World Cup

BUKAYO SAKA has broken his silence after England’s World Cup exit with a touching social media post thanking the “special” squad, Gareth Southgate and supporters.The Three Lions suffered a heartbreaking 2-1 loss to France in the 2022 World Cup quarter-finals at the Al Bayt Stadium last night.
Bukayo Saka has spoken for the first time after England’s World Cup exitCredit: Getty
Les Bleus controversially opened the scoring with Aurelien Tchouameni’s long-range stunner before Tottenham’s very own Harry Kane levelled things up from the penalty spot.
Olivier Giroud then restored his side’s lead and extended his scoring record to 53 goals.
England’s heroic captain Kane then had the chance to equalise once more with another spot-kick but he sadly missed the target late on to leave him and his team-mates fighting back the tears at full-time.
Now as he prepares for a short break before returning to duty with Arsenal, Saka took to Instagram to try and put last night’s devastation into words.
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He wrote: “I can’t explain how I feel today, but we gave everything out there and we really wish we could have brought it home for you all this time.
“I just wanted to say a genuine thank you to our fans, you’ve all been amazing both at the games and at home this tournament and we felt it.
“This group are really special and talented, so although we are disappointed now, I am really excited for our future. Thank you to my @England family – my team mates, Gareth, the coaching and all the backroom staff for all their hard work and dedication to help us get this far.
“We will build from this and with your support we will keep improving and making progress together. See you all soon.”
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That came after his former Arsenal team-mate Mesut Ozil, a 2014 World Cup winner with Germany, had tweeted: “You don’t need to feel ashamed Team England.
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“A strong performance against the current World Champion, good defending against Mbappe & Co., but France very effective as always.
“Great game from my brother @BukayoSaka87 – the future belongs to you.”
Meanwhile, England fans went in two-footed on Arsenal after a tweet they sent out following the heartbreaking World Cup defeat to France.
Despite Saka, who was fouled in the build-up to France’s opener, and Aaron Ramsdale both being part of the England squad, they shared a photo of Frenchman William Saliba with his country’s flag decked around his neck.
And Arsenal captioned the tweet with: “Our Wilo. A World Cup semi-finalist” – leading to supporters instantly hitting back at the Premier League leaders’ Twitter account as they blasted the tweet. More

CARING England stars showered hotel staff with gifts as they left to fly home from Qatar following an agonising World Cup exit.The Three Lions departed as classily off the pitch as they had on it with their unlucky 2-1 quarter-final loss to France.
Supporters praised Jude Bellingham for his friendly, upbeat attitude as he prepared to leave the Souq Al-W hotel following England’s World Cup exitCredit: PA
Midfield star Bellingham chatted with fans and signed autographsCredit: AFP
England manager Gareth Southgate already seems in reflective mood as he ponders his future aftre exiting Qatar in the quarter-finalsCredit: PA
England players handed out signed shirts and hugged workers, who in turn said Gareth Southgate’s 25-man squad had “made them feel like princes” and became “like family”.
Midfield sensation Jude Bellingham urged fans to “stick with us” as he went over to chat outside the hotel and sign autographs.
But Southgate says he is “reviewing” his future with FA chiefs, adding this was normal procedure after major tournaments.
Whatever happens, the Three Lions briefly put their disappointment to one side as they said their goodbyes to hotel staff.
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A source also told the Mail how England players had danced with workers after beating Senegal in the last 16, and were always “appreciative” of the service they received.
Skipper Harry Kane had most to rue after firing one penalty equaliser against France but blazing high when attempting a second one late on.
But the Tottenham striker and Bellingham were among those giving out kit and other presents.
And the Borussia Dortmund hero, 19, was praised by fans after keeping his and their spirits up when he walked over to them next to the team hotel.
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It’s understood Manchester City widemen Phil Foden and Jack Grealish, plus Old Trafford centre-back Harry Maguire left early to join their clubs for warm-weather training.
And in fact it was a piecemeal departure as some players went by team coach, others by taxi. Southgate departed the hotel with a consoling arm around defender Kieran Trippier.
And although he’s popular with his squad, the 52-year-old is weighing up if he should stay in charge.
He said: “After every tournament we’ve sat down and reviewed and reflected.
“So we need a bit of time to make sure everyone makes the right decisions.”
“Whenever I’ve finished these tournaments I’ve needed time to make the correct decisions because emotionally you go through so many different feelings.” More

IT wasn’t all doom and gloom for England after their heartbreaking World Cup quarter-final defeat to France. The Three Lions’ unofficial tournament mascot, Dave the cat, began his journey to the UK as Gareth Southgate’s squad also headed for home.
Dave the cat became England’s unofficial World Cup mascotCredit: PA
The furry feline is being rehomed in the UKCredit: PA
Dave will be reunited with his England pals in around four months’ timeCredit: PA
John Stones and Kyle Walker were especially fond of their furry friendCredit: Instagram / @england

