World Cup

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

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

FURIOUS World Cup fans have complained that they already want to go home after their £170-a-night accommodation was flooded with sewage.Fed-up Australian supporters have only seen the Socceroos play one game but are considering selling up their tickets and leaving Qatar.
A number of World Cup supporters have complained they already want to leaveCredit: Twitter
Many supporters were forced to queue for hours to get into their pre-booked roomsCredit: Twitter
Some compared the ‘unfinished’ accommodation to a ‘refugee camp’Credit: Twitter
While plenty of fans have loved their World Cup experiences, a number have complained about the shoddy state of accommodation and chaotic scenes in the fan zones.
Many reports have filtered through of serious issues at the fan villages designed for fans of different countries to stay in together.
Problems with accommodation have been reported at the Barwa Barahat Al Janoub Housing Unit, the Fan Village Cabins Zarafan, the Free Zone Fan Village, and the Saffron Fan Village.
Qatar has already offered full refunds and new accommodation to World Cup fans staying in some of the worst tent villages.
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A number of supporters reportedly arrived on time, only to be made to wait through the night while their rooms were made ready.
But when they finally got into their accommodation, they discovered the accommodation, many of which cost on average £170 a night, had leaking bathrooms flooded with sewage and no hot water.
Posting on a forum for fans in Qatar, one Aussie supporter said: “Anyone else in the fan villages having a horrible experience?
“Leakage in the bathroom causing flooding, no hot water, customer service have been overrun with people’s complaints.”
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They added: “Honestly don’t know what to do. We’re considering selling our tickets and leaving early but I think our chances for a refund on the accommodation are low.”
Another fan complained: “We are in the Baraw village and our apartment has been flooded with sewage 2 days in a row.”
They said officials claimed to have fixed the problem and had sent a team of cleaners, “but they also said that yesterday”.
The fan went on: “We gave up and found accommodation elsewhere. If you need a number of a guy I can give it to you.
“He is a property manager and rents furnished apartments out by the month but just stay how long you need. It’s the same price.”
Anyone else in the fan villages having a horrible experience?Australian World Cup fan
Aussies aren’t the only supporters to complain about the state of facilities for some of the World Cup fans.
A number have ranted online, saying there were a lack of buses, air conditioning units didn’t work, and pre-booked accommodation wasn’t available.
Others have said their accommodation was unfinished even after the World Cup had started.
One supporter compared the fan village at Zafaran to “a refugee camp”.
They questioned why a country the size of Qatar had been given a World Cup.
“Half a population of a country staying for a month was never going to be achieved,” they said.
Supporters have complained about bathrooms flooded with sewageCredit: Twitter
Some of the basic-looking cabins available for World Cup supportersCredit: Twitter
Accommodation in Qatar is going for 740 Qatari riyal, or almost £170 a nightCredit: Twitter
Another claimed they were unable to access their room hours after arriving.
“Management delegation in the village of Saffron fans,” they wrote. “Hundreds of fans who have reservations have not received their rooms under the pretext that there are no available rooms and that there are no twin rooms?”
They added: “And the situation is as it is today, Morocco, without a solution. Chaos after chaos and the staff is very bad.”
In a statement, the Qatari Supreme Committee told The Sun Online: “We are aware that a number of fans have faced delays checking into select Fan Village accommodation due to owner and operator negligence.
“A section of units in these facilities, which are delivered and managed by different private entities, have not met the required standards that were advertised to fans.
“While these sites are managed by independent commercial entities, rectifying these issues remains the utmost priority for the Supreme Committee.
“Full refunds are being offered to fans severely impacted by this issue as well as alternative accommodation which will be free of charge for the duration of their stay.”
Supporters have also complained about the state of food available in the fan villages.
On Friday, fans were left shocked at a £7 chicken shawarma wrap being sold at the World Cup clash between Switzerland and Cameroon.
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While a terrible breakfast included as part of a £200-a-night deal was roasted by supporters.
The “breakfast box” included just a sandwich, an apple, a sad-looking muffin, and a doughnut. More

PHIL FODEN created as many chances as Harry Kane, Mason Mount and Raheem Sterling combined against USA – and he didn’t even play.And that stat sums up what was a lacklustre display by England as they drew 0-0 in their second World Cup Group B match.
Phil Foden was not the only one baffled that he never got any action against USACredit: Getty
The star was an unused sub during the drab England drawCredit: Getty
Even the Wags were yawning during the drab affair as the toothless Three Lions failed to mount any serious threat to the Americans.
Other than an early chance for Kane and a Mount effort just before the break, it was all USA and there was no doubt that they should have been ahead at half time.
Chelsea’s Christian Pulisic will feel the most hard done by after his effort whacked Jordan Pickford’s crossbar.
The pressure continued after the restart, eventually forcing Southgate into a reshuffle.
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Fans were left baffled by Jordan Henderson’s introduction, who came at the same time as Jack Grealish, on 68 minutes in an effort to turn the tide.
Kane had another opportunity at the death to snatch an undeserved winner but headed high and wide as it finished honours even at the World Cup.
Despite the chances they had for themselves, neither Kane, Mount or Sterling, who was replaced by Grealish, created any opportunities for their team-mates.
And that is exactly the same as the unused Foden – who many fans and pundits were desperate to see get on.
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Foden, 22, has been in red-hot form for Man City this term with eight goals and three assists in 20 appearances.
And former England and Manchester United defender Gary Neville was one of those leading the call for him to start.
The ITV pundit said: “ Phil Foden not to be playing for England is a real shame because he’s a massive talent.
“I think he’s our best player, our best talent by a mile. He should be playing in that team.”
He added later: “I’m torn because I’ve go ta lot of respect for Gareth and what he’s achieved – he’s achieved the most since Alf Ramsey.
“But we’ve got a couple of talents sat on the bench in the form of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Foden who are capable of opening up the game.
“Alexander-Arnold has some of the best deliveries you’ll ever see from full-back and on that right side when Rashford came on, he had Henderson and Trippier so he was blocked from getting that delivery in.
“I think those two coming off the bench is a little bit disappointing, if you’re trying to win the game they’re world class talents.”
The 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.
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And Wales, who England face in their final Group B match, are bottom on one point.
That means the Three Lions will qualify for the knockouts if they avoid a 4-0 defeat to the Welsh. More