World Cup

WORLD Cup fans are all saying the same thing about one of Senegal’s supporters who showed up at the Stadium in a very convincing lion costume.A footie fan dressed in their country’s colours along with a massive lion head appeared in the crowd during the team’s clash with England.
One of Senegal’s fans appeared wearing a gigantic lion headCredit: ITV
Senegal’s superfan who has caught everyone’s attention has attended all of his country’s team’s games dressed in the same outfit and always wearing the lion head.
Twitter users were quick to spot him in the crowd and they were all left stunned about how realistic the lion head looks.
One said: “Regardless of how they do the real MVP of this whole tournament is the fan whose been at every Senegal game wearing this amazing lion head.
Someone else wrote: “Senegal have got a lion in their crowd. It’s a health and safety disaster just waiting to happen.”
read more on world cup
One added: “actual lion in the crowd dancing with Senegal supporters.”
Another one said: “Someone has a whole Lion’s head in the Senegal crowd and I have to respect it.”
It comes after mascot Harry Mane stole the show ­during a dance-off with Senegal fans ahead of the game yesterday.
Meanwhile, large sections of the Al Bayt Stadium were left empty for the World Cup Round of 16 clash.
Most read in Football More

DEJAN LOVREN has hilariously trolled his former team-mate Daniel Sturridge for his recent Kylian Mbappe song.The former England striker stunned fans on television recently as he broke out into song as he argued that the French star would win the Golden Boot at the World Cup.

Former Liverpool defender Dejan Lovren responded to Daniel Sturridge’s song
Lovren is currently at the World Cup with CroatiaCredit: Getty
He also started singing and using a Portuguese accent as he backed Portugal to win their group.
While fans have been posting messages about his recent antics, his former teammate has not let them slide.
Sturridge posted a video on Instagram of himself discussing the day’s football matches.
In the video, he said: “Getting to the sports bar now to watch the England game, watched the France game as well as Giroud scored and my man scored a double again.”
READ MORE ON THE WORLD CUP
Sturridge then broke into song again to celebrate the Mbappe goals, as he sang: “Mbappe, Mbappe, Mbappe, he will score he will score yeah.”
The post has been liked 4,000 times and received plenty of comments, but one coming from Lovren stuck out.
The Croatian defender replied: “Stop singing and send me for once these sunglasses,” along with a kiss emoji.
Lovren’s comment was liked almost 200 times, with people commenting and calling him the “goat” for his joke.
Most read in Football
HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON THE WORLD CUP
The defender has played in every game for Croatia at the World Cup, helping them progress to the knockout stages.
Croatia will be playing Japan in their round of 16 game as they look to replicate their run to the final from 2018.
Lovren left Liverpool in 2020 and moved to Russian Premier League side Zenit St Petersburg. More

ENGLAND ace Jack Grealish melted hearts as he donned a T-shirt designed by his number one fan.The white tee by Finlay, who has cerebral palsy, shows Grealish doing the ‘Worm’ celebration after bagging against Iran in the 6-2 thriller.
Jack Grealish surprised number one fan Finlay as he wore a special tribute T-shirt designed by the young lad just hours before England’s clash with SenegalCredit: Twitter
Finlay, who has cerebral palsy, shows off his T-shirt of Grealish doing the ‘Worm’ celebrationCredit: Twitter
The Man City winger fulfilled his promise to perform the move after the 12-year-old requested it specially.
A picture of Grealish doing the celebration sent the internet into meltdown and raked in almost 350,000 likes on Twitter.
And heart-warming footage of Finlay in awe after watching his idol crack out his special dance also went viral.
Grealish later called up the youngster in a touching one-to-one phone call from Qatar.
Read More World Cup stories
The pair struck up an unbreakable bond after meeting at a weekly training session for disabled kids organised by Man City’s charity, City in the Community.
It came after the young fan penned a letter to Grealish after learning that the Three Lions ace’s sister also suffers from cerebral palsy.
Grealish received plaudits across the nation for the kindness he showed the 12-year-old lad when they met.
And Finlay was so star struck by his idol that he gave him a big hug.
Most read in Football
The 27-year-old debuted Finlay’s tribute T-shirt just hours before the Three Lions kicked off against Senegal in their last-16 World Cup tie.
The photo, shared by Art of Football on Twitter, read: “Moment made. @JackGrealish wearing Finlay’s design ahead of tonight’s game.
“These moments of wholesome connection are priceless. From every player to every fan across the country, when we say we are behind this England team, this is why.”
Grealish struck up an unbreakable bond with Finaly after meeting at a weekly training session for disabled kids organised by Man City’s charity, City in the CommunityCredit: ITV More

