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      Why Argentina winning the World Cup could be bad news for Man Utd, Man City and Tottenham as club vs country row brews

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      ARGENTINA are one game away from winning the World Cup for the first time since 1986.And Premier League fans will be delighted for the likes of Lisandro Martinez, Cristian Romero and Alexis Mac Allister if it happens.
      There is a risk that Lisandro Martinez could miss Man Utd’s December 27 clash with Nottingham Forest if Argentina win the World CupCredit: Getty
      But such a result could open up a huge club vs country row as the season prepares to restart.
      With the Premier League returning on Boxing Day, players will theoretically be expected back in time to train and prepare for the matches.
      However, it will be hard for Argentina’s stars to resist a diversion via Buenos Aires for the mother of all celebrations.
      Man Utd (Martinez), Brighton (Mac Allister), Tottenham (Romero), Aston Villa (Emi Martinez) and Manchester City (Julian Alvarez) could all be affected by this.
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      Premier League clubs would also be affected by a France victory and a parade in Paris involving Hugo Lloris, Raphael Varane, Ibrahima Konate, Alphonse Areola and William Saliba.
      However, the closeness of the city to London means the players would likely be back for Wednesday, December 21 and have plenty of time to prepare for the festive fixture programme.
      One player who could benefit from a row with Argentina, or to a lesser extent France, is Man Utd’s Harry Maguire.
      The centre-back looked back to his old self with his England performances at the World Cup, before the Three Lions were dumped out by the French.
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      And if Lisandro Martinez is unable to play on Boxing Day, it would leave Ten Hag with little choice but to call up club captain Maguire.
      This could also be the case if Varane’s mind is elsewhere after celebrating any France win.
      Harry Maguire could be an unlikely beneficiary of Argentina winning the World Cup as it may give him the chance to earn his Man Utd place backCredit: Getty
      Cristian Romero will be a huge doubt for Tottenham’s 12.30pm Boxing Day game at Brentford if Argentina win the World CupCredit: Getty More

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      Lionel Messi reveals his secret penalty technique to ‘surprise’ Croatia keeper during World Cup semi-final win

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      Argentina superstar Lionel Messi explained how he “surprised” Croatia’s penalty hero Dominik Livakovic in the 2022 World Cup semi-final.Paris Saint-Germain star Messi led Argentina to a 3-0 triumph over Luka Modric and co by opening the scoring on 34 minutes from the spot before setting up Manchester City ace Julian Alvarez’s brace.
      Lionel Messi led Argentina to the 2022 World Cup Final by scoring against CroatiaCredit: Getty
      Argentina star Lionel Messi knew the secret how to beat Croatia’s Dominik LivakovicCredit: Getty
      The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner studied the Croatian goalkeeper, who proved to be quite the penalty master as he had already saved four spot-kicks against Japan and Brazil.
      The star forward did his homework on his opponent’s saving techniques next to team-mates Emiliano Martinez and Geronimo Rulli.
      The Argentina captain and the two keepers quickly realised Livakovic preferred to wait for the taker to make the first move.
      That is why the 35-year-old fired his shot into the top right corner at once after a short and sharp run.
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      The Barcelona legend knew he couldn’t stutter and wait for the Dinamo Zagreb keeper to flinch first.
      Messi told TyC Sports: “I studied the Croatian goalkeeper’s technique with Geronimo Rulli and with Dibu [Martinez].
      “We talked about how he waited a lot. The best thing to do was to surprise and hit it at once, instead of waiting and holding him.
      “When they hold him for a long time, it’s difficult. I was determined to kick like that.”
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      Messi has also proven to be quite the penalty master in the World Cup as he scored three out of four – his only miss took place against Poland in the group stage when Wojciech Szczesny denied him.
      The talismanic attacker may have to take another one on Sunday when Argentina face France in the final at the Lusail Stadium.
      That of course will almost definitely be Messi’s final chance to win the World Cup. More

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      Portugal manager Fernando Santos SACKED after shock World Cup exit to Morocco as he’s EIGHTH boss to lose job

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      FERNANDO SANTOS has been sacked as Portugal manager following the team’s World Cup exit.Portugal were one of the favourites to win the competition in Qatar, but were knocked out by Morocco in the quarter-finals.
      Fernando Santos has been sacked as Portugal’s head coachCredit: Getty
      Jose Mourinho is believed to be the favourite to replace himCredit: AP
      Santos has led the team successfully to the top of their World Cup group before hammering Switzerland 6-1 in the round of 16.
      Portugal won two of their group games as they beat Ghana and Uruguay, although they did lose to South Korea.

