England fans in party mood after cruising to victory against Wales in World Cup
England fans have been celebrating late into the night after Gareth Southgate's men secured their place in the World Cup last-16 on Tuesday with a 3-0 victory over Wales. The Three Lions were set on their way to a comfortable win after a double from Marcus Rashford, with the campaign for Phil Foden's inclusion proving to work in their favour as the Manchester City starlet also scored.
It means England will now face Senegal in the knockout stage for a place in the quarter-finals after the African nation finished as runners-up in Group B with a 2-1 win over Ecuador. Southgate has already warned his players about the challenge they will be facing against Aliou Cisse's side, but it is a tie that England fans will be expecting a win from.
Fans carrying rainbow flags or wearing clothing depicting those colours, however, may face being banned from stadiums as Qatar officials continue to defy FIFA's request over allowing flags into venues.
Fans have been told to take off clothing and had flags taken away, despite the world football governing body's recent announcement that such flags would not be banned.
HERE IS HOW WEDNESDAY'S ACTION UNFOLDED
Argentina and Poland are through to the World Cup knockout rounds (Image: GETTY IMAGES)
That's all from Express Sport's live coverage of Wednesday's World Cup drama.
Stay tuned across the football page for all the fall-out from the day's action and come back tomorrow for coverage of tomorrow's final games in Groups E and F.
Salem Al-Dawsari has just raced through and scored a goal that means nothing to Saudi Arabia - but does so much in the battle between Mexico and Poland!
Poland would now go through on goal difference and would avoid the farce that involves counting yellow cards.
Express Sport’s Jack Otway says from Argentina vs Poland: “Half an hour in and despite the poor nature of the match, the Argentina fans remain in fine voice.
“If they're able to score, this place will explode. If not, then cries for them to find the net will only grow in volume…”
Messi has just headed over the bar while under a fair bit of pressure. Argentina are on top as we tick towards half-time.
Robert Lewandowski hoping to crash Lionel Messi party
Express Sport's Jack Otway is in place in Qatar to watch Lionel Messi's Argentina.
Jack says: "Atmosphere here is, predictably, lively. It was clear on the way in how much Argentina fans worship Lionel Messi, with supporters chanting his name and singing songs.
"How Robert Lewandowski would love to crash the party, especially given the Ballon d'Or farce of 2021..."
A weakened France team relied on VAR to rule out an early Tunisia opener. Australia vs Denmark is also goalless so far as both games tick over the half-hour mark.
Didier Deschamps has made nine changes as he looks to keep his squad fresh with some much-needed rotation.
The France boss has already lost seven regular national team players to injury and cannot afford to lose any more, with Randal Kolo Muani handed a shock start despite only winning two caps prior to the World Cup.
Didier Deschamps: The France boss has made nine changes to his side (Image: Getty Images)
Saudi Arabia coach Herve Renard has urged his players to "make history" by reaching the last-16 knockout round with a victory over Mexico.
The Asian nation pulled off a shock with their 2-1 success over Argentina in the group opener before losing to Poland 2-0.
But their fate remains in their own hands if they manage to beat Mexico, who are yet to win in the competition and Renard has challenged them to prove they are a golden generation of players.
"For our players, it's a very good generation. But if they want the fans to remember them, they have to make history.
"Otherwise everyone will forget them in 20 or 30 years, because the last time Saudi Arabia reached the second round, it was back in 1994, 28 years ago."
Now that the World Cup schedule has changed for the final set of group fixtures, the popular 10am and 1pm kick-offs are no more.
Instead, we have two games running simultaneously this afternoon, followed by another two to come in the evening. Here's what we have in store, with official team news to come shortly.
Lionel Messi should retire if Argentina win the World Cup, according to former defender Pablo Zabaleta.
The 35-year-old is likely to be playing in his final tournament with the Albiceleste in Qatar and it was his moment of magic that helped inspire the team to a 2-0 win over Mexico.
And Zabaleta believes Messi should simply hang up his boots if he wins the elusive prize.
"If he does win this World Cup then he should just retire straight away because he will have achieved everything possible," he told BBC Sport.
Gareth Bale has assured Wales fans he has not played his final game for his country after their World Cup exit at the hands of England.
The 33-year-old was a peripheral figure aside from a penalty scored in the opening game which led some to suggsest he could retire from international duty.
But the LAFC forward said: “I’ll keep going as long as I can and as long as I’m wanted. It’s a difficult moment now but we go again in March.”
The England squad have been taking it easy after sealing their passage to the World Cup knockout rounds as they relaxed by the pool.
With a game against Senegal to come on Sunday, Gareth Southgate's squad decided to take advantage of a rest day by soaking up the Qatar sun and chill by the pool.
Declan Rice and Callum Wilson: The England stars relax by the pool (Image: Instagram@declanrice)
It is not only Rashford who is dealing with heartbreak. Luke Shaw has revealed he is playing at the World Cup with a heavy heart after losing his grandma on the eve of the tournament.
The England full-back started all three group games after turning down an offer of compassionate leave from manager Gareth Southgate.
“My nan sadly passed away,” said Shaw. “She had cancer for a long while and suffered a lot and unfortunately she passed away just before the first game.
“Gareth was really good with me, spoke to me and asked if everything was OK and did I need to have time away. So this World Cup means so much to me. I didn’t want to miss anything. I’ve had time to grieve.
