World Cup 2022

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      Portugal boss Fernando Santos ‘to be sacked’ after World Cup quarter-final exit and Cristiano Ronaldo bust-up

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      PORTUGAL’s Euro 2016-winning boss, Fernando Santos, is set to be sacked after the World Cup quarter-final exit to Morocco, a report says.Santos, 68, headed into the winter tournament with one of the strongest 26-man squads.
      Santos faces the sack after Portugal’s early World Cup exitCredit: Getty
      The boss made a brave call to bench out-of-form RonaldoCredit: Reuters
      However, a lacklustre group stage campaign, which saw a 2-1 loss to South Korea, prompted the manager to drop 819 career-goal forward, Cristiano Ronaldo.
      Replacement Goncalo Ramos stepped up and fired Portugal into the quarters, netting a hat-trick in the 6-1 win over Switzerland.
      But Portugal’s free-scoring fun was stopped by a resolute Morocco, who went on to win the game 1-0 and became the first African country to make the semi-finals.
      And according to Goal, the historic loss to Morocco has cost Santos his job.
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      The Portuguese Football Federation are set to end his eight-year stint in charge of the national team and Lille’s Paulo Fonseca is favourite to replace him.
      Fonseca isn’t the only name in the running for the job.
      Legendary manager and current Roma boss, Jose Mourinho, has also been linked with the post.
      Fonseca only joined Lille in the summer and has a contract in France until 2024.
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      However, the 49-year-old could be tempted by the national team role.
      Fonseca has close ties to the Portuguese Football Federation.
      His wife, Katerina, became ambassador of an FPF project supporting the hosting, integration and employment of Ukrainian refugees. 
      Fonseca’s attacking style of play would also please Portugal fans. More

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      Kylian Mbappe rushes to check on fan after smashing him in face in warm-up before France’s World Cup clash vs Morocco

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      KYLIAN MBAPPE raced to the aid of a France fan after accidentally hitting him with a wayward shot before their World Cup semi-final win over Morocco.The Paris Saint-Germain star was testing his shooting boots during the warm-up ahead of the crunch clash at the Al Bayt Stadium.
      A France fan was accidentally struck by a rasping wayward shot by Kylian MbappeCredit: Getty
      A concerned Mbappe quickly leapt over the advertising hoarding to check on the fanCredit: REUTERS
      The France superstar was apologetic as he expressed concern for the fanCredit: PA
      The fan was also tended to by his fellow Les Bleus supportersCredit: GETTY
      But one of his attempts to get his range resulted in him booting the ball square in the face of a Les Bleus fan.
      The unlucky fan was badly dazed by the powerful strike and grabbed his nose to see if it had been bloodied.
      Lucky for him, the shot didn’t draw blood.
      But it did prompt mega star Mbappe to come and check on his condition.
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      Mbappe, 24, consoled the fan by grabbing his arm in an apologetic manner and seemed to profusely offer his apologies.
      Footy fans were quick to comment on the unfortunate incident, with one saying: “Just how hard did that ball hit him?”

      Another said: “That’s love.”
      And another said: “Accidental Renaissance.”
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      Another remarked: “Mbappe has just given some poor bloke a journeyman boxers career worth of brain trauma.”
      One chimed in: “Hold up did any medical professionals check on him?”
      Not long after Mbappe’s apology, the defending World Cup champions raced into an early lead.
      Theo Hernandez fired France into a 1-0 lead in the fifth minuteCredit: Rex
      Defender Theo Hernandez broke the deadlock in the fifth minute following some pinball in the box and put Didier Deschamp’s troops on the brink of a second successive final appearance.
      Randal Kolo Muani’s tap in sealed a 2-0 win with 10 minutes to go as France set up a final showdown with Lionel Messi’s Argentina on Sunday. More

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      Arsenal star Ben White reunites with glamorous fiancee Milly Adams after quitting England for ‘personal reasons’

