World Cup

ENGLAND have the only player “on the planet” that can stop France superstar Kylian Mbappe in the 2022 World Cup, claim Rio Ferdinand and Gary Neville.The Three Lions and Les Bleus both punched their ticket to the Last 16 where they will face Senegal and Poland respectively.
England could face France star Kylian Mbappe in the World Cup quarter-finalsCredit: Getty
If Gareth Southgate and Didier Deschamps’ teams make it out of the Round of 16 they will face each other in a crunch quarter-final clash.
That means England’s defence will go up against Paris Saint-Germain superstar Mbappe, who has already scored three goals and bagged one assist in three World Cup games.
However, Ferdinand and Neville insist the Euro 2020 finalists have nothing to fear as they have the right man to keep the star forward quiet.
And that is none other than Manchester City right-back Kyle Walker.

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Ferdinand said on his FIVE show: “For me, Kyle Walker is the only defender on the planet right now that will stand there and go to Mbappe: ‘Right, 1-v-1, let’s have a race’.
“He will back himself too. We saw it in the Euros. He’s got the confidence to do that and he’s the only one capable of doing that I think.”
Neville echoed his former Manchester United team-mate’s statement as he feels Walker has the right pace, physicality and experience to deal with Mbappe.
The former England international added that this is a “collision course waiting to happen”.
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England star Kyle Walker is the only one who can stop Kylian Mbappe, say Rio Ferdinand and Gary NevilleCredit: Getty
Neville told Sky Sports: “I always thought we’d play three at the back in this tournament, but I don’t think we will now.
“I didn’t think the centre-back pairing would be strong enough, but John Stones and Harry Maguire are holding up.
“It’s whether what they’ve played against so far in the first three games is going to be anything like what they face moving forward, and I don’t think it is.
“It looks like a collision course waiting to happen doesn’t it? Mbappe versus Walker.
“We’ve got the perfect right-back to deal with Mbappe if anyone can – physical, pace, experience.” More

ENGLAND’S stars returned to training to begin their preparations to face Senegal in the World Cup last-16 on Sunday.The Three Lions were given a rest day on Wednesday following the late night after beating Wales.
England began their preparations for Senegal this afternoonCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
Three-goal hero Marcus Rashford will be hoping to keep his placeCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
England are back in action on Sunday eveningCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
Jack Grealish’s calves were bulging as everCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
Temperatures were around 29C as they took to the fieldCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
The players went through some light recovery work at their Qatar hotel – including swimming, stretching, massages and basketball – and also spent time with their families.
Declan Rice faced the media this morning – both in his press conference and on the darts board.
But then it was back to business on the field.
There was no Ben White in training after he returned back home for personal reasons.

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The Arsenal defender is not expected to return to Qatar.
But the remaining 25 players were all in action for the 3pm session in 29C heat.
Rice looked relaxed as he loosened up while Jack Grealish quickly demonstrated his class with some cheeky keepy-uppies.
Marcus Rashford was in the thick of the action, just as he was against Wales on Tuesday.
Raheem Sterling wants to win his place in the starting XI backCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
Harry Kane is still looking for his first goal of the tournamentCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
Jude Bellingham was one of the stars of the group stages for EnglandCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
James Maddison is still waiting to make his debutCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
Eric Dier may have to settle for a place on the bench againCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
Gareth Southgate appeared in good spirits in DohaCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
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England topped Group B so take on the runners-up from Group A at 7pm at the Al Bayt Stadium.
Senegal, without star man Sadio Mane, secured wins over Qatar and Ecuador to finish behind the Netherlands and progress.
Gareth Southgate’s side know they go into the knockout clash as the heavy favourites and will be buoyed after scoring nine goals in their opening three matches.
However, should the game finish level after extra-time, it will go down to penalties.
But with the likes of Harry Kane, Callum Wilson and James Maddison in the squad and a special net to practise spot kicks, England will be confident of putting their Euro 2020 final heartache behind them and progressing.
Declan Rice hit the darts board before facing the mediaCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
Wednesday was a recovery day for the England playersCredit: Getty
Jude Bellingham enjoyed a swim in the hotel poolCredit: Getty
Mason Mount got some air on the basketball courtCredit: Getty More

