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      Watch Man City star Julian Alvarez score ‘Maradona’ goal against Croatia in amazing run from his own box for Argentina

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      JULIAN ALVAREZ put Argentina 2-0 up against Croatia after a brilliant run from his own half.The sensational solo goal immediately drew comparisons with Diego Maradona’s strike against England in 1986, despite requiring a little bit of luck.

      Julian Alvarez began his run from deepCredit: ITV
      The Argentina made his way into the boxCredit: ITV
      After a fortunate ricochet Alvarez beat Dominik Livakovic one on oneCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      Alvarez, 22, was back defending a Croatia set-piece during tonight’s semi-final, when Argentina managed to launch a counter-attack.
      Its initial protagonist Lionel Messi was brought down, although the ball subsequently fell to Alvarez just shy of the halfway line.
      From there he embarked on an amazing solo run, driving at the heart of the Croatian defence.
      It appeared that Josip Juranovic had managed to tackle him, only for the ball to ricochet back into Alvarez’s path.
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      Left-back Borna Sosa then seemed favourite to cut out the attack, only for his scuffed clearance to also rebound back to Alvarez.
      The forward then found himself through on goal, poking the ball past Dominik Livakovic to give his side a 2-0 lead five minutes before half-time.
      Despite elements of good fortune, the goal was compared to Maradona’s by fans online.
      One wrote: “The goal scored by Julian Alvarez is better than that of Maradona in 86.”
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      Diego Maradona bamboozled England in 1986Credit: AFP
      While a second excitedly tweeted: “ALVAREZ GOT HIS MARADONA GOAL.”
      A third frantically tweeted: “MARADONA LIVES IN JULIAN ALVAREZ.”
      Alvarez had already played his part in Argentina’s first effort.
      The forward was played through one on one with Livakovic, poking the ball beyond the goalkeeper before finding himself being clattered.
      After his goal-bound effort was cleared, the referee pointed to the penalty spot, with Messi making no mistake from 12 yards.
      Alvarez went on to make it 3-0 on 69 minutes, tucking the ball home following Messi’s sensational assist.
      He was subsequently replaced by Paulo Dybala a few minutes later.
      Alvarez celebrates with Lionel MessiCredit: AP More

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      Argentina fan gets hilarious tattoo of moment Lionel Messi mocked Holland boss Louis van Gaal during fiery World Cup tie

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      ONE Lionel Messi superfan has gone above and beyond to show his love for the Argentine icon.The supporter has had a tattoo of Messi mocking the Holland bench and manager Louis van Gaal after their quarter-final win inked onto their skin.
      Lionel Messi cupped his ears at the Dutch bench following the dramatic winCredit: AP
      Messi mocked Louis Van Gaal and the Dutch backroom staff at full-timeCredit: Reuters
      He claims he was “disrespected” by Van Gaal before the gameCredit: Reuters
      An Argentina fan has had the moment tattooed onto himCredit: Twitter @beINSPORTS_EN
      And they also had the words “Anda Palla, Bobo” written next to the image – which translates to “Keep moving, idiot”.
      This is the phrase Messi reportedly shouted at Dutch striker Wout Weghorst following Argentina’s dramatic victory on Friday.
      The Barcelona legend brilliantly set-up his side’s first goal against Holland, before he converted a penalty to double their lead in the 73rd minute.
      But a last-gasp Weghorst brace somehow sent the match to extra time and then penalties.
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      Yet Van Gaal’s men could not get over the line, with Emi Martinez saving two of their spot kicks as Argentina claimed a 4-3 win in the shootout.
      Following the victory, Messi went over to Van Gaal and assistant coach Edgar Davids and jumped up before cupping his ears.
      It is a celebration which was used by former Argentine playmaker Juan Roman Riquelme – one he took from an Italian TV show from the 1960s.
      Messi’s reaction sparked fury on the Dutch bench as a fiery match ended with a post-game brawl and some ugly scenes down the tunnel.
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      Speaking after the game, Argentina’s captain then explained his decision to rile up the Holland players and staff.
      Messi said: “I feel disrespected by Van Gaal after his pregame comments and some Dutch players spoke too much during the game.”
      Now the moment will never be forgotten by one football fan after their decision to tattoo it permanently onto their skin. More

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      Roy Keane slams England for ‘finding a way to lose’ and likens performance to ‘having a foot on somebody’s throat’

