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World Cup: Final Preview

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This article will preview the 2022 FIFA World Cup Final We'll also explore what has been a remarkable few The 2022 World Cup in Qatar has flown by. Wedged into the middle of the European club season, it has had to. It's hard to believe that the tournament began 26 days ago, yet so much has transpired in that time, including reducing down a field of 32 to just France and Argentina, who will meet in the final. Many would have expected France to be here. Argentina having suffered an upset to Saudi Arabia in their opening game so their rally to reach a second World Cup final in eight years is more of a surprise. However, when you have Lionel Messi, can you ever really be surprised to be in contention for a major trophy? Messi v Mbappe This is maybe the greatest individual matchup we have ever had in a World Cup final. Two world-class superstars. The fact they are club teammates at PSG as well only adds to the drama.  For Messi, it would be the perfect fairy-tale ending for a World

World Cup: England's journey comes to an end

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 England 1 - 2 France Football won't be coming home for Christmas England are out of a World Cup but, this time, it was in a desperately agonising quarter-final defeat. This time, more than any other time, and against the world champions France, it felt very different. They were not outplayed. They did not retreat. Instead they lost a tie which they should have won, which they deserved to win and which will sear into Harry Kane - Harry Kane of all people - who missed the penalty kick that would have forced extra-time; Kane missed the penalty that would have confirmed him as England’s all-time record scorer, with 54 goals, one ahead of Wayne Rooney.  History beckoned but for Kane but it wasn't to be. At the end Gareth Southgate wrapped his arms around Kane but he was in another place, staring into the distance. It felt incredibly sad after a fine performance laced with controversy. It was another player that was key for France The pre-match debate centred on how England could st

World Cup: Spain lose on penalties

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This World Cup has seen another dramatic moment Morocco 0 - 0 Spain (Morocco win 3-0 on penalties) Achraf Hakimi made himself a hero with a cheeky chipped winning penalty as his country stunned Spain in a shootout after a goalless draw to reach their first-ever World Cup quarter-finals.  The two teams played out a dramatic draw after two hours of football and Spain failed to convert any of their three penalties. Morocco fans had been making themselves heard all game but the atmosphere in the stands did not match the battle on the pitch. What a moment for them. Let's explore how it all happened.     Spain kept the ball well and Morocco sat back plugging the gaps and there was very few clear-cut chances being created. Luis Enrique's side came closest to breaking the deadlock courtesy of Dani Olmo, who struck an arrowed drive from the angle which Bounou pushed away, and the goalkeeper also did brilliantly well to keep out Olmo's dangerous free kick late on. MOROCCO KNOCK O

Non-League: Oldham struggle again

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Football is going on outside of Qatar Solihull Moors 2 - 1 Oldham Athletic Two goals at the start of the second half proved costly as Oldham Athletic fell to defeat at Solihull. The home side struck twice in the space of three minutes through Joe Sbarra and Andrew Dallas to pick up maximum points at Damson Park. Check out this video from  Solihull Moors Football Club - YouTube Substitute John Rooney scored directly from a corner with a minute of regular time to play but despite a late rally from the visitors, it wasn’t enough for them to find a way back into the game. The away side looked to have emerged as the stronger side as the first half progressed. Alex Reid was denied on his debut before Ben Tollitt struck a post with the interval approaching. But just when it appeared as though the visitors would gain a foothold, the good work quickly fell apart for the away side. Home side starts to get on top After a tight opening, it was the home side who first posed a threat, John Kelly

World Cup: Stories from the last 16

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Let's explore some of the best stories from the last 16 of the World Cup England ease to next round despite nervy start Gareth Southgate's side survived a nervy opening in which goalkeeper Jordan Pickford made an outstanding save from Boulaye Dia to run out convincing winners with a powerful display of attacking strength. Jude Bellingham was England's star man, setting up the first goal for Jordan Henderson with a perfect cross after 38 minutes then having a hand in the second on the stroke of half-time, combining with Phil Foden as captain Harry Kane powered home his first of the tournament. This all leaves the Spurs striker just one behind Wayne Rooney's all-time record of 53 England goals and he now has the perfect stage here in Qatar to write a fresh page in the history books. World Cup: England send Wales home (eurosuperfootball.blogspot.com) Foden was the creator once more as England wrapped the game up in the 57th minute, crossing for Bukayo Saka to show fant

World Cup: England send Wales home

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Wales 0-3 England Marcus Rashford and Phil Foden star for England Rashford and Foden capitalised on their starting roles to help England knock Wales out of the World Cup with a 3-0 win which also secured the top spot in Group B, setting up a last-16 tie with Senegal. England boss Gareth Southgate had been criticised since the disappointing goalless draw with USA about Foden's lack of game time in the tournament so far and the Manchester City forward showed what he can bring to this stage at the start of the second half. After a dull first 45 minutes, any hope Wales had of qualifying for the last 16 was wiped out as England scored twice within six minutes of the restart. Rashford fired a free-kick past Danny Ward following Ethan Ampadu's foul on Phil Foden after 50 minutes, with the Manchester City midfielder then marking his return to England's team moments later by turning in Harry Kane's cross at the far post. Wales were outclassed as they knew they were on the way

World Cup: Netherlands qualify as group winners

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 Netherlands 2 - 0 Qatar How far can Netherlands go? In-form Cody Gakpo scored again as the Netherlands finished top of Group A, ending Qatar's involvement at their home World Cup with a third consecutive defeat. ▶ The Netherlands have never been eliminated from the group stages of a World Cup (nine tournaments and counting...) 🇳🇱 1974, 1978, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2022... #Qatar2022 #FIFAWorldCup #QAT #NED pic.twitter.com/vYZcVKszvs — playmakerstats (@playmaker_EN) November 29, 2022 Qatar's dismal showing means they became the first host nation to exit the tournament with three group-stage losses, finishing bottom with no points. PSV Eindhoven winger Gakpo has now scored the opening goal in all three of the Netherlands' group games, driving forward and rasping a finish into the bottom corner on this occasion. Highlights from  BBC Sport - YouTube Qatar looked to hit back immediately but Ismaeel Mohammad's shot on the stretch from outside the