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      ARSENAL star Ben White has reunited with his stunning fiancee, Milly Adams, after quitting England for “personal reasons”.The defender, 25, left England’s World Cup camp on November 30 before the start of the Three Lions’ knockout campaign.
      The reunited couple snapped a pic holding handsCredit: Instagram
      White proposed to influencer Milly earlier this yearCredit: Instagram
      Milly has just 17k Instagram followersCredit: Instagram
      A wedding date is yet to be set by the coupleCredit: Instagram
      Reports then surfaced of a potential bust-up with England’s assistant coach, Steve Holland.
      However, Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate played down allegations that White had gone home as a result of a row.
      White has since re-joined his Arsenal team-mates in Dubai on Saturday, before taking part in his first training session on Sunday.
      And he has also reunited with stunning fiancee Milly.
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      White posted a picture on Instagram of him holding the 25-year-old brunette bombshell’s hand.
      The footballer proposed earlier this year after months of dating.
      White and Milly also have matching “I love you” tattoos.
      Arsenal took on, and beat, AC Milan in a mid-season friendly on Tuesday.
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      White started at right-back for the Gunners in the 2-1 win.
      Arsenal have one more friendly scheduled against Juventus for this Saturday.
      Their first competitive domestic game back post-World Cup is a Premier League fixture against West Ham.
      Milly enjoys watching her soon-to-be husbandCredit: Instagram
      White and Milly have taken their fair share of mirror selfiesCredit: Instagram
      Milly all dressed up while White went for a more casual lookCredit: Instagram More

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      Morocco forced to make last-minute change against France after West Ham’s Nayef Aguerd is injured in warm-up

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      MOROCCO were forced into a last-minute change in their team to play France in the historic World Cup semi-final. West Ham centre-back Nayef Aguerd was due to start but had to be withdrawn with moments until kick off due to an injury.
      Morocco were forced into a last-minute change in their team to play FranceCredit: Getty
      Aguerd suffered an injury during the warm-up and had to be replaced by Achraf Dari.
      The defender was brought off in tears during Morocco’s shock last-16 win against Spain following a groin problem.
      Aguerd subsequently missed the quarter-final against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal.
      He watched on as Youssef En-Nesyri’s headed effort won the game.
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      It meant Morocco became the first African side to reach a World Cup semi-final.
      Although the match against reigning champions France got off to a horror start.
      Not only did Aguerd pull out before kick off, Morocco were behind after just five minutes.
      Left-back Theo Hernandez opened the scoring after a scramble in the penalty box.
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      After 20 minutes, Morocco were hit with another injury setback as captain Romain Saiss made way.
      The former Wolves centre-half carried a thigh injury into the game and limped off.
      He was replaced by midfielder Selim Amallah, meaning Morocco had to change shape from a back five to 4-3-3.

      Despite creating a couple of openings, they struggled to lay a glove on the French as the defending champions controlled the game.
      And when sub Randal Kolo Muani tapped in from Mbappe’s scuffed shot, Morocco’s fate was sealed as France set up a final showdown with Argentina with a 2-0 win.
      Romain Saiss leaves the pitch injured and is substitutedCredit: Getty More

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      David Beckham, Ronaldo and Batistuta link up for star-studded padel match in Qatar during World Cup

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      BRAZILIAN icon Ronaldo joined David Beckham as a star-studded line up of football legends linked up for a game of padel.The group put World Cup rivalries aside as they met up in Qatar.
      Former Real Madrid team-mates David Beckham and Ronaldo met up in QatarCredit: https://www.instagram.com/davidbeckham
      Beckham and Ronaldo were joined by other footballing legends for a game of padelCredit: https://www.instagram.com/ronaldo
      Beckham enjoyed chatting to former rivalsCredit: https://www.instagram.com/davidbeckham
      There was a game of South America vs EuropeCredit: https://www.instagram.com/ronald_de_boer_
      Beckham and Ronaldo are former team-mates at Real Madrid, although they were on opposite sides of the pitch in England’s 2002 World Cup quarter-final defeat to Brazil.
      And the pair were on opposite sides of the padel court, too.
      They were joined by Argentina legend Gabriel Batistuta and Australian hero Tim Cahill for a game of the popular Spanish racket sport.
      Becks and Co also played alongside Dutch icons Ronald de Boer and Patrick Kluivert.
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      In a friendly game of South America vs Europe, Beckham, 47, lined up alongside De Boer, 52, on the opposite side of the net to Ronaldo, 46 and Batistuta, 53.
      However, it’s not clear who came out on top.
      Although former England captain Beckham enjoyed reminiscing with old pals.
      He wrote on Instagram: “Catching up with friends talking about old times. Love Padel.” 
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      Becks posted a snap of himself grinning alongside Ronaldo, plus another of the legends deep in conversation after their game.
      Padel is the world’s fastest-growing racket sport – and is quite the hit with retired footballers.
      A number of other former stars recently took part in ‘Legends’ tournament in Qatar, which was organised by Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi.
      Al-Khelaifi is also the president of the recently launched Premier Padel, the only official global padel tour.

