England have put in “a lot of work” to try and ensure that they won’t suffer any more penalty shoot-out heartbreak at the World Cup this year, says John Stones.

The Three Lions lost last summer’s Euro 2020 final to Italy in a shoot-out and other major tournament exits are still fresh in the memory. Stones also praised team-mates Phil Foden and Harry Maguire for their efforts so far.

The Three Lions have suffered agonising shoot-out exits several times in the past and lost the final of Euro 2020 to Italy last summer on penalties.

But ahead of Sunday’s last 16 clash with Senegal, Gareth Southgate and his staff have ensured the squad is ready for the match to go the distance.

Read Also: Ben White leaves England’s squad for personal reasons

“This started four years ago now when we won our first shootout in I don’t know how many years (against Colombia in the last 16 of the 2018 World Cup),” Stones told a news conference.

“That was a big thing for us in that World Cup but then in the Euros, it didn’t work out for us.

“We’ve done a lot of work on penalties, on the small aspects, and looked at what we’ve done in the past. The individual needs as well; not everyone is used to taking penalties.

“It’s a high-pressured environment and we’re trying to get used to being uncomfortable and making it easier for lads like myself who aren’t used to taking penalties so we can be ready, be clinical if we do have to step up.”

The Red Devils, who beat Fulham 2-1 on Sunday, are fifth in the Premier League in Ten Hag’s first season as manager.

Georgian De Arrascaeta scored twice for Uruguay to beat Ghana 2-0, but it wasn’t enough to send them to the last 16.

The midfielder opened the scoring after 26 minutes with a close-range header as he followed up Luis Suarez’s saved effort.

Suarez, who was inevitably involved in a replay of the controversial 2010 South Africa World Cup tie, set up De Arrascaeta excellently for his second as he clipped a ball over the top of the Ghana defence for De Arrascaeta to latch onto and fire home.

Read Also: Qatar 2022: Martinez resigns as coach after Belgium’s elimination

As the match entered the final ten minutes Uruguay thought they had done enough to reach the knockouts, only for South Korea to score a late winner against group winners Portugal to clinch the second spot.

In Group H’s other game, South Korea’s 2-1 victory over group winners Portugal was enough to take them through in second place.

Uruguay and South Korea both ended with a zero-goal difference, but the side from Asia netted a total of four goals in their three games, with the South American team scoring just the two they managed against Ghana.

Uruguay beat Ghana but went out of the World Cup on goals scored as they finished third behind South Korea in Group H, despite Luiz Suarez’s heroics.

The Uruguay striker played a major role in both of Uruguay’s goals and the 35-year-old was in tears after the final whistle, following what may have been his last international.

Both goals were scored by Giorgio de Arrascaeta, the first a close-range header, the second a sublime volley.

In Group H’s other game, South Korea’s 2-1 victory over group winners Portugal was enough to take them through in second place.

Uruguay and South Korea both ended with a zero goal difference, but the side from Asia netted a total of four goals in their three games, with the South American team scoring just the two they managed against Ghana.

Suarez, whose handball in their previous meeting 12 years ago played a crucial role in sending his side through on that occasion, saw his shot fall into De Arrascaeta’s path for the opener, before the veteran former Liverpool striker followed it up with a glorious assist for the second.

There had been early penalty drama when Ghana striker Andre Ayew saw his spot-kick saved by Sergio Rochet at 0-0. The penalty was awarded by the referee after reviewing the goalkeeper’s foul on Mohammed Kudus on the pitchside monitor.

Agony for Uruguay

One word was circulating in the build-up to this game – “revenge”.

Ghana came into the grudge match with hopes of avenging the defeat from 2010, when Suarez handled the ball on the line and was sent off, before wildly celebrating Asamoah Gyan’s miss from the resulting penalty.

Ghana lost the shootout that followed, and there was plenty of drama this time round too.

Read Also: South Korea qualify after dramatic 2-1 win against Portugal

At 2-0 up, Uruguay thought they were progressing to the last 16, but news filtered through of South Korea’s comeback against Portugal.

