World Cup

JORDAN PICKFORD was denied the World Cup’s Golden Glove Award despite having the same number of clean sheets as winner Emiliano Martinez. Both goalkeepers picked up three clean sheets in their time in Qatar.
Emiliano Martinez picked up the Golden Glove Award at the World CupCredit: Getty
This is despite Jordan Pickford having the same amount of clean sheetsCredit: Getty
A Fifa Technical Study Group gave Martinez the awardCredit: Rex
Pickford, 28, conceded in only two of his five games for England, while Martinez, 30, kept three clean sheets across seven games for Argentina.
Martinez conceded over double the amount of the Everton stopper but was given the accolade after a review from Fifa’s Technical Study Group – headed by former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.
With a tie-break in hand – with Morocco’s Yassine Bounou also collecting three clean sheets – this year’s edition of the Golden Glove was deliberated over by the expert panel.
It included a number of ex-pros and managers such as Jurgen Klinsmann, Alberto Zaccheroni, Cha Du-Ri, Sunday Oliseh, Faryd Mondragon and Pascal Zuberbuhler.
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In addition, the group was supported by a team of analysts, data engineers and scientists in order to come to the best decision – which they ruled to be Martinez.
The Aston Villa shot-stopper became the hero of his nation after a string of fine saves across the knockout rounds and in penalty shootouts.
This included his huge last-minute save to deny Randal Kolo Muani in the final and drag the game to penalties.
Martinez was slammed for his “despicable” behaviour during the shootout – not that he will care due to it helping to win Lionel Messi and Co a first World Cup since 1986.
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In the event of needing a tiebreak in previous editions, the award simply came down to a number of factors.
Firstly, how far the goalie had progressed into the tournament.
It would then be followed by how many saves they had made and the minutes played.
Here’s how the World Cup final played out on paper More

FANS have been joking that Georgina Rodriguez has been BANNED from celebrating Argentina’s World Cup win. The model, born in Buenos Aires, spent the winter tournament in Qatar supporting Portugal for her beloved Cristiano Ronaldo.
Georgina Rodriguez pictured during the World Cup
Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal were dumped out in the quarter-finalCredit: Rex
But it was Ronaldo’s great on-field rival Lionel Messi who at last got his hands on football’s most prized possession.
Ronaldo, whose Portugal side were dumped out in the quarter-final stages, has remained radio silent after the thrilling showpiece game.
And so too has his Argentine partner, leading to some hilarious reaction from fans online.
One said: “Georgina Rodriguez is the only Argentine to not celebrate her nation winning the World Cup.
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“Thanks to Cristiano Ronaldo the unemployed.”
Another joked: “Ronaldo’s girlfriend, Georgina Rodriguez should at least congratulate her country Argentina.”
One added: “Georgina Rodriguez is the only Argentine who can’t celebrate their trophy.”
Ronaldo, who left Manchester United while on international duty, failed to inspire Portugal past the last eight, losing to Morocco.
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Meanwhile, Argentina beat holders France in a dramatic final that ended 3-3 after extra time, with Messi twice scoring.
The game was decided on penalties where Emi Martinez was the hero of the shootout.
Messi became the first Argentine to lift the World Cup since his idol Diego Maradona, almost four decades ago in 1986.
Lionel Messi with the World Cup trophyCredit: Getty More

