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World Cup 2022

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NEWS, World Cup 2022

Qatar had more than 1.4m visitors during FIFA World Cup

Fox Sports presenter Jenny Taft is seen with Hassan Al Thawadi during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Final match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium on December 18, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar.Qatar welcomed more than 1.4 million visitors from around the world during the FIFA World Cup tournament which ended yesterday with Argentina beating France to lift the trophy, the Qatar News Agency has reported. The total attendance figure for all matches combined was 3.4m people. The average attendance was above 53,000 per match, more than 96 per cent of the total capacity. “We organised an exceptional, impressive tournament,” said Hassan Al-Thawadi, Secretary General of Qatar’s Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy. “It will represent a milestone in hosting major international events....
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Lionel Messi, NEWS, World Cup 2022

Argentina win FIFA World Cup 2022

Lionel Messi of Argentina celebrates at full time after winning the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Final match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium on December 18, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar.Argentina claim the FIFA World Cup 2022’s trophy defeating two-time champion France in nerve-racking game at the Lusail Stadium in Doha on Sunday. The nail-biting game was decided on penalties. Earlier, the game went into extra-time after the French roared back from two goals down to bring the score to 2-2. Lionel Messi stroked home a 23rd minute penalty and Angel Di Maria swept home a superb second for Argentina but defending champions France hit back in the second half as Kylian Mbappe converted an 80th-minute penalty and equalised with an acrobatic volley a ...
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Josko Gvardiol, Luka Modric, NEWS, World Cup 2022

Croatia beat Morocco to finish third at World Cup

(L-R) Martin Erlic of Croatia, Josko Gvardiol of Croatia, Josip Sutalo of Croatia, Marko Livaja of Croatia, Luka Modric of Croatia, Mario Pasalic of Croatia celebrating the world cup third place during the World Cup match between Croatia v Morocco at the Khalifa International Stadium on December 17, 2022 in Doha Qatar.Croatia showed their class once more by clinching their third top-three finish at the World Cup with a play-off victory over history-makers Morocco. Zlatko Dalic’s side were runners-up tlo France four years ago and confirmed their status as one of the elite footballing nations with another third-place finish to go alongside that secured in their competition debut in 1998. In a frantic opening, Josko Gvardiol gave Croatia the lead on seven minutes with a superb diving header b...
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Adrien Rabiot, NEWS, World Cup 2022

Rabiot and Theo Hernandez expected to start World Cup Final for France

Adrien Rabiot of France stretches during the France Training Session ahead of their World Cup Final match against Argentina at Al Saad SC on December 17, 2022 in Doha, Qatar.Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot and Milan left-back Theo Hernandez are back in training and should start for France in tomorrow’s World Cup Final against Argentina, as the illness is starting to abate. It kicks off on Sunday at 15.00 GMT. Les Bleus have seen their build-up to the Final dominated by the mystery flu virus that spread throughout the squad. Dayot Upamecano and Rabiot were the first to get ill and the Juve man was not even in the stadium for the semi-final against Morocco, as he was left in isolation in his hotel room, forced to watch his team celebrating from the balcony. It then spread to others includi...
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Ibrahima Konate, NEWS, Raphael Varane, World Cup 2022

Illness strikes France before World Cup final

24 Ibrahima KONATE (fra) - 04 Raphael VARANE (fra) during the FIFA World Cup 2022, Semi Final match between France and Morocco at Al Bayt Stadium on December 14, 2022 in Al Khor, Qatar.Several France players have caught colds, the French Football Federation said, as they prepare for the World Cup final against Argentina, with Raphael Varane and Ibrahima Konate the latest to fall ill on Saturday. Centre back Dayot Upamecano and midfielder Adrien Rabiot missed Wednesday’s 2-0 semi-final win over Morocco with the illness. Coach Didier Deschamps refused to panic after Wednesday’s game and said they were being careful to ensure the illness did not spread. Striker Randal Kolo Muani, who came off the bench to score France’s second goal in their win over Morocco, said on Friday: “There’s a little ...
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Croatia, Morocco, NEWS, World Cup 2022

