LIONEL MESSI'S World Cup dream continues having inspired Argentina to a 2-1 win against Australia in last night's last-16 contest.
The footballing magician broke the deadlock with 35 minutes gone on the clock.
And he had a small part to play in Julian Alvarez's second-half strike which ultimately became the difference maker.
Meanwhile, Brazilian star Gabriel Jesus has been ruled OUT of the World Cup with injuries.
Jesus, 25, suffered a knee injury against Cameroon, while the Manchester United left-back also hobbled off in the 1-0 defeat.
And Eden Hazard is reportedly considering retiring from international football as relentless injuries have struck his career.
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France v Poland line-ups:
FRANCE (4-3-3): Lloris; Kounde, Varane, Upamecano, T.Hernandez; Tchouameini, Griezmann, Rabiot; Dembele, Giroud, Mbappe.
POLAND (4-1-4-1): Szczesny; Cash, Glik, Kiwior, Bereszynski; Krychowiak; Kaminski, Zielinski, S.Syymanski, Frankowski; Lewandowski.
Brazil coach Tite has hit out at claims Gabriel Jesus had a knee injury BEFORE he limped out of Friday’s loss to Cameroon.
The Arsenal striker will definitely miss the Festive fixtures – and there are even rumours he will be sidelined for up to three months – after he was crocked in the shock Group G loss to the Africans.
But a whispering campaign suggested Jesus was already injured ahead of the game – and that Tite was aware of it.
Now the Selecao boss, who prides himself on being up front with his team news, has come out fighting at the “liars” who are putting the boot in.
Tite said: "I don’t like evil lies, and at no time whatsoever did we play for a victory at the risk of a peril to a player.
"The liars, the haters out there – go and do something else and stop giving fake news. Arsenal have a great medical department, Brazil has a great medical department and we are personally responsible and ethical.
"I am very sorry for Gabriel and yesterday we had Thiago Silva, Marquinhos, Neymar and (assistant) Cesar Sampiao – who has lived with the experience of being removed from the team – talking with him.
"Not to take the pain away because obviously we can’t, but just to make them feel better, strengthen them, and take part as much as possible."
Brazil boss Tite has confirmed that Neymar will train today ahead of tomorrow's last-16 clash with South Korea.
An ankle problem has kept him out of the last two games, but he's seemingly doing everything he can to prove his fitness for the knock stages.
This comes after Brazil were hit with the news that Gabriel Jesus and Alex Telles were ruled OUT of the tournament.
Arsene Wenger says England have what it takes to win the World Cup.
The former Arsenal boss, now Fifa’s global head of football development and head of the Qatar 2022 technical study group, believes Gareth Southgate’s men can go all the way.
Wenger said: "They have been up and down, like all of the big countries.
“But I would say that England are one of the countries that has learned a lot from their recent competitions.
“They were in the last four in 2018 and then reached the final of Euro 2020.
“Contrary to someone like Belgium, who have passed their peak, England look a team that is now at their peak to deliver and has learned. And it is still a young team.
“Gareth Southgate is a very intelligent man and he is capable of analysing all the games and the performances as a team and as individual players."
Jack Grealish says all of England’s fab five are desperate to start against Senegal – but the two that do will rally round the three that do not.
Speaking on the Lions’ Den on the FA’s YouTube channel, Grealish said: “It’s going to be one of those games you’ll be desperate to play in.
“It’s obviously difficult for the manager because he can only pick 11 players. I’m sure everyone is going to want to play in it.
“But no matter who he picks we’ll all be supporting each other.
“Because that’s one thing we have here, we have massive togetherness. I’m looking forward to it, it’s going to be a massive occasion.”
England fans are making themselves at home ahead of their crunch last-16 tie with Senegal tonight.
Dozens of Three Lions supporters are in the Souq are of Doha with the game now less than eight hours away.
Gareth Southgate's side have been well supported throughout the tournament in the Middle East and that looks likely to continue.
Harry Kane has declared himself fully fit despite questions over whether he’s carrying an injury.
The England captain was withdrawn in the opening game against Iran after taking a whack to his ankle, which saw him emerge as a doubt to face USA following a scan.
But Kane has started every game and played down fears over his fitness.
Regardless, he’s still yet to find the net, something he’ll be hoping will change against Senegal tonight.
He said: “I would love to be sitting here with two or three goals, for sure, but the group games have gone well.
“The games have not been too physical and going into the knock-out stages I feel really good — fit and sharp and as match-fit as I will ever feel.”
Manchester City midfielder Rodri admitted it was "not a nice feeling" when he realised Spain were going out of the World Cup.
In their final group game, Spain were losing to Japan when Costa Rica took a shock lead against Germany.
It was the most stunning moment of the competition so far with both Spain and Germany heading out the tournament as it stood.
Rodri said: "I looked up at the scoreboard and saw that we were going out. I can tell you it was not a nice feeling.
"Then thankfully the next time I looked up we were second in the group again.
"It was all very complicated. But for that three minutes it was not a nice feeling."
Louis van Gaal gave Denzel Dumfries a big kiss on the cheek in his post-match press conference as he celebrated Holland reaching the last eight of the World Cup.
Man of the match Dumfries was sat next to Van Gaal while facing the media after Holland’s 3-1 win over USA in which he scored one and assisted two.
