World Cup

CRISTIANO RONALDO has admitted he would love to beat Lionel Messi at the World Cup. The two footballing legends appeared in an internet-breaking Louis Vuitton ad together playing chess.
Cristiano Ronaldo revealed he would like to ‘checkmate’ Lionel MessiCredit: Getty
The pair have been battling it out for the title of GOAT for many yearsCredit: AFP
The pair broke the internet with this pictureCredit: Instagram @cristiano
While it was later revealed neither star was in the same room for the photo, Ronaldo’s desire to beat his respected rival remains fierce.
Speaking ahead of Portugal’s World Cup opener against Ghana, Ronaldo revealed he would love to “checkmate” Messi.
He said: “Being honest I would like to be the one to give a checkmate against him (Messi).
“Let’s see. It would be beautiful.
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“As it happened in the chess (photo) it would be magic for it to happen in football as well.”
The two have competed for the title of “GOAT” for well over a decade.
Messi is currently leading the battle between the pair for the most Ballon d’Or awards with seven, while Ronaldo has five.
However, this has not dissuaded the 37-year-old from making dinner plans with Messi.
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During his tell-all interview with Piers Morgan, Ronaldo said: “He’s a guy that I really respect the way he always speak about me. 
“Even his wife or my wife, my girlfriend, they always respect and they’re from Argentina. My girlfriend is from Argentina. So good.
“What I am going to say about Messi? A great guy who does great things for football.”
Asked if he would like to have dinner with the great Argentine, Ronaldo tells Piers “Why not, I like it.” More

LIONEL MESSI is determined to enjoy his World Cup swansong with a smile on his face – despite concerns over an ankle strain.Argentina’s superstar skipper will make damn sure his young team mates do the same after he admitted missing out on too much fun during his stellar career.
Lionel Messi has insisted he is fine – despite pictures appearing to show a swollen right ankleCredit: Getty
The World Cup is one of the few trophies Messi has yet to win in his incredibly successful careerCredit: EPA
Messi, 35, leads the South Americans into his fifth and final appearance at the greatest football show on earth and starts against minnows Saudi Arabia tomorrow.
He was pictured with what appeared to be a swollen ankle in training but the forward played it down and insisted he was fit.
Messi said: “I feel very good physically. I think I’m arriving at a great moment, both personally and physically. I don’t have any problems.”
And the Argentine star’s message to the 18 members of his squad making their debuts is that enjoyment goes hand in hand with winning.
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Despite gobbling up four Champions Leagues, seven Spanish titles, the Ballon d’Or seven times and with his country the Copa America, the World Cup has eluded him.
And little Leo said: “I don’t know if this is the best or the happiest moment in my career, but I feel a bit more mature trying to give my best and enjoy. And leave with a lot of intensity. 
“I am trying to enjoy each moment in the World Cup. I think I am enjoying myself much more now. Before maybe I didn’t think about that and wanted to play, play, play.
“When you play every three days you don’t have time to enjoy because you are thinking about the next game.
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“Sometimes I think I missed a lot in my career.”
Messi remains a massive draw on the big stage and his opening game audience was a sight to behold.
Feverish Latin American journalists were hanging from the rafters in the press conference room who then applauded him off like a bunch of swooning cheerleaders.
Messi has enjoyed a sizzling season at PSG ahead of the World CupCredit: EPA
That is the power of personality and with so many rookies in boss Loinel Scaloni’s squad, Messi will assume an even loftier position as the ever-daunting South Americans bid for a third World Cup.
They are on an impressive run under former West Ham defender Scaloni – 36 games undefeated and a thumping 3-0 win over Euro champions Italy in the summer’s ‘finalissima’ at Wembley.
Messi came close to winning the big one in 2014 when Argentina were beaten by the odd extra time goal against Germany.
It is not or never for the one player on the planet who can put Cristiano Ronaldo in his shadow.
Messi said: “It is most likely my last World Cup. One more chance to make my dream a reality.
“I feel good physically. We are in different times with the tournament in the middle of the season. But physically I have no issues.
“This squad reminds me very much of the one in 2014. We are united. We feel good as a collective.

