World Cup

MEXICO take on Poland in a clash that is set to have huge round of 16 qualification ramifications.With Argentina the overwhelming favourites to win Group C, there is a likelihood that Mexico and Poland will be battling for second place.

So whoever can grab a matchday one victory will have a huge advantage when it comes to making it through.
The match will see a key battle of the strikers, with Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski lining up against Wolves’ Raul Jimenez.
Both are aiming to bag their first World Cup goals – having failed to do so in three previous games each.
Here, SunSport previews the clash that will have an enormous impact on which of these sides will make it through from Group C.
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How did they get there?
Mexico: Gerardo Martino’s side qualified via the Concacaf route.
Through their Fifa ranking they received a bye to the third round of qualifying, before being pitted in a group alongside Canada, the US, Costa Rica, Panama, Jamaica, El Salvador and Honduras.
Eight wins, four draws and two defeats were enough to take Mexico through in second place behind leaders Canada.
Poland: Lewandowski and Co required the play-offs to get through to the finals in Qatar, despite eight group stage goals by the Barca star.
After finishing second to England in Group I, Poland drew Russia in their Path B play-off semi-final.
They were awarded a bye after Russia were thrown out following their invasion of Ukraine – before beating Sweden 2-0 in the final via goals by Lewandowski and Piotr Zielinski.
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What’s the form?
Mexico: Gerardo Martino’s men have played two warm-up matches for the World Cup, with mixed results.
They comfortably beat underdogs Iraq 4-0 on November 9, before falling 2-1 to Sweden a week later.
Poland: The Poles have played just the one World Cup warm-up match – a late Krzysztof Piatek strike seeing them beat Chile 1-0.
In September they played twice in the Uefa Nations League – losing 2-0 at home to Belgium before winning 1-0 in Wales.
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Who are the managers?
Mexico: Experienced boss Gerardo Martino is the man tasked with inspiring Mexico to a good run in Qatar.
The 59-year-old impressively led Paraguay to the quarter-finals in 2010, although didn’t take Argentina to a World Cup while managing the Albiceleste.
Martino also has plenty of experience in club football, including a season at Barcelona.
Former Barca boss Gerardo Martino is plotting World Cup gloryCredit: Getty
Poland: Czeslaw Michniewicz only took charge of Poland in January of this year.
Predecessor Paulo Sousa left to take the Flamengo job, with Michniewicz subsequently tasked with overseeing the play-offs.
The 52-year-old has plenty of domestic managerial experience in Poland, and was also manager of his country’s Under-21s between 2017 and 2020.
Czeslaw Michniewicz was appointed Poland boss earlier this yearCredit: Getty
Who are the star players?
Mexico: RAUL JIMENEZ has won his fitness battle to lead the line for his country in Qatar.
The Wolves striker has not played for his club since August after suffering with a hip injury.
He made his return to action this week, playing 45 minutes in his country’s 2-1 defeat to Sweden.
Jimenez featured for Mexico at the 2014 and 2018 World Cups, but is yet to score a goal in the competition.
Wolves star Raul Jimenez has been deemed fit to play for MexicoCredit: Getty

Poland: ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI has been in red hot form once again this season.
The 34-year-old has taken to LaLiga like a duck to water since quitting Bayern Munich for Barcelona in the summer.
He remains a talismanic figure for his country, having scored 76 goals in 134 caps.
But Lewandowski is still yet to notch at a World Cup finals… something he will be desperate to rectify in what will almost certainly be his last attempt.
Robert Lewandowski is aiming to score his first World Cup goalsCredit: Getty

What’s the head to head?
Mexico wins: 3
Draws: 2
Poland wins: 3
What TV channel will show the game?
BBC One will broadcast the match with a 4pm kick-off on Tuesday.
There will also be a live stream on BBC iPlayer.
What are the odds?
Mexico win: 9/5
Draw: 21/10
Poland win: 19/10
SunSport prediction
This should be a really fun game between two sides that could really stake a claim for qualification to the round of 16 with a win.
Robert Lewandowski is primed to score his first World Cup goal, but Mexico have more than enough quality to cause problems of their own. We are predicting a score draw.
2-2 DRAW
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LIONEL MESSI will kick off his fifth and final World Cup with a clash against huge underdogs Saudi Arabia in Lusail.Fans of the legendary No10 will find it difficult not to let their minds drift to next month’s final, which will take place in the very same venue 26 days on from Argentina’s opener.

