World Cup

He left it until his 1,000th game – but boy was it worth the wait. Lionel Messi had gone seven games, 12 hours and 23 shots without scoring for Argentina in the World Cup knockouts. 
Lionel Messi scored his third goal of the 2022 World Cup to give Argentina the leadCredit: PA
It was the first real moment of quality in the game and Messi made it countCredit: PA
The Argentina players immediately sprinted over to mob MessiCredit: AP
It was the ninth World Cup goal of Messi’s careerCredit: Getty
Julian Alvarez pinched the ball from Australia keeper Mat RyanCredit: AP
The Man City man then provided the simple finish two extend Argentina’s leadCredit: PA
Match winners Messi and Alvarez celebrating Argentina’s second goal of the gameCredit: Getty
Christ, even Matthew Upson managed one! 
The maestro has always had it thrown at him back home that he has never stepped up on the biggest stage. 
In 2018, the late great Diego Maradona blasted: “We shouldn’t deify Messi any longer. Messi is Messi when he plays for Barcelona, and he’s another Messi with Argentina.” 
Maybe there has been truth in that but five years after those damning comments, when this otherwise average side needed a moment, the little magician responded just like Maradona used to. 
READ MORE ON THE WORLD CUP
His 35th-minute opener to bring up the four figures – the 789th of his ridiculous career – was another beauty, a textbook curling daisycutter made to look so damn easy. 
At his fifth and almost certainly last World Cup, it’s now or never if Messi is to match Maradona and win the big one. 
This was his third of the tournament, and while the 35-year-old icon is not the same player we all fell in love with, he’s still plenty good enough to continue carrying this lot. 
Julian Alvarez capitalised on Matt Ryan’s howler to bag the second, and the Dutch are next – but it was nervier than it should have been after Enzo Fernandez’s own goal gave Australia a sniff 13 minutes from time. 
Most read in Football
HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON THE WORLD CUP
And for that they have Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez and Aston Villa Emi Martinez to thank with huge blocks at the death.
The men from Down Under had never beaten South American opponents at the final, with their only previous last-16 game a 1-0 defeat to Italy in 2006.
And talk about out of the frying pan into the fire for midfielder Keanu Baccus, winning his first full cap and being tasked with keeping Messi quiet. 
The last time he started a game was for St Mirren against Ross County one month ago in front of 3,589 fans. 
But if you thought there were fireworks there, the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium was bouncing over an hour before kick-off to that familiar Argentinian beat. 
Not that Baccus was daunted by the incredible sea of blue and white, crunching the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner seven minutes in. 
You’d expect a backline made up of Dundee United, Hearts, Stoke and Columbus Crew defenders to be little more than playthings for Messi and Co. 
Yet throw on the green and gold and this poor side on paper becomes a different beast. 
If anyone looked desperately ordinary early on, it was Argentina – slow, sluggish, shocking. 
And then something incredible happened…35-year-old Messi pressed an opponent. No, really, it actually happened. 
Messi frustrated Australia all evening with his brillianceCredit: Reuters
That burst of energy won possession back, Aziz Behich conceded a foul, the noise ramped up to fever pitch, and the Aussies were behind 10 minutes before the break. 
The maestro’s set-piece came back out to him on the right. He then squared to Alexis Mac Allister at the edge of the box before darting inside. 
The Brighton midfielder played it into Nicolas Otamendi, whose clunky control put it straight into the little magician’s path.
One touch to get it out of his feet, the second was trademark stuff, stroking it with a little curl through a crowd of defenders in the far corner. We’ve seen time and time again yet it still leaves everyone in astonishment. 
Cries of ‘Messi! Messi! Messi’ rained down as tens of thousands bowed up and down with their arms outstretched in honour of the great wonder. 
And the writing was on the wall for Australia 57 minutes when keeper Mat Ryan had a moment of madness to gift Alvarez. 
With the Argentina ultras bursting his ear drums behind the goal, he went for a Messi-esque dribble as Rodrigo De Paul bared down. 
A ridiculous risk to take when still bang in the game, Ryan got beyond the onrushing midfielder but played it straight to Alvarez who was backing up. 
The Manchester City man rolled it into the empty net and it was game over for Graham Arnold’s underdogs. Or was it? 
With 13 minutes to go they were given a sniff when Craig Goodwin’s shot – heading miles wide – cannoned off Enzo Fernandez and in. 
Moments later and left-back Behich produced surely the dribble of the tournament, dancing past defenders like Messi used to his prime – only for Martinez to produce an equally outstanding block. 
Read More on The Sun
Argentina then wasted three big chances to kill off the stubborn Aussies right at the death, and they nearly paid for it when Newcastle-bound Garang Kuol fired at Emi Martinez with virtually the last kick. 
By the skin of their teeth, Argentina’s dream of lifting a first World Cup since 1986 is alive and kicking. 
Messi’s wife Antonela Roccuzzo watched on in an Argentina top with his name onCredit: AFP
Messi has kept alive his hopes of winning the World CupCredit: AP More

