FIFA WORLD CUP RUSSIA

England’s penalty and first shootout win on 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia

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England’s penalty and first shootout win on 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia ‘England cannot win a FIFA World Cup shootout’ was one of the longest-standing myths that followed the English representation. Yesterday Gareth Southgate’s players have debunked that myth exhausted and bruised, yet elated. They celebrated the win on an emotional level with the fans on the Spartak Stadium pitch. From the penalty spot their place in the quarter-finals has been booked, and that’s something that had haunted so many Englishmen before them. 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Southgate gave precise instructions to his players to take care of business and stay focused within those 90 minutes, so the penalty spots weren’t the plan at all. After Yerry Mina’s late equalizer the doubt crept in and many supporters to social Media started posting ‘we all know how this ends’. Yet, the New England showed the contrary and started changing the course of history. To the question: Was it beneficial to have sacrificed the lead and broken the legendary penalty curse? – Southgate said: “I think for the belief of this group of players, and groups of players to come, it was a really important moment, not just winning the shootout, but having to suffer at the end of the game in a stadium where our fans were outnumbered five to one. The fans were brilliant, but just because of the numbers it felt like an away fixture. We’ve spoken to the players about writing their own stories. Tonight was a classic. They don’t have to conform to what’s gone before, so it was a great night for everyone involved in the team.” Pure drama brought the shootout itself. Enjoying another strong performance, Kieran Trippier kept his composure to convert where Henderson had, moments earlier, been denied. After a tip-toed run-up, Eric Dier’s kick powered past David Ospina’s will to seal the win. Jordan Pickford’s acrobatic save to stop Mateus Uribe’s attempt was lauded by Southgate and he will be a name for England fans to recall on for generations to come. The coach said: “It was a top-class save. His athleticism around the goal is excellent. He executed the plan in the penalty shootout. We’d studied all their takers, and a great credit to all the staff and to him for taking on board that information and preparing in the right way.” However, Southgate’s own spot-kick demons live long in the memory. Against Germany, at UEFA EURO 1996 he missed a penalty and the nightmare resurfaced after England has been qualified from Group G this time around. History can never be rewritten, but England can change a habit. Southgate admits: “Well, it will never be off my back, sadly. That’s something that will live with me forever. But today is a special moment for this team. It’ll hopefully give belief to the generations of players that will follow. “ England’s penalty and first shootout win on 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia

Nestor Pitana is the referee of the Opening Match of 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia

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Nestor Pitana is the referee of the Opening Match of 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia The referee who will have the honor to judge on the Opening Match of the 2018 FIFA World Cup between Russia and Saudi Arabia on June 12th at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow is Nestor Pitana from Argentina. His compatriots Hernan Maidana and Juan Pablo Bellati will be assisting him together with Sandro Ricci from Brazil who has been designated as the fourth official. The referees of the Video Assistant Referee teams are Massimiliano Irrati from Italy (VAR), Mauro Vigliano from Argentina (AVAR1), Carlos Astroza from Chile (AVAR2) and Daniele Orsato from Italy (AVAR3). Nestor Pitana is one of the most experienced referees of South America. He is set to become the second referee coming from Argentina to participate in two World Cups after Norberto Coerezza. His debut was in back in 2007 in the Argentinean League and in 2010, Pitana officiated his first international match. At the previous World Cup in 2014, Brazil he oversaw four fixtures including France-Germany in the quarterfinals. He was the man in the middle for the semi-final between Germany and Nigeria in Brazil 2016 for the Olympic Football Tournament. Pitana was involved in another semi-final but this one a year later, in 2017. It was the semi-final in the FIFA Confederations Cup between Germany and Mexico. FIFA World Cup Russia

FIFA WORLD CUP RUSSIA 2018 Group G: Most Important Players

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FIFA WORLD CUP RUSSIA 2018 Group G: Most Important Players   The sharp English side facing the squad of young Belgium talents will be very interesting to follow in Group G. The English Premier League has a majority of Belgian players so this match will be fun for sure. The new entrants like Panama and Tunisia will give their best to this group showing off their skills too.   #1 England – Raheem Sterling England has a talented and young team of players, but they kind of still struggle to set up the pace in qualifying rounds and to impress everyone. Under Per Guardiola’s assistance, Sterling reinvented his game, has added goals to his game and possesses spectacular balance. Although the captain of the Three Lions will be Harry Kane will be taking them to the point of scoring results, Sterling will be the spark in the squad. On this Cup expect England to rely on Sterling’s electric runs which may change their fortune. #2 Belgium – Kevin De Bryune The energy and creativity that De Bryune possesses will be pretty much vital for the Belgium team in the World Cup. De Bryune has been awarded with the inaugural Premier League Playmaker of the Year. He had outstanding season at Manchester city. Showing his passing prowess and his shooting skills, Belgium has great chances in this group. Belgium seems ready to welcome another golden boy as Eden Hazard.   #3 Panama – Edgar Joel Barcenas Panama has earned the whole country a holiday in the process, by qualifying for the first time on the World Cup. Edgar Joel Barcenas was one of the young players of Panama which made the impossible for his team in the qualifications. Expect Panama to hold their own in Russia, by relying on the game of the Barcenas’s creative skills and the midfielder Alberto Quintero.   #4 Tunisia – Wahbi Khazri Khazri’s ability and skills of shooting and creative play will be vital for Tunisia. Khazri has to find himself amongst the goals even more now since Tunisia’s star player Ypusef Msakni has been injured. If Khazri wants to take Tunisia out of a group containing teams like England, Belgium and Panama have to remain focused and centered. FIFA WORLD CUP RUSSIA 2018 Group G: Most Important Players