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      England’s ‘Anthony Taylor battling Polish referee for World Cup final as Dutch favourite out due to Argentina win’

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      ANTHONY TAYLOR will discover on Friday if he is to become the fourth Englishman to referee a World Cup Final.Altrincham’s Taylor is one of the remaining contenders for the most prestigious appointment in world football.
      Poland’s Szymon Marciniak is among the contenders to referee the World Cup FinalCredit: Rex
      Anthony Taylor is vying to be the fourth Englishman to take charge of the showpieceCredit: Getty
      That was after he was one of the 12 officials to stay in Qatar for the final stages of the tournament.
      And with refs’ chief Pierluigi Collina a big fan of Taylor’s man and game-management skills, the 44-year-old is thought to be a genuine contender for the job.
      Taylor has not been involved in a knock-out match at the tournament.
      He did take control of Belgium’s goalless draw with Croatia and Ghana’s 3-2 win over South Korea, whose enraged Portuguese coach Paulo Bento he dismissed after blowing for full-time before a last-gasp corner could be taken.
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      Holland’s Danny Makkelie and Poland’s Szymon Marciniak are the other European contenders.
      And Brazil’s Wilton Sampaio – blamed by many England fans for their last eight exit – is another front-runner.
      William Ling was the first Englishman to referee a World Cup Final when he took charge of the 1954 showdown between Hungary and West Germany, who came from two down to win 3-2.
      Twenty years later, Wolverhampton butcher Jack Taylor awarded Holland a penalty inside the first 30 seconds as the Germans again won the trophy.
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      And in 2010, new Prem refs’ chief Howard Webb was widely criticised for his leniency in Spain’s extra-time win over the Dutch.
      Argentina have already booked their place in the final after Lionel Messi inspired them to a 3-0 win over Croatia last night.
      Now France and Morocco will clash today in the other semi-final. More

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      Lionel Messi’s brutal World Cup celebration towards Van Gaal ‘was revenge for former team-mate with 20-YEAR grudge’

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      ARGENTINA legend Lionel Messi directed his goal celebration against the Netherlands at Louis van Gaal due to a 20-year grudge. La Albiceleste beat Holland on penalties after a fiery 120 minutes of action and one flash-point was when Messi scored a penalty and ran over to the Dutch bench cupping his ears at them.
      Lionel Messi directed his celebration at the Netherlands manager Louis van GaalCredit: Getty
      Louis van Gaal’s treatment of Juan Roman Riquelme led to the celebrationCredit: AFP – Getty
      Many were baffled as to why the Paris Saint-Germain star did this but it appears it could be for the way Van Gaal treated Joan Roman Riquelme two decades ago.
      He played for Barcelona while Van Gaal was managing the club and he went on to play with Messi for the national team.
      Riquelme’s move to Barca did not go as planned with the ex-Manchester United boss benched him regularly and often refused to play him in his preferred position.
      Van Gaal even went as far as calling him a “political signing” and there have been reports that Riquelme was once subbed on then taken off within 30 seconds.
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      The current Boca Juniors vice-president was known for cupping his ears after scoring and Messi seemingly wanted to replicate it in the direction of Van Gaal.
      Riquelme went on to have a fantastic career at Villarreal but Messi didn’t forget about his tough times at the hands of the Netherlands manager who also made comments before the quarter-final that angered him.
      Van Gaal cited “luck” as the reason his side lost to Argentina on penalties in the World Cup semi-final back in 2014.
      The feud between him and Argentina continued in Qatar as the 71-year-old claimed Emiliano Martinez approached him and said he “spoke too much” in the aftermath of the game.
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      It was not the only incident of the game, as a brawl occurred after Leandro Paredes smacked a ball at the Dutch dugout.
      Netherlands players tried to put off their opponents on the walk down to take their penalties that resulted in Argentina celebrating in front of them at the end.
      Messi even clashed with Wout Weghorst calling him “stupid” and there was angry scenes in the tunnel.
      Tempers flared continuously and 17 yellow cards were dished out by the end of the night. More

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      Celebrating Olivier Giroud & Julian Alvarez’s transformation from understudies to leading men in Qatar

