World Cup

KAI HAVERTZ has appealed for unity in the Germany squad and admits failing to do his ‘bloody duty’ in their shock opening game defeat.Shellshocked players held a clear-the-air meeting with coach Hansi Flick yesterday 24 hours after losing 2-1 to Japan.
Kai Havertz revealed the reaction within the Germany camp after the shock Japan defeatCredit: Getty
There were clear-the-air talks between Hansi Flick and his squadCredit: Getty
Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan accused the German forwards of going missing as they chased the game.
Chelsea star Havertz admits they must pull together in Sunday’s crunch Group G clash with in-form Spain as they try to salvage World Cup dreams.
Havertz said: “Ilkay complained that people went into hiding. He said our offensive players failed to score a second or third goal. It was very constructive criticism.
“We talked about the whole match so it took a bit longer to go through all the things we did badly and where we need to improve with Sunday in mind.
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“Now is the time to speak to each other and tell each other the truth, that is what makes the team stronger.
“We have analysed the game very well and seen our shortcomings and the areas we need to get better in.
“Now we have to approach as a true team and put foot on the accelerator in a crunch game
“We are in a bad moment but that can switch around quite fast.
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“It can be the turnaround for us. It is a big game. I am lucky I played a few big games at Chelsea.
“We are always in the spotlight, always in for a lot of criticism. Not everyone stands behind us. I don’t worry my head about it.

“We focus solely on the game against Spain on Sunday. It matters zero what happened in the past, it is water under the bridge.
“I like playing centre forward but when put in that position it is your bloody duty to score goals which I didn’t do against Japan. 
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“I recognise that. Put in the same position on Sunday I will do everything in my power to help the team.”
Julian Brandt was an unused sub in the Group G match but admits Germany are deep in the brown, smelly stuff and appeared to knock boss Hansi Flick’s enterprising tactics.
The Germans were 1-0 up only to crumble in the second half.
Borussia Dortmund winger Brandt said: “We are verbally in a s****y situation but we have a chance to turn it around in a big way.
“We are between a rock and a hard place. Maybe we should have sat deeper and played a counter-attacking game.
“When we can’t score we should sit deep and win in an unspectacular way.”

There will be no repeat of the Germany team’s covered mouths protest aimed at Fifa in the ongoing row over the OneLove armband campaign.
Next opponents Spain are on the crest of a wave following a 7-0 smashing of Costa Rica in their first game.
There could not be a greater contrast between confidence levels between the two international giants.
Havertz, 23, admitted: “We went into the dressing room with heads low and shoulders dropped. I can understand that. Of course we talked about what went wrong. 
“Everyone needs to pull their weight and get back to a positive stride.
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“A 7-0 win is a clear signal and we have great respect for the Spain team. 
“We know they have quality but will we hide? Not at all. We just need to put it on the pitch.”
Havertz and Julian Brandt faced the media ahead of the must-win clash with SpainCredit: Getty
Spain head into Sunday’s clash full of confidence after their 7-0 thumpingCredit: Getty More

THAT’S the way the Koukhi crumbles lads… and the reason you’re set to become the first country to leave your own World Cup party.Boulaye Dia, Famara Diedhiou and Bamba Dieng may have shared the headlines for the goals which are likely to earn Qatar an unwanted slice of footballing history.
Senegal celebrate seeing off QatarCredit: Reuters
Yet the real story was the cock up behind the opener – a horrendous clanger from Boualem Koukhi – which teed up Dia.
Centre back Koukhi was under no undue pressure as he tried to swipe a ball from Krepin Diatta’s away from the danger area.
But he totally fluffed his lines, ended up on his backside and was left beating the turf in anger as Dia drilled in from ten yards.
It kept Senegal’s own dreams alive, and left Qatar staring at the earliest farewell from a World Cup host.
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Three minutes into the second half it was confirmed, too, as Senegal bagged a second and the rush for the exits began.
In fairness, Ismail Jakobs’ corner was a cracker, but although Diedhiou’s header was powerful, it was above Meshaa Barsham and a top level keeper would have kept it out.

