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      Netherlands vs USA: Stream FREE, TV channel, kick-off time and team news for last-16 knockout tie at World Cup 2022

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      THE NETHERLANDS are through to the World Cup last-16 where they will play the USA. The Dutch topped Group A after getting seven points from their three group stage games.

      How Netherlands lined up against Qatar
      Cody Gakpo has announced himself on the world stage too, as he sits joint-top of the Golden Boot race in Qatar.
      But they have a tricky test to face next, as they prepare for a clash against USA, who managed to get a 0-0 draw out of top scorers at the World Cup England.
      The US managed to qualify for the knockout stages of the competition with a 1-0 win over Iran.
      And they’ll certainly fancy their chances against the Netherlands who, like their last-16 opponents, failed to qualify for the World Cup in 2018.
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      How did they get here?
      Netherlands ended the group stages on top and unbeaten, with only Ecuador able to squeeze a point out of them.
      2-0 wins over Senegal and Qatar either side of Ecuador saw Louis Van Gaal’s side finish in pole postion.
      It was a slightly more difficult for the USA who earned a win and two draws to secure their place in the knockout round.
      After two points from their first two games against Wales and England, a Christian Pulisic goal gave them the win against Iran, propelling the Yanks to second in the group.
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      Team news
      Pulisic should be ready despite coming off at half time against Iran.
      The Chelsea forward scored the winning goal but was injured after clashing with the Iran goalkeeper before netting.
      The injury was diagnosed as a pelvic contusion and Pulisic has declared he will be raring to go against Virgil van Dijk and Co.
      Cody Gakpo will be part of Netherlands’ forward line again, and he’ll be looking to add to his tally of three goals in Qatar.

      How USA lined up against Iran
      Who will be the star men?
      PSV superstar Gakpo has exploded on to the world scene during the competition, becoming the first Holland player ever to score in all three group games.
      The 23-year-old forward will be looking to add to his three-goal tally that sees him joint top of the Golden Boot race.
      Pulisic has been the man pulling the strings for the USA, scoring the vital goal against Iran and winning man of the match against England.
      Fellow forward Timothy Weah has also put in some impressive showings and will be looking to add to his goal in their opening match against Wales.
      Gakpo has three tournament goalsCredit: Getty
      The PSV ace has also registered the most crosses for the Dutch
      What’s the head to head?
      The Dutch have come out on top in four of the five games between the two sides, all of which being international friendlies,
      It was the USA who prevailed in their most recent outing however, as they were on the right side of a seven-goal-thriller, with the match ending 4-3.
      SunSport Prediction
      Netherlands 3 USA 1
      When is Netherlands vs USA?

      Netherlands will play their last-16 clash with USA on Saturday, December 3.
      The match will get underway from 3pm UK time.
      Netherlands vs USA will take place at the Khalifa International Stadium in Al Rayyan.

      Pulisic is USA’s main manCredit: Getty
      The son of 1995 Ballon d’Or winner Weah is USA’s top scorer
      What channel is it and can it be live streamed?

      Netherlands vs USA will be shown live on BBC One in the UK.
      You can live stream the action from the BBC iPlayer, which is available for download onto your mobile or tablet device.
      Coverage of the clash will get going from 2.30pm GMT.

      Can I watch for FREE?

      Yes, Netherlands vs USA is available to watch for FREE, so long as you have a TV licence.

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      Odds

      Netherlands – 19/20
      Draw – 23/10
      USA – 17/5
      Netherlands to qualify – 2/5
      USA to qualify – 15/8

      *Odds courtesy of Betfair and correct at time of publication. More

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      England fans can buy hallowed turf where Geoff Hurst scored controversial second goal in 1966 World Cup

