World Cup

GARETH Southgate will be given the Christmas break to decide if he wants to stay on as England boss.But the FA high command remains desperate for Southgate to see out his contract and take the Three Lions through to Euro 2024.
Gareth Southgate will be given the Christmas break to decide his futureCredit: AP
Wembley chiefs recognise that Southgate is mentally and emotionally drained after England’s run to the quarter-finals.
And despite some carping from outside the England camp, nobody within the Wembley set-up wants change at the top now.
The hope within the FA is that Southgate will take time to reflect on what has happened over the past few weeks and feel he does have the appetite and desire to return for a further 18 months at the England helm.
At the same time, there is an understanding that Southgate deserves space to recharge his batteries with his family and ponder whether he has the energy to put himself through the wringer one last time.
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With the Christmas break looming, it means the FA anticipate sitting down with Southgate early in the New Year so that a prompt decision can then be made by all parties.
FA chief executive Mark Bullingham and chair Debbie Hewitt went public in their desire for Southgate to stay on in the immediate aftermath of the last eight exit.
And another powerbroker, former Arsenal and FA vice-chairman David Dein added his opinion as he said: “In my opinion Gareth should stay.
“The FA think the same, they want him to stay.
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“He may decide he can’t take the team any further and he may be right.
“But even then I’d like him to stay in some capacity. Because I think he’s a decent man.”
Dein, who will have been to 58 of the 64 World Cup matches by the end of the tournament, added: “Qatar have won a lot of friends because of this World Cup and the way it has been handled.
“If you ask the fans and you ask the players have they enjoyed it, yes they have. And we have to ask ourselves, what is football without fans?
“This has been a unique experience.
“I am hoping it will change the Qataris, too. Qatar will benefit from this going forward. I hope so. That should be a legacy for them.”
England were beaten by France in the World Cup quarter-finalCredit: Getty More

THE REFEREE that will officiate the 2022 World Cup Final between Argentina and France has been revealed.And it will be Polish official Szymon Marciniak who will be calling the mega clash at the Lusail Stadium this Sunday.
Szymon Marciniak will referee the 2022 World Cup Final between Argentina and FranceCredit: Getty
The World Cup Final takes place this Sunday at the Lusail StadiumCredit: Getty
According to Sports Center, Fifa referee chairman Pierluigi Collina has picked Marciniak as the man for the tournament’s big match.
That is after the 41-year-old’s strong performances refereeing both finalists in the World Cup’s earlier stages.
The Polish ref officiated France’s 2-1 win over Denmark in the group stage.
Marciniak also called Argentina’s 2-1 victory against Australia in the Last 16.
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His experience refereeing both competitors means he has convinced he has what it takes to manage the final.
That is after Premier League official Michael Oliver was sent back to England.
Fellow English referee Anthony Taylor remained in Qatar but wasn’t in the running for the final.
England fans, though, will be satisfied Wilton Sampaio didn’t get the nod.
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Sampaio was considered a candidate despite his controversial calls during the Three Lions’ quarter-final clash with France, which saw Gareth Southgate’s men getting knocked out after losing 2-1.
The Brazilian referee awarded England two penalties but failed to spot another when Dayot Upamecano fouled Harry Kane inside the box.
Sampaio also didn’t see a foul on Bukayo Saka by Upamecano before Aurelien Tchouameni’s opener. More

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

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

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