World Cup

JAPANESE fans continued their custom of cleaning up stadiums – even after the most incredible victory in their World Cup history.They downed four-time world champions Germany after a late comeback in their opening game in Qatar.
Japanese supporters stayed behind to tidy up after their win over GermanyCredit: Getty
Their fans continued their tradition of cleaning up despite the famous victoryCredit: Getty
Manchester City star Ilkay Gundogan had fired Germany ahead from the penalty spot midway through the first half.
That looked to have set Germany on their way to a routine victory as they dominated for large spells.
But Japan sent the Khalifa International Stadium into disbelief with a frantic turnaround in the final quarter of an hour.
Substitute Ritsu Doan grabbed a deserved equaliser in the 75th minute.
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Then fellow sub Takuma Asano beat the offside trap and ran through towards goal before thumping in from a tight angle to seal the 2-1 win.
Both the squad, staff and supporters appeared to be in disbelief at the final whistle as they erupted in euphoria.

But after the celebrations had ended, those in the stands soon went into clean-up mode.
Supporters decked out in Japan jerseys were spotted going up and down the stands with see-through blue bin bags collecting rubbish.
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It comes after several Japanese fans did the same thing after attending the World Cup opening game between Qatar and Ecuador.
And at the end of the game they went around the Al Bayt Stadium picking up rubbish and collecting Qatar flags left behind by fans.
One Qatari fan was so shocked he began filming the group of Japanese supporters before joining in to help.
He asked why they chose to clean up before hugging one supporter and telling the group how much he respected him.
A fan explained their actions saying: “We never leave, Japanese never leave rubbish behind us. We respect the place.”
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Japanese fans have a reputation to uphold after cleaning up after themselves at the Russia World Cup in 2018.
Win, lose or draw they always tidy up and take bin bags to games – including at the 2014 World Cup. More

TAKE that, minnows! Spain restored some sort of order by thrashing Costa Rica 7-0 for their biggest World Cup win ever.
Spain kicked off their World Cup campaign in style with a 7-0 win over Costa RicaCredit: Reuters
Luis Enrique’s men ran riot as they fired out a message to rivalsCredit: Getty
Unlike Mexico and Poland the previous evening, Luis Enrique’s team took full advantage of the shock defeat of one of football’s superpowers – in their case, Group E rivals Germany.
Costa Rica were not capable of doing a Japan and King Felipe VI was in the stands to give royal approval to the destruction of the former Spanish colony. 
Midfield maestro Gavi made history by volleying the fifth goal to become Spain’s youngest ever goalscorer in a World Cup at 18 years and 111 days.
The previous youngest player from any nation to find the net was Pele, in the 1958 final.
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Spain won’t be dreaming of a second world title just yet.
That’s despite beating their previous World Cup goal-scoring high, a 6-1 win over Bulgaria in 1998.

But if you had forgotten what a total mismatch looked like, here it was.
When Costa Rica lined up not in the predicted 5-4-1, but a narrow 4-4-2, you hoped they were going to show some endeavour.
Dani Olmo opened the scoring for SpainCredit: Getty
Marco Asensio made it 2-0 with a fine finishCredit: AFP
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Ferran Torres netted his first of the game with a penaltyCredit: Reuters
The Barcelona star doubled his tally in the second halfCredit: Getty
But they never got started and the game was soon finished.
Dani Olmo had already missed one golden chance before latching on to Gavi’s deflected attempt at a one-two and beating Keylor Navas in the 11th minute.
You always felt the Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper was going to need to have a good night if the Ticos were to have any chance.
But he didn’t. The move for Spain’s second was impressive, but Navas’ attempt to keep out Asensio’s shot from a Jordi Alba cross, was not.
Gavi made history with his strike for SpainCredit: Reuters
Carlos Soler came off the bench to grab Spain’s sixth goalCredit: Getty
The Central American nation looked beaten already. Hector Duarte’s clumsy challenge on Jordi Alba had the stench of despair about it.
And Torres did a speeded-up Jorginho routine to make it three from the penalty spot.
Luis Suarez sent his players back out on to the pitch early after the break and they huddled together in search of the will to play for pride at least.
But a mix-up between Navas and Bryan Oviedo allowed Torres to make it four.
There was even a chance for Alvaro Morata to get on the score sheetCredit: Getty
Spain boss Luis Enrique was delighted with his side’s performanceCredit: Reuters
It was so comfortable that Enrique felt it was safe to send on Alvaro Morata to see if he could boost his confidence.
And he did, first by crossing for Gavi to make it five.
In doing so, he became the third-youngest goalscorer in World Cup history after Pele and Manuel Rosas – as well as the youngest in Spain’s history.
Costa Rica’s frustration threatened to boil over in a scuffle with just over 10 minutes left.
But that was about all the fight they showed.
Substitute Carlos Soler scored the sixth and Morata made it seven in the third of eight unnecessarily cruel minutes of stoppage time, as Spain put the world to rights – for one evening at least. More