But Messi, 35, is wily enough to know that games against sides like Saudi Arabia can be awkward – and must be treated with respect in order to win a tournament.
Finally winning his first piece of international silverware at last year’s Copa America was a huge monkey off the Paris Saint-Germain star’s back.
And Argentina fans hope that will give him extra belief going into the World Cup in Qatar.
Here, SunSport previews the clash that could see Messi and Co stake their claim to be tournament favourites.
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How did they get there?
Argentina: Lionel Scaloni’s side comfortably qualified by finishing as runners-up in the Conmebol qualifying group.
A final record of 11 wins, six draws and no defeats did the job – although there was controversy along the way.
Their clash with Brazil was suspended shortly after kick off last year when health officials ran onto the pitch accusing four of their players of breaking Covid protocols.
Much haggling over a new date for the game followed – before it was eventually cancelled altogether when both country’s qualifications made it a dead rubber.
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Saudi Arabia: Managed by suave international football legend Herve Renard, winner of two Afcons – Saudi Arabia qualified for Qatar with flying colours.
They received a bye through the initial phase of Asian qualifying, before topping a group featuring Uzbekistan, Palestine, Singapore and Yemen.
This success got them into the third and final stage – where a record of seven wins, two draws and one defeat was enough to qualify them alongside Japan from a group also featuring Australia, Oman, China and Vietnam.

What’s the form?
Argentina: The Albiceleste could hardly be in better shape, going into the World Cup on a 36-game unbeaten run.
In fact, you have to go all the way back to the Copa America 2019 semi-finals for their last defeat – when they lost 2-0 to Brazil.
Since then they have qualified for this tournament unbeaten, as well as winning Copa America and Finalissima trophies.
In their final pre-World Cup friendly they easily beat the United Arab Emirates 5-0.
Saudi Arabia: Renard’s men possess a mixed record in 2022 with only one thing certain – their games don’t produce many goals.
Of their 13 matches played during this calendar year, NONE have featured more than two successful strikes.
They lost 1-0 to Croatia in their final pre-World Cup friendly, holding off 2018’s finalists until the 82nd minute.

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Who are the managers?
Argentina: The Albiceleste have been managed by former West Ham defender Lionel Scaloni since 2018.
In that time, the 44-year-old guided them to their first trophy in 28 YEARS – tasting glory at the Copa America 2021.
Prior to landing the gig, Scaloni had been assistant to Jorge Sampaoli.
Lionel Scaloni is the man tasked with leading Messi’s fifth and final World Cup appearanceCredit: AFP
Saudi Arabia: A smooth operator around the international game, Frenchman Herve Renard certainly experienced an eclectic career prior to taking the Saudi job in 2019.
The 54-year-old’s early club career featured stints in the French lower leagues, as well as brief stays at Cambridge United and Vietnamese side Nam Dinh.
He made his name in the international game by winning Afcon with both Zambia and the Ivory Coast – also managing Morocco, as well as Sochaux and Lille in Ligue 1.
Fans of African football will remember Herve Renard’s two Afcon winsCredit: Getty
Who are the star players?
Argentina: LIONEL MESSI is aiming to finally complete his career clean sweep by lifting the World Cup at his fifth attempt in Qatar.
The 35-year-old has previously come as close as the final, losing 1-0 to Germany after extra time in 2014.
Despite his advancing years, the 165-cap star has been in sparkling form for his club this season.
The Paris Saint-Germain star has scored 12 goals and assisted a further 14 in 19 appearances for his club this term.
Lionel Messi will be determined to finally lift the World CupCredit: Reuters

Saudi Arabia: SALEM AL-DAWSARI is set to be his country’s talisman once again at this winter’s World Cup finals in Qatar.
The attacker was a key man in 2018, scoring his side’s last minute winner against Egypt during the group stage.
Al-Dawsari, 31, has played almost the entirety of his career at Saudi heavyweights Al-Hilal – scoring 79 goals and laying on 62 assists in 309 games – winning the Asian Champions League twice in the process.
He had a brief spell in Spain in 2018, playing once on loan at Villarreal.
Salem Al-Dawsari will be his nation’s star man in QatarCredit: Getty

