December 2022
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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 whittling down a field of 32 to just France and Argentina, who will meet in Sunday’s final at…
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Gareth Southgate is set to stay on as England manager until Euro 2024, MEZIESBLOG learnt. Although there has not yet been any official communication and the Football Association declined to comment when contacted today, it is understood the 52-year-old is now leaning towards remaining in charge after publicly admitting doubts over his future. Southgate became England boss after…
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Argentina The Copa America champions have taken time to hit their stride after an opening game 2-1 defeat against Saudi Arabia and a tough encounter with Mexico in Game 2 before Messi’s 64th-minute opener. But that goal changed everything for Lionel Scaloni’s team. From that point on, they grew in belief as a squad and Messi began…
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They are among the most successful pop videos of the 1980s – certainly in terms of the sales they drove – and they made Whitney Houston’s powerful voice and gentle face familiar around the world. But for the British choreographer Arlene Phillips, who worked on the dance routine that accompanied 1987’s hit track I Wanna…
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Croatia midfielder Luka Modric has confirmed he plans to represent his country in the Nations League finals in 2023, but refused to commit any further. Now 37, Real Madrid man Modric is undeniably in the twilight of his career but he remains a vital player for both club and country. He inspired Croatia to third…
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France’s Hugo Lloris is bidding to become the first man to captain two World Cup winning teams. In 1934 and 1938, the Italian captains were first Gianpiero Combi and then Giuseppe Meazza. In 1958 and 1962, the Brazilian captains were Hilderaldo Bellini and then Mauro Ramos. Lloris has been speaking about the Doha flu in the French camp.…
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Croatia saw off a spirited but exhausted Morocco to win 2-1 and seal a third-placed finish at the World Cup. Zlatko Dalic’s side were torn apart by Lionel Messi and Argentina in the semi-finals, but looked more like their old selves today as they controlled the game and produced the lion’s share of the chances.…
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Saudi Arabia has an ambition to host the 2030 World Cup. The 2030 World Cup could be co-hosted in Saudi Arabia and Italy, with the Middle Eastern country eyeing a European co-host for its bid. The idea to host Euro 2020 across the whole of Europe wasn’t exactly a popular one, even before Covid-19 meant…
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As French star Kylian Mbappé gears up for the World Cup final on Sunday in Qatar, the forward’s presence is also felt strongly in Bondy, the satellite city of Paris where he grew up. “Ah, Kylian, the rising star – the star of the stars,” said Kamel Ghehioueche, 41, bundled up in front of the city hall, an…
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Here are ten World Cup highlights as chosen by their team of reporters at the tournament. Saudi Arabia stun ArgentinaArgentina were cruising in their opening Group C game after Lionel Messi scored a first-half penalty. But the Green Falcons swooped after half time with Saleh Al-Shehri squeezing in a low shot to equalise and five minutes later…
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GIANNI INFANTINO (FIFA PRESIDENT) “We are convinced of the power of our game.” A short phrase by Gianni Infantino, the president of FIFA, from his closing press conference at this winter’s World Cup. Compared with his opening speech some four weeks previously, a wild-eyed address that went viral in a manner unusual for sports administrators, it appears harmless…
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Shanghai’s education bureau has told schools to hold classes online from Monday as rising numbers of Covid infections hit cities across China. On Saturday the bureau also instructed kindergartens and childcare centres in the city to shut all in-person classes, according to an online statement. Cases have been increasing since China abandoned some of the world’s…
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Singer-songwriter Asake has said his “heart is with those who were injured” after an apparent crowd crush at his concert at the O2 Academy in Brixton. Four people are in a critical condition, the Metropolitan Police said, after eight were taken to hospital by ambulance on Thursday night. The Nigerian Afrobeats artist has said in…
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Gianni Infantino has secured backing from the FIFA Council to potentially extend his presidency until 2031 – beyond the 12-year limit envisaged in reforms of the scandal-plagued football body he helped to draw up. The job running world football pays around $3m (£2.46m) annually and he is unopposed to be re-elected in March. The FIFA…
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Ukraine is preparing for Russia to try again to invade from the north – maybe around the anniversary of its first, failed attempt to seize Kyiv last February, a top commander has said. President Vladimir Putin could even ultimately order millions of soldiers into the war as Russia’s offensive falters in the face of fierce and enduring…
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France have always known Karim Benzema is “not coming back” to the World Cup despite his return to training with Real Madrid, according to reports. The Real Madrid striker was honoured with the Ballon d’Or in October for his brilliant season in 2021/22, when he won a fifth Champions League title with the Spanish giants.…
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