World Cup

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

WORLD CUP fans were left baffled after Neymar failed to take a penalty in Brazil’s shoot-out defeat to Croatia.Brazil were dumped out of the World Cup after Rodrygo and Marquinhos missed from 12 yards.
Neymar broke down in tears following Brazil’s World Cup exitCredit: Reuters
Defender Marquinhos stepped up before Neymar and missed the deciding spot-kickCredit: Getty
Rodrygo (right) missed the first penalty of the shoot-outCredit: Reuters
Neymar scored a brilliant goal in extra-time before Bruno Petkovic equalised to set up a penalty shoot-out.
But Neymar was selected as Brazil’s fifth penalty taker and since the order could not be changed he did not even get the opportunity to to take one as Croatia won 4-2 on penalties.
That left fans puzzled with many questioning why Neymar was not the first man to step up.
One fan said: “I can’t get my head wrapped round why neymar didn’t take the first penalty.”
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Another added: “Neymar is a clown for not taking a penalty. How have you not learned from the past that the 5th penalty isn’t guaranteed? Take it and get it over with.”
And a third said: “You put your best first. Just cowardice from Neymar.”
Another commented: “Marquinhos taking a penalty before Neymar😂😂.”
Neymar perhaps wanted to claim the glory as being the man to score the key penalty to send Brazil through.
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Cristiano Ronaldo attempted the same in a Euro 2012 semi-final against Spain but he did not get the chance to step up after Portugal missed two penalties.
ITV pundit Jurgen Klinsmann was also shocked by Brazil’s tactics for the shoot-out and questioned why Neymar was the fifth taker.
He said said: “Managers have totally different approaches.
“Recently we have seen the best penalty takers take the first penalty.
“Set the tone. Don’t keep them for the fifth because you might not get the chance to take one.
“For me Neymar would have been the No1 penalty taker. Set the tone and calm everyone else down.
“The momentum was with Croatia after the equaliser. Then if you are a Brazilian suddenly you are scared.

“The whole nation is expecting you to go through to the semis and you start to panic.
“You are then far more nervous. You don’t get any time to calm down.”
Neymar scored but couldn’t prevent Brazil crashing out More

KYLIAN MBAPPE’S pace has England fans nervous — but he is not even in the top two fastest Frenchmen.The Three Lions take on France in the World Cup quarter-finals on Saturday and Mbappe is viewed as the biggest threat to Gareth Southgate’s side’s hopes.
Kylian Mbappe is not the fastest player in the France teamCredit: Getty
Barcelona’s Ousmane Dembele has hit the highest speed out of any of the French playersCredit: Getty
Theo Hernandez has clocked the second fastest speed in the teamCredit: Getty
Champions League data shows the PSG star was the third-quickest French player in this season’s groups.
Barcelona’s Ousmane Dembele is at the top of the rankings having registered 36.6kmh, exactly level with Shakhtar Donetsk’s Ukrainian hotshot Mykhailo Mudryk.
Dembele has not been brilliant for the La Liga side this season but has still chipped in with some valuable contributions.
His four goals and five assists in the league helped the team claim top spot before the break for the World Cup.
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At the tournament, he is yet to find the net but has provided two assists.
With Luke Shaw expected to keep his place at left-back, the Manchester United defender will have to be on form to keep the winger quiet.
AC Milan left-back Theo Hernandez was the next French star, in tenth at 35.7kmh, with Mbappe behind him in 11th.
Hernandez will likely be playing behind Mbappe in the match against England.
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He has already provided two assists at the tournament, continuing his fine form in Serie A.
For his club, Hernandez has been very good defensively and has also scored two and assisted two more in his 13 league appearances.
While Kyle Walker is believed to be put Mbappe duty, whoever Southgate plays at right-wing will have their fair share of defending to do.
Bukayo Saka could be the choice in that case, as he has previously been used as a wing-back at times in his career.

Portugal’s AC Milan forward Rafael Leao (36.5kmh) then Real Madrid’s Uruguay midfield ace Federico Valverde (36.3kmh), and another Portuguese star — Marseille’s Arsenal loanee Nuno Tavares (36.2kmh) — complete the top five.
Should England beat France, they will then face either Portugal or Morocco in the semi-finals of the World Cup for a spot in the final. More