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☆ Defending champion France ends Morocco’s Qatar 2022 dream and reaches fourth World Cup final
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-14 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Defending champion France ended Morocco’s 2022 World Cup dream on Wednesday thanks to a 2-0 victory at the Al Bayt Stadium. France is the first defending World Cup champion to reach the final in two decades. Lionel Messi and Argentina now await as France seeks to win back-to-back World Cup titles. They deserve a lot of credit for this World Cup. We’ll enjoy it now and get ready for the last match of this World Cup.”

☆ World Cup quarterfinals: Morocco on the verge of history against Portugal as Kylian Mbappé’s France face England
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-09 | by ( Alasdair Howorth | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

The Moroccans have become the darlings of the World Cup. At the first “Arab” World Cup, they became the first Arab nation to qualify for the quarterfinals of the World Cup and, as the first African side to qualify for the quarterfinals in over a decade, they represent so much more than just their own nation. Born in Madrid, Achraf Hakimi scored the goal to knock Spain out of the World Cup. No team has scored more than Portugal’s 12 at the World Cup, but will the unstoppable Portugal be able to beat the immovable Morocco? Mbappé has already surpassed Cristiano Ronalo's World Cup goal scoring record and is level with Lionel Messi on nine.

☆ Kylian Mbappé is reaching speeds of 22 miles per hour at the World Cup. Can anyone stop him?
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-09 | by ( George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Ahead of its World Cup quarterfinal against France, England has a problem to solve. But the 23-year-old has showcased more than just clinical finishing at the World Cup, terrorizing opponents with his phenomenal speed and ability to get behind the defensive line. “I do understand what I need to do and that’s obviously to stop him,” Walker told reporters this week. It will be an intriguing encounter at the Al Bayt Stadium, pitting two of the World Cup highest-scoring teams against each other. I’m sure he’s going to be the best midfielder in the world.”With some of the best players of the tournament going toe-to-toe, this quarterfinal has all the ingredients of a World Cup classic.

☆ World Cup quarterfinals: Qualifying teams, fixtures and schedule
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-06 | by ( Alasdair Howorth | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —We are waiting on two teams to qualify for the World Cup quarterfinals, but six have already booked their places in the last eight. ETWhere: Education City StadiumAccording to Opta, Croatia has a 2.86% chance of winning the World Cup. But this team looks like it could be the first since 2002 to bring the World Cup trophy back to its spiritual home. ETWhere: Al Bayt StadiumAccording to Opta, England has a 18.83% chance of winning the World Cup. Which begs the question: is this the best England team since 1966, when it last won thee World?

The PSG chaiman also told Anderson that he believes media criticism of the country was down to the fact that many had not visited Qatar. The 49-year-old told Anderson that PSG would want any potential bidder to share a long-term commitment to the club. The 49-year-old told Anderson that he remains opposed to the idea, but is not against other changes. Al-Khelaifi told Anderson that PSG has a two-year contract with Messi, but will discuss his next steps after the tournament ends. Al-Khelaifi told Anderson he expected the star to be okay for the tournament’s knock-out stages, but that he needs referees to give him more protection.

☆ Messi still has the skills to help Argentina win World Cup, says Pochettino
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-30 | by ( Daniel Wiessner | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/4] Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Group C - Poland v Argentina - Stadium 974, Doha, Qatar - November 30, 2022 An Argentina inside the stadium points to a picture of Argentina's Argentina Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi on their shirt REUTERS/Pedro NunesNov 30 (Reuters) - Lionel Messi may be making his last World Cup appearance in Qatar but the talismanic forward is still capable of spurring Argentina to a third World Cup title, his compatriot and former Paris St Germain head coach Mauricio Pochettino said. Pochettino, who is well aware of Messi's game-changing abilities having worked with the 35-year-old last season, said he was still the best player in the world. He's the best player in the world," Pochettino, 50, told Argentine newspaper Ole. "Messi has the role today that can give Argentina the World Cup. After their setback against Saudi Arabia and a crucial win over Mexico, Argentina will play their final group game against Poland on Wednesday.

☆ Casemiro magic sends Brazil through as Vini shines
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-28 | by ( Ossian Shine | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The midfielder's spectacular 83rd minute goal sent Brazil through with a game to spare and lit a touch paper to a contest that up to then had struggled to smoulder. "Thank God we scored that goal," Casemiro said. This Monday night clash looked to be heading for another stalemate before Casemiro’s moment of pure magic - one which saw him named man-of-the-match. As important as Monday's victory was for Brazil, perhaps of more importance was the performance of Vinicius Jr – Vini to his team mates. But with a plug-and-play genius like Vinicius Jr ready to take on the mantle of chief playmaker, Tite and the whole of Brazil can rest easy.