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      ENGLAND fans can buy the hallowed turf where Geoff Hurst scored his controversial second goal in 1966 — in a sign football’s coming mown.A piece where the goal line was is in the back garden of a house that’s come on the market.
      Football fans may want to snap up this house which has gone up for sale – because it has the famous goal line from the 1966 World Cup final in its back gardenCredit: Solent News
      The strip of grass is the most precious piece of turf in English football historyCredit: Solent News
      The goal proved crucial in the 4-2 win and England’s only World Cup triumphCredit: AP
      Three Lions supporters now hope Chesney Hawkes is not the current team’s One And Only lucky charm, after the singer’s half-time rendition of his 1991 chart-topper helped inspire them to Tuesday’s 3-0 win over Wales.
      The strip of grass, the most precious in English football history, has been the subject of decades of debate since hat-trick hero Hurst’s shot famously hit the crossbar then came crashing down.
      German players protested it didn’t cross the line, but the goal was given and proved crucial in the 4-2 win and England’s only World Cup triumph.
      For over 50 years, that Wembley goal line’s turf has secretly been part of the lawn at the detached five-bedroom home in Potters Bar, Herts.
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      Now, with the latest World Cup in Qatar under way, the property has been listed on the market — although it is expected to fetch at least £1.25million.
      Its current owner said the children in his family have even used it as their own goal line while playing footie.
      It was laid there after then-owner and TV director Bob Gardam had a kickabout at Wembley with colleagues in 1969.
      Mr Gardam, director of London Weekend Television’s Big Match show, was told by groundsman George Stanton that the pitch was due to be re-turfed for the first time since England’s historic win three years earlier.
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      The grass was in a terrible state due to that year’s Horse of the Year Show and Mr Stanton told Mr Gardam he could take home Hurst’s goal line.
      Mr Gardam drove his car through the Wembley tunnel onto the pitch to load his car with the turf after digging it up.
      He then laid it in his garden in the shape of a ‘V’ for victory.
      He remained at the house with his family until 1982, when it was sold.
      Mr Gardam, a father of six, died aged 81 in 2013 but his grandson Steve Walter, 32, yesterday spoke about his exploits.
      Mr Walter, a media consultant of Stewkley, Bucks, said: “Grandad was not actually a massive football fan. He loved sport and more than anything I think he did it for a bit of a giggle.
      “But he absolutely knew the significance of it and wanted to preserve it for generations.”
      The house was sold to a father with a young family. The dad passed away two years ago and now his 46-year-old son, who has asked not to be identified, is selling the house.
      He said: “We were told about it when we bought the house and we thought it was pretty special.
      “It was a secret that we had to keep and we’ve kept it a secret for years.
      “To us, it’s just been part of the garden. We’ve all played football on it.
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      “It was pretty much a goal line for us playing football, even though it was a V. We used one of the lines of the V.”
      The property is being sold by estate agent Strike at a guide price of £1.25million to £1.5million. More

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      Cameroon 1 Brazil 0: Aboubakar SENT OFF for goal celebration as Africans stun World Cup favourites’ sloppy second-string

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      IN a World Cup of surprises how about this for the Brazil nuttiest of all? Ultimately one that didn’t actually make a blind bit of difference to either side… yet one that still sent shock waves around the planet.
      Vincent Aboubakar celebrates his winnerCredit: Getty
      He was then shown a second yellow card and sent offCredit: Getty
      One for the scrapbook for Cameroon, one for the scrapheap for Brazil. And a definite “come back and join us” message to Neymar into the bargain.
      The Selecao’s golden boy had recovered enough from last week’s fever to be able to take his seat in the stands.
      Coach Tite will be praying his damaged ankle ligaments are strong enough for him to take his place on the pitch sooner rather than later as well.
      Fair enough, this was a second string Brazilian line-up, yet it was still one packed with serial trophy winners. Men like Ederson and Fabinho, Rodrygo and Gabriel Jesus.
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      And admittedly none of them are likely to be lining up in Monday’s last 16 clash with South Korea. Well, they hardly enhanced their claims to, at any rate.
      Yet it was still Brazil, it was still Cameroon. And in that case, it still makes it one hell of an upset.
      What a night, too, for goalscorer Vincent Aboubakar, who frankly had stunk the place out to that point.
      But then Aboubakar arrived unseen by Marquinhos to meet Jerome Mbekeli’s superb delivery from the right, Ederson was rooted and the ball was in the corner of the net.
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      Cue wild celebrations from the Africans, the bare-chested Cameroon striker held his shirt to the crowd in celebration.
      American referee Ismail Elfath promptly gave him a sympathetic smile – before brandishing the second yellow card which brought his night to an end a couple of minutes before his pals.
      Not that it will put a dampener on the evening for the man who will dine out for life on the day his header beat Brazil.
      They’re making a habit of beating South American giants, are Cameroon. Albeit over three decades apart.
      Back in 1990 they memorably dumped Argentina in the opening game of Italia 90. This one didn’t have as much meaning, but given it was Brazil, probably double the emotion.
      They can’t say the warning signs weren’t there either, for all the South Americans barely got out of second gear for long periods.
      Ederson, so much a spectator that he could have joined his own fans behind the goal for the bulk of this, showed his powers of concentration ain’t bad by pushing out a Bryan Mbeumo header.
      Yet in the main it was effectively a game of attack versus defence. One when the outcome was anything but clinical.
      Bruno Guimaraes after the 1-0 loss to CameroonCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      Cameroon goalie Devis Epassy holds the Man of the Match awardCredit: Getty
      Neymar consoles Gabriel Jesus after the lossCredit: Reuters
      Gabriel Martinelli went as close – and was as lively – as anyone, particularly with an early header which Devis Epassy impressively pushed over.
      Anthony, Fred, Rodrygo, even centre back Eder Militao all had efforts and all were denied by the Cameroon keeper.
      Most definitely a case of they shall not Epassy, at a stadium Brazil hope to grace again for the final in a fortnight.
      Of course it will be a totally different side we see when they get down to business again on Monday, this time with no margin for error, no second chance for slackness.
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      And of course it will be a much stronger line-up sporting the most famous shirt in football when they do.
      But boy, they’ll have to step up a level or two on this or that two decade wait to rule the world is going on for another four years at least. More

