World Cup

BRAZIL star Fred could return to Manchester United with a slim new look this month.That’s because he is losing up to three kilograms a GAME at the World Cup with his “absurd” work rate.
Brazil star Fred is losing up to three kilos a game at the World Cup due to his work rateCredit: Getty
Fred, 29, has been putting in a shift-and-a-half for his country in Qatar.
The Brazil ace has clocked up the miles in wins over Serbia and Switzerland.
That’s with temperatures of over 30C, and humidity also at an uncomfortable 60 per cent.
But because of the weather, coupled with his intense running, Fred is dropping a huge amount of weight every time he plays.

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Brazil physio Guilherme Passos notes that Fred is the lightest player in Tite’s squad, weighing in at 67kg.
But his intensity in games, as well as training sessions, is seeing that figure fluctuate wildly.
Brazil are now making sure Fred receives adequate light work to make sure he does not overload his system.
And the United ace is also getting some extra grub to replenish after gruelling matches.
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Passos said: “He has an absurd work rate, very high.
“We had a match in the Copa America where he covered 12km. He’s always our top one, top two in volume, in distance covered. 
“In work rate, which means that he is all the time running through the field at high speed and moderate speed.”
Another Brazil fitness coach, Fabio Mahseradjian, added: “Fred is a very mobile and typically endurance athlete. 
“He’s not as fast as [Gabriel] Martinelli or Rodrygo. He’s not a strength athlete like Richarlison. They are individual characteristics of others, but he has his own, which is very mobile and of high resistance.
“We pay a lot of attention to Fred regarding his recovery. Because he loses a lot of weight during the game precisely because of this great work rate. 
“He is one of the main athletes that we have to rehydrate a lot after the game, increase the carbohydrate intake a lot to be able to recover well for the next match.” More

THE World Cup’s “hottest fan” ruthlessly mocked Belgium after her beloved Croatia dumped the flops from the tournament in Qatar.The Belgians needed a win to progress to the knock-out stage but crashed out after drawing 0-0 draw with Croatia on Thursday.
Former Miss Croatia Ivana Knoll attended the Croatia v Belgium match at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium last nightCredit: Getty
The glam model mocked Belgium after they dumped from the World CupCredit: Rex
Belgium’s Kevin De Bruyne was devastated by last night’s resultsCredit: Getty
Taking to Instagram to celebrate her home team progressing, alongside glam pictures of herself in a chequered bra and red sweat pants, Knoll said: “Apart from me, Lukaku also showed the most today. Let’s go!”
The Croat stunner was referring to the moment the Belgian footballing heavyweight destroyed his team’s dug out with one punch.
Roberto Martinez’s men knew a point was unlikely to be enough in their final group-stage match against Croatia to see them through to the last-16.
And with Morocco beating Canada 2-1 in the other game in Group F, Belgium became aware they needed to find a late goal against the Croats as the contest headed for a stalemate.
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They had several good opportunities in the dying moments – including ones which fell to Lukaku right in front of goal – but could not find a winner.
Lukaku, who came into the tournament carrying an injury, showed his frustration after the game, punching the side of the dugout which came loose.
He then headed down the tunnel in tears, but not before Belgium coach Thierry Henry consoled him pitchside.
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Belgium’s squad togetherness was called into question earlier this week as reports of a dressing room row surfaced.
They were thought to have stemmed from Kevin de Bruyne publicly stating that the squad was too old.
Speaking to The Guardian about Belgium’s chances of winning the competition, the Man City man said: “No chance, we’re too old. I think our chance was 2018. We have a good team, but it is aging.
“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.”
Following the game, manager Roberto Martinez announced he was leaving his job.
Knoll celebrated Croatia’s first win of the tournament by posing in a skimpy flag bikini.
Croatia came from behind to beat Canada 4-1 to maintain their unbeaten start to the World Cup.
After the match Ivana took to the beach where she posed for the camera in a red and white chequered bikini set.
She left little to the imagination after capturing fans’ attention during Croatia’s win.
The Croat said he isn’t worried about being arrested for breaching Qatar’s strict laws on modesty.
The 30-year-old German-born model and designer has been pictured cheering on her country at this winter’s tournament wearing a range of revealing outfits.
Many of her figure-hugging displays are in the distinctive red-and-white chequerboard design of the Croatian flag.
For the Balkan team’s World Cup opener against Morocco, Ivana was pictured in a full-length red-and-white checked dress with a hood.
At Croatia’s against Canada, the stunning brunette went one step further when she was filmed in a short low-cut dress red-and-white checked dress with matching socks that exposed her shoulders.
Smiling, the 5’11” model posed for selfies with supporters.
Ahead of the tournament, she also shared two pictures of herself in a Croatian-inspired thong bikini which she claimed were taken on a beach in Qatar.
Born in Frankfurt, Germany, Ivana moved to Croatia at a young age and makes it clear through her outfits where her loyalties lie.
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The UK Foreign Office advised female visitors to Qatar to cover their shoulders and avoid wearing short skirts in the majority-Muslim country.
Knoll says she’s not worried about being arrested for breaking Qatar’s modesty lawsCredit: Getty
Luka Modric and Dejan Lovren celebrate after Croatia sealed second spot after the goalless drawCredit: Getty
Assistant coach Thierry Henry of Belgium comforts Kevin De BruyneCredit: Getty More

