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November 12, 2021

November 12, 2021November 12, 2021 IFMSPORTS

Croatia And Russia Face Off In Group Decider After Big Wins

Croatia And Russia Face Off on Sunday in Group H's final match to decide who qualifies automatically for the 2022 World Cup after both recorded big wins.

Luka Modric was among the goalscorers for 2018 finalists Croatia as they thrashed Malta 7-1 in Ta' Qali.

Meanwhile, Russia hit five second-half goals as they beat visitors Cyprus 6-0.

Russia lead the group by two points, so a draw on Sunday would secure top spot and World Cup qualification, with the runners-up earning a play-off spot.

Aleksandr Erokhin scored in each half for Russia against Cyprus in St Petersburg, with Fedor Smolov, Andrey Mostovoy, Aleksei Sutormin and Anton Zabolotny also on target in the last 35 minutes.

Croatia And Russia Face Off will ensure they go into Sunday's game in Split with a slight advantage.

Ahead of what promises to be the sternest test of Karpin's young international management career, Zenit skipper Lovren has warned the Russians that fire and brimstone awaits them when they touch down ahead of Sunday's game.

And speaking to the media this week, Lovren said that the 34,000 capacity Stadion Poljud, home of Hadjuk Split, will feel to the visitors like they are walking into hell.

"To be honest, I like the atmosphere at the stadium in Split even more [than their regular home in Zagreb]," he said, via translation.

"There you will feel as if you are on a visit to the devil. It will be awesome!

"A real finale awaits us. Yes, the Croatian national team rarely plays in Split, so I think that people will gladly come to the stadium and give all their strength and emotions to support us. It will be great."

Sunday's fixture will be a rematch of the 2018 World Cup semi-final in Sochi, which Croatia won on a penalty shootout – and Lovren knows that if this game ends as a draw after 90 minutes.

It will Russia celebrating at the final whistle and Croatia heading to the playoffs.

"Well, for us there will be only one possible option – victory," he said. "But we must be careful and attentive, because the Russian national team is creating good counterattacks. In any case, it will be a difficult match."

November 12, 2021

November 12, 2021November 12, 2021 IFMSPORTS

Wales Guaranteed World Cup Playoff Spot After Spain Victory

Wales are officially guaranteed at least a place in the World Cup play-offs after Spain beat Greece 1-0.

Wales started their qualifying campaign knowing they had all but secured a play-off spot having won their Nations League group.

Spain's win in Athens formally seals it, even if Wales finish outside the top two in their qualifying group.

Wales Guaranteed World Cup, must finish second to have any chance of being seeded for March's play-offs.

Teams who reach the play-offs via the Nations League are unseeded and will be away in their semi-final to a seeded nation.

Wales can guarantee a top-two finish with four points from their final two qualifiers at home to Belarus on Saturday and Belgium on Tuesday.

Wales could theoretically qualify automatically but they are five points behind Group E leaders Belgium with two games to go.

They would need the world's number one ranked side to lose to Estonia as well as to Rob Page's men in Cardiff.

If Wales beat Belarus and lose to Belgium and the Czech Republic beat Estonia in their only remaining game - the play-off spot would go down to goal difference.

The Czechs are currently two ahead on that metric.

Even if Wales do finish outside the top two, they now have a play-off place guaranteed.

Spain's victory, secured by Pablo Sarabia's goal, means they need a point from their showdown with Sweden at the weekend to secure a place at next year's World Cup finals.

Sweden had led Group B going into the final two games but a shock 2-0 loss in Georgia earlier has handed Spain the advantage.

November 12, 2021

November 12, 2021November 12, 2021 IFMSPORTS

Steven Gerrard Appointed New Aston Villa Manager

Aston Villa have appointed Steven Gerrard as manager on a three-and-a-half-year deal, ending his three-year reign at Rangers.

The former Liverpool captain, 41, leaves the Scottish champions having guided them to a first league title in 10 years last season.

Compensation of between £3.25-4m agreed with the Scottish champions for Gerrard and his assistant Gary McAllister.

Gerrard replaces Dean Smith, who was sacked on Sunday after a run of five successive defeats.

Villa are 16th in the Premier League and two points above the relegation zone.

“Aston Villa is a club with a rich history and tradition in English football and I am immensely proud to become its new head coach,” said Gerrard.

“In my conversations with [co-owners] Nassef [Sawiris], Wes [Edens] and the rest of the board, it was apparent how ambitious their plans are for the club and I am looking forward to helping them achieve their aims.”

“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everybody associated with Glasgow Rangers for giving me the opportunity to manage such an iconic football club.

“Helping them secure a record-breaking 55th league title will always hold a special place in my heart. I would like to wish the players, staff and supporters the very best for the future.”

Steven Gerrard who is the New Aston Villa Manager, took his first steps in senior management with Scottish Premiership side Rangers in 2018, and leaves with them four points clear of rivals Celtic at the top of the table.

November 12, 2021

November 12, 2021November 12, 2021 IFMSPORTS

Brazil Qualify for World Cup

Brazil qualified for World Cup after defeating Colombia on Thursday. Brazil claimed a 1-0 victory over Colombia in Sao Paulo to become the first South American team to qualify for Qatar 2022 World Cup.

Lucas Paqueta got the only goal on 72 minutes as the Brazilians maintained their unbeaten record in the South American qualfiers.

Brazil lead the 10-team South American qualifying group with 34 points from 12 games, nine clear of second-placed Argentina.

The top four teams qualify automatically for Qatar 2022 and the fifth-placed side goes into an inter-regional playoff.

The win extended Brazil’s home run in the qualifiers to 11 consecutive victories, a record in the South American region and also marked their 10th consecutive home qualifier without conceding a goal, another record. With Brazil ahead of Colombia To Secure World Cup Berth, they might as well get into the next round and be potential winners.

Colombia’s defeat saw them drop out of the four automatic qualifying positions in the single South American group as Chile overtook them after a third successive win, 1-0 away to Paraguay.

Wilmar Barrios had the first chance of the match, lashing a half volley narrowly over the bar as Colombia made a bright start.

A typically muscular run into the box by Duvan Zapata saw him get off a shot that flashed past the post.

Colombia were proving tough opponents and creating the clearer chances.

William Tesillo should have done much better at the back post when picked out by Juan Cuadrado’s deep cross but headed into a crowd of players.

Brazil struggled to create any notable chances with Paqueta’s shot from outside the box easily gathered by David Ospina and Neymar’s free-kick blocked by the wall.

Colombia were always dangerous on the break and Luis Diaz whipped an effort from outside the box narrowly wide, but their failure to test Alisson Becker in the Brazil goal was indicative of a team that came into the match on the back of three successive goalless draws.

Brazil were unable to get behind Colombia’s organized defense and a deflected cross from full-back Danilo that hit the side-netting was as close as they came until Marquinhos headed inches off target from a corner in first half stoppage time.