“We have had barely any time to prepare and must play very quickly. There will be tension before the first game, emotions will run high but we will settle in and gather pace.”
Facing in-form Argentina will be French coach Herve Renard and his Saudi battlers who know they are up against it.
Arabic teams have taken a battering already this tournament with hosts Qatar and Iran losing their first games. But Renard is unbowed.
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He said: “We are not here just to look around and say Doha is lovely. We know this country very well and even if other people don’t agree with us, Qatar is a lovely country.
“We will have a lot of fans here and want to make them proud. We are not here on a jolly.” More

FOOTBALL fans praised the Wales players and supporters after they passionately belted out the national anthem before their World Cup opener against USA.Welsh skipper Gareth Bale led his team in singing Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau ahead of their first World Cup game in 64 years.
The Welsh supporters belted out their national anthem before the USA gameCredit: Reuters
The players joined their supporters in singing the anthemCredit: AP

It was a passionate cry as Wales prepared for their first World Cup game since 1954Credit: FOX
It was an emotional moment for the country, with the fans inside the stadium showing just how much it meant to them.
Several Wales supporters could be seen screaming the anthem as they prepared to take on the US.
And social media hailed the passion exuding out of both the players and fans.
Speaking on Twitter, one person said: “Have you ever seen a more passionate national anthem at the World Cup than that? F***** proud as f***, I am. 👊👊👊👊👊.”
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Another added: “Wales fans don’t play around with that anthem energy 😲.”
A third said: “Wales anthem. Sport is a gift.”
And a fourth simply added: “Had me in tears.”
Prior to the Qatar tournament, Wales had not qualified for a World Cup since they reached the quarter-finals in 1958.
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But with the help of stars such as Bale and Aaron Ramsey, manager Rob Page has succeeded in taking the national team to the finals this time around.
Wales have been drawn in Group B alongside USA, Iran and England.
Following their clash with the US on Monday evening, they take on Iran on Friday before their final group game with England four days later. More

HARRY KANE revealed his disappointment at being blocked from wearing the One Love armband.England captain Kane and Gareth Bale of Wales had planned to wear the armband during matches to promote diversity and inclusion.
Harry Kane is disappointed he couldn’t wear his One Love armband against IranCredit: Getty
But they were warned by Fifa they could be booked before the start of the match.
The Spurs star, outstanding in the 6-2 win over Iran, had to wear a Fifa armband instead as pundit Alex Scott sported the One Love version.
Kane said: “The decision was taken out of my hands. I am disappointed.
“I turned up to the stadium with the armband that I wore and I was told I had to wear that. 
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“Look, it’s out of our control as players. 
“I’m sure the FA and Fifa will continue those discussions but most importantly, we focused on the game and got a great result.

“We took the knee today as well but sometimes these decisions aren’t up to us and that’s the bottom line. 
“As a squad, our focus was on the game today and I think we showed we’re a really good team and have full focus on what we need to do.”
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Asked if he is angry with Fifa, Kane said: “I’m not going to say words to get headlines. I said I was disappointed, I wasn’t able to wear it but that’s it.”
Meanwhile, Kane gave England an injury scare by limping back to the team hotel with strapping on his ankle.
Kane was hit by a meaty challenge early in the second half before being subbed off after 76 minutes.
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And he was pictured limping to the bus with wrapping around his ankle. 
SunSport understands that he will be assessed over the next 48 hours, but England have no serious fears over his fitness. More

