The 'quadruple': can Liverpool achieve footballing immortality? | The ...

Eleven games, said Barney Ronay in The Observer: perform well in them and Liverpool could achieve footballing immortality. Winning the “quadruple” – all four major trophies in a single season – is a feat no English club has achieved, and which some say is all but impossible given the relentlessness of the modern game. But Liverpool undoubtedly are in with a shot, all the more so after making the FA Cup final with their 3-2 defeat of Manchester City last Saturday. Jürgen Klopp’s team have already won the Carabao Cup, are in the semi-finals of the Champions League, and are very much in contention in the Premier League, where they are in a tight battle with Manchester City. Winning the quadruple “will take luck, brilliance and plenty more luck” – apart from anything else, it depends on City dropping points in at least one of their remaining Premier League matches – but it’s looking more and more doable with each passing game.

Liverpool’s victory over City on Saturday – and their 4-0 thrashing of Manchester United in midweek – certainly suggests they are peaking at the right time, said Sam Wallace in The Sunday Telegraph. In a first half at Wembley, which Klopp described as the best 45 minutes of his Anfield tenure, the Reds were simply unstoppable: they put three goals past Pep Guardiola’s side, including two from Sadio Mané. Even though City scored right after the interval, a comeback never looked on the cards – until Bernardo Silva “finally made it a Cup tie” by scoring in the 91st minute.

Highly impressive as Liverpool were, it would be a mistake to read too much into this victory, said Oliver Holt in the Daily Mail. In truth, the match “was over before it began” – thanks to several key City players being injured (including the irreplaceable Kevin De Bruyne) and the whole team being “emotionally and physically exhausted” by their exertions against Atlético Madrid in the Champions League last week. With a squad that lacks the depth of Liverpool’s, Guardiola seems to have “narrowed” his focus this season to trying to win both the Premier and Champions leagues.

Not long ago, it was a consensus among football experts that no other contemporary coach “could hold a candle to Guardiola”, said Oliver Brown in The Daily Telegraph. As Klopp continues to work wonders at Anfield, that is being revised. The German has now beaten the Catalan ten times, and while he has won far less silverware in his career overall, he arguably has a superior ability to forge close emotional bonds with the clubs he manages. “At 54, Klopp has presided over three clubs” – Mainz, Dortmund and Liverpool – and has “attained the status of a demigod at every one”. No wonder, then, that in the ongoing debate about “two managers of generational brilliance”, Klopp is arguably “now edging in front”.

Manchester City vs. Liverpool FC: Premier League showdown could ...

CNN —

No trophy will be lifted at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, but when the dust settles on this Premier League season, April 10 may well be remembered as its defining date.

On paper, Manchester City’s impending showdown with Liverpool is no more significant than any other ‘title-deciding’ fixture between the two leading teams that often surfaces towards the end of a Premier League season.

Both teams will still have another seven games to navigate and come full-time on Sunday, the largest the gap could be extended would be – if City were to win – a mere four points.

And yet – at the risk of tempting fate and beckoning the most underwhelming, dull 90 minutes imaginable – Sunday’s clash could determine the destiny of three different competitions and mark a pivotal chapter in a team’s ascent to legendary status within English football.

A league of their own

As has been the case for all but one of the last four seasons, City and Liverpool have once again effectively played in a league of their own.

The Reds sit a point off City, 13 clear of Chelsea in third. Liverpool and City are the only two sides in the league to have scored 70 or more goals and also boast the best defensive records with just 38 goals conceded between them.

It is a testament to the closeness of the two sides that City have just one more point than the Reds during that period, with 338 points racked up across just 144 games.

Mohamed Salah of Liverpool scores during a 2-2 draw with Manchester City in October 2021. Michael Regan/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images

The nearest? Chelsea – the team initially tipped to break the pair’s monopoly this season – chasing shadows on 264 points, with Manchester United marginally behind on 257.

They are not just dominant in England. City and Liverpool are the best two teams in Europe, according to data provider Nielsen Gracenote’s Euro Club Index, which ranks sides across the continent.

With Liverpool recently overtaking German giant Bayern Munich in the rankings, “the gap between England’s best two teams has never been as small as it is now,” Gracenote said.

History beckons

Yet clinching the league title – in what will be City’s fourth in five years or Liverpool’s second in three – could end up forming just one branch of an even greater, historic achievement.

On April 16, the two sides will meet in an FA Cup semifinal, with the victor returning to Wembley to face either Chelsea or Crystal Palace on May 14.

There is then the possibility that the pair could face each other again in the Stade de France in Paris two weeks later for the biggest game in club football, the Champions League final.

Should Liverpool and City see out quarterfinal first leg advantages over Benfica and Atletico Madrid respectively, they would not face each other in the semifinal due to being on opposite sides of the draw.

If City go on to clinch the league and FA Cup, May 28 could represent the chance to complete a historic treble. For all the accolades and tumbled records during coach Pep Guardiola’s time in Manchester, the Champions League remains an elusive prize for City.

Manchester City celebrated yet another Premier League triumph in 2021. PETER POWELL/AFP/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

After the pain of falling at the last hurdle to Chelsea in Porto last year, victory in Paris would be the crowning achievement of the Spaniard’s tenure. To do it as part of a treble – with arch rivals Manchester United the only other English team to achieve the feat – would cement a historic legacy.

For Liverpool and coach Jürgen Klopp, having already won the League Cup in February, an unprecedented quadruple remains entirely possible.

Stripped of the opportunity to savor a first league title in 30 years in front of their fans in 2020 as games were played to empty stadiums in the pandemic, besting City this year would offer the chance to make up for lost celebrations.

Unlike City, Liverpool are no strangers to European Cup glory with six victories, but winning a seventh alongside the three domestic trophies would lift them into unparalleled territory as the only English side to win all four.

Liverpool lifted a sixth Champions League title after defeating Tottenham Hotspur in 2019. GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/AFP via Getty Images

‘Don’t be afraid to make mistakes’

The game’s outcome may rest on the performances of each club’s talismanic players, notably Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah and City’s Kevin De Bruyne.

