World Cup

BRAZIL and Portugal confirmed their place in the last-16 of the World Cup on Monday.Tite’s side came out 1-0 victors over Switzerland while Portugal scored two in a 2-0 win over Uruguay to seal their place out of the groups.
Elsewhere, England face Wales in a showdown clash in Group B, with both teams still seeking qualification.
The Three Lions were dismal in a bore draw with USA last Friday while Wales lost to Iran and Group B remains wide open.

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Bru-haha over penalty
Ally McCoist was fuming over the penalty decision that allowed Bruno Fernandes to secure Portugal’s victory against Uruguay.
The incident occurred during the final seconds of Portugal’s 2-0 World Cup win over Uruguay as VAR intervened for a penalty check.
Fernandes carried the ball into the box and sent Jose Maria Gimenez tumbling backwards as he nutmegged the defender. The Uruguayan unintentionally handled the ball as he fell to the ground.

The referee waved play on, despite the protests of Fernandes, before VAR got in his ear to advise him to check the incident.
Iranian Alireza Faghani headed over to the pitchside monitor and duly awarded the spot-kick, much to the anger of Luis Suarez and his Uruguayan teammates.
Former Premier League ref Mark Halsey exclusively told SunSport he thought the decision was ‘shocking’.
And ITV commentator Ally McCoist, the much-loved Rangers and Scotland legend, was equally as damning after he heard ex-referee Peter Walton’s attempted justification.
Walton said: “It’s hit him as he’s falling back but the ball has struck his arm. The referee in his instructive view that striking the arm is the deliberate action.
“I think it’s very harsh. The law did say if you’re putting your arm to break the fall, it was a deliberate act but that was removed from the law a year or so ago, it’s down to the subjective call of the referee.
“It’s clearly hit his arm, stopped the progress of the ball and that’s what the VAR has advised.”
England are Wales’ big brother – Sven
Sven-Goran Eriksson has taunted Wales by saying they have little brother syndrome when it comes to facing England.
The former Three Lions boss claims it is nonsense to say Gareth Bale and Co have more passion than England.

And instead he believes Robert Page’s men are only desperate to put on a show as they feel like a young child eager to impress an older sibling.
Speaking to Midnite, the Swede, 74, said: “Wales will try to play the game of their life, as if England is their big brother and they want to impress them.
“Wales don’t have more passion than England. If you put an England shirt on, you want to win.
“Wales will just feel it’s more important to win against England. It is a dream to beat England — as it almost never happens.”
The two nations face off on Tuesday evening in a mouthwatering clash to decide who qualifies for the World Cup knockout stages.
Ahead of the current tournament, Bale reignited his taunt from Euro 2016 by declaring there is nobody better than the Welsh when it comes to passion.
Why I didn’t pick Foden
Gareth Southgate has warned against putting too much pressure on Phil Foden ahead of tonight’s clash with Wales.
England boss Southgate said: “We need to make sure we are not building up Phil into a situation where, if he steps on the pitch, this is becoming really difficult for him.

“The level of expectation is beyond a young guy still establishing himself intern­ationally, in a different environment from his club, where you’re comfortable with all the players you play with.
“He is a young player and he’s doing brilliantly and we love him to bits. We also have to look after him.
“We’re happy with how he is training. He’s bright, he’s ready and he’s a good player. We’re blessed. We’ve got some exciting players.
“But sometimes the discussion around just plopping Phil in as a No 10 in every game isn’t realistic.
“In a game like USA the other night, you have to have the ball and there are defensive responsibilities that he doesn’t have at his club.
“From the wide areas it’s different, the defensive responsibility is different. As a No 10, you have to cover a lot more ground and be more aware of the spaces without the ball.
“If that pressure isn’t right, then they are through you and into your back line. That’s why we didn’t put him in as a No 10 the other night. There are games where there isn’t that same tactical challenge in midfield.
“There might be more freedom and that might be the slot he can express himself in.”
Revenge can be served Ice cold
Gareth Southgate will fire up England for tonight’s Battle of Britain by showing a video of Wales gloating over their humiliating Euro 2016 exit.
The clips of Gareth Bale and Co wildly celebrating the shock loss to Iceland wound up Three Lions’ players, staff and fans.
Asked if the video has been used as a motivational tool, boss Southgate replied with a broad grin: “I couldn’t say! We are aware of some of that.”