Morocco, Croatia to battle for 3rd spot in FIFA World Cup

Boats with sails showing the flags of the nations Morocco and Croatia who will play in the third place play off match sail in-front of the Doha skyline on The Corniche during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 on December 15, 2022 in Doha, Qatar.Croatia will take on Morocco Saturday in the 2022 FIFA World Cup third-place playoff. The game will kick off at 1500GMT at Khalifa International Stadium and will be officiated by Abdulrahman Al Jassim. The group stage game between Morocco and Croatia ended in a goalless draw. Then Morocco defeated Belgium 2-0 and Canada 2-1 to top Group F. Morocco met Spain to eliminate the 2010 winners in the last 16 and qualified for the quarterfinals after defeating the Spaniards on penalties. The North African team beat Portugal with a narrow win in the quarterfinal...
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NEWS, Paul Pogba, World Cup 2022

Juventus unwilling to let Paul Pogba travel for World Cup final

Paul Pogba of Juventus during a training session at JTC on December 13, 2022 in Turin, Italy. L’Équipe report today that despite Emmanuel Macron’s apparent intention to bring along France’s injury absentees for Sunday’s World Cup final, Juventus are reticent on letting Paul Pogba make the journey to Qatar. With the 2018 winner having first undergone a knee operation in September and then sustained a thigh injury, he has instead been keeping contact with his international teammates in Doha – notably Antoine Griezmann and Kingsley Coman – and has posted several messages of support on social media. Pogba has told those within the squad that he would like to attend the final, but despite his efforts to convince them otherwise, the Bianconeri are not enthusiastic about letting him go whil...
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Kylian Mbappe, NEWS, World Cup 2022

Ranieri: ‘Mbappe the most similar player to Ronaldo’

Kylian Mbappe (10) of France sprays water on his face at the end of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 semi final match between France and Morocco at Al Bayt Stadium on December 14, 2022 in Al Khor, Qatar. France beat Morocco 2-0, to face Argentina in 2022 FIFA World Cup final. Italian coach Claudio Ranieri believes Kylian Mbappe is ‘the most similar player to Ronaldo’ but warns France that Leo Messi ‘has never been this decisive’ with Argentina. Les Blues have reached their second World Cup Final in a row, the fourth since 1998, more than any other country in the last 24 years. They’ll meet Messi’s Argentina on Sunday. “These are two strong teams, they don’t only depend on their best players. France have coped without the likes of Pogba, Kante and Benzema,” Ranieri told Gazzetta. The Ital...
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FRANCE, Kolo Muani, NEWS, World Cup 2022

France edge past Morocco to set up Argentina final

Randal Kolo Muani of France scores the team's second goal during the Semi Final - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 match between France and Morocco at the Al Bayt Stadium on December 14, 2022 in Al Khor, Qatar.France were pushed all the way by World Cup wild cards Morocco before the holders sealed a place in Sunday's final against Argentina. The first African side to reach a World Cup semi-final refused to buckle despite suffering the early blows of losing key defender Nayef Aguerd to injury after he was named in the starting line-up, and then going behind to Theo Hernandez's scrambled fifth minute goal. France, for all Morocco's endeavour and spirit, were more clinical and substitute Kolo Muani ensured they will defend their crown against Argentina and Lionel Messi at Lusail Stadium on Sunday wh...
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Gianluca Vialli, NEWS, World Cup 2022

Vialli leaves Italy role to focus on cancer treatment

Gianluca Vialli during Italy against England, Nations League, at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on September 23, 2022.Gianluca Vialli has stepped away from his role as Italy’s head of delegation as he receives treatment for pancreatic cancer. The 58-year-old revealed in December last year that he was dealing with the illness for a second time. Now, after consulting with doctors, Vialli will “suspend professional commitments”. Vialli said on the Italian Football Federation’s (FIGC) website: “At the end of a long and difficult ‘negotiation’ with my wonderful team of oncologists, I have decided to suspend, hopefully temporarily, my present and future professional commitments. “The goal is to use all my psycho-physical energies to help my body overcome this phase of the disease, in order to be able t...
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Lionel Messi, NEWS, World Cup 2022