What’s the head to head?
Argentina wins: 2
Draws: 2
Saudi Arabia wins: 0
What TV channel will show the game?
ITV1 will broadcast the match with a 10am kick-off on Tuesday.
There will also be a live stream on ITV Hub.
What are the odds?
Argentina win: 1/7
Draw: 6/1
Saudi Arabia: 20/1
All odds provided by Betfair
SunSport prediction
Argentina are obviously huge favourites, but Saudi Arabia will be organised and resolute in their attempts to keep them out.
We expect Messi and Co to still win fairly comfortably… but the Saudis’ 2022 form suggests that there won’t be more than two goals in it.
2-0 ARGENTINA
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NECO WILLIAMS broke down in tears on TV following Wales’ World Cup comeback against the USA.That’s after revealing his grandad died the day before the crunch clash.
Neco Williams has revealed his grandad died the day before Wales’ draw with the USACredit: Getty
Williams broke down in tears after the final whistleCredit: Getty
Gareth Bale’s 82nd minute penalty saw the Welsh fight back for a 1-1 draw after going behind to Timothy Weah’s first-half strike.
But the game was an emotional one for Nottingham Forest wing-back Williams.
The ace broke down in tears as the two sides saluted their travelling fans in Qatar.
Williams was clearly upset as he soaked up the applause from the Red Wall.
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And as the camera followed Williams off the pitch, he said into the lens: “That was for you, grandad.”
The defender then took to social media to reveal his loved one passed away on Sunday.
Williams called it the “toughest news” he’s ever received after getting a call from his mum.
And the fan favourite added he was “crying all day” before stepping up to the plate for his country.
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Thanking his Wales teammates for their support, Williams tweeted: “Yesterday was the toughest news I’ve ever had to face and that was listening to my mum tell me my grandad passed away last night.
“To go from crying all day to start in a World Cup game was extremely tough but I got through it from the support of my teammates and family.
“So I dedicate that game and an important point to him.”
Fans were quick to comfort Williams, with one replying: “Your grandad would’ve been so proud of the shift you put in tonight.”
Another said: “Unbelieved you managed to play in a game of that magnitude with all that playing on your mind. He’d have been proud of you.”
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One wrote: “You did brilliantly to cope with all of that emotion and put in what was arguably a MOTM performance.”
Another added: “You did him proud Neco, he was looking down on you wearing that shirt beaming with pride.” More

WALES fans got the party started as they watched their side score their first World Cup goal since 1958.Beer flew in the air and supporters ripped their shirts off as Welsh wizard Gareth Bale slotted home an 82nd-minute penalty.
Wales fans celebrate Gareth Bale’s equaliser in their opening World Cup clashCredit: Huw Evans
Supporters packed into a fan zone in Swansea to watch the matchCredit: Athena
A supporter ripped off his shirt to celebrate the equalising goalCredit: WNS
And fans packed into Elevens, the Cardiff bar owned by Bale, to watch the former Spurs and Real Madrid forward level the scores with just under 10 minutes of normal time remaining.
There were raucous scenes too at Cardiff’s Vale Sports Arena, with at least one lad tearing off his Wales top to celebrate the goal.
Supporters chugged beer in a fan zone set up in Swansea to watch the clash with the USA, Wales’ first game at a World Cup finals in more than 60 years.
Meanwhile, fans in Wrexham were filmed going wild as the equaliser went in.
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The game had been a long time coming, but the fairytale appeared to wilt in the desert heat at Qatar’s Ahmad bin Ali Stadium when Timothy Weah – son of legendary former footballer George Weah – gave the Yanks a deserved lead in the 36th.
Weah got on the end of a sublime Christian Pulisic pass to jab the ball past Wayne Hennessey.
But with 6’5” giant Kieffer Moore brought on at halftime for Dan James, the game slowly turned, and when Walker Zimmerman clumsily tripped Bale in the box, the stage was set for the Welsh dragon to roar again.
Thousands of Welsh supporters made the journey to Qatar for the momentous occasion, and by all accounts have enjoyed themselves.
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Ahead of Monday’s clash, it was reported that Wales fans drank a Qatar bar dry.
Alcohol has been a controversial topic at this winter’s World Cup, with authorities in the majority-Muslim country reversing on a deal with Budweiser to allow beer to be sold in stadiums just days before the tournament started.
But that hasn’t stopped Wales fans from boozing, with WalesOnline reporting that they held an eight-hour party at Doha’s InterContinental Hotel.
More than 1,600 Welsh supporters reportedly started arriving before 11am local time, at least 11 hours before kickoff.
Despite pints costing the equivalent of £10.45, the crowd reportedly emptied the bar of draught beer with six hours still to go, with supporters left to drink bottles instead.
Legendary Welsh singer Dafydd Iwan stole the show when he turned up at the hotel to lead a rousing rendition of his most famous song Yma o Hyd.
The song, which has been selected as Wales’ official anthem for this year’s World Cup, has become an iconic part of Rob Page’s side’s successes, after Iwan himself sang it on the pitch ahead of two crucial playoff games against Austria and Ukraine earlier this year.
Yma o Hyd, originally released in 1983, translates to “Still Here”, and has since been adopted by several sports clubs as well as pro-Welsh independence groups.
Brass band The Barry Horns also performed for fans inside the hotel before they set off for Al Rayyan’s Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, some 13 miles away.
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The draw leaves Wales second in Group B behind England, who smashed Iran 6-2 earlier on Monday thanks to a brace from Bukayo Saka as well as goals for Jude Bellingham, Raheem Sterling, Marcus Rashford, and Jack Grealish.
Wales face Iran on Friday at 10am, before a hotly-anticipated clash with Gareth Southgate’s men next Tuesday at 7pm.
There were emotional scenes as Wales played their first World Cup game since 1958Credit: WNS
Supporters at Elevens, a Cardiff bar owned by Gareth BaleCredit: Huw Evans
Most fans weren’t born the last time Wales reached a World Cup finalsCredit: Athena
Gareth Bale’s goal sparked huge celebrationsCredit: WNS
Bale scored from the penalty spot after Timothy Weah had given the US the leadCredit: Alamy More