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      MANY parallels can be drawn between Olivier Giroud and Julian Alvarez’s World Cup campaigns.Both were expected to be back-up options in Qatar but now find themselves as starting centre-forwards for the two teams most likely to lift the trophy.
      In the case of Milan’s experienced target man, the door was opened by Karim Benzema’s injury when the current Ballon d’Or holder withdrew from France’s squad on the eve of the tournament.
      While this was something of a blow for Les Bleus, it was by no means a disaster as Didier Deschamps is a huge fan of Giroud, who led France’s line for years during Benzema’s international exile.
      France have not been negatively impacted by Benzema’s absence in the slightestCredit: getty
      France won the World Cup in Russia with Giroud acting as selfless striker so that Antoine Griezmann and Kylian Mbappe could express themselves, he didn’t even register a shot on target – four years later he’s shown a sharper eye for goal.
      The Man City forward’s journey from understudy to leading man has been rather different.
      Lautaro Martinez started the tournament as Argentina’s first-choice striker and deservedly so, the 25-year-old was his side’s joint-leading scorer in qualifying.
      He also scored crucial goals during the Albiceleste’s successful Copa America campaign and subsequent 3-0 Finalissima victory over Italy at Wembley.
      Martinez entered the tournament having scored eight goals and provided six assists for Inter in the first half of the current season, which makes his sudden loss of form even stranger.
      For whatever reason, his finishing has deserted him in Qatar, although he did convert the winning spot-kick in the penalty shootout against Netherlands.
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      Alvarez is averaging a goal every 91 minutes in Qatar
      Lionel Scaloni had no choice but to promote Alvarez to starting striker and the result has been a considerable improvement to Argentina’s performances.
      Giroud and Alvarez (who both wear No9 for their respective nations) are rightly seen as secondary threats to Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi (who both wear No10) but their contributions should be recognised and celebrated.
      At the time of writing, they each have four goals to their name and both have affected decisive moments in the knockout stages – most notably, Giroud’s headed winner to eliminate England and Alvarez’s brace against Croatia.
      And the pair are very much in the hunt for the Golden Boot, currently led by Messi and Mbappe on five goals each, which is extraordinary when you consider they would have spent the majority of the tournament on the bench were it not for Benzema’s injury and Martinez’s unexpected yips.
      Decisions, decisions…
      Fittingly, only a cigarette paper separates them in Dream Team World Cup.
      The Frenchman currently has 29 points to the Argentine’s 28.
      If the bookmakers are to be believed and Deschamps see off a resilient Morocco outfit this evening then gaffers will be presented with a close call ahead of the final.
      Assuming most opt for a 4-3-3 or 3-4-3 formation, and decide to back Mbappe and Messi, there’s only one space left in the forward line.
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      A case could be made that Antoine Griezmann deserves the spot but at this stage it looks to be a toss-up between Giroud and Alvarez.
      Tonight’s events could alter the picture of course – only a fool would underestimate the Atlas Lions now – but it looks as if tens of thousands of Dream Team World Cup bosses will have to agonise over whether France or Argentina’s No9 is the man to back ahead of the big one. More

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      Watch shocking moment roof collapses during wild celebrations in Argentina after World Cup win over Croatia

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      ARGENTINA celebrations almost ended in tragedy as a roof collapsed and nearly crashed down on cheering fans.The Albiceleste punched their ticket to the 2022 World Cup Final after a decisive 3-0 victory over Croatia on Tuesday’s semi at the Lusail Stadium.
      Wild Argentina celebrations almost ended in tragedy
      A roof almost collapsed and crashed on top of Argentina fans
      The reigning Copa America champions beat Luka Modric and Co after Lionel Messi scored a penalty then set up both of Manchester City ace Julian Alvarez’s goals.
      That prompted some wild celebrations from passionate Argentina fans in Qatar.
      But that was nothing compared to the scenes back home as Argentines flooded the streets across the country.
      But one celebration almost ended in catastrophe when fans climbed the small roof of a fast food store.
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      A viral TikTok clip showed at least 16 supporters cheering, stomping and hopping on top of the fragile roof.
      But then the structure broke, sending some of them crashing down twoards the crowd below.
      Thankfully the roof didn’t completely collapse and the fans that tumbled managed to land on their feet.
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      Argentina will find out their opponents for the World Cup Final tonight.
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      France and Morocco will face off in the other semi-final at the Al Bayt Stadium. More

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      World Cup 2022 stars including Luka Modric taking advantage of new tech to track match stats just MINUTES after games

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      WORLD CUP stars have taken advantage of new technology to discover exactly how they have performed – before they leave the Qatar 2022 stadium.More than 400 players at the tournament signed up for the Fifa Player App to get the rundown.
      More than 400 World Cup stars signed up to the app to track their match stats
      Luke Modric is just one big-name star to use the app to monitor his performanceCredit: Reuters
      The application uses limb-tracking technology – which enables the new semi-automated offside system.
      And it has enabled players to access information within minutes of the final whistle.
      World Cup stars now have access to stats including distance covered and passing figures, as well as video clips.
      High-profile players to take advantage have included Croatia schemer Luka Modric and Switzerland’s former Liverpool star Xherdan Shaqiri.
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      Although Modric will hope to not have to be reminded of his Michy Batshuayi moment in the 3-0 semi-final loss against Argentina.
      Shaqiri said: “To see how your performance was, you have pictures in there as well…
      “So it was a very good idea by Fifa to introduce it.
      “I really like it and it’s just something new that didn’t exist before.” 
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      Former Arsenal boss and Fifa global development chief Arsene Wenger added: “The players get analysis of their performances and will get used to the way we analyse the game. 
      “The players are very intelligent and, usually, they adapt quickly.
      “We will make the quality of their performances available.” More

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      Why isn’t N’Golo Kante playing for France against Morocco in the 2022 World Cup?

