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      World Cup Supercomputer predicts rest of tournament ahead of quarter-finals… but will England or France get through?

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      A WORLD Cup supercomputer has predicted the rest of the tournament as the quarter-finals loom.And England are sadly tipped to EXIT the tournament when they play France on Saturday.
      A supercomputer predicts England will LOSE to France… with Brazil winning the World Cup
      Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions are looking to win football’s top prize in Qatar this year.
      Harry Kane and Co have overcome some tricky opponents, beating Iran, Wales and Senegal while drawing against the USA.
      But they face their toughest test against the reigning champs this weekend.
      Kylian Mbappe has been in devastating form, while Olivier Giroud has become France’s all-time leading goal-scorer.
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      And a supercomputer from BonusCodeBets predicts Didier Deschamps will outwit Southgate in their tactical battle.
      That will see France set up a semi-final against Portugal, who are backed to beat Morocco despite Spain falling to the underdogs.
      On the other side of the draw, Argentina are predicted to topple Holland, with Brazil getting the better of Croatia.
      That would result in a mouth-watering Superclasico semi-final.
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      And it’s Tite’s Samba Boys who will apparently do the job against Lionel Messi to reach the World Cup final.
      On the other side of the draw, Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to bow out with Portugal in their semi against France.
      It means the supercomputer reckons Mbappe will face off against Paris Saint-Germain pal Neymar for the top prize.
      But it’s Brazil who will be celebrating come the final whistle with victory over France on reckoning day. More

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      Messi could be BANNED from entering Mexico as politician launches campaign over his ‘contempt’ for country at World Cup

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      LIONEL MESSI could be BANNED from entering Mexico as a furious politician launched a campaign trying to block the Argentine hero – four years before they host the World Cup.Messi, 35, angered Mexicans on and off the pitch at the World Cup in Qatar.
      Lionel Messi’s row with Mexico was escalated by a politicianCredit: Getty
      He caused some anger when he accidentally flicked a Mexico shirt
      He scored the winning goal in their Group C clash to help secure a 2-0 win for La Albiceleste.
      But it was in the changing room celebrations afterwards where the controversy really started.
      Messi seemingly accidentally flicked a Mexico shirt as he tried to take his boots off.
      Boxer Canelo Alvarez kicked off massively, threatening the Argentina captain.
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      And now Maria Clemente Garcia Moreno is leading the calls in government to have Messi barred from setting foot in Mexico.
      The politician described his actions in the dressing room as showing “contempt” and a “lack of respect towards Mexico” and subsequently called for a “persona non grata” against Messi.
      And a legal document reads: “The Chamber of Deputies of the Honorable Congress of the Union respectfully urges the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to issue the corresponding Declaration in order to declare persona non grata within of the territory of the United Mexican States to the citizen of Argentine and Spanish nationality, Lionel Andres Messi Cuccitini, due to his manifest contempt and lack of respect towards Mexico during the World Cup of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) on Saturday, November 26, 2022.”
      Canelo kick-started the bitter row between Messi and Mexico when he tweeted: “Did you guys see Messi cleaning the floor with our jersey and flag. He better pray to God that I don’t find him.
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      “Just like I respect Argentina, he has to respect Mexico! I’m not talking about the country as a whole, just about the bulls*** that Messi did.”
      Former Argentina striker Sergio Aguero then became embroiled in a war of words with the Mexican boxing icon.
      Aguero tried to explain the situation and the reality of the incidental flick – only for Canelo to label him a “hypocrite b******” and a “s***”.
      And Argentinian UFC star Santiago Ponzinibbio even offered to fight the four-weight world champion to settle the spat.
      But it appeared to be de-escalated when the legendary boxer publicly apologised.
      Canelo – whose beloved Mexico were knocked out in the group stages – said: “These last few days I got carried away by the passion and love I feel for my country and made comments that were out of place for which I want to apologise to Messi and the people of Argentina.
      “Every day we learn something new and this time it was my turn.
      “I wish both teams much success in their matches today and here we will continue supporting Mexico until the end.”
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      Messi, meanwhile, will have his full attention on facing Holland in Friday evening’s quarter-final.
      He has already said this would be his last World Cup – even before the mild threat of a ban in Mexico – so is desperate to add the one trophy missing from his incredible collection on December 18.
      Messi scored one and set up the other in the World Cup clashCredit: Getty More