Salah and De Bruyne have once again enjoyed stellar seasons, with both in the running to be crowned the Premier League’s player of the season for a second time.

Already boasting 20 goals, Salah looks set to finish the campaign as the league’s highest scorer for the third time in just five seasons on Merseyside – a haul made all the more impressive by the fact he trails only teammate Trent Alexander-Arnold for assists with 10.

Despite missing a number of early games through injury, De Bruyne has again been an integral cog in Guardiola’s City machine, scoring 10 and assisting three from midfield.

While Salah has scored just once in his last seven games, De Bruyne has weighed in with three goals in each of City’s last three matches and crucially scored the winner against Atletico Madrid in Tuesday’s Champions League quarterfinal first-leg tie.

“He is in the best moment of the season right now – he is sharp, quick and positive,” Guardiola told reporters after the Atletico win. “His influence in our game is massive.”

In an interview with City’s website last month, De Bruyne said it was important for him as a player not to be afraid to make mistakes.

“Sometimes, people will be scared to make a pass knowing the reaction outside. If people react to a bad pass, whatever,” said De Bruyne.

“Try to get the ball back again, try to do the same action or try something else. It doesn’t matter.

“I don’t care about pass completion. That’s not what I am here for. I am here to do what I am good at.”

De Bruyne has starred again for City this season. OLI SCARFF/AFP/AFP via Getty Images

However, for leading sports scientist Simon Brundish there can only be one choice for player of the season – the ever-present ‘Egyptian King.’

“If it’s not Salah, there’s something going on,” said Brundish, who makes no secret of his allegiances to Liverpool on social media. “I don’t think it should even be discussed.

“Despite his reputation as a greedy goalscorer, apart from creating the most chances of anybody, he sprints more than everybody else has, and he plays the most games of anybody in England.

“The metabolic cost of this guy is off the charts – he’s always available. He is the guy in the dressing room, he’s the one they look to.”

Paradoxically, Brundish believes it is the very trait that sets him apart that explains his recent dip in form – a fatigued Salah is “running on fumes.”

After an electric first-half of the season, Salah has scored just once since a brace in a 6-0 rout of Leeds at the end of February, and again cut a frustrated figure despite victory over Benfica in midweek.

“He does tend to have a dip in spring because his availability is so high, he never gets a break,” Brundish said.

“His dip is still the best forward in the league, but it’s a dip by his standards – it’s not his peak period.”

Salah again failed to find the net in Liverpool's Champions League quarterfinal first leg against Benfica on Tuesday. Valter Gouveia/NurPhoto/Getty Images

Contract uncertainty

Still to sign a new deal at Anfield to extend his stay past next season, questions continue to swirl over Salah’s contract situation, yet Brundish has only one for Liverpool: “What are you doing?”

The sports scientist believes if the negotiations have stalled over a question of money, then paying up for the “best value” attacker in Europe is a no-brainer.

Collating the top 200 forwards in Europe – dividing transfer fee and wages by goals, assists, and expected goals [xG] created – Brundish calculated that Salah had cost Liverpool around £50,000 per goal or assist.

Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski was the next most economical on £68,000, with the other 198 totalling £100,000 or more.

“If you’ve had this much value from a lad, then perhaps even if he wanted more than market rate, he probably has earned it,” Brundish said.

‘Whoever wins probably wins the Champions League too’

Brundish believes the fate of the Champions League may well rest on the balance of Sunday’s game, an outcome that sits “on a knife edge.”

“Whoever wins is going to win the Premier League,” Brundish told CNN. “I would go as far as to say whoever wins probably wins the Champions League too.

“I’m not on board with ‘one will win one, one will win the other,’ I think it’s only psychology at play here.”

Neither manager shares Brundish’s conviction, at least not publicly.

Speaking after Tuesday’s victory over Benfica, Klopp said nothing would be decided by a win against “the best team in the world” on Sunday.

Guardiola went a step further following a recent league win at Burnley, saying that his side would need to win every remaining game of the season to secure the title.

Klopp (L) and Guardiola (R) have been coy in press conferences regarding their side's title chances. Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Getty Images

“We have to feel the pressure that every game we are going to play where we lose, we are not going to win – we are out [of the title],” Guardiola said.

“We have to win eight games, otherwise we are not champions.”

Gracenote’s analysis predicts the result of Sunday’s game – if there is a winner – is likely to be decisive in the Premier League title race.

Victory for City would see their chances of winning the league soar from 61% to 86%, while a Liverpool win would make them new favorites, lifting their odds from 39% to 68%, says the data provider.

Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga misses decisive penalty as ...

CNN —

Liverpool won the Carabao Cup after narrowly edging a dramatic penalty shootout.

Following 120 minutes of pulsating action at Wembley Stadium, Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga missed the decisive penalty after his Liverpool counterpart Caoimhin Kelleher had scored.

There had been multiple goals ruled out during the game, with very little to separate two excellent teams.

But after some excellently taken penalties, with no players missing and neither keepers making a save, Arrizabalaga – subbed on shortly before the final whistle because of his penalty shootout expertise – blasted the decisive penalty over the bar.

The Carabao Cup victory is Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp’s first domestic cup victory since he joined in 2015.

Arrizabalaga misses a penalty in the Carabao Cup final. GLYN KIRK/AFP/AFP via Getty Images

Nip and tuck

It was the European champions who started on top, with American forward Christian Pulisic shooting straight at Kelleher in the Liverpool goal from close range inside the opening 10 minutes.

But after a fast start from Chelsea, Liverpool fought its way back into the game, dominating the ball and possession whilst struggling to break down a stubborn and resolute defense.

On the half hour mark, Chelsea keeper Edouard Mendy pulled off a remarkable double save, first saving Naby Keita’s driving shot and then denying Sadio Mane from close range when it looked easier to score.

And just before the halftime break, Mason Mount had an excellent opportunity to open the scoring, but his volley from close range flew just past Kelleher’s post.

Mount misses a chance against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final. Shaun Botterill/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images

The England international had another excellent chance to get his goal minutes into the second half, but instead hit the post after being excellently played through by Pulisic.

