DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ England's subs can be key against France, says Hoddle
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

LONDON, Dec 9 (Reuters) - England's depth on the substitutes bench could tip the balance in their favour in Saturday's World Cup quarter-final against France, according to former manager Glenn Hoddle. But Hoddle, who led England at the France 1998 tournament, says England's ability to make attacking changes when things get tight could be the key to the outcome. It could be a game that England have to come back into, which is something they've not experienced yet. While England's depth is underlined by the fact that they have had eight different scorers so far, France possess arguably the greatest match-winner in Kylian Mbappe. "They've got the most outstanding player of the tournament in Kylian Mbappe, and England are going to have to stop him."

☆ Analysis: Argentina fans begin to believe as Messi wills them into World Cup semis
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-09 | by ( Philip O'Connor | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The mercurial 35-year-old did all he could in the 90 minutes to set up a semi-final against Croatia, who beat Brazil on penalties earlier on Friday, but a late collective collapse almost saw him make an embarrassing World Cup exit. Having earlier watched Neymar tearfully exit the Qatar World Cup without taking a penalty for Brazil, Messi took no chances in the shoot-out and stepped up first, setting the tone for what was to come. COMPELLING PLAYERWith Neymar out and Ronaldo benched by Portugal, only France's Kylian Mbappe can rival Messi as the tournament's most compelling player. There was joy, but the overriding emotion etched on Messi's face as his team celebrated with the fans was relief. Croatia await - get past them and maybe the fans that haven't always loved him will put him up there with Diego Maradona, but nothing less than victory in the World Cup final will suffice.

☆ The Workhorse Who Makes Mbappé Shine
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-08 | by ( Joshua Robinson | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

DOHA, Qatar—During Olivier Giroud’s most frustrating days at Arsenal, back when his shots seemed to hit every part of the stadium but the goal, manager Arsène Wenger took him aside at practice one day to ask a question. Giroud, the 6-foot-4, 205-pound French forward, was doing a good job of getting himself into the penalty area, Wenger told him. “But once you’re there, why do you kick the ball like a mule?”

☆ Portugal young gun Ramos faces tough test from wily Saiss
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-08 | by ( Shady Amir | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Ramos, 21, made headlines when the teams were announced, picked to lead the attack in place of Portugal's all-time leading scorer Cristiano Ronaldo who was relegated to the bench. It did not take long for the youngster to become one of the biggest stories of the Qatar World Cup. Ramos made his debut in Portugal's 4-0 win over Nigeria in a warm-up game before the World Cup and played a total of 10 minutes as a substitute in two of the three group matches. Perhaps Ramos, who helped Benfica reach the Champions League last 16 this season, benefited from being the third striker in the squad behind Ronaldo and Andre Silva. He will now be firmly in the spotlight when Morocco coach Walid Regragui considers his tactics.

DOHA, Dec 8 (Reuters) - All eyes will be on Kylian Mbappe once again as France take on England in a mouthwatering World Cup quarter-final clash but the defending champions must hope their lack of options from the bench will not be exposed on Saturday. WALKER v MBAPPEOne of the strengths that has emerged through the tournament is England’s depth. Their tally of 12 goals – equalling their World Cup best set from three more matches in 2018 – has been achieved via eight players. While the goalscorers grab the headlines, Southgate made sure he complimented his defenders after the last 16 match as his side chalked up a third successive World Cup clean sheet for the first time in 20 years. One thing that should be a given is that England will not be overawed by the occasion after their recent runs to the last four of the 2018 World Cup and final of Euro 2020.

☆ World Cup quarter-finals 2022: which teams have qualified?
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Captain Lionel Messi, who has said he intends to retire from the national team after the tournament, scored his first goal in a World Cup knockout round in his 1,000th match to beat Diego Maradona's tally of eight World Cup goals. The Selecao have lifted the World Cup five times and are the pre-tournament favourites to win a record-extending sixth title. This is the sixth World Cup for Croatia, who reached the final in 2018 when they lost to France. England have won the World Cup only once in 1966, and finished fourth in 2018. France won the World Cup in 1998 and 2018.

☆ 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 Joy of Kylian Mbappé
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-05 | by ( Jason Gay | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Is there anything more joyful in sports than watching an athlete who is the very best in the world at what they do, who is living up to that ridiculous hype and mantle and all of its associated pressure, and delivering? Shorter version: Is there anything more fun than watching the French soccer sensation Kylian Mbappé in the World Cup right now?

☆ Croatia beats Japan on penalties to reach World Cup quarterfinals
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-05 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +28 min

CNN —Goalkeeper Dominik Livaković made himself a national hero as Croatia beat Japan on penalties 1-1 (3-1) to reach the World Cup quarterfinals. Marko Djurica/ReutersJapan’s heartbreakDespite its defeat, Japan can look back at an impressive World Cup campaign. They made history Thursday as the first all-female refereeing crew for a men's World Cup match. Mbappé was one of the leading stars of the team's World Cup triumph four years ago. He also became just the third goalkeeper to save three penalties in a single World Cup shootout.

