World Cup

HARRY MAGUIRE has praised Marcus Rashford for his spectacular England return.Rashford scored twice against Wales on his first Three Lions start since June 2021.
Harry Maguire praised Marcus Rashford after he scored twice against WalesCredit: PA
Maguire, his club captain at Manchester United, said: “I am really pleased for Marcus.
“For the last year or so he has been in and out of the England team and set up.
“He has really found his form again for Manchester United and he is a massive player for our club, throughout a long career, you will always have ups and downs and it is all about how you bounce back when you are out of form.
“He has kept working hard and done that tirelessly. I can’t speak highly enough of Marcus.
READ MORE ON THE WORLD CUP
“He is a wonderful man and a great player.
“He showed he belongs on this stage.”
Rashford’s form dipped after he suffered racial abuse for his penalty miss in the final of the Euros.
A shoulder injury also restricted him and Gareth Southgate recalled him only for the World Cup.
Most read in Football
HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON THE WORLD CUP
Maguire said: “This last year has been difficult for him but all good players rise to the top again.
“I am sure the coaching staff and everyone close to him try to help him. I am close to Marcus, a good mate of his on and off the field, the main thing is trying to get the belief back in his game.
“Marcus is a fantastic talent and you see it day in day out when you train with him. It was a matter of time until he got his confidence and form back.
“When he gets that opportunity with the confidence that he has, he is a threat to anyone.”
Maguire was also delighted with England’s performance against Wales, which took off with Rashford’s fabulous free kick early in the second half.
The United defender said: “It was an amazing performance.
“The first half set us up to do what we did in the second half. A lot of the games in the World Cup, if you watch them, there’s really tense first halves.
“This is the biggest competition in the world so it is not going to be easy and free-flowing football always like you want it to be or it was against Iran in the first half.
Read More on The Sun
“We controlled it from minute one, it was 3-0 and could have been more.
“It is a great night for our country, everyone involved but it is only one game and another big game coming around the corner. “ More

SAUDI ARABIA are looking to qualify for the World Cup knockout stages for the second time after springing one of the all-time shocks in Qatar.The Saudis stunned Lionel Messi and Argentina in their opening game.

Saudi Arabia’s XI for the defeat to Poland
And while they were unable to maintain the momentum in their second game against Poland, qualification is still in their hands.
Mexico have had a torrid campaign and are yet to score in this competition.
But their fate is still just about in their own hands and they can make it through with a big win no matter what anybody else does.
SunSport takes a look at what to expect from Saudi Arabia vs Mexico, plus our score prediction.
BETTING SPECIAL – GET £66 IN FREE BETS ON THE WORLD CUP
READ MORE WORLD CUP NEWS
How are they getting on?
Saudi Arabia: Herve Renard’s energetic Saudi side achieved one of the most memorable results in World Cup history as they beat Argentina 2-1 in their opening game.
However, they ran out of gas in their second game as Poland ran out 2-0 winners to leave their qualification hopes up in the air.
Read the full Poland vs Saudi Arabia match report…
Most read in Football
Mexico: El Tri have yet to score a goal in a forgettable campaign which saw them draw 0-0 to the Poles and lose 2-0 to Argentina.
But they still have a chance of securing an eighth straight qualification for the knockout stages.
Read the full Argentina vs Mexico match report…

