WORLD CUP: PORTUGAL AND SPAIN EYE LAST 16 AS RUSSIA RIDE MOMENTUM

Monday June 25, 2018
By Aiden Graw
www.mknewslink.com
SPORTS NEWS:
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal and 2010 winners Spain can lock down spots in the World Cup last 16 on Monday, as hosts Russia ride a wave of national euphoria into their clash with Uruguay.
Spain crashed out in spectacular fashion in the group stage four years ago in Brazil but are on course to reach the knockout phase in Russia despite sacking their coach on the eve of the tournament.
They require a point against Morocco in Kaliningrad to secure qualification, and new coach Fernando Hierro promised they would not underestimate a North African side playing for pride.
“We can’t afford to relax… We need to be awake with our eyes open and be aware that Morocco aren’t going to give anything away,” warned Hierro, who replaced Julen Lopetegui a day before the tournament started.
Portugal meet former coach Carlos Queiroz and Iran in their final Group B game in Saransk. Ronaldo’s side will advance with a draw, but a win for Iran would see the European champions or Spain suffer a shock exit.
“Both teams have something to win and also to lose, neither has more to win than the other,” said Portugal boss Fernando Santos.
Ronaldo, who looks a favourite to win a sixth world player of the year award, will be desperate to top the goalscoring charts in Russia.
The Real Madrid superstar has slipped behind Harry Kane in the race for the Golden Boot after the England player grabbed a hat-trick against Panama to take his tally to five.
In Group A, Russia will bid for a third straight win after a stunning start to the tournament for a side initially written off as no-hopers.
Stanislav Cherchesov said he would stick with the same line-up that beat Egypt 3-1 as Russia lock horns with Uruguay in Samara, with first place in the group on the line.
“We don’t choose our opponent in the last 16. We’re not doing the calculations, we’ve never done them,” said Cherchesov.
“And in any case we don’t have the choice, they play after us. We know both teams, the football gods will decide.”
Extremely painful
Colombia coach Jose Pekerman dedicated his side’s crucial 3-0 win over Poland on Sunday to midfielder Carlos Sanchez after reports the midfielder received death threats for his red card against Japan.
Sanchez has had “a very hard time” dealing with the fallout from his early sending-off in the 2-1 defeat to Japan in Colombia’s opening game, Pekerman said.
He said he spoke for the whole squad when he dedicated Colombia’s win over Poland to the 32-year-old player.
This victory is dedicated to Carlos Sanchez, because he’s had a very hard time in the past days. I want, and we want, to share it with him,” he said.
Pekerman added: “We received certain information, but I can’t confirm anything. The player was deeply affected by this matter.
“It went beyond football. It’s a game that we play with a lot of hard work and dedication, but these things should not be taken lightly.”
It evoked memories of the chilling murder of Colombia player Andres Escobar, who was killed after his own goal led to defeat to the United States in the 1994 World Cup and Colombia’s elimination from the tournament.
Robert Lewandowski’s Poland were unceremoniously dumped out following defeat to Colombia, who can guarantee a place in the last 16 by beating Senegal in their concluding game in Group H.
The west Africans and Japan are both in control of their destiny following a 2-2 draw in Yekaterinburg that left both nations on four points.

Kane streaks ahead
England striker Kane surged ahead of Ronaldo and Romelu Lukaku in the race for the World Cup Golden Boot after hitting a hat-trick in a 6-1 demolition of Panama on Sunday.
The Tottenham star scored twice from the penalty spot before deflecting in a Ruben Loftus-Cheek drive with his heel to make it five goals from two games as England sealed safe passage to the last 16.

Gareth Southgate’s side lead Belgium at the top of Group G by virtue of having received one less yellow card going into their showdown in Kaliningrad on June 28.
Mohamed Salah is likely to start Egypt’s final match against Saudi Arabia on Monday in a fixture between two eliminated sides in Volgograd.
But Egypt’s 45-year-old goalkeeper Essam El Hadary may have to wait to come off the bench to set a record as the oldest player ever to appear at a World Cup.
He would smash the age record set by Faryd Mondragon in Brazil four years ago.
WORLD CUP RESULTS FOR SUNDAY
FULLTIME:
ENGLAND 6-1 PANAMA [Kane 22’ PEN, 46’ PEN, 62, Lingard 36’, Stones 8’, 40’, Baloy 78’]
JAPAN 2-2 SENEGAL [Inui 34’, Honda 78’, Mane 11’, Wague 71’]
POLAND 0-3 COLOMBIA [Mina 40’, Falcao 70’ Quadrado 75’]
WORLD CUP FIXTURE TODAY
GROUP A:
SAUDI ARABIA V EGYPT @5:00pm
URUGUAY V RUSSIA @5:00pm
GROUP B:
IRAN V PORTUGAL @9:00pm
SPAIN V MORROCO @9:00pm
TRANSFER NEWS:
Manchester United could battle it out with rivals City for France and PSG star Kylian Mbappe.
The French teenager will join PSG in a £166m deal this summer after an impressive loan spell from Monaco.
But with PSG under pressure to sell to meet FFP guidelines, United and City are keeping tabs on the situation.
Liverpool could also be about to spend big with reports in Spain suggesting they are in for Marco Asensio.
Jurgen Klopp is willing to break the bank for the Real Madrid star, who could cost Liverpool around £158m.
And across Merseyside, Everton are also eyeing midfield reinforcements with England’s Ruben Loftus-Cheek targeted along with Jack Wilshere.

Fellaini responds to speculation about his future
Marouane Fellaini expects his Manchester United future to become clearer in the coming weeks.
The midfielder is expected to leave Old Trafford this summer having failed to agree a new deal.
AC Milan and Juventus are among the clubs who have expressed an interest in the Belgium international.
And when asked about the speculation, Fellaini said simply: “You will know soon.”
Jokanovic makes demands
Slavisa Jokanovic will demand Fulham re-sign their ex-loan stars when he begins contract talks this week.
The Serbian boss will be offered an extension as a reward for leading Fulham to the Premier League.
And Fulham’s first task to be tie down Chelsea pair Lucas Piazon and Tomas Kalas to permanent deals.
Re-signing Southampton left-back Matt Targett and Newcastle striker Aleksandar Mitrovic are other priorities.
Fulham also retain an interest in a £15million deal for Aston Villa midfielder Jack Grealish and Bristol City’s £8million-rated defender Aden Flint.
Baggies want swap deal
Burnley will offer Nahki Wells to West Brom as makeweight in a bid to re-sign Jay Rodriguez.
The Baggies value striker Rodriguez at £18million – a fee Burnley are reluctant to pay.
But the Clarets hope throwing in Bermudian frontman Wells as part of the deal could tempt Albion to resume talks over a deal.

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