☆ Kylian Mbappé continues record-setting pace in France’s World Cup round of 16 victory
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-05 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

The team booked its ticket to the quarterfinals of the 2022 World Cup with a 3-1 victory over Poland. But, the star of the show on Sunday was Kylian Mbappé, who continued his record-setting pace with an emphatic double. France's Olivier Giroud celebrates with Kylian Mbappé after scoring the opening goal against Poland at the 2022 World Cup. Having helped secure the nation’s second World Cup title in 2018 as a 19-year-old, he is continuing his domination four years later. Both Diego Maradona and Cristiano Ronaldo have eight World Cup goals to their names.

☆ Morocco's Hakimi up against country of his birth at World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-05 | by ( Mark Gleeson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

DOHA, Dec 5 (Reuters) - Achraf Hakimi was born in Madrid but will have little hesitation plotting the downfall of Spain when he and his Moroccan teammates take on the 2010 World Cup winners on Tuesday. The flying wingback is one of the key players in the north African outfit whose last-16 match in the Qatar World Cup against Spain, at the Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, gives them a chance to reach the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time. Hakimi could even have been on the opposite side, as he was called up when still a teenager for Spain's junior team. Hakimi was in the side that almost beat them in Kaliningrad in 2018, giving up an injury time equaliser in a 2-2 draw at the last World Cup in Russia. WINNING MENTALITY"Spain are a top five team and always come to the World Cup to win.

☆ Mbappé Carries France Over Poland and Into the World Cup Quarterfinals
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-04 | by ( Joshua Robinson | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

DOHA, Qatar—As Olivier Giroud drove home France’s opening goal in a 3-1 victory over Poland on Sunday, he took a moment to enjoy his newly acquired piece of soccer history. That strike into the far corner of the Polish goal was Giroud’s 52nd goal in a France jersey, making him the national team’s all-time top scorer. At 36, he finally sat top of a star-studded list that included Thierry Henry, Michel Platini and Zinedine Zidane. But Giroud knows that his time there could be fleeting—and he didn’t have to look far to see the man who might take that record from him next.

☆ England cruises past Senegal 3-0 to reach World Cup quarterfinals as Harry Kane makes Three Lions history
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-04 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —England reached the quarterfinals of the World Cup for a second tournament in a row thanks to a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Senegal. Kane’s goal was his 11th for England at a major tournament, the most by any Three Lions player in history. The Lions of Teranga stepped it up once again against England and were undoubtedly the best team of the opening half an hour. Carl Recine/ReutersWith the last kick of the half, England doubled its lead and put one foot into the quarterfinals. The result was put beyond any doubt a little over 10 minutes into the second half, as Saka’s cute finish capped off another wonderful England move.

☆ USMNT’s youth and talent at Qatar 2022 bodes well for 2026 World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-04 | by ( Issy Ronald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +31 min

The Netherlands knocked the USMNT out of the Qatar World Cup on Saturday. They made history Thursday as the first all-female refereeing crew for a men's World Cup match. Frappert became the first woman to referee a men's World Cup match. It was Morocco's first World Cup win since 1998 — and its third-ever at the tournament. Qatar is the first Islamic country to host a World Cup.

☆ Elated England turn thoughts to fearsome France
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-04 | by ( Andrew Cawthorne | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

AL KHOR, Qatar, Dec 4 (Reuters) - England spent little time celebrating Sunday's 3-0 World Cup win over Senegal before turning their thoughts to an intimidating quarter-final next Saturday against reigning champions France and current tournament top scorer Kylian Mbappe. said England coach Gareth Southgate of Saturday's mouth-watering match between the two European powers who have not met at a World Cup since 1982. England would love a repeat of their last World Cup meeting 40 years ago when they beat France 3-1 with two goals from Bryan Robson. "I was waiting patiently to try and score," said Kane, who is one goal shy of Wayne Rooney's record 53 goals for England. "If you want to win the World Cup you have to play the best sides in the world and France are definitely one of those."

☆ Record Giroud, sublime Mbappe send France into quarter-finals with Poland win
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-04 | by ( Julien Pretot | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

"It's not been easy because they're a well-organised team and we had to make some positional changes at halftime," said Deschamps. Poland's poise came close to being rewarded in the 38th minute when the onrushing Zielinski's shot was parried by Lloris. Jakub Kaminski followed, only for his shot to be saved close to the goal-line by Raphael Varane. NINE WORLD CUP GOALSOne minute from the break, however, France's tactics paid off. Mbappe now has nine World Cup goals to his name, as many as Argentina's 35-year-old Lionel Messi, and became the first player to reach that mark before his 24th birthday.

☆ Japan vs. Croatia: Samurai Blue aiming to reach World Cup quarterfinals for first time
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-04 | by ( Aimee Lewis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +31 min

CNN —In a World Cup of surprises, Japan has played a leading role in headline-making shock results. Croatia is a team undefeated in nine of its last 10 World Cup matches. They made history Thursday as the first all-female refereeing crew for a men's World Cup match. Frappert became the first woman to referee a men's World Cup match. It was Morocco's first World Cup win since 1998 — and its third-ever at the tournament.