Mexico’s XI for the defeat to Argentina
Any injuries to worry about?
Mohammed Al-Burayk, Yasir Al-Shahrani and Salman Al-Faraj are all out through injury for Saudi Arabia.
Abdulelah Al-Malki misses out through suspension after picking up two yellow cards.
Mexico’s Andres Guardado was forced off injured after 42 minutes against Argentina, but quickly returned to training afterwards.
Who will be the star men?
Saudi Arabia: Salem Al-Dawsari showed his quality with his stunning winner against Argentina.
Mexico: Napoli winger Hirving Lozano is an ever-present in the team and will need to perform if the Mexicans are to rack up the goals.
Permutations
Saudi Arabia will qualify with a win and top the group if Poland vs Argentina ends in a draw
A draw will be enough if Poland beat Argentina or Argentina win 4-0.
Mexico will qualify with any win if Poland beat Argentina.
Should that match end in a draw, they will need to win by four goals.
If Argentina win, the Mexicans will need to win and secure a five-goal win away from the Poles.
What’s the head-to-head?
Saudi Arabia and Mexico have met five times, all of them being in the 90s and three of them in the Confederations Cup.
Of those games, Mexico have won four and there has been one draw.
Their last meeting was in the Confederations Cup in 1999, when Mexico ran out 5-1 winners at the Azteca.
Odds
Saudi Arabia 4-1
Draw 33-10
Read More on The Sun
Mexico 8-11
SunSport prediction
Saudi Arabia 1 Mexico 2 More

LIONEL MESSI heads into a huge clash with Poland looking to avoid a very premature exit from what is almost certain to be his last World Cup.The Argentines currently occupy second position in Group C but have work to do following their upset defeat to Saudi Arabia in the opening game.

Poland’s starting XI during their 2-0 win over Saudi Arabia
A victory will guarantee their place in the knockout stages and almost certainly see them avoid another last 16 clash with France.
Poland meanwhile have built from the back and while not being easy on the eye, currently occupy top spot without having conceded a goal.
And after feeling aggrieved to miss out on the Ballon d’Or to Lionel Messi in 2021, Robert Lewandowski will be determined to guide his side to the knockout stages.
SunSport takes a look at what to expect from Poland vs Argentina, including our score prediction.
BETTING SPECIAL – GET £66 IN FREE BETS ON THE WORLD CUP
READ MORE WORLD CUP NEWS
How are they getting on?
Argentina: Messi and Co were stunned by Saudi Arabia in a 2-1 defeat in their opening match.
But the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner stepped up when his country needed it most to score the first goal in a 2-0 win over Mexico in the second game.
Read the full Argentina vs Mexico report…
Most read in Football
Poland: The Poles could have already been through if Lewandowski had converted a penalty in their opening snore draw with Mexico.
But their talisman atoned to score the second goal in a crucial 2-0 win over Saudi Arabia in the following game.
Read the full Poland vs Saudi Arabia report…

Argentina’s starting XI for their 2-0 win over Mexico
Any injuries to worry about?
Poland: The Poles have no fresh injury worries ahead of this crucial clash.
Argentina: There are no injury concerns in the Argentine camp ahead of this one.
Who will be the star men?
Argentina: There is an array of talent in the Argentina ranks but nobody in the world has a CV quite like Messi.
Poland: The Poles are not likely to create too many chances in this game and Robert Lewandowski will need to take any that come his way.
Permutations
Argentina will qualify with a win over Poland and top the group provided Saudi Arabia don’t beat Mexico by three more goals than they can manage.
A draw will be enough if Saudi Arabia vs Mexico ends in a draw or Mexico win by less than four goals.
Argentina will be out if they lose.
Poland will qualify with a draw and top the group if Saudi Arabia fail to beat Mexico.
If Saudi Arabia draw, Poland must lose by less than three goals to be sure of qualifying.
Poland will be out if they lose and Mexico win with a five-goal swing.
What is the head-to-head?
Argentina have won six, drawn two and lost three against Poland.
At the World Cup, Poland ran out surprise 3-2 winners in 1974.
But Argentina got revenge four years later with a 2-0 win on the way to lifting the trophy in 1978.
The teams last meeting came in 2011 when Poland ran out 2-1 winners in a friendly in Warsaw.
Odds
Argentina 11-21
Draw 16-5
Read More on The Sun
Poland 15-2
SunSport prediction
Poland 0 Argentina 2 More

TUNISIA are looking to perform a minor miracle and beat the world champions to qualify for the last 16.The Eagles of Carthage have yet to score in the World Cup and are on the verge of elimination.