      The manager had enjoyed success with the national side as he helped them to the trophy at Euro 2016, just two years after he was appointed.
      Portugal also won the 2019 Nations League finals under Santos.
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      The qualifying campaign for Euro 2024 starts on March 23 next year as Portugal take on Liechtenstein.
      It has been reported that former Chelsea and Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho is the Portugal chiefs’ favourite to take the job.
      The Portuguese FA would like to have the current Roma boss in position well before the next campaign.
      This would be to allow him time to identify Portugal’s top talents for a new tactical system.
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      However due to his commitments at the Serie A club, an arrangement would need to be agreed to.
      It is believed that Portugal chiefs are prepared to let Mourinho work BOTH roles should Roma agree to the arrangement.
      Should Mou replace Santos, one of his first tasks will be to decide the future of Cristiano Ronaldo.
      The ex-Man Utd man is now a free agent and was dropped for Portugal’s final two World Cup games.
      However, reports claims Ronaldo is not planning to retire from international duty and sees himself leading the line at the next Euros.
      Mourinho and Ronnie worked together for several years at Real Madrid, breaking Barcelona’s La Liga domination.
      But it would remain to be seen whether Mourinho sees Ronaldo in the same light a decade later. More

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      Incredible stats show Julian Alvarez and not Lionel Messi is Argentina’s key man as side struggle without Man City star

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      LIONEL MESSI is the man so many would point to as Argentina’s key player, but stats may have shown it’s Julian Alvarez who is the most important to the side.Argentina are gearing up for a blockbuster World Cup final against reigning champions France on Sunday.
      Lionel Messi will be hoping to take home the World Cup golden boot as he faces off against PSG team mate Kylian Mbappe in the final.
      Julian Alvarez has scored more goals at this World Cup than Kane, Ronaldo and Neymar.
      Nobody has more goals or assists in the tournament than Messi with the PSG star netting five times and tallying up three assists too.
      But despite the plaudits being aimed at Messi, an amazing stat has revealed he may not be the most important player to his nation.
      OptaJavier revealed on Twitter that with Alvarez on the pitch Lionel Scaloni’s side are yet to concede and they have scored 11 of their 12 goals in Qatar so far when he’s been playing.
      The stat suggests he not only offers a threat going forward, but is helping his side defend from the front too.
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      The forward has bagged four goals and registered one assist so far in the six games he’s been a part of in the World Cup.
      He was used as a substitute in the first two games, but has started the subsequent four after impressive cameos and poor performances from other players.
      Alvarez scored a brace as his side cruised past Croatia in the semi-final, winning 3-0.
      The Manchester City man doubled Argentina’s lead with a stunning solo goal starting inside his own half after Messi’s penalty opener.
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      He then netted his side’s third goal by getting on the end of a superb Messi assist.
      Despite the 22-year-old’s obvious quality he plays second fiddle to the Erling Haaland whilst in Manchester and has only played 90 minutes once in the Premier League this season.
      Alvarez joined Pep Guardiola’s side for a only £14million last January, but his value is expected to sky rocket following his recent performances. More

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      Why Harry Maguire could be handed a lifeline at Man Utd if Argentina win the World Cup

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      HARRY MAGUIRE could be handed a Manchester United lifeline if Argentina win the World Cup.Lionel Scaloni and his side are expected to head back to Buenos Aires for a ticker-tape parade through the capital on Tuesday should they see off France to lift the trophy for the third time.
      Harry Maguire could be handed a boost if Argentina win the World CupCredit: Getty
      Lisandro Martinez would likely fly back to Buenos Aires if they beat FranceCredit: Getty
      But that would almost certainly rule United defender Lisandro Martinez and four of his squad-mates out of the Premier League resumption from Boxing Day.
      And in turn, an absence of the South American would open the door for Maguire, now back in the Old Trafford fold after his exertions in the desert, to be named in the side for the December 27 game against Nottingham Forest.
      Alongside United chief Erik ten Hag, Spurs boss Antonio Conte, Aston Villa’s Unai Emery, Pep Guardiola at City and Brighton’s Roberto De Zerbi would be likely to be without key men should Argentina win.
      Conte and Spurs fans would be frustrated if Cristian Romero – who missed the last five games before the World Cup but recovered from his injury to feature in all six games so far in Qatar – was unavailable for their Boxing Day lunchtime trip to Brentford.
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      Brighton would be without Alexis Mac Allister for their south-coast derby at Southampton that afternoon, with Emery potentially having to turn to blunder keeper Robin Olsen for the evening clash with Liverpool with Emi Martinez unavailable.
      Guardiola would have an extra 48 hours to get Julian Alvarez back and ready, with City not playing their first festive game until they travel to Leeds on December 28.
      By contrast, a parade in Paris, while it would involve Hugo Lloris, Raphael Varane, Ibrahima Konate, Alphonse Areola and William Saliba, could see all the French players back in England and at their clubs by Wednesday.
      Ironically, Varane’s possible celebrations could also help Maguire get back in the Red Devils’ starting XI.
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      The likelihood of being without key men was something top Prem bosses had been aware of before the tournament.
      Chelsea manager Graham Potter said last month: “I don’t know what the motivation of another human will be after a World Cup.
      “Most people who have won it celebrate on open top buses – and then need a three-week holiday to get over those celebrations.
      “I could be selfish and say we need them back.
      “But if they don’t go and celebrate and they have to come back here it will be difficult. They have to recover emotionally.
      “And if you’ve lost the World Cup final it’s going to take more than three or four days to get over it.”
      Martinez and Raphael Varane will be on opposite teams on SundayCredit: Reuters More

