World Cup

RICHARLISON cut a glum figure as Brazil’s World Cup flops boarded their big yellow bus home.The pre-tournament favourites were dumped out on penalties by Croatia in the quarter-finals.
Richarlison cut a glum figure the day after Brazil’s World Cup exitCredit: AP
The Tottenham striker looked downcast as he boarded the team busCredit: AP
The pre-tournament favourites headed home after being knocked out by CroatiaCredit: AP
Richarlison was reduced to tears after being knocked outCredit: Reuters
Brazil captain Neymar burst into tears after crashing out, before hinting at international retirementCredit: Getty
And they wasted no time in heading for the airport to catch their flight back to South America.
A downcast Richarlison was pictured boarding Brazil’s team bus before it took them to the airport.
The Tottenham ace still looked upset after being reduced to tears following the penalty shootout heartbreak.
Brazil boss Tite confirmed he was standing down from his role following the quarter-final exit.
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While “World Cup’s hottest fan” Ivana Knoll trolled Richarlison and Co by performing a rendition of his pigeon celebration.
Skipper Neymar was also overcome by emotion, before hinting that his international career could be over.
Speaking on his future after the game, Neymar admitted: “Honestly, I do not know. I think talking now is bad because of the heat of the moment. Maybe I’m not thinking straight.
“To say that this is the end would be rushing myself, but I don’t guarantee anything either. Let’s see what happens going forward.
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“I want to take this time to think about it, think about what I want for myself. I will not close the door to playing with Brazil, nor do I say 100 per cent that I’ll come back.
“I need to think a bit more about this, about what is the right thing for me and for the national team.”
Neymar put Brazil ahead in the first half of extra-time after the game had originally finished 0-0.
But Bruno Petkovic responded with three minutes left to play to send it to penalties.
And misses from Rodrygo and Marquinhos, while Croatia scored all four of their spot-kicks, meant Brazil were sent packing.
Neymar had to be consoled by his team-mates at full-timeCredit: Getty Images – Getty More

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