DIEGO MARADONA’S old house was been used to stage a huge World Cup party after Argentina beat Poland.Lionel Scaloni’s side produced an impressive performance to seal their place as group winners as they head to the last-16.
The house was absolutely packed with happy Argentina fansCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk
Locals watched the match and enjoyed a BBQ before it broke out into a huge partyCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk
Maradona was well known for his enjoyment of partying before his death in 2020Credit: Reuters
And with all of Argentina cheering Lionel Messi and his teammates on at home and in bars, one particularly special party was taking place in the South American country.
The owners of Diego Maradona’s old family house hosted a massive celebration at his former luxury pad to celebrate the victory.
They are believed to have only bought the home six days ago but let people in free of charge to watch the World Cup clash.
Pictures and videos show incredible scenes of Argentinians crowded around the pool and having the time of their lives as they marked the win.
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Many were wearing the national shirt as they chugged down beer poolside and danced in triumph.
Other fans were shirtless across the crowded garden and people of all ages could be spotted in the crowd.
Pictures show some people stood on the balcony and under giant white tents amid the joyous but chaotic scenes after the house owners swung open the doors to neighbours and friends.
Maradona, who died in 2020 aged 60, was famously football’s biggest party animal.
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Neighbours crowded into the party house to watch Argentina beat PolandCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk
Those who chose to wear shirts were decked out in Argentina gearCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk
It was a festival of booze, food, friends and football at Maradona’s old houseCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk
And fans were loving the party at his former home, with one person on Twitter writing: “The whole ‘it’s what he would have wanted’ thing is a bit of a cliché, but it’s probably what Diego would have wanted.”
Maradona owned the “temple” in the beautiful Villa Devoto since the 1980s before it was sold.
According to Xtratime, the new owners preserved everything to pay respect to the legendary footballer.
And before their massive pool party, they had also laid out chairs and served food while people watched the game on a giant screen.
According to Clarin Sports, the food included eighty kilos of meat with tasty BBQ treats like beef and pork on display.
Reporters on local station A24 described the scene.
Fans will be hoping for a repeat of the carnage when they take on Australia on SaturdayCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk
Party animal Maradona led Argentina to their last World Cup in 1986Credit: Reuters
One said: “It’s a big party, the new owners who only bought it six days ago decided to open it for anyone who could come to watch the game and enjoy.
“They bought at least 80 kilos of asado [bbq meat], I’m not exaggerating, there is meat to eat until 10 at night, they bought drinks for everyone.
“Before I was asking one of the new owners if they’re going to kick people out, if they are going to start slowly escorting them out, because there are people in the bedrooms, in the bathrooms, everywhere.”
The reporter added that the new owners were big Maradona fans, and initially had plans to transform the site into a hotel or museum in honour of the Argentine legend.
Maradona was the mastermind behind Argentina’s last World Cup win in 1986 as he dragged his nation to victory after scoring one or two famous goals.
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They are still in the competition in 2022 thanks to strikes from Brighton star Alexis Mac Allister and Manchester City’s Julian Alvarez.
They will now take on Australia in the last 16. More

MILOS DEGENEK has revealed his Australia team-mates thought he was just trying to psych them up by telling them Tunisia were beating France.The defender is known in the squad as the motivator and his teammates thought he was up to his old tricks in their crucial World Cup group game against Denmark.
Milos Degenek was the first player to be told about the Tunisia goalCredit: Reuters
Jackson Irvine did not believe Degenek when he told them about the goalCredit: Getty
Australia went into the game needing to match or better Tunisia’s result against reigning World cup winners France in order to qualify for the round of 16.
The goal had put the African side ahead of Australia in the group meant they would qualify instead.
Fortunately, Mathew Leckie opened the scoring for Australia three minutes later, putting them back into second place.
However, during the celebrations, Degenek was called to the sidelines of Al Janoub Stadium in Doha by the team’s support staff and was told about Wahbi Khazri’s goal that had given Tunisia a shock lead.
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The assistant coach Rene Meulensteen was told of the goal by another assistant, Tony Vidmar.
Meulensteen said: “It was just a quiet word from Tony Vidmar in my ear – no more information, no reason to jump at it and panic.
“Funny thing is, about a minute later we scored.
“That is when I told Arnie [head coach Graham Arnold] to say: ‘Listen, Tunisia is winning 1-0’.
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“And I grabbed Milos Degenek to say: ‘Get in a huddle and tell the players to make them sure they know where we are […] we have to win, we have to keep a clean sheet’.”
Degenek then grabbed his teammates and said: “If we don’t win, the Tunisians will sneak through to the round of 16 on goal difference.
“The boys thought it was my psyching them up so we won’t lose. But it was actually me being serious.”
Meulensteen admitted that the idea to tell say Tunisia were winning would have been Degenek’s motivational idea, even if they weren’t.
He added: “That’s the type of guy he is, that’s unfortunate for him.
“So he had to pull out everything to make sure that it was real.”
However, some of the players did not believe him, as Jackson Irvine said: “In the back of my mind I was actually like: ‘Well done, Milos, that’s a good idea, tell the boys that we need a win, absolutely’.
“And then you find out later on [he was right].” More