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      England booed off pitch after drab 0-0 draw with USA but bullish Southgate insists he’s ‘pleased’ with performance

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      ENGLAND were booed off the pitch after they limped to a goalless draw with the USA – but Gareth Southgate insists he was ‘pleased’ with the performance.The Three Lions never really got going and failed to create clear cut chances throughout the World Cup stalemate.
      Things did not go entirely to plan for England as they struggled to break down the USCredit: Rex
      Some fans were not impressed with the showing
      Phil Foden surprisingly did not make an appearance off the bench despite England’s struggles in front of goalCredit: Getty
      Gareth Southgate insists he was ‘pleased’ with the performance against USACredit: Getty
      But the Three Lions are still guaranteed a place in the last 16 — unless Wales hand them a four-goal thrashing in Tuesday’s final Group B game.
      Even if Wales were to beat England by four goals, they would still qualify if Iran and USA draw.
      England fired blanks against the Yanks, just four days after they smashed six past Iran, but bullish boss Southgate hailed his side’s ‘great resilience’ against the Americans.
      He said: “I am really pleased with how our players applied themselves.
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      “We didn’t quite have that same zip as against Iran. That is going to happen. It is tournament football.
      “We are not going to sweep through everyone without having nights like that.
      “We have to show different qualities to get a result. But we have shown great resilience to defend against an opponent who kept asking us questions.
      “We controlled the game well from the back but were not able to open up with that clear-cut chance.”
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      Skipper Harry Kane admitted: “It was not our best display. We had some good spells.
      “We just didn’t come up with the final product. It was a complete contrast to Iran, where we took our  chances really well.
      “We had two or three opportunities  and we didn’t put them away tonight. The USA are a tough team.
      “They pressed really well and we knew they would come out and make it difficult for us. They are a good side and we have to respect them.”
      And Kane added: “The result isn’t the end of the world. It puts us in a good position in the group. We know we can play better than that.” More

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      Search begins for England’s own Ivana Knoll – Croatia’s sexy World Cup fan

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      SCORE blimey! Croatian Ivana Knoll is definitely in the knock-out stage of the World Cup after being dubbed its sexiest fan.Pictures of the 30-year-old cheering on her national team against Morocco have stunned supporters worldwide.
      Stunning model Ivana Knoll is known as Croatia’s sexiest fanCredit: Splash
      Ivana’s patriotic dress attempted to rally Croatia’s players to a win against MoroccoCredit: instagram
      Ivana has legions of fans on TikTok and has been heating up the winter World Cup in Qatar.
      Her racy outfit risked breaking the host country’s strict modesty laws.
      But The Sun is certain England can do better — and launching Operation Fit’s Coming Home.
      So if you’re in striking form, send us your pictures of yourself in an England strip.
      How to enter
      YOU can email your photos to exclusive@the-sun.co.uk with “Fit’s Coming Home” in the ­subject field, or WhatsApp to 07423 720250.

      The Sun is searching for England’s own sexy superfan to cheer the Three Lions onCredit: instagram More

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      Why England’s awful 0-0 draw with USA could be a good omen for Three Lions’ chances of winning World Cup 2022

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      ENGLAND’s dour 0-0 draw with the USA was not an easy watch – but it could prove to a good omen for tournament success. The Three Lions endured their first bump in the road in the World Cup as they stumbled against America.
      It was a frustrating 90 minutes for England – but the 0-0 could be a sign of good things to comeCredit: Getty
      Gregg Berhalter’s side were disciplined and probably had the better chances in the 90 minutes.
      But ultimately it was a game to forget with Wags left bored in the stadium and viewers turning their attention to Roy Keane’s appearance.
      But England fans can take one positive omen from tonight’s result, if not performance.
      The group stage 0-0 draw is actually an encouraging indicator for the nation, with the result repeatedly coming up in England’s most successful international tournaments.
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      In 1966 when the Three Lions won the World Cup for the first time, they also endured an early goalless game.
      On that occasion it was Uruguay who England could not get past as they were held in the opening game.
      But 2-0 wins against Mexico and France followed and the host nation were into the quarter-finals.
      They then overcame Argentina, beat Portugal in the semi-final, before Geoff Hurst’s famous goal downed Germany.
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      A 0-0 draw also occurred last year during England’s successful run to the Euros final.
      Gareth Southgate’s side were caught in a scrappy match with Scotland in their second group game which bore resemblances to tonight’s clash with the USA.
      But despite that disappointing result, England went all the way to the final before losing out on penalties to Italy.
      Before England can start dreaming of their first World Cup final since 1966, they must first get past Wales in the final group game. More

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      Harry Kane shows off severely swollen and strapped ankle as England captain plants kiss on wife after dreadful USA draw

