World Cup

LUIS ENRIQUE spent his pre-match press conference talking about permutations.Instead, his team left him with serious heart palpitations as Japan sprung yet another stunning World Cup upset to top Group E – and almost dump Spain OUT in the process.
Japan topped Group E after beating Spain 2-1Credit: Reuters
Japan players celebrate their second goal against SpainCredit: AP
Japan celebrated wildly after topping the groupCredit: Getty
Spain were disappointed with the result, but can still celebrate going throughCredit: EPA
A relaxed Enrique admitted pre-match he had considered tactically trying to finish second in this group, in order to avoid Brazil and secure an “easier” route to the final.
It ended up that way by accident, but it looked as though those plans had been tossed in the bin with a fine first half performance to leave the football purist drooling.
Complete domination is an understatement. The Spaniards trotted down the tunnel at the break with 83 per cent possession and 562 passes, compared to 127 for their weary opponents.
Japan – evidenced by their opening day comeback to beat Germany 2-1 – are no mugs, yet they did not get a sniff, made to look like a bog-standard Tokyo Sunday league mob.
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Chuck in an 11th minute header from Alvaro Morata and things were looking more than rosy for Spain. They were turning on the style while still conserving their energy.

Croatia awaited in the Last 16, with a potential quarter against Brazil on the cards. Confidence was sky high. Sorted.
What Enrique did not envisage was yet another team talk of a lifetime – as well as two inspired substitutions – from Blue Samurai coach Hajime Moriyasu.
It was one that almost cost Spain a knock-out spot here in Qatar.
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For a brief moment as Costa Rica took the lead against Germany in the 70th minute, they were out, only to sneak back in to second almost instantly. Phew.
The shyest of characters, you could lose Moriyasu in an elevator, but put him in a dressing room with a team under the cosh and he does the business time after time.
On came Ritsu Doan and Kaoru Mitoma. By the 48th minute, they were level. By the 51st minute, they were ahead – the latter by the barest of margins.
Against the Germans, it took Doan until the 75th minute to equalise, yet he wasted no time here, cutting inside from a poor Unai Simon pass out from the back and firing goalwards.
Simon will be disappointed, getting a firm hand to it. The Japanese were ecstatic.
The Spanish sections of the Khalifa International Stadium were so confident of a win during the first half death by a gazillion passes, they were organising a Mexican wave.

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But bums were firmly on seats as Japan sparked another attack. Doan involved again, firing a ball across the six-yard box and Mitoma snuck it back for Ao Tanaka to tap in.
Replays at first showed the ball for Mitoma had drifted out for a goal kick, only for another angle to highlight it had stayed in by a half a whisker.
VAR deliberated for an agonising two minutes before awarding the goal. Cue pandemonium.
With Spain lacking a clinical edge to break down a now determined Japanese defensive outfit, attention turned to the other game as Costa Rica went ahead.
If anything, the Germans did Enrique and his nervy boys a reluctant favour by going 4-2 up. 
There was no way they would score another five to even match Spain’s goal difference.
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As for Japan, it is the Croats for them, and potentially the Samba boys after that.
Going by this performance, you wouldn’t put it past them downing another international heavyweight. More

GRAEME SOUNESS has blasted Kevin De Bruyne’s pre-World Cup comments stating Belgium were “too old” to win the tournament following their elimination.The Red Devils are on the next flight home after they were held to a goalless draw by Croatia.
Kevin De Bruyne claimed before he World Cup that Belhium were ‘too old’ to win the World CupCredit: Getty
Graeme Souness has blasted the star for his pre-tournament commentsCredit: Getty
A host of chances were missed by Belgium and striker Romelu Lukaku was spotted in tears being consoled by coach Thierry Henry after the full-time whistle.
Their exit came amid rumours of several rows and rifts in the Belgian camp throughout the World Cup in Qatar.
Discussing De Bruyne’s remarks on ITV, Souness said: “Totally unnecessary.
“You gain nothing. If that’s your thoughts, then keep them to yourself. 
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“That would not have spread a happy atmosphere inside the camp.
“Why he’s chosen to do that, only he can tell you.”
De Bruyne was referring to Belgium’s so-called “Golden Generation” – which included a host of stars such as Eden Hazard, Dries Mertens and Jan Vertonghen all being over 31.
And the playmaker, who is 31 himself, could have contributed to the reported disharmony in the dressing-room with his comments.
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Following the defeat to Morocco in their second game, Hazard told reporters: “We probably also attack badly because we are too old, that must be it now, surely?”
It was Morocco who ended up topping the group while Croatia took second spot at the expense of the Belgians. More

