Happy FM 2018 World Cup Live Updates

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6 years Ago

IT’S COMING HOME!
Justin Rose has given his thoughts on England’s chances, how they should approach the Belgium game and he has a cheeky message for Martin Kaymer after Germany’s exit.

ALL CHANGE
In the blink of an eye it’s all change in Group H! Yerry Mina rises highest at the corner to head the ball powerfully into the ground and into the back of the net.
As things stand, Colombia will qualify as group winners, while Japan, who are losing 1-0 to Poland, will finish second. Senegal will go out!

What a shock this is!! Poland are heading out but they take the lead in Volgograd.
Kurzawa delivers a great ball into the area, and it’s Southampton defender Bednarek who gets a foot to the ball and pokes it into the back of the net.
As it stands, Senegal will top Group H and Colombia will join them in the knockout stages.

PUNT IT LIKE PUTIN
Russian president Vladimir Putin joined FIFA’s president Gianni Infantino and Brazil legend Ronaldo for a kick-about in Red Square.

LO CELSO: WE HAVE SUFFERED
Argentina midfielder Giovani Lo Celso says his team-mates have suffered to reach the last 16, and must now enjoy their time in the knockout rounds.
‘WE MUST WAKE UP’
Ahead of Saturday’s mouthwatering Last 16 clash against Argentina, France defender Presnel Kimpembe says Les Bleus must ‘wake up’ after some below-par performances at the 2018 World Cup.
‘LINGARD WAS A QUIET LAD’
Ahead of tonight’s showdown with Belgium in Kaliningrad, the vice-principal of Jesse Lingard’s former school says the England midfielder was quiet as a pupil in comparison to the dance celebrations we see today.
SUSPENDED SANCHEZ RETURNS FOR COLOMBIA
Carlos Sanchez returns for Colombia alongside Mateus Uribe as coach Jose Pekerman changes up his midfield for his side’s decisive Group H encounter with Senegal in Samara on Thursday.
Sanchez, who was shown a red card in the opening minutes of Colombia’s opener against Japan, returns from suspension and replaces Wilmar Barrios. Uribe comes in for the injured Abel Aguilar in the only two changes from Colombia’s 3-0 win against Poland.
Senegal boss Aliou Cisse has recalled captain Cheikhou Kouyate to the midfield in place of Alfred N’Diaye, whilst Keita Balde and Lamine Gassama are also called up in three changes to the team who drew 2-2 with Japan.
BOATENG: WORLD CUP HAS BEEN A DISASTER
Jerome Boateng has apologised to Germany’s fans for their disastrous World Cup campaign, and said the team are on ‘the bottom of the world’.
AZMOUN QUITS IRAN DUTY
Iran striker Sardar Azmoun has announced his retirement from international football, saying he had decided to quit the national team because insults aimed at the 23-year-old had ruined his mother’s health.
Iran were knocked out of the World Cup with a win, a defeat and a draw in their three Group B matches, and Azmoun, Iran’s top scorer in qualifying, did not replicate his best form in Russia, where he failed to score a single goal.
“Playing in my national team has been a great honour for me and I will be proud of myself to the end of my days,” Azmoun said in a post on social media. “Unfortunately… I have come to the decision to say goodbye to my national team.
“This is one of the most painful and significant life decisions for a youth of 23, who faced great hardships to get here.”

NEUER: WE SCREWED UP TOGETHER
Manuel Neuer says Germany’s exit from the World Cup at the group stages was down to a collective failure.
“You have to say we do not deserve (to go through)”, Neuer said.
“In the second round everybody would have liked to play against us. How are we going to be dangerous to an opponent if we do not get our performance (right)?
“We gave a bad picture in the three games. I can not answer why that happened. We have to take responsibility. We screwed up, (and) we screwed up together.”
ENGLAND ARRIVE BACK AT KALININGRAD HOTEL

England’s players have arrived back at the team hotel in Kalingrad after a light training session ahead of the game against Belgium this evening.

‘THERE SHOULD NOT BE DOUBT ABOUT LOW’
Plenty of former German internationals and pundits have been reacting to Germany’s World Cup group stage exit.
There is, of course, shock and anger across the board – but the support for head coach Joachim Low seems to remain intact.
Toni Schumacher (West Germany 1979-1986): “That was nothing, we haven’t been at the same level with 2014. Just two goals in three matches is not enough. We’re sad and disappointed.”
Mario Basler (Germany 1994-1998): “Facing the success he had, there shouldn’t be a doubt about Jogi Low. Maybe you have to change some parts of the team and start again. There are some players you should not call up anymore. Some of them are past their best.”
Reiner Calmund (TV pundit): “We should calm down and analyse the situation step by step. It makes no sense to evaluate the knock out so close after the match. There’s no use in saying “goodbye Jogi”. He has had great success in the last years. And now he and his team should go? That’s nonsense. But yes: that is a crisis.”
Dietmar Hamann (Germany 1997-2005): “We didn’t deserve to get through from the group stages. There was no leader on the pitch who takes responsibility. In the last couple of years Mertesacker, Klose, Lahm and Schweinsteiger have all left the team. Now you see the consequences. The team was undisciplined and immature. That started when Gundogan and Ozil took the picture with Erdogan and there were so many other things running through the whole cup.

LATEST FROM KALININGRAD
Kaveh Solhekol explains what will happen if England and Belgium draw this evening

WHO IS THE REF?

The referee for the England vs Belgium match is a man the Three Lions know well. Slovenia’s Damir Skomina was the referee when England lost to Iceland at Euro 2016, although they were awarded a penalty that Wayne Rooney converted.
Skomina was also in charge of Belgium’s Euro 2016 quarter-final loss to Wales where he gave a total of six yellow cards.
At this year’s World Cup Skomina was the first referee to brandish a red card, given to Colombia’s Carlos Sanchez for deliberate handball.
Prior to this tournament, Skomina also refereed the second leg of Liverpool’s Champions League semi-final with Roma last month when he gave the Italians a late penalty in a 4-2 victory.
Skomina sent off England goalkeeper Rob Green in a 1-0 loss to Ukraine in 2009.

FAIR PLAY EXPLAINER

With England and Belgium neck and neck as they prepare for their final Group G game on Thursday, here is a handy explanation of the fair play rules – which may decide who finishes top of the table.
If both teams are level on points, goal difference, goals scored and head-to-head record, then the number of red and yellow cards accumulated is used.
England have two disciplinary points (Kyle Walker and Ruben Loftus-Cheek’s yellow cards) and Belgium are on three disciplinary points (Kevin De Bruyne, Jan Vertonghen and Thomas Meunier’s yellow cards).
Teams are given one point for each yellow card, three points for a red card (two yellows) and four points for a straight red card.
Lots will be drawn to decide group winners if they are on the same disciplinary points.