World Cup 2022

THREE Lions fans are hitting the pubs early to prepare to cheer on England in their World Cup quarter final with France.England fans adorned in flags and themed bucket hats are already downing pints ahead of the historic clash tonight in Qatar.
England fans are already getting into the spirit of thingsCredit: NB PRESS LTD
Fans are already downing pints on the Otley Run in LeedsCredit: NB PRESS LTD
England supporters in Newcastle start their day early by enjoying an afternoon drinkCredit: NNP
England are taking on France in a historic clash tonightCredit: NB PRESS LTD
Six million more pints could be sold during the quarter-finalCredit: NB PRESS LTD
Thousands of fans will later cheer on England in Al Khor and millions more back home will watch on TV, with pubs and bars readying themselves for another bumper evening.
The two giants of European football will meet at the Al Bayt Stadium tonight, with the winner facing Morocco or Portugal in the semi-finals on Wednesday.
The British Beer and Pub Association hopes the 7pm kick-off time in the UK will encourage punters to visit their local early.
It predicts six million more pints could be sold during the quarter-final, providing a £26 million boost to the industry.
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The RAC suggested football fans should leave their cars at home and go on foot to watch the match due to the “big freeze” across the country.
In Newcastle England fans have already braved freezing conditions to enjoy an early drink this afternoon.
Dozens of supporters gathered in the city as early as 2pm in preparation for the huge game later this evening.
Meanwhile extra police officers will be deployed in London given large swathes of English and French football fans are expected to flock to the city.
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Downing Street said Rishi Sunak wishes England the “best of luck” and he will watch the game with friends and colleagues at the Prime Minister’s countryside retreat, Chequers.
The Three Lions landed the first blow this morning as their supporters beat their French counterparts 7-4 in a match at a windswept Doha Sports Park.
England fans sang Neil Diamond’s Sweet Caroline and danced to New Order’s football anthem World In Motion as they enjoyed the atmosphere at the Cabana Hop Garden, at Doha’s Radisson Blu Hotel.
Friends James Bayley and Charles Johnson, both 28 and from London, arrived in Qatar on Friday morning and said they were on the same flight as Raheem Sterling.
Chelsea forward Sterling returned to the squad after missing last Sunday’s last-16 win against Senegal due to concerns over his family’s wellbeing following the incident at his home in Surrey.
Mr Johnson, who works in shipping, predicted a 3-1 England win and said: “I think if England start how they did against Senegal, after 30 minutes when Jude (Bellingham) and Hendo (Jordan Henderson) took it on, I think we’ll be all right.”
He added: “I think whoever wins it today has got their hand on the trophy, but we’ll see what happens.”
Mr Johnson said it had been a “World Cup of upsets”, adding: “For once I’m actually confident about England’s chances. We were in Russia last time around and there’s a good feeling about the team.
“On our plane out here Sterling was on it too with his family so I think that’ll be a big boost to the team.” More

FANS have been stunned by Jordan Henderson’s sensational piece of skill on the training pitch.The Liverpool midfielder has played a key part in England’s victories over Wales and Senegal.
Jordan Henderson produced a stunning piece of skill in trainingCredit: Instagram
The midfielder managed to flick the ball around Bukayo SakaCredit: Instagram
Henderson scored England’s opener against Senegal in the last-16Credit: Getty
Henderson was given just 21 minutes in the opening two matches of the tournament, before he was a surprise starter against the Welsh.
And after producing two solid performances, which included scoring against Senegal, he looks nailed on to start against France.
Ahead of the game, Henderson proved that his confidence is clearly high after pulling off a wonderful trick in a training session.
He received the ball in game of rondo, a drill regularly used by the Three Lions, and audaciously managed to somehow flick the ball around Bukayo Saka after a brilliant spin.
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Henderson is not known for his showboating, so this came as a shock to many on social media, who have been left astonished by the trick.
One said: “Hendo turning into prime Iniesta 😂.”
Another chimed in with: “He’s so overhated and underrated.”
A third replied: “Damn. Didn’t know he had that in his locker ☠️.”
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A fourth person said: “Henderson > KDB.”
Henderson will be hoping to continue his excellent form when England face France in their crunch quarter-final clash. More