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      Arsenal face fight to keep academy guru Per Mertesacker as Germany want him new sporting director after World Cup exit

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      ARSENAL are facing a battle to keep hold of academy manager Per Mertesacker, according to reports.That’s because Germany want the former Gunners defender to become their new sporting director following their World Cup exit.
      Per Mertesacker has been part of Arsenal’s academy since 2018Credit: Getty
      Hansi Flick’s side came within one goal of reaching the knockout stages, but ultimately paid the price for losing to Japan in their opener.
      They did come from behind to beat Costa Rica on a dramatic final round of fixtures, but it wasn’t enough after Japan beat Spain.
      As a result, the German FA are looking to shake things up before they host Euro 2024.
      And Sky in Germany believe they want Mertesacker to replace Oliver Bierhoff, who resigned from his post after their nightmare in Qatar.
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      They want the 38-year-old to develop the next crop of young players after failing to reach the quarter-finals of a major tournament since 2016.
      Germany crashed out at the group stages in Russia and were beaten by England at Euro 2020.
      But Mertesacker has been with Arsenal for more than 11 years as a player and coach and isn’t likely to be easy to prise away.
      He played for seven years between 2011 and 2018 before becoming academy manager following his retirement.
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      And he’s been in charge of developing the likes of Bukayo Saka and Co in the last four years.
      Therefore, losing him to the Germany national team could be a huge blow for the Gunners. More

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      Kylian Mbappe ‘will train tonight after injury scare’ as France team-mate gives update ahead of England World Cup clash

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      KYLIAN MBAPPE will reportedly return to France training ahead of the World Cup clash with England.The Three Lions are set to meet the reigning world champions on Saturday at 7pm.
      Kylian Mbappe is back in France trainingCredit: Getty
      Mbappe missed training on Tuesday but is now set to return to the squad.
      The superstar had complained of an issue with his ankle but coaching staff insisted Mbappe’s absence was due to him doing recovery work in the gym.
      France defender Ibrahima Konate also told press there was nothing to worry about, claiming Mbappe decided not to train with the rest of the squad after being given a day off on Monday.
      He said at a press conference on Wednesday: “He preferred to stay indoors. We are counting on him as on all the players in the group.

      “It was a little recovery session. The day before, we had a day off.
      “I think he decided to stay indoors with the coach, there is nothing to worry about.”
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      Achraf Hakimi & Richarlison feature in the best Dream Team World Cup XI of the tournament so far