SunSport on Sunday reported how Luke Shaw admitted Wales’ taunting “wasn’t nice” and the England star vowed his team-mates will do their talking on the pitch.
And, after a 64-year wait to play in a World Cup, Wales must either win by four goals or more or defeat England by a lesser margin and hope the USA draw with Iran if they are to progress to the last 16.
Southgate’s side are through unless they lose by four goals and will be confirmed as Group B winners with a victory.
On the rivalry with Rob Page’s Wales, he said: “We know they have  additional motivation to play against us, from what they are saying, so we have got to be prepared.
“Like any two countries who border each other, there is a competitive rivalry.
“For me, it’s a great sporting rivalry, no more than that — that feeling might not be mutual but I can understand that. I live in Yorkshire — they feel the same about the rest of England!”
Revenge can be served Ice cold
Gareth Southgate will fire up England for tonight’s Battle of Britain by showing a video of Wales gloating over their humiliating Euro 2016 exit.
The clips of Gareth Bale and Co wildly celebrating the shock loss to Iceland wound up Three Lions’ players, staff and fans.
Asked if the video has been used as a motivational tool, boss Southgate replied with a broad grin: “I couldn’t say! We are aware of some of that.”

SunSport on Sunday reported how Luke Shaw admitted Wales’ taunting “wasn’t nice” and the England star vowed his team-mates will do their talking on the pitch.
And, after a 64-year wait to play in a World Cup, Wales must either win by four goals or more or defeat England by a lesser margin and hope the USA draw with Iran if they are to progress to the last 16.
Southgate’s side are through unless they lose by four goals and will be confirmed as Group B winners with a victory.
On the rivalry with Rob Page’s Wales, he said: “We know they have  additional motivation to play against us, from what they are saying, so we have got to be prepared.
“Like any two countries who border each other, there is a competitive rivalry.
“For me, it’s a great sporting rivalry, no more than that — that feeling might not be mutual but I can understand that. I live in Yorkshire — they feel the same about the rest of England!”
Bruno tries to give goal back to Ron
Bruno Fernandes happily tried to give Cristiano Ronaldo back his goal as Portugal sealed their last 16 place.
Ronaldo claimed the opener but officials decided he had not touched the cross by his former Manchester United team-mate.
Fernandes wrapped up victory with a late penalty and said: “I don’t think it really matters who scored.

“My feeling at the time was that Cristiano touched the ball. I was crossing to him. I celebrated as if it had been Cristiano’s goal.
“But what’s important is that we are able to go in the next round with an important win against a tough opponent.”
Portugal coach Fernando Santos bizarrely refused to answer direct questions about who had scored the first goal.
Santos said: “It was a great match, our team played very well. The rest, for me, does not matter. It was a deserved victory. The team did what it said it would. We’re through to the next round.”
Qatar’s light balls are a problem
England right-back Kieran Tripper has revealed that players at the World Cup are having issues with their balls.
The Newcastle star says the official ball is difficult to control as it is not as heavy as the ones used in the Premier League.
Trippier’s claim is backed up by the fact that many players – including Lionel Messi – have seen their free-kicks fly high and wide past the goal.
The Newcastle defender said: “It’s a bit lighter. It feels that if you put too much power on it, it’ll just fly away. 
“But it’s one of those things where we have to deal with that. We train with the same ones.”
But Trippier, with a grin, added: “It’s a football, though, isn’t it?!”
Different Tripp
Kieran Trippier claims the England squad has a different feel compared to the World Cup in 2018 – with some of the golden oldies having been replaced by the young ones, writes CHARLIE WYETT.
Ashley Young, Jamie Vardy and Gary Cahill are the senior players who left the squad after the adventure to the semi-finals in Russia.
Yet Bukayo Saka, Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, Mason Mount and Declan Rice have come into the squad and made their mark.
Trippier is one of the old guard and he is set to win his 40th cap against Wales today..
He said: “In Russia, the squad was really good. We had players like Gaz Cahill who was brilliant around the place and the whole team and togetherness was really good in 2018. That showed in the tournament. 
“Comparing that to now, we have so many younger players but they are playing at such a high level. The togetherness in the squad is probably something I’ve not seen before, the characters we have in the dressing room, all the young boys. 
“And you’ve got old people like myself trying to help the young players as well. We have a really good togetherness and that comes down to the manager.”
The Time Traveller’s strife
A TikTok “time traveller” CLAIMS they know the result of tomorrow’s crunch clash between Iran and the USA – adding they even have the footage to prove it, writes Jacob Bentley-York.
TikTok user @guardian_angel_5 has spent the last week sharing predictions of for the tournament, but went one step further in their latest post.

