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      World Cup 2022 LIVE: Raheem Sterling could feature for England, Lionel Messi’s Argentina through – latest

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      RAHEEM STERLING could feature for England against France tonight after returning to the UK to attend to personal matters.The winger saw his Surrey home broken into during the World Cup but is now back in Qatar training with his teammates.
      While the favourites Brazil are OUT of the World Cup after defeat to Croatia in the quarter-finals.
      But the same can’t be said for Lionel Messi’s Argentina – they overcame Netherlands in a dramatic shoot-out.
      Keep up to date with all of the action from our live match blogs:

      World Cup 2022 sign up offer: Get £40 in FREE BETS when you stake £10 at Sky Bet
      Stay tuned with all the latest from the tournament…
      Argentina are through
      Argentina have qualified to the 2022 World Cup semi-finals after beating the Netherlands 4-3 on penalties.
      Lautaro Martinez netted the crucial spot-kick by beating Andries Noppert.
      Lionel Messi, Leandro Paredes and Gonzalo Montiel all scored for the Albiceleste with Enzo Fernandez missing the target.
      Teun Koopmeiners, Wout Weghorst and Luuk de Jong hit the target but Virgil van Dijk and Steven Berghuis were denied by Emiliano Martinez
      Credit: Getty
      FT: Netherlands 2-2 Argentina
      That’s the end of extra-time at the Lusail Stadium as the Netherlands and Argentina are set for penalties.
      Nahuel Molina opened the scoring thanks to a stunning assist by Lionel Messi, who doubled the Albiceleste’s lead from the penalty spot soon after.
      But Holland completed a stunning comeback with an amazing brace by Wout Weghorst.
      Follow all the action in SunSport’s live blog
      Going on extra-time
      Netherlands and Argentina’s thrilling World Cup quarter-finals is now on extra-time.
      Here’s what SunSport’s man on the field Martin Lipton makes of Wout Weghorst’s incredible equaliser:
      Now that IS incredible.
      That’s a version of the free-kick Argentina scored against England in St Etienne in 1998.
      But in the 100th minute. To take it to extra-time.
      Brilliant deception by one sub, completed by another.
      Koopmeiners caught the entire Argentine defence off guard by rolling inside the wall but Weghorst still had so much to do.
      Back in 1978, a Dutch substitute named Dick Naninga came off the bench to take it to extra-time – and was the thickness of the woodwork away from putting his side in front.
      No idea what happens next…Martin LiptonSunSport
      Netherlands 2-2 Argentina
      Unbelievable! The Netherlands have equalised in the final minute of stoppage time!
      Argentina are absolutely stunned, Holland have levelled with an absolutely brilliant set piece.
      Wout Weghorst has equalised with his second goal of the night.
      And it all started with Teun Koopmeiners faking a shot from a free-kick and instead passing through to Weghorst who beat Emiliano Martinez from close distance
      Netherlands 1-2 Argentina
      Netherlands get one in with Wout Weghorst after 82 minutes!
      Weghorst picked up a wonderful cross by Steven Berghuis and beat Emiliano Martinez with a stunning header.
      Looks like we have a match at the Lusail Stadium with seven minutes to go.
      Holland are really pushing for late equaliser!
      Credit: AP
      Netherlands 0-2 Argentina
      Argentina look to have sealed their place in the 2022 World Cup semi-finals.
      Lionel Messi has beaten Andries Noppert from the penalty spot after Denzel Dumfries fouled Marcos Acuna.
      Here’s what SunSport’s man on the field Martin Lipton has to say about it:
      At least I got that one right.
      Dumfries gets more than enough of Acuna to make up the Spanish referee’s mind for him and Messi clips home with utter assurance.
      Another ear-splitting scream from the massed Argentine ranks.
      Watch out Croatia.
      They’re coming. He’s coming.Martin LiptonSunSport
      More from the ground
      SunSport’s man on the field Martin Lipton also had this to say about the ongoing match between Argentina and the Netherlands:
      That would have been the way to seal it.
      Messi induces the foul by van Dijk on the edge of the box – no question about the decision – and strokes the free-kick over the wall, beyond Noppert’s groping fingers, but a whisker of paint too high.
      Now, at last, van Gaal changes it up.
      Big bad Luke de Jong up top, Blind off, Ake at left back in a four.
      But Messi has his dander up. A second Argentine goal still appears more likely than an equaliser.Martin LiptonSunSport
      Word from the ground
      Here’s what SunSport’s Martin Lipton makes of the ongoing World Cup quarter-final clash between Argentina and the Netherlands, which currently sees the Albiceleste lead 1-0:
      The rhythm of the Argentine drums is not stopping. I don’t think it’ll stop all night.
      You can see why. Holland may have plenty of the ball but they do not look as if they have a clue what to do with it.
      Those small bunches of Dutch fans already appear resigned to their team’s fate.
      Of course, it is only 1-0. One moment, one mistake….ask Brazil.
      But it doesn’t feel like that is going to happen.Martin LiptonSunSport
      England vs France preview
      England are set for their toughest test in the 2022 World Cup as they take on France in the quarter-finals at the Al Bayt Stadium.
