World Cup

BRAZIL boss Tite has hit back at Roy Keane after the pundit said his side’s celebrations were “disrespecting” South Korea.The South American team were in blistering form as they cruised into the World Cup quarter-finals with a 4-1 win over their opposition.
Brazil manager Tite has hit back at Roy Keane’s comments about his team’s celebrationsCredit: AFP
Keane had called the celebrations ‘disrespectful’Credit: ITV
They performed Samba style dances after each goal against South KoreaCredit: Getty
And even got manager Tite involvedCredit: PA
After each goal, the Brazilians celebrated with their Samba-style dance moves and even included manager Tite after Richarlison’s goal.
However, Keane hammered the performances during the halftime break.
He said: “It’s like watching Strictly. I can’t believe what I’m watching.
“I don’t like this. I think it’s disrespecting the opposition. It’s four [goals] and they’re doing it every time.
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“I don’t mind the first kind of little jig – whatever they’re doing – but they’re still doing it after that and then the manager getting involved with it.
“I’m not happy with it, I don’t think it’s very good at all.”
But Keane in turn has been criticised by Tite for his comments, as the national team boss insists the players were in a “demonstration of joy”.
Tite also suggested that Keane was being “nasty” in his message to his players.
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He said: “I have to be careful because there are always the nasty ones who say it is disrespect.
“It is a demonstration of joy, a celebration.”
Tite was not the only one to hit out at Keane, as goalscorer and West Ham midfielder Lucas Paqueta said: “The dance is a representation of our joy after scoring a goal. We don’t do it to disrespect anyone, we don’t do it in front of our opponents.
“We all get together to celebrate. If they don’t like it, there’s not much to say.”
Football fans also took to social media to tell Keane to “stop complaining”.
One tweeted: “Ohhhhh bore off Roy Keane, complaining about Brazil dancing, Senegal chanting. Lighten up you stiff boring man.”
A second wrote: “Roy Keane saying it’s like strictly come dancing and Brazil are disrespecting South Korea with the dancing, they’d do this against anyone, just enjoy the vibes man.”
A third added: “That’s their culture, their heritage. Let them dance it is who they are.
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“They dance in their different clubs when they score so imagine when they play together.”
Brazil will now play Croatia in the quarter-finals and the squad will be hoping they will be busting out some more moves. More

ENGLAND take on France on Saturday night aiming to dethrone the reigning world champions.Gareth Southgate’s men have so far advanced to the World Cup quarter-finals relatively unscathed, but now face their biggest test by a mile.
Gareth Southgate has some huge decisions to make with his personnelCredit: Getty
Kylian Mbappe has been in red hot form for FranceCredit: Getty
France may be without the likes of Karim Benzema, Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante – but they remain a formidable prospect all the same.
And with Kylian Mbappe in their side, they’ll be a tough team to stop.
Other than in their opening match against Iran, the Three Lions have looked a sturdy side defensively.
But Southgate will now have to ponder whether to make adjustments in order to try and combat the threat of Mbappe.
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On France’s incredible star, the England boss said: “As for Kylian Mbappe, he is a world-class player. He has already delivered high-quality performances in other tournaments of this level.
“But I think that Antoine Griezmann has more than 100 caps and he is phenomenal as well. We know Olivier Giroud very well. In the midfield, there are young players that are doing incredible things.
“When you look at France closely, there is talent in every position. It is a big test for us to face.”
So with the stage set, let’s take a look at how Southgate could choose to line up.
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4-3-3
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, as they say.
England easily swatted aside Senegal with a professional performance on Sunday, so would it hurt to keep the same line-up?
Kyle Walker is one of the very few defenders in world football that can match Mbappe for pace, so it would seem to be lunacy if he didn’t start.
Neither John Stones or Harry Maguire are going to be budged, while the Three Lions don’t have a back up to Luke Shaw.

The midfield unit of Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice and Jordan Henderson worked well last time out, so why the need to change?
With Raheem Sterling back in England with his family after a traumatic burglary at his house, Phil Foden’s place on the left seems secure.
While Bukayo Saka could be the perfect man to get at Theo Hernandez and feed Harry Kane… knowing that Mbappe won’t be tracking back down that side.
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it
3-4-3
Southgate primarily used his three at the back formation during England’s ill-fated Nations League campaign, but has so far left it at home during this tournament.
With the threat of Mbappe looming, however, might he decide that now is the time to turn to it?
He may deduce that adding extra cover to help Walker against the 23-year-old may be a good idea.
This would see him sacrifice an attacker in order to get Kieran Trippier into the team, with Walker tucking into the three.
This sounds good on paper, but whether or not the mid-tournament formation change would benefit the team in practice remains to be seen.
Trippier’s crossing does always add an extra dimension, however, and Marcus Rashford could come into the side looking to add to his two World Cup goals so far.
Southgate may decide to add extra cover on Mbappe’s flank
4-3-3 (alternate)
Realistically it seems that England will either play 4-3-3 or 3-4-3, having not really dabbled with much else in recent years.
Even if Southgate does stick with the tried and tested, however, he could still opt to mix up his personnel a little bit to spring a surprise on the French.
Mason Mount could return to the team fresh and energised, adding some extra creativity to the middle of the park.
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While Southgate could even opt to unleash Jack Grealish from the start.
The £100million man has had to be content with coming off the bench so far, but will be eager to show what he can do in more minutes.
Could the England boss opt to mix it up, with the stakes this high? More

