World Cup

LIONEL MESSI lit up the World Cup as he created an Argentina goal with an incredible no-look pass against the Netherlands.The South Americans went into Friday’s World Cup quarter final with high hopes after discovering rivals Brazil had been sent packing on penalties by Croatia.
Lionel Messi produced a stunning no-look pass for an Argentina goal against the DutchCredit: BBC

Messi’s piece of magic saw Nahuel Molina net his first ever international goalCredit: Getty
But despite having a spring in their step, a tense first half saw Argentina struggle for opportunities as they matched their opponents with a five-man defence.
However, Messi stepped up with 10 minutes remaining to show he’s determined to win his first-ever World Cup.
The Paris Saint-Germain star picked the ball up on the right wing before cutting inside on his magical left foot.
As Nathan Ake attempted to block Messi’s route to goal, the talismanic forward continued to drag his opponent deeper into the middle of the pitch.
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A twist here and a shimmy there, Messi left Man City defender Ake a tangle of limbs as he then produced a laser-sharp pass towards the right flank.
Messi wasn’t even looking in the direction he played the ball as the change in action bamboozled the Dutch.
But there was one man on the same wavelength as Messi.
Step forward Argentina right-back Nahuel Molina, who earned his World Cup call-up after an impressive start at new club Atletico Madrid.
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As every other player struggled to comprehend what had happened, Molina darted in behind Virgil van Dijk to slice home a clever finish and send Argentina’s supporters into raptures.
But even Molina knew he owed his first-ever international goal to Messi, with the defender and teammates immediately mobbing the legendary No10.
Fans were certainly blown away by Messi’s pass, with one saying: “What a pass by Messi, he wasn’t even looking.”
Another declared: “Messi has the master key!”
One added: “Assist was honestly better than the goal.”
Things got even better for Messi in the second half when he made it 2-0 to Argentina.
Marcos Acuna was taken down in the Dutch box in the 72nd minute.
And Messi confidently stepped up to slot home the resulting penalty for his 95th international goal. More

JAMIE CARRAGHER believes only three England stars would get into France’s team but is confident the Three Lions will find a way to win.The pundit also claimed no right-back is better suited to dealing with the threat of Kylian Mbappe than Kyle Walker.
Jamie Carragher believes Kyle Walker is a perfect match for Kylian MbappeCredit: Reuters
Carragher thinks only three England players would get into France’s teamCredit: Getty
Carragher would pick Walker, Kane and Bellingham in a combined XI
England take on France at 7pm on Saturday in a crunch quarter-final clash.
And although Carragher feels France have a stronger starting eleven than England, he is confident of a Three Lions win due to the squad’s strength in depth.
In his column for The Telegraph Carragher suggested only Walker, Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham would get into the France team.
That means he would likely pick Antoine Griezmann and Aurelien Tchouameni in midfield ahead of Declan Rice and Jordan Henderson.
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While he also favours Raphael Varane and Dayot Upamencano in defence instead of Harry Maguire and John Stones.
Despite France’s personnel superiority, Carragher believes England should not change to counter their threat.
He dimissed the suggestion Southgate should switch to five-at-the-back, saying: “It is unnecessary.
“Whether Walker is right centre-back or right-back, his duel with Mbappe is still going to be based on their sprint races. England will lose too much up the park if they sacrifice an attacker for a defender.
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“If you could pick any right back in the world to face Mbappe it would be Walker due to his raw pace.”
Carragher also urged Southgate to be brave and make use of all the options available to him on the bench, where he believes the game could be won.
He said: “If France have a superior starting XI, England have a better 16-man squad if both sides use their full allocation of substitutes,’ he added.
“This match can be won from the bench, where Southgate’s options are as good as any coach left in the tournament. This is where he must be at his bravest.” More