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      How Croatia’s sexiest fan Ivana Knoll stole the show at the World Cup from plunging dresses to G-string and bras

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      CROATIA did well on the pitch to reach the semi-final but they have a new hero in Ivana Knoll – dubbed the World Cup’s sexiest fan. The model stole the show in Qatar being regularly photographed in the stands at every game her nation played.
      Ivana has loved the attention in Qatar despite causing some controversyCredit: Getty
      The model his risen to fame due to her good looksCredit: PA
      Ivana has gained over one million followers during the World CupCredit: PA
      Ivana Knoll has wowed supporters at the World CupCredit: Alamy
      She has passionately attended every Croatia game on their run to the last fourCredit: AFP
      Ivana Knoll is a former winner of Miss CroatiaCredit: Getty
      She has been called the ‘hottest fan’ at the tournamentCredit: The Mega Agency
      Her chequered pattern went right down to her shoes for the game versus ArgentinaCredit: Getty
      Her red and white revealing outfits caught the attention of many around the world, posing for pictures inside the stadiums with fellow supporters and for the paparazzi.
      Ivana won’t see her team get their hands on the famous trophy after they were knocked out by Argentina 3-0 but she will count herself as something of a World Cup winner.
      She has risen to fame and remarkably her Instagram following continues to grow – Ivana now boasts 2.9million followers.
      The Croatian beauty has gained around 800,000 new fans on social media in the last week.
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      Ivana’s costumes have gone down a storm from her sexy bikinis to her beautiful dresses.
      Red bras, G-strings, chequered tops and tight leggings have all been on show turning up to every game in new attire.
      She has sparked controversy in the process due to her choice of flesh-flashing outfits that many think break Qatar’s modesty laws.
      However, the supporter has never feared the local police claiming her dress sense does not hurt anyone.
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      Prior to Zlatko Dalic’s side playing in the quarter-final versus Brazil she was confronted by security but she wasn’t removed from the stadium.
      She has also been trolling Croatia’s opponents throughout uploading a video of her eating Sushi prior to their clash with Japan.
      And Ivana even trolled Brazil after they lost to Luka Modric and Co mimicking their dancing goal celebration.
      Her tournament is not quite over yet as Croatia play Morocco in the third place play-off on Saturday and then she is expected to return home to Zagreb with her new celebrity status.
      Ivana Knoll is regularly swamped by fans on her way to cheer on CroatiaCredit: The Mega Agency
      Ivana Knoll even wore a Croatia sombreroCredit: Splash
      Ivana has mocked some of Croatia’s rivals during the tournamentCredit: Instagram
      She did not wear red and white as she watched France play Morocco in the other semi-finalCredit: https://www.instagram.com/knolldoll/ More

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      Miss Bum Bum taunts ‘World Cup’s hottest fan’ Ivana Knoll with cheeky snaps after Argentina knock out Croatia