LOUIS VAN GAAL gave Denzel Dumfries a big kiss on the cheek in his post-match press conference as he celebrated Holland reaching the last eight of the World Cup.Man of the match Dumfries was sat next to Van Gaal while facing the media after Holland’s 3-1 win over USA in which he scored one and assisted two.
Louis Van Gaal kissed Denzel Dumfries following his performance in the last-16Credit: Twitter
Dumfries was the star of the show for Holland against USACredit: Getty
And Van Gaal said: “Denzel knows that the day before yesterday I gave him a big fat kiss, I am going to give him another…there you can see.”
But the Dutch head coach also admitted he was not in such a good mood at half-time in this game despite leading 2-0.
He said: “I was very critical at half time in my analysis as usual despite that we were leading 2-0.
“I think they were fantastic goals and there was a beauty and team spirit to one of these goals because it was a real team goal.
READ MORE ON THE WORLD CUP
“However in the first half we suffered so much, we were dispossessed so often and it is not necessary,
“That is not acceptable in a World Cup if you play top countries.
“In the second half we made a much better job of it even though we scored fewer goals.
“So we are very very pleased and it gives us a lot of confidence. The players were really pleased.”
Most read in Football
HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON THE WORLD CUP
Holland were ahead when Memphis Depay ended a 20 pass move with the opener after 10 minutes.
Daley Blind added the second in first half injury time before Haji Wright got one back for the US on 76 minutes, but Dumfries made it safe in the 81st.
A player named after American actor Denzel Washington taking that country’s team down.
Denzel said: “I don’t have a connection with the USA but yes I was named after Denzel Washington and my parents gave me that name and I am incredibly proud of that as Denzel Washington is a strong personality who gives his views on issues.”
As does Van Gaal who is now even more confident his team can go on and lift the World Cup, despite criticism of his style from the Dutch media
He said: “I know the media don’t always report in a positive way, that is a given but top countries didn’t progress and we still have three matches to go.’
“I have been talking for a year that we can become world champions, not that we will but we can. I am talking about team building and I derive pleasure from the group of players and performance and results.”
Van Gaal said that the USA helped his Dutch side by not adapting their tactics to combat them.
He said: “I would assume the stronger the country is, the less they will be adjusting.
“Team USA didn’t adjust or adapt and we based a tactical plan on that and that probably allowed us to win. But I don’t expect France, Argentina or Spain is going to adapt to the Netherlands. I think we have big chances here.”
US manager Gregg Berhalter looked a devastated figure as he assessed the game.
He said: “This is a tough one to swallow for us.
“The guys put in everything they had. They are such a good group of guys, so close knit. You want more for them and we came up short.
“The game is about moments and the first half is a good indication. We were on top for a lot and two moments come and we are down 2-0.
Read More on The Sun
“Soccer can be cruel sometimes, we came back and then gave up a goal soon after.
“It’s tough but overall extremely proud of how they handled themselves. We set out with a goal to show the rest of the world we can play soccer and we partially achieved that though we fell short of our goals.” More

BELGIUM star Eden Hazard is reportedly considering retirement from international football.Roberto Martinez’s side crashed out of the World Cup in the group stage after they failed to follow up their win over Canada, losing to Morocco and exiting the competition with a goalless draw against Croatia.
Belgium crashed out of the World Cup in the group stage on ThursdayCredit: Rex
Following Belgium’s disappointing campaign, HLN are claiming that Hazard will make a decision on his future with the national team in the coming days.
He has made a breathtaking 126 appearances for his country, scoring 33 goals across a 14-year period.
But with injury problems plaguing his club career at Real Madrid, Hazard may feel he does not have another major tournament in him.
The same report also claims he is considering a departure from the Bernabeu having played just 72 times in three-and-a-half seasons.
READ MORE ON THE WORLD CUP
But former Belgium striker Gilles De Bilde is cautious about believing rumours of Hazard’s international retirement.
He said: “I take it with a grain of salt. It has already happened at this World Cup that a rumor was blown up.
“So I would wait and see what Eden himself says in the coming days.”
He continued: “I also understand that his younger brother Kylian was surprised by the news [of his retirement].
Most read in Football
HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON THE WORLD CUP
“Eden was always told that he would not stop with the Red Devils until they had to carry him away. But maybe this is due to circumstances.
“Don’t forget the emotional aspect as well. After disappointment, a person sometimes says things that he later comes back to.
“So I would wait for Eden himself.”
Belgium’s exit from the World Cup came amid alleged tensions within the camp.
Ahead of the draw with Croatia, there were reports of a bust-up between Hazard, Jan Vertonghen and Kevin de Bruyne.
It came after Man City man De Bruyne was asked about Belgium’s chances of winning the World Cup in Qatar.
To which he told The Guardian: “No chance, we’re too old. I think our chance was 2018.
“We have a good team, but it is ageing. We lost some key players. We have some good new players coming, but they are not at the level other players were in 2018. I see us more as outsiders.”
Meanwhile, manager Martinez is expected to depart his role after his contract expired when they crashed out of the World Cup. More