      The sport is a mixture of tennis and squash and is played in an enclosed court with rackets that don’t have strings.
      Ex-England skipper John Terry, former Spain captain Iker Casillas and Italian icons Francesco Totti, Alessandro Del Piero and Marco Materazzi were just a handful of those to appear in the tournament.
      John Terry was part of a ‘Legends’ padel tournament in QatarCredit: https://www.instagram.com/premierpadel
      Ex-Spain captain Iker Casillas took part in the competitionCredit: https://www.instagram.com/premierpadel
      A number of World Cup legends tried their hand at the popular racket sportCredit: https://www.instagram.com/premierpadel More

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      France vs Morocco LIVE RESULT: Champs France set up Argentina showdown as they reach back-to-back World Cup finals

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      FRANCE have reached successive World Cup finals after beating Morocco 2-0.And they now face Lionel Messi and Argentina in the big final on Sunday afternoon.
      Theo Hernandez acrobatically scored after just five minutes before super-sub Randal Kolo Muani put the semi-final out of Morocco’s reach.
      Though France did not have it all their own way as Morocco piled on the pressure in the second half.

      Result France 2-0 Morocco
      France XI: Lloris; Kounde, Varane, Konate, Theo Hernandez; Tchouameni, Fofana; Dembele, Griezmann, Mbappe; Giroud
      Morocco XI: Bono; Hakimi, El Yamiq, Aguerd, Saiss, Mazraoui; Amrabat, Ounahi; Ziyech, En Nesyri, Boufal

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      French fans celebrate into the night
      ‘Allez Les Bleus’ rings out from the stands and the surrounding fan-parks.
      They are one step away from achieving the dream they set out to accomplish when heading out to Qatar.
      When the news of Karim Benzema’s injury hit the camp prior to their first game, even the most ardent fan could be forgiven for doubting their chances of success.
      Only Argentina stand in their way now.
      As a side note, I wonder if ‘Gala’ ever thought in 1997 that her song ‘Freed From Desire’ would be played at the end of football games at a World Cup some 25 years later.
      Credit: EPA
      Credit: Getty
      France set up classic encounter
      Before this tournament started, had you offered anyone an Argentina versus France final, plenty would have taken your arm off.
      In Lionel Messi, you have probably the best player the world has seen, with his final chance to win the trophy he has always craved.
      But for Les Bleus, in Kylian Mbappe, they have the future of football who will do all he can to prevent that from happening.
      The mouth waters at the prospect.
      Credit: Getty Images – Getty
      Credit: Getty
      ‘Le petit prince’ reigns supreme
      Well there was no argument who was the standout player for France this evening.
      Antoine Griezmann, playing in his new deeper role. pulled the strings for Didier Deschamps tonight.
      He has been doing just that throughout the tournament and his link up play between midfield and attack is sublime.

      FT: France 2-0 Morocco
      The Atlas Lions can hold their heads high, Les Bleus know they have been in a game today.
      Had they managed to just convert one of their chances, this could have been a completely different game.
      The stats show just how evenly matched these two teams were.

