World Cup

A SUPERCOMPUTER has predicted how the rest of the World Cup will play out – and fans are in for some blockbuster knockout clashes.But there is more heartbreak in store for England as the trophy returns to South America.

England’s World Cup is expected to end in quarter-final painCredit: Getty
With one round of group games to go, only three teams have confirmed their spots in the last 16 – France, Brazil and Portugal.
But the number-crunching machine at BETSiE has pieced together all the stats to throw up their estimates for the remainder of the World Cup at the halfway stage of the competition with 32 of the 64 matches played.
And incredibly, the quarter-final line-up is set to be exactly the same as the one predicted before a ball was kicked at Qatar 2022.
However, four of the last-16 teams have changed.
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United States, Mexico, Senegal and Belgium were tipped to make it through their groups.
But with all four sides struggling, they have been replaced by Iran, Morocco, Ecuador and Poland who all picked up crucial early wins.
That is far as they get, though, as the quarter-finals see Holland vs Argentina, Spain vs Brazil, England vs France and Germany vs Portugal.
Lionel Messi got Argentina back on track against Mexico and they are expected to see off the Dutch, who have looked unconvincing so far.
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Pre-tournament favourites Brazil continue their rampant run to set up an all-South American semi.
On the other side, defending champions France end Gareth Southgate’s World Cup dreams while Cristiano Ronaldo’s tournament is ended by Germany, who like Argentina recover from a shock defeat in the groups.
The supercomputer then has Brazil to edge out Argentina and France to get past Germany before the Selecao are crowned world champs for the sixth time.
Brazil are aiming to win the World Cup for the sixth timeCredit: Getty
Lionel Messi looks on course to end his career without a World Cup winner’s medalCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Kylian Mbappe only France only get stopped by Brazil in the finalCredit: AP More

WALES Wags showed their English counterparts how to party with a wild beach bash at the World Cup.A group of Wags let their hair down in Dubai on the eve of what could be Wales’ final World Cup game.
Chris Mepham’s fiance Jodie Francis was in attendance at the partyCredit: Instagram / @jodiefranciss
Jodie and Saara Sa downed a shot together
One Wag ambitiously attempted a cartwheelCredit: Instagram / @emjs_xx
But the cartwheel failed as she toppled into tableCredit: Instagram / @emjs_xx
Emily and Jodie shared a selfie togetherCredit: Instagram / @emjs_xx
Jodie got engaged to Mepham in the summerCredit: Instagram / @jodiefranciss
Matt Smith’s partner Emily documented the beach partyCredit: Instagram / @emjs_xx
Ethan Ampadu with his partner Saara SaCredit: Instagram / @serrasaa
Rob Page’s side take on England at 7pm today needing at least a 2-0 win and for Iran and USA to draw.
But the girls were showing no sign of any pre-match nerves as they sank shots and enjoyed canapes.
Jodie Francis, 24, the fiancée of Wales defender Chris Mepham, downed a shot alongside Ethan Ampadu’s partner Saara Sa as they enjoyed the Dubai sun in their bikinis.
MK Don star Matt Smith’s fiancée Emma, 23, documented the party with videos and photos.
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She shared a selfie with Saara, and Nicole Hagan, linked to Nottingham Forest full-back Neco Williams.
Later on in the night another Wag decided to perform a cartwheel – but it ended in disaster as she toppled into a table.
Rebecca Naylor was also at the party ahead of a huge day for boyfriend Danny Ward – the Leicester goalkeeper is set for his first World Cup start against the Three Lions.
The Wags also enjoyed meal togetherCredit: Instagram / @emjs_xx
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Meanwhile, some England Wags enjoyed days out with their children while others enjoyed shopping trips alongside FA officials.
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They have also been cheering on their partners from the stands, with some nervous looks on show from the likes of Sasha Atwood and Kyle Walker’s partner Annie Kilner against the USA. More