PORTUGAL defender Pepe left manager Fernando Santos in stitches after comparing the national team to a salad.Fernando Santos’ men booked their place in the last-16 of the World Cup with a game to spare after wins over Ghana and Uruguay.
Pepe used the salad analogy which he suggested came from boss Fernando SantosCredit: FOOTBALL DAILY

Cristiano Ronaldo and Co will meet Switzerland in the last-16 on TuesdayCredit: Getty
But they were then left disappointed on Friday as South Korea scored a dramatic late winner to beat them 2-1 in Doha.
Despite the loss, Portugal still topped Group H and will now face Switzerland on Tuesday for a place in the quarter-finals.
Pepe, 39, is competing at his fourth successive World Cup since making his debut at the tournament back in 2010.
And he was on top form at the press conference on Friday with the salad analogy he suggested came from head coach Santos.
READ MORE ON THE WORLD CUP
He began: “We have several ingredients but unless we put all the ingredients together… as our coach said, can I say it coach?”
Santos, already laughing at Pepe, then nodded.
The centre-back continued: “You see, we have different types of salad. I mean you can’t have a tomato on one side, the onion on the other side. It’s important to put all the ingredients together.
“Indeed, we have a high quality national team but unless we work very hard, unless we respect our opponents, unless we do what our coach says, we won’t benefit so much from this quality.
Most read in Football
HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON THE WORLD CUP
“So the most important thing is to be aware regardless of who is on the pitch or not, we have to do our very best so that we can secure a win. And that’s the most important thing.”
Portugal have not gone beyond the second round of the World Cup since they made the semi-finals back in 2006.
A victory over Switzerland would see them meet either Morocco or rivals Spain in the last eight. More

NEYMAR has handed Brazil a major injury boost as he trained with the rest of the squad ahead of the 2022 World Cup knockouts.The star forward limped off the pitch during the Selecao’s World Cup opener against Serbia due to an ankle injury and was sidelined for the rest of the group stage.
Neymar returned to training with the rest of Brazil’s squad ahead of the World Cup Last 16Credit: https://twitter.com/bellexcosta/status/1599094047771009024?s=20&t=oZ0dJ4eAF8fjMaFEpn6kAg
Brazil superstar Neymar was in high spirits during Saturday’s training sessionCredit: https://twitter.com/bellexcosta/status/1599094047771009024?s=20&t=oZ0dJ4eAF8fjMaFEpn6kAg
The Paris Saint-Germain superstar also suffered an illness that didn’t allow him to watch his national team beat Switzerland 1-0 at the 974 Stadium.
However, the Brazil international recovered from his fever and watched Tite’s men during their shock 1-0 loss to Cameroon on Friday at the Lusail Stadium.
The loss to the Indomitable Lions didn’t cost the Brazilians as they still finished top of Group G and will take on South Korea in the Last 16 on Monday.
And Neymar has handed Tite a major boost as a clip emerged on social media showing him training on Saturday and looking fit enough for a return against the South Koreans.
Read More on World Cup
The ex-Barcelona star performed some clinical shots with both legs in front of the camera.
The 30-year-old also scored a cheeky goal as he nutmegged third-choice goalkeeper Weverton.

Neymar was in very high spirits as he also had a quick celebration after his beautiful set of skill.
The Brazilian suggested he will be fighting fit for the knockouts as he pointed at the camera with a big smile.
HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON THE WORLD CUP
Neymar suggested he could be fit enough to return for Brazil against South KoreaCredit: https://twitter.com/bellexcosta/status/1599094047771009024?s=20&t=oZ0dJ4eAF8fjMaFEpn6kAg
This comes after recent fears suggesting he suffered ligament damage and would be out for the whole tournament.
However, Neymar’s presence in training has lifted spirits as he was also joined by Danilo, who suffered an ankle injury as well.
This is very good news for Tite after both Gabriel Jesus and Alex Telles were ruled out of the rest of the tournament with a knee injury. More