      FT: France 2-0 Morocco
      France are the first team to reach back-to-back World Cup finals since Brazil some 20 years ago.
      They are also the first European team to do this for 84 years.
      Morocco have finally run out of steam and head home from Qatar.
      France 2-0 Morocco
      90+6. That was unbelievable that the Atlas Lions did not score.
      It may have only been a consolation but was no more than Morocco had deserved here tonight.
      France look to run the clock down now.
      Inside the ground – closing time
      Martin Lipton reports from Qatar:
      The locals are starting to leave.
      But the Moroccan fans will stay all the way to the end. And probably for quite a while afterwards.
      The celebrations for France. And rightly so.
      A fourth final in the seven World Cups I’ve covered. Maybe I should ask for a bonus.
      The glory, though, for the defeated side.
      They have taken African football further than it has ever gone before.
      And from now on, talking about an African winner is not fanciful. It’s possible.
      France 2-0 Morocco
      90+4. Morocco are still probing and looking for something.
      The ball is worked into the box and half-cleared.
      Ounahi twists and turns and gets a shot away but it deflects behind for a corner.
      From the resulting corner it is cleared but Morocco come straight back at France.
      They get into the six yard box, get the ball past Lloris but somehow Kounde clears the ball off the line.
      France 2-0 Morocco
      90+2. Tears stream down the faces of young Morocco fans.
      Their dreams of a World Cup final in tatters.
      But it has taken the quality of the defending world champions to dislodge them from this competition.
      France 2-0 Morocco
      90. Despite what seems to be their exit this evening, Morocco can walk off this pitch with heads held high.
      They have been a breath of fresh air in the World Cup.
      And their names will be etched in the history of the competition.
      We are going to have an added six minutes here.
      Credit: Getty
      France 2-0 Morocco
      88. All this Morocco side have lacked tonight is that clinical finish.
      They have caused France all sorts of problems and had their fans with hearts in mouth aplenty.
      Walid Regragui’s side just lacked the ability to finish their attacks off.
      France 2-0 Morocco
      86. Morocco are still not giving up.
      They saw what Holland did Argentina after all.
      A goal for the Atlas Lions in the next five minutes will rattle this French defence.
      Inside the ground – telling strike
      Martin Lipton reports from Qatar:
      And there you go. 
      You can’t get a better first touch than scoring what is surely the decisive goal in a World Cup semi-final.
      Mbappe did all the hard work with the wriggle and shot and the deflection made it easy for Muani to slot home from six yards or so.
      Morocco could have given no more.
      They’ve pushed and pushed.
      But in the end, reality has struck.
      And we will get the Final the rest of the non-African and non-Arab world wanted.
      Messi v Mbappe, for the biggest prize in the game.
      France 2-0 Morocco
      84. That will make for a more comfortable climax to this game for Les Bleus.
      They were on the ropes so many times as Morocco sprayed them with punch after punch.
      But Kolo Muani’s first goal for his country has settled this game.
      Credit: Getty
      France 2-0 Morocco
      82. What a harsh end to the hopes of Morocco.
      Nothing more than plain bad luck as that ball deflected straight into the French sub’s path.
      It completely wrong-footed Bono in the Moroccan goal.
      France 2-0 Morocco
      80. That may have put the final nail in the coffin of the Atlas Lions.
      Mbappe tries to work a position to shoot inside the box but his shot is blocked.
      The ball deflects into the path of Kolo Muani who puts the ball away.
      Goal – Randal Kolo Muani (France)
      France 1-0 Morocco
      78. Amrabat pings a ball out wide.
      As Morocco cut inside the ball is snuffed out by Varane.
      Forgot he was playing to be fair, it has been the Ibrahima Konate show in defence for Les Bleus.
      Amallah comes off for Ezzalzouli.
      Dembele comes off for Kolo Muani
      Credit: EPA
      Inside the ground – Atlas Lions effort
      Martin Lipton reports from Qatar:
      The effort has been immense, on and off the pitch.
      But you do sense that Morocco are starting to run out of legs.
      France have not taken advantage yet but the gaps are getting bigger.
      Not that the drummers at either end are going to accept that.
      France 1-0 Morocco
      76. Walid Regragui is looking to make another change for the Atlas Lions.
      Hamdallah dances his way through the French defence but seems as though he does not want to pull the trigger.
      What a goal that would have been.
      France 1-0 Morocco
      74. We are almost into the last quarter of the game now.
      Time is running out for Walid Regragui’s side.
      All it will take is one goal to take us to extra-time.
      France counter attack and find Youssef Fofana in the box but he slices his shot well wide more akin to teammate Wesley.
      Inside the ground – Giroud off
      Martin Lipton reports from Qatar:
      Giroud’s departure sees Mbappe operating through the middle for France.
      That makes sense because the centre-halves are unlikely to be quicker than wide defenders.
      France appear to have got their balance back after weathering the storm.
      But the wall of Moroccan sound is not going away.
      Every pass and tackle are cheered. When it looks as if they might create something, off the scale.
      France 1-0 Morocco
      72. Grizemann stands over yet another free kick.
      He picks out Thuram at the back post but he heads it wide.
      Big chance to kill the game off there.
      France 1-0 Morocco
      70. Griezman whips the ball in but it evades everyone.
      Mbappe picks the ball up, drops the shoulder and looks to shoot.
      Great block from Morocco before the flag is raised for offside.
      That decision could be from anytime from the opening game of the tournament up to this point.
      Credit: Getty
      France 1-0 Morocco
      68. The fresh legs for Morocco could cause even more problems for Didier Deschamps’ team.
      Thuram is doing just that as he beats his man down the left and draws a foul from Hakimi.
      Needless foul.
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      ‘We need you OUT!’ – Watch Morocco World Cup fans slam Graham Potter and tell him to quit as Chelsea manager