      Chelsea star Raheem Sterling returned to Qatar after flying home to London but doesn’t seem likely to take part in the match.
      Arsenal ace Ben White left the squad for “personal reasons” with reports suggesting he fell out with manager Gareth Southgate’s assistant Steve Holland.
      Newcastle’s Callum Wilson is nursing a minor strain, while West Ham’s Declan Rice missed training on Wednesday due to an illness that is unlikely to prevent him from playing.
      France manager Didier Deschamps, on the other hand, is set to have star man Kylian Mbappe available following an injury scare that led him to miss training
      Credit: Getty
      Netherlands 0-1 Argentina
      Argentina have opened the scoring against the Netherlands with Nahuel Molina’s opener.
      Molina broke the deadlock after a stunning assist by Lionel Messi on 35 minutes.
      Here’s word from SunSport’s man on the field Martin Lipton:
      Sorry. I thought it was loud before.
      Completely wrong.
      But as that ball rolled into the Dutch net, the whole flipping roof came off.
      A genuine explosion of raw joy, passion, desire.
      Sheer genius by Messi, ghosting away from a blanket of orange shirts to prod through, with Molina getting the wrong side of opposite number Blind to poke past Noppert.
      Now Holland have to change it up. Can they?Martin LiptonSunSport
      Word from the ground
      Argentine fans had been getting a little more edgy with Holland starting to impose their game-plan on affairs, writes SunSport’s man on the field Martin Lipton.
      But that little shuffle and spin by Messi got them going again, even if the shot didn’t really trouble Noppert at any point.
      Clear that the Dutch think they can get in behind the Argentine full-backs.
      The South Americans inside, though, are making one hell of a racket. Relentless
      Southgate on Walker vs Mbappe
      England manager Gareth Southgate insists Kyle Walker and the whole team will have to be at their best when they face France and Kylian Mbappe, writes SunSport’s Charlie Wyett.
      “We are talking about the opposition but they are a fantastic team.
      “We are aware of the whole squad and they have been able to cope with the loss of some big players.
      “Didier [Deschamps] has created a team which is stronger than the individuals which was not always the case with France in the same way it was not always the case with us. We have to be at our best”
      Kane on Lloris
      England captain Harry Kane is ready to face “one of the best keepers out there” when he takes on France skipper and Tottenham team-mate Hugo Lloris, writes SunSport’s Charlie Wyett.
      Kane said: “Huge is a fantastic leader. Leads by example, is quite calm in pressure situations and knows when his voice needs to be heard. I have learnt a lot from him and his leadership skills.
      “We train a lot, together, play a lot together, but I am someone who always backs myself against any keeper.
      “But I have seen Hugo pull off fantastic saves and hopefully tomorrow, I will have some chances I will be able to put away.
      “I will have to be at the top of my game as I am facing one of the best keepers out there”
      Credit: Getty
      Atmosphere at the stadium
      The wall of sound from the Argentine supporters was absolutely incredible, writes SunSport’s Martin Lipton.
      All it needs is the ticker-tape and we could be back in 1978.
      But Holland knew this was going to be an “away” match.
      Van Gaal wants the South Americans to get giddy with that fervent backing and over-commit
      Word from the ground
      Louis van Gaal has first criticised, then mocked, the tiny numbers who have come from Holland to support their team, writes SunSport’s man on the field Martin Lipton
      Less the famed Oranje Army. In fact, barely a platoon.
      And, unsurprisingly, those few orange shirts dotted around the Lusail Iconic Stadium have been almost swept away by the tide of sky blue and white.
      Buenos Aires is two and a half times further away from Doha than the “mere” 3,000 miles from Amsterdam.
      But the fans from the capital, from Rosario, from Mendoza and Mal Del Plata have made the journey in their thousands.
      They believe this WILL be the year when Lionel Messi proves, for once and for all, that he truly is the inheritor of Diego Maradona’s mantle of World Cup greatness.
      Kane praises Walker
      Harry Kane hailed Kyle Walker as the best right-back of the last decade ahead of his duel with Kylian Mbappe, writes SunSport’s Dan King.
      The England captain said: “Me and Kyle have known each other a long time.
      “Kyle is a fantastic defender. He’s probably the most consistent right-back there has been for the last 10 or so years.
      “He’s improved as he’s gone along in his career and I think he’s playing at the highest level he ever has.
      “I know there’s a lot of talk about Kyle and Kylian, but Kyle will be focused on doing his job for the team as he always does. Whether that’s with or without the ball he will be ready.
      “I’m always happy to play with him. I think he’s one of the best players there is”
      Argentina celebrate Brazil elimination
      Argentina fans were spotted celebrating Brazil’s elimination from the 2022 World Cup.
      The Selecao were shockingly knocked out by Croatia on penalties and the Argentinean fans watched from the Lusail Stadium ahead of their quarter-final clash with the Netherlands.
      And the Albiceleste faithful loved the sight of their rivals going out.
      More below:

      Croatia 1-1 Brazil
      Brazil are out of the World Cup! Croatia have made it through to the semi-finals!
      The Croats have done it again and won their FOURTH penalty shootout!
      Zlatko Dalic’s men won 4-2 thanks to a save by Dominik Livakovic and Marquinhos ultimately hitting the post.
      Croatia didn’t miss a SINGLE penalty! How scary are they…?
      Croatia 1-1 Brazil
      That’s the end of extra-time, Brazil and Croatia are set for a penalty shootout.
      The Selecao opened the scoring during extra-time with Neymar but the Croats wouldn’t give up.
      And so they equalise with Bruno Petkovic to set up a spot-kick bonanza.
      Follow all the action in SunSport’s live blog
      Croatia 1-1 Brazil
      Croatia have equalised with Bruno Petkovic during extra-time on 117 minutes!
      The Croats caught the Selecao with a stunning counter-attack that allowed Mislav Orcic to set Petkovic up with a beautiful low cross from the left.
      Just three more minutes before penalties, in which Croatia thrive!
      Follow all the action in SunSport’s live blog
      Antony’s Samba dive
      Brazil and Manchester United ace Anthony has been caught attempting an outrageous dive against Croatia in the 2022 World Cup quarter-finals.
      The winger was attempting to win his side a free-kick in a dangerous position when he took the embarrassing tumble.
      The 22-year-old had moved the ball past Ivan Perisic but then collapsed to the ground on 74 minutes.
      Fortunately, the Brazil international was not rewarded for his antics and play was waved on by referee Michael Oliver, despite the player’s protests.
      Although, Antony did have some luck as he did escape punishment for what was a clear dive
      Watch Antony’s outrageous dive against Croatia as Man Utd ace somehow avoids yellow card in Brazil World Cup clash
      Croatia 0-1 Brazil
      Brazil have finally broken the deadlock against Croatia during extra-time.
      The Selecao opened the scoring during stoppage time in the first half.
      Neymar tied Pele’s goal tally in style as he dribbled past a Croatian defender and goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic after an assist by Lucas Paqueta.
      Just one more half of extra-time keeps Brazil from the semi-finals
      Southgate on White
      England manager Gareth Southgate insists Arsenal ace Ben White left Qatar due to “personal reasons”.
      This comes after reports suggesting White had a bust-up with Southgate’s assistant Steve Holland.
      “As far as I am aware the article used words like alleged so whoever wrote it did not feel strongly enough it was correct.
      “Ben left for personal reasons, we made that very clear. And in this day and age it is important a situation like this is respected”
      Credit: PA
      John Stones’ picks
      John Stones was asked on the Lions Den to name his dream five-a-side team, writes SunSport’s Charlie Wyett.
      Surprisingly, he named Bobby Moore, Pele, Lionel Messi, Phil Foden and. . . Joe Hart.
      Stones also claimed he would have been a decent Premier League striker.
      He said: “I would have been a big target man. I only say that because of who I have played with, who I have played against day-in day-out.
      “I am nowhere as good as them but I have learnt from them. Maybe not at the top of the Premier League but I would like to think I would be in the Prem”
      Stones on Beckham
      John Stones revealed he was star-struck when David Beckham paid a surprise visit to the England camp, writes SunSport’s Charlie Wyett.
      Beckham watched training at the team’s Al Wakrah Sports Club training base during the group stages
      Stones said: “I have never felt like that before when they said ‘Beckham is coming to training and wants to meet you all’.
      “This was at the start of the session and I kept looking over to the tunnel where he was going to come out thinking ‘is he here yet?’ We got to meet him. I was a big fan as a kid”
      Load more entries… More