FIVE ARGENTINES make up the eight-person referee team for Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal against Morocco in the World Cup quarter-final.Facundo Tello will be the man with the whistle and has refereed two group stage games at the tournament.
Argentine Tello will take charge of Portugal’s game against MoroccoCredit: Getty
Tello took charge of Portugal’s 2-1 loss to South Korea in the group stagesCredit: The Mega Agency
The 40-year-old took charge of Switzerland vs Cameroon and South Korea’s victory over Portugal.
Tello only gained his FIFA badge in 2019 and spent a large part of his career refereeing in the Argentine second division.
He’ll be backed up by compatriots Ezequiel Brailovsky and Gabriel Chade, who’ll man the touchlines.
While Central American Ivan Arcides Barton Cisneros will be the man in between Fernando Santos and Walid Regragui.
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In the controversial VAR hot seat is Argentine Mauro Vigilano, and he’ll be backed up by Spaniard Ricardo De Burgos, compatriot Diego Bonfa and American Armando Villarreal.
And the refereeing team has all fans saying the same thing: Advantage Morocco.
Some are suggesting the Argentines could favour the Moroccans – and do Lionel Messi a favour by knockingout GOAT rival Ronaldo.
One tweeted: “Morocco is definitely winning.”
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Another said: “SEND PORTUGAL PACKING.”
A third fumed: “Why is there so many Argentinian…? now if this match will be unfair *again*, i’m going to riot.. I can’t handle another biased match.”
Argentina are, of course, through to the semis where they will face 2018 finalists Croatia.
Lionel Messi and Co beat Holland on Friday in a dramatic penalty shootout marred with shoving matches.
One of Portugal or Morocco will play world champions France or England for a place in the final next Wednesday. More

HOLLAND striker Wout Weghorst netted a dramatic injury time equaliser against Argentina from an ingenious free-kick routine.But it wasn’t the first time 6ft 6in striker had netted in that fashion.
Wout Weghorst scored for Wolfsburg in 2020 from an identical free-kick routine to the one he netted for Holland in the World Cup semi-finalsCredit: SKY
Weghorst netted from a genius piece of thinkingCredit: SKY
Weghorst scored again from a clever free-kick routine against ArgentinaCredit: Getty
The dramatic injury time strike sent the World Cup quarter-final to extra-timeCredit: Getty
Weghorst, who is on loan at Besiktas from Burnley, scored an IDENTICAL goal two years ago while playing for Wolfsburg.
In a 2-1 Bundesliga win over Arminia Bielefeld in 2020, Weghorst opened the scoring from a cheeky free-kick routine.
With Max Arnold stood over the ball in a dangerous position, he tricked the defence by rolling it into the feet of Weghorst.
The striker then turned on a sixpence, before firing into the back of the net.
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Fast forward two years, Weghorst scored the EXACT same goal for Holland on Friday night, in a World Cup semi-final no less.
His equaliser against Argentina was on the other side of the box to his goal for Wolfsburg, but the routine was the same.
Teun Koopmeiners looked for all the world as he if he was going to have a crack at goal, only to roll the ball into Weghorst’s feet.
Weghorst had originally got Holland back into the game with an 83rd minute header after Argentina had gone 2-0 up.
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His goal from the free-kick then came in the ELEVENTH minute of time added on to send the World Cup quarter-final to extra-time.
Neither side found a winner in 30 minutes, so the game went to penalties.
And, despite some mind games from Weghorst, his dramatic brace turned out to be in vain.
Lionel Messi and Co won the shootout to set up a semi-final meeting with Croatia on Tuesday.
Weghorst’s night ended in heartbreak, despite his dramatic brace in normal timeCredit: Getty More

