Mpira

World Cup viewers have been regularly informed of which players have had the most receptions between midfield and defence. Whatever that means. FIFA have apparently decided that this is the best way to show viewers watching around the world how each side is performing, even if the metric is an extremely vague one. What it does illustrate, however, is that this could be a World Cup where statistical success will go deeper than goals, assists and clean sheets. So it's interesting to see Manchester City players dominate one particular area of statistical analysis, which points to a wider impact that Pep Guardiola is having on world football: ball carries. Guardiola is famed for his 'tiki-taka' approach of quick, short, accurate passes to move around the pitch. It's a generalisation that he's admitted to not being particularly fond of, as it suited his Barcelona squad far more than his Bayern Munich and City teams. For instance, at City his style is more characterised b...

Catch all the biggest Arsenal headlines including updates on Christian Pulisic, Mykhaylo Mudryk and Mohammed Kudus Here is your Arsenal morning digest on Thursday, December 1. Mudryk gives green light Shakhtar forward Mykhaylo Mudryk has arguably been the name mentioned the most regarding Arsenal's potential transfer business as Mikel Arteta hopes to add depth to his midfield and attack in January. The Ukrainian international has openly discussed his future, including an admission about his enjoyment of how Arsenal are playing at the moment and that he tries to keep up to date with their results, and the man himself has dropped another hint by liking a social media post that hypothesises the Gunners depth on the wings if he were to join. In an Instagram post by AFTVmedia, a tweet was displayed in front of a backdrop showing Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Emile Smith Rowe and Mudryk that read: "Saka, Martinelli, Mudryk & Smith Rowe as winger options. All 22 or younger. Ye...

Cristiano Ronaldo has reportedly sensationally agreed a bumper £172.9million-a-year contract with Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, which would make him the highest earner in sport. The 37-year-old had his Manchester United contract terminated earlier this month, following a tumultuous relationship with club chiefs that only worsened when he made a number of controversial statements in a TV interview with Piers Morgan. And now Ronaldo is said to have agreed a two-and-a-half year deal with Al Nassr - worth an eye-watering £172.9million per year - that will see him play until the age of 40, according to Spanish newspaper outlet Marca. If he does complete the move, Ronaldo's eye-watering salary would make him the highest-earning person in sport, according to Forbes. In light of the Ronaldo news, Sportsmail looks at the top 10 highest-earners in all sport assuming the Portuguese superstar does move to Saudi Arabia. We have followed the official 'Forbes Highest-Paid Athletes 2022 List',...

Mexico defeated Saudi Arabia 2-1 but agonisingly went out of the World Cup on goal difference on a night of incredible drama in Doha. 2022 World Cup 1  -  2 Al Dawsari (96') Henry Martín (46') Luis Chávez (51') With Argentina beating Poland 2-0 in Group C at Stadium 974 and Mexico leading by the same scoreline at Lusail Stadium in the 94th minute, Gerardo Martino's side needed one more goal to prevent them from going out according to Fifa's fair play rule. But Salem Al Dawsari's injury-time consolation goal for Saudi Arabia sent the distraught Mexicans home anyway, leaving the Polish players to celebrate across the city. After a stop-start first half with little rhythm to it, the match burst into life two minutes after the break as Henry Martin reacted quickest to finish Cesar Montes' flick on. Mexico fans had barely calmed their celebrations before Luis Chavez curled a glorious 30-yard free-kick into the top corner to send their supporters into pandemonium....

Messi: I’m still angry for having missed the penalty “I’m still angry for having missed the penalty, but the team came out stronger after that. We knew that once the first goal went in, it would change the game and they would open up” “The previous win against Mexico gave us a lot of peace of mind and we went out onto the field today thinking we had to win" “The match against Australia is going to be very difficult. Anyone beats anyone, everything is very even. We have to prepare the game in the best way as we always do."

Game is over and the final score is Poland 0 - 2 Argentina. Here is the match report. 2022 World Cup 0  -  2 Messi (38' Penalty Missed) Mac Allister (46') Julián Álvarez (66') Match Report Argentina completed the turnaround from the shock opening World Cup loss to Saudi Arabia by qualifying for the last 16 in impressive style against Poland - who went through on goal difference having finished level on points with Mexico. Lionel Messi was the catalyst for the crucial win against Mexico that got Argentina's campaign back on track after their opening defeat to Saudi Arabia, and he was instrumental again as they illustrated why they were regarded as one of the tournament favourites. Argentina ran out comfortable winners with second-half goals from Brighton's Alexis Mac Allister and Manchester City striker Julian Alvarez but the game still held real drama and jeopardy in the closing stages as Poland knew another goal conceded, or another goal for Mexico against the Saud...