Despite Chelsea’s pressure, Mohamed Salah had a fantastic opportunity to break the deadlock but his chip was cleared of the line by a diving Thiago Silva.

Liverpool thought it had finally got the lead after Joel Matip headed home from close range after what appeared to be a cleverly worked freekick. However, after a VAR review, it was deemed that Virgil van Dijk had been interfering with play from an offside position in the buildup as the goal was ruled out.

Liverpool’s January addition from Porto, Luis Díaz, could only shoot straight at Mendy minutes later.

Klopp holds his head as he reacts to his side's goal being ruled out for offside in the Carabao Cup final. GLYN KIRK/AFP/AFP via Getty Images

Chelsea had its own goal ruled out for offside in the 77th minute, second half substitute Timo Werner offside before he crossed for his fellow German international Kai Havertz to head home.

After some tight and nervy minutes, van Dijk’s header from a corner kick in stoppage time looked like it might win the game, only for Mendy to claw it out.

With almost the final kick of the game, Romelu Lukaku nearly grabbed a winner, but his close-range effort was kept out by Kelleher.

The Belgian striker thought he’d given his side a valuable lead in the opening few minutes of extra-time, but he had just strayed offside.

Havertz had the ball in the net again, but once again, the offside flag ruled it out.

Just seconds before the game went to a penalty shootout, the drama was heightened even more when Chelsea’s superstar keeper Mendy was substituted for Kepa Arrizabalaga in an effort to provide a winning edge.

Visit CNN.com/sport for more news, features, and videos

However, both Arrizabalaga and Kelleher had few chances to save penalties, such was the high standard of them.

And after all 10 players on both teams scored, it came down to the keepers.

23-year-old Kelleher blasted home before Arrizabalaga blasted his effort over the bar, sealing the victory for Liverpool.

Argentina vs. France prediction, preview, team news, odds – Fifa ...

It all comes down to one last game in Qatar – the holders France against Argentina in the 2022 Fifa World Cup final at the Lusail Stadium in Qatar. With two of the world’s best players in opposition on Sunday, it promises to be an exciting clash for the neutrals, but a nerve-wracking one for fans of the respective finalists. Lionel Scaloni’s Argentina team started their Qatar 2022 campaign with a shock 2-1 loss to Saudi Arabia, but 2-0 victories over Mexico and Poland ensured that they qualified as group C winners. In the knockouts La Albiceleste beat Australia 2-1 in the round of 16, the Netherlands on penalties in the quarter-finals, and Croatia 3-0 in the semi-final. Didier Deschamps’s France won their two opening group D games – 4-1 against Australia and 2-1 against Denmark – and although they lost 1-0 to Tunisia, Les Bleus qualified as group winners. France beat Poland 3-1 in the round of 16, England 2-1 in the quarter-finals, and Morocco 2-0 in the semi-finals. Both nations are aiming for their third World Cup win. France were triumphant at Russia 2018 and on home soil in 1998, while Argentina won at Mexico 1986 and on home soil in 1978. Messi vs. Mbappé: a ‘dream final’ for Qatar Argentina’s Lionel Messi and France’s Kylian Mbappé have lit up Qatar 2022 and they will go head-to-head for a possible World Cup triple: winning the trophy, the golden boot for top goalscorer and the golden ball for the tournament’s best player. With five goals apiece, Messi leads the golden boot race having provided three assists compared to Mbappé’s two. Rivals on the international stage, the duo are club team-mates at Paris Saint-Germain and form two-thirds of the “M-N-M” attack, along with Brazil’s Neymar. As well as the team trophy and individual awards at stake on Sunday, there’s also the bragging rights for when they return to the French capital. Messi vs. Mbappé is the “dream World Cup final” for Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, said Jesús Mata in Spanish newspaper Marca. PSG have been owned by Qatar Sports Investments since 2011. The final represents different scenarios for the two No.10s. Mbappé, 23, is aiming for a second World Cup winners’ medal having starred for Les Bleus in Russia four years ago. Meanwhile, Argentina captain Messi, 35, has played in five World Cups for his country, but has never won the trophy. Having already broken Argentina’s all-time World Cup goals tally with his 11th, a penalty against Croatia, he is set to add another record this weekend. Barring a late injury, Messi will make history on Sunday by appearing for a men’s record 26th time in the World Cup – in what will be his last World Cup match. Skip advert

This World Cup final “could be one for the ages”, said Phil McNulty on BBC Sport. And on the evidence of what we have seen in Qatar so far, “it is too close to call”. The result could even come down to “one moment of genius” from the two players “most likely to provide it”. Messi? Deschamps only bothered by one objective French boss Deschamps is aiming to become just the “second manager to win successive World Cups”, said the BBC. He was asked about the “will for Messi to win” his final World Cup game and whether if it had left him feeling “alone in the world”. The 54-year-old replied that he was “fine being alone” and that “doesn’t bother me”. “I don’t have any particular worries or stress about the game,” he added. “When you prepare for a game like this you need to keep your focus, remain composed, but, of course, in a World Cup final especially you have the match and the whole context behind that. Of course, the objective is to come out with the title. “I know Argentina and many people around the world, and maybe some French people as well, would hope that Lionel Messi could win the World Cup, but we’re going to do everything to achieve our objective.” 2022 Fifa World Cup match facts Who: Argentina vs. France

When: Sunday 18 December 2022

Where: Lusail Stadium, Al Daayen, Qatar

Kick-off time: 3pm (all times GMT) How to watch on TV in the UK The BBC and ITV have split the coverage of the 2022 Fifa World Cup in Qatar, but for the final they will both show Argentina vs. France on Sunday. ITV’s coverage is from 1.30pm to 6pm, while the BBC’s is from 1.50pm to 5.45pm. The final kicks off at 3pm. Predictions and odds “Do I have to? Really?”, said Joe Brennan on AS. “I will go for a draw after 120 minutes” and “endless penalties” until every player and substitute scores and the managers have to take one each. Then Scaloni “buries his” and Argentina win. “OK, maybe it doesn’t play out exactly like that, but it’s the only way my brain can compute how to separate these two football giants. I predict an Argentina... win? Wait, do I?” Skip advert Athos Salome, nicknamed the “Living Nostradamus”, correctly predicted that France will face Argentina in the World Cup final, “before a ball was kicked in Qatar”, said the Daily Star. And now the Brazilian has revealed who he reckons will win the tournament. Making his predictions based on a system called “Kabbalah” that “analyses mathematical probabilities”, unfortunately for France, Salome’s senses have told him that Argentina will emerge victorious in the finale.