Tunisia’s starting XI from their defeat to Australia
They performed well in their opener with Denmark before coming a cropper against Australia.
France meanwhile are looking to make it three wins out of three after impressive victories over the Aussies and Danes.
Kylian Mbappe was the inspiration for both those wins and it remains to be seen whether he will be risked for this one.
SunSport takes a look at what to expect from Tunisia vs France including our score prediction.
BETTING SPECIAL- GET £66 IN FREE BETS ON THE WORLD CUP
READ MORE WORLD CUP NEWS
How are they getting on?
Tunisia: The North Africans got off to a promising start in their opener with Denmark, where they were the better team in a 0-0 draw.
But they failed to rally after a Mitchell Duke header and went down to a 1-0 defeat in their second game against Australia.
Read the full Tunisia vs Australia report…
Most read in Football
France: Les Bleus laid down a marker in their opening game after coming from behind to hammer Australia 4-1.
A Kylian Mbappe brace then inspired them to a 2-1 win over Denmark, their first against the Danes in four attempts.
Read the full France vs Denmark report…

The France team that beat Denmark
HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON THE WORLD CUP
Any injuries to worry about?
Tunisia: The Tunisians have no injury worries with even second goalkeeper Bechir Ben Said returning to full fitness.
France: Where to begin?
Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante were among a number of seasoned internationals ruled out before the tournament started.
Karim Benzema is on holiday in Reunion with reports that he could make a surprise return to the squad before the end of the tournament appearing wide of the mark.
Theo Hernandez is France’s only left-back after brother Lucas was ruled out by injury.
Eduardo Camavinga may therefore slot in there for this match if Deschamps wants to rest the AC Milan man.
Second choice goalkeeper Alphonse Areola is a doubt for a match he may well have started, as he has a back issue.
Who to watch
Tunisia: Ferencvaros star Aissa Laidouni has impressed in the Tunisia midfield, ensuring it more than matched its Danish and Australian counterparts in the opening two games.
France: It’s difficult to look beyond Mbappe.
The PSG man has three goals in two matches and despite the possibility of him being rested for this game, it is claimed he is determined to start.
Permutations
If Australia beat Denmark in the other Group D game, Tunisia are out.
If the teams draw, Tunisia can qualify with a win over France.
If Denmark beat Australia, Tunisia must beat France by a bigger margin.
If Tunisia fail to beat France, they are out regardless of other results.
France have already qualified and know avoiding defeat will be enough to secure top spot in Group D.
Should France lose, Australia can top the group with victory over Denmark, but it will require a seven-goal swing.
What’s the head-to-head?
The teams have met competitively just once, with Tunisia winning 2-1 in the Mediterranean Games back in 1971.
Since then, they have played four friendlies with France winning two and drawing two.
Their last meeting was a 1-1 draw in a friendly in Rades, Tunisia back in 2010.
Odds
Tunisia 38-5
Draw 15-4
Read More on The Sun
France 4-9
SunSport prediction
Tunisia 1 France 2 More

AUSTRALIA head into a decisive clash with Denmark knowing a draw will almost certainly be enough to see them through to the last 16.That would make it only the second time the Socceroos have reached a World Cup knockout stage.

How Australia lined up against Tunisia
However, they arrive as underdogs against a usually-impressive Denmark side that has yet to click.
The Danes made it to the Euro 2020 semi-finals last year, but were held to a draw by Tunisia before losing to France at this tournament.
That means that they will require a victory in this one to make it through.
SunSport takes a look at what to expect from Australia vs Denmark including our score prediction.
BETTING SPECIAL- GET £66 IN FREE BETS ON THE WORLD CUP
How are they getting on?
Australia: Graham Arnold’s side have confounded pre-tournament predictions to give themselves a great chance of qualifying.
Though they were outclassed by France in a 4-1 loss, they recovered to earn a crucial 1-0 win over Tunisia through Mitchell Duke.
Read the full Tunisia vs Australia match report…
Most read in Football
Denmark: The Danes were disappointing in an opening 0-0 draw with the Tunisians which could cost them dear.
A narrow 2-1 defeat to France in their second match means only a win will do in this one.
Read the full France vs Denmark match report…