THOUSANDS of England fans have flooded into Qatar ahead of tonight’s crunch World Cup tie with France, as supporters have been pictured basking on the beach in the Gulf nation.At least 15,000 supporters are expected to be in the Al Bayt stadium to cheer on Gareth Southgate’s men as the Three Lions face off against the World Cup champions at 7pm.
England supporters on the beach in Qatar ahead of tonight’s match with FranceCredit: Eyevine
Nicole Haddon says she believes it’s coming homeCredit: Eyevine
England fans have been sunning themselves in the Middle-Eastern heatCredit: Eyevine
Many more are believed to be in Qatar without tickets, enjoying the December heat in the Middle-Eastern country.
English ex-pats in the Gulf region are expected to be flying to Qatar in record numbers.
Less than 2,500 England supporters were in attendance for the opening World Cup group game with Iran, outnumbered 10 to one in the stadium.
But as Harry Kane and co swept through the group stage and dispatched Senegal 3-0 to set up a mouth-watering quarter-final clash, World Cup excitement has steadily grown.
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England fans were allocated 7,000 official tickets for Saturday’s clash, but more than double that number are expected to be in the stadium.
One of the supporters who flew to Qatar for Saturday’s game, 22-year-old Nicole Haddon from Clapham, southwest London, told MailOnline: “We’ve got to take our hats off to England – they’re more than capable of bringing home the World Cup.
Nicole, who donned a bikini in the strict Muslim country as she sunbathed on the beach in Doha, added: “I’m looking forward to the battle between Walker and Mbappé, who needs to be man-marked to within an inch of his life. I didn’t realise he was so quick.
“Southgate had better let the team loose.”
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Her friend, student Lucy Harrison, also 22, added: “The Three Lions will win with style.
“We’re best going forward and attacking. England don’t just rely on Kane, goals are coming from everywhere.”
Nick Evers, 47, from Wolverhampton, was slightly more cautious.
“It could be a really close game but I’m sure we’ll win,” he said. “England have improved with every game and this could be our year.”
While adoptive England fan Farzana Qomtaz, 20, from Malaysia, said: “The England team play such exciting football.
“My family and I watch the Premier League on TV and are huge fans of Liverpool.
“I am so happy to see Jordan Henderson playing for England. We love Liverpool very much.”
And with pre-tournament favourites Brazil knocked out yesterday on penalties by Croatia, some feel this could be England’s best chance in years.
Her and pal Lucy Harrison, right, flew to Qatar for the France gameCredit: Eyevine
An England fan in Qatar ahead of Saturday’s clashCredit: PA
Excitement has been building ahead of the Quarter-Final clashCredit: PA
Chesney Hawkes has been entertaining England fans and locals in QatarCredit: Dan Charity
French fans in Qatar ahead of the gameCredit: PA
So far there has been a carnival-like atmosphere in DohaCredit: EPA
England have never reached a World Cup semi-final outside of EuropeCredit: EPA
A French supporter wearing a very fetching hatCredit: PA
Three Lions superfans Neal Weekes and Fil Sollof, have travelled from England to Qatar just for Saturday evening’s game, a 48-hour round trip.
The pair made the 6,500-mile journey by plane, train, car, and even cruise ship, travelling via Turkey to Doha.
Neal, 57, said: “We wouldn’t miss this match for the world. I really think it could be coming home.”
Fil, also 67, added: “It’s been pretty tiring but worth it.”
Father and son Garford and William Beck are also among the 69,000 supporters expected to be at the Al Bayt stadium tonight.
Derby fan Beck, 60, told the BBC he’s optimistic that England will make the semi-finals.
He travelled to Qatar before the World Cup started, watching England progress through the group stage and last Sunday’s Round of 16 clash with Senegal.
“The excitement is really building now,” he said.
“We’ve got the game against the French and we’re really looking forward to it.”
He went on: “I think the French will fear us. We’re making tentative plans to stay out here in the event that England win on Saturday evening.”
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It follows reports that England tickets were selling for more than triple their original price ahead of this evening’s tie.
On Friday afternoon, ticketless England fans were being offered category one seats for up to £850, and category two for £575.
France’s Kylian Mbappe has been in blistering form at this World CupCredit: PA
Can Kane and co make history tonight?Credit: Getty More

