World Cup

PIERS MORGAN has named Lionel Messi as the FOURTH greatest footballer of all-time.Messi, 35, reached his second World Cup final in sensational style on Tuesday night as he scored and assisted in Argentina’s 3-0 victory over Croatia.
Lionel Messi was sensational for Argentina yet again in their semi-final victoryCredit: Getty
Piers Morgan still believes Cristiano Ronaldo is the greatest player of all timeCredit: Splash
Yet despite Messi’s influencial displays in Qatar, Morgan still believes Cristiano Ronaldo is the greatest player of all time.
The SunSport columnist did begin by acknowledging Messi and Argentina for reaching the final.
Speaking on Twitter, he said: “Congratulations to Argentina & Lionel Messi on reaching the World Cup final. Never doubted them.”
But England legend Gary Lineker, who has always maintained Messi is the best ever, then asked Morgan: “Is there still a debate? Asking for a goat.”
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To which he replied: “There isn’t. It’s Ronaldo.”
Soccer Saturday presenter Jeff Stelling then pressed him on his take, saying: “So where are we now @piersmorgan in the Ronaldo v Messi debate?”
And Morgan responded by insisting Messi doesn’t even break into his top three, ranking both Diego Maradona and even Brazilian Ronaldo ahead of him too.
He said: “I think Cristiano Ronaldo’s the best ever, Maradona 2nd, Messi 3rd (possibly 4th actually, behind R9 [Brazilian Ronaldo]).”
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Last month, Morgan’s explosive interview with Ronaldo ultimately led to his Manchester United contract being terminated.
Ronaldo then headed to the World Cup with Portugal as a free agent and scored in their opening 3-2 win over Ghana.
But struggles against Uruguay and South Korea followed, before he was dropped for their 6-1 win over Switzerland in the last-16.
And Fernando Santos’ men were then eliminated by Morocco in the quarter-finals as Ronaldo’s hopes of winning the World Cup came to an end.
Yet his long-time rival Messi has kept his dream alive and will have the chance to solidify his claims as the greatest to have played the game in the final on Sunday.
Cristiano Ronaldo had a frustrating World Cup with PortugalCredit: EPA More

FANS have launched a wild theory that the World Cup is “rigged” after Argentina were awarded their FOURTH penalty of the tournament.Lionel Messi stepped up to dispatch their spot kick against Croatia, setting his side on the way to a 3-0 victory.
Lionel Messi beat Dominik Livakovic from 12 yardsCredit: Reuters
The spot kick was given after Livakovic clattered Julian AlvarezCredit: Rex
The 35-year-old produced a brilliant performance, bamboozling Josko Gvardiol before setting up his side’s third.
But some fans online have cried foul play, citing the number of penalties that Argentina have been awarded during the tournament.
The Albiceleste have had four spot kicks in Qatar, three of which have been scored by Messi.
against Saudi Arabia.
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He netted first in the shock loss to Saudi Arabia, missed one against Poland, but was on hand to convert from 12 yards against the Netherlands on Friday and again in the semi on Tuesday.
Of the penalty awards, the most controversial one was against Poland.
But Tuesday’s decision also sparked debate, with ITV pundits Roy Keane, Gary Neville and Ian Wright not happy with it – although former referee Peter Walton agreed with the decision.
The penalty was given after Julian Alvarez was clattered by Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic.
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Taking to Twitter to vent their fury, some fans claimed that the tournament was being officiated in Argentina’s favour.
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Argentina were controversially awarded a penalty against PolandCredit: Getty Images – Getty
One incorrectly tweeted: “This has to be the most rigged world cup ever. Argentina has got 5 penalties.”
While a second added: “How was that a penalty. This world cup is definitely rigged.”
Another conspiracy theorist wrote: “The whole World Cup is rigged for Messi to win it. Funny that some people still don’t believe it.”
While a further commenter huffed: “Rigged! That’s not a penalty!!!! So sick of every referee favouring Argentina / Messi in this tournament. Joke.”
After Messi’s incredible assist for Argentina’s third, another Twitter user mocked those crying foul play, writing: “I guess the third goal is Rigged too haha hahahha Messi is Goated.”
Messi will take on the winner of tomorrow’s clash between Morocco and France in Sunday’s final.
Messi, 35, bamboozled Josko Gvardiol before setting up Argentina’s thirdCredit: Getty More