How Denmark lined up in their loss to France
READ MORE WORLD CUP NEWS
Any injuries to worry about?
Australia: Nathaniel Atkinson picked up a knock against France and replacement Fran Karacic is likely to keep his spot after a strong display against Tunisia.
Hibernian striker Martin Boyle has been ruled out of the entire World Cup after an ACL injury on the eve of the tournament.
Denmark: Thomas Delaney will miss the rest of the tournament with a knee injury.
Mikkel Damsgaard replaced him during the France game and is likely to keep his place.
Who will be the star men?
Australia: Aaron Mooy has provided a typically assured presence in midfield and will need to do so again if the Socceroos are to qualify.
Denmark: The Danish squad is full of talent but it’s hard to look beyond Man Utd star Christian Eriksen as the main man.
Permutations
Australia will qualify automatically with a win over Denmark.
A draw will be enough if Tunisia fail to beat France.
Denmark must beat Australia by a margin equal to any Tunisian victory over France.
What’s the head-to-head?
The sides have met just once at the World Cup – four years ago.
That day, a Mile Jedinak penalty earned the Aussies a 1-1 draw after an early Christian Eriksen strike.
Australia and Denmark have met three more times, all friendlies, with the Aussies winning, losing and drawing one.
Odds
Australia 6-1
Draw 7/2
Read More on The Sun
Denmark 8-15
SunSport prediction
Australia 1 Denmark 2 More

CHRISTIAN PULISIC was forced to watch the end of USA’s nervy clash with Iran from a hospital bed after injuring himself netting the winner.The Chelsea winger grabbed the only goal of the game in the 38th minute, which included a painful collision with Iranian goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand.
Christian Pulisic cheered on his team-mates from hospital
The forward was injured scoring USA’s winning goalCredit: Rex
Pulisic collided painfully with Iranian goalkeeper Alireza BeiranvandCredit: Rex
After several minutes of treatment, Pulisic was taken off at half time, and went to hospital soon after having complained of dizziness and abdominal pain.
Yet he soon posted a picture of himself on social media lying in a hospital bed celebrating the win after keeping track of the score on his phone.
And ‘Captain America’ has assured worried USA fans that he will be fine for their last-16 clash with Holland on Saturday.
Boss Gregg Berhalter explained: “He was taken to hospital as a precaution. He was feeling some dizziness and suffered an abdominal injury.
Read More World Cup News
“We facetimed him after from the locker room [at full-time]. We got to see him and he is in good spirits.
“My guess is he brought his phone with him and he was just updating one of these football score apps.
“Christian makes those sorts of runs. That’s what he does and that’s the special quality he has. He makes it really difficult for defenders.”
Pulisic posted on social media: “So proud of my guys. I’ll be ready for Saturday, don’t worry.”
Most read in Football
On how far the Yanks can now go in Qatar, Berhalter said: “We had two goals. One was to advance through the group stage and then get into the knock-outs.
“From here, anything can happen. There is no need to project how far this team can go because the next match is against Holland and that’s our main focus.
“It is great to be in this format. We relish this. It is an opportunity to keep grinding and stick together and enjoy this experience.”
Iran began the evening ahead of USA in Group B, and needed just a point to qualify for the last-16 of a World Cup for the first time in their history.
But coach Carlos Queiroz said: “The dream is over. It is fair to say that we should score in the second half and the draw was the right result of this game but it is football.
“That thing of fair does not exist. The reality is this. Congratulations to the US, all the best to them in the second round of the World Cup.”
Pulisic was taken to hospital after feeling dizzyCredit: EPA More