In the bizarre clip, the user claimed they know the result of Group B’s pivotal match up tomorrow night, including what the score will be.
Sharing footage, which they claimed was taken in the past, they claimed that Iran would beat the USA 3-1.
The clip, shared with their 8k followers, shows Iranian fans celebrating, while Christian Pulisic shakes hands with the opposition.
On the screen is the scoreline Iran 3 -1 USA, with the official-looking World Cup screen graphics.

The screen even shows the apparent goalscorers in the match, leaving the self-proclaimed time traveller with very little wiggle room.
According to the clip, the Iran scorers include a brace from prolific hitman Mehdi Taremi and defender Morteza Pouraliganji.
For the USA, the scorer is Chelsea’s Pulisic.
In the short video, the TikTok user said: “I’m a time traveller, we are going to lose to Iran 3-1.”
Bale not even greatest Welsh player
COMMENT: THE first British derby ever played at a World Cup finals — and quite possibly the final match for Gareth Bale as an elite footballer, writes DAVE KIDD.
England versus Wales adds a serious dollop of local spice to this global jamboree.
We’ve had Welsh actor Michael Sheen geeing up the boyos prattling on about the valleys and “crimson thunder” and the land of our fathers.

And we’ve had Gareth Southgate suggesting that he will use a video of Wales players celebrating riotously in their team room, after England were humiliated by Iceland at Euro 2016, as motivation for the clash in Doha.
So it seems the perfect time for an Englishman to ask: “Gareth Bale, five-time Champions League winner — was he ever really all that?”
No other British footballer has five European Cup winner’s medals and no other British footballer has ever spent nine years on the books of Real Madrid, the most famous club on Earth.
There is no doubt that Bale’s career-highlights reel is sensational.
The “taxi for Maicon” night against European champions Inter Milan back in 2010. The sprint down, and outside of, the touchline to  out-pace Barcelona’s Marc Bartra and score in the 2014 Copa del Rey final Clasico. Inspiring Wales to a major semi-final six years ago, as well as their first World Cup in 64 years.
And his two goals in Champions League finals — especially that sensational bicycle-kick against Liverpool in Kiev in 2018.
So, of course, Bale was a special player but the idea that he might be British football’s GOAT is unlikely to garner much favour outside of Wales. Bobby Charlton, Bobby Moore, George Best and Stanley Matthews would surely rank above him. In fact, Bale is probably not the greatest Welsh footballer of all time.
If you asked the late, great Jimmy Greaves to name the best British player ever, as I once did, he’d argue for Bale’s fellow Welshman John Charles — world class at both centre-forward and centre-half and a legend at Juventus.
FULL VERDICT HERE
Wales face walloping – Waddle
England legend Chris Waddle is confident the Three Lions will thrash Wales at the World Cup.
The Three Lions and the Dragons meet in the Battle of Britain on Tuesday at the Ahmed bin Ali Stadium in their final match of the group stage.
Gareth Southgate’s men will top Group B if they win and a draw would be enough to qualify to the Last 16, although if Iran beat USA then England will finish second.
Wales, on the other hand, need to beat their British counterpart with a score of at least 4-0 to have any hopes of going through after their drab 1-1 draw with USA and their shock 2-0 loss to Iran.
Waddle, who amassed 62 England caps, does expect a 4-0 result but predicts it will be the other way around.
The Tottenham and Newcastle great believes Southgate’s side will stand tall because Gareth Bale and co will chase for goals and that will leave them exposed at the back.
Waddle told SunSport: “I’m gonna say England win because I think Wales are gonna chase and they’re not the best defensively, let’s be honest.
“Losing [Wayne] Hennessey is a bit of a blow, it’d be interesting to see what Wales do. Do they sit tight and think, ‘We’ll give them an hour and then we’ll throw everything at it’?
“But if I was Wales then might as well go for it and if you get caught on the break and get hammered then you get hammered.”
Aaron inspired by 1966 hero
Aaron Ramsdale has revealed his bizarre pre-match ritual – and it was inspired by England legend Bobby Charlton.
The Arsenal keeper, who is part of the Three Lions’ World Cup squad, does a specific routine before each and every game.
Ramsdale said: “In the changing rooms, if I am playing, I take myself away from the main changing room to put my gloves on. I don’t like everyone giving me well wishes.
“I put my right glove on, my left glove, take my right glove off and shake everyone’s hand so they are not touching my gloves. It is also a respect thing.
“It comes from Bobby Charlton. My dad met him once and he went to shake his hand and Bobby Charlton took his glove off to shake his hand so that sort of resonated with me.
“Then, I go out onto the pitch and put my glove back on, I go to the centre circle, play with the ball and then I go and touch the crossbar. I am not massively bothered if I do not touch the ball or crossbar but the gloves one is the main one.”
Jon the money
Man Utd target Jonathan David could be available for £43million, according to a report.
Sky Sport Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg claims that the Canadian attacker might be on the move in the new year for the right price.
David has scored nine goals this campaign already for French club Lille.
Cris-tal clear…?
Images appear to show Cristiano Ronaldo’s head DID get a scoring touch for the first of Bruno Fernandes’ two goals as Portugal beat Uruguay 2-0.
Ronaldo wheeled away in celebration aft appearing to glance in Fernandes’ cross.