The line-ups of Tunisia vs France have been announced. Tunisia Subs: Youssef Msakni, Bilel Ifa, Issam Jebali, Taha Yassine Khenissi, Sliti, F. Sassi, Seifeddine Jaziri, Ali Abdi, M. Hassen, Mohamed Dräger, D. Bronn, G. Chalali, Bechir Ben Said, Hannibal Mejbri, A. Mathlouthi France   XI: Mandanda, Varane, Veretout, Coman, Axel Disasi, Konate, Guendouzi, Aurélien Tchouameni, Muani, Youssouf Fofana, Eduardo Camavinga Subs: Lloris, Giroud, Griezmann, Areola, Rabiot, Dembele, Thuram, Pavard, Theo, Mbappe, Upamecano, Kounde, William Saliba

Colombian midfielder Andres Balanta passed away on Tuesday at the Tucumán Health Center hospital, after collapsing during a training session of Atletico Tucuman, the Argentina first division club. The 22-year-old Balanta was reportedly treated urgently by doctors who tried to revive him, but his death was later confirmed. The club's medical staff tried to revive him but failed and he was declared dead on arrival at the Centro de Salud hospital. It was the second pre-season training of the club. The defensive midfielder had joined Atletico in July of 2021 from Deportivo Cali and had played for the Colombia national team in the 2019 Under-20 World Cup. After his death, the club notified his relatives. “We put everything at our disposal so that they come to this province as soon as possible,” the club's leaders reported in a conference. Clarin newspaper reported that in 2019, Balanta had had a similar problem for which he was hospitalised. He had then collapsed in training and had...

The line-ups of Australia vs Denmark have been announced. Australia  XI:  A. Behich, M.Leckie, Mooy, Ryan, Mitchell Duke, Degenek, J. Irvine, Craig Goodwin, Souttar, Kye Rowles, Riley McGree Subs: D. Vuković, Andrew Redmayne, B.Wright, Awer Mabil, J. MacLaren, Ajdin Hrustic, Jason Cummings, Thomas Deng, Fran Karacic, Keanu Baccus, Nathaniel Atkinson, Cammy Devlin, Joel King, Marco Tilio, Garang Kuol Denmark  XI:  Schmeichel, Eriksen, Braithwaite, Hojbjerg, Christensen, Andersen, Mathias Jensen, Rasmus Kristensen, Joakim Maehle, Olsen, Jesper Lindström Subs: Kjaer, Wass, Larsen, Christian Nörgaard, Poulsen, Ronnow, A. Cornelius, Robert Skov, K. Dolberg, Victor Nelsson, Alexander Bah, Oliver Christensen, Mikkel Damsgaard, Jonas Wind

According to Marca, Cristiano Ronaldo is about to sign an agreement with Al-Nassr for two and a half seasons. He will earn €200M per season (salary and advertising agreements included). Cristiano Ronaldo continues to take steps further. The Portuguese player is close to closing an agreement with Al Nassr from Saudi Arabia, as MARCA disclosed a week ago. The deal is close to being signed and will be for two and a half seasons. The salary stands at 200 million euros per season, including salary and advertising agreements. The striker finds himself without a team after the conflict with the managers and coach of Manchester United and that was resolved with the end of the second stage of the Portuguese in the English club. The confrontation with Ten Hag led to a duel that the Portuguese ended up losing. Arab football is growing, as evidenced by the trickle of level players even in the last few years. The leaders seek to relaunch the competition and know that if Cristiano Ronaldo arrives it...

Smiling and laughing together in happier times, this is Marcus Rashford with his 35-year-old late friend who the England hero dedicated his World Cup goals to last night, MailOnline can reveal today. Fellow Mancunian Garfield Hayward died two days before the game with Wales in Qatar, after a long battle with cancer. After scoring his first goal, Rashford dropped to his knees and pointed to the sky in what was a poignant celebration for the man-of-the-match's 'big supporter', who his friends call 'Garf'. During his post-match interview, England's matchwinner said: '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's always been a big supporter of mine. He was just a great person and I'm pleased he came into my life, really.' Tributes have emerged on social media including a post from 'Garf' where he shares a joke with Rashford and mix...