Messi & Alvarez fire Argentina to World Cup final

Argentina players celebrate after the team's victory during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 semi final match between Argentina and Croatia at Lusail Stadium on December 13, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar.Argentina’s master and pupil Lionel Messi and Julian Alvarez combined to deadly effect as they reached their sixth World Cup final with victory over Croatia at Lusail Stadium. Messi now gets one last chance to win the piece of silverware that has eluded him in his trophy-laden career but Manchester City’s 22-year-old striker Alvarez claimed at least an equal share of top billing as Argentina ensured they will return here on Sunday to face either France or Morocco. Argentina’s little genius looked to be struggling with a hamstring problem early on but recovered enough to break the deadlock from t...
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Lionel Messi, NEWS, World Cup 2022, Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Zlatan Ibrahimovic believes it’s ‘already written’ for Lionel Messi to win the World Cup

  Lionel Messi of Argentina laughs during the Argentina Training Session at on December 12, 2022 in Doha, Qatar.Zlatan Ibrahimovic thinks it's written in the stars for Lionel Messi to win the World Cup with Argentina in Qatar. The South American nation have made it to the last-four, and will face Croatia in the semi-finals on Tuesday night. This year's tournament has been full of upsets, with Brazil, Germany, Spain and Belgium all exiting earlier than expected. It has been one of the least predictable World Cups in recent memory, but Ibrahimovic is confident that he already knows who the eventual winners will be. 'I think it's already written who will win, and you know who I mean. I think Messi will lift the trophy, it's already written,' Ibrahimovic told r...
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Lionel Messi, Luka Modric, NEWS, World Cup 2022

Modric and Croatia stand between Argentina and World Cup final

Croatia's midfielder Luka Modric (L) in Doha on December 9, 2022 and Argentina's forward Lionel Messi in Doha on December 3, 2022. - Argentina will play Croatia in the Qatar 2022 World Cup football semi-final match in Doha on December 13, 2022.Lionel Messi and Argentina’s World Cup dream remains alive but an indefatigable Croatia side inspired by the enduring brilliance of Luka Modric stands in their way in Tuesday’s semi-final in Doha.Argentina have recovered from the shock of losing their opening game in Qatar to Saudi Arabia and made the last four with an exhausting win on penalties against the Netherlands at the end of a fractious quarter-final on Friday. Having been 2-0 up and cruising after 83 minutes, with Messi setting up one goal in sublime fashion and netting a penalty, they conc...
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Cristiano Ronaldo, NEWS, World Cup 2022

Cristiano Ronaldo: My Portugal dedication didn’t change, I’d never turn back on my country

Cristiano Ronaldo #7 of Portugal looks on during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 quarter final match between Morocco and Portugal at Al Thumama Stadium on December 10, 2022 in Doha, Qatar.Cristiano Ronaldo has said his dedication to Portugal did not change “for an instant,” in reaction to his nation being eliminated from the quarter-finals of the World Cup in Qatar. Morocco progressed to the semi-finals of the tournament after beating Portugal 1-0 – a match that Ronaldo started on the substitutes’ bench. The 37-year-old came on in the second half of the game but failed to help Portugal mount a comeback and was seen in tears after the final whistle. The former Manchester United player was also left out of Portugal’s last-16 win over Switzerland after an angry reaction to being substituted in...
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Harry Kane, NEWS, Olivier Giroud, World Cup 2022

Kane misses penalty as England exit World Cup

Olivier Giroud of France celebrates scoring with team mate Adrien Rabiot during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 quarter final match between England and France at Al Bayt Stadium on December 10, 2022 in Al Khor, Qatar. England’s World Cup campaign ended in disappointment as they went out despite a fine performance in the quarter-finals against France at Al Bayt Stadium.Harry Kane’s late penalty miss proved decisive after he had earlier equalled Wayne Rooney’s England record of 53 goals from the spot.France took a 17th-minute lead when Aurelien Tchouameni’s 25-yard drive beat Jordan Pickford low to his right.England were the better team for long spells and created chances, deservedly pulling level nine minutes after the break when Kane beat Tottenham team-mate Hugo Lloris in convincing fa...
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Morocco, NEWS, World Cup 2022, Youssef En-Nesyri