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      Dusan Vlahovic grabs his NUTS in wild World Cup goal celebration after rumours of affair with Serbia team-mate’s wife

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      DUSAN VLAHOVIC hit back at reports he had an affair with a team-mate’s wife by grabbing his NUTS after scoring for Serbia. Stories had been circulating suggesting Vlahovic was being left out of the Serbia starting XI due to having an affair with Ana Cakic, the wife of reserve goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic.
      Dusan Vlahovic grabbed his nuts as he hit back at rumours he had had an affair with a team-mate’s wifeCredit: Reuters
      Vlahovic allegedly had an affair with Predrag Rajkovic’s wife Ana CakicCredit: Instagram
      Vlahovic scored after a lovely snapshotCredit: AP

      And after strongly denying the claims, Vlahovic then made a mockery of them by squeezing his privates in celebration after scoring his nation’s second against Switzerland in his first start in Qatar.
      The Juventus striker’s brilliant snapshot nestled into the bottom corner to give his side the lead.
      Vlahovic has denied the affair claims and slammed his accusers, suggesting they are acting out of spite while speaking at a press conference ahead of the crunch Group G finale.
      He said: “I am sorry to have to start the press conference in the World Cup this way, but I have to talk about it because this is my name being bandied about.
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      “What we all read and hear about, there’s no need to comment on something so absurd.
      “Evidently these people are bored and have nothing better to do because they are frustrated or angry, but working against the national interest of the team at the moment is obviously their main job right now.
      “We are more united than ever and the atmosphere in the squad has never been better. These stories are ridiculous, I just want to protect my name and my integrity, so I will take legal action if necessary.
      “It’s not the first time this has happened, I would’ve hoped that people would support the team before such an important match, but instead we are forced to talk about things that have nothing to do with it.
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      “These are people with empty CVs who achieved nothing, but they will certainly not get extra attention off my name. They have always been small people and prove it day by day.”
      Serbia has never progressed into the knockout rounds of the World Cup but had a chance to do so tonight if they beat Switzerland and if Cameroon failed to beat Brazil.
      However, Xherdan Shaqiri and Co came up trumps with a 3-2 win to ensure their own progression into the knockout rounds, while Cameroon also caused an upset beating the Samba stars 1-0. More

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      Serbia 2 Switzerland 3: Xhaka and Co through to knockouts after ill-tempered World Cup thriller between bitter rivals