ROY KEANE gushed over Jude Bellingham after his sensational performance in England’s 6-2 win over Iran at the World Cup.The 19-year-old Borussia Dortmund midfielder produced a breathtaking display for the Three Lions in their opening game in Qatar.
Jude Bellingham was majestic in England’s World Cup win over IranCredit: Getty
Roy Keane has heaped praise on Bellingham and insists he is already “brilliant”Credit: Twitter / @itvfootball
He pulled the strings throughout the match and even helped himself to the first goal with an expertly guided header.
And Keane, who was one of the best midfielders of his own generation, is blown away by Bellingham’s talent.
When asked on ITV4 how good the teenager could end up becoming, he said: “Absolutely amazing. I think he’s brilliant now, absolutely brilliant.
“He’s made a point there about adding more goals to his game at international level – he does score at club level.
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“He plays with a maturity, he’s got everything you want in a midfielder in the middle of the park in terms of his physique, his maturity, his decision-making, his skill.
“This finish here [his goal against Iran] is fantastic. You remember all the brilliant England midfielders over the years – people like Bryan Robson, Scholesy, Lampard, Gerrard – if you can add that to your game, that final bit of having goals… as I said he’s a brilliant player anyway.
“His interviews afterwards, he comes across as very, very mature. The kid’s got everything.”
Bellingham could well play in a deeper role as the tournament goes on, particularly if Gareth Southgate opts to switch to a back three.
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But against Iran he was given licence to go forward and join Mason Mount in attack as Declan Rice played as the only sitter.
And Keane does not feel Bellingham should be pigeon-holed into one sort of role because he is such a versatile midfielder.
When discussing him being a complete player, Keane added: “He’s one of them. He goes back to a few years ago when you talk about midfielders when you’re suppose to do a bit of everything.
“You’re supposed to help you’re back four. You’re supposed to be able to see a pass, you’re supposed to be able to pass it forward, you should have a goal in you.
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“And on top of that, the real bonus is, he comes across as a really decent kid which you’ve got to give him credit for, and his family obviously.”
Next up for Bellingham and England is a clash with USA on Friday, before they take on Wales in their final group game four days later. More

CRISTIANO RONALDO was left in hysterics ahead of Portugal’s World Cup opener against Ghana.The Manchester United outcast decided to draw a less-than-flattering picture of teammate Pepe.
Cristiano Ronaldo couldn’t stop laughing after drawing an awful sketch of Pepe