THE attendance of Holland’s win over Senegal was announced as 1,700 MORE than the stadium’s capacity.And a vast amount of empty seats were spotted around the Al-Thumama Stadium throughout the game.
It was clear a large number of seats were empty for the gameCredit: Reuters
Yet the attendance was still announced as 1,700 MORE than the stadium’s capacity
The official capacity for the stadium is said to be 40,000.
But the announcement over the loudspeaker towards the end of the Dutch’s 2-0 victory claimed 41,721 were present for the game.
And those on social media ripped into the attendance figure given.
One jokingly said: “The new rules are that official attendance must include people who would ‘quite like to have gone’.”
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Another added: “They’re getting 104% attendance at their games 🤦🏻‍♂️.”
And a third said: “Maybe they counted everyone twice?”
The attendance being reported as more than the capacity of the stadia is already becoming a theme at this World Cup.
Towards the end of the World Cup opener on Sunday, Qatar’s defeat to Ecuador was reported as raking in 67,000 spectators.
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That was despite the Al Bayt Stadium holding a capacity crowd of 60,000.
And fans have had difficulties getting into grounds after the Fifa ticket app went down ahead of England’s 6-2 win over Iran on Monday.
Three Lions supporters who missed the start of the match ended up being allowed in for free due to the technical failure. More

CHEIKHOU KOUYATE was stretchered off injured in the World Cup after he appeared to be hit in the TESTICLES by Frenkie de Jong. The midfielder was caught in the nether regions by De Jong’s outstretched hand as he jumped for the ball in mid-air.
An awkward and painful collision ended Kouyate’s match against the DutchCredit: Reuters
The star appeared to be in some discomfort as he was led off the pitch on a stretcherCredit: AP
Senegal’s game against Holland was a bit of a slow-burner and the pair spent much of the game cancelling each other out.
But eventually the Dutch got two late strikes to get over the line.
But before the goals, Kouyate was left flat on the ground in pain after being caught by De Jong.
The Nottingham Forest man leapt into the air to win a header with 20 minutes to go.
But De Jong clumsily leaned into Kouyate and hit his privates with a loose left-hand.
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Left in a heap on the ground, the Senegal midfielder was quickly attended to by medical staff.
They said he could not go on and the star was stretchered off.
Things would go from bad to worse for the African side who conceded two late goals to lose their World Cup opener.
Rising PSV star and Manchester United target Cody Gakpo scored a brilliant header seven minutes from time to give Holland the lead.
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And former Everton striker Davy Klaassen took advantage of the huge injury-time triggered by Kouyate’s injured as he netted from off the bench.
The 29-year-old took advantage of a poor save from Chelsea keeper Edouard Mendy to latch onto the rebound and secure the points.
Senegal will now likely need at least one victory from their remaining group games against Ecuador and Qatar to land a place in the knock-out stages.
The game between the two nations followed England’s demolition of Iran earlier in the day. More

GARETH SOUTHGATE was not happy with England’s performance against Iran.This is despite England recording their biggest ever win for a World Cup opener as they thrashed Iran 6-2.
Gareth Southgate has warned his England stars they must improve in the futureCredit: Getty
Southgate overtook Sir Alf Ramsey as the England boss with the most wins at major tournaments following the Iran victory but cast an unimpressed figure at full time.
He said: “I’m a bit fed up with the end of it really.
“To win by that margin, to play as we did for the majority of the game, I’ve got to be really happy.
“But we shouldn’t be conceding two goals at that stage and we’ll have to be right on our game against the (United) States. It’s a great start but we’re going to have to be better.”
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Despite dominating proceedings the Three Lions allowed two goals to be put past them as Mehdi Taremi lashed home a goal after slipping behind Harry Maguire before adding a penalty in the final minute.
And former Middlesbrough manager Southgate warned his team they must improve when they face off against the USA on Friday.
Southgate added: “It’s a consequence of the scoreline a bit.
“We had 24 minutes of added time which is a long time to focus but we just lost concentration and when we play at a slower tempo we’re not anywhere near as effective.
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“Our attacking players look a threat, our defence in the first hour controlled the game and were patient. The midfield were excellent and our forwards looked a threat…
“I’m a miserable so and so. I should be more excited but I have to keep the team on the right track.”
There were a number of notable performances from England players including Bukayo Saka and Jude Bellingham.
However, Harry Kane and Harry Maguire have given Southgate injury scares after Kane was pictured limping with an ankle strap and Maguire fell ill.
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England’s Friday opponent is in action against Wales this evening.
The Dragons will be participating in their first World Cup game for 64 years.
Here’s the breakdown of England v Iran More