ARGENTINA fans were celebrating in their seats two hours before kick off against the Netherlands – because bitter rivals Brazil crashed out of the World Cup.The South American giants – the two pre-tournament favourites – were widely expected to meet in an eagerly-anticipated semi-final.
Argentina fans got into the ground early to catch the last few minutes of the Brazil gameCredit: Reuters
Brazil lost on penalties to Croatia after a 1-1 drawCredit: Getty
Supporters celebrated wildly in the Lusail StadiumCredit: Getty
Argentina face Holland in their quarter-finalCredit: AP
But Brazil were stunned by Croatia as the 2018 finalists won 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw after extra-time.
Bruno Petkovic equalised in the 116th minute before Rodrygo and Marquinhos missed from the spot in the shootout to send the Selecao home from Qatar 2022.
And it is safe to say the Argentina fans were utterly delighted by their rivals’ plight.
Supporters inside and outside the Lusail Stadium early for the Dutch clash caught the penalty drama on mobile phones.
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Then as soon as Marquinhos’ effort bounced back off the post, they burst into wild jubilation.
Some waved flags over their heads and one even put on a Luka Modric Croatia shirt as they let out almighty cheers to wave goodbye to their neighbours.
Gary Lineker filmed the scenes from the BBC TV studio inside the ground.
The Match of the Day host wrote: “Think Argentina’s fans enjoyed Brazil’s penalty loss.”
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Another Twitter user added: “The sort of s***housery we can all get behind.”
However, a Brazil fan account commented: “Netherlands I beg you please win today. Argentina fans were going crazy when Brazil lost. No shame.”
But with the clash against Holland not even underway, one fan warned the Argentines not to celebrate too much in case they bump into Brazil at the airport tonight.
Neymar was in tears as Brazil were knocked outCredit: Reuters
Fans were understandably gutted in the standsCredit: PA More

BRAZIL manager Tite has revealed why star player Neymar did not take a penalty in the shootout against Croatia.The South American side were knocked out of the World Cup after penalties against the Europeans.
Neymar did not take a spot kick in Brazil’s defeat to CroatiaCredit: Avalon.red
Brazil boss Tite admitted that Neymar would have taken the fifth penaltyCredit: Getty
The game ended goalless after 90 minutes before Neymar and Bruno Petkovic’s extra-time strikes meant the game had to be decided by spot kicks.
Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic kept out Rodrygo’s effort, and then Marquinhos missed his side’s fourth penalty.
However, as Croatia went perfectly with four out of four, it meant that there would be no need for a fifth penalty.
Fans believed that Neymar was queued up to take his side’s next penalty but was denied the opportunity after the damming miss.
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Tite confirmed this theory after the game as he explained that he wanted the “better” player to take the penalty with “more pressure”.
After the game, he said: “Neymar would take the fifth and decisive penalty, which puts more pressure on the better player.”
The Brazil manager also confirmed that he would be stepping down from the role.
He added: “It was a painful defeat, but I’m at peace with myself. It’s the end of the cycle.”
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The 61-year-old had admitted that he planned to leave the job after the tournament in February.
Croatia, however, have to plan for another World Cup semi-final, having reached the final four years ago in Russia.
They will face either Argentina or the Netherlands for a spot in the final. More

GARETH SOUTHGATE will name an unchanged England side for Saturday’s World Cup quarter-final clash with France.The Three Lions booked a place in the last eight with a thumping 3-0 win over African champions Senegal.
Saka and Henderson keep their placesCredit: Getty
Southgate will stick with the 11 that started against Senegal
Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson and Bukayo Saka were key components of that side, both scoring, and Southgate is set to keep faith in the duo by handing them starts against the reigning world champions.
Henderson will patrol the midfield alongside 19-year-old superstar Jude Bellingham as well as anchorman Declan Rice.
While Saka will start out wide on the right, and will be key in England’s efforts in stopping world beater Kylian Mbappe.
The Arsenal man’s ability to track back will be of massive help to Kyle Walker, who is being talked up as Mbappe’s Kryptonite.
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Saka, who has three World Cup goals to his name, will also pose a threat up the other end of the pitch, and could drag Mbappe back towards his own goal, exploiting his defensive fragility.
He will also provide support to captain Harry Kane as well as Phil Foden.
Southgate mainstay Jordan Pickford keeps his place in the team, as does Harry Maguire, John Stones and Luke Shaw.
Should England get past the French, a date with Morocco or Portugal next Wednesday awaits.
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Most of Henderson’s play in the last round came down the right-hand side
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On the opposite side of the tournament knockout tree, favourites Brazil crashed out on penalties to Croatia on Friday night.
Argentina or Holland’s place in the semi is yet to be confirmed.
England’s World Cup stats More