JACK Grealish left England fans in hysterics after appearing to get a famous saying wrong during a pre-match interview.The Three Lions hero was discussing his team’s performance during their 0-0 draw with the US when he fumbled his words.
Jack Grealish left fans in hysterics after appearing to blunder over his wordsCredit: TALKSPORT
Discussing the match on TalkSPORT, he said he thought there was a “big overreaction”.
Grealish added: “After Iran, we were the best thing since sliced bread. I suppose it’s what you get when you play for England”.
But some fans claimed the footballer had actually said “sliced veg” instead of sliced bread like the common phrase.
One tweeted: “Did Jack Grealish just say ‘we were the best thing since sliced veg’ ???”
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Another wrote: “Have I really just witnessed Grealish say England are the best thing since sliced veg ?”
While one supporter said: “Jack Grealish interview ‘after beating Iran we were the best thing since sliced veg’ I can’t help but love him!”
Some supporters actually sided with the Man City star and said his version was actually better.
A fan wrote: “But is he wrong? Sliced veg is also a great invention which actually came before sliced bread, Jack Grealish is a scholar IMO.”
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One branded Grealish the “gift that keeps on giving”, while another said: “Lolll this just confirms why he’s my fave”.
Others actually argued the ace was simply misheard and was “definitely” saying sliced bread.
The interview came as England prepare to face off against Wales at 7pm to secure top spot in the group.
It is the first time two UK teams have ever met in the World Cup – with the game already being dubbed the “Battle of Britain”.
Grealish will be hoping to emulate his performance against Iran where he scored a stunning goal to help England win 6-2.

The star performed a special goal celebration as a heartwarming favour to 11-year-old fan Finlay Fisher.
Finlay who suffers from cerebral palsy, wrote to Grealish after learning that his idol’s sister has the same condition.
The youngster, who plays disability football at Manchester City, had the chance to meet Grealish earlier this month and asked him to perform a special celebration when he next scored.
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When Grealish hit the back of the net, he wiggled his arms as he carried out the celebration, dubbed “The Finlay”.
Grealish will be hoping to score against Wales tonightCredit: Getty
He dedicated his last goal to Finlay Fisher, who has cerebral palsy More

EDINSON CAVANI has aimed a huge dig at his manager after Uruguay fell to defeat against Portugal in the World Cup last night. While their opponents squabbled over who should get credit for goals, the South American side looked toothless up front for the second game running.
Goal-shy Uruguay need to find firepower or they’ll be heading for an early World Cup exitCredit: Getty
They only have a single point to show for their efforts so far and face elimination if they don’t win their last group game.
Veteran striker Cavani, playing in his fourth World Cup, was left on the bench in the opening match against South Korea but started last night in place of follow long-serving striker Luis Suarez.
Despite the switch, Uruguay could not find a way through.
Questioned about the result last night, the former Manchester United striker turned the heat on his manager in what appeared to be a dig at Uruguay boss Diego Alonso.
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Asked why the country was struggling, the 35-year-old forward is quoted by Record as saying: “Sad taste for losing. We know that we have great potential to do more.
“It costs, because losing points in a World Cup is complicated. It tastes bitter.

“There are things to improve and we have to prepare the next game as a final, because it is the hypothesis that we have to take the step we want in this group phase. 
“What’s going on? Ask Alonso… he can talk more tactically about what’s happening. It’s soccer, sometimes things come out, not others. It’s preparing for the next meeting. Let’s try to correct and do things better.”
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Uruguay and South Korea made World Cup history when both sides failed to record a shot on target in a 0-0 draw, the first time this has happened in the 92-year history of the tournament.
The South American side will still be looking for their first goal of the tournament when they face Ghana on Friday.
Uruguay have to win to stand any chance of progressing to the last-16, adding further fire to a fixture which was already highly-anticipated.
The game will be the first meeting between the two countries since Suarez’s infamous antics left Ghana reeling in 2010. More

CAMEROON star Andre Onana has broken his silence on his World Cup axe as he fired a parting shot at boss Rigobert Song.Onana started in Cameroon’s World Cup opener against Switzerland and performed well in the 1-0 defeat.
Andre Onana was suspended by Cameroon boss Rigobert Song following a World Cup rowCredit: AFP
Now the goalie has broken his silence over his World Cup axeCredit: Alamy
But the Inter Milan star was left out of the matchday squad against Serbia.
Onana and Rigobert Song had a dispute over the keeper’s playing style which resulted in a shouting match.
Song is believed to want a more traditional goalie between the sticks but Onana, 26, is very capable of playing out from the back and refused to change his style.
As a result of their argument Onana was removed from the squad and he has flown home from Qatar.
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Now the goalie has broken has released the below statement on Twitter that read: “I want to express my affection for my country and the national team.

