World Cup

ARGENTINA assistant manager Pablo Aimar burst into tears when Lionel Messi scored his sensational opener against Mexico yesterday.The Albiceleste went into the match under huge pressure, knowing that defeat would result in an early exit.

Pablo Aimar was tearful on the Argentina benchCredit: https://twitter.com/MenInBlazers
The 43-year-old was overcome by emotionCredit: https://twitter.com/MenInBlazers
Lionel Scaloni’s side produced an underwhelming first-half performance, going in at the break level at 0-0.
So when Messi swept home a brilliant strike from range on 64 minutes, the relief was too much for some to bear.
Aimar, 43, was an international team-mate of Messi’s between 2005 and 2009.
He now works as Scaloni’s assistant manager.
READ MORE WORLD CUP STORIES
When Messi scored, Scaloni delivered an animated speech to his No2 in the dugout.
Aimar sat there panting, the emotion etched all over his face.
Fans online noticed Aimar’s passionate response.
One wrote: “Same, Pablito.”
Most read in Football
HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON THE WORLD CUP
A second tweeted: “Very few understand the amount of pressure Argentina team were in last night.
“I can only imagine how the players must have felt before the game.”
Another added: “For the youngins that don’t know thats not just coach Aimar.
“That’s Messi’s childhood idol and good friend. A freak talent when coming up in his own right.”
Things got even better for Argentina, when Enzo Fernandez brilliantly doubled their lead late on.
The 2-0 triumph means that a win over Poland in their final group match will likely see them top Group C, despite having lost to Saudi Arabia in their first game.
Lionel Messi celebrates his stunning opener against MexicoCredit: AP More

COSTA RICA turned comeback kings as they stunned Japan with a winner from their first shot on target in the 2022 World Cup.Down and out with their bags half packed following their 7-0 hammering at the hands of Spain this was some response.
Keysher Fuller curled in to grab Costa Rica’s winnerCredit: Reuters
Goalkeeper Shuichi Gonda could only tip the ball into the netCredit: AFP
The goal gives Costa Rica hope of going throughCredit: Reuters
Japan, shock winners over Germany and clear favourites ahead of the game, dominated most of it.
But then on 81 minutes and totally against the run of play Keysher Fuller curled a shot home and with it blew Group E open again.
The stunning end was at odds with what had come before.
The first half had to be one of the dullest halves in World Cup history.
READ MORE ON WORLD CUP
Only the noise of Japan fans banging drums managed to keep those unfortunate enough to be in the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium awake.
Costa Rica were happy just to sit back with five defenders and two defensive midfielders and soak up what little pressure Japan seemed able to summon.
After their shock victory over Germany much was expected.
But for Japan fans, think Three Lions fans watching England vs USA after the thrilling win over Iran.
Most read in Football
HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON THE WORLD CUP
They did threaten when Ritsu Doan broke down the right and fizzed a cross into the six yard box, but nobody was there.
Then when Yuki Soma charged forward and sent a pass into the area for the unmarked Daichi Kamada there was a little roar of anticipation.
That was until the ball ran under Kamada’s foot.
The half-time announcer sounded a little embarrassed as he introduced the half-time ‘highlights’.
Then when the howling pair on the microphones tried to get the crowd going with chants at the break they were greeted with silence.
Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu was clearly unhappy with what he had seen in the first period as he made two changes at the break and more during the second half.
There was certainly a greater urgency about the Japan side from the whistle to commence the second 45 minutes, or however long a half takes now.

Within seconds Hidemase Morita had charged to the edge of the area, evaded two defenders with a duck of his left shoulder and shot on goal with Keylor Navas making rather a lot of the save.
Wataru Endo was next up with a shot blocked by the outstretched leg of Celso Borges.
Then Yuki Soma was suddenly jet-heeled as he stormed down the left wing, cut inside but sent a shot flying over the far angle.
Costa Rica just couldn’t get out of their half.
Then would you believe it they started to press a bit up field and when Japan were too casual trying to play out, Costa Rica pounced.
Yetsin Dejeda slid the ball into Fuller and his curling shot slid through the fingertips of Shuichi Gonda and found the far side of the goal.
Cue absolute pandemonium on the pitch and in the stands.
It was as much shock as anything else.
Japan came desperately close to equalising when Kaoru Mitoma made it to the byline and pulled a cross back.
Read More on The Sun
Daichi Kamada shot first time but Navas, going the wrong way, stuck out a leg and saved.
Victory for Costa Rica.
Keylor Navas helped keep the clean sheet in the closing secondsCredit: Getty
Japan were close to putting one foot in the last 16Credit: Getty
Englishman Michael Oliver was in charge of the gameCredit: Getty More

KYLIAN MBAPPE sat Rasmus Kristensen down on the floor with an incredible piece of skill – despite being nowhere near the ball.The French superstar, 23, was at his imperious best as the world champions beat Denmark on Saturday evening.
Kylian Mbappe threatened to go on a fast sprint down the lineCredit: Twitter ESPN
Rasmus Kristensen tried to chase after the French starCredit: Twitter ESPN
Mbappe cut back inside as the defender went sprawlingCredit: Twitter ESPN
It was a sublime moment of clever play by MbappeCredit: Twitter ESPN