This game has “just about everything” with “immense quality” all over the pitch and it could come down to “a moment of pure genius” from any of the world-class talents available to Deschamps and Scaloni, said Jack Rathborn in the Independent. For that reason “we’ll side with Messi”, a man “possessed” and surely determined to “not let this rare second chance pass him by”. He may have to wait until extra-time for his moment, but we’re “picking Messi to drag his side to victory once again”. Prediction: Argentina 2-1 France AET. There’s “enough talent” in both sides for this game – which is “devoid of a clear favourite” – to be decided by “a moment of magic”, said Grey Whitebloom on 90min.com. But there has been “plenty of evidence” this winter to suggest “a mistake may prove even more likely and pivotal”. Argentina, Messi and their “deafening travelling support” may just edge out Mbappé and Co. Prediction: Argentina 2-1 France. While Messi would appear to be “destined for the ultimate glory”, this French team “will take some beating”, said Jonathan Gorrie in the London Evening Standard. “Seemingly incapable of panicking” and boasting “obvious firepower”, they could “feasibly weather the Argentine storm” on their way to a third World Cup win. Prediction: France to win 2-1. There’s not much between these teams and “I can see it going all the way to penalties”, where Argentina will be “the slight favourite”, said Robert Kidd on Forbes. “I think it will finish 1-1 after extra time”, and Argentina, and Lionel Messi, will win the 2022 World Cup on penalties. As much as a Messi-led victory for Argentina will be “memorable”, a French victory will be “historic”, said Dan Roberts on Football Italia. It will be the “first time since 1962 that a nation has won the tournament twice in a row”. Obviously, it will “break Argentinian hearts”, but this is a France team that could be about to “go down in history”. Skip advert Right now, the latest odds are “about as close as they can be”, said Brian Good on Oddschecker. But, it looks as though France have the “early upper hand when it comes to the betting markets”. France are priced at 10/11 to lift the trophy, while Argentina are 19/20. Prices as of 15 December, according to Oddschecker. Team news Messi looked to have been holding his left hamstring during the win over Croatia, but the Argentine skipper insisted there was no problem and that he felt “really good”, “strong” and “ready to play each game”. Considering the way Messi “tore” Croatia to shreds, “potentially on one leg”, there’s almost “no chance he would be kept out of the World Cup final”, said Kyle Bonn on The Sporting News.

2022 FA Cup final: Chelsea vs. Liverpool predictions, kick-off time ...

In a repeat of this season’s League Cup final, Chelsea and Liverpool will go head-to-head once again at Wembley Stadium – this time in the 141st FA Cup final. Liverpool won February’s League Cup on penalties and the Reds will be looking to add the second trophy of a possible quadruple.

Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool side are second in the Premier League table and also through to the final of the Uefa Champions League. Since his appointment in 2015 he has led the Anfield club to five trophies. Should captain Jordan Henderson lift the cup on Saturday, it would see the German boss “complete the set” – the Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup, Champions League, Super Cup and Fifa Club World Cup, said the Liverpool Echo. “I absolutely love this competition,” Klopp wrote in his programme notes. “I recognise its importance in our club’s own history and how much it means to our supporters.”

For Chelsea head coach Thomas Tuchel he is also looking for a first FA Cup title. In his first year at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea won the Champions League, Uefa Super Club and Fifa Club World Cup, but lost the FA Cup final 1-0 to Leicester City. “This is a huge match in every sense,” Tuchel wrote. “These days, if you play in the final against either Liverpool or Manchester City, it cannot be bigger.”

FA Cup final kick-off time and TV coverage

The FA Cup final between Chelsea and Liverpool takes place on Saturday 14 May, kick-off is at 4.45pm (BST). Football fans in the UK can watch the Wembley clash live on BBC One and ITV. Ahead of the match, the BBC’s cup final day coverage starts at midday with Football Focus, followed by MOTDx, Match of the Day Top 10: Most Memorable FA Cup Finals, FA Cup Rewind, and The FA Cup 2021/22: Road to Wembley. ITV’s match coverage begins at 3.45pm.

Pundit predictions: who will win the FA Cup?

According to Oddschecker.com, the bookies have Liverpool as 4/7 favourites to lift the FA Cup on Saturday, while Chelsea are priced at 13/8. The Reds are also highly fancied by the pundits.

France vs. Morocco prediction, preview, team news – Fifa World Cup ...

England and Portugal supporters won’t agree, but what a Fifa World Cup semi-final we have to look forward to at the Al Bayt Stadium on Wednesday evening. In the blue, white and red corner you have France, the reigning champions, while in the red and green corner you have Morocco, the underdogs and first African nation to ever reach the final four of a World Cup. Didier Deschamps’s Les Bleus will go into the match as favourites, but Morocco’s superb victories over Belgium in group F, Spain in the round of 16 and Portugal in the last eight will give them huge confidence of causing another major upset against Kylian Mbappé and Co. “Marvellous” Morocco have “lit up” this World Cup, said Shamoon Hafez on BBC Sport. Roared on by many fans in Qatar, they’re not just the first African side to reach the semi-finals, but also the “first Arab one from a country with a Muslim majority”. The “history makers” are now just one win from football’s showpiece fixture. Head coach Walid Regragui has mastermind the Atlas Lions’s incredible run and he believes they are becoming a team everyone “loves” because they are showing what can be achieved. “It is not a miracle – those in Europe might say it is, but we have beaten Portugal, Spain, Belgium and drawn against Croatia without conceding,” Regragui said. “That is the result of hard work. African and Arab teams work hard but we have made our people happy and proud. The whole continent is proud. When you watch Rocky Balboa, you want to support him and we are the Rocky of this World Cup.” Lloris expects ‘hostile’ atmosphere Morocco’s run to the World Cup final four has the potential to “galvanise” football in Africa, said Veron Mosengo-Omba, general secretary of the Confederation of African Football (Caf). However, he told BBC Sport Africa that “dreaming” is not enough for the continent, and there needs to be more “long-term efforts”. Morocco have shown that “it is possible for Africa to shortly have more teams in the World Cup semi-final, and even in the final”, Mosengo-Omba added. But “galvanising and dreaming” is “not enough” to grow the game and make African football “more competitive” to win the World Cup. “It needs concrete actions and long-term efforts.” Skip advert