OUSMANE DEMBELE was left gobsmacked in a press conference after being told Japan had stunned Germany at the World Cup.Hansi Flick’s four-time champions were on the end of a huge upset on Wednesday as they relinquished a one-goal lead to lose 2-1 in Doha.
Ousmane Dembele was told Germany had lost to Japan earlier in the dayCredit: @RMCsport
The Frenchman was left totally stunned by news of the World Cup upsetCredit: @RMCsport
It is the second major shock just four days into the 2022 tournament following Argentina’s 2-1 defeat to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.
But France forward Dembele was not aware of Germany’s surprise loss when a journalist brought it up to him during a presser.
In the lead-up to being asked a question, the Barcelona forward was told: “It’s always difficult to start the competition. There’s always real apprehension.
“We’ve seen an enormous amount of surprises in this competition. Germany lost against Japan.”
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To which a startled Dembele replied: “What?!”
The journalist then confirmed the result, before the former Borussia Dortmund man added: “Yes? Wow!”

Germany’s defeat leaves them in serious danger of going out of the World Cup in the group stage for a second time in a row.
They face Spain on Sunday in a game that now becomes a must-win for Flick’s men.
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But Dembele’s France made no such mistake in their opener against Australia on Tuesday night.
Despite going a goal behind early on, Didier Deschamps’ reigning world champions ended up thrashing the Socceroos 4-1 to kick-off their World Cup defence in superb fashion.
Next up for France is a clash with Denmark on Saturday – a team that beat them twice in the Nations League ahead of the World Cup.
Their final group match then comes against Tunisia three days later. More

THE brother of Canada’s British manager has high hopes his older sibling will take the World Cup by storm as the Maple Leaf’s kick off their campaign this evening. Canada – led by John Herdman – are set to compete in their first World Cup since 1986 in tonight’s huge Group F clash against Belgium.
Martin Herdman (middle) will be cheering on John in tonight’s big Group F clashCredit: NNP
The family have closely followed John’s meteoric rise with World Cup outsiders CanadaCredit: NNP
Brother Martin Herdman, himself a coach at Newcastle Academy, will be rushing home from work tonight to watch the match with his wife Steph, 34, and tot Hayden, two.
The 39-year-old brother, who lives in Consett, County Durham, says he can’t wait for the historic occasion and has been counting down the days since the tournament kicked off on Sunday.
“The hairs on my arms are starting to stand on end, the closer it gets. I’m really excited,” he told the Sun.
“It’s been about Newcastle United for so long, but since Sunday it’s switched to the World Cup.
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“I’m an England fan, but am probably about 70 per cent in Canada’s favour right now. 
“They are massive underdogs in a game against Belgium, but I am hoping for the best. Anything could happen.”
Martin spoke of how his brother was told he would never make it as a high level coach in England as he hadn’t played professional football.
John Herdman moved to New Zealand in his mid-twenties where he started at the bottom and worked his way up to manage the country’s women’s team, taking them to two World Cups and an Olympic Games.
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The 47-year-old studied Sports Management at Leeds Trinity University before getting a job as a teacher at St Patrick’s Roman Catholic Primary, where both brothers went to school.
He left his role there to move to the antipodes and then on to Canada, where he managed the women’s side before taking on the men’s in 2018.
Martin added: “It has taken John more than 20-years to get to where he is.
“He had to make a decision when he was 23 or 24, as he was told he would not make it in England at the top of his game.
“He’s worked incredibly hard and totally deserves his success.
“It’s not a shock to me he is where he is. It’s just a surprise it’s taken him so long.
“He’s had to go round the world, knocking on doors to achieve what he has. 
“As a family, we couldn’t be prouder of him.
“He was good at school, but when you love sport it can be frustrating. It can be a bit like a prison.
“You just want to be outside playing football. He had a really creative mind. He was like a jack in the box.
“As John’s younger brother it was tough for me when he set off for New Zealand. 
“I was just 15 or 16. It was bitter sweet. But I supported him all the way.”
John started his career at Sunderland Academy, and younger brother Martin coaches the 11s and 12s at Newcastle.
Martin says John married his childhood sweetheart Clare, 45, who he met aged just 16, and she has followed him around the world, supporting him.
The pair have two children, Jay Herdman, 18, who is himself a professional footballer and plays in the reserves for the Vancouver Whitecaps, and Lilly-May, 11.
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Martin added: “John has a real passion for football, and he’s made sacrifices to get to where he is.
“We’re all hoping for the best tonight, and have everything crossed.”
Belgium vs Canada will be shown live on BBC One in the UK.
Herdman has taken Canada to their first World Cup since 1986Credit: Getty
He has the chance to unite a nation with the country’s first-ever goal at a World Cup finalsCredit: Getty More