At that point you feared the worst, as Senegal threatened to run riot in case escaping the group came down to goal difference.
So fair play to Qatar for sticking at it…and fair play for finally gaining some reward with their first ever World Cup goal.
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Senegal’s Boulaye Dia opens the scoringCredit: Reuters
Boulaye Dia celebrates his goalCredit: Getty
Famara Diedhiou makes it 2-0 for SenegalCredit: Getty
Famara Diedhiou wheels off in celebrationCredit: Getty
Senegal scored three times from just five shots on target
It came after Ismail Mohammad produced a superb cross from the right which more than matched the fantastic control he showed in bringing it down.
Mohammed Muntari, who had just arrived from the bench, rose above a flat-footed Kalidou Koulibaly and nodded it into the far corner. And a goal well merited it was, too.
For a little more than six minutes Qatar dreamt of the most sensational of comebacks.
Until Senegal’s own supersub put paid to that, when Dieng swept in the third.
So in the end all Qatar had to show for their efforts was a sense of what might have been – especially if a decent first half penalty claim had gone their way, when it was still goalless.
Replays certainly suggested that Ismaila Sarr appeared to catch Akrim Afif as they went shoulder to shoulder in the box.
Mohammed Muntari pulls one back for QatarCredit: Reuters
Qatar celebrate their first goal of the World CupCredit: Reuters
But Spanish referee Antonio Mateu waved away the claims, VAR official Alejandro Hernandez agreed, and it was to prove a pivotal moment.
Just to rub salt into Qatari wounds, they also set another unwanted World Cup first for the longest time a host nation went without a goal.
Prior to this it was the 135 minutes Mexico waited before finding the net in their second game in 1970.
Well it now stands at 167 – that’s how long it took Qatar to trouble the scorer thanks to Muntari’s effort.
Not that it’s exactly a place in the record books they’ll be celebrating, of course….
Bamba Dieng makes it 3-1 to SenegalCredit: Getty
Bamba Dieng celebrates sealing the victoryCredit: Getty More

NEYMAR will play again at the World Cup but looks set to miss Brazil’s next group game at least, according to reports.The Brazil star was taken off with an ankle injury against Serbia following a tackle by Nikola Milenkovic.
Neymar suffered an ankle injury against SerbiaCredit: Getty
Neymar looked upset as physios attended to his injuryCredit: Getty
Neymar’s right ankle was badly swollenCredit: Reuters
The Brazil talisman limped as he left the stadiumCredit: Twitter @njnews10
Neymar initially continued before being substituted but he looked distraught on the bench as physios attended to him.
The forward broke down into tears and covered his face with his shirt, fearing the injury was a serious one.
Brazil fears were worsened when Neymar limped out of the stadium with a badly swollen ankle.
The team doctor could not estimate the seriousness of the injury but according to Spanish outlet Sport the problem is not as bad as first feared.
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Neymar is set to miss Brazil’s next game against Switzerland.
And if Tite’s side win he will reportedly not be risked for the final group game against Cameroon.
But if Brazil progress the Paris Saint-Germain star could be back for their second round clash, which could take place on December 5.
Brazil’s team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar said of the injury: “Neymar has a right ankle trauma.
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“Due to the impact that he had with the knee of the Serbia player, we immediately started the treatment when he was on the bench.
“We need to wait 24 to 48 hours to have a better assessment.”
Discussing the condition of Neymar and Danilo, who landing awkwardly on his ankle late on, he added: “We can already say that we will not have the two players for the next game, but they remain in treatment with our objective of trying to recover in time for this competition.”
He told press that the injury was not serious but a scan shows the problem is worse than initially thought, and that means veteran Dani Alves could be welcomed into the team. More

FANS are saying that SAUDI ARABIA’S World Cup heroes should be rewarded with ROLLS ROYCES for their sensational victory over Argentina.The team known as the Green Falcons produced one of the biggest shocks in the tournament’s history on Tuesday when they beat the Copa America champions.
Saudi Arabia caused a major shock World Cup shock by beating ArgentinaCredit: Getty
The Saudi players are set to be rewarded with a Rolls RoyceCredit: Getty
Lionel Messi put Argentina ahead from the spot, but Saudi Arabia struck twice in quick succession to end their 36-game unbeaten run.
As a result, fans want to see them given a huge bonus for their efforts.
One supporter said: “They deserve them”.
Another replied: “We can give each one of the players and their families private jets, but beating Argentina is not our target.. we are aiming for the CUP!!”
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A third admitted: “Saudi players deserve a Royal Decree – Rolls Royce for beating Argentina.”
Remarkably, this wouldn’t be the first time this type of thing has happened.
According to Harian Metro, a similar feat occurred 28 years ago.
At the 1994 World Cup in the US, Saeed Al-Owairan was rewarded with a gift for his stunning winner against Belgium.
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On that occasion, Saudi managed two wins from their three group stages games and qualified for the Round of 16.
If they beat Poland on Saturday, they will seal their place in the knockouts.

They could even progress as group winners, providing they win and the game between Mexico and Argentina ends in a draw.
Whatever happens, it’s been a tournament that no one from Saudi Arabia will ever forget. More