Now one step from the final, Morocco and their fans will provide tough opposition for the holders at the Al Bayt Stadium. France captain Hugo Lloris is expecting a “hostile atmosphere” inside the stadium, but Les Bleus are “ready” for anything. “Obviously, it is already a success for Morocco – but, believe me, they won’t want to stop here,” said the French goalkeeper. “They want to become even more of a hero for their country. We prepare to respond to the demands of a semi-final of a World Cup – it doesn’t matter the opponent.” The winners of Wednesday’s semi-final will go on to face Argentina in the 2022 Fifa World Cup final on Sunday at the Lusail Stadium. Match facts Who: France vs. Morocco

What: Fifa World Cup semi-final

When: Wednesday 14 December 2022

Where: Al Bayt Stadium

Kick-off time: 7pm (all times GMT) How to watch on TV in the UK Wednesday’s semi-final clash between France and Morocco will be shown live in the UK on BBC One and iPlayer. TV coverage begins at 6.30pm and the match kicks off at 7pm. Team news French boss Deschamps does not have any suspension worries for the semi-final. It also did not appear that any of his players picked up injuries in the quarter-final win over England. He could name the same starting XI for the third match in a row. Morocco striker Walid Cheddira was sent off for a second yellow card in the win over Portugal and will miss the semi-final because of suspension. The Atlas Lions could have some injury concerns in defence after captain Romain Saiss was stretchered off with a thigh injury against Portugal. Nayef Aguerd and Noussair Mazraoui are also doubtful after missing the quarter-final win. Possible starting XIs France: Hugo Lloris; Jules Kounde, Raphael Varane, Dayot Upamecano, Theo Hernandez; Aurelien Tchouameni, Adrien Rabiot; Ousmane Dembele, Antoine Griezmann, Kylian Mbappe; Olivier Giroud

Hugo Lloris; Jules Kounde, Raphael Varane, Dayot Upamecano, Theo Hernandez; Aurelien Tchouameni, Adrien Rabiot; Ousmane Dembele, Antoine Griezmann, Kylian Mbappe; Olivier Giroud Morocco: YYassine Bounou; Achraf Hakimi, Jawad El-Yamiq, Romain Saiss, Yahya Attiat-Allah; Azzedine Ounahi, Sofyan Amrabat, Selim Amallah; Hakim Ziyech, Youssef En-Nesyri, Sofiane Boufal Predictions France don’t play “dazzling football”, but they are “good to watch” because they have got “so many eye-catching players”, said Chris Sutton on BBC Sport. It is that “quality in attack” that should “make the difference” in this game as well. I am backing France to “score first and see it through”. Morocco will score, and they will “rely on adrenaline as much as their quality”, but I fear this will be “a game too far” for them. “I would love to be wrong, just because the African side have arguably been the best story of this World Cup, but this is probably where they say goodbye.” Prediction: France 2 Morocco 1. Skip advert

2022 Fifa World Cup: pre-tournament pundit predictions | The Week ...

Argentina will take on holders France in the 2022 Fifa World Cup final. Both teams have won the World Cup twice before and will be aiming to make it a hat-trick.

They were among the pre-tournament favourites – but which football pundits picked them to lift the trophy at the Lusail Stadium on Sunday? Here we take a look at the pundit predictions before the World Cup started in Qatar.

South Americans to end Europe’s reign?

It’s not just Eurosport’s Pete Sharland who believes that this World Cup is “more open than ever”. Sports Illustrated also thinks there’s “no consensus champion”. However, there is “an agreement about one thing”: Europe’s reign over the World Cup will end in Qatar. Since Brazil’s fifth World Cup win in 2002, it has become the “Uefa invitational” with Italy (2006), Spain (2010), Germany (2014) and France (2018) winning the tournament. “If our picks are to come to fruition”, it will be “one of two South American sides lifting the trophy”. According to Sports Illustrated’s predictions, three experts have picked Brazil for glory, while two have chosen Argentina.

Jürgen Klinsmann, a World Cup winner with West Germany in 1990, said Brazil are his “personal favourite” to lift the trophy. The former striker, who scored 11 goals in 17 World Cup games, has backed Neymar and Co, having watched them over the last couple of years and during the qualifying campaign. “I was so impressed how they just rolled through the qualifiers, especially as South America is probably the toughest of all continents to qualify from,” he told Fifa+. “The way they did it was very impressive.”

In his second attempt at “predicting how things will shake up in Qatar”, CBS Sport’s James Benge tipped Argentina and Lionel Messi to get their “revenge” for 2014 by beating Germany in the final. Eight years ago the Germans won the cup with a 1-0 victory after extra-time, but this year Benge believes the Argentines will triumph 2-1 on 18 December with Messi writing himself into the “history books”. Benge’s first predictions attempt earlier this year had Brazil “conquering all” by beating England 2-0 in the final.

Gaming and data modeling

According to Opta data and Stats Perform’s artificial intelligence World Cup prediction model, Brazil have emerged as the team with the highest probability of winning the World Cup. The five-time winners have a “16% chance of lifting the trophy”, said Opta’s Jamie Kemp on the BBC. And as the overall favourites for the tournament, they are “also the team with the highest probability of reaching the final (25%)”. Argentina have the second-highest probability of winning this year's World Cup (13%), followed by France (12%), Spain (9%) and England (9%).