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      A FORMER Miss Bum Bum and Lionel Messi superfan has savagely taunted the “World Cup’s hottest fan” after Argentina reached this Sunday’s final.Suzy Cortez, 32, a Brazilian model and beauty pageant star, is cheering on rivals Argentina due to her love for the diminutive striker.
      Brazilian model Suzy Cortez is Lionel Messi’s ‘number one fan’Credit: Newsflash
      Ivana Knoll has been dubbed the ‘World Cup’s hottest fan’Credit: Rex
      Suzy taunted Ivana after Messi’s Argentina thrashed Croatia 3-0Credit: Rex
      And in the wake of Argentina’s demolishing of Croatia in the World Cup semi-final, the ex-Miss Bum Bum was quick to stick the boot into 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.
      And following Argentina’s 3-0 thrashing of Croatia, Brazilian beauty Suzy couldn’t resist a little dig.
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      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.
      “Where is the Croatia?” she asked, mockingly. “They’re going to watch the final at home!”
      Suzy celebrated Argentina reaching their sixth World Cup Final by delighting her fans with photos of her getting covered in body paint in the blue and white colours of the flag.
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      She declared “of course I’ll be there,” when asked by an Argentine TV channel if she would be attending this Sunday’s final.
      Suzy has been invited to watch the final in the Argentine capital Buenos Aires.
      And she announced her plans for future tattoos if Argentina secure their third World Cup, and Messi’s first.
      She said: “I plan to get tattooed like Messi, with the ball and the number 10 on his leg.”
      Suzy already has seven tattoos of the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner, including one in a very intimate location just above her waistline.
      Despite being born in Brazil, Suzy has no problem supporting her country’s arch-rivals Argentina.
      The winner of the title of Miss Bum Bum in both 2015 and 2019, she has declared herself the world’s number one Lionel Messi fan.
      So far, Ivana hasn’t responded directly to Suzy’s taunt.
      The German-born model and swimwear designer slammed the referee’s performance during Tuesday’s semi-final on her Instagram.
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      Sharing two photos of her surrounded by Croatian fans in an iconic red-and-white checked bikini top on her Instagram, she said: “Sometimes we play amazing, sometimes not so well, sometimes in the semi-finals we have bad referee like yesterday to give [a] penalty for nothing and losing the chance to get the World Cup, sometimes we are underrated and then we show the way home to the most favoured team, that is football… But [the] most important thing, we are A SMALL COUNTRY WITH A BIG HEART and I am proud to be a Croatian forever and ever!”
      She is expected to attend this Saturday’s third-place playoff clash with Morocco, who were beaten 2-0 by World Cup holders France on Wednesday.
      Ivana hit out at the referee’s performance during Tuesday’s semi-finalCredit: Splash
      Suzy has vowed to get another tattoo if Messi wins his first World CupCredit: Newsflash
      Ivana is yet to respond to Suzy’s tauntsCredit: Rex More

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      Morocco file official complaint to Fifa over France World Cup semi-final result as they slam ref and fans demand rematch

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      MOROCCO have filed an official complaint to FIFA over the standard of refereeing during their World Cup semi-final defeat to France.The North African side were beaten by the Europeans 2-0 at the Al Bayt Stadium but have argued they were denied two penalties.
      Referee Cesar Ramos has been slammed for his performanceCredit: EPA
      Moroccan fans have demanded a rematchCredit: Rex

      The Moroccans were the first African team to ever go that far into a World Cup tournament but goals from Theo Hernandez and Randal Kolo Muani meant they would miss out on making a final.
      However, there was a lot of talk about the standard of referee Cesar Ramos after some questionable decisions, with fans demanding a rematch as a result.
      The Royal Moroccan Football Federation have argued that “A protest which follows the two penalties not whistled for Morocco in the first period”, as reported by Footmercato.
      One of the incidents that they are referring to is when Sofiane Boufal was taken out by Hernandez.
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      But instead of a penalty being awarded, the former Southampton star was judged to have fouled the Frenchman and was given a yellow card by the Mexican official.
      Despite the error, VAR did not intervene or challenge Ramos, which is what is believed to have upset the RMFF.
      The other penalty claim was the lack of decision when Standard de Liege midfielder Selim Amallah went down in the box during a set piece, but nothing was given.
      Fans have since called for the game to be replayed and have been encouraged by an Instagram account that appears to be owned by Ramos.
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      After the game, the account posted a message to the Moroccan fans saying: “My friends, the Moroccan people. Please be patient.
      “If you are not satisfied with the match, you can file a collective objection via FIFA’s website and the match can be played again.”
      Morocco fans have slammed him for his performance under the post.
      One said: “Just explain the yellow card for Boufal. The card was meant for the French player. I think you forgot how to do your work”
      A second added: “We demand rematch between Morocco and France.”
      A third wrote: “A French player hit Boufal in the penalty area. Instead of giving him a penalty kick, you gave him a yellow card.”
      A fourth commented: “It was not fair for our team the whole Moroccan country is sad.”
      The claims and demands for a rematch have very little chance of succeeding, especially as France play the World Cup final against Argentina on Sunday. More