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      HARRY KANE has given England fans a fresh fright after showing off his several swollen and strapped ankle.But the Three Lions skipper got over the frustration of Friday’s 0-0 draw with the USA by planting a kiss on his wife in the stands afterwards.
      Harry Kane showed off his strapped ankle after England’s bore draw with the USACredit: PA
      Kane’s ankle appeared to be swollen as he walked around in trainersCredit: PA
      Kane gave a kiss to wife Katie Goodland in the stands afterwardsCredit: PA
      England captain Kane, 29, drew another blank as he failed to hit the target for a second straight game.
      The striker struggled to threaten on an awkward night in Qatar.
      But it was just a relief to see Kane even on the pitch after suffering an ankle injury scare in Monday’s 6-2 win over Iran.
      Unfortunately for the ace though, there are now new fears over the Tottenham star’s fitness for Tuesday’s game against Wales.
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      That’s because after the drab USA stalemate, Kane was seen walking gingerly in trainers with his ankle covered in straps.
      A close-up look of the area showed Kane’s ankle was very much swollen after a gruelling 90 minutes on the pitch.
      And Gareth Southgate will now be waiting with bated breath for the latest fitness update on his star man.
      But Kane got over his problems with a kiss from wife Katie Goodland, 29.
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      His other half was on hand to greet him in the stands after the final whistle.
      Kane was certainly delighted to be reunited with his wife, as well as their children.
      And he joined them for a chat as he clambered into the pitch-side seats.
      It now remains to be seen if Kane will be fully fit to start against Wales, with England almost guaranteed their spot in the next round.
      Only a defeat of four or more goals to their neighbours can spoil the party, with Iran and the USA also in contention to qualify.
      Katie had been cheering Kane on all gameCredit: Reuters
      Kane was delighted to see his family after the matchCredit: PA More

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      England’s Wags rack up eye-watering £20,000 bar bill on luxury World Cup cruise liner

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      ENGLAND’S Wags are clearly on a super booze, racking up a £20,000 bar bill on board their luxury World Cup cruise liner.The group glugged bottles of high-end champagne to celebrate the Three Lions win in the opening game of the tournament in Qatar.
      England’s Wags have racked up a massive bill on their luxury cruise linerCredit: AP
      Harry Maguire’s wife Fern was among the Wags partying until 2amCredit: Getty
      Jordan Pickford’s other half Megan was part of the group glugging champagneCredit: Getty
      And Jack Grealish’s model sweetheart Sasha Attwood was also on a super boozeCredit: Getty
      The women and their families gathered on board the stunning £1billion MSC World Europa to toast their men after Gareth Southgate’s team opened with a 6-2 mauling of Iran.
      And the Wags, including Harry Maguire’s wife Fern, Jordan Pickford’s missus Megan and Jack Grealish’s model sweetheart Sasha Attwood, partied until 2am.
      A source said: “They’re on a premium drinks package whilst on board the cruise liner.
      “It was all paid for before they arrived in Qatar. But they were ordering bottles of champagne at £250 a pop as well as cocktails.
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      “They then hit the karaoke and were belting out Three Lions and Sweet Caroline.
      “They had an absolute blast and drank so much the bar was restocking the following morning.”
      And Kyle Walker’s Wag, Annie, 29, who married the defender last November, has embraced the cruise ship experience.
      She headed to the ship’s main theatre to enjoy a singer belting out classics including Gloria Gaynor’s I Will Survive and Whitney Houston’s I Will Always Love You.
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      The ship is docked in Doha for the duration of the World Cup.
      The Wags are among 6,762 guests who have paid up to £6,000 for five-star packages.
      The liner features a 643ft outdoor promenade, 14 ocean-view whirlpools, 13 dining venues and more than 30 bars and cafés.
      For kids and adults with a sense of fun, a Sportplex zone offers basketball, bumper cars and a roller disco.
      But the highlight is the 11-deck high helter skelter called The Venom Drop — the tallest slide on any ship in the world.
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      The Wags can also enjoy a spa and wellness centre, thermal baths, a beauty salon and a gym.
      Their Three Lions are staying at the nearby Souq Al Wakra hotel in a Covid bubble. More

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      Fans joke The Simpsons predicted England and USA’s woeful 0-0 World Cup 2022 draw years ago

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      FANS have taken to Twitter to joke that The Simpsons predicted England’s drab draw with the USA years ago.The Three Lions were outclassed by their American counterparts in a dull stalemate in their second World Cup Group B match.
      England produced a drab display as they drew 0-0 with USA on FridayCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      Fans are convinced that The Simpsons predicted the dull draw back in 1997