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      GRANIT XHAKA did his best to reignite a Balkan war as he shoved bitter rivals Serbia through the World Cup exit door.The Swiss skipper has never forgotten how he was fined by FIFA for making a ‘political gesture’ when he scored the last time these nations met at the 2018 World Cup.
      Xherdan Shaqiri gave Switzerland the lead before he told the Serbia fans to be quietCredit: EPA
      Aleksandar Mitrovic levelled things up for Serbia midway through the first halfCredit: Reuters
      Dusan Vlahovic then put Serbia in front with a clever strikeCredit: Getty
      Breel Embolo levelled for Switzerland shortly before half-timeCredit: AP
      Remo Freuler finished off a delightful Switzerland move to grab the winnerCredit: AP
      Granit Xhaka and Nikola Milenkovic were involved in a bust-up towards the endCredit: Getty
      The pair had to be pulled apart by their team-matesCredit: Reuters
      Tempers flared at the end of the game as both sets of players’ emotions ran highCredit: EPA
      The referee dished out a total of 11 bookings during the gameCredit: PA
      And when Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic threw himself to the floor in a pathetic attempt to win a penalty, Xhaka had a few choice words for the Serbian subs protesting on the sidelines.
      To make matters worse, the Arsenal midfielder then grabbed himself in a private area and sparked a brief pitch invasion by the entire Serbian bench and coaching staff before order was finally restored.
      And he wasn’t finished there and had to be pulled away from Mitrovic after another furious bust-up in stoppage time.
      But given the bad blood which has been bubbling under the surface for the past four years between these unlikely enemies, it came as absolutely no surprise when it all kicked off again with a place in the last-16 at stake.
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      And the way both teams went for the jugular right from the start confirmed that no-one was going to be taking a backwards step in this battle for the right to face Portugal in the next round.
      It was Xherdan Shaqiri who predictably lit the blue touch paper when he fired Switzerland into a 20th-minute lead and then raced to the Serbian fans who had been booing his every touch to give them a hush.
      Like Xhaka, the former Stoke and Liverpool star has never been forgiven by the Serbs for making the double eagle gesture in honour of his Kosovan roots when he scored the last minute winner in Russia four years ago.
      But this time he only succeeded in poking the hornet’s nest and within six minutes Mitrovic levelled with a magnificent header into the far corner from Dusan Tadic’s cross.
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      Former Southampton playmaker Tadic was running riot down the left flank and it was his through ball which teed up Dusan Vlahovic to fire Serbia ahead in the 35th minute with an angled shot inside the far post.
      The £60million Juventus striker, who turned down a move to Arsenal last season, was making his first start of the World Cup after angrily denying that he had been having an affair with the wife of reserve keeper Predrag Rajkovic.
      And Serbia’s week went from bad to worse as Breel Embolo levelled on the stroke of half-time, before Remo Freuler gave the Swiss the lead three minutes after the break.
      Shaqiri had inevitably played a leading role in both goals, although it was Ruben Vargas’ wonderful lay-off which had opened the way for Freuler’s strike.
      He might be on the wrong side of 30 and plying his trade in the MLS but Shaqiri still revels in his role of pantomime villain and was certainly in no rush to leave the pitch when he was subbed immediately after that 65th-minute flare up.
      An appeal over the stadium tannoy for an end to offensive chants inevitably fell on deaf ears as the game reached its conclusion with a spate of yellow cards.
      And the only surprise was that the game finished with all 22 players still on the pitch. More

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      England’s potential World Cup opponents France have NO fit left-backs as Theo Hernandez joins brother Lucas on sidelines

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      FRANCE face a left-back injury crisis as Theo Hernandez is reportedly in doubt for this weekend’s action.The world champs face Poland in the last-16 on Sunday afternoon.
      Theo Hernandez is reportedly an injury doubt ahead of France’s last-16 game on SundayCredit: Rex
      Theo’s brother Lucas tore his ACL against AustraliaCredit: Getty
      The winners will play England, should Gareth Southgate’s side get past Senegal.
      But Football-Italia report that Hernandez, 25, has picked up an ankle injury in training.
      The AC Milan left-back missed training with his national team in Qatar on Friday.
      He was promoted into the first team after his brother Lucas suffered a serious knee injury.
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      His sibling tore his ACL in France’s opening game against Australia.
      This means that Didier Deschamps could be without a natural left-sided full-back for Sunday’s clash.
      Midfielder Eduardo Camavinga played there against Tunisia on Wednesday in their final Group D game.
      Les Bleus had already qualified so it is unknown if Deschamps was trying Camavinga at left-back with one-eye on the knockout stages.
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      Elsewhere in the squad, team-mates are reportedly divided over Benjamin Pavard’s disappointing performance at the World Cup so far.
      That is according to L’Equipe, who claim Pavard’s poor display in Les Bleus’ opener against Australia caused frustration among his team-mates.
      The Bayern Munich right-back was at fault for the Socceroo’s opening goal as he failed to track Graig Goodwin’s run into the box but the reigning world champions turned it around and won 4-1.
      Barcelona star Ousmane Dembele was reportedly among those who were “railing against” the 26-year-old.
      However, the full-back has received the backing of some of his veteran team-mates, such as captain Hugo Lloris and France’s joint-all time top scorer Olivier Giroud.
      Pavard hasn’t started for the Tricolores since as he was replaced by Jules Kounde against Denmark and Axel Disasi against Tunisia. More