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      WE’RE officially in the nether zone.This is always the most sobering part of a World Cup, when the daily games suddenly comes to a halt, leaving us all bereft.
      Still, at least this pause gives Dream Team World Cup gaffers a chance to take stock and in the spirit of reflection, we’ve assembled an XI of the best performers at the tournament so far.
      GOALKEEPER: Thibaut Courtois (£4.5m)
      You’re still thinking about the bad news…
      Belgium may have crashed out at the group stage but their world-class goalkeeper gave a good account of himself in Qatar.
      Courtois claimed Star Man awards against Canada and Croatia, not forgetting a penalty save to keep the former at bay when it looked for all the world the North Americans would get something from the game.
      The Real Madrid custodian racked up 28 points in three games which is still enough to make him the top performer in his position.
      Croatia’s Dominik Livakovic (£3m) is the best keeper among those still active in the tournament, he’s on 21 points ahead of a daunting meeting with Brazil in the quarter-finals.
      DEFENDERS: Achraf Hakimi (£3m), Harry Maguire (£4m), Daley Blind (£3.5m), Jordi Alba (£4m)
      Morocco’s Panenka hero has been talismanic for his side this winter.
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      Inarguably the best right-back on display, Hakimi has banked 29 points as a key member of an Atlas Lions side fulfilling the role of likeable underdog in Qatar.
      A class act
      The PSG full-back is not top dog among defenders, however, that title belongs to England’s No6.
      Gareth Southgate’s side have kept three consecutive clean sheets since shipping two late on against Iran and Maguire has been the primary beneficiary.
      Many fans may have felt no individual deserved the Star Man award following England’s drab 0-0 with USA but somebody had to get it and the Man United centre-back edged out his rivals to pocket a 13-point haul.
      Add in an assist and four 7+ ratings and you arrive at Maguire’s impressive tally of 33 points.
      Blind was Netherlands’ unlikely hero of the round of 16.
      Operating as left wing-back, the 32-year-old scored one goal and assisted another as the Oranje booked their place in the last eight at USA’s expense.
      A massive match rating of 9.2 earned him the Star Man award, meaning he more than doubled his overall points total in one fell swoop – he’s now on 28 points.
      Love is BlindCredit: getty
      Alba completes our back four having accumulated 26 points during Spain’s curious campaign.
      Again, if you’re not interested in eliminated players then Luke Shaw (£4m) is the replacement – England’s left-back has 25 points.
      MIDFIELDERS: Bruno Fernandes (£4.5m), Frenkie de Jong (£3.5m), Bukayo Saka (£5m)
      With Cristiano Ronaldo (£7m) now a benchwarmer, the mantle of Portugal’s talisman has defaulted from their No7 to their No8.
      Fernandes has two goals, three assists and two Star Man awards from just three outings and already looks nailed on for a spot in the official Team of the Tournament.
      His tally of 34 points makes him king among midfielders at this juncture.
      The best midfielder on display in QatarCredit: getty
      England’s No17 is Fernandes’ closest competitor having scored two goals against Iran plus a delicate finish to seal the victory over Senegal.
      Saka (26 points) is one of SEVEN Englishmen on 20+ points heading into the quarter-finals – no other team can match that right now.
      As a player who operates in a deeper role, De Jong isn’t the type of midfielder who usually succeeds in the realm of Dream Team but he’s earned his tally of 25 points through two Star Man awards and a rare goal against minnows Qatar.
      The Dutchman has got Phil Foden (£5m) and Hakim Ziyech (£3m) breathing down his neck.
      FORWARDS: Lionel Messi (£7.5m), Richarlison (£5.5m), Kylian Mbappe (£7.5m)
      You know it’s a star-studded forward line when Cody Gakpo (£4m) misses the cut on 32 points!
      Brazil’s No9 edges out the Dutchman by one point having scored three goals, earned two Star Man awards and provided one assist despite sitting out the final group game.
      Gaffers who stayed cleared of Richarlison because of his Premier League form have been thoroughly punished.
      Making pigeons popularCredit: getty
      Argentina’s captain is carrying the weight of his nation on his shoulders and so far he’s hardly been hampered at all.
      Sure, the Copa America champions slipped up against Saudi Arabia and Messi missed a penalty against Poland but his performances around those moments have been spellbinding at times – his tally of 36 points is only bettered by one man.
      And that man is his PSG team-mate, France’s 23-year-old sensation.
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      With five goals and two assists, Mbappe already has one hand on the Golden Boot and his Dream Team World Cup total of 48 points may already been unbeatable.
      England will have their hands full on Saturday. More

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      PSG go public in Jude Bellingham transfer race as they join Liverpool, Chelsea and Real Madrid in £130m battle

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      PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN have joined Liverpool, Chelsea and Real Madrid in the £130million race for Jude Bellingham.The Ligue 1 champions have even gone public with their admiration for the England and Borussia Dortmund star.
      PSG have publicly declared their admiration for England star Jude BellinghamCredit: Getty
      Bellingham, 19, has been the Three Lions’ main man at the Qatar World Cup.
      The midfielder shined in several roles before coming into his own as a tenacious No10 against Senegal.
      And Bellingham will be at the forefront of England’s quarter-final clash against France on Saturday.
      But outside the World Cup, things are heating up regarding his club future.
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      Borussia Dortmund expect to lose Bellingham next summer, and want £130m for their star man.
      Liverpool, Chelsea and Real Madrid have all throw their hats in the ring.
      But there’s a new suitor for Bellingham in Ligue 1 champions PSG.
      They already boast the world’s best young forward in Kylian Mbappe.
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      And it appears they want Bellingham to join him in the French capital next year.
      President Nasser Al-Khelaifi has now gone public in his praise of the England ace.
      But he concedes it will be a tough transfer battle as “everybody” wants to sign Bellingham.
      Nasser Al-Khelaifi said: “Amazing player, what a player.
      “England are lucky to have him, to be honest. He’s one of the best players in the tournament.
      “Amazing – his first World Cup. He’s calm and relaxed, confident – amazing.
      “Everybody wants him, I’m not going to hide it.
      “He’s at his club and we have respect, so if we want to talk to him we’ll talk to the club first.” More