But replays were inconclusive and it left many wondering whether Ronaldo had in fact scored his 100th competitive goal for his country.
On commentary, Ally McCoist said: “I guarantee after the game he [Ronaldo] says he touches it.”
Despite umpteen looks from ITV, it was still difficult to see whether the 37-year-old had actually connected.
But certain photos suggest that Ronaldo did meet his former United team-mates cross, with no clear gap between his hair and the ball.
Becks checks out of posh hotel
David Beckham has checked out of his five-star Qatar hotel after almost a week after fans discovered where he was staying.
The former England star has reportedly been enjoying a stint at the elegant Baraha View suite at the Mandarin Oriental in Doha – costing up to £20,000 a night.

Located on the hotel’s top floor, the room comes with its own dining area, private concierge, open air courtyard, private pool and gym.
But according to the Mail Online, Beckham checked out over the weekend after word spread about his accommodation status.
A source told the outlet: “The staff have loved having him here and referred to him as ‘Sir David’ because he was so respectful and respected back by everyone.
“He wasn’t seen much at all by the other guests because he had a lovely suite which is like a hotel within a hotel, meaning he didn’t need to mix with them.
“He’s been very polite and charming to the staff and seems like a very decent man. Sir David is one of the most famous men in world football and it’s been an honour having him here.
“It’s a pity he’s no longer here but I’m sure he’ll be back. Who wouldn’t love staying here?”