Dave often joined the team at meal timesCredit: Instagram / @england

Dave became the squad’s mascot after joining England stars at meal times during their stay in Qatar.
John Stones and Kyle Walker pledged to adopt their furry friend if England won the World Cup.
But, despite crashing out 2-1 to France on Saturday, Dave is still heading to the UK to be rehomed.
He was seen being loaded into a crate to begin his journey shortly after Jack Grealish, Harry Maguire and Co left their Souq Al Wakrah hotel today.
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But Dave didn’t have a ticket on England’s flight home.
Instead he was sent off to an appointment with the vet to have blood tests just two hours after the squad left, according to PA.
Dave has also been booked in for vaccines before he can be reunited with the team.
He is expected to join up with his England pals in around four months’ time.
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Stones fell for the cat when he strolled into the team’s five-star training base on their first day in Qatar.
While Walker also spoke about Dave in the build-up to last night’s match against France.
The defender said: “Dave is fine. He had a little scrap with another cat the other night.
“I think they are fighting over territory and the food. But he’s doing well.
“Hopefully I can stick to my promise that he will come home with us if we were to win the World Cup. Dave’s fine, thank you for asking.”
The Three Lions left Qatar on SundayCredit: PA
Raheem Sterling seen leaving the Three Lions’ Souq Al Wakra hotelCredit: Reuters
Harry Maguire boarding the team bus as England headed for homeCredit: Reuters More

PIERS MORGAN has led the calls from players and pundits for Gareth Southgate to stay as England boss.The Three Lions suffered a heartbreaking 2-1 loss to France in the 2022 World Cup quarter-finals at the Al Bayt Stadium last night.
Piers Morgan has led the calls for Gareth Southgate to stay on as England bossCredit: The Mega Agency
The Three Lions boss and his side were cruelly dumped out of the World Cup by FranceCredit: Rex
Les Bleus controversially opened the scoring with Aurelien Tchouameni’s long-range stunner and Harry Kane levelled things up from the penalty spot before Olivier Giroud extended his scoring record with 53 goals.
England’s heroic captain had the chance to equalise once more with another spot-kick but he sadly missed the target.
Southgate has a contract until 2024 but his future still appears to remain up for discussion after another World Cup heartbreak for England.
The 52-year-old confirmed there will be talks with the FA once the team flies back from Qatar and a decision will later be made.
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But Sun Sport columnist and Talk TV host Morgan was quick to try and persuade Southgate to remain in the job.
He tweeted: “Lots of debate over whether Gareth Southgate should continue as England manager. My criteria is this: could anyone else have done better with this (very good) squad of players?
“I don’t think so, and I like the way his team plays & behaves under him. So, I say: carry on Gareth.”
Manchester United and England legend Gary Neville told ITV: “I would love Gareth to stay on for another two years. I’d love him to stay on beyond that whether it be actually as the coach or whether it be in a role in the FA in the future.
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“England in the last 10 years have won youth tournaments. We’ve won a women’s tournament in the summer. We’ve got to the men’s final in the Euros. We’re playing really well. 
“We’ve got a good team of technical players. England is in a pretty good place, let’s be clear about that.
“We’ve been out of tournaments in disgrace in the last 25 years, thinking what the hell is that what is the future. We’ve got a great future and he is a big part of that.”
Fellow United legend and ITV pundit Roy Keane echoed those sentiments, saying: “You’d fully expect Gareth to stay on for the Euros, of course.
“He’ll have an exit plan in his head. Is he still up for it. The players will be making big decisions over the next few months, some of the older players. 
“I agree with absolutely everything everyone has said about Gareth, but he’ll have to look at his future and talk to his family.
“He’s done a fantastic job. Does he want to give it a couple more years, hopefully he does.”
Southgate firstly took England to the 2018 World Cup semi-finals.
That was followed by the heartbreaking penalty shoot-out defeat to Italy in the Euro 2020 final last year before this latest gut-wrenching against the French in Qatar. More

ENGLAND goalkeeper Jordan Pickford has wife Megan and son Arlo with him everywhere he goes.The 28-year-old stopper was seen sporting an adorable family-themed backpack as he boarded the bus for the airport after last night’s heartbreaking defeat to France.
Jordan Pickford has an adorable family-themed custom backpackCredit: PA
Pickford was superb between the sticks for England at the World CupCredit: Getty
Pickford’s wife Megan flew out to support himCredit: Getty
Pickord and Megan have a three-year-old son called ArloCredit: Getty
Pickford was spotted with the custom bag as the Three Lions left their Souq Al Wakra hotel in Qatar.
It shows a cute cartoon picture of himself and son Arlo, three, with Wembley Stadium in the background.
He also has personalised badges of his own initials on the bag, plus “Megs” and “Arlo”.
Megan, 26, and Arlo flew out to Qatar to cheer on Pickford at the World Cup.
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They were in the stands for last night’s 2-1 loss to reigning champions France.
Arlo went to the game with a sweet homemade sign that had pictures of Pickford on and the words: “Go daddy we love you.”
Pickford and Megan are childhood sweethearts, having first met when they were at school.
The pair welcomed Arlo in 2019, before they tied the knot a year later in a stunning Maldives ceremony.
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Stopper Pickford didn’t put a foot wrong for the Three Lions in Qatar, and was powerless to prevent either of France’s goals on Saturday.
Aurelien Tchouameni opened the scoring with an arrowed long-range strike into the bottom corner, before Olivier Giroud’s header took a deflection off Harry Maguire for the second.
England skipper Harry Kane missed a late penalty to level the game up at 2-2, having earlier converted emphatically from the spot.
Jude Bellingham pictured leaving England’s hotel in DohaCredit: PA
The Three Lions headed home after being knocked out in the World Cup quarter-finalsCredit: Reuters
Boss Gareth Southgate put an arm around Kieran Trippier as they left the hotelCredit: PA More

