World Cup

FRANCE continue their defence of their World Cup crown when they face Denmark.Les Bleus won the 2018 tournament in Russia and are hoping to make it a double in Qatar.

Didier Deschamps’ men stormed to an opening-day win but face a much-tougher test in their second match.
France face Denmark knowing a win – or possibly even a draw – would book their spot in the last 16.
The Danes were tipped as dark horses for the tournament, but stuttered to a draw in their first game.
SunSport takes a look at what to expect from the big game… including the all-important scoreline prediction.
READ MORE WORLD CUP STORIES
How are they getting on?
France: Pretty well, it must be said.
Having gone a goal down against Australia, the champions roared back to win 4-1 with Adrien Rabiot, Olivier Giroud (two) and Kylian Mbappe all finding the back of the net.
Read full France vs Australia report…
Denmark: It could be worse, but you would have expected more.
The Danes came into the tournament full of confidence but limped to a 0-0 stalemate against Tunisia, piling the pressure onto them ahead of this stern test.
Read full Denmark vs Tunisia report…
Most read in Football
HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON THE WORLD CUP

Any injuries to worry about?
France: Oh yes… plenty of them too.
The French came into the tournament with a squad decimated by injuries, including key striker Karim Benzema, as well as midfielders Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante, to name a few.
So seeing Lucas Hernandez ruled out of the World Cup with an ACL rupture just 16 minutes into the win over Australia was less than ideal.
Denmark: Worryingly for them, they too have injury concerns.
Thomas Delaney was forced off during the draw with Tunisia and has also been ruled out of the tournament.
Who will be the star men?
France: It has to be that man Kylian Mbappe.
Olivier Giroud stole the headlines as he scored twice to equal Thierry Henry’s goals record for France.
But Mbappe is the bright spark, the man who makes the French really tick and anything good will likely start – or perhaps end – with him.
He also scored in the big win over the Socceroos.
Denmark: Christian Eriksen is back at a major tournament just 18 months after his horror cardiac arrest at Euro 2020.
He wasn’t quite at his best against Tunisia, but the Manchester United star is their playmaker extraordinaire and will look to pull the strings in the middle of the park.
Read More on The Sun
What’s the head-to-head?
The two nations have played each other 16 teams, with France edging the record with eight wins to go with six losses and two draws.
However, Denmark hold the momentum having won BOTH of their Nations League matches – in June and September – this year.
They drew 0-0 in the final match of the group stages at Russia 2018 as both teams reached the knockout rounds and France went on to win the tournament.
SunSport prediction
France 2 Denmark 0 More

ONE of the pre-tournament favourites losing to the minnows.We’ve seen it before… Senegal’s shock win over then-reigning champions France in 2002 springs to mind.

Fast forward 20 years and this time it was Argentina throwing away a one-goal lead to lose to Saudi Arabia.
If Lionel Messi and Co are to stand any chance of reaching the knockout stages, they’ll need a result in their second match.
But they face another potential banana skin in Mexico – who famously helped KO Germany from the 2018 World Cup – and with Poland yet to come, Argentina really are up against it.
SunSport takes a look at what to expect from the pivotal game… including the all-important scoreline prediction.
READ MORE WORLD CUP STORIES
How are they getting on?
Argentina: Not well. Not well, at all.
Tipped for glory in Qatar, the came up against a Saudi Arabia team who sent shockwaves through the footballing world after coming from behind to beat Argentina 2-1.
The result leaves the South Americans’ dream of winning the trophy in serious doubt in what could be Messi’s final World Cup.
Read the full Argentina vs Saudi Arabia report…
Mexico: Widely expected to finish third in the group, the Concacaf giants secured a creditable draw in their opening game.
Slightly lucky that Robert Lewandowski missed his penalty, but they’ll take the point and look to build on it here.
Read the full Mexico vs Poland report…
Most read in Football
HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON THE WORLD CUP

Any injuries to worry about?
Argentina: No injury concerns, but changes are likely abound.
Manchester United star Lisandro Martinez will almost certainly start, while City ace Julian Alvarez and Paulo Dybala will be pushing for a spot in the XI.
Mexico: Similarly for Mexico, there are no injury worries.
But, having failed to break down Poland, there could be changes in the team as Wolves star Raul Jimenez and veteran Andres Guardado hope to get the nod.
Who will be the star men?
Argentina: Lionel Messi… how could it not be?
The South Americans are packed with superstar talent – but only one is a truly generational – if not once-in-a-lifetime – megastar.
Messi can win matches on his own and after the kick up the backside that was the Saudi Arabia loss, this could prove to be a revenge tour.
Mexico: Guillermo Ochoa, the veteran goalkeeper.
Always shines on the biggest stage, the World Cup, and he’ll need to be in top form to keep the likes of Messi, Lautaro Martinez, Dybala and Co out.
Read More on The Sun
What’s the head-to-head?
The two nations have played each other a staggering 35 times in history, with Argentina leading with 16 wins and just five defeats.
Argentina are unbeaten in the last ten matches against Mexico, including three straight victories.
They last met at a World Cup in 2010, with Argentina winning 3-1.
SunSport prediction
Argentina 3 Mexico 1 More

TUNISIA and Australia go head-to-head knowing nothing but a win will do.Both nations failed to win their opening Group D match.