Morocco beat Portugal to make World Cup history

(L-R) Youssef En Nesyri of Morocco, Pepe of Portugal during the World Cup match between Morocco v Portugal at the Al Thumama Stadium on December 10, 2022 in Doha Qatar.Morocco became the first African nation to reach a World Cup semi-final and ended the hopes of Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal.Striker Youssef En-Nesyri scored the winning goal in the first half, leaping highest to beat goalkeeper Diogo Costa to the ball and heading in to spark pandemonium at Al Thumama Stadium. The north African side’s supporters populated most of the venue and joyously celebrated their breakthrough moment on the global stage. Ronaldo came off the bench in the 50th minute to equal the men’s all-time appearance record of 196 in international matches, but he could not drag his side back into the contest. Morocco...
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NEWS, Neymar, World Cup 2022

Neymar refuses to rule out Brazil retirement after World Cup exit

Neymar of Brazil runs with the ball during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 quarter final match between Croatia and Brazil at Education City Stadium on December 09, 2022 in Al Rayyan, Qatar.Neymar hinted that he could retire from international football after Brazil were knocked out of the 2022 World Cup on penalties. Tipped by many as favourites for the tournament in Qatar, Brazil thought they had secured passage to the semi-finals when the Paris Saint-Germain striker scored the opening goal in stoppage time of the first half of extra time on Friday. But Croatia hit back to take the game to a penalty shootout, which they won 4-2 before Neymar could even take a kick. Brazil’s talisman will be 34 by the time of the next World Cup and refused to commit his future to the national team after the d...
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Argentina, Lionel Messi, NEWS, World Cup 2022

Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni – Lionel Messi has proven he is the best of all time

Lionel Scaloni head coach of Argentina and Lionel Messi right winger of Argentina and Paris Saint-Germain celebrate victory after the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 quarter final match between Netherlands and Argentina at Lusail Stadium on December 9, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar.Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni has labelled Lionel Messi “the best of all time” following his performance in their World Cup 2022 victory over the Netherlands in the quarter-finals on Friday. The 35-year-old contributed to both of La Albiceleste’s two goals in normal time, firstly producing an exquisite assist for Nahuel Molina before scoring from the penalty spot in the 73rd minute. The Netherlands rarely threated Argentina’s backline, but they fought back late on to restore parity and send the fiery contest into e...
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Croatia, NEWS, World Cup 2022

Brazil out of World Cup as Croatia win on penalties

(From l-r) Luka Modric, Lovro Majer, Bruno Petkovic, Dejan Lovren, Josko Gvardiol, Ante Budimir and Ivan Perisic of Croatia celebrate after the final penalty during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 quarter final match between Croatia and Brazil at Education City Stadium on December 9, 2022 in Al Rayyan, Qatar.Tournament favourites Brazil were knocked out of the World Cup on penalties as Croatia kept their nerve to edge through to the semi-finals. Croatia, beaten finalists four years ago, scored with all four of their spot-kicks as Rodrygo – taking his team’s first kick – was denied by the brilliant Dominik Livakovic and Marquinhos’ crucial fourth effort struck the post. As the ball hit the foot of the woodwork and bounced away, Croatia’s team sprinted to celebrate with their goalkeeper, while...
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Jordan Henderson, Steven Gerrard, World Cup 2022

Steven Gerrard hails Jordan Henderson’s performances at the World Cup

Jordan Henderson of England reacts during a training session at Al Wakrah Stadium on December 09, 2022 in Doha, Qatar.Steven Gerrard has praised his former Liverpool team-mate Jordan Henderson for his performances at the World Cup – claiming he has ‘shut up’ his critics. Gareth Southgate’s selection of Henderson over Mason Mount against Wales and latterly Senegal was criticised by some, with supporters questioning the Liverpool captain’s place in the side. It led to Jude Bellingham, one of Henderson’s fellow midfield starters, to take aim at his critics – claiming the criticism of the former Sunderland man was ‘ridiculous’. Gerrard has seemingly backed up the claims of Bellingham, saying Henderson, who succeeded him as Liverpool captain, has ‘shut up’ those who ‘point fingers at him’. ...
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