PRIDE AND PASSION
England boss Southgate promises to match Welsh fire as World Cup history awaits
BRITAIN will come to a standstill tonight as millions of fans tune in to England’s historic World Cup clash with Wales.
The fierce rivals meet for the first-ever home nations game at the tournament.
More than 8,000 England fans will be at the match in Qatar and four million more will pack the pubs to cheer on their heroes.
England boss Gareth Southgate said: “We’ve got to match all of the spirit and energy our opponents will have.”
GARETH Southgate said England will match Wales’ fiery spirit and intensity in the first Battle of Britain at a World Cup tonight.
And Jack Grealish insisted the Three Lions have the best frontline as they aim to reach the last 16 in the clash at 7pm.
The match is to give a £270million boost to the economy as four million fans watch the game in pubs.
Southgate and vice-captain Jordan Henderson heard Wales’ Kiefer Moore “would love” to knock England out.
The England boss said: “We have got to match all of the spirit and energy our opponents will have.”
Henderson, 32, added: “We will do our talking on the pitch.”
All four teams in Group B can still make the next round.
England are in the strongest position with four points and will advance if they avoid a four-goal defeat by
Wales. A win would ensure No1 spot but they can still draw and finish top unless Iran beat the USA, or the Americans win by at least four goals.
Grealish, 27, who scored in the 6-2 win over Iran, played down criticism of the team selection following the goalless draw with the USA on Friday.
He said: “I am not going to say we have the best attack in the tournament but we are up there.”
The forward line includes stars Bukayo Saka, 21, Raheem Sterling, 27, and skipper Harry Kane.
Kane, 29, told his side to “ignore the noise” while skipper Gareth Bale said Wales will give their all to win.
Meanwhile, Gary Lineker denied claims by Qatar’s Hassan Al-Thawadi that he refused to “engage” with the hosts to discuss human rights issues before the World Cup. He criticised the BBC star for failing to provide a “balanced view” of the country.
Stuart Andrew, the UK’s first openly gay Sports Minister, will wear the OneLove armband at the game, saying: “I’m not going to shy away from who I am.”
Around 8,000 England fans are due at the match and Wales will have 6,000 in the 45,032-capacity Ahmad bin Ali stadium, 20km west of Doha.
Free Lions, the Football Supporters’ Association, believe beer prices will fall in Doha after some bars overestimated “what they can get away with”.
The World Cup Spending Report by VoucherCodes.co.uk found fans will have spent £50m on TVs and electricals, £27m on sportswear and £7.6m on items including souvenirs.
SHAMELESS shirker Matt Hancock would do us all a favour if he stayed in Australia permanently.
Here in Britain the growing clamour for him to quit Westminster or be thrown out of Parliament is reaching a crescendo.
This calculating charlatan will cash in on his jungle jaunt to the tune of £400,000.
Abandoned constituents, disgusted Tory MPs and families who lost loved ones to Covid while he was Health Secretary feel his behaviour is contemptible.
The only person laughing left is Hancock... all the way to the bank.