And if either have any aspirations of reaching the last 16, they almost-certainly need to win this one.
This is each team’s easiest match of the group stage on paper, with France and Denmark the likely candidates to make it into the knockout stages.
No pressure, then…
SunSport takes a look at what to expect from the Tunisia vs Australia… including score prediction.
READ MORE WORLD CUP STORIES
How are they getting on?
Tunisia: The major underdogs against tournament dark horses Denmark, they managed to snatch a creditable 0-0 draw.
You’d wager Tunisia would happily take draws against the Danes and France and go for all three points against the Socceroos.
Read full Denmark vs Tunisia report…
Australia: It all started so well, shocking reigning champions France by taking a 1-0 lead.
But they were ultimately thumped 4-1, as Adrien Rabiot, Olivier Giroud (two) and Kylian Mbappe got on the scoresheet.
A win against Tunisia is vital to their hopes of progressing.
Read full France vs Australia report…
Most read in Football
HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON THE WORLD CUP

Any injuries to worry about?
Tunisia: There are no fresh injury concerns for Jalel Kadri.
But Wahbi Khazri – the leading scorer in the squad – should return to the squad following an injury that saw him miss matchday one.
Australia: Graham Arnold has a fully-fit squad to choose from.
Now he just needs to decide whether to overhaul his squad following their defeat to France or stick to his guns.
Who will be the star men?
Tunisia: Wahbi Khazri has the potential to be his nation’s key in this one.
Returning from injury, the former Premier League striker who played for Sunderland, is his side’s top goal threat.
And after a goalless opening match, he’ll be sorely needed.
Australia: Goals win games, and like Tunisia, the Aussies will need to lean on their main man.
Mathew Leckie has 13 international goals to his name and will look to add to that on the biggest stage in Qatar.
Read More on The Sun
What’s the head-to-head?
These two nations have played twice – once in a friendly and another in the Confederations Cup.
Tunisia won their cup clash 2-0 in 2005, with Australian running out 3-0 victors in a 1997 friendly.
SunSport prediction
Tunisia 1 Australia 1 More

SAUDI ARABIA are looking to book their spot in the World Cup 2022 last 16.Herve Renard’s side left the football world in a state of shock after beating one of the tournament favourites, Argentina, in their opening game.

But they face another tricky test in their quest for knockout round place.
Saudi Arabia take on Poland in their second match.
And they’ll be fighting tooth and nail to secure another surprise win that will see them qualify.
SunSport takes a look at what to expect from the big game… including the all-important scoreline prediction.
READ MORE WORLD CUP STORIES
How are they getting on?
Poland: Not brilliantly, to be honest.
Superstar striker Robert Lewandowski missed a penalty as they laboured to a 0-0 draw against Mexico.
And with Argentina still to come, they’ll need a win here.
Read the full Mexico vs Poland report…
Saudi Arabia: They’re on cloud nine, right now, after one of the greatest results in World Cup history.
Trailing 1-0, Saudi Arabia recovered to beat Lionel Messi and Co 2-1.
A point in this match could even end up being enough to reach the last 16.
Read the full Argentina vs Saudi Arabia report…
Most read in Football
HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON THE WORLD CUP

Any injuries to worry about?
Poland: Nothing major to worry about for Czeslaw Michniewicz.
However, Kamil Glik did take two heavy blows to the head against Mexico and will be monitored in the build-up to the game.
Saudi Arabia: Yasser Al-Shahrani will miss the game after a sickening blow to the face against Argentina.
Al-Shahrani required surgery after leaving on a stretcher having collided with his own goalkeeper, Mohammed Al-Owais.
Who will be the star men?
Poland: Robert Lewandowski, it has to be.
Missed penalty or not, the Barcelona star is comfortably one of the best strikers on the planet – one off day won’t change that.
Saudi Arabia: Salem Al-Dawsari has long been his nation’s talisman.
He scored the winner against Argentina and will be looking to add to his tally in this one.
Read More on The Sun
What’s the head-to-head?
The two nations have faced off four times – all in friendly games.
Poland have won all four, most-recently bagging a 2-1 victory in 2006.
SunSport prediction
Poland 2 Saudi Arabia 1 More

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.
READ MORE IN SPORT
“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.”
Most read in Football
IT’S NOT TOO LATE TO JOIN DREAM TEAM WORLD CUP AND WIN A SHARE OF £50k
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

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.
READ MORE IN THE WORLD CUP
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.
Most read in Football
HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON THE WORLD CUP
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

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.
READ MORE ON WORLD CUP
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.
Most read in Football
HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON THE WORLD CUP
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