WOLVES star Hwang Hee-chan was overcome with emotion after South Korea suffered World Cup heartbreak at the hands of Brazil.The tournament favourites turned on the style to breeze past South Korea 4-1 in the last-16 on Monday.
Hwang Hee-chan was overcome with emotion after South Korea were knocked out of the World CupCredit: KBS
Hwang broke down in tears following the 4-1 defeat to BrazilCredit: KBS
The Wolves ace choked back more tears as he spokeCredit: KBS
An emotional Hwang at the full-time whistleCredit: Getty
While Hwang and Co were always underdogs for the game, the 26-year-old couldn’t hold back the tears after being knocked out of the tournament.
A devastated Hwang spoke to Korean broadcaster KBS after the game, with emotions still running high.
The forward covered his face with his arm as he broke down live on air.
Hwang had to turn away from the camera and wipe the tears away with his shirt.
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The forward then choked back more tears as he spoke to the reporter.
Hwang posted a lengthy message to Instagram after the game, apologising to South Korea fans for the defeat.
Part of it read: “Thank you so much for your support until late hours and sorry for not being able to show you a better look.
“As much as there were many young players, we will all try together to go in a better direction, and I think it is a team that can expect more and do well in the future.”
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Wolves ace Hwang scored a dramatic 91st minute winner in the 2-1 victory over Portugal that sent South Korea into the knockouts.
But following defeat in the last-16, South Korea boss Paulo Bento immediately resigned from his post.
Brazil goalscorer Richarlison posted a classy message to Tottenham team-mate Son Heung-min after the pair faced off in Qatar.
Richarlison said: “I know how hard you fought out there and that’s why you’re a hero to your people @Sonny7.”
Brazil now face Croatia on Friday for a place in the semi-finals. More

ENGLAND players are using a muscle gun to help them maintain peak condition at the World Cup.The Three Lions will face defending champions France in the quarter-finals on Saturday after a stellar 3-0 win over Senegal in the last-16.
Jordan Henderson has been spotted using the muscle gun before gamesCredit: Reuters
The Liverpool captain was pictured with the device before the USA and Wales matchesCredit: Getty
The England players use it to directly treat areas of discomfortCredit: Getty
Henderson also used the gun on James MaddisonCredit: Getty
While Ben White and Raheem Sterling have both returned home due to personal issues, Gareth Southgate is yet to experience any major injury concerns since his squad jetted off to the tournament.
And one way the Three Lions stars are keeping themselves in perfect shape is through the use of Therabody’s muscle gun.
Jordan Henderson was seen putting the device on his back and hamstrings before the USA and Wales games, before he applied it to James Maddison.
The Athletic have reported that Liverpool team-mate Trent Alexander-Arnold also uses it.
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Switzerland’s Granit Xhaka and Australia’s Bailey Wright are other fans of the product – which costs between £122 and £490 depending on the model.
Cristiano Ronaldo is an ambassador for Therabody, while Kevin de Bruyne has even invested in the company which also offers compression boots and vibrating foam rollers.
The gun is similar to a power drill but with a foam padding on the end, utilised to directly treat areas of discomfort.
It was designed by doctor Jason Wersland after he needed to recover from a shoulder injury following a motorcycle accident.
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Speaking about his recovery process, England midfielder Henderson said: “I’ve developed a solid routine for recovery when I’m at home but in the past have struggled when traveling.
“Being able to get the Theragun out or put the boots on when you’re sitting down on planes and buses for long periods and stiffening up has made a huge difference.
“I didn’t realize you could use them pre-activity or during half time to have a big benefit on the body.
“For example, when you come in at half-time, sitting down and listening to the manager talk, you start to stiffen up before you get back on pitch.
“Using the Theragun to keep the muscles and blood flowing makes perfect sense to me.” More

TOTTENHAM fans are gushing over Richarlison’s sentimental message to club team-mate Heung-min Son.Brazil put four past South Korea in the last-16 clash on Monday night in Qatar.
The Tottenham star tweeted his love for pal Son
The duo faced off in the last-16 clash and Richarlison’s Brazil came out on topCredit: Getty
But Richarlison was anything but cocky as he posted an emotional message to his Spurs pal on Twitter.
Richarlison wrote: “I know how hard you fought to be here and that’s why you’re a hero to your people.”
Fans of the North London club loved what they saw on social media.
One wrote: “Stop being cute, man, I can’t take loving you so much anymore.”
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Another supported added: “It’s all love. Two goats…”
A Twitter user enjoyed the moment and wrote: “Living in this embrace, such a beautiful friendship, you showing what it’s like to have sportsmanship!!! I love this friendship so much.”
Before the game, Richarlison said Brazil had ten celebration dance routines planned.
He clearly wasn’t joking.
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And at one stage it seemed like fans might get treated to them all in one evening as Brazil set up a quarter-final tie with Croatia.
As it was they settled for four. But had they really wanted to, you got the impression they could have reached double figures.
Six minutes was all it took to get the party started, courtesy of Raphinha, and it never really stopped.
The boys are definitely back in town and they’re going to take some stopping.

Although Roy Keane tore into them for their DANCING after scoring against the Koreans.
The five-time champions raced into a 4-0 lead at half-time and danced in celebration after every goal.
The Irishman claimed it was “disrespectful” to the opposition and was “like watching Strictly”. More