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      When is England vs France – World Cup quarter-final? Kick-off time, TV, stream FREE, team news for World Cup clash

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      ENGLAND face a date with destiny as Gareth Southgate’s men come up against the world champions France in their quarter-final clash TOMORROW.The nation will be on tenterhooks as they see whether Southgate’s troops have what it takes to upset the odds.

      Southgate has some huge calls to make on his team selection – notably whether to go toe-to-toe with Les Bleus.
      The Three Lions have a stunning array of attacking talent, with the likes of Raheem Sterling, Phil Foden, Bukayo Saka and Marcus Rashford battling for two supporting roles for Harry Kane.
      But the squad will be buoyed by the return of winger Sterling after the sickening burglary at his home in Surrey.
      And undoubtedly the eyes of the world will be on wonderkid Jude Bellingham, with his club Borussia Dortmund facing a huge battle to keep hold of him in summer.
      Read More World Cup News
      How did they get here?
      England overcame Senegal to sail into the quarters courtesy of a 3-0 victory.
      Southgate’s lads topped their Group B thanks to wins over Iran and Wales, 6-2 and 3-0 respectively, and a dour 0-0 draw against USA
      France made it through to the quarters after a 3-1 win over Poland, in which Olivier Giroud became their record scorer of all time.
      The World Cup’s top scorer Kylian Mbappe added the second and third. They beat Australia 4-1 and Denmark 2-1 in Group D before a shock 1-0 defeat to Tunisia.
      Most read in Football
      BETTING SPECIAL – BEST WORLD CUP BETTING OFFERS AND FREE BETS

      What is the team news and any injuries to worry about?
      England fans had cause for concern earlier in the week when Declan Rice was reportedly suffering with illness – but he thankfully rejoined in the training sessions.
      John Stones and Callum Wilson are also being bothered with niggles but should both make the team at least. Raheem Sterling is back from his leave of absence after his house was burgled.
      France were hit with some BIG injury news before a ball was even kicked with star striker Karim Benzema ruled out with injury.
      Lucas Hernandez has also fallen to the treatment table after doing his ACL.

      Who will be the star men?
      Jude Bellingham has the world in awe with some stunning performances for England this winter.
      Harry Kane finally got the goal his all-round play has deserved – he may even be planning a late run for the Golden Boot.
      For France, look no further than the tournament top scorer Kylian Mbappe. He has looked virtually unplayable.
      Olivier Giroud became his country’s record goalscorer this World Cup – and he offers a very different threat up top to his partner in crime Mbappe.
      What’s the head to head?
      England have a brilliant record against France.
      The Three Lions have won 17 of the 31 games they have faced each other, with France triumphant in nine and five draws.
      But the most recent clash wasn’t so great for England – Deschamps guided Les Blues to a 3-2 win in a 2017 friendly.

      SunSport prediction
      Ok, we are simply letting our heart rule here.
      England face a monumental task to try and dump out Mbappe et al but their is a wave of euphoria sweeping over the nation…
      Go on Gareth and the lads, YOU CAN DO IT!
      England 1 France 1 (Eng win on pens)
      When is England vs France?