ENGLAND stars Kieran Trippier and Raheem Sterling are being praised for a heartfelt gesture to a World Cup journalist.Sports presenter Carrie Brown had been in Qatar covering the world cup, but her parents were unaware due to their dementia.
The TV reporter’s parents both suffer from dementia and live in a care home
They had the surprise of their life when they met two England playersCredit: Reuters
Carrie’s parents both live full-time in a care home, and “didn’t believe” Carrie was in Qatar – but Kieran and Raheem helped Carrie surprise the couple.
Carrie said there’s only one hour of the day where she can speak with her parents on Zoom due to her busy schedule.
She said: “For the first seven days of rushing around I hadn’t managed it.
“I made a mental note that after the Iran game that might be quite a good time after the flash zone was done, and I saw one of the coaching staff, John McDermott, doing the same thing with his family and everything had been done and all the players had gone.”
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During the lull of events in Qatar, she called her parents, but even after seeing the pitch and England dugout, her mum wasn’t convinced.
Carrie then showed her parents the interview area, and saw some of the England players in the tunnel.
She said: “It was really dark and I was like, “You can probably see there’s some players.”
Raheem heard the conversation, and walked over to wave to the journalist’s parents on Zoom.
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Carrie recalled: “When he realised it was my mum and dad in a care home, he got Kieran Trippier over and they waved and they engaged.
“My dad didn’t have words and my mum didn’t know what to think!”
Carrie said it meant the world to her mum and dad, and the doctors and nurses at the care home.
The selfless act will never be forgotten by Carrie, who said: “The nurses and the doctors that have got so many people through Covid, they’ll never forget the day that Raheem and Kieran spent some time with their care home.
“And that will stay with me longer than any goal from this tournament.”
Carrie recounted the event during a live broadcast this past week, and a video of the interview has touched hearts on Twitter.
One user replied: “Tears here. Thank you for for sharing that Carrie. I’m in a similar position with my dad so this is so heart warming.”
Another praised the players: “Wow this now amazing Carrie – such a lovely hear warming story and well done to the England boys for doing this.”
It comes after England crashed out of the tournament with a 2-1 loss against France in the quarter final clash on Saturday.
Raheem and Kieran have been praised for their selfless actCredit: Reuters
Carrie says she won’t soon forget it, and neither will the workers at her parent’s care home
The player’s actions have moved many Twitter users to tearsCredit: Reuters More

LIONEL MESSI reduced Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni to TEARS after helping thrash Croatia 3-0. Messi sent his nation to the World Cup final with a goal and assist in the semis.
Argentina’s Lionel Messi and coach Lionel Scaloni celebrateCredit: Reuters
And he led the celebrations before embracing with his manager Scaloni, who shed a tear with his skipper.
Messi opened the scoring from the spot and in doing so became Argentina’s all-time leading World Cup scorer with 11.
He has managed five already this campaign and talked up his form ahead of Sunday’s final.
Messi, 35, said: “I am enjoying this a lot.
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“I am feeling really good, I feel strong enough to face every match. The previous match was a big sacrifice.
“Today we were tired, but we pulled out strength to earn the victory.
“We played very well, we preferred to play this way because we knew they would not have the ball.
“We knew we would have to run. We prepared in a very good way. I feel very happy in this World Cup. I am able to help the squad.”
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Messi was on the losing side in the 2014 World Cup as Mario Gotze led Germany to victory.
But he gets a second crack at glory and awaits tomorrow’s second last four match between France and Morocco.
France beat England 2-1 while Morocco stunned Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal to become the first African World Cup semi-finalists.
Lionel Messi and Lionel Scaloni pictured embracingCredit: EPA More