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      Spain star Rodri fires parting shot at Morocco for ‘offering absolutely NOTHING’ in shock World Cup win over Spanish

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      MOROCCO’S victory over Spain has left Rodri with a bitter taste in his mouth.The North African side stunned Spain on penalties in a dramatic last-16 tie on Wednesday night.
      Rodri claims Morocco offered ‘absolutely nothing’ despite beating Spain in the last-16Credit: Rex
      Luis Enrique’s side dominated for 120 minutes in Qatar but failed to find the breakthrough they needed.
      And, after the Spanish missed their first three penalties of the shootout, Achraf Hakimi coolly stepped up to Panenka the winner past Unai Simon.
      Rodri, 26, said that Spain deserved the win, despite being dumped out.
      According to the Daily Express, he said: “Morocco offered absolutely nothing, without disrespecting them.
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      “In the game, they did nothing. They just waited for the counters. They stayed behind and tried to counter us.”

      The Man City midfielder spoke to RTVE and admitted it was one of the lowest moments of his career.
      He added: “They were very clear about how they wanted to play
      “There’s not much more to say, penalties are like that. We’re going home, it’s one of the worst days. 
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      “We expected 11 guys behind, it’s complicated, it’s frustrating. I wish someone up there would have helped us.
      “Football is cruel sometimes. The team gave it our all, I think we deserved to go through.” More

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      ‘I’m not going to roll out the red carpet for him’ – Kyle Walker warns Kylian Mbappe ahead of England vs France

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      KYLE WALKER has issued a warning to Kylian Mbappe ahead of England’s crunch World Cup clash with France.The Manchester City full-back, 32, has enjoyed several battles against the 23-year-old Paris Saint-Germain forward during the Champions League.
      Kyle Walker has issued a stern warning to Kylian Mbappe ahead of England’s game with FranceCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      The French forward comes into the clash as the tournament’s top scorerCredit: Getty
      Now the whole planet will get to witness their next one with the both men set to come face-to-face again when the Three Lions face Les Bleus in the World Cup quarter-final on Saturday.
      Mbappe, who gave the French a scare yesterday by sitting out training, comes in to the game in red-hot form.
      He scored twice in the 3-1 victory over Poland in the last-16 to make him the tournament’s current top scorer with five.
      However, many believe that Walker’s pace and experience make him the ideal man to stop the French’s most-dangerous player.
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      And the England star is adamant that no “red carpet” will be rolled out for the superstar as he warned him it’s “do or die” come kick-off at the Al-Bayt Stadium.
      Speaking to the media today, Walker said: “The game isn’t England v Mbappe, it’s England vs France.
      “We will give respect but I’m not going to roll out a red carpet for him to score. It’s do or die as if we lose we go home.
      “I do understand what I need to do and that’s to stop him. It’s probably easier said than done but I don’t underestimate myself. 
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      “I’ve come across great players before so I just treat it like another game. 
      “I’ll give him the respect he deserves but not too much because this is England. No one player makes a team. This isn’t tennis, it isn’t a solo sport.”
      Former England stars Gary Neville and Rio Ferdinand have both stated that boss Gareth Southgate possesses the “only defender on the planet” that can stop Mbappe in Walker.
      Neville told Sky Sports: “It looks like a collision course waiting to happen doesn’t it? Mbappe versus Walker. 
      “We’ve got the perfect right back to deal with Mbappe if anyone can – physical, pace, experience.”
      While Ferdinand told his YouTube channel: “For me, Kyle Walker is the only defender on the planet right now that will stand there and go to Mbappe: ‘Right, 1-v-1, let’s have a race’.
      “He will back himself too. We saw it in the Euros. He’s got the confidence to do that and he’s the only one capable of doing that I think.” More