☆ Neymar: what can we expect from Brazil forward at World Cup 2022?
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Nov 24 (Reuters) - Brazil kick off their quest for a record-extending sixth World Cup title when they play Serbia in Lusail, Qatar on Thursday with all eyes on Neymar who could be playing in his last finals. MORE HEARTBREAK IN RIOHaving become a household name after his move to Barcelona, a lot was expected from Neymar who spearheaded Brazil's attack at the 2014 World Cup on home soil, but the event would end in tears for the talismanic player. Neymar suffered a sprained right ankle that affected the fifth metatarsal in his foot and he was never fully fit during the World Cup in Russia, as Brazil were knocked out in the quarter-finals by Belgium. Criticised for his antics off and on the pitch in the past, fans were surprised by a seemingly different Neymar ahead of the Qatar World Cup thanks to his physical and mental preparation. A trophy-laden club career apart, delivering Brazil's first World Cup since 2002 will go a long way in helping Neymar cement his place among the game's modern greats.

☆ Mbappe has to understand Messi and Neymar are bigger than him, says Alves
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Nov 24 (Reuters) - France striker Kylian Mbappe is yet to understand that his Paris St Germain team mates Lionel Messi and Neymar are bigger players than him, Brazil defender Dani Alves said, as he urged the 23-year-old to make the most of their time together. Alves shared a dressing room at PSG with compatriot Neymar and a newly-arrived Mbappe between 2017 and 2019 and also played alongside Messi at Barcelona in a trophy-laden eight-year spell. Galtier said last month PSG had changed their system to test how their attacking trio of Messi, Mbappe and Neymar could work more effectively. "Neymar and Messi are unique: they see and do things nobody else sees or can do. Alves, who now plays for Pumas UNAM, said Mbappe should take advantage of playing with Messi and Neymar.

☆ Spain's Ramos disappointed by World Cup omission
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Nov 14 (Reuters) - Spain defender Sergio Ramos said he was disappointed to be excluded from their World Cup squad after returning to full fitness following a calf injury that limited his playing time with Paris St Germain last season. Ramos, 36, who joined PSG last year after 16 trophy-laden years at Real Madrid, wrote an emotional letter to fans after missing out on the chance to feature in his fifth World Cup. "The World Cup? Ramos won the 2010 World Cup with Spain. Spain play Jordan in a friendly on Thursday ahead of their World Cup opener against Costa Rica.

[1/3] Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Preview - Doha, Qatar - October 12, 2022 An image of Brazil's Neymar is seen on a building REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed/FilesJOHANNESBURG/BENGALURU, Nov 11 (Reuters) - Brazil are tipped to claim the World Cup for the sixth time in the tournament that kicks off Nov. 20 in Qatar, according to a Reuters poll that last successfully predicted the champions in 2010. The global survey of 135 football-following market analysts worldwide agreed with the bookmakers that Brazil would triumph for the first time since 2002. Almost half of respondents expected Brazil to win while 30% were evenly split between France and Argentina. If France were to retain the trophy they would be the first to do so since Brazil in 1962. Reuters Poll- 2022 FIFA World CupQatar has reportedly spent around 220 billion dollars on hosting the tournament - almost fifteen times more than the second-most expensive one - but 41% of respondents said it would have no long-term economic impact.

☆ Alves makes Brazil World Cup squad, Firmino left out
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Nov 7 (Reuters) - Brazil have included 39-year-old defender Daniel Alves but left out Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino in their 26-man World Cup squad which was named by coach Tite on Monday. After leaving Barcelona at the end of last season, Alves went to Mexico to try to keep his dream of playing in his fourth World Cup with five-times champions Brazil. Alves has been working on his recovery with the Barcelona academy medical and technical staff over the last few weeks. According to Tite, Alves' long history with Brazil and leadership qualities in the changing room were valuable but not the main reason he got a spot in the squad. The squad and Tite will gather on Nov. 14 at Juventus' training facilities in Turin, where Brazil will hold a five-day training camp before flying to Doha on Nov. 19.

☆ Liverpool draw Real in Champions League last 16 in repeat of last season's final
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