“You could say it is part of my motivation - she was a really important part of my childhood, I spent a lot of time with her.”
The Netherlands will be all smiles after reaching the last-16 knockout round and ahead of training, Louis van Gaal decided to reward his squad with visits from their family.
The head coach was visited by his wife Truus as the 71-year-old leaned in for a kiss, while players such as Steven Berghuis were also given time to see their loved ones.
Former Manchester United man Daley Blind could be seen playing around with his child and father Danny, who is a coach as part of Van Gaal's backroom team, to make it three generations of football heritage in one photo.
Louis van Gaal: The Netherlands coach invited families of the players to see them at training (Image: Getty Images)
Daley Blind: The Ajax star plays with his son and father (Image: Getty Images)
Marcus Rashford dedicated one of his goals against Wales to a close friend who died just days before the match in Qatar.
The Manchester United forward was spotted pointing to the sky after scoring a sensational free-kick and the Daily Mail report that he was paying tribute to his friend, Garfield Hayward, who died after a long battle with cancer.
"Unfortunately I lost one of my friends a couple of days ago. He's had quite a long battle with cancer, so I'm pleased I managed to score for him," he said.
"He's always been a big supporter of mine. He was just a great person and I'm pleased he came into my life, really."
Marcus Rashford: The England star dedicated the goal to his friend (Image: Anadolu Images)
Argentina defender Lisandro Martinez has told his team-mates to be wary of the threat provided by Robert Lewandowski as the Pole aims to dumpt the South American nation out of the tournament.
The winner of the crunch encounter today will qualify for the last-16 round and United's Martinez says they must keep their focus after Lewandowski netted against Saudi Arabia.
"Tomorrow we have to be on our feet," the former Ajax stalwart said.
"We know that Lewandowski moves very well and is in goal situations all of the time. We have to be focused throughout the game until the end."
Wales boss Rob Page insists that the team followed the official guidance over Neco Williams' head injury against England.d
Page and his medical team have been blasted by brain charity Headway for failing to protect the player, but the Wales coach refused to take the blame for the way the incident was handled.
“Neco took a blow to the head, so there are protocols in place understandably with concussion. He passed the initial test," he said.
“We followed the Fifa guidelines. The Fifa doctor OK’d him to stay on the pitch, but he was advised if there was any symptoms then to flag it up straight away, and that’s what he did.
“There was no second thoughts at all, he was off straightaway. We’ve covered all the protocols and the FIFA guidelines.”
England winger Phil Foden has insisted he does not mind playing wherever Gareth Southgate wants him to - just as long as he is playing.
The 22-year-old fired home the second goal in the 3-0 win over Wales after an impressive all-round display.
When asked for his best position on the pitch, Foden insisted he was not fussed and promised to work hard for the England boss wherever he decided to place him.
“I don’t know. Probably somewhere in the No.10 role. But I don’t mind, to be honest. Wherever I play, I try to influence the game. I can play in many different positions.
“Wherever the manager puts me, I always try and do my best for the team. That’s all I try and do.”
Phil Foden: The England star is happy to play wherever (Image: Getty Images)
Cristiano Ronaldo is set to put pen to paper on the most lucrative contract in football history as the Portuguese superstar moves a step closer to his move to Saudi Arabia, according to reports.
The former Manchester United star is a free agent after agreeing to a mutual termination with the club and is now set to sign a deal with Al Nassr that will see him earn an eye-watering £344million across two-and-a-half years.
He is currently a free agent after falling out with Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford, leading to his contract to be mutually terminated, and now he looks set to remain in the Middle East for the next stage of his career once the World Cup is finished.
England fans voiced their frustration at Wales being the focus on the BBC's pre-match build-up on Tuesday night.
The Three Lions ran out 3-0 winners in Qatar to dump their neighbours out of the World Cup, but the preamble for the match appeared to favour Wales over England.
Even Alan Shearer, working as a pundit, made reference to the heavy bias slanted in Wales' favour as fans posted their disappointment on social media.
A football fan was booted out of the Al-Thumama Stadium for wearing a rainbow armband in the build-up to USA's game against Iran as Qatar continue to ignore FIFA's directive on rainbow-themed accessories.
He was seen in the stands with security quickly surrounding him, who escorted him out of the stadium. One member of security was seen holding the supporter's arm down and behind his back as the American appeared to be in some discomfort.
It comes just days after FIFA declared that fans would be allowed to wear clothing depicting rainbow colours and flags of the same nature. However, it appears Qatar security staff disagree, with reports of other fans having to strip down and remove articles of clothing.
England fans partied late into the night and early hours of Wednesday morning after their 3-0 win over Wales to reach the World Cup knockout stage.
The Daily Mail reported that commuter trains were more empty than usual as fans stayed out late to celebrate the emphatic victory over neighbours Wales, with supporters drinking beer in droves.
Some will be nursing hangovers after Southgate's men made it through to the knockout stages and now all eyes will be on Sunday when they face Senegal.
England fans: The Three Lions supporters celebrated drinking late into the night (Image: Getty Images)
Welcome to Express Sport's LIVE coverage from the World Cup in Qatar.
We will have plenty of reaction from England's win over Wales on Tuesday night as well as the USA joining them in the knockout stages by overcoming Iran.
Stay with us as we also build up to the final Group C fixtures later on today.
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