TITE has left his role as Brazil manager following the quarter-final defeat to Croatia.The five-time champions crashed out of the World Cup after losing 4-2 on penalties to Croatia following a 1-1 draw at the end of extra-time.
Tite is stepping down as Brazil bossCredit: Reuters
In his post-match press conference Tite revealed he would step down as boss – revealing he always intended to leave his post at the end of the tournament.
He said: “As I said, my cycle is over. I said it over a year and a half ago. I’m not a man of two words.”
Tite had promised to quit back in February, revealing he wanted one more shot at winning the World Cup.
He previously stated: “I’m going until the end of the World Cup.
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“I have no reason to lie here. I don’t want to win any way. I’ve won everything in my career, the only thing missing is the World Cup.”
The 61-year-old led Brazil to the quarter-final at the 2018 World Cup where his side lost to Belgium.
And he also reached the Copa America final last year, suffering defeat to Argentina.
But Tite has now decided to step down following a six-year reign.
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And in doing so he became the sixth World Cup manager to leave his post after exiting the competition.
Mexico and manager Gerardo Martinez parted ways following their shock group stage exit, with Roberto Martinez suffering the same fat at Belgium.
Ghana gaffer Otto Addo also left his post, while Spain sacked Luis Enrique following their last-16 penalty shoot-out defeat to Morocco.
While South Korea manager Paulo Bento also planned to stand down at the end of the tournament and did so after being thrashed 4-1 by Brazil. More

FRANCE are reportedly set to name an unchanged side when they play England tomorrow.Didier Deschamps’ defending champions are looking to book their place in the World Cup semis.
Kylian Mbappe will start against England with France’s XI set to remain unchangedCredit: Getty
But standing between France and the last four are Gareth Southgate’s hopefuls.
England have plenty of options at their disposal and look dangerous in all areas of the pitch.
It remains to be seen if Southgate makes any changes to his side, with a potential formation switch also in his thoughts.
However, France are not taking any chances when it comes to their own XI.
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And L’Equipe claims Deschamps has decided to stick with the exact same team that beat Poland 3-1 in the last-16.
That means Hugo Lloris will line up in goal, with Raphael Varane and Dayot Upamecano as centre-backs.
Jules Kounde and Theo Hernandez will patrol the defensive flanks.
And they’ll be supported by a dynamic midfield duo of Aurelien Tchouameni and Adrien Rabiot.
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How France could look against England tomorrow
Up top, Antoine Griezmann will help out Olivier Giroud in the penalty area.
And danger men Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele will be looking to cause havoc out wide.
France will then be able to rely on the likes of Marcus Thuram, Kingsley Coman and Matteo Guendouzi to help out from the bench.
But whatever Deschamps’ final decision may be, the French will surely prove to be tricky customers for Harry Kane and Co. More

IVAN PERISIC’S son ran over to console a heartbroken Neymar after Brazil were knocked out of the World Cup on penalties.The Brazil star was in floods of tears after Marquinhos missed the vital penalty that sealed his team’s fate.

Ivan Perisic has comforted Neymar after the resultCredit: EPA
Like father like son, Perisic’s son also made an effort to console the Brazil starCredit: AP
While still on the pitch, Perisic’s son was filmed running over to the PSG star.
The pair could be seen shaking hands and sharing a brief hug as a show of respect between the player and the child.
Afterwards, Perisic’s son then ran off to join his dad in the celebrations.
The video was shared on Twitter and fans loved the touching moment between the two.
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One tweeted: “So adorable, from both him and Neymar, who despite his sadness took the time to really acknowledge and appreciate his gesture.”
A second commented: “Neymar needed that.
“It’s the lowest moment of his career despite that wonder goal.”
A third wrote: “Classy young fellow. Good of Neymar to greet him too.”
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Neymar in tears and consoled by Raphinha
A fourth said: “Football is more beautiful with moments like this.”
Neymar had thought that he had done enough to get his side into the semi-finals with his goal in the 106th minute.
But Croatia managed to find a way back into the game as Bruno Petkovic’s deflected strike flew past Alisson.
The game was then decided on penalties, and Croatia, fresh off their last shootout win, were composed and clinical, whereas Brazil were not.
And talisman Neymar didn’t even take a penalty.
Neymar was selected as Brazil’s fifth penalty taker and did not even get the opportunity to take one as Croatia won 4-2 on penalties.
Croatia will now face either Argentina or the Netherlands in the semi-finals of the World Cup.
Neymar scored but couldn’t prevent Brazil from crashing out More