World Cup 2022

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      Luka Modric warns Lionel Messi and Argentina that Croatia ‘have Real Madrid’s DNA’ ahead of World Cup semi-final

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      LUKA MODRIC has compared Croatia’s mentality to club side Real Madrid.Having helped his country reach the semi-finals of the World Cup for a second tournament running, the midfielder has claimed they have “Real Madrid’s DNA”.
      Luka Modric has sent a warning to Argentina ahead of their semi-final clashCredit: Alamy
      Croatia beat Argentina 4-2 on penalties in the quarter-finalsCredit: Getty
      Croatia were huge underdogs heading into their quarter-final clash with Brazil, but once again came up with the goods on the big stage.
      Neymar’s extra-time winner looked to be enough for the 2002 winners before Bruno Petkovic equalised in the 117th minute.
      And then Modric and his team-mates superbly held their nerves in the shoot-out, converting each of their four spot-kicks, while Rodrygo and Marquinhos missed for Brazil.
      Croatia’s five World Cup knockout wins since 2018 have all come after 90 minutes, with Zlatko Dalic’s men continuously showing incredible endurance.
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      That’s despite five of their outfield players being over the age of 30, with Modric, 37, the oldest player in their squad.
      Their reward is a semi-final meeting with Argentina, with Croatia bidding to become the first side since Brazil to reach two finals on the bounce.
      And Modric has compared them to the reigning European champions.
      He told Television Espanola: “You could say we have the same DNA as Real Madrid because we always keep going until the end, and never give up.
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      “I want to play another semi-final against a big team, that’s what I want, not just against a player.
      “Of course, Leo is very big, he’s their best player, and we’re going to have a lot of difficulties to stop him, but we are prepared and we are going to give it our all.
      “I hope it will be enough to be in the final.” More

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      Harry Kane’s brain was scrambled after long delay before missing World Cup penalty vs France, says Klinsmann

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      JURGEN KLINSMANN says Harry Kane’s brain was scrambled by the long wait before his fateful missed penalty against France.The England skipper sent his late spot-kick soaring over Hugo Lloris’ bar to condemn Gareth Southgate’s side to a last eight exit.
      England captain Harry Kane missed a crucial penalty against FranceCredit: Getty
      It was a rare blemish from the Tottenham man, who had smashed home his first penalty earlier in the second half under similar pressure.
      But while Kane normally takes eight seconds after the whistle to take a spot-kick, he spent 21 seconds trying to win the mind battle with his Spurs team-mate.
      Klinsmann, head of Fifa’s technical study group at the World Cup, said: “I’m a big Harry Kane fan.
      “If he had the chance to just put the ball down and shoot it, I don’t think there would have been any problem for him.
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      “But we’ve been discussing just how much time passes from the referee whistling for a penalty and the player taking it.
      “That works on your brain, as a player.
      “It took so much time and in that situation you start to think and over-think.
      “That all goes through your mind and you end up not executing the shot as you would have done right after the whistle.”
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      Klinsmann added that England might have gone home frustrated and disappointed once again but that they should still be positive over their direction under Southgate.
      He added: “It’s a shame that England against France came too early in the tournament – because it should have been a semi-final or the final.
      “One team had to go home and that was England.
      “But they played a very good tournament and they are still a team that is growing and who are able to get better over the next few years.
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      Jurgen Klinsmann claims Harry Kane’s brain was scrambled before missing his penaltyCredit: Getty
      “This team has not reached its limit, by any means.
      “There is a lot of talent there, players who are getting better and who will gain more experience.
      “The last three tournaments, Russia, the Euros and now here in Qatar, have been very positive, even if this one ended in the quarter-finals.
      “There is more to come from England.” More

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      Neymar shares private WhatsApp messages from Brazil team-mates without their permission after World Cup KO