      England vs France takes place TOMORROW – Saturday, December 10.
      The match kicks off at 7pm UK time.
      The Al-Bayt Stadium plays host.

      What TV channel and live stream is England vs France on?

      England vs France will be broadcast live on ITV 1.
      It will be live-streamed on ITV X , the mobile app which is available for download.

      QUARTER-FINALS
      Friday, December 9

      Saturday, December 10

      SEMI-FINALS
      Tuesday, December 13

      Match 61: Croatia vs Argentina (7pm)

      Wednesday, December 14

      Match 62: Winners of Match 59 vs England or France (7pm)

      THIRD PLACE PLAY-OFF
      Saturday, December 17

      Losers of Match 61 vs Losers of Match 62 (3pm)

      Read More on The Sun
      FINAL
      Sunday, December 18

      Winners of Match 61 vs Winners of Match 62 (3pm) More

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      Bullish and decisive Gareth Southgate is morphing into Jose Mourinho – he is England’s Special One

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      THEY were the sort of words that you might expect Jose Mourinho to deliver on the eve of an epic match: Self-assured, decisive and bullish.Gareth Southgate might not quite have the charisma and bombast of Mourinho but — in his own quiet, measured way — the England  manager was oozing with confidence ahead of the World Cup quarter-final against France.
      England boss Gareth Southgate addresses the mediaCredit: Reuters
      Southgate told us he had picked his team to face the world champions as early as Monday — and it is expected to be unchanged from the side which ruthlessly disposed of Senegal in the last 16.
      He was adamant that his side have improved significantly since the last World Cup.
      He demanded  his men ‘stand up’ and ‘nail’ this fixture and insisted they are ‘not ready to go home’.
      And after his own decision- making was widely questioned when England tossed away leads in the 2018 World Cup semi-final to Croatia and last year’s Euros final against Italy, he sounded full of self-belief about his own qualities too.
      Read more on England
      Southgate is England’s Special One. 
      It is a cast-iron fact that he is the most successful Three Lions manager for over half a century.
      Now, his words — if not his manner — have the smack of  vintage Mourinho about them.
      Asked whether he had decided on his formation, there was no suggestion of any dithering over possibly   switching to a five-man defence — and it would be an extraordinary curveball if he moved away from his 4-3-3 now.
      Most read in Football
      Southgate said: “We decided on Monday. We’d already watched all the games of France, we’d already reviewed our game against Senegal.
      “So we were very clear on the right path — because then you’ve got to deliver that through the week.  
      “I know people think I have a preference for a certain system, but if anything my preference has always been 4-3-3, I just don’t think it’s always been appropriate for us to get the best out of the team.
      “The job is not just to have a  philosophy, the job is to win football matches.  You can have a philosophy  — but if you’re going home at the start of the tournament, then the philosophy doesn’t wash really.”
      Gareth Southgate is starting to sound like Roma coach Jose MourinhoCredit: Getty
      How England are expected to line up against France
      Spain and Germany  stuck rigidly to an idealist version of possession football and they are now at home doing their Christmas shopping.
      Southgate’s England have always been flexible and pragmatic. Going into the quarter-finals, no side had scored more goals or kept more clean sheets at this World Cup.
      And Southgate is confident  his blend of wise old heads and fearless youth are capable of handling one of the biggest matches of their lives against Kylian Mbappe and Co at the Al Bayt Stadium.  
      He said: “We have got individual players with big-match experience and I have no fear about the young ones, because they are just going to go and play.
      “In big games, big players step up and they can be decisive. We have been doing that in this tournament.
      “On these nights, you’ve got to have men who stand up and take on the challenge. That’s the bit  we’ve got to prove to people.
      “If you asked me four years ago were we quite ready, I’m not sure.
      “Now I feel differently — and that’s because we’ve got evidence over a long period.
      “I have confidence in the players, we are in a good place.
      England’s gym is dominated by the slogan We didn’t come this far just to come this farCredit: Getty
      “So when France have those moments, which they are bound to have — and we are going to have similar moments — we must be steadfast and continue to be brave.”
      Regarding his own abilities and experience, Southgate is a man  comfortable in his own skin.
      So comfortable  he won’t attempt to give a Churchillian pre-match team talk — in fact, he won’t make any speech in the dressing-room.
      Southgate added: “By that time my work is done, so I leave it to Harry Kane and the players.
      “When I was a player, a lot of times managers spoke before kick-off, and I thought ‘I’m ready, all you can do now is mess it up for me!’
      “If we don’t win, I know where the buck will stop. But that’s fine, I’m the manager, I have to take responsibility.
      “I feel good about where I am on my decision-making and  my energy — my excitement for the game.
      “I’d be an idiot if I hadn’t learned in five years managing some of the biggest games in world football,  the most high-profile players in Europe.
      “And, going through the experience of having one of  the most high-profile jobs in the country, you learn quite a lot.”
      Read More on The Sun
      On the prospect of this being the last match he takes charge of at a World Cup, Southgate said: “It is not the stage where we are ready to go home.
      “And it is not the point where we are even thinking of going home.” More