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      ROY KEANE slammed England for “finding a way to lose” against France, using the analogy of having “your foot on somebody’s throat” and easing off. Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions crashed out of the World Cup at the quarter-final stages in Qatar.
      Roy Keane slammed England for ‘finding a way to lose’ against FranceCredit: Twitter @itvfootball
      England lost 2-1 to France with Harry Kane missing a late penalty, squandering the chance to equalise from the spot for a second time in the game.
      Manchester United legend and ex-Ireland international Keane criticised Southgate’s squad for failing to prevail in a tournament again.
      He said on ITV: “What England are doing in a lot of these big games, is they’re finding a way to lose.”
      England were beaten by Croatia in the World Cup 2018 semi-finals.
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      And they lost on penalties to Italy in last summer’s European Championship final.
      Keane blamed mindset and pressure on England’s past failures.
      Asked how to win tournaments, he said: “That’s where the players have to take control.
      “I suppose it might be a lack of experience in big tournaments and big games, I know a lot of the England players have won trophies at club level.
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      “When we were at the game against France the other night, I describe when you’re in that position and you have your foot on somebody’s throat, you’ve got to press down. Don’t ease off.
      “If you take the pressure off a good team like France, and when you’re in the quarter-finals they’re going to have quality, as soon as they eased off the got punished for it.”
      Southgate is set to decide on his England future with the FA keen to keep him in charge.
      Ex-Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel and former Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino are among the foreigners linked with the role.
      But the FA would like to keep an English coach, with Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard also in the frame.
      Although Neville, who represented England at two World Cups, wants to see Southgate stay.
      He said: “I’m absolutely convinced he should carry on.”
      England were dumped out in the quarter-final stagesCredit: Getty More

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      World Cup’s hottest fan sizzles at Croatia vs Argentina with stunned supporters clamouring for selfies

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      THE World Cup’s hottest fan wowed match goers as she arrived at Croatia vs Argentina this evening.Stunning Ivana Knoll has attended all of her beloved Croatia’s matches during the 2022 World Cup, delighting fellow fans in the process.
      Even rival Argentina fans wanted to grab a snap with Ivana KnollCredit: Getty
      The Croatian has been dubbed the ‘World Cup’s hottest fan’Credit: Getty
      Ivana is flying the flag for her nationCredit: Getty
      After Croatia’s shock victory over Brazil last Friday, Ivana was never going to miss out on tonight’s semi-final against Argentina.
      Lionel Messi and Co are being backed by at least 40,000 travelling Argentinians, desperate for their side to win the World Cup.
      But even these passionate opposition supporters were thrilled to get a glimpse of Ivana before the match.
      Fans in Argentina shirts were spotted grabbing selfies with the Croatia mega-fan in the stands.
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      While she also posed for pictures with her own side’s supporters too.
      Ivana, 30, was already a renowned model in Croatia going into the tournament.
      But her popularity has soared even further, and she now boasts 2.5million Instagram followers, who have been following her journey throughout the tournament.
      As the founder and owner of clothing brand “wearknolldoll”, the model has been showing off her outfits at the World Cup.
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      Ivana loves to show off her creative outfits
      The Croatia superfan posted this on Instagram before the match
      The stunner has caused quite a stir at the World Cup
      These have included several impressive pieces of clothing which showcase the Croatia flag.
      The model was in fact born in Germany, but now resides in Zagreb and is a Croatia superfan.
      She previously made a splash at the 2018 World Cup in Russia where her outfits were also noticed.
      Ivana arrived at the stadium in confident mood, writing on Instagram before the match: “Ready for the finals.”
      Last time out against Brazil she was spotted being confronted by security ahead of the game.
      Wearing red high-waisted leggings and a bikini top, the model was snapped forming a heart with her hands to support her beloved team.
      But she appeared to be swiftly moved on by security who asked her to return to her seat.
      Match goers couldn’t believe their luck at meeting IvanaCredit: Getty
      The 30-year-old poses with a fellow Croatia fanCredit: Getty
      The model has 2.5million Instagram followersCredit: EPA More

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      Roy Keane’s World Cup highlights from jumping into a bin, Souness row, teasing Jordan Henderson and slamming Brazil