LIONEL MESSI and his Argentina team-mates were pictures of happiness as they jetted back to Buenos Aires with the World Cup trophy.The Paris Saint-Germain superstar helped guide La Ablisceleste to their third Jules Rimet Trophy on Sunday night with a penalty shootout victory over France – which came after pulsating 3-3 draw.
Lionel Messi finally got his hands on the World Cup trophy on SundayCredit: REX
Messi posed with the Jules Rimet on Argentina’s flight back to Buenos AiresCredit: INSTAGRAM@LEOMESSI
Messi eventually let go of the trophy to allow Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez grab his picture with itCredit: TWITTER
Angel DI Maria grinned like a Chesire cat as he held the iconic trophyCredit: Instagram @angeldimariajm
Messi has seldom let the trophy leave his side in the last few hours, so much so he griped it tightly on Argentina’s flight back to Buenos Aires.
The 35-year-old posted a picture of himself holding the trophy on the plane to his Instagram on Monday afternoon.
And he was inundated with comments from his near 400 million followers, one of whom said: “Let’s go, champ.”
Another said: “The best ever!”
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And another said: “Greatest of all time.”
One remarked: “The best in the world.”
Another chimed in: “The greatest player of all time.”
One said: “The greatest.”
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Another of Messi’s loyal followers said: “Immortalised.”
Messi, eventually, let his team-mates get a shot at holding the trophy at 30,000 feet.
Former and current Manchester United stars Angel Di Maria and Lisandro Martinez also posed with the iconic golden trophy while they soared in the sky.
Aston Villa stopper and extra-time hero Emi Martinez – who made an incredible save to deny the French a last-gasp victory – also posed with the trophy.
An over-the-moon Messi reacted to the historic victory on Instagram a few hours after the thrilling match.
Along with a series of snaps of himself holding the trophy, he wrote: “CHAMPIONS OF THE WORLD!!!!!!!.
“So many times I dreamed it, so much I wanted it that I still don’t fall, I can’t believe it…
“Thank you so much to my family, to all who support me and also to all who believed in us.
Aston Villa stopper Emi Martinez made sure the trophy was safe by putting a seatbelt on itCredit: INSTAGRAM@EMI_MARTINEZ26
The former Arsenal keeper looked loving at the trophy as he cradled itCredit: INSTAGRAM@EMI_MARTINEZ26
Messi shut down the prospect of international retirementCredit: REX
“We prove once again that Argentinians when we fight together and united we are able to achieve what we aim.
“The merit is of this group, which is above individuals, is the strength of all fighting for the same dream that was also the one of all Argentinians…
“We did it!!! LET’S GO ARGENTINA DAMN!!!!!
“We’re seeing each other very soon.”
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Messi teased international retirement ahead of Qatar 2022 but has since performed a U-turn, telling TyC Sports: “I am not retiring from the Argentina national team.
“I want to continue playing as a champion.” More

LIONEL MESSI cemented himself further as a footballing legend by becoming the first Argentine to lift the World Cup since Diego Maradona. The PSG superstar helped end his nation’s agonising 36 year wait to bring the gold home.

Messi is the first Argentine to captain the side to glory since MaradonaCredit: AFP
Messi scored twice in the 3-3 final draw with France and netted in the shootout Argentina eventually won.
Afterwards, he recreated the famous shot of his idol Maradona lofting the trophy in the air.
The pair of left-footed icons are among the greatest sports stars to ever live, boasting almost unmatched records.
On the international stage, both now have a World Cup winners medal, almost four decades apart.
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But what Messi also has is a Copa America trophy to his name, which he won last year.
In his 172 Argentina games, he has scored 98 times which averages at around a goal every other game.
Meanwhile, Maradona retired with 34 in his 91 matches, just over a goal every three games.
At club level, Messi established himself with Barcelona, before infamously leaving on a free transfer in the summer of 2021.
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During his 17 years at the Nou Camp, he scored 672 goals in 778 appearances.
At Barcelona, he won ten LaLiga titles and four Champions League-winning medals.
His scoring form with PSG has suffered slightly, with only 23 in 53 games but he has Ligue 1 and French Cup-winning medals to go with it.
Overall, Messi has won 39 trophies during his career, compared to Maradona’s 11.
The midfield maestro – who died in June – won the Argentine league in 1981 with Boca Juniors before moving to Barcelona.
In Spain, Maradona won three domestic cups, helping him sign for Napoli in Italy.
There, he won the league title twice as well as two domestic trophies and a Uefa Cup.
Maradona’s total numbers of club goal and appearances are disputed, but it is widely reported as 259 in 490 games.
As individuals, Messi has a record SEVEN Ballon d’Or wins to his name.
Maradona was never eligible for the prize, because at the time it was only available to European players playing in Europe.
Eventually, Fifa merged their Player of the Year award with the Ballon d’Or.
Maradona in 2000 won Fifa’s Player of the Century and was in 1995 handed a Ballon d’Or for services to football.
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His talents took him to management, working with Messi while in charge of the national team.
And 12 years later, Messi emulated his great idol by lifting the World Cup aloft in celebration.
Lionel Messi lifted the World Cup replicating his idol Diego MaradonaCredit: Getty
Diego Maradona won the World Cup in 1986 More