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      Alan Ball’s 1966 England World Cup winner’s medal sells for record sum at auction

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      ALAN Ball’s 1966 England World Cup winner’s medal sold for a record £252,000 at auction yesterday.The red No 7 shirt he wore in the 4-2 triumph over West Germany fetched another £164,000.
      Alan Ball’s 1966 England World Cup winner’s medal has sold for a record £252,000 at auctionCredit: M and Y Portsmouth
      And his blue England cap presented for playing in the tournament went for £145,000.
      Ball was the youngest member of the World Cup winning team, aged 21.
      The former Everton and Arsenal midfield ace died of a heart attack in 2007 aged 61.
      His mementoes were sold in 2005 to businessman Edwin Davies, former owner of Ball’s hometown club Bolton Wanderers, who died in 2018.
      Read more on World Cup
      The sum paid for the medal by the successful bidder beat the previous record of £188,000 for Nobby Styles’s World Cup winner’s gong in 2010.
      The three historic items went under the hammer at Tennants Auctioneers in Leyburn, North Yorkshire.
      Keegan Harrison, a sporting specialist at Tennants, said: “It has been a privilege to handle such an important piece of English sporting history.
      “It has been 56 years since that incredible match, but it is still very close to the hearts of all football fans.”
      Most read in Football
      Brazil great Pele’s shirt from the first half against England at the 1970 World Cup went for £33,000 at the same auction. More

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      I work in HR – here’s everything your boss could do if you turn up to work drunk after watching World Cup games

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      FANS have turned out in their thousands to watch the Three Lions storm through World Cup – but one HR director has issued a stark warning.Drinks will be flowing at pubs across the nation, but if an employee turns up to work intoxicated after a World Cup game, things could get complicated.
      The beer will be flowing tomorrow as England faces France in QatarCredit: EPA
      A warning has been issued by a HR representativeCredit: Tiktok/@jenny_at_brighthr
      Jenny posts advice on her Tik Tok account about human resources issues in the workplace.
      Her latest video issues a stark warning to workers who turn up drunk to work.
      Jenny said: “Rules shouldn’t be changed just because of the World Cup.”
      “Check your policy on alcohol use. An employee that turns up at work drunk should be sent home.”
      READ MORE WORLD CUP
      Viewers of the video were quick to joke about the warning.
      One user said: “Policies will be reviewed if England brings it home.”
      A second commenter said: “Completely disagree. Rules should change because of the World Cup.”
      Though employment law doesn’t specifically prohibit turning up to work drunk, many companies have written policies prohibiting it.
      Most read in Football
      Legal firm The Peninsula Group Limited explains on their website more about drinking before or during work.
      If a company policy states that drunkenness is “misconduct” or “gross misconduct”, this means an employee will face disciplinary action.
      “Other companies may take a more relaxed approach and allow moderate drinking during lunch breaks or when with clients, as long as it does not impair their ability to perform their work.”
      Jenny recommends employers should deal with this issue as they would at any other time of year.
      Jenny says the World Cup is no excuse for bad behaviourCredit: Tiktok/@jenny_at_brighthr
      Workers are urged not to drink before going to workCredit: AFP or licensors More

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      How many red cards have their been during the 2022 World Cup?