“Yesterday I was not allowed to be on the ground to help Cameroon, as I always do, to achieve the team’s goals.
“I always behaved in a way to lead the team to success in a good manner.
“I have put all my efforts and energy into finding solutions to a situation that a footballer often experiences, but there has been no will on the other side. Some moments are difficult to assimilate.
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“However, I always respect and support the decisions of the people in charge of pursuing the success of our team and country.”
Onana continued: “I extend all my strength to my teammates because we demonstrated that we are capable of going very far in this competition.
“The values that I promote as a person and as a player are the ones that identify me, and that my family has given me since my childhood.
“Representing Cameroon has always been a privilege. The nation first and forever. Thank you!”
In his absence, Song picked Devis Epassy, who has just five caps to his name, in yesterday’s 3-3 draw with Serbia that kept their World Cup hopes alive.
Cameroon face already-qualified Brazil in their final group match knowing that nothing but victory will do if they are to reach the last-16.
It is a big blow for Onana who was banned for a year in 2021 for a doping violation.
The shot-stopper served nine months of that sentence though always claimed his innocence, suggesting he had accidentally taken one of his wife’s pills while feeling unwell.
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The former Ajax star was also involved in a horror car crash while on international duty earlier this year.
Onana was travelling to Cameroon’s training camp ahead of the crucial World Cup play-off against Algeria and escaped the wreckage unhurt. More

KEVIN DE BRUYNE, Eden Hazard and Jan Vertonghen had to be separated as tensions boiled over in the Belgium dressing room, according to reports.Pressure appears to be building in Red Devils’ camp after a shock World Cup defeat to Morocco but Hazard has denied reports of a confrontation.
De Bruyne had previously suggested the squad was “too old” for World Cup successCredit: Rex
Hazard cut a frustrated figure for Belgium against MoroccoCredit: Rex
One of the player’s wives admitted the atmosphere was “really awkward” when the team held a barbecue after the alleged bust-up
RTL report that the team is divided and “on the verge of implosion.”
Three of the players reportedly had a heated confrontation in the dressing room at the Al Thumama stadium.
It is alleged that Manchester City star De Bruyne, former Chelsea ace Hazard and ex-Tottenham defender Vertonghen had to be separated in the altercation.
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The Belgian FA have been contacted for comment.
Eden Hazard has downplayed tensions in the Belgium camp.
He told reporters: “We had a good talk among the players. A lot has been said. We talked for an hour about good things and less good things. Now we want to win against Croatia. We now have two days to prepare. We have to be ready.
“Nothing happened in the dressing room. Only the coach (Roberto Martinez) spoke. I spoke to Kevin De Bruyne, he does believe in the group.”
RTL claim that a crisis meeting had to be held but the atmosphere in the dressing room remains “not good”.

They add that some players are not talking to each other and say that the atmosphere among the squad is at its “lowest.”
Dries Mertens’ wife Kat Kerkhofs has also revealed how it was at the team BBQ following the reported clash between players.
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Jan Vertonghen was allegedly involved in the clash between the playersCredit: Getty
Dries Mertens’ wife Kat Kerkhofs has provided an insight into the mood of the camp
She told the MIDMID MONDIAL podcast: “That was really awkward. The players were logically still very disappointed.”
But she added: “But I thought it was strange to read that there are tensions within the group.
“The next morning everyone said hello to each other with a kiss. They do all that. So I think they are all super sweet to each other.”
The disharmony poses a significant problem for Roberto Martinez, who has been in charge of Belgium since 2016.
He has yet to lead the country to victory despite claims this is nation’s “golden generation”.
Some fans fear the squad’s time has come and went, an idea incredibly aired by De Bruyne who said in an interview that Belgium had “no chance” of winning the World Cup as they were “too old”.

Vertonghen then appeared to take a swipe at the midfielder after the loss to Morocco as he said: “I don’t think we created any chances. Where did it go wrong?
“We probably also attack badly because we are too old, that must be it now, surely?”
Belgium struggled to threaten the Moroccans and fell to a shock loss after goals from Wolves’ Romain Saiss and Zakaria Aboukhlal.
Their opening performance against Canada was equally unconvincing with the North American side spurning chance after the chance in the first-half that included Alphonso Davies missing a penalty.
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Michy Batshuayi’s goal ended up being enough for three points.
Belgium need to beat Croatia in their final group game to guarantee a place in the knock-out stages. More