BOTH Serbia and Switzerland have it all to do to progress out of Group G and into the World Cup knockout stages.With Brazil needing just a point in their final game against Cameroon to finish top, it seems only second spot is up for grabs.

The Serbia XI that drew with Cameroon
Serbia have to win to go through, and hope that Brazil don’t lose to Cameroon in the other game.
A draw should be enough for Switzerland as long as Brazil do what most expect.
The pair have a fierce rivalry peaking in 2018, when they last met at the Russia World Cup.
SunSport takes a look at what to expect from Serbia vs Switzerland including our score prediction.
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How are they getting on?
Serbia: Boss Dragan Stojkovic couldn’t have had a tougher start to his World Cup campaign which ended in a blunt 2-0 loss to Brazil.
But the shooting boots were back on for game two against Cameroon – but it was only a point in a 3-3 draw.
Read the full Serbia vs Cameroon report here…

Switzerland: Breel Embolo was the matchwinner as Murat Yakin’s boys opened their campaign with a 1-0 win against Cameroon.
But despite a determined and spirited performance, the Swiss fell to a 1-0 defeat to Brazil in the next game, thanks to a stunner from Manchester United star Casemiro.
Read the full Switzerland vs Brazil report here…
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Switzerland XI for the defeat to Brazil
Any injuries to worry about?
Serbia: No injury worries to worry about, but it’s likely Aleksandar Mitrovic’s fitness is being monitored ahead of the big game.
Switzerland: Shaqiri is Switzerland’s biggest doubt ahead of the vital clash.
The former Liverpool man is struggling with a thigh injury and missed the 1-0 loss to Brazil.
Who to watch
Serbia: Mitrovic will be the man charged with firing Serbia to victory and into the KO stages.
The Fulham man has made a blistering impact in the Premier League and will be looking to make his mark on the world stage here having scored in the last game.
Switzerland: Granit Xhaka is a man transformed at the moment.
And with a draw more than likely to be enough for the Swiss, his job marshalling the midfield and winning the second balls could prove vital.
Permutations
Serbia must WIN the game and then still need to rely on Brazil getting at least a draw against Cameroon to qualify.
A point is likely to be enough for Switzerland to qualify – so long as Brazil don’t lose to Cameroon.
A victory could even see them top the group if Brazil crash to a shock loss to Cameroon.
What’s the head-to-head?
Surprisingly, these two have only faced each other once before.
In the 2018 World Cup the Swiss won 2-1 in their Group E clash, Granit Xhaka and Shaqiri cancelling out Mitrovic’s fifth-minute opener.
Odds
Serbia 8/5
Switzerland 9/5
Draw 12/5
SunSport prediction
The bookies have this as tight as you’d expect – and it really could go either way.
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But Serbia are the ones under the big pressure, and over-reliance on Mitrovic and Milinkovic-Savic could prove their undoing.
Switzerland 2 Serbia 2 More