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      THE 2022 World Cup managed to go through an entire first round of group games without a single red card.Every single team had played 90 minutes before one was shown.
      Wales keeper Wayne Hennessey was sent off for whacking Iran’s Mehdi TaremiCredit: Reuters
      But that all changed when Wales played Iran.
      How many red cards have there been at the 2022 World Cup?
      There have been THREE red cards at the World Cup so far.
      The first sending-off came for Wales when they played Iran in their Group B clash.
      Wayne Hennessey was shown a red card for clobbering Mehdi Taremi in the last 10 minutes of their second game.
      Denzel Dumfries was sent off for a second yellow in the Netherlands’ eventual penalty defeat by Argentina.

      Wayne Hennessey – WALES vs Iran (violent conduct)
      Vincent Aboubakar – CAMEROON vs Brazil (second yellow)
      Denzel Dumfries – NETHERLANDS vs Argentina (second yellow)

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      World Cup 2022Everything you need to know about the World Cup More

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      Nicolas Otamendi celebrates penalty triumph in Netherlands players’ faces as Argentina win bad-tempered World Cup clash

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      NICOLAS OTAMENDI celebrated right in the Netherlands players’ faces after knocking them out of the World Cup.The Argentina defender was with his team-mates on the halfway line when Lautaro Martinez dispatched the winning penalty in the shootout.
      Nicolas Otamendi and the Argentina players goaded their Dutch rivals after the shootoutCredit: AP
      Edgar Davids was involved as Denzel Dumfries was sent offCredit: Rex
      But that was not the end of the fiery drama.
      Otamendi, 34, made a deliberate beeline in front of the heartbroken Dutch stars.
      The ex-Manchester City man goaded his rivals by cupping both ears with his hands.
      Fellow Argentina stars Leandro Paredes, Gonzalo Montiel, Angel Di Maria, German Pezzella and Alexis Mac Allister all sought out the Netherlands as they raced past to join Martinez.
      READ MORE ON WORLD CUP
      And that caused yet another flashpoint as tempers boiled over one final time after an epic quarter-final.
      Bungling referee Mateu Lahoz brandished more yellow cards after the end of the shootout – including two for Denzel Dumfries as he was sent off – as the two teams and backroom staff clashed.
      That took the record tally of bookings up to a whopping 18.
      Paredes saw yellow when he scythed down Nathan Ake then booted the ball towards the Dutch bench on 88 minutes trying to close out the win in normal time.
      Most read in Football
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      He was immediately hounded by the Oranje subs as a mass melee broke out while Virgil van Dijk brutally barged him to the ground.
      Both sets of players grew increasingly frustrated with Lahoz’s performance.
      And even with his World Cup dream alive – thanks in large part to goalkeeper Emi Martinez’s heroics in the shootout – Lionel Messi was not happy.
      The Argentina captain, whose side face Croatia in the final four, fumed: “I think that Fifa cannot use this referee for this type of match because he is not up to the task.”
      Virgil van Dijk sent Leandro Paredes flyingCredit: Reuters
      Lionel Messi’s World Cup dream is still aliveCredit: Reuters
      Both teams were frustrated with the refereeCredit: Getty More

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      Rishi Sunak could fly to Qatar for World Cup final to watch England make history

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      RISHI Sunak could fly to Qatar for the World Cup final if England make it through to the final.The PM is cheering on our boys from the UK for now as they face France today.
      Rishi Sunak could fly to Qatar for the World Cup final if England make it through to the finalCredit: Alamy
      He will host a number of Tory MPs with him to watch the match at his countryside retreat, Chequers.
      And he wished the boys the “best of luck” ahead of the clash.
      No10 said: “He obviously wishes Gareth and the team the best of luck.
      He knows that the team will give everything they can to try and win the match.
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      And he may choose to jet off at the last minute to watch them play in person – if the team makes it all the way through to the end of the tournament.
      But Qatar has been hit with claims of human rights abuses of workers who put together the stadium – and ministers have warned LGBT fans to take care when they visit.
      Mr Sunak has confessed he’s a “massive football fan” and has been keenly cheering England along.
      Prince William previously said he won’t be attending any World Cup matches, despite his role as President of the FA.
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