Pepe was less than amused with the A4 monstrosity from his Portugal pal
Portugal kick off their group stage campaign on Thursday, with games to follow against Uruguay and South Korea.
Ronaldo’s explosive interview with Piers Morgan has been the talk of the town leading up to the tournament.
But the Manchester United misfit, 37, is showing no signs of pressure as he looks to lead his country to further glory.
And in what was presumably a team-building exercise, Ronaldo revealed he’s not the greatest artist around by drawing a picture of veteran defender Pepe.
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The pair are close friends, having played together for many years with Portugal and Real Madrid.
But Pepe, 39, failed to see the funny side when Ronaldo revealed an unflattering sketch of the defender.
Ronnie was fit to burst as he howled with laughter while showing the camera the shocking drawing.
As Ronaldo was left in stitches at his efforts, Pepe looked utterly confused as he tried to comprehend the A4 monstrosity.
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And fans also found the drawing hilarious as they had their say online.
One wrote: “I haven’t see him this happy since he joined Man Utd.”
Another declared: “I’ve never heard him laugh this much.”
One joked: “Better artist than Lionel Messi.”
Another added: “He’s having a fun time with Portugal. It’s been a while since I’ve seen him like this.”
Ronaldo is certain to win his 192nd cap in Thursday’s game against Ghana.
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But Pepe’s spot is less certain following the emergence of Benfica teenager Antonio Silva.
There could be plenty of Premier League faces on show too, with Jose Sa, Diogo Dalot, Ruben Dias, Joao Cancelo, Joao Palhinha, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva and Ruben Neves hoping to feature.  More

BUKAYO   SAKA and Marcus ­Rashford gained England redemption to inspire the World Cup thrashing of Iran.The Three Lions pair suffered racial abuse after missing penalties in last summer’s Euro 2020 final shootout defeat to Italy.
Bukayo Saka was the star of the show for England in their big win over Iran on MondayCredit: Getty
The Arsenal man bagged two goals and produced a superb all-round displayCredit: Rex
Saka was racially abused after missing a penalty in the final of the Euros last summerCredit: AFP
But Saka, 21, bagged a double and sub Rashford scored seconds after coming off the bench to bury their Wembley agony.
Arsenal star Saka said: “The miss is a moment that will be with me forever. I’m so blessed and so grateful to feel that love from everyone around me. Not only with Gareth and all the team with England.
“Also at Arsenal, and my friends and my family, who put their arm around me, and the love of my team-mates as well who supported me and helped me get back into a good place.
“It gives me a lot of confidence and belief in myself to go again.
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“So every time I have the chance to pull on an England shirt I give 110 per cent and do my best to make the nation proud.
“I can’t describe the feeling. I am so happy and so proud. We got the win as well, so it is a really special day.”
Captain Harry Kane revealed his disappointment after being blocked from wearing the “One Love” armband by Fifa on Sunday morning following a threat the striker would be booked if he did so.
On the pitch, England rattled up their best opening win at a World Cup finals.
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Jude Bellingham, Saka and Raheem Sterling made it 3-0 by half-time.
Saka, Rashford and Jack Grealish all netted after the break.
Gareth Southgate was pleased with the victory but branded himself a “a miserable so and so” after Iran’s Mehdi Taremi netted twice, including a stoppage-time VAR penalty.
And the England boss fired a warning that his men must improve to go deep in the tournament.
Southgate said: “I am a miserable so and so. I should be more excited but I need to keep the team on the right track and we need to be better.
“I am a bit fed up with the end of it.
“To win by that margin and play as we did for the majority of the game, you have got to be really happy.
Rashford also helped himself to a goal two years on from his Euros heartbreakCredit: Alamy
“We looked ready, we used the ball really well and our attacking threat was there for everyone to see. It’s a great marker to put down.
“But I didn’t like the end of the game. To concede two goals isn’t the level that we need. We looked sloppy.
“We had 24 minutes of added time across the game and it is a long time to focus and we just lost concentration. When we play at a slow tempo we are nowhere near as effective.
“I’ve said to the players I have to balance how I feel because we dominated the game and there were so many good performances. But equally we cannot concede two goals in the manner we did.
“We are going to have to be better than we were today in certain aspects of our game against the USA because they are going to be coming for us full throttle.”
Southgate confirmed Kane should be OK to face the US on Friday after he was pictured limping away from the stadium with strapping on his right ankle.
And Harry Maguire also expects to be fit for the American clash after he tweeted: “I felt unwell in the second half so came off as a precaution. Looking forward to Friday.”
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England were bemused by the award of Iran’s late penalty for John Stones’ tug on Morteza Pouraliganji, especially after Maguire was denied a spot-kick early on at 0-0 when he was clearly manhandled in the box.
Southgate added: “We are intrigued to know because we had a meeting the other day where it was made very clear what would be given as a penalty and we didn’t get one and then had one given against us at the end.” More