunities until sub Daniel Jebbison nearly netted twice in stoppage time.
    Brentford’s Daniel Oyegoke was lively down the right on an evening where England had most of the ball throughout.
    And midway through the second period Alfie Devine lunged to divert the ball inches wide of the far post.
    Tunisia’s approach play was laboured as they struggled to put together a threatening spell.
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    And their first truly menacing moment came from a cheeky free-kick from way out on the right.
    Instead of whipping the dead-ball into the middle, sub Mohamed Dhaoui fired a near-post shot that keeper Matthew Cox parried well.
    Dhaoui then cut in from the same flank to drill a long-range left-footer that tested Cox again.
    But those two efforts aside, it was comfortable for the Young Lions.
    it was the first ever match between these two countries at U-20 level.
    And whereas England have qualified from the World Cup group stages five times in 11 events, Tunisia have never made it beyond the first phase.
    That gap in pedigree showed as the Young Lions kept the Africans at bay and then finished the contest strongly.
    Sheffield United frontman Jebbison wriggled through on the left for a fierce shot tipped behind – then soon smashed a pull-back off the right post.
    England, who have not appeared in the tournament since winning it six years ago, also face Uruguay and Iraq in the four-team group. More

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    England boss Southgate opens sensational talks to recall Arsenal star Ben White after mysterious World Cup departure

    GARETH SOUTHGATE is reportedly looking at recalling Ben White to the England team.The Arsenal defender was part of the Three Lions squad that travelled to Qatar for the World Cup.
    Gareth Southgate is reportedly reaching out to Ben WhiteCredit: Getty
    He is keen to see if the defender would consider coming back to the Three LionsCredit: AFP
    However, he left the squad midway through the tournament with the FA citing personal reasons as to why he left.
    White, 25, left the camp before the last-16 victory over Senegal, while there were reports claiming he had a training ground bust-up with assistant boss Steve Holland.
    He has not been selected to play for England since his sudden exit from Qatar.
    But that could be set to change as Southgate is trying to find out if the Gunners star would be open to a return, according to the Daily Mail.
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    Southgate will name his next England squad on Wednesday for the Euro 2024 fixtures against Malta and North Macedonia.
    And the coach will be looking for a right-back with his options looking limited.
    Kyle Walker is set to be rested as he plays a Champions League final for Manchester City less than a week before.
    While Reece James is injured and Trent Alexander-Arnold is playing a new role at Liverpool.
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    The Three Lions boss previously argued that White has not been called up due to there being too many other elite options in his position.
    The 52-year-old tactician insisted Walker, Trippier and James were ahead of him as well as Trent Alexander-Arnold
    He said in March: “With Ben, it is similar for Ben and Trent.
    “We have players ahead of those two and we are blessed with talent.
    “Kyle and Tripps [Trippier] were the ones who played during the World Cup and have been consistent while Reece has come back.” More