And video footage surfaced of one moment of brilliance from the PSG forward and 2018 World Cup winner.
Mbappe is on the left wing being tracked by the wing-back Kristensen.
And with the ball nearby, the speedster threatens to make a trademark darting sprint down the line.
That prompts Kristensen to go to chase after him – only for Mbappe to dummy and cut back inside.
READ MORE ON WORLD CUP
And as the Leeds man tries to recover and keep close to his dangerous opponent, he loses his footing and stacks it on to the turf.
Mbappe then comes short to receive the ball and play a neat first-time pass to help Theo Hernandez push on in attack.
Viewers on social media were in awe of the sublime piece of trickery which bamboozled Kristensen – or at least did enough to make him slip.
One said: “He has defenders frightened.”
Most read in Football
HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON THE WORLD CUP
Another wrote: “He did him dirty.”
And a third simply added: “Filthy.”
Mbappe opened the scoring in Doha with a superb flowing move and kept his composure in the area, with the help of a deflection.
But after Denmark equalised and closed in on a point, the £162million man bundled in at the back post to secure a 2-1 win and confirm France’s place in the last 16.
Mbappe was all smiles as his two goals sent France into the last 16Credit: Getty More

BRAZIL star Dani Alves cheekily joked about sneaking his model wife into the team hotel in Qatar.Partner Joana Sanz has jetted out to the World Cup to show her support for the right-back.
Joana Sanz is in Qatar to cheer on Dani AlvesCredit: https://www.instagram.com/joanasanz/
Joana and Alves have been together since 2015Credit: Instagram @joanasanz
Joana is a Spanish fashion modelCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Joana has 735,000 followers on InstagramCredit: Instagram @joanasanz
Alves and Joana wedded in 2017Credit: Getty Images – Getty
But it seems as though, like England, the players and wags are being made to stay in separate hotels.
Not that it’s going to stop Alves, 39, from trying to see his stunning partner.
Joana, 29, posted to Instagram from the stands of Brazil’s World Cup opener against Serbia in an Alves kit.
She captioned the post: “Wherever but with you @danialves.”
READ MORE WORLD CUP NEWS
And, according to Marca, she also shared a screenshot of a text conversation with Alves.
He wrote: “How nice to see you. It always gives me so much pleasure, as if it were the first time. It’s weird but true.”
Joana then professed her love for Alves and revealed her regret at not being able to go to the players’ hotel.
And he cheekily replied back: “I’ll get you in for sure, don’t f**k with me.”
Most read in Football
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST NEW CUSTOMER SIGN UP DEALS
Veteran Alves is currently at his third World Cup with Brazil.
He first met Joana in 2015 while playing Barcelona, before they married two years later in a secret Ibiza ceremony.
The Brazil squad are staying at the Westin Doha Hotel & Spa for the duration of their campaign.
Tite’s side are one of the favourites for the tournament, and take on Switzerland tomorrow in their second group game.
But they could be without talisman Neymar, who damaged his ankle ligaments in the win over Serbia.
Doctors believe he will be out for around a week.
Alves met Joana while playing for Spanish giants BarcelonaCredit: PA:Press Association
Joana is in Qatar to cheer on husband Alves at the World CupCredit: AFP – Getty More

SPAIN are looking to book a World Cup last 16 place in double-quick time as they face Germany in a mouthwatering clash.The Spaniards look one of the form teams of the competition so far, after an excellent performance in their opening game.

Spain hammered Germany 7-0 in their opening game
However their opponents’ need for a victory is far greater than theirs.
This clash was expected to decide top spot in the group, but following an opening defeat Germany would be delighted just to get through.
Die Mannschaft have everything to prove after going out of the 2018 group stage with a whimper.
SunSport takes a look at what to expect from Spain vs Germany, including our score prediction.

How are they getting on?
Spain: La Roja made a huge statement of intent with a 7-0 win over Costa Rica.
It was death by a thousand passes for the Ticos, who didn’t manage a to have a single shot.
Germany: The Germans are staring down the barrel at a second straight World Cup group stage exit.
They were beaten 2-1 by Japan and will be effectively eliminated if the Japanese manage a better result against Costa Rica than they get against Luis Enrique’s side.

Germany may want to shuffle the pack after losing 2-1 to Japan
Most read in Football
HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON THE WORLD CUP
Any injuries to worry about?
Spain: Spain’s camp was hit by a virus after their win over Costa Rica, affecting a number of players including goalscorer Alvaro Morata.
However, it is not expected to keep any of Luis Enrique’s players out of the clash with the Germans.
Germany: Leroy Sane was hit by a knee injury in the build-up to Germany’s defeat to Japan.
He is touch and go for the Spain game and could face the grim prospect of his country being knocked out before he’s kicked a ball.
Who will be the star men?
Spain: The whole team excelled during Spain’s hammering of Costa Rica, but one man in particular stood out.
Kopa Trophy winner Gavi was at the heart of everything Spain did, with the Barcelona wonderkid already looking like having a breakthrough tournament.
Germany: Jamal Musiala was good in spells despite Germany going down 2-1 to Japan.
German fans will be hoping the former England U21 star can cause havoc on the wing as Hansi Flick’s men look to make the most of what little possession they get.
Read More on The Sun
What’s the head-to-head?
Germany have a marginally superior head-to-head record with nine wins, compared to eight for Spain and eight draws.
In the World Cup, the Germans have won twice while Spain have won once and there has been one draw.
However in recent years, the fixtures has seen consistent Spanish dominance.
The Spaniards have won four of the last seven fixtures, including a 1-0 victory in the semi-final of the 2010 World Cup, which they went on to win.
Two of those games finished in draws while one, a friendly in 2014, was won by Germany.
The teams last met two years ago, when Luis Enrique’s team picked up a stunning 6-0 win in Sevilla.
SunSport prediction
Spain 2 Germany 1 More