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      FRANCE are in the World Cup semi-finals tonight against Morocco – but they must do so without N’Golo Kante. Didier Deschamps released his 26-man squad list before the tournament with the Chelsea midfielder not featuring.
      N’Golo Kante in action for FranceCredit: Getty
      Kante was an integral piece of the Les Blues 2018 World Cup winning side with the then 27-year-old playing every minute for the national side.
      Now four years on, the rise of young talents such as Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni has provided Kante with heightened competition for a place in the midfield.
      And he is not in action for France as they face Morocco in the semi-finals.

      Why isn’t N’Golo Kante playing for France at the World Cup?
      The absence of the midfielder will be a huge blow for France, who face Denmark this week, as well as for Chelsea as shown by their poor defensive record as of late.
      The Blues number six has been sidelined for four months due to a hamstring injury suffered during a 2-2 draw with Tottenham in August.
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      The injury has meant Kante will miss the opportunity to help France to become only the third side to retain the World Cup.
      Providing all goes will with the 31-year-olds recovery, it looks likely we will see him return to action soon after the season proceeds. More

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      Why isn’t Paul Pogba playing for France against Morocco at the World Cup?

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      FRANCE midfielder Paul Pogba is not at the World Cup this year.Didier Deschamps’ men will have to do it without their World Cup winning midfielder as they look to retain their title in Qatar.
      Paul Pogba was key for France in their 2018 World Cup winCredit: Reuters
      This comes as a blow as N’Golo Kante is also absent from the squad and Chrisotpher Nkunku was sent home after withdrawing through injury.
      We have all the details on why Pogba is not part of the French squad in Qatar for the World Cup as they face Morocco in the semi-finals.
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      Why isn’t Paul Pogba playing for France at the World Cup?
      Pogba is yet to make an appearance for Juventus since his return to Turin in the summer.
      Therefore, a World Cup call-up was always unlikely for the French star despite his best wishes.
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      He returned to Juventus training in November after having surgery on his knee following injury and may have been optimistic ahead of the tournament.
      However, Pogba carried out tests in Italy and the USA before it was confirmed that he would not be fit for the World Cup.

      A Juventus spokesman confirmed: “We won’t see him until 2023, and his entourage have confirmed that also he will be out of the World Cup.”
      Therefore, France will have to do it without him if they are to once again lift the World Cup. More

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      Lionel Messi almost in tears as reporter tells him how much he means to Argentina fans after reaching World Cup final

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      LIONEL MESSI fought back tears as a reporter told him how much he means to Argentina fans back home after leading his country to the 2022 World Cup Final.Messi stood out in the Albiceleste’s decisive 3-0 triumph over Croatia in the semi-finals at the Lusail Stadium as he scored a penalty and set up both of Manchester City ace Julian Alvarez’s goals.
      Lionel Messi almost came to tears during an emotional post-match interview
      Reporter Sofia Martinez spoke to Lionel Messi after Argentina’s triumphCredit: https://www.instagram.com/p/ClpUPtbPseO/?hl=en
      Lionel Messi heard how much he means to Argentina fans by reporter Sofia Martinez
      Lionel Messi led Argentina to the 2022 World Cup Final after beating Croatia
      The Paris Saint-Germain star spoke to Argentine reporter Sofia Martinez of Television Publica after the match and was welling up as she told him exactly how he inspired the nation.
      Martinez said: “The last thing I want to tell you, and is not a question, but I just wanted to say; the World Cup final is coming and sure, we all [Argentinians] want to win the cup.
      “I just want to tell you that no matter the results, there’s something that no one can take from you and is the fact you resonated with Argentinians, every single one – I’m being serious.
      “There’s no kid who doesn’t have your team shirt. No matter if it is a fake, real or made up one.
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      “Truly, you made your mark in everyone’s life and that to me is beyond winning any World Cup.
      “No one can take that from you and this is my gratitude for such amount of happiness you bring to a lot of people.
      “I seriously hope you take these words into your heart because I really believe that’s more important than winning a World Cup and you already have it, so thank you captain.”
      A teary-eyed Messi listened with a smile on his face as Martinez sang his praises.
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      Fans were also moved by that moment as they took to social media to share their thoughts.
      One supporter tweeted: “This is beautiful.”
      Another posted: “His smiling face.”
      A third commented: “I want Messi to look at me like that.”
      This fan said: “The way he was looking at her.”
      And that one tweeted: “Wow, just wow.” More