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      NEYMAR has shared private WhatsApp messages from his Brazil team-mates “without their permission” to show the team’s devastation at their World Cup KO.Brazil were the pre-tournament favourites to win in Qatar, and turned in strong displays in the group stages and the round of 16.
      Neymar was left heartbroken in what could be his final World CupCredit: Getty
      The brazil star shared the messages from team-matesCredit: Instagram
      Neymar tried to lift Rodrygo’s spiritsCredit: Instagram
      Silva, who has won pretty much everything in the game, says missing out on a World Cup hurts the mostCredit: Instagram
      A thumping 4-1 win over South Korea, in particular, reinforced in many people’s minds that Brazil were world champions in waiting.
      However, they crashed out in the quarter-finals to 2018 finalists Croatia on penalties.
      Neymar opened the scoring in extra-time with a wonderful finish, but his strike was cancelled out by Bruno Petkovic minutes before full-time.
      Croatia won the penalty shootout 4-2 with all four of their takers scoring.
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      However, two missed for Brazil, including Neymar’s Paris Saint-Germain captain Marquinhos, who hit the post.
      Now, Neymar has shared several of his WhatsApp conversations with his team-mates on his social media platform.
      The 30-year-old wrote: “I decided to expose (without their permission) the messages to see how much we wanted to win and how united we were.
      “These were some of the many messages I exchanged with the group.
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      “We are feeling very sad, but we have to be stronger to keep going and I am I’m sure that, with the support of all the fans, we’ll come back stronger.
      “I’m Brazilian with a lot of pride, with a lot of love!”
      To close pal Marquinhos on his penalty miss, Neymar said: “A penalty will not change what I think of you.”
      Marquinhos replied: “I really wanted everything to go well. But you have to be strong, give it time and see what football has in store for us.”
      Chelsea defender Thiago Silva, 38, has won pretty much everything there is to win in football.
      Eight league titles across Italy and France, 18 domestic cups, a Champions League and a Copa America.
      But bowing out of the World Cup – expected to be his last – makes Silva tearful.
      Neymar told Silva: “I really wanted to give you this Cup.”
      Silva replied: “Brother, it’s more f***** up than I imagined, really. I can’t stand it. I can’t believe we lost. I can’t believe it.
      “Every time I remember it makes me want to cry.”
      Neymar also tried to lift the spirits of Rodrygo, who missed in the penalty shootout.
      The Real Madrid ace took one before Neymar, who was picked as Brazil’s fifth penalty taker and never got to take one.
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      In response to Rodrygo apologising, Neymar insisted: “I’m sorry… no.
      “Are you crazy? Only those who hit the penalties miss them and you are an ace.”
      Richarlison was Brazil’s top scorer More

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      England’s blunder ref Wilton Sampaio could take charge of World Cup FINAL despite shocking France display

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      BLUNDERING Brazilian referee Wilton Sampaio could be in charge of the World Cup FINAL.The 40-year-old sparked outrage for his performance in England’s quarter-final defeat to France.
      Brazilian referee Wilton Sampaio, who was in charge of England’s defeat to France, could take charge of the World Cup finalCredit: PA
      England were incensed by Sampaio on Saturday nightCredit: Getty
      Sampaio has been RETAINED by Fifa for the final week of the tournament with Brazil knocked out, according to The Telegraph.
      That means he could take charge of the final on Sunday.
      There are just two semi-finals, Argentina vs Croatia and France vs Morocco, plus the third-place play-off and the final left to play.
      Sampaio is still in Qatar alongside Premier League ref Anthony Taylor, but Michael Oliver has been sent home.
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      The Brazilian ref denied Harry Kane a first-half penalty on Saturday, despite the England skipper clearly being tripped by French defender Dayot Upamecano.
      Upamecano then appeared to foul Bukayo Saka in the build up to France’s opening goal.
      He did give England a penalty when Saka was fouled by Aurelien Tchouameni, but needed the help of VAR to spot a blatant shove on Mason Mount by Theo Hernandez for the second spot-kick.
      After nestling his first penalty into the back of the net, Kane skied his second effort over the bar.
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      Pranksters changed Sampaio’s Wikipedia page after his display on Saturday night.
      While former England defender Gary Neville labelled the ref a “joke”.
      He said on ITV: “The referee had a nightmare game, an absolute joke of a referee.
      “I’m not saying that was all down to England’s defeat because that’s making excuses, he was just a bad referee, rank bad.”
      And Three Lions defender Harry Maguire said: “I can’t really explain his performance, the amount of decisions he got wrong was actually incredible. Really poor.” More