HUGO LLORIS insists Harry Kane has the strength of character to bounce back from his World Cup penalty agony.England skipper Kane was in tears after blasting his 83rd minute spot kick over the bar during Saturday’s cruel quarter-final defeat.
Kane scored his first penalty against FranceCredit: Getty
The striker blazed his second spot kick over the barCredit: Alamy
Lloris comforted his Tottenham team-mate after the gameCredit: Rex
And French captain Lloris refused to stick the boot in as he shrugged off suggestions that he had psyched out his Spurs team-mate.
The veteran keeper said: “There were a lot of emotions out there because we were in the middle of a battle and at the end we were all very happy.
“But on a personal level, I am also saddened because Harry is a team-mate, a man whom I respect enormously and someone who took responsibility in a crucial moment of the game. 
“It was a turning point of the match and I can only share this moment of pain with him.
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“But I know that Harry is strong and that this hurt will pass for him.”
Kane had already scored one penalty to equal Wayne Rooney’s 53-goal England international record. 
But he was unable to repeat the feat for a second time on the night Lloris became the most capped player in French history.
Lloris said: “It was a difficult match against a very, very good English team who deserve a lot of praise because it was a great battle right to the end.
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“I was much more involved in this game than in any other match at this tournament, but that was only what we expected against these opponents.
“I cannot hide the fact that it was a special evening for me to make my 143rd appearance for my country against the English, a country in which I have been playing for ten years.
“This England team is very strong, their midfield created a lot of space, they were hard-hitting in attack and they have a number nine who is among the best in the world.
“But we stayed strong in the storm, we were solid in the important moments and we hurt them when necessary.
“It was a great reward for all our preparation for this match and we have to congratulate everyone for all their hard work.
“The best way to celebrate that work was to win the game and this result has given us even more confidence for the semi-final against Morocco.” More

ENGLAND may have crashed out of this year’s World Cup, but many fans are still optimistic about the future.The Three Lions’ World Cup campaign drew to a close following a 2-1 defeat to reigning champions France on Saturday.
England crashed out of the World Cup on SaturdayCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
The Three Lions suffered a 2-1 defeat to FranceCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
England player agesPlayers that featured in Gareth Southgate’s 2022 World Cup squad:

Jordan Pickford – 28
Nick Pope – 30
Aaron Ramsdale – 24
Trent Alexander-Arnold – 24
Conor Coady – 29
Eric Dier – 28
Harry Maguire – 29
Luke Shaw – 27
John Stones – 28
Kieran Trippier – 32
Kyle Walker – 32
Ben White – 25
Jude Bellingham – 19
Conor Gallagher – 22
Jordan Henderson – 32
Mason Mount – 23
Kalvin Phillips – 27
Declan Rice – 23
Phil Foden – 22
Jack Grealish – 27
Harry Kane – 29
James Maddison – 26
Marcus Rashford – 25
Bukayo Saka – 21
Raheem Sterling – 28
Callum Wilson – 30

Aurelien Tchouameni broke the deadlock in the first half with a superb long-range strike before Harry Kane levelled the score from the penalty spot.
Olivier Giroud then went on to fire France back into the lead, but England struggled to get back into the game after Kane failed to convert his second spot kick with just six minutes to go in normal time.
Despite the result, England put on a positive display with Bukayo Saka and Jude Bellingham creating numerous problems for Didier Deschamps’ side.
And the performance has left many England fans optimistic about the future, especially as the majority of players in Gareth Southgate’s squad are yet to hit their prime.
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The likes of Saka and Bellingham as well as Phil Foden, Declan Rice, Mason Mount, Conor Gallagher and Trent Alexander-Arnold are all under the age of 25, so they will likely still be on top form come Euro 2024 and the 2026 World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States.
Players who failed to make the England squad for Qatar, such as Reece James and Jadon Sancho, will also be in their prime by the time the next major tournament comes around.
Although the future looks bright for the Three Lions, Southgate has refused to confirm if he will continue as manager.
Following Saturday’s defeat, he said: “I think whenever I’ve finished these tournaments I’ve needed time to make correct decisions because emotionally you go through so many different feelings and the energy that it takes through these tournaments is enormous.
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“I want to make the right decision, whenever that is, for the team, for England, for the FA, and I’ve got to be sure whatever the decision I take is the right one.
“I think it’s right to take a bit of time to do that because I know in the past how my feelings have fluctuated in the immediate aftermath of tournaments.”
Southgate’s current England contract expires in December 2024.
The Three Lions kick off their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign in March. More