ARGENTINA’S World Cup win over Holland descended into chaos during the penalty shootout – after threatening to boil over throughout.Footage has emerged of the Dutch players trying to put off the Argentina stars before they took their penalties.
Wout Weghorst appeared to wait for Enzo Fernandez on the edge of the box after the Dutchman took his penalty
Weghorst then walked directly up to Fernandez, who missed his spot-kick
Denzel Dumfries also tried to put off Fernandez before Angel Di Maria intervenedCredit: Getty
Argentina’s stars celebrated in the faces of the Dutch team after the winning penaltyCredit: Reuters
After Virgil van Dijk and Steven Berghuis missed Holland’s first two spot-kicks, Teun Koopmeiners and Wout Weghorst scored for the Dutch.
And Weghorst, who dramatically netted twice late on to send the game to extra-time, was captured trying to put off Enzo Fernandez as the Dutchman walked back after scoring his penalty.
Footage posted to Twitter shows the striker waiting for Fernandez on the edge of the box, before walking right up to the midfielder as he strolled to the spot.
Denzel Dumfries was also seen coming away from the halfway line and walking up to Fernandez to exchange words with the Argentina ace as he walked up to take his kick.
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Whatever was said appeared to have worked, as the Manchester United linked Fernandez sent his effort wide of the post.
Holland went on to lose the shootout despite Fernandez’s miss – and fans reckoned they got what was coming to them for their mind games.
One wrote on Twitter: “They were trying by all means to get into their heads. Such disgusting behaviour.”
Another added: “Good thing they lost!”
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A third said: “Argentina’s reaction after L[autaro] Martinez scoring the winning penalty is justified.”
While other fans suggested Holland were simply playing Argentina at their own game.
But Dumfries tried the exact same tactic next time around for Lautaro Martinez’s decisive kick.
Despite being club team-mates at Inter Milan, Dumfries broke away from the Holland huddle to try and put Martinez off.

This time it didn’t work, as the striker netted the penalty to send Argentina through to the semi-finals.
Argentina’s players celebrated right in the faces of the heartbroken Dutch stars following Martinez’s crucial kick.
Dumfries meanwhile was sent off after the shootout.
Dumfries tried to put off Lautaro Martinez before the Argentina ace struck the winning kickCredit: Getty
Dumfries broke away from the huddle on the halfway line to try and get in Martinez’s headCredit: Getty More

RETIRED SERGIO Aguero revealed his doctor was checking his heart was OK during Argentina’s crazy World Cup quarter-final win over Holland. The Manchester City and Argentina legend, 34, was forced to retire last year shortly after signing for Barcelona with a heart condition.
Retired Aguero was in Qatar to celebrate with his former team-matesCredit: Rex
Aguero’s doctor was checking in to monitor his heart before the ace took to Twitter to trollCredit: Rex
Messi and Aguero roomed together on international duty for yearsCredit: Getty
Aguero, on left, celebrates with palsCredit: PA
Aguero was taken ill during a game for the Spanish giants last October.
The ex-striker was taken to hospital after clutching his chest and complaining of breathing problems and dizziness during a clash with Alaves.
He was ruled out of action for at least three months to undergo a period of observation before being diagnosed with a cardiac arrhythmia.
And the delicate condition had Aguero’s doctor checking in on his heart during Argentina’s World Cup quarter-final win over Holland.
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All was looking well for the South American champions heading into the final ten minutes of Friday’s game.
However, a two-goal lead quickly evaporated at the hands of 6ft6 Wout Weghorst.
A boring extra-time flew by before Argentina took the game 4-3 on penalties.
When asked by a fan on how his heart was holding up in the nail-biting affair, Aguero responded: “The doctor wrote to me several times, so imagine.”
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And once Aguero had calmed down from his meeting with Weghorst in the tunnel, which he says resulted in him being “kicked out”, he took to Twitter to troll Argentina’s Dutch rivals.
Aguero told Holland aces to “Go play Fifa.”
Argentina will now face World Cup 2018 finalists Croatia for a spot in the December 18 finale.
On the opposite side of the tournament knockout tree, current World Cup holders France are taking on England for a spot in the semis.
And dark horses Morocco are hoping to become the first African team to reach the last four by beating Euro 2016 winners Portugal. More