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      Watch raging Edinson Cavani PUNCH tunnel VAR monitor after Uruguay denied late penalty in heartbreaking World Cup exit

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      EDINSON CAVANI punched the VAR monitor in the tunnel after being denied a late penalty as Uruguay crashed out of the World Cup.The South Americans beat Ghana 2-0 in their final Group H match in what for a long time looked set to be enough to clinch them a place in the last-16.
      Edinson Cavani thought he should have been awarded a penalty late in the gameCredit: Reuters
      He took his anger out on the VAR monitor, punching it on his way down the tunnel
      It toppled over as a furious Cavani looked on in disgust
      But in stoppage-time at the end of the other game in the group, South Korea struck a dramatic late winner to beat Portugal 2-1 and move above Uruguay.
      The news filtered back through to Diego Alonso’s side as they entered eight minutes of added time.
      They then knew they were going out on goals scored unless they found another goal.
      And Valencia striker Cavani, 35, thought he had earned his side a penalty when Seidu Alidu clipped his leg inside the area.
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      But referee Daniel Siebert waved away the protests and VAR deemed it to be the right call.
      Uruguay were incensed but then had to re-focus on the matter at hand as they continued to try and find the all-important goal.
      It did not come, however, with the Uruguay players and staff then choosing to surround Siebert in a rage after the final whistle.
      Cavani headed down the tunnel but could not resist a momentary lash out in anger.
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      As he trudged off to the dressing room he took the opportunity to punch the VAR monitor at the end of the tunnel.
      And the force of the whack saw the monitor tumble to the floor as Cavani walked off in disgust.
      Portugal finished top of Group H, with South Korea pipping Uruguay to second place and Ghana coming bottom.
      Cavani’s punch comes after a heartbroken Romelu Lukaku lashed out at the dug-out after Belgium crashed out yesterday.
      Lukaku took aim at the dugout after his heartbreaking exit from World Cup More

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      Neuer and Muller look sheepish as glum Germany squad touch down in Munich after dreadful World Cup 2022 campaign

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      GERMANY’S World Cup flops landed back in Munich after a dismal campaign in Qatar.Hansi Flick’s side were knocked out at the group stages for a second consecutive tournament.
      Manuel Neuer looked a tad sheepish after landing back on home soilCredit: Reuters
      Thomas Muller hinted at international retirement after Germany crashed out in QatarCredit: Reuters
      Jamal Musiala was a bright spark for the GermansCredit: Reuters
      Antonio Rudiger wheeled his case after arriving back in GermanyCredit: Reuters
      Their 4-2 win over Costa Rica on Thursday wasn’t enough to make it to the last 16 after Japan’s highly controversial win over Spain.
      And the Germans were quick to head home after their nightmare campaign.
      They landed back in Munich on Friday looking glum following their group stage exit.
      Captain Manuel Neuer donned a red beanie after arriving back in the cold from the Qatar desert.
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      Thomas Muller was also seen wheeling his suitcase after landing back at arrivals earlier than anticipated.
      The 33-year-old may have played in his last World Cup, having hinted at retirement after the early exit.
      Joshua Kimmich appeared glumCredit: Reuters
      Serge Gnabry wheeled his suitcase after arriving back in GermanyCredit: Reuters
      Muller said: “If that was my last game for Germany, a few words to the German fans: It was a tremendous pleasure. 
      “Thank you very much. I always tried to show heart on the pitch. Sometimes there were tears of joy, sometimes pain.
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      “I did it with love. I need to think about everything else now.”
      The same can possibly be said for Neuer, who will be 40 by the time of the next tournament.
      Meanwhile, Joshua Kimmich looked glum as he spoke on his mobile phone.
      Teenage sensation Jamal Musiala also appeared downcast on his return, despite the 19-year-old being a bright spark in a dismal campaign for the Germans.
      Some excited fans gathered to snap shots of the team arriving back, including ex-Chelsea man Antonio Rudiger, but it was far from a hero’s welcome at Munich arrivals.
      A 4-2 win over Costa Rica was not enough to make it to the last 16Credit: Getty More