In its final year of publishing the popular football video game with Fifa’s branding, EA Sports has revealed its prediction for the winner of the 2022 World Cup. After correctly predicting the last three winners in 2010, 2014 and 2018, EA Sports has used HyperMotion2 Technology and the dedicated ratings in Fifa World Cup Kick-Off and Tournament modes to simulate all 64 matches and see who will come out on top in Qatar. According to a simulation of the 2022 final, Argentina will beat Brazil in “a tense game that was decided by a single goal”. And the goalscorer for the Albiceleste as they win their first World Cup since 1986? Who else… Lionel Messi. The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner is also predicted to score eight goals in seven games, picking up the Golden Boot and Golden Ball in the process. It will be “a captain’s display” as the tournament’s best player rounds off a memorable Fifa World Cup.

Joachim Klement, a London-based stockbroker at Liberum Capital Ltd, developed a “proprietary econometric model” to predict the winners of the World Cups in 2014 and 2018. With a 100% success rate so far, who does he think will win in 2022? According to Klemen’s calculations the winners will be Argentina, who will beat England in the final. “Messi will win something that [Cristiano] Ronaldo never has and Argentina will celebrate its first World Cup win in 36 years,” he said.

What the TV pundits say…

Pundits from ITV, one of the UK broadcasters for live World Cup TV coverage, have revealed their predictions for Qatar 2022. After reaching the semi-finals in 2018 and finishing as runners-up in the Euros, Gary Neville believes England “are going to go one more”. Ian Wright is less confident about England, The Mirror reported. With their “fantastic squad” and coming off the back of winning the Copa America last year, Wright is backing Argentina. Roy Keane thinks it’s “going to be hard” to stop Brazil from winning a sixth World Cup. “Brazil have such great strength in depth at the moment and some real quality players across the squad.”

BBC Sport presenters and pundits have predicted what will happen over the next four weeks. Brazil are the majority favourites with nine pundits – Micah Richards, Alex Scott, Ashley Williams, Gabby Logan, Jürgen Klinsmann, Rio Ferdinand, Karen Bardsley, Matthew Upson, and Rob Green – tipping the Seleção for glory. Argentina get three votes, from Alan Shearer, Jermaine Jenas and Danny Murphy, while Chris Sutton and Danny Gabbidon have picked France. Fara Williams is backing England.

Another win for France or Spain?

After lifting the trophy in Russia in 2018, Didier Deschamps’s France will be among the frontrunners again in 2022, said Graham Ruthven on The Sporting News. However, “the curse of the defending champions” could hit the French in the last 16, should they meet Argentina. Ruthven has tipped Spain to beat England in the final. There was a sense at the Euros that Spain were “close to hoisting a trophy”, and they “look poised to triumph in Qatar”. Spain won their only World Cup in 2010.

“According to our predictive tournament model”, France have consistently been the most likely team to win the World Cup, said Kevin Chroust on The Analyst. Les Bleus “remain our favourites” to land the biggest prize in football.

What about the dark horses?

Lots has been said about the favourites to win the World Cup, but what about the potential surprise teams of the tournament? “Yes, it is dark horses o’clock,” said Pete Sharland on Eurosport. “Everyone loves a dark horse, often a feel-good team that strikes gold with a player(s), system or even just pure vibes.” So, who does Sharland pick out at his dark horses for Qatar 2022? Serbia, who didn’t lose a game in qualifying, could produce a “Croatia-type jump”, while Senegal “might become a real handful”, even with Sadio Mane missing the opening games through injury. With such an “interesting” and “frankly unusual” collection of players, Uruguay’s talent is “undeniable”. If head coach Diego Alonso can “figure out how to use all of them”, everyone else “could be in a whole lot of trouble”.

England wins its first ever major women's championship in 2-1 Euro ...

London, UK CNN —

England won its first ever major women’s championship in dramatic fashion, beating Germany 2-1 after extra-time in the Euro 2022 Final at Wembley Stadium.

A record crowd of 87,192 for a European Championship final – men’s or women’s – watched as Chloe Kelly’s first international goal fired the Lionesses to victory over the eight-time winner.

After three defeats at the final hurdle, goals from Kelly and Ella Toone canceled out Lina Magull’s equalizer and sealed the dream ending to a stunning tournament run. A swashbuckling road to the final included a Euro-record 22 goals scored and just two conceded, an 8-0 demolition of world No. 11 Norway and a 4-0 dismantling of the world’s second-highest ranked team Sweden.

With head coach Sarina Wiegman having never lost a European Championship game – nor a game in charge of England – and Germany having never lost a Euro final, one record had to tumble at Wembley, the site of an agonizing defeat for the men’s team at the same stage just over a year ago.

And despite only beating Germany twice in their previous 27 meetings, Wiegman’s players battled to a hard-fought victory to extend the Dutch coach’s impressive streak and spark scenes of pure, unbridled joy at the home of English football.

That euphoria was encapsulated by the celebrations of the matchwinner, who offered up one of the great post-match interviews when she spoke to the BBC. Bouncing around, shouting and dancing, Kelly serenaded viewers with England’s adopted anthem, Neil Diamond’s classic “Sweet Caroline,” before running off with the microphone.

England celebrates their victory during the UEFA Women's Euro 2022 final match between England and Germany at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, July 31. Shaun Botterill/Getty Images England's Chloe Kelly fights for the ball with Germany's Felicitas Rauch on Saturday. John Sibley/Reuters A screen shows the attendance of the Women's Euro 2022 final match: a record crowd of 87,192 for a European Championship final -- men's or women's. Rui Vieira/AP UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, stand during the national anthems prior to kick off of the final match. Harriet Lander/Getty Images England's Alessia Russo, right, vies for the ball with Germany's Kathrin-Julia Hendrich. Alessandra Tarantino/AP Germany's players celebrate their equalizing goal, scored by Lina Magull. Leila Coker/AP England fans react at Trafalgar Square in London after England scores a goal. Matthew Horwood/UEFA/Getty Images England's Chloe Kelly scores England's Euro-winning goal in the final against Germany. Peter Cziborra/Reuters Germany's Lina Magull celebrates scoring the team's first goal with teammates. Lisi Niesner/Reuters Chloe Kelly of England celebrates with teammates after scoring their side's second goal in extra time. Shaun Botterill/Getty Images Lena Oberdorf of Germany is challenged for the ball by Alessia Russo of England. Michael Regan/Getty Images England's Leah Williamson and Millie Bright lift the UEFA Women's EURO 2022 Trophy after their team's victory. Catherine Ivill/UEFA/Getty Images Photos: England wins Euro 2022 over Germany Prev Next

Upon her eventual return, the Manchester City forward – having suffered an ACL injury in May last year – reflected on the peak of the ultimate comeback story.