GHANA take on South American giants Uruguay in their final Group H match, as they seek revenge for what happened 12 years ago.Uruguay have not scored a single goal in this World Cup so far, while Ghana have netted five times.
Luis Suarez was at the centre of the drama last time the sides metCredit: AP:Associated Press
The pair last met in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. With the scores level at 1-1, Luis Suarez deliberately used his hands to prevent a goal, leading to a red card and penalty to Ghana.
Asamoah Gyan stepped up in the final minute of extra-time, but smashed his spot-kick against the bar.
Uruguay went on to win the penalty shootout, sending Ghana home in dramatic circumstances.
12 years on, the African side will be hoping they can get Uruguay back, and take all three points in Qatar and they have it all to play for as both sides can still qualify.
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When is Ghana vs Uruguay

Ghana’s clash with Uruguay will take place on Friday, December 2
The game will kick off from 3pm UK time.
Portugal vs Ghana will be held at the Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah.
The two sides last and only meeting was at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, with Uruguay snatching the win on penalties.

What TV channel is it on and can it be live streamed?

Ghana vs Uruguay will be shown live on BBC One in the UK.
You can live stream the action from the BBC iPlayer, which can be downloaded onto your mobile or tablet device.

Can I watch it for FREE?
Yes, you can! The game is available to watch for FREE in the UK, so long as you have a TV licence.
What is the team news?
Both teams look to have a clean bill of health ahead of this match.
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What are the odds?
Ghana win 4/1
Draw 29/10
Uruguay victory 7/10
Odds courtesy of Betfair are correct as of December 1. More

PAUL POGBA watched the World Cup during a gym session as he continues his recovery from injury.The French midfielder, 29, was ruled out of going to Qatar as he could not recover in time from a knee operation.
Paul Pogba watched Morocco beat Canada while training in the gym
He is looking to come back from a lengthy stint on the sidelines
Pogba is yet to play for Juventus since returning for a second spell in the summer
It came after a lengthy period on the sidelines, with Pogba not yet having played a competitive game for Juventus since returning in the summer.
Now the ex-Manchester United midfielder is determined to get back playing after the World Cup break.
And he shared photos and videos to social media on Thursday as he strengthened his body in the gym.
But perhaps the most interesting part of the post was that it showed he was watching the World Cup while training.
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At a closer look, you can see he has Canada vs Morocco on the TV, keeping a close eye on the conclusion of Group F.

It ended with Morocco booking their place in the last-16 for the first time since 1986.
They went through as group winners, while Croatia knocked out Belgium after holding them to a goalless draw.
Meanwhile, Pogba will undoubtedly have a keen eye on France as they bid to retain the World Cup after lifting it with him four years ago.
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If Didier Deschamps’ men manage to achieve the feat, they would become the first nation since Brazil in 1962 to win back-to-back editions of the World Cup.
And they made the perfect start to their tournament, beating Australia 4-1 and following that up with a 2-1 victory over Denmark.
A much-changed side then lost 1-0 to Tunisia in their final group game on Wednesday.
But they still finished top of Group D and will face Poland in the last-16 on Sunday. More

ANCIENT, unfit and out of form, yet now a record-breaking Brazil star — it has been a month to remember for Dani Alves.On Friday one of football’s legendary right-backs becomes his nation’s oldest World Cup player, when he skippers them in the Group G finale against Cameroon aged 39 years and 210 days.
Dani Alves will captain Brazil when they face CameroonCredit: Reuters
Alves has been relegated to the bench during his time in QatarCredit: Getty
It will be a momentous evening for a man best known domestically for his heroics with Barcelona, as he also becomes Brazil’s joint second most-capped star.
Yet it is also tinged with controversy, as coach Tite’s selection of Alves, who joins Roberto Carlos on 125 caps, has not been popular with Selecao fans.
He left Barca during the summer, signing for Mexican side UNAM Pumas in July — but despite playing 12 of their 17 games in the first half of the season, the club have won just twice and fans have questioned if he is up to it.
Alves reckons much of the flak is down to simply being out of the Camp Nou limelight.
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He insisted: “Historically in the Brazil squad someone has always had to pay the bill, someone has always been challenged and now it’s my turn.
“If I was at Barcelona it probably wouldn’t be happening but because I’m not at one of the big European clubs it’s normal.
“It’s normal people might question me because of my age or because I might not be at my best at this minute.
“It is something that bothers me but doesn’t affect me. I am reaping what I have planted over the years.
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“But for Brazil and the World Cup, it is not necessarily about being in your best moment at your (club) team but the best for the national team.
“That’s what I have done since 2003, when I was part of the Brazil squad for the first time. If I have to play the drum I will be the best drummer out there. That’s how I see life.