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      ROY KEANE has quite the Qatar World Cup highlight reel, from the Irishman jumping into a bin, rowing live on air with fellow pundit Graeme Souness to slamming Brazil’s dancing.The Manchester United legend was a part of a star-studded ITV punditry team.
      Keane racked up quite the highlight reel in QatarCredit: Twitter @itvfootball
      He joined ex-Arsenal striker Ian Wright, Gary Neville, Souness, Hal Robson-Kanu, Laura Woods, Seema Jaswal, Joe Cole, Karen Carney, Eniola Aluko, Nigel de Jong, Nadia Nadim and Mark Pougatch in breaking down World Cup matches.
      With his country Ireland failing to qualify, Keane was one of few who could give a 100 per cent neutral take on events.
      SunSport takes a look at Keane’s best moments in Qatar.
      IN THE BIN
      Keane hurt his knees in the Middle East by jumping into a bin.
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      The legendary midfielder scored in a crunch match between broadcasters ITV and the BBC.
      Keane whipped off his shirt after netting past pal Micah Richards and celebrated wildly.
      But down the other end of the pitch was a bin, and Keane decided it was a good idea to bizarrely jump inside with one leg before hopping out using his other.
      Keane hilariously jumped into a BIN
      PAYING FOR BREKKIE
      Keane jokingly told Jordan Henderson he needs to “be a bit more generous” after he lumped the Irishman with a breakfast bill.
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      Ahead of England’s crunch World Cup quarter-final with France, Keane revealed that he had recently met-up with the Anfield skipper.
      However, Hendo left Keane to pay the bill.
      Speaking on ITV, Keane said: “I’ve always liked Jordan, always liked him as a kid and he’s a pretty humble guy.
      “Saying that, I did meet him a few months ago for breakfast and I had to pay.
      “He should be a bit more generous.”
      Henderson met the Irishman for breakfast but left him to foot the billCredit: Getty
      ‘GAME OVER’
      Neutral pundit Keane decided to take notes during England’s 3-0 round of 16 win over Senegal.
      And he gave a short but accurate assessment of the game: “Game over.”
      The Irishman calmly jotted down the notes as fellow pundits Neville and Wright lost their cool in the studio.
      Neville grabbed Keane’s notes, which didn’t go down too well.
      Roy Keane turned around and wrote down notes while they celebratedCredit: Ian Wright / Twitter
      FLYING HOME
      Do work colleagues get on your nerves? Well, they get on Keane’s nerves too.
      So much so that Keane FLEW home from Qatar as a result.
      Speaking to Micah Richards and Gary Neville over lunch for Sky Bet, Keane described his experience overall as “okay” and “fine”.
      Neville then chipped in: “To be fair Roy went home for four or five days as well actually. He went back.”
      Keane replied: “I had a break. I needed a break, just my tolerance levels.
      “Yeah, people get on my nerves.”
      Keane took a break from his ITV colleagues by flying home during the World CupCredit: Getty
      BANK CARD REJECTED
      Keane is undoubtedly a very wealthy man.
      But he suffered embarrassment in Qatar when his bank card was rejected TWICE.
      He set himself a daily spending limit to the tune of £50-a-day.
      Keane explained to Neville and Richards: “I went over my limit, I have a budget of £50 a day here.
      “You know when your card is rejected, it is embarrassing, isn’t it?”
      Keane’s bank card was rejected twice while in QatarCredit: SkyBet
      SLAMMING BRAZIL’s DANCE MOVES
      Flicks, tricks and loose hips… Not on Keane’s watch.
      The pre-tournament favourites, Brazil, showed off their dance moves before their quarter-final exit to Croatia.
      Their round of 16 clash against South Korea, in particular, saw Brazil run out 4-1 winners and execute a number of stylish celebrations.
      From a team Pigeon dance with manager Tite, to West Ham’s Lucas Paqueta going solo.
      Fans were excited, but Keane was far from impressed.
      He said on the Samba Boys: “It’s like watching Strictly. I can’t believe what I’m watching.
      “I don’t like this. I think it’s disrespecting the opposition. It’s four [goals] and they’re doing it every time.
      “I don’t mind the first kind of little jig – whatever they’re doing – but they’re still doing it after that and then the manager getting involved with it.
      “I’m not happy with it, I don’t think it’s very good at all.”
      Keane fumed at Brazil’s dancingCredit: ITV
      Manager Tite joined in the routine during the victory over South KoreaCredit: Reuters
      SOUNESS BUST UP
      Keane and Souness didn’t pull any punches in their on-air verbal bust-up during ITV’s half-time coverage of Argentina vs Saudi Arabia.
      The decision to award Argentina a penalty caused controversy with Keane saying soft calls will encourage diving at the World Cup – an assessment Souness disagreed with.
      Liverpool great Souness says the Saudi player had no interest in where the ball was – only the whereabouts of the player he was tracking.
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      Souness said the call is not down to “opinion” but “fact”, which prompted Keane to respond saying: “Well I’m here to give my opinion – that’s not a penalty.”
      The bust-up was much to the delight of viewers, who took to social media to rave.
      Keane argued he’s at the World Cup to give his ‘opinion’, which is that it was not a penalty to ArgentinaCredit: ITV More

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      Glamorous Argentina Wags enjoy dinner ahead of World Cup win against Croatia… but Messi’s wife nowhere to be seen