“Honestly, it’s amazing,” she said. “This is what dreams are made of. As a young girl watching women’s football, this is amazing. Thank you to everyone who played a part in my rehab. I always believed I would be here.”

Captain Leah Williamson added: “I just can’t stop crying. We talk, we talk and we talk and we finally done it … this is the proudest moment of my life.

“The legacy of this tournament is the change in society. The legacy of this team is winners and that is the journey. I love every single one of you, I’m so proud to be English.”

Victory marked the culmination of a 13-year-long redemption arc for midfielder Jill Scott, the only member of the Lionesses squad to have featured in the 6-2 mauling suffered at the hands of Germany in the 2009 final.

Subbed on towards the end of regular time, the 35-year-old became the first England player to have played in two major international finals.

“I actually can’t believe it,” Scott said. “We have an incredible group of staff. What a day. The young players have been fantastic, so grateful for every moment of this team.

“I don’t think I’m going to sleep this week!”

England fans watching the game and celebrating in Trafalgar Square in London. Matthew Horwood/UEFA/Getty Images

As congratulations poured in across social media, men’s captain Harry Kane tweeted his appreciation, with particular praise for Toone, whose deftly chipped finish had put England ahead in the second-half.

“Absolutely unreal scenes at Wembley!! Massive congrats to the amazing Lionesses,” Kane said. “Ella Toone take a bow for that finish too.”

There was also a message of congratulations from Queen Elizabeth II, who lauded the team for inspiring the next generation.

“The Championships and your performance in them have rightly won praise,” she said. “However, your success goes far beyond the trophy you have so deservedly earned.

“You have all set an example that will be an inspiration for girls and women today, and for future generations. It is my hope that you will be as proud of the impact you have had on your sport as you are of the result today.”

Injury agony for Popp

Germany was struck a heartbreaking blow moments before kick-off when star striker Alexandra Popp, joint-top scorer at the tournament with six goals, suffered a muscle injury in the warm-up.

Replaced in the starting 11 by Lea Schüller, it marked a devastating end to what had been a heartwarming redemption story for the 31-year-old. After missing the previous two Euros through injury, Popp had made up for lost time emphatically, matching the record for best goal tally at the tournament – set by compatriot Inka Grings in 2009 – with a game to spare.

Popp’s visible anguish as she left the pitch served as a stark contrast to the euphoric atmosphere of a sold-out Wembley Stadium as kick-off edged closer, with singers Becky Hill, Steflon Don and Ultra Naté taking to the center circle to host the pre-match show.

With the surrounding area of the ground teeming with fans and flags several hours before kick-off, it was a fitting build-up to the close of a tournament that had smashed records well before the trophy had been lifted.

The total of 487,683 fans that had attended the games preceding the final more than doubled the previous tournament attendance record set at Euro 2017 in the Netherlands.

And that was before the historic numbers boost at Wembley, which smashed the existing high for a men’s or women’s Euro final set at Madrid’s Estadio Santiago Bernabéu in 1964.

It was a record-breaking attendance for a European Championship final -- men's or women's -- at Wembley on Sunday. Rui Vieira/AP

Buoyed by home support, England started on the front foot. Fran Kirby carved out an early chance with a teasing cross for Ellen White at the back post, but the Manchester City forward could only direct her header into the arms of Merle Frohms.

It would mark the first of a string of opportunities for White in a cagey first half of few gilt-edge chances, with both defenses continuing the iron-fisted form that had seen them arrive at Wembley having conceded just once all tournament.

Aggravated by a quick succession of yellow cards for Georgia Stanway and White, frustration quickly turned to fear for England as a flicked on corner caused carnage on the goal line. Pinballing around inches from the line, the ball looked destined to settle in the net before it was gratefully smothered by England keeper Mary Earps.

Dealing with players’ complaints would set the tone for a busy day for referee Kateryna Monzul, who dished out six yellow cards and stopped play for 36 fouls throughout a combative, hard-fought contest.

England’s best chance of the half came five minutes before the break as a cut back from Beth Mead found White surging into the box, but the off-balance 33-year-old couldn’t keep her shot down.

Ecstasy

It was Germany’s turn to fly out of the blocks following the restart, with Tabea Wassmuth almost punishing Millie Bright for a miscommunication just two minutes into the second half. But having raced away down the left, Wassmuth could only fire her shot straight at Earps.

Wiegman rang the changes as Germany continued its fast start, Kirby and White making way for Toone and Alessia Russo. With four goals – all from the bench – Russo had been the tournament’s unofficial ‘golden’ sub before the final, but it was Toone who would steal the crown at Wembley.

After a perfectly weighted long ball from Keira Walsh split the German defense, the Manchester United attacker found herself in the clear, faced by the onrushing form of Frohms. Her response? The most exquisite of chips that lifted over the goalkeeper and in.

Kelly scoring England's Euro-winning goal in the final against Germany at Wembley Stadium on July 31. Julian FinneyThe FA/Getty Images

If the finish was deft, the response was anything but, as Wembley erupted in ecstatic scenes not witnessed under the arch since Luke Shaw’s strike had fired the men’s team into an early lead at the opposite end of the pitch just over a year ago.

Like so many England tournaments before, that story ended in tears, and another painful chapter looked on course to be penned when Magull fired home a deserved equalizer 10 minutes from time.

With Wiegman’s side dropping ever deeper to protect their advantage, the pressure finally broke when a well-worked move saw Wassmuth slide a low cross into the Bayern Munich midfielder at the near post, who smartly poked into the roof of the net to level.

Magull went close again in a nail-biting finish to regular time, with the euphoric atmosphere mere minutes ago replaced by one of nervous tension, broken momentarily by a rousing reception for the introduction of Scott.