Suarez, who was subbed off on 65 minutes for Edinson Cavani, sat on the bench in disbelief as he was made aware of the final result in the other game.

At full-time, the emotional striker was consoled on the pitch by captain Diogo Godin – both veterans might have been seen in a Uruguay shirt for the last time.

Ghana should have taken the lead, but like Gyan in 2010, Andre Ayew failed to convert and it proved extremely costly.

Otto Addo’s men needed some inspiration in the second period but were unable to find a way through an obdurate Uruguayan defence as Kudus saw a low drive tipped wide by Rochet late on.

Uruguay had scored twice before the break and with time running out they pushed for the winner, but Federico Valverde’s effort was palmed away by Lawrence Ati-Zigi, who also made a stunning stop to keep out Cavani’s header.

 

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Hwang Hee-chan gave South Korea a sensational injury-time victory over Portugal that meant they beat Uruguay to a last-16 place on goals scored.

Hwang ran onto Son Heung-min’s pass in the 91st minute to round off a rapid break and start wild celebrations from his side’s fans in the stands.

Read Also: Qatar 2022: Portugal beat Uruguay 2-0 to reach W’Cup last 16

South Korea had needed to win to stand any chance of joining Portugal in the knockout stage, but even following the final whistle, their progress was not secured.

On the pitch and in the stands, players and supporters watched the final moments of Uruguay’s game with Ghana, knowing another goal for the South American side would send them out.

When that 2-0 win was confirmed, a huge roar went around Education City Stadium, and South Korea were able to start the party for real.

 

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Roberto Martinez has left Belgium after the second-rated FIFA team played a scoreless draw with Croatia, condemning them to group elimination at the Qatar 2022 World Cup.

Speaking after the game, he said: ”That was my last game with the national team, I can’t carry on. It’s time for me to accept that this is the last game.”

The side won one game, lost one and draw one, amassing four points that may them fall behind Morocco and Croatia who went through to the Round of 16.

Read Also: Belgium out of World Cup after 0-0 draw with Croatia

However, while they may not be together on the pitch for much longer, Martinez insisted the Golden generation was still having an impact away from the field.

He said: “The golden generation is doing something that is bringing the next generation on. It’s not only what they’re doing on the pitch. The legacy can be left in many ways. Today we are out of a good tournament and now the standards need to carry on rising.”

The Spanish trainer, who took up the challenge in 2016, has helped the Belgian side win 64 games in all competitions.

Belgium were knocked out of the World Cup at the group stage as Croatia progressed at their expense with a goalless draw in Qatar.

Roberto Martinez’s side, who finished third in Russia four years ago and are ranked second in the world, have had a disappointing tournament with just one win in three matches.

They put in another lacklustre display against Croatia despite knowing a win was necessary to progress to the last 16.

Substitute Romelu Lukaku had numerous chances in the second half but failed to convert any.

Read Also: Morocco’s win over Belgium thrills Okocha

Lukaku, still returning to full fitness following injury, poked an effort wide and then reacted too late when the ball hit him in front of goal in stoppage time.

Croatia, finalists in 2018, got the point they needed to progress from Group F as runners-up, with Morocco taking top spot following a 2-1 win against Canada.

Zlatko Dalic’s side will face the winners of Group E – which is currently Spain – in the last 16.

Brazilian football legend Pele has been hospitalized again for a “re-evaluation” of his treatment following a colon tumour last year, his doctors said Wednesday, the latest health issue for the 82-year-old icon.

Edson Arantes do Nascimento – Pele’s real name – was admitted to hospital in Sao Paulo “for a re-evaluation of his chemotherapy treatment for the colon tumour diagnosed in September 2021,” his medical team said in a statement.

“He was taken to a standard room, without the need for intensive or semi-intensive care… (He) is in full control of his vital functions and in stable condition,” it added.

Pele’s daughter Kely Nascimento told his fans there was “no emergency.”

“There is (no) emergency or new dire prediction… We appreciate the concern and love,” she wrote on Instagram.

Another daughter, Flavia Nascimento, denied rumours the footballer known as “The King” had taken a turn for the worse.

