World Cup

RIO FERDINAND has “ZERO amounts of fear for France” and has backed England to WIN the World Cup.Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions set up a quarter-final date with the current World Cup holders with a 3-0 win over African champions Senegal.
Ferdinand has backed England to beat FranceCredit: BBC
The Man Utd and England legend doesn’t fear the World Cup holdersCredit: Getty
France play England next SaturdayCredit: Getty
France held their nerve to run out 3-1 winners over round of 16 opponents Poland.
But England legend Ferdinand said Southgate’s side “are the best team I’ve seen in my lifetime” on the BBC’s coverage of Croatia vs Japan, and has “ZERO amounts of fear for France”.
The Manchester United legend has also backed England to win their second ever World Cup, ending 56 years of hurt.
Ferdinand said on the FIVE YouTube channel: “I watched France play [Poland] before the England game and I had them down as one of my favourites.
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“But they’ve got five first-team players missing so it’s a weakened France team.
“Having watched that game, I hold zero amounts of fear for France. The only fear is Kylian Mbappe.

“They didn’t show me anything yesterday, they rely on individuals. If England can contain Mbappe, I don’t see it being a problem against France.
“England played against the African champions [Senegal] by the way. France beat Poland, who have been so poor in this tournament.
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Mbappe is France’s main man
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“England are the better team, 100 per cent. I think England are going to win the World Cup.”
Ferdinand has, however, highlighted one team that can match England
He continued: “The only team I think can go toe-to-toe with England is Brazil.
“They’ve got the personality and the characters to do that. They’ve got hardened European players.
“I see weaknesses all over the place in the other teams and I think England can physically dominate the other teams.”
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ONE referee who has broken the mould at this year’s World Cup is South America’s finest.Fernando Rapallini is the first South American ever to preside over European Championship games after whistling at Euro 2020 last summer – and now he takes charge of Morocco vs Spain at the World Cup.
Fernando Rapallini also took charge of Morocco’s game against Croatia at this World CupCredit: EPA
Here’s all you need to know about him.
Who is Fernando Rapallini?
Fernando Rapallini was born in 1978 in La Plata, Argentina.
He has been on the Fifa Referees List since 2014 and refereed his first international match, between Chile and El Salvador in June 2015.
Recognised as one of South America’s best officials, Rapallini has refereed some of the biggest finals in his country and on the continent.
These include the 2013 and 2018 Argentina Super Cups, the 2017 Argentina Cup final, the 2019 Argentina Super League Champions Trophy and the 2020 South American Recopa.
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Why did Fernando Rapallini referee at Euro 2020?
Fernando Rapallini was appointed as a Euro 2020 official as part of an exchange programme between Uefa and Conmebol.
This programme saw Spanish referee Jesus Gil Manzano head in the other direction to take charge of Copa America games last summer.
Uefa president Alexander Ceferin said: “The exchange of referees with CONMEBOL for our two flagship tournaments will enrich both competitions, and will enhance the experience of top referees.
“Europe and South America have so much football quality and tradition, including in refereeing.
“This exchange is a defining part of our cooperation programme, which will help us improve our competitions.”
Conmebol president Alejandro Dominguez added: “Among our permanent objectives at CONMEBOL is making our referees more professional and perfectly trained for the use of technological tools.
“We are convinced that a cooperation with UEFA in this field will greatly benefit both confederations. This is just the beginning.
“We will continue working to broaden and strengthen collaboration agreements with our friends at UEFA.”

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NEYMAR has been named in Brazil’s starting line-up to face South Korea.There were big concerns the superstar would miss the rest of the World Cup after suffering an injury in his first game against Serbia.
Neymar was all smiles in trainingCredit: AP
Brazil made ten changes to the side that lost to Cameroon
Neymar was forced off in the second half of that clash and he was in tears on the bench as he received treatment.
His ankle was badly swollen and he sat out Brazil’s next two matches, staying at his hotel during the win over Switzerland as he combated a fever.
But medics suggested Neymar’s injury was not serious and backed him to return for the knock-out stages.
He is one of ten changes for the five-time champions with only Eder Militao keeping his place in the side.
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The Real Madrid defender switches to right-back with Danilo starting at left-back following his two-game injury absence.
There are also recalls for attacking trio Richarlison, Vinicius Jr and Raphinha as Brazil look to set-up a quarter-final clash with Croatia following their penalty shoot-out win over Japan.
Manchester United star Casemiro returns after scoring the winner in his last appearance against Switzerland.
He is joined in midfield by Lucas Paqueta with Neymar operating in front of the pair.
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At the back Chelsea centre-back Thiago Silva starts alongside Brazil captain Marquinhos, with Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson replacing Ederson.
Neymar has made 11 World Cup appearances for Brazil and has scored six goals in the competition. More

ENGLAND stars Declan Rice and Jack Grealish enjoyed some downtime by the pool after Sunday’s 3-0 win over Senegal.But the pair couldn’t go too long without a ball at their feet.
Jack Grealish passes the ball to Declan Rice over the swimming poolCredit: Getty
Declan Rice controls the ball by the poolCredit: Getty
The Three Lions duo showed off their skills with an impressive game of keepie-uppies over the water.
They chilled out by the pool of the luxury Souq Al Wakra Hotel, where England are staying.
Rice posted a video to Instagram of him and Grealish effortlessly pinging the ball to each other across the pool.
Playmaker Grealish then set up Rice to head the ball as he jumped into the swimming pool.
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The West Ham man obliged, heading the ball back to Grealish in midair as he dived into the water.
Rice captioned his post: “Bit of fun this morning.”
The midfielder has started all four of England’s games in Qatar so far, and is likely to retain his place for the quarter-final meeting with France.
Grealish on the other hand has come off the bench in all four games.
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Jack Grealish showed off his keepie-uppie skills by the swimming poolCredit: https://www.instagram.com/declanrice/
Grealish and Declan Rice kicked the ball to each other over the waterCredit: https://www.instagram.com/declanrice/
The pair effortlessly pinged the ball into the feet of the otherCredit: https://www.instagram.com/declanrice/
Rice then headed the ball to Grealish as he jumped into the poolCredit: https://www.instagram.com/declanrice/