Germany players celebrate Magull's equalizer. Leila Coker/AP

Homecoming

Tempers flared during a nervy extra-time of few chances and many crunching tackles, with Scott involved in an angry exchange with Sydney Lohmann after she had tripped the German.

As legs tired and penalties crept closer, England forced a corner with 10 minutes to play. Lucy Bronze knocked the ball down into the path of Kelly who, after one missed swipe, poked the ball over the line for her first international goal at the most timely of times.

Cue pure bedlam, momentarily frozen by Kelly pausing to check with referee Monzul that her goal had counted. Ripping off her shirt in celebration, the 24-year-old was issued with what will surely be the most warmly received yellow card of her career.

Dogged efforts to keep the ball in the corner ran down the clock as the Wembley crowd willed their players over the line, Monzul’s final whistle sparking the biggest roar yet.

Right on time, “Three Lions” blasted through the stadium speakers. After 56 years of hurt, football had – at last – come home.

2022 Uefa Champions League final: Liverpool vs. Real Madrid ...

Michael Owen, who played for both clubs in his career, does not think that the final will be such a close affair. Speaking to the Daily Mail, the former England striker is backing Liverpool to “blow away” the Spaniards and predicts a “3-1 or 3-0” victory for the Merseysiders. “I think they could beat them reasonably convincingly because they are an exceptional team at the minute and are too good for Madrid.”

Ex-Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher is also “confident” that his former team will beat Real. Speaking on Sky Bet’s The Overlap podcast, the pundit acknowledged that “of course, Real can win – it’s a one-off game”, but believes that the Reds will come through. On the same podcast Gary Neville said he doesn’t think Liverpool will lift the trophy. When discussing Real’s ability for comebacks, he picked out their midfield as the key area. “I look at Real Madrid’s midfield in Casemiro, [Toni] Kroos, [Luka] Modric – plus the two that come in late with [Federico] Valverde and [Eduardo] Camavinga – those five players drive them right from the first minute and right to the end,” Neville said. “I think Liverpool’s midfield is their weak point and in the last 15 minutes that midfield for Real Madrid – the five of them combined – will see them win the game on Saturday.”

Real Madrid have pulled off some “dizzying comebacks” in this season’s Champions League, said Tom Kershaw in The Independent. But Liverpool are a “stronger squad” and have “consistently shown the ability to rise to the occasion themselves”. He predicts a 3-1 win for Klopp’s side.

“On paper”, Liverpool are the “better” team, said Paul Kasabian on Bleacher Report. But after their “sensational and mystifying” Champions League run, Real Madrid appear to be “a team of destiny after living on the edge for the entire knockout round and somehow surviving”. In the end, “all signs point to a tremendous finish” to one of the most exciting knockout rounds in history. “The guess here is Liverpool wins a classic, 3-2.”

Liverpool go into the final as favourites and “rightfully so after a stellar season”, said Matt Verri in the London Evening Standard. Real captain Karim Benzema, the tournament’s top scorer this season with 15 goals, and his strike partner Vinicius Jr will “fancy their chances of getting success against Liverpool’s high-line”. However, the Reds are the “more complete team” and are well placed to secure a third trophy of the season. “Liverpool to win, 3-1.”

“Talk about a tough game to call,” said Ben Knapton on SportsMole. After their penalty shoot-out wins in the League Cup and FA Cup finals, Klopp’s side “may be taken all the way to spot kicks again”. “We believe that Liverpool’s recent experience from 12 yards will help them get their hands on Europe’s biggest prize for the seventh time and end the Real fairytale. Liverpool 2-2 Real Madrid (A.E.T - Liverpool to win on penalties).”

Some fans and pundits will argue that Real Madrid have been “lucky” in this season’s Champions League, said tipster Fredo on Oddschecker.com. But it takes “another type of mentality” to be down two goals in the 89th minute and still prevail against the champions of England. That is why the “champions mentality” will give Real their 14th title.

While “conventional wisdom” would have Liverpool as the “better” team – “whatever that’s worth in a massive game such as this” – betting against Real Madrid’s Champions League magic “feels foolish”, said Kyle Bonn on SportingNews.com. “In a game in which it’s impossible to separate the teams, it’s perhaps best not to try separating them at all.”

2022 World Cup final: Lionel Messi's last chance to emulate Diego ...

As with every Fifa World Cup, much of the tournament chatter centres around which nation will lift the trophy and which players will shine on the biggest stage of all. And at Qatar 2022 there’s been one player in particular that the pundits and fans have talked about more than any other: Argentina captain Lionel Messi.

When Messi announced in October that this would be his fifth and final World Cup, the football writers around the globe focussed on how the 35-year-old had never won the sport’s biggest prize and it was “now or never”. Even Messi admitted that Qatar represented the last chance he would have of fulfilling his ambition of winning the World Cup with Argentina. “My last opportunity to make my dream, our dream, a reality,” he said.

After inspiring his nation in Qatar, he now has his date with destiny when Argentina take on holders France in Sunday’s final at the Lusail Stadium – in what will be his last World Cup match for his country.

Messi has come close before, when Argentina lost the 2014 final to Germany. And now he’s just one victory away from achieving that “dream” and emulating another legendary Argentine No.10, Diego Maradona, who captained La Albiceleste to World Cup glory at Mexico 86.

Can he complete the clean sweep?

During his long and glittering career Messi has won almost everything – he can look in his trophy cabinet and find seven Ballon d’Ors and winners’ medals from four Champions Leagues, ten Spanish La Liga titles, three Fifa Club World Cups and the Copa América with Argentina last year. There is, however, one big space left to fill in the cabinet – and that’s for the elusive World Cup winners’ medal.

With five goals so far in Qatar, he could “complete the clean sweep”, said BBC Sport. That would be lifting the trophy and winning the golden boot for top goalscorer and the golden ball for the tournament’s best player. The fact he has never won a World Cup – unlike compatriot Maradona or Brazil’s Pele – has “sometimes counted against him in debates about the best of all time”, but he has “a chance to remedy that” in Sunday’s final.