“I know what I can do for the team. I know there may be others even better than I am to do it but I know I can deliver to my team and to my coach. That’s why I am here.”
Alves, still some way off Cafu’s all-time appearance high of 142, beats  Thiago Silva in Brazil’s all-time oldest player chart by a year and three months — a record his current skipper set only last week.
But he will have to go some to catch Cameroon’s Roger Milla, the oldest outfield player to appear in a World Cup at USA 1994, aged 42.

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The oldest of all is Egyptian goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary, who was 45 when he played in Russia 2018.
Alves is also football’s most decorated player, with 44 trophies. And he is convinced he has a great chance of adding the biggest prize of all with this Brazil squad put together by Tite.
He said: “This is the most balanced team we have ever had in the 16 years I have been in the national team.
“That does not happen overnight and also shows age doesn’t matter if you have fitness and you are intelligent.”
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If Brazil do go all the way, Alves will likely be on the bench, with Danilo close to recovery after damaging ankle ligaments in the first game.
Neymar — out with the same injury — is also set to return when Brazil play their last-16 tie on Monday. More

THEY last played together 17 years ago, but El Hadji Diouf still could not resist another pop at Steven Gerrard when quizzed on England’s last-16 clash with Senegal.Gerrard and Diouf famously did not like each other during their three seasons together at Liverpool back in the early 2000s.
Senegal legend El Hadji Diouf could not resist another pop at Steven GerrardCredit: PA
Stevie G and the Senegal star hated each other at Liverpool and have had spays sinceCredit: Action Images – Reuters
Reds icon Gerrard wrote in his 2007 autobiography that he was “not Diouf’s No1 fan” and was “only interested in himself”.
Diouf hit back claiming that there is “nobody more egotistical than Gerrard”.
The forward, who went on to play for five other English teams including Bolton and Leeds, later branded the Three Lions centurion a “brown-noser”.
Diouf, 41, is now a special advisor to the Lions of Teranga, who face Gareth Southgate’s side at the Al Bayt Stadium on Sunday.
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And when asked about any weaknesses he feels the England team may have, given his experience of playing on our shores, Diouf brought up Gerrard once again, referencing his relationship with fellow midfielder Frank Lampard.
Diouf said: “My time in English football was different because (now) they all copy, the national team as well, Pep Guardiola and Man City.
“They play the same way, they want to have the ball and score a lot of goals and play tiki-taka football.
“Players can do it as well, they have a good team and a very good team spirit as well.
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“It’s not like Stevie G and (Frank) Lampard time – the two of them, they don’t like each other.
“It’s about team spirit and Gareth Southgate did a great job.”
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Diouf joined Liverpool in 2002 off the back of his success with Senegal at the 2002 World Cup.
They beat reigning champions France in their opener and went all the way to the quarter-final, losing to a golden goal against Turkey.
And Diouf feels if Gareth Southgate’s side underestimate Senegal like the French did 20 years ago, then Aliou Cisse’s side could pull off a shock.
He said: “It reminds me of when we played against France. They thought they’d won the game before they played it. If England do the same thing on Sunday, this is good for us.

“I know we are not the favourite but we are going to do everything to beat them and the players can do it.”
Diouf struggled at Liverpool but made more of an impact at Bolton, where he worked under former England manager Sam Allardyce.
While he was also signed for Leeds by Neil Warnock, despite the then Whites boss previously comparing Diouf to a “sewer rat”.
Yet Diouf clearly has a great relationship still with both former bosses, revealing he has invited both to Sunday’s clash.

He said: “Everyone knows Sam is a part of my family, and Neil Warnock, the two great managers I know in England.
“I love them and I would like to invite them to watch this game as well. Sam can’t come, because he has to go to Phuket with his wife, but Neil is going to try.”
With Sunday being a knockout game, a penalty shootout remains an ominous possibility if the scores are tied after extra-time.
The thought of that is enough to send chills down the spine of any Englishman.
But Diouf has supreme confidence in his side if it goes to spot-kicks, given their successes earlier this year in that format.
Senegal won the African Cup of Nations in February and their World Cup play-off to qualify for finals a month later, both against Mo Salah’s Egypt, on a shootout.
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Diouf added: “If we get to penalties, we’re going to win it. Easy.
“I know the goalkeeper we’ve got (Chelsea’s Edouard Mendy) and I know we can stop some of their penalties.” More