THE partners of England’s World Cup stars have flown to Qatar to cheer on their loved ones – and look like they’re having a great time.The Three Lions made a perfect start to the tournament with a 6-2 victory over Iran on Monday.
Bukayo Saka’s partner Tolami Benson has flown out to the World CupCredit: @tolami_benson
Raheem Sterling’s partner Paige Milian is also in QatarCredit: @paigemilian
She has flown over to cheer her Chelsea man on in the Middle EastCredit: @paigemilian
Conor Coady’s partner Amie is also out there for the World CupCredit: @amiecoady90
Saka met with his partner Tolami after the win over IranCredit: Getty
And it has made their other halves’ time in Doha that bit more relaxing as they enjoy a break away in the Middle East.
Raheem Sterling’s partner Paige Milian posted snaps to her social media on a bed in Qatar.
She then shared another snap catching some rays as the Chelsea forward’s partner took in the glorious weather.
And Paige is not the only Wag that has flown to support the England team.
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Amie Coady, the partner of Everton defender Conor Coady, also posted a picture out in Qatar.
She wore a bright white, yellow and turquoise dress as she took a snap in front of the mirror.
And the girlfriend of Bukayo Saka has also revealed she has made the long trip to the World Cup.
Tolami Benson shared a picture in a brown dress on Wednesday ahead of her Arsenal partner’s second group game.

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The England stars could meet their families after Friday’s United States match – but it depends on Covid rates in Qatar.
Manager Gareth Southgate is hoping that the 26-man squad could have a proper catch-up with their partners, children and parents.
But that plan may have to change if Covid cases rise.
The Three Lions boss said: “I think towards the end, the women’s team had to batten that down a bit more because they had a few positive cases so we’re going to have to monitor it throughout.

“There’s this balance of the spirit and happiness of the group and the medical line of zero risk, and sometimes if you’re going to take zero risks, it can kill it for everybody, so we’ve got to try and find that balance.
“We’re going to see how the next few days go and we’ve talked about maybe looking at something after the second game but we’ve got to monitor what the rates are out here as much as anything else.”
Southgate’s men will book their place in the last 16 with a win over USA on Friday.
And it would take the pressure off heading into their final group match against Wales four days later.
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However, England are being made to sweat on the fitness of captain Harry Kane after he picked up an ankle injury in the win over Iran.
The Tottenham striker, 29, limped out of the Khalifa Stadium with his ankle strapped and is now waiting on the results of a scan. More

ENGLAND stars have found a novel new way to pass the time at the World Cup.That’s by starting up raucous games of the “fork challenge” in their team hotel.
England players have found a new way to pass the time at the team hotelCredit: https://www.instagram.com/england/?hl=en
Stars including James Maddison have been trying – and failing – the ‘fork challenge’Credit: https://www.instagram.com/england/?hl=en
The Three Lions got off to the best start possible at Qatar 2022 with a 6-2 win over Iran on Monday.
Gareth Southgate’s men are now preparing to face the USA on Friday, with victory all-but sealing their spot in the knockouts.
But despite using gaps between games to train and recover, there is still plenty of room for down time.
And one way England’s stars have been keeping busy is by participating in the new “fork challenge.”
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The aim of the game is to roll a coin towards a horizontal fork, and get said coin to rest in between the gaps of the utensil.
It sounds simple enough on paper, but the Three Lions proved it’s actually a lot harder than it seems.

No less than eight players gave the challenge a go in a video posted on England’s social media channels.
But only ONE star was able to successfully complete it.
Trent Alexander-Arnold failed to stop the coin inside the forkCredit: https://www.instagram.com/england/?hl=en
Marcus Rashford also found the game rather challengingCredit: https://www.instagram.com/england/?hl=en
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Kalvin Phillips had no luck on his attemptCredit: https://www.instagram.com/england/?hl=en
Jude Bellingham laughed as he failed to even get the coin rollingCredit: https://www.instagram.com/england/?hl=en
Leicester’s James Maddison, who remains an injury doubt, was the first to play before failing miserably.
Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold and Man United’s Marcus Rashford also struggled for accuracy.
And Man City’s Kalvin Phillips fared little better when he joined in the fun.
Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham, Newcastle’s Callum Wilson and Chelsea’s Connor Gallagher also failed to get the better of the challenge.
Callum Wilson came close to finding the targetCredit: https://www.instagram.com/england/?hl=en
Connor Gallagher was also unable to crack the challengeCredit: https://www.instagram.com/england/?hl=en
But City slicker Phil Foden ensured the Three Lions were not left totally red-faced in their endeavours.
Demonstrating the type of silky skills and precision he displays on the pitch, Foden deftly rolled the coin straight into the heart of the fork.
And much to the annoyance of pal Maddison, the coin gently came to a rest instead of rolling back on to the table.
England fans were certainly blown away by Foden’s technique.
Phil Foden was the only player to succeed with a perfectly-timed shotCredit: https://www.instagram.com/england/?hl=en
Pal Maddison was not too pleased at losing to his England team-mateCredit: https://www.instagram.com/england/?hl=en
One said: “Phil really was that kid at school who could do everything.”
Another laughed: “Maddison’s face at the end!”
One declared: “Foden with a worldie.”
Another added: “Maddison’s double-take. Very funny, like a cartoon.” More