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      I’m a time-travelling World Cup fan – I know how far Morocco REALLY go in the tournament after beating Portugal

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      A MAJOR World Cup upset is about to happen when Morocco play France – if a self-proclaimed time traveller is to be believed.The two sides are due to meet in a semi-final showdown on Wednesday with a place in Sunday’s final at stake.
      Jubilant Morocco fans after their historic ‘win’
      Their fans going wild after the historic victory
      France by contrast are despondent after their defeat
      World champions France are firm favourites after putting out England on Saturday night while Morocco stunned Portugal.
      But Morocco have won the hearts of the neutrals after they became the first African nation to reach the semi-final stage.
      And it seems the Atlas Lions are also the time traveller’s favourites as well.
      In a bonkers TikTok video fifatime_traveller shows footage from the future claiming to show what happens.
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      “I’m a time traveller and Morocco beats France!!!” says the crazy quantum leaper.
      Moroccan players are seen celebrating their ‘winning goal’ in front their jubilant fans as footage cuts to the despondent French team and their sobbing supporters.

      Judging the comments it seems as if some people aren’t taking the claim too seriously.
      “I’m a time traveler too, but this goal was disallowed, and France wins on penalties,” read one.
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      We previously told how a so-called time traveller claimed to know which two nations will battle it out in the World Cup final.
      Sharing footage which they claimed was taken two weeks in the future, the TikToker said Argentina will triumph over Brazil.
      Another ridiculously insisted that England and Portugal will face each other in the finals.
      And this TikToker alleged that Brazil and France would actually be the ones competing for the trophy. More

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      How Argentina and Croatia could line up in huge World Cup semi-final as Lionel Messi and Co look to reach historic final

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      ARGENTINA face Croatia knowing the winner will play in Sunday’s World Cup final.The two international heavyweights face off in the semi-final at 7pm on Tuesday.

      Lionel Messi is just two wins away from ending his long wait to land the World Cup – the final trophy missing from his incredible collection.
      But standing in his way are an experienced Croatia side hoping to go one better than in Russia in 2018 – when they lost to France in Moscow.
      So how will Lionel Scaloni and Zlatko Dalic line their sides up for the mouthwatering semi-final at the Lusail Iconic Stadium.
      Firstly, Argentina will start with Emi Martinez in goal following his heroics in the shootout against the Netherlands.
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      La Albiceleste may stick with a back five – but Marcos Acuna and Gonzalo Montiel are unavailable after picking up yellow cards in the fiesty quarter-final.
      That means it could be a back five of Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Nicolas Otamendi, Lisandro Martinez and Nicolas Tagliafico.
      In front of them, Scaloni may well stick with his midfield three of Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernandez and Alexis Mac Allister, especially if Angel Di Maria is still not fully fit.
      Up front, it will likely be Julian Alvarez partnering Messi up front rather than Lautaro Martinez.
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      Di Maria came off the bench against Louis van Gaal’s side on Friday night – if he is ready to start, it could mean a switch to a four-man defence.
      For Croatia, they have their own penalty specialist in goal with Dominik Livakovic hoping to continue his sublime form that helped his side knock out Brazil.
      The Vatreni have no injury concerns or suspensions so could name an unchanged side from the shootout win on Friday.

