Humbled England to vie for consolation prize
England coach Gareth Southgate says he wants to make only a few changes for his team’s third-place match against Belgium today in St. Petersburg.
Southgate says “it won’t be exactly the same starting 11 but we want ideally to make as few changes as possible. One or two injuries, one or two with a little illness.”
He hasn’t said who might skip the game and hasn’t guaranteed Jordan Pickford will remain in goal. Kieran Trippier joined his teammates for training on Friday in St. Petersburg despite being forced off during extra time in Wednesday’s semifinal loss with what Southgate called “a sort of nerve problem tied into cramp.”
Southgate says despite losing to Croatia, England remains motivated by the thought of achieving the nation’s best World Cup finish since its victory in 1966. He says “we have a chance to win a medal at a World Cup which only one English team has ever done so there’s a lot of motivation for us.”
MBAPPE THRILLS SOCCER WORLD » Kylian Mbappe has electrified the World Cup with his speed and youthful exuberance. Luka Modric has coolly controlled matches in Russia with his graceful play in the middle.
Whether France wins its second title in 20 years or Croatia raises the trophy for the first time Sunday at the Luzhniki Stadium in front of Russian President Vladimir Putin and nearly a billion television viewers could turn on the play of the two stars.
The 19-year-old Mbappe has been the biggest sensation at the tournament in Russia, scoring three goals including two against Argentina in the round of 16 and creating havoc for opposing defenses with his pace and his agility.
“It’s going to be the biggest match of my life, for sure,” the Paris Saint-Germain forward said Friday.
Although Mbappe has impressed for France at the month-long tournament, Modric has been the rock and the spark for Croatia. When the Real Madrid midfielder has the ball at feet, good things seem to happen for Croatia.
“Even when you think they’re going to lose, or going to crack, they always have the mentality to come back,” Mbappe said of the Croatian team. “It’s a team that plays with a lot of intensity.”
France last won the World Cup title in 1998, at home. The French defeated Croatia in the semifinals that year, which until now had been the country’s best showing at the tournament.
• Paris is pouring police into the streets this weekend
for what the French people hope will be backto-back celebrations Bastille Day and, they’re crossing their fingers, a World Cup title. Paris police chief Michel Delpuech says 12,000 officers and 3,000 rescue workers will be mobilized in Paris and its suburbs for France’s national day today, marked by a military parade down the Champs-Elysees Avenue, and on Sunday when France plays Croatia in the World Cup final at a stadium in the Russian capital.
Should France win, revelers will pack the Champs-Elysees to celebrate. Tens of thousands can watch the match from screens in a fan zone near
the Eiffel Tower. The fun will be mixed with high tension for security authorities: Delpuech says a “real terrorist threat” exists.
SWISS STAR TO LIVERPOOL » Swiss World Cup forward Xherdan Shaqiri has left relegated Stoke City for Champions League runner-up Liverpool.
Liverpool said the 26-year-old player had signed “a long-term contract”, but did not disclose the transfer fee. Media reports put it at 13 million pounds ($17.2 million).
“I’m very happy to be here. It’s a huge club with big history, big players and a fantastic coach (Jurgen Klopp),” said Shaqiri. “As a player you always want
to be on the biggest stage in football.
“A few years ago I wanted to come too, but it didn’t happen. I’m really happy I’m finally here. I want to improve myself too, I want to be with the best and I want to win titles. That’s what I’m here for.”
TENNIS, ANYONE? » Roger Federer almost sounded offended when asked whether he would be concerned about Centre Court spectators paying too much attention to the World Cup final during the Wimbledon men’s singles final.
“I’m more concerned the World Cup final will have issues because the Wimbledon final is going on,” he quipped. “They’ll hear every point, `Wow, love-15, 15-30.’ The players are going to look up in the crowd and not understand what’s going on at Wimbledon.”
“That’s how important Wimbledon is to me,” the eight-time champion said, before he was eliminated in the quarterfinals this week, “and to us over here.”
What’s a viewer to choose this Sunday?
The Wimbledon final between the man who beat Federer, Kevin Anderson, and Rafael Nadal or Novak Djokovic could be only about halfway done in London when the World Cup final between France and Croatia kicks off Sunday in Moscow. THAILAND GETS HONOR » The boys soccer team in Thailand rescued from a flooded cave this week has been invited to FIFA’s annual awards event. FIFA President Gianni Infantino says they will be invited to come to London, where the world’s best player prize will be presented on Sept. 24. The 12 boys and their coach were asked to attend the World Cup final in Moscow on Sunday. They were unable to accept for medical reasons, after being rescued between Sunday and Tuesday to end a two-week ordeal. Infantino says FIFA will look at involving the team in another soccer event, possibly in Thailand.