☆ France reaches World Cup quarterfinals with 3-1 victory over Poland as Kylian Mbappé breaks Pelé’s record
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-04 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +30 min

CNN —France was made to work hard for its place in the World Cup quarterfinals, overcoming an improved Poland side 3-1 thanks to goals from Olivier Giroud and Kylian Mbappé. That is Mbappé’s fifth goal of Qatar 2022 and already his ninth World Cup goal overall, breaking Pelé’s record of seven World Cup goals scored before the age of 24. They made history Thursday as the first all-female refereeing crew for a men's World Cup match. Issei Kato/Reuters Kylian Mbappé scores his second goal on November 26, leading France to a 2-1 victory over Denmark. Mbappé was one of the leading stars of the team's World Cup triumph four years ago.

☆ Analysis: Age gap no problem for France's deadly striking duo
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-04 | by ( William Schomberg | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Giroud looked set for a secondary role for France until the team's number one centre forward Karim Benzema pulled out with an injury on the even of the tournament. That understanding was clear for all to see as Poland were cut apart by France's strikers. "It's still a long way to go and, obviously, you need to enjoy the game," he said. "If we attack, try to attack, it's a bit different. Additional reporting by Bartosz Dąbrowski in Gdansk, Poland; Writing by William Schomberg; Editing by Ken FerrisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ World Cup quarter-finals a step too far for gritty underdogs Poland
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-04 | by ( Rohith Nair | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

We succeeded, but in the next round we faced the world champions," Poland coach Czeslaw Michniewicz said. After weeks and months, we can proudly say we achieved what Poland wasn't able to achieve in 36 years." In order to take advantage of every striker in our team, we need to bring them closer to the right zone. Lewandowski and Szczesny may not be around for the 2026 edition after both players admitted the tournament in Qatar could be their last World Cup. Reporting by Rohith Nair in Al Rayyan; Editing by Ken Ferris and Clare FallonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Brazil soccer legend Pele says he remains 'strong' amid cancer battle
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-03 | by ( Gabriel Araujo | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

loading"I'm strong, with a lot of hope and I follow my treatment as usual," Pele said. Pele, one of the greatest footballers of all time if not the greatest, was admitted to hospital on Tuesday to re-evaluate his cancer treatment. He had a tumor removed from his colon in September 2021 and has been receiving hospital care on a regular basis. The newspaper also said he had a general swelling and cardiac issues when admitted to hospital earlier this week, as previously reported by ESPN Brasil. On Thursday, Pele said in an Instagram post that he was at the hospital for a "monthly visit".

CNN —Past and present football stars have been wishing Pelé well on social media after local media reports in Brazil that his health had worsened. The 82-year old former footballer, who is one of the greatest players of all time, was admitted to a hospital in Sao Paulo on Tuesday to re-evaluate his cancer treatment after Pelé had a tumor removed from his colon in September 2021. Pelé took to Instagram Thursday to thank fans for the positive messages and “good vibes” he had received. Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappé urged his Twitter followers on Saturday to “Pray for the King” – a reference to the Brazil great’s nickname – tagging Pelé in his tweet. Last month, he said he hoped to see Brazil’s national squad capture a record-extending sixth title in Qatar.

☆ Group stage excels as World Cup just keeps giving - now for the serious bit
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-03 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

That debate will continue after the final ball is kicked, but as far as what has happened inside the eight gleaming stadiums, the World Cup has been a stunning spectacle. When Lionel Messi gave Argentina the lead from the penalty spot in their opening Group C match against Saudi Arabia, all seemed normal. But Saleh Al-Shehri and Salem Al-Dawsari sealed a 2-1 Group C win for the 51st-ranked Green Falcons that, according to data company Nielsen Gracenote, was the biggest statistical shock in World Cup history. Goals by Itsu Doan and Ao Tanaka gave Japan the lead and Costa Rica hit back to lead Germany. After probably the most memorable group phase of any World Cup, now for the serious business.

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.

☆ World Cup 2022 top goal scorer: who could win Golden Boot?
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Dec 1 (Reuters) - The 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar is nearing its knockout phase. England's captain Harry Kane bagged the prize in the 2018 edition of the World Cup in Russia, where he scored six goals and led his team to the semi-finals. MARCUS RASHFORDSoccer Football - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Group B - Wales v England - Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan, Qatar - November 29, 2022 England's Marcus Rashford with manager Gareth Southgate after being substituted REUTERS/Hannah MckayThe England striker has enjoyed a dream start to his World Cup campaign in Qatar. BRUNO FERNANDESSoccer Football - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Group H - Portugal v Uruguay - Lusail Stadium, Lusail, Qatar - November 28, 2022 Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes celebrate after the match REUTERS/Kai PfaffenbachPortugal's run in the World Cup in Qatar so far has been overshadowed by controversy surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo and his acrimonious departure from Manchester United. WORLD CUP TOP GOAL SCORER 2022: GOLDEN BOOT STANDINGS** Stats as of Nov. 30Compiled by Siddharth K in Bengaluru; Editing by Milla NissiOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Search resuls for: "mbappe"

25 mentions found