FANS were staggered by Jordan Henderson scoring the opener to transform England’s 3-0 World Cup win over Senegal.And Liverpool fans were dreaming of a club link-up with Jude Bellingham after the two midfielders combined sublimely for the 38th minute opener in Sunday’s last-16 clash.
Jordan Henderson hails a goal that shocked even England fansCredit: Reuters
Jude Bellingham had Liverpool fans dreaming he’ll join Jordan Henderson at Anfield next season after the opener against SenegalCredit: PA
Henderson had only netted twice before in 72 internationals – but now has two in the knockout stages of major tournaments.
And as social media exploded with incredulity, one observer posted: “If you had Henderson, give me the Powerball numbers.”
Similar stunned responses included: “Jordan Henderson first goal scorer! Bookies can’t find a single winning ticket.”
And of course the big question was: “How many people had Jordan Henderson as first goal scorer?”
READ MORE ON THE WORLD CUP
Another fan joked: “Henderson poor at being solid in midfield but offering a real goal threat, just as we all expected.”
And one watcher said: “Jordan Henderson is the greatest England player of all time if we’re being completely honest and unbiased.
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher waded in with: “Brilliant Jordan Henderson! So often questioned, but always answers in the right way.”
The anchorman, 32, slipped home nonchalantly after a slick move ended with Bellingham sliding the ball across the box to him.
Most read in Sport
HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON THE WORLD CUP
That ignited both Twitter and a slow-starting England team – as Harry Kane thumped a second and Bukayo Saka lifted a deft third goal to set up a victory stroll.
One fan posted what he called an “updated” list of all-time great Three Lions ‘ midfielders: 1) Bellingham 2) Henderson 3) Scholes 4) Lampard 5) Gerrard.”
And Liverpool supporters are crossing the fingers Anfield boss Jurgen Klopp can somehow beat Real Madrid, Manchester City, United and Chelsea to the mega-money signing of Borussia Dortmund hero Bellingham next summer.
Such comments included: “Could get used to watching that combination. Brilliant from Bellingham, what a run and finish from Henderson.”
And noting the touching celebration of the goal maker and taker, a misty-eyed observer posted: “I thought Henderson and Bellingham were going to kiss then… most romantic thing I’ve seen this year.”
32 – Aged 32 years and 170 days, Jordan Henderson is England’s second-oldest ever World Cup scorer, after Tom Finney against USSR in 1958 (36y 64d). Wisdom. pic.twitter.com/0QoXkGEQQW— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 4, 2022 More

FRANCE superstar Kylian Mbappe admitted he avoided World Cup media duties to focus on his football.Mbappe, 23, led Les Bleus to the 2022 World Cup quarter-finals after a dominant 3-1 victory over Poland at the Al Thumama Stadium.
France superstar Kylian Mbappe admitted he avoided his World Cup media dutiesCredit: Getty
Olivier Giroud scored his 52nd international goal to surpass Thierry Henry and become his country’s all-time top scorer, but the Paris Saint-German star stood out with a brace.
The striker was named man of the match and was obliged to speak to the media after the Last 16 encounter or else France would be fined.
The ex-Monaco star admitted he has been avoiding the cameras and even offered to cover the French football association by paying the fines himself.
Before answering questions, he addressed the lack of media appearances so far in the tournament.
Read More on World Cup
Mbappe said: “It wasn’t anything personal, I have nothing against journalists. I just needed to focus on the tournament and my football.
“When I want to concentrate on something, that’s the way I function. That’s why I didn’t do press before.
“Now I know the FFF get fined and I said I would pay the fine myself, I didn’t think they should pay on my behalf.
“This is the competition of my dreams, I’ve been preparing all my life.
HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON THE WORLD CUP
France star Kylian Mbappe avoided his media duties to concentrate on the World CupCredit: Getty
“So far it seems to be going well, we’re on our way to the ultimate objective, winning the World Cup, and now we have to focus on the quarter-final, that’s the objective now.”
Mbappe wouldn’t find it hard to pay such fines as he signed a lucrative three-year deal with PSG back in May that will see him pocket an astronomical £507million salary. More

ARGENTINA midfielder Papu Gomez has shrugged off injury fears ahead of Friday’s huge World Cup quarter-final against Holland.The Sevilla star admitted he sprained his ankle as he was taken off in the 2-1 last-16 win over Australia.
Papu Gomez has no doubts he’ll be fit for Friday’s last-eight clashCredit: Getty
But the 34-year-old insists he will be “fine” for what could be one of the games of the tournament.
Gomez was replaced on 50 minutes against the Socceroos with Argentina leading through Lionel Messi’s first-half opener.
Messi then controlled the contest, with Manchester City striker Julian Alvarez punishing Mat Ryan’s error to double the lead.
Craig Goodwin did reply with a heavily-deflected snapshot but Argentina held on.
READ MORE ON THE WORLD CUP
And Gomez is sure he’ll be fit to start just six days later.
He told TyC Sports via mundoalbiceleste: “I twisted my ankle and couldn’t go on much longer. 
“I preferred that someone else that’s better than me comes in. 
“It’s a sprain, there are several days left to recover and everything will be fine.”
Most read in Football
FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
Argentine journalist Gaston Edul called it a “slight ankle sprain”.
And although his team endured a nervous climax, Gomez claimed they are confident of challenging for the crown.
He added: “We could have scored several goals after but the important thing is that we won.
“We ended up suffering but we are Argentina, you always have to suffer.
“We are meeting the objectives that we set out for ourselves.”
He even believes opening with a shock 2-1 group loss to Saudi Arabia could have helped Argentina.
Gomez said: “The first game may have been good for us because it was a warning sign. 
“It woke us up and we improved things that we were doing wrong.”
Read More on The Sun More