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The pair were involved in wild England celebrations after arriving back at the hotel in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Rice posted footage to social media of the players dancing in the hotel lobby after they arrived back at base following the last 16 win over Senegal.
They were given a raucous reception by hotel staff in England shirts who waved flags and cheered as Gareth Southgate’s stars returned to HQ.
Rice has starred for England at the World Cup, while Grealish has been a regular off the benchCredit: PA More

THE BOYS from Zzzzzzzzagreb did it again.World football’s ultimate grinders secured a quarter-final spot after wearing down Japan to the point of submission on penalties.
Mario Pasalic scored the winning penaltyCredit: Getty
Dominik Livakovic was the hero with three penalty savesCredit: Getty
Daizen Maeda put Japan in front just before half-timeCredit: AP
Ivan Perisic scored a superb header to make it 1-1Credit: AP
Takumi Minamino missed Japan’s first penalty of the shoot-outCredit: Reuters
Croatia edged out Japan in a tight match
It is becoming something of a habit for the Croatians to go all the way in a battle of wills to see who cracks first.
Three successive matches at the last World Cup went to extra time and two went to spot kicks with them emerging victorious both times.
Six out of seven of Croatia’s last knockout games have gone the full 120-minute distance.
Two of their three Group F games this year were also goalless draws as they shuffled through into the last 16.
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While the football may not be the highest quality or the most entertaining, coach Zltako Dalic must be applauded for instilling the mental toughness in his team to never say die.
Keeper Dominik Livakovic in particular showed nerves of steel to save three penalties during the final shootout as the Japanese wilted under the pressure of chasing history.
They have never been beyond the last 16 of a World Cup before and have never come as close as this before. The pressure and the draining effects of Croatia’s sapping tactics took the ultimate toll at the end.
They had even gone ahead when Celtic striker Daizen Maeda stabbed them ahead from a corner three minutes before half-time.
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A rebound off forward Bruno Petkovic from a cross following a corner fell perfectly for the 5ft 7in wee man to sweep the ball home.
But Qatar killjoys Croatia tightened up and hit back 11 minutes into the second half.
And it was a stunning header from Tottenham winger Ivan Perisic that brought them back into the game and ultimately onto victory.
An outswinging cross found the Spurs star in mid-air and he was able to swivel his body and lash a bullet of a header into the far corner of the net.
It was a rare moment of light in a drag game played at a stadium where you feared the punters knew what to expect.
There were thousands of empty seats at the 44,000 capacity Al Janoub Stadium. Many more long before the final whistle.
Croatia are a stark contrast to the smooth passers who broke English hearts in the semi-finals of the last World Cup.
They are durable and efficient with little flamboyance despite the evident silk of legendary captain Luka Modric.
At 37 it is debatable whether he can last 120 minutes anymore and he came off in the first half of extra time, meaning he was not able to take a spot kick when they arrived.
But from the off it was clear that Japan were struggling with the occasion far more than their more experienced opponents.
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Former Liverpool striker Takumi Minamo was first up and rolled a tame effer which Livakovic barely had to move to save.
Kaoru Mitoma nissed their next one too and from then on it was an uphill psychological battle which Croatia won and they now meet either Brazil or South Korea in the last eight. More

WORLD CUP icon Pele has revealed he is “rooting” for Brazil ahead of their clash against South Korea.Pele, 82, is in hospital battling a Covid-aggravated infection.
Pele has thrown his support behind Brazil when they face South KoreaCredit: Getty
Pele celebrates after winning the 1970 World CupCredit: Getty
But he has not let his illness stop him from supporting his boys as they bid to win the World Cup for the first time since 2002.
Taking to Twitter, the Samba Boys legend shared a photo of himself when he was younger and said: “In 1958, I walked the streets thinking about fulfilling the promise I made to my father.
“I know that today many have made similar promises and are also going in search of their first World Cup.
“I will watch the game from the hospital and I will be rooting for each one of you. Good luck!”
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Pele is the only player to have won the World Cup three times, doing so in 1958, 1962 and 1970.
He was hospitalised earlier this week after he stopped responding to chemotherapy as he battles bowel cancer.
Reports had emerged stating Pele had been moved to palliative end-of-life care.
However, his family came out to deny these rumours and provided a positive health update.
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Daughter Kely Nascimento said: “He is sick, he is old. But at the moment, he is there because of the lung infection. And once he feels better, he will go home again.
“He is not saying goodbye in a hospital at the moment.”
Pele’s other daughter, Flavia, added: “It is very unfair for people to say he is in the end of his life, in palliative care. Guys, that’s not true. Believe us.
“He is not in intensive care, he is in a regular bedroom. He is not in risk, he is in treatment.”
Brazil face off against South Korea later today hoping to secure a spot in the World Cup quarter-finals.

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