Read Also: Bukayo Saka: Fairytale of England’s star boy

“There’s been a certain amount of confusion because my father went to the hospital for some exams,” she said in a video, describing the stay as part of routine treatment “to monitor his cancer.”

“Please keep sending him that World Cup energy, which he loves and is exactly what he needs.”

Considered by many the greatest footballer of all time, Pele has suffered from increasingly fragile health in recent years.

He has been undergoing regular chemotherapy treatments since being diagnosed with colon cancer last year.

He had surgery to remove the tumour in September 2021, spending a month in the hospital.

The only player in history to win three World Cups (1958, 1962 and 1970); Pele had one of the most storied careers in sport, scoring more than 1,000 goals before retiring in 1977.

His public appearances have grown increasingly rare, but he maintains an active presence on social media – recently telling the Brazilian national team he was counting on them to “bring this trophy home” from the World Cup in Qatar.

Current Brazilian international Alex Telles told a news conference in Doha the team are rooting for Pele to make a speedy recovery.

“It’s hard to talk about our ‘King,’ he represents us to the entire world. I’m praying for him to stay strong here with us. Hugs to his family, everything will be all right,” said the Sevilla defender.

FIFA are considering introducing penalty shootouts to the group stages of future World Cups, with successful teams potentially earning bonus points at the end of tied games.

That’s according to The Athletic, who claimed the decision to implement this could come into effect as soon as 2026, when matches are set to be played in America, Canada and Mexico.

As a result of the structure of this tournament, there will be an extra knockout round following the groups, with the top two sides primed to qualify from the 16 three-team groups as per a recent, unanimous vote by FIFA.

However, shootouts after games could see countries work together to advance to the next stage.

Currently, all final group-stage matches are played at the same time in order to avoid this happening.

Read Also: FIFA World Cup not for politics

This has been the case since 1986 but it seems that FIFA’s chief officer for technical development, the former Netherlands star Marco van Basten, is keen to change it sooner rather than later.

”Shootouts could indeed be an option for tournaments with groups of three in which you play against two opponents,” he told German outlet Sport Bild, as quoted by Daily Mail. “It can get pretty tight. If one team for instance draws one match 0-0 and wins the other 1-0, there’s a high risk that all three teams are level on points and goals in the end.”

Excitement is already building for the 2026 World Cup, which promises to be the biggest since the very first World Cup back in 1930.

“We have to find other ways to touch the hearts and the emotions of people,” FIFA President Gianni Infantino said during a recent trip to Los Angeles, as quoted by FIFA.

“I think there are different ways of doing that, and we want to use the opportunity of this FIFA World Cup coming here. The first level is really the grassroots level; it’s the access to the sport. We have to give boys and girls, children, easier access to the sport.”

The 2026 FIFA World Cup gets underway on Monday 8th June 2026.

French referee Stéphanie Frappart will become the first woman to take charge of a men’s World Cup game when she handles Germany vs. Costa Rica today in Qatar.

The historic moment comes in a huge match for both sides, with Germany needing a victory to keep their World Cup hopes alive.

Costa Rica can make it to the knockout stages themselves, with a point being enough for the Central American nation if Spain can beat Japan in the other game in Group E.

FIFA also picked two women as assistants to Frappart – Neuza Back of Brazil and Mexico’s Karen Diaz Medina – to complete an all-female refereeing team on the field.

Read Also: FIFA denies Ronaldo’s record-equalling World Cup goal

A fourth woman match official FIFA picked for this World Cup, Kathryn Nesbitt of the United States, will also be working at the Al Bayt Stadium as the offside specialist in the video review team.

Two other women, Salima Mukansanga of Rwanda and Yoshimi Yamashita of Japan, are also on the FIFA list to referee games in Qatar.

The 38-year-old Frenchwoman has been promoted in the men’s game by European soccer body UEFA and in her home country.

She has refereed men’s games in World Cup qualifying and the Champions League, and this year’s men’s French Cup final. She also took charge of the 2019 Women’s World Cup final for FIFA.