NYON, Nov 7 (Reuters) - Holders Real Madrid will face English Premier League side Liverpool once again in the Champions League last 16 - a repeat of last season's final - while Paris St Germain will take on German champions Bayern Munich. Madrid edged Liverpool in a tense final in May thanks to a Vinicius Junior strike. English Premier League sides Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea have been given tough assignments despite winning their groups, taking on Serie A champions AC Milan and the Bundesliga's Borussia Dortmund respectively. Premier League champions Manchester City, who were unbeaten in the group stages as they chase their first-ever European Cup crown, will take on German side RB Leipzig. Draw in full:RB Leipzig v Manchester CityClub Brugge v BenficaLiverpool v Real MadridAC Milan v Tottenham HotspurEintracht Frankfurt v NapoliBorussia Dortmund v ChelseaInter Milan v PortoParis St Germain v Bayern Munich*Team mentioned first will host the first legReporting by Peter Hall in Leeds and Rohith Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by Hugh LawsonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Real Madrid draws Liverpool in the Champions League last-16 stage
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-07 | by ( John Sinnott | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Real Madrid drew Liverpool in the Champions League round-of-16 stage on Monday in a rematch of last season’s final. Los Blancos beat Liverpool 1-0 in Paris in May to win their 14th European Cup. Real also beat Liverpool over two legs in the 2020/21 season as well and have not lost a match to the Reds in their previous six meetings. Champions League last-16 draw:Paris Saint-Germain vs Bayern MunichInter Milan vs FC PortoBorussia Dortmund vs ChelseaEintracht Frankfurt vs Napoli! AC Milan vs TottenhamLiverpool vs Real MadridClub Brugge vs BenficaRB Leipzig vs Manchester City

☆ Late Danilo header earns PSG victory at Lorient
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Nov 6 (Reuters) - Danilo's late header helped unbeaten Ligue 1 leaders Paris St Germain beat a lively Lorient side 2-1 at the Stade du Moustoir on Sunday, after Terem Moffi's brilliant second-half goal had cancelled out Neymar's early opener for the visitors. Lorient's top-scorer Moffi made amends nine minutes into the second half after being set up by Enzo Le Fee's through ball, rifling his shot over PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma for his ninth league goal of the season. Moffi was inches away from putting Lorient ahead but his shot struck the crossbar and the hosts weathered an intense period of pressure from PSG before Danilo powered his header from Neymar's corner past Mannone in the 81st minute. PSG, with 38 points from 14 games, restored their five-point cushion over second-placed Lens while Lorient remained fourth, level on 27 points with Rennes before their Brittany rivals travel to Lille later on Sunday. Reporting by Hritika Sharma in Bengaluru, editing by Ed OsmondOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Lionel Messi: Two weeks before start of World Cup, Argentinian great suffers injury scare
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-06 | by ( Issy Ronald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Lionel Messi has already said that the 2022 Qatar World Cup will be his last chance to add a World Cup winner’s medal to his otherwise complete, glittering trophy cabinet. It adds a certain amount of tension to the Argentine’s World Cup build-up, one that became a little tauter on Saturday with Paris-Saint-Germain’s announcement that he would be rested for its trip to Lorient due to an injury scare. “Leo Messi will remain in treatment for an inflamed Achilles tendon as a precautionary measure,” the PSG statement read. Argentina, who has not won the World Cup since 1986, will begin this tournament as one of the favorites, courtesy of its 35-game unbeaten streak but it has been plagued by injury scares. Messi has scored 90 goals for Argentina, a national record.

☆ Veteran Navas still Costa Rica's number one despite limited game time
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-04 | by ( Rohith Nair | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

"The least I have to be testing is Keylor Navas," Suarez said. Navas' experience was key to Costa Rica's CONCACAF World Cup qualifying campaign as the veteran commanded his box and kept seven clean sheets in 13 appearances as they conceded only eight times -- the joint second-best record after Canada. He also made numerous saves in the inter-confederation playoff against New Zealand in a nervy 1-0 win to seal their spot for Qatar, with a heavily criticised Suarez vindicated for sticking with Costa Rica's old warhorse. But despite being the most successful player in Costa Rica's squad, Navas remains a down-to-earth person and a leader to look up to. "People think he's up there on top of Olympus but no, he's in the same place everyone else is.

CNN —He turned 41 earlier this month and due to a serious knee injury won’t play until next year, but the last thing on Zlatan Ibrahimović’s mind right now is retirement. “I have a big passion for my game,” the AC Milan forward told CNN’s Becky Anderson in an interview. Never suffered so much on and off the pitch.”Back in 2016, Ibrahimović told CNN, "Being among many -- that's easy. “I think in my case I have this drive, I want to become better every day,” Ibrahimović told Anderson. “Money brings possibilities,” Ibrahimović told Anderson.

☆ Merciless Bayern beat a sorry Barcelona 3-0
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-27 | by ( Fernando Kallas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Mane beat Spanish defender Hector Bellerin in a 50-metre race and scored with a tidy finish. Bayern doubled their lead in similar fashion 21 minutes later, catching the Barca defence sleeping and out of position. Pavard scored the third goal in the very last play of the game, with a close-range strike from a corner. But you have to do that when you play against Barcelona," Bayern manager Julian Nagelsmann told DAZN. Last year, Barca's exit at the group stage came after the departure of Lionel Messi to Paris St Germain and the financial crisis that led to the resignation of the entire club board.