      Even the Wags were yawning during the game as the toothless Three Lions failed to mount any serious threat to the Americans.
      That result left England still top of the group on four points, one ahead of second-placed Iran.
      The USA, who take on Iran on Tuesday, are third on two points after consecutive draws.
      And Wales, who England face in their final Group B match, are bottom on one point.
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      That means the Three Lions will qualify for the knockouts if they avoid a 4-0 defeat to the Welsh.
      However, virtually guaranteeing a place in the knockouts failed to stop fans from blasting the performance in the bore draw.
      Now many are convinced the hit American TV The Simpsons has actually spookily predicted the future again.
      In a March 2014 episode titled “You Don’t Have To Live Like A Referee,” The Simpsons accurately foretold that it would be Germany lifting the World Cup that summer.
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      That followed on from a number of other predictions that eventually came true – including Donald Trump becoming US president.
      And now many believe that the 1997 episode “The Cartridge Family” may have set the stage for tonight’s England stalemate.
      Homer Simpson, wife Marge and kids Bart and Lisa watched a TV ad for a match that will determine “which is the greatest nation on Earth” – but just seconds into the action the former is heard screaming “boring”.
      And that clip quickly resurfaced after full-time tonight in Qatar, with one tweeting: “The Simpsons predicted this.”
      Another tweeted: “I was literally thinking about this as I was watching.”
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      A fellow fan commented: “England and USA literally mimicked the Simpsons episode where they made fun of soccer. Hyped up to max, and delivering a boring game.”
      While another wrote: “Holy s***, The Simpsons predicted England vs USA.” More

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      Sun mascot Harry Mane wears rainbow bucket hat celebrating FIFA bowing to pressure

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      SUN mascot Harry Mane became Harry Mane-bow yesterday as he celebrated FIFA bowing to pressure over rainbow bucket hats by donning one of his own with pride.Welsh fans had rainbow hats and flags confiscated by hard line cops before their first game against America.
      Sun mascot Harry Mane wears a rainbow bucket hat in World Cup host country QatarCredit: Dan Charity
      The crackdown made a mockery of FIFA’s message that “everybody will be welcome” at the World Cup.
      But they caved in when The Football Association of Wales (FAW) demanded clarification over what fans could wear.
      Red Dragons fans echoed Harry’s jubilation over the climb down before the match but were left heartbroken at the final whistle after two late Iran goals left them on the brink of elimination.
      Rob Page’s men now need a miracle against England in their final group game to stand any chance of qualifying for the knockout stage in their first World Cup in 64 years.
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      Professor Laura McAllister, 55, refused to let the 2-0 defeat dampen her sprits after she was allowed to wear her rainbow bucket hat to the game.
      She made headlines all over the world when footage of her being told to take it off at the first match against the USA went viral.
      Laura, professor of policy at Cardiff University, said: “The security stewards told me to put it in the bin or take it to the restricted items area.
      “I asked why and all they said was ‘regulation’. I challenged them but they wouldn’t budge so it was clearly an orchestrated stance.
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      “I went outside and when I was out of sight of the guards I put it in my back pocket and went back in to the ground.
      “FIFA can’t have it both ways. They can’t say that their tournament is for everyone and push the diversity message and then refuse to let fan wear rainbow hats with others feeling so unwelcome they haven’t travelled here.
      “This is not a Qatar World Cup, it’s a World Cup in Qatar.
      “The irony though is that rather than keeping things under wraps, they have achieved the exact opposite. Everyone is now talking about it.
      “Wearing my hat was a small act of defiance but an important one because there are still many countries where homosexuality is illegal.”
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      Civil servant Jon Bettinson, 52, of Cardiff, wore a rainbow necklace to the match to show his support for the LGBT community.
      He said: “It was important for us take make a stand however small it might be. Every gesture helps.” More

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      Bored England fans turn attention to ‘haunted lighthouse keeper’ Roy Keane during dreary USA clash after ITV appearance

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      BORED England fans turned their attention to “haunted lighthouse keeper” Roy Keane during a dreadful game against the USA.The Three Lions struggled during the opening 45 minutes and could not replicate their formidable performance against Iran from Monday.
      Keane’s beard, shirt and general demeanour got England fans talking amid a poor game of World Cup football
      And after a dreary first-half that did little to energise football fans, the spotlight shifted to the pundits.
      Keane, on duty for ITV, caught the interest of viewers for his interesting World Cup look as he analysed the match.
      The Irishman was sporting a thick greying beard and wore a patterned grey, beige and white shirt.
      Twitter users were relentless as they poked fun of the former Manchester United midfielder.
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      One said: “Roy Keane, looking more than ever like a haunted lighthouse keeper facing a deep personal crisis.”
      The theme continued as another tweeter said: “Roy Keane looks about three years away from living in a lighthouse.”
      Meanwhile, bored fans were also taken aback by Keane’s shirt.
      One person said: “Roy Keane wearing a shirt that looks like he stapled three carpet samples together.”
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      Another wrote: “Weird feeling when you’ve just watched a #Eng game and your main post match question is ‘where did Roy Keane get his shirt from?’
      A third person wrote: “Roy Keane shirt and beard combo….horrific.”
      When the action did get underway in the second-half, things did not improve.

      Both sides once again struggled to create chances and even England’s Wags struggled to pretend they were entertained.
      The game ended 0-0 and boos could be heard at the full-time whistle.
      Despite the uninspiring performance, England know they are all but through to the knock-outs unless they suffer a complete collapse against Wales.
      Meanwhile, it’s win or bust for the USA in their final group game against Iran. More