FEARS grow over the Argentina fan who was escorted out of Lusail Stadium by officials after she got her kit off during the World Cup Final.The fan was spotted on TV stripping off to celebrate Argentina’s dramatic win over France last night, however, still no more information has been released surrounding the incident.
Vision of the Argentina fan stripping off to celebrateCredit: Canalpais
An official spots the woman and from there she was escorted from the stadiumCredit: Canalpais
She was seen showing off and shaking her naked breasts, which breaks strict laws in Qatar.
There are fears she could be behind bars as there has been no sign of the woman since she was removed from the stadium.
The only way the woman could avoid jail is if a judge showed mercy and slapped her with a hefty fine.
Her behaviour is prohibited in the Arab country.
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Women travelling in the Arab nation are banned from wearing any tight clothing, or flashing any cleavage.
Although non-Qatari women don’t need to wear the abaya (cloak), their tops must cover their midriff and shoulders, and skirts, dresses and trousers must cover the knees.
And WAGs were advised to wear a scarf around their necks in a bid to cover up their busts.
Fans were quick to take to social media to point out the topless woman risked arrest due to the nation’s very strict conservative laws.
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One fan said: “I spotted her, very brave! she’ll be arrested over there if she’s not careful…”
A second added: “Caught live on TV”.
A third commented: “I’d be posting my boobs later to celebrate Messi and Argentina World Cup.”
The World Cup’s “hottest fan”, former Miss Croatia Ivana Knoll, has previously flouted strict rules as she appeared at games in skimpy outfits.
Fans spotted the topless fan during the World Cup finalCredit: BBC
The blonde supporter was celebrating Argentina’s win over FranceCredit: BBC More

ARGENTINA’S hottest fan Suzy Cortez gave Lionel Messi a kiss of approval after the diminutive forward captained his team to victory in the World Cup final.Following the South American’s dramatic win over France on Sunday, the former Miss Bum Bum gave her idol a smooch while flaunting her famous behind.
Suzy Cortez gave Lionel Messi a kiss as he finally got his hands on the coverted World Cup trophyCredit: Splash
The former Miss Bum Bum once again showed her support for Argentina during Sunday’s finalCredit: Splash
Suzy already has seven tattoos of the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner, including one in a very intimate location just above her waistlineCredit: Splash
The 32-year-old model and beauty pageant star, who is actually Brazilian, has kept no secret of her love for arch rivals Argentina.  
And has persistently tipped her adopted side to go all the way during the past month thanks to their little magician.
“I’ve followed Leo Messi’s career since the beginning when I lived in Barcelona and today the World Cup title just came to crown the career of the best player in history,” she wrote.  
Messi picked up two goals, an assist and the man of the match award in Sunday’s final as Argentina prevailed on penalties.
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And after also walking away with the golden ball – handed to the tournaments best player – and the glittering World Cup trophy, Suzy reiterates her belief that he is conclusively better than rival Cristiano Ronaldo.
“Messi has already bigger than Cristiano for a while but after Sunday, doubts and questions about who is the greatest player in history will end,” she predicted before the huge tie.
Suzy already has seven tattoos of the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner, including one in a very intimate location just above her waistline.
And she celebrated Argentina’s huge World Cup win with a series of raunchy photos showing her getting covered in body paint in the blue and white colours of the flag.
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In one post she captioned “Campeones” (Champions) as she proclaimed Sunday as “Messi’s day.”
The OnlyFans model had previously promised she would get tattoos of the number 10 if the Albicelestes claimed their third title.
And now fans are on tenterhooks to see what move the influencer makes.
She previously told them: “I plan to get tattooed like Messi, with the ball and the number 10 on his leg.”
Suzy has undoubtedly been turning heads all tournament and has quickly struck up her own rivalry with stunning Croatian model Ivana Knoll.
Ivana, 30, has been dubbed the “World Cup’s hottest fan” due to her eye-catching outfits in the colours of the Croatian flag.
She filmed herself mocking Brazilian striker Richarlison’s “pigeon dance” after Croatia knocked out the South American giants in the quarter-finals.
But following Argentina’s 3-0 thrashing of Croatia, Brazilian beauty Suzy couldn’t resist a little dig.
Taking to her Instagram story, she wrote: “Where’s Ivana Piranha who made fun of the Brazilians? Go dancing in Croatia! On Sunday we will be champions.”
She also shared a picture of herself biting a red-and-white chequerboard cloth similar to the Croatian flag with her Instagram followers.
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“Where is the Croatia?” she asked, mockingly. “They’re going to watch the final at home!”
So far, Ivana hasn’t responded directly to Suzy’s taunt.
Brazilian model Suzy Cortez claims she is Argentina’s and Lionel Messi’s ‘number one fan’Credit: Splash
She said Messi’s win on Sunday proves he is the ‘best player in history’Credit: Getty
Suzy already has several tattoos dedicated to her hero – and is now set for moreCredit: Splash More