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      MANY of the Argentina players’ Wags enjoyed dinner together before Tuesday night’s World Cup semi-final.Lionel Messi and Co booked their place in Sunday’s final when they beat Croatia 3-0 at the Lusail Stadium.
      (L-R) Mandinha Martinez (Emi Martinez), Daniela Rendon (Armani), Rocio Esposito (Rulli), Barbara Occhiuzzi (Molina), Celeste Rey (Otamendi), Karen Cavaller (Romero), Muri Lopez Benitez (Lisandro Martinez), Agustina Bascerano (Pezzella), Caro Calvagni (Tagliafico), Julia Silva (Acuna), Guadalupe Wada Ramon (Rodriguez), Valentina Cervantes (Fernandez), Camila Mayan (Mac Allister), Yesi Frias (Palacios), Linda Raff (Gomez), Alanis Poza (Almada), Sabrina Di Marzo (Correa), Agustina Gandolfo (Lautaro Martinez), María Emilia Ferrero (Alvarez)Credit: Instagram
      The Wags took to the streets of Doha for a meal before the semi-finalCredit: Instagram
      They appeared to be soaking in every moment of their time in QatarCredit: Instagram
      Lionel Messi’s wife Antonela Roccuzzo was not at the dinner but is in QatarCredit: Getty
      But while Lionel Scaloni’s squad continued their final preparations for the big game, their partners were living it up in Qatar.
      And a total of 19 of them posed for snaps ahead of a meal in Doha on Tuesday evening.
      Among them were the partners of Emi Martinez, Nicolas Otamendi, Cristian Romero, Lautaro Martinez and Julian Alvarez.
      But Messi’s wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, was one of the few Wags who could not make the pre-game meal.
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      However, she is out in Qatar supporting her husband and was expected to be at the match.
      Argentina booked their place in the last four with a penalty shootout victory over Holland on Friday.
      The South Americans raced into a two-goal lead but were then pegged back in dramatic fashion as Wout Weghorst’s late double sent the game to extra time.
      It then went to spot kicks, before keeper Martinez was the hero as he saved two to keep Messi’s dream of a World Cup triumph alive.
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      Meanwhile, Croatia stunned pre-tournament favourites Brazil to reach the semis for a second successive time.
      Neymar thought he had sealed the five-time world champions’ place in the last four with a goal in the first period of extra time.
      But Bruno Petkovic equalised in the 117th minute, before Croatia went on to win on penalties.
      But Argentina had too much for them in the semi-finals with the South Americans now set to play one of Morocco or France in Sunday’s final.
      She was in the stands for Argentina’s win over Holland on FridayCredit: Getty
      She has been with Lionel Messi since he was a teenagerCredit: Instagram @antonelaroccuzzo More

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      Karim Benzema available for France in World Cup final due to incredible loophole after making ‘full injury recovery’

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      KARIM BENZEMA will be available for France selection for the World Cup final, it has been revealed. It comes despite the Real Madrid ace picking up an injury prior to the tournament starting which saw him sent home before a ball was kicked in Qatar.
      Karim Benzema is set to be available for France selection in the World Cup finalCredit: AFP
      But Benzema could make a shock return to the France squad with a view to playing a part in the World Cup final.
      And it could not have come at a better time, with a sickness bug ripping through the France squad.
      After getting injured in training days before Les Bleus opener, a three-week timeline was set for Benzema to return to fitness despite Didier Deschamps ruling out his return to Qatar.
      But Marca report he has returned on time and has in fact been training without issue since last Saturday.
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      And this means he could make a return to the fold if needed due to never being replaced in the French team.
      The strong form of Olivier Giroud means such a return is unlikely, however, with the AC Milan star’s goals so far proving vital for his nation in Qatar.
      None of his goals were more important than his late winner against England, with Harry Kane missing a penalty which allowed France to progress into the semi-final.
      The 2018 champions now face a test against a stubborn Morocco side which has already claimed the scalps of Iberian neighbours Spain and Portugal in consecutive rounds.
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      Of course, all eyes will be on Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappe, but as proven in the quarter-final, even when he is kept quiet the rest of the team can prove dangerous.
      Benzema missed out on 2018 World Cup glory due to his ongoing issue with compatriot Mathieu Valbuena, which kept him out of the national set-up until 2021.
      It means the 34-year-old’s only World Cup performance to date has been in 2014 when France crashed out during the quarter-finals. More

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      Get Olivier Giroud to score first in France vs Morocco in World Cup semi final at top price 6/1 with William Hill

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      OLIVIER GIROUD spearheads the France attack on Wednesday night when they face Morocco for a spot in the World Cup final.Punters can now get a massive 6/1 — a ‘Top Price Guarantee’ — that the forward scores the opener in the semi final — which is up from 4/1!
      Giroud to score 1st vs Morocco | 6/1Credit: Getty
      Giroud to score 1st vs Morocco | 6/1
      The former Arsenal and Chelsea man has four goals in the competition so far.
      He’s chasing down team-mate Kylian Mbappe (5) for the World Cup Golden Boot after goals in the last 16 and quarter final.
      The winning goal against England was typical Giroud, getting across his marker before bulleting a header beyond Jordan Pickford.
      Becoming France’s all-time leading goalscorer, it’s been quite the tournament already for the AC Milan man.
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