Lionel Messi should be regarded as the best ever whether he wins a World Cup or not December 12, 2022 It is the curse of every Argentinian No10 to be measured against Diego Maradona, but for Lionel Messi the comparison took on extra weight during the summer of 2005. Messi won the top scorer and player of the tournament prizes as he led his country to victory at the Under-20 World Cup in the Netherlands. [...]
Ranked: England’s five most painful defeats in major football tournaments December 11, 2022 England added another chapter to their history of World Cup heartbreak in Saturday’s quarter-final against France. But what were England’s most painful major tournament defeats, and does Harry Kane’s penalty miss even make it into the top five? 5. Argentina 1998 Michael Owen’s dazzling goal, David Beckham’s red card, Diego Simeone’s machiavellian antics, Sol Campbell’s [...]
Trevor Steven: England lacked belief of winners France – but we’re 95 per cent there December 11, 2022 England’s World Cup quarter-final with France was always going to be touch and go. There isn’t much above it for quality, pressure and match-ups. This was football at the highest level. But in games like that it is important to get into it as quickly as you can, and England were poor in the first [...]
England v France TONIGHT: Why World Cup opponents’ rivalry lacks spice December 10, 2022 For two neighbouring countries with such a long history of conflict and mutual suspicion, England’s World Cup quarter-final with France tonight is curiously short on piquancy. There is no love lost when the nations’ rugby teams meet each year in Le Crunch, while recent political developments have soured more than a century of Entente Cordiale. [...]
Qatar World Cup in brief: Why you should watch today’s matches December 9, 2022 We’re down to the final eight and there’s a spot in the semi-finals of the Qatar World Cup within grasp. Brazil and Argentina will catch eyes but the resilient Europeans won’t let the South Americans have it all their own way. Croatia vs Brazil, 3pm, BBC The first of the Qatar World Cup quarter-finals will [...]
‘Part of life’: the official response to a migrant death at the World Cup December 8, 2022 The chief executive for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Nasser Al-Khater, has faced criticism for his response to the death of a migrant worker at one of the country bases around Doha. The reported death of a Filipino national working as a migrant worker in Qatar has added to the growing list of migrants [...]
Ed Warner: Everybody Wants to Rule the World December 8, 2022 Hop to it! Harking back to an innocent ‘70s youth of balmy summers and winter power cuts, when even Space Invaders had yet to land, a friend gets in touch to sense-check his vision for an organised sport of space hopper racing. Sad sack that I am, my thoughts instantly turn to governance, and the [...]
(Over)performing Lions: Can England keep defying data and beat France at World Cup? December 7, 2022 It is easy to see why bookmakers have anointed France, the reigning champions and home of the best player at this World Cup, Kylian Mbappe, as favourites for Saturday’s quarter-final against England. But should they? Based purely on performances in Qatar over the last fortnight, England can make a strong case of their own. They [...]
Freed From Desire: Why did 90s hit become England’s World Cup goal music? December 6, 2022 Lashed home by Harry Kane, dinked by Bukayo Saka or headed by Jude Bellingham, each England goal at this World Cup has had one thing in common. All have been celebrated to the sound of 90s dance hit Freed From Desire, the track that the Three Lions nominated to be played every time they rippled [...]
Ronaldo close to £172m-a-year Al-Nassr contract: Here are the most expensive sports deals ever December 6, 2022 Cristiano Ronaldo is reportedly close to agreeing to a contract with Saudi Arabian football club, Al-Nassr, in a deal that could see the striker earn £172.9m a year – the most expensive contract ever offered to a sports player. The 37-year-old footballer mutually agreed to terminate his contract with Manchester United this November, after his relationship with [...]