LIONEL MESSI broke FOUR records during Argentina’s World Cup semi-final victory over Croatia.The South American, 35, produced another remarkable display as he scored one and assisted one to hand his country a 3-0 victory and book them a place in Sunday’s final against Morocco or France.
Lionel Messi scored the opener from the penalty spot against CroatiaCredit: AP
He was once again the star of the show for his countryCredit: AP
And while a World Cup triumph remains the only goal he truly cares about in Qatar, the little magician is still continuing to break other records along the way.
FOUR of those were achieved in the victory over Croatia, including becoming Argentina’s record scorer at the World Cup.
The first-half spot kick moves him clear of Gabriel Batistuta on 11 goals.
He also now holds the record for most assists by an Argentine at the World Cup.
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His sensational run and pullback for Julian Alvarez takes his tally to nine, one more than Diego Maradona.
A third record comes in the wake of him scoring and assisting against the Croats.
It means he has now scored and assisted in four World Cup games – the first ever player to do so.
And the final record is that Messi is now the ALL-TIME record appearance maker at the World Cup.
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He came into the tournament with 20 appearances to his name, but now has 26 having played in every game on the way to the final.
It means he has eclipsed the previous record of 25 which was held by German Lothar Matthaus.
Messi had already set a new record in Qatar before the Croatia game when he became Argentina’s record appearance maker at the World Cup.
Maradona had 21, but Messi needed just the Saudi Arabia and Mexico games to overtake him.
There is one final record Messi would have had half an eye on coming to Qatar – even though there was a very slim chance of him breaking it.
His five goals in Qatar mean he now has 11 at the World Cup, but he is still five behind the competition’s all-time top scorer, Miroslav Klose, who has 16.
And with just one game remaining for Messi at the 2022 edition, it means he needs SIX in the final to break the German’s record.
Speaking ahead of the Qatar tournament, he said: “It’s probably my last World Cup. I always felt good and comfortable, especially when I played a lot until the start of the World Cup.
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“I didn’t do anything special, I took care of myself like my whole career.
“It will surely be my last World Cup and my last opportunity to achieve this great dream of winning the tournament.” More

FANS rejoiced as they realised Croatia’s “hottest fan” Ivana Knoll’s World Cup is NOT over – despite defeat to Argentina. Croatian hearts were broken after Lionel Messi condemned them to a 3-0 defeat in the semi-finals.
Ivana Knoll has been dubbed the ‘World Cup’s hottest fan’Credit: Getty
The model poses with a fanCredit: Getty
It denied them a second consecutive World Cup final, following their loss to France in 2018.
Croatia were inspired to the last four by the likes of Luka Modric but off the field model Knoll was winning the hearts of supporters.
So footy fans were over the moon when they realised Croatia are still in the tournament, with a third-place playoff to come.
One said: “There’s a third place play off.”
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Another said: “She’s not going home yet. There’s still a third place match.”
One added: “There’s still the 3rd place match. Y’all should calm down.”
Another added: “No going home, still have play off for third position.”
Knoll was forced to deny rumours that she promised to pose nude if Croatia went all the way.
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She posted on social media: “I will not get naked if Croatia wins the World Cup. Thank you!”
Knoll was seen kissing her supporters goodbye after Croatia were beaten 3-0 by Messi’s Argentina.
France face Morocco in tomorrow’s second semis, with the loser then facing Croatia for third place on Saturday.
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THE Moroccan Football Federation has announced it will give 13,000 free tickets to fans for Wednesday’s World Cup semi-final against France. Morocco have been the surprise package of the winter tournament.
Morocco have shocked the world and made the semisCredit: AP
Thousands of Moroccans have already flooded into Qatar and over 20k are expected at Wednesday’s gameCredit: Getty
They topped a group consisting of 2018 finalists Croatia, Belgium’s golden generation an an impressive Canadian side.
One-time World Cup winners, Spain, were then put to the sword in the round of 16 on penalties.
And a 1-0 win over Portugal in the quarters made Morocco the first African country to reach the last four.
Morocco boast an impressive defensive record, and are yet to concede a goal at the hands of an opposition player.
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They have conceded just one goal at this year’s edition of the World Cup, and it was an own goal by Nayef Aguerd.
The West Ham defender steered the ball into the back of his own net against Canada in the group stages.
They will now square off with current world champions, France, on Wednesday for a spot in Sundays final, where Argentina await.
And according to the BBC, Morocco’s Football Federation has announced it will give 13,000 free tickets to fans to roar the team on.
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Morocco has been one of the most supported teams in Qatar, with thousands making the trip.
The tickets are expected to be distributed by the Moroccan embassy in Qatar. 
Moroccan fans have also travelled on 30 promotional flights operated by Royal Air Maroc.
The state carrier had put on seven additional flights to allow fans to attend the quarter-final with Portugal last week, which paid off.
Royal Air Maroc said in a statement: “In order to allow the many Moroccans wanting to support the national team at its peak and experience the emotion of the World Cup semi-final, Royal Air Maroc has set up an air bridge between Casablanca and Doha.
“The exceptional and heroic performance of the national team during the 2022 World Cup will forever be engraved in the memory of Moroccans. 
“A performance achieved thanks, in particular, to the fervour of the Moroccan public, the 12th man.”
Moroccans are set to take up a third of the Al Bayt Stadium’s 68,895 capacity. More