      However, one switch could see Bruno Petkovic rewarded for his late equaliser with a place in the starting XI – replacing Andrej Kramaric up front.
      That would therefore see a back four of Josip Juranovic, Dejan Lovren, Josko Gvardiol and Borna Sosa, who came back in for the Brazil clash.
      In front of them will be the experienced trio of captain Luka Modric, Marcelo Brozovic and Mateo Kovacic in midfield with Mario Pasalic and Ivan Perisic either side of Petkovic in attack.
      The winners on Tuesday night will face either France or Morocco back in Lusail on Sunday as they battle it out for biggest prize in football.
      Lionel Messi and Emiliano Martinez will start for Argentina in the World Cup semi-finalCredit: Getty
      Bruno Petkovic could join Josko Gvardiol and Luka Modric in the starting XICredit: Getty More

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      Michael Oliver sent home by Fifa from World Cup but Anthony Taylor still in Qatar after England’s tournament KO

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      PREMIER LEAGUE referee Michael Oliver has been sent home from Qatar by Fifa.But Anthony Taylor could be in charge for the World Cup final on Sunday.
      Michael Oliver is reported to have been sent home from QatarCredit: Reuters
      Anthony Taylor is still at the World Cup after England were knocked outCredit: Getty
      Northumberland born Oliver, 37, was in the middle for Brazil’s penalty shootout defeat to Croatia.
      But he hasn’t been retained for the final week of the tournament despite England being knocked out, according to The Telegraph.
      As well as Brazil’s quarter-final exit, Oliver took charge of Costa Rica’s 1-0 win over Japan and Mexico’s 2-1 victory against Saudi Arabia in the group stages.
      Meanwhile fellow Prem whistler Taylor, 44, is reported to still be in Qatar.
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      The Manchester born ref is in with a chance of overseeing one of the four games remaining.
      There are just two semi-finals, Argentina vs Croatia and France vs Morocco, plus the third-place play-off and the final left to play.
      Taylor has been retained alongside his assistants Adam Nunn and Gary Beswick.
      He could become the first English official to referee a World Cup final since Howard Webb in 2010.
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      Taylor is yet to take charge of a knockout game in the current tournament.
      He reffed Ghana’s dramatic 3-2 win over South Korea in the group stages, as well as Belgium’s 0-0 draw with Croatia.
      Taylor has dished out just five yellow cards in his two games, and a red to South Korea boss Paulo Bento.
      Oliver on the other hand brandished 18 yellows in his three games at the tournament.
      Elsewhere, the Brazilian referee in charge of England’s quarter-final defeat to France could be in the middle for the final.
      Wilton Sampaio, who was slammed for his performance, has reportedly been kept on in Qatar with Brazil out of the tournament.
      Brazilian ref Wilton Sampaio could referee the World Cup finalCredit: Getty More

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      ‘I rarely slam refs but he’s had a shocker’ – Gary Neville doubles down on England vs France official after World Cup KO

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      GARY NEVILLE has slammed referee Wilton Sampaio for a second time as he called his performance in England’s defeat to France “awful”.The Brazilian has come under fire after the Three Lions crashed out of the World Cup following a 2-1 defeat to the holders in the quarter-finals.
      Wilton Sampaio made a number of questionable decisions in England vs FranceCredit: Getty
      Gary Neville was left unhappy with his performanceCredit: Rex
      Harry Kane equalised for Gareth Southgate’s side but Olivier Giroud scored the winner after Aurelien Tchouameni had earlier put France in the lead.
      But England were left aggrieved with Sampaio’s role in the opener after he failed to award a free-kick to Bukayo Saka when he looked to have been fouled by Dayot Upamecano.
      He then decided against awarding England a penalty on Kane soon after, one of many questionable decisions he made in the first-half.
      England did get two penalties after the break – one of which had to go to VAR – but Neville was still aggrieved.
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      When speaking to ITV after the game, branded him a “absolute joke of a referee”.
      And Neville has launched another attack on Sampaio.
      He told Sky Sports: “The referee I think could have been better, I thought he was awful.
      “That’s not me blaming the referee for England going out, I just thought he was awful. 
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      “I don’t say that much anymore. I used to when I was playing, I used to think it quite a bit, but I’ve been on sky for 10/11 years and very rarely do I say the referee was a disgrace – I thought he had a shocker.
      “We were sat in the corner where the penalty was with Kane in the first half, there were three or four fouls in that area of the pitch first half and I thought, ‘how’s that not been given a foul?’ It was weird.” More