Result: Portugal 2 Uruguay 0
Bruno Fernandes’ second-half double put Portugal into the last 16.
Victory was narrowly deserved over a Uruguay side who were flat until chasing the game at 1-0 down.
Fernandes was awarded a 54th minute opener despite Cristiano Ronaldo celebrating as he claimed it went in of his rising head.
Then the Man Utd midfielder tucked home a controversial penalty early in the nine minutes of stoppage time – before hitting the post in the dying seconds.
GOAL: Portugal 2 Uruguay 0
Portugal have been handed a controversial penalty clincher in stoppage time.
Bruno Fernandes nutmegged the sliding Gimenez, whose hand impeded the ball behind him as he fell to the ground, with a spot-kick given on VAR.
Fernandes himself calmly stroked home the penalty with a shimmy that sent the keeper diving early.
Ronaldo taken off
Cristiano Ronaldo was replaced on 82 minutes as Portugal reacted to Uruguay suddenly awaking in search of an equaliser.
He didn’t look best pleased but raised his hands to acknowledge fans as he went off stony-faced.
Our live blog HERE has all the action and reaction.
England can play more direct, says Adams
We might benefit from playing the occasional long ball too. Teams have got out of the habit, believing you have to keep tight possession all the time, says Adams.
But a well hit long pass – not just a hoof down the field – can work wonders unsettling the opposition and putting them on the back foot. Jordan Pickford is good at it and so are Harry Maguire and John Stones.
What’s wrong with pinging one up there for Saka to run on to?
Going with a few 60-yarders would be my tactic for the first ten minutes against Wales. Get them running backwards and push on to them. Let’s get them panicking from the off.
Get Harry on the two centre-halves as high as he can and make them earn their money and realise they’ve been in a game.
Fernandes credited with goal
What would have been Cristiano Ronaldo’s 100th competitive Portugal goals has been given instead to Bruno Fernandes.
Ronaldo appeared to flick in the inswinging ball from his former Manchester United team-mate.
But Fifa acted to clarify he’d made no contact.
Who’s going to tell Ron in person?!
Our live blog HERE has all the action and reaction.
Rainbow fan halts play
Portugal’s clash with Uruguay was forced to stop after a spectator invaded the pitch carrying a rainbow flag.
The protester raced onto the field from the stands shortly after the second half kicked off.

The ITV cameras failed to show the individual, but commentator Jon Champion confirmed that they were carrying a rainbow flag.
Photos emerged later showing that the man was also wearing a blue t-shirt with the ‘Superman’ logo with the words ‘Save Ukraine’ written on it.
And on the back it had ‘Respect for Iranian Woman’ wrote on.
After the short delay, Champion added that security had caught the person and ‘frogmarched’ him off the grass.

GOAL: Portugal 1 Uruguay 0
RONALDO! A classic rise in the box and deft header from the Manchester United discard broke the deadlock on 54 minutes.
Our live blog HERE has all the action and reaction.
H/t: Portugal 0 Uruguay 0
Portugal had most of the possession but Uruguay edged the first-half chances, notably a miss from Rodrigo Bentancur.
Our live blog HERE has all the action and reaction.
Evra and Wright hail Lisandro
Patrice Evra and Ian Wright rate Argentina centre-back Lisandro Martinez as an outstanding signing for Manchester United this season.
Martinez’s form before the World Cup mocked doubts over his 5ft 9ins frame in the Premier League.
And ex-Old Trafford left-back Evra told the Vibe with Five YouTube channel: “It’s because of his fighting spirit. That’s what United fans want to see – those players have to bleed for the shirt.
“People were talking about his height and I was laughing. When you play with that heart and passion, size doesn’t matter.
“When he gets the ball, he is so clean and composed. Mexico were pressing everywhere [in the World Cup Group C game] but every time he got the ball he was calm and playing forward. That’s what I love.
“Martinez puts the ball through the lines like Michael Carrick. That’s what he does and I love that. What a player, what a player.”
And Match of the Day pundit Wright, the Arsenal legend, said: “He’s got defensive quality that I haven’t seen at Manchester United for a while.
Not only his positioning but he passes the ball through the lines. He’s exactly what they’ve needed.
“Someone that doesn’t mess about, there’s no thrills with him, it’s just bang, good challenges. He’s been a really, really good signing. I didn’t think he was going to be as good as he’s been.”
Classic Ron-two
Brazil legend Ronaldo was spotted in the stands for tonight’s World Cup Group G clash against Switzerland, writes GIACOMO PISA.
And also in the crowd was an adoring fan rocking his iconic wedge haircut.
TV cameras picked out Ronaldo, 46, now sporting a full head of hair, watching the action unfold.

They then immediately cut to a Brazil fan in the stands showing off Ronaldo’s legendary old trim.
The supporter had their head shaved, except from a triangular wedge at the front, exactly like Ronaldo did as he helped fire Brazil to World Cup glory in 2002 as the tournament top scorer.
And fans watching on TV were left in stitches after the hilarious transition from the director.
One joked: “R9 sees R9.” Another said: “Bro got the R9 cut.”
A third added: “Some fans are really iconic and extreme. He really brought back the reincarnation of R9.” And another quipped: “R9 looks oddly different.”
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