☆ Champions League: Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé score twice as PSG thrashes Maccabi Haifa
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-26 | by ( George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Paris Saint-Germain’s attacking trio of Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé and Neymar were in scintillating form as the French side qualified for the Champions League knockout stages with a 7-2 win against Maccabi Haifa. Messi and Mbappé both scored twice, while Neymar and Carlos Soler added goals in each half on top of an own goal from Sean Goldberg. READ: British LGBTQ activist Peter Tatchell protests outside the Qatar national museumMessi, Mbappé and Neymar all scored against Maccabi Haifa. Mbappé’s fine strike just after the hour mark made it 5-2, taking him to six Champions League goals this season – one more than Erling Haaland, Robert Lewandowski and Mohamed Salah at the top of the scoring charts. Mbappé is now the top scorer in this season's Champions League.

☆ Juventus crashes out of Champions League to compound season’s woeful start
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-26 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Another Champions League defeat, this time a 4-3 loss away to Benfica, ensured Juventus’ exit from the competition at the group stage for the first time in nine years. Juventus faces the prospect of missing out on next season's Champions League. There is no denying the current side is considerably weaker than the Juve teams of recent years, but eighth in Serie A and Champions League misery are still well below this season’s expectations. Samuel Iling-Junior was a bright spark in Juventus' defeat. Juventus’ season is by no means over, but three huge games in the next week against Lecce, PSG and Inter Milan could go a long way to defining its outcome.

☆ Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé combine for a sensational PSG goal in victory over Ajaccio
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-22 | by ( Issy Ronald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

But, on Friday, Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé combined for a sublime goal that seemed otherworldly in its precision and fluency. PSG took a 2-0 lead against Ajaccio with that goal in the 78th minute and eventually won 3-0, following a brace from Mbappé along with Messi’s outrageous goal. Kylian Mbappe celebrates with Lionel Messi. “Obviously, people come to the stadium to see Leo, the PSG team, Kylian,” PSG’s head coach Christophe Galtier told reporters afterwards. I say it often, but [Messi] is one of the best players in the history of football.

☆ Neymar due in Barcelona court over 2013 transfer from Santos
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-17 | by ( Fernando Kallas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Soccer Football - Brazil's Neymar to stand trial in a corruption case over his transfer to FC Barcelona - Josep Tarradellas Barcelona–El Prat Airport, Barcelona, Spain - October 17, 2022 Brazil's Neymar arrives at Josep Tarradellas Barcelona–El Prat Airport before attending court to stand trial on fraud and corruption charges over the transfer to FC Barcelona from Santos in 2013 REUTERS/Nacho DoceBARCELONA, Oct 17 (Reuters) - Paris St Germain and Brazil soccer star Neymar Jr. and eight others go on trial in Barcelona on Monday charged with fraud and corruption over the player's transfer to Barcelona from Santos in 2013. Spanish prosecutors are seeking a two-year prison term and a 10 million euro ($9.8 million) fine for Neymar. "Neymar, with the connivance of his parents and the boards of directors of Barcelona and Santos, betrayed the trust of my clients," DIS lawyer Paulo Nasser told a news conference in Barcelona on Thursday. "The real cost of the transaction (between Santos and Barcelona) was 82 million euros, and only 17 million appeared as the official transfer," Nasser said. It was unclear if Neymar would be asked to stay for the whole hearing, which is expected to last seven days.

☆ Benzema, Putellas win Ballon d'Or awards for best soccer players in the world
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-17 | by ( Julien Pretot | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Summary Real Madrid's Frenchman Benzema voted best men's playerBarca's Spain midfielder Putellas picks up women's awardpep Guardiola's Manchester City chosen as Best ClubPARIS, Oct 17 (Reuters) - Real Madrid's France forward Karim Benzema won the 2022 Ballon d'Or award for the best men's player in the world on Monday, while Barcelona's Spain midfielder Alexia Putellas won the women's award for a second time. Benzema had a stellar season with Real, scoring 44 goals in 46 games in all competitions as he helped guide them to a LaLiga and Champions League double. His 15 goals in the Champions League guided Real to a record-extending 14th title. Putellas, who was also named FIFA Best Women's Player earlier this year, was top scorer in the Champions League last season with 11 goals and scored 18 in the Primera Division. However, the teams in the Champions League final lost out on the Best Club award, which went to Pep Guardiola's Manchester City who won a fourth Premier League title in five years.

Notably, Paris says it will not organize fan zones for the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, citing social and environmental issues. “Paris Saint-Germain’s matches in the Parc des Princes have become a must-see event for a great many foreign visitors.”France is looking to retain the World Cup after winning the competition in 2018. James Williamson/Getty ImagesParis joins Strasbourg, Lille, Rodez, Bordeaux, Nancy and Reims in committing to not organizing public viewings. “I repeat that this is not the trial of Qatar, we are questioning the model of this event,” insisted Rabadan. Qatar World Cup officials estimate a very different death toll, telling CNN last year that there have been just three work-related deaths on stadiums and 35 non-work-related deaths.

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