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      MOROCCO fans demanded that Graham Potter QUIT his position as Chelsea boss as their side exited the World Cup.That’s due to his perceived treatment of misfit winger Hakim Ziyech.
      Morocco fans have demanded Graham Potter QUITS ChelseaCredit: Getty
      The supporters are not happy with Potter’s treatment of Hakim ZiyechCredit: AFP
      The mercurial playmaker, 29, led his side out tonight in their semi-final defeat against France.
      Ziyech, who has been donating his international salary, was one of the standout performers in Qatar.
      And he played a key role in helping Morocco become the first African nation in history to reach the last four of a World Cup.
      But Ziyech’s stardom at the tournament is in stark contrast to his club form.
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      The former Ajax man struggled to impress under previous Blues bosses Frank Lampard and Thomas Tuchel.
      And Potter is the latest manager failing to get a tune out of Ziyech.
      The left-footer is now being linked with a move to AC Milan once the January transfer window opens.
      And Ziyech’s exit seems even more certain with Chelsea reportedly wrapping up a deal for RB Leipzig’s Christopher Nkunku while also pursuing a new striker.
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      Morocco are hoping for victory in their World Cup semi against France
      But Morocco fans reckon there’s a better way to resolve the situation.
      That’s by Potter instead deciding to stand down from his post.
      One particularly irate supporter said on live TV: “Graham Potter! Hakim Ziyech is going to be at the final! You’ll lose him, Graham Potter, we need you out!
      “Because you’re not here, Hakim Ziyech is there, see you Graham Potter.”
      It remains to be seen whether Potter heeds the advice.
      But former Blue Joe Cole reckons it should be Ziyech who goes as he’s just not suited to the physicality of English football.
      Cole said last week: “He just looks like a happier player for Morocco. He’s had a very difficult time at Chelsea and he hasn’t had a rhythm to his game. 

      “The Premier League doesn’t suit him. It’s aggressive, up and down.
      “Playing for Ajax he could hug the touchline and the team would very much play through the lines, give him the ball and he’s got a lovely left-foot, comes inside and delivers the ball.  
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      “But when we’ve watched him here [Qatar], he’s playing with an intensity and a smile on his face.
      “Ziyech is a talented boy but it’s just not worked for him at Chelsea.” More

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      France staff ‘blame England players for two of their stars catching flu and missing Morocco World Cup clash’

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      FRANCE team staff members are allegedly blaming England for Adrien Rabiot and Dayot Upamecano catching flu.The defending champions beat Gareth Southgate’s side 2-1 in the World Cup quarter-finals on Saturday night.
      Adrien Rabiot, left, will play no part against Morocco on Wednesday nightCredit: Getty
      Dayot Upamecano is on the bench for the semi-final after falling ill in recent daysCredit: Getty
      Since then, midfielder Rabiot and centre-back Upamecano have come down with an illness.
      Rabiot is not in the squad for their semi-final clash with Morocco on Wednesday evening.
      Upamecano is feeling slightly better, but has only made the bench.
      Youssouf Fofana and Ibrahima Konate have replaced them in the starting line-up.
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      There is no evidence that the sickness was caused by England’s players.
      Yet beIN Sports are reporting that members of the French staff believe it has come from the Three Lions stars.
      It is not known whether the two French players have contracted Covid as there is no requirement to test them during the tournament.
      La Provence reported after Saturday night’s game that media were required to wear masks in the mixed zone at the request of the England camp.
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      Meanwhile French newspaper L’Equipe reported that the air-con at the team’s base in Qatar, the Al Messila Resort and Spa in Doha, has contributed to Rabiot and Upamecano’s illness.
      France are looking to become the first nation since Brazil in 1962 to retain the World Cup.

      If they beat Morocco on Wednesday then they will set up a clash with Argentina on Sunday.
      It is not yet known whether Rabiot or Upamecano will be well enough to feature in the final. More