And Van Gaal said: "Denzel knows that the day before yesterday I gave him a big fat kiss, I am going to give him another…there you can see."
Lionel Messi once again proved the difference for Argentina as his first half goal set them on their way to a place in the quarter-finals.
The PSG star has now scored three goals in four World Cup games in Qatar and is really turning up when his country need him most.
Remarkably though, Messi's early opener against Australia was his FIRST ever goal in a knockout game at football's greatest show.
Messi had got eight matches without finding the net before putting an end to that run on Saturday.
England are looking to break their ITV curse when they take on Senegal in the World Cup second round.
ITV will broadcast the clash – their second England game after showing the 0-0 draw with USA.
That failure to win means the Three Lions have won just twice when broadcast on ITV in the last 15 World Cup games shown on the channel.
Gareth Southgate's side lost to Croatia on ITV in the semi-final of the 2018 World Cup.
The BBC have a 100 per cent win-rate in Qatar with England beating Iran and Wales on Auntie Beeb.
And overall England's record on the country's main broadcaster makes for much better viewing.
Of their 16 World Cup games on the BBC since France '98, The Three Lions have won 12 times and lost just three – a win rate of 75 per cent.
Pepe has broken his silence after being put on end-of-life care, insisting he remains "full of energy".
The Brazilian legend, 82, who won the World Cup three times with his country from 1958 to 1970, was hospitalised earlier this week after he stopped responding to chemotherapy as he battles bowel cancer.
Speaking on social media, he said: "My friends, I want to keep everyone calm and positive.
"I'm strong, with a lot of hope and I follow my treatment as usual.
"I want to thank the entire medical and nursing team for all the care I have received.
"I have a lot of faith in God and every message of love I receive from you all over the world keeps me full of energy. And watch Brazil in the World Cup too!
"Thank you so much for everything. 🙏🏾."
Bukayo Saka is expected to return to the England XI against Senegal tonight.
The Arsenal man was rested against Wales on Tuesday, but is now set to come back into the side to face the African champions.
In terms of who drops out, surely Marcus Rashford keeps his place following his two goals, but Phil Foden also impressed against the Welsh.
We will have more team news as and when it comes in.
Neymar appears to be winning his race to be fit for Brazil's last-16 clash with South Korea on Monday.
The PSG star has missed the Samba Boys' last two games following an ankle problem sustained in their opener against Serbia.
But Neymar is now back on training and said: "I feel good, I knew I would now."
Belgium star Eden Hazard is reportedly considering retirement from international football.
Roberto Martinez’s side crashed out of the World Cup in the group stage after they failed to follow up their win over Canada, losing to Morocco and exiting the competition with a goalless draw against Croatia.
Following Belgium’s disappointing campaign, HLN are claiming that Hazard will make a decision on his future with the national team in the coming days.
He has made a breathtaking 126 appearances for his country, scoring 33 goals across a 14-year period.
But with injury problems plaguing his club career at Real Madrid, Hazard may feel he does not have another major tournament in him.
The same report also claims he is considering a departure from the Bernabeu having played just 72 times in three-and-a-half seasons.
Jack Grealish says all of England’s fab five are desperate to start against Senegal – but the two that do will rally round the three that do not.
Speaking on the Lions’ Den on the FA’s YouTube channel, Grealish said:
“It’s going to be one of those games you’ll be desperate to play in.
“It’s obviously difficult for the manager because he can only pick 11 players. I’m sure everyone is going to want to play in it.
“But no matter who he picks we’ll all be supporting each other.
“Because that’s one thing we have here, we have massive togetherness. I’m looking forward to it, it’s going to be a massive occasion.”
Argentina are into the quarter-finals of the World Cup after a masterclass performance by Lionel Messi on his 1,00th professional game.
He scored the opener as the South American side edged past Australia.
They will meet Holland who beat the USA 3-1 earlier in the day.
Gareth Southgate has revealed England are ready for penalties.
He said: “We are prepared. We have had three shoot-outs and won two. It is the one that you did not get over the line that you reflect on.”
“We have done that. We are aiming to win the game and avoid extra-time as you would like to get a victory in 90 minutes but if we need to go 120 mins, if we go beyond that we have to be ready mentally and physically.
Harry Kane has revealed he’s match-fit ahead of England’s last-16 clash with Senegal.
Kane said in a press conference: “I think it goes back to 2018 in the World Cup. I felt from a physical and mental side of things that I started great.
“I started the tournament with a lot of goals, used lots of energy and in the latter stages they dipped. I was conscious before the Euros of that but wanted to make sure I was ready mentally and physically.
“I would love to be sitting here with two or three goals for sure but I think the group stage has gone well and minutes-wise not too tough. I feel really good. Fit and sharp.
“Coming off the back of the Premier League schedule I am match-fit as I ever have been. Hopefully I can do well tomorrow and come into the best form.”
There was Messi magic on and off the pitch on Saturday night as the Argentinian family flourished at the World Cup.
The Paris Saint-Germain star, 35, scored a trademark goal to separate the teams as Argentina eased past Australia 2-1 in the last-16 clash.
Husband Messi scored the opener in the 2-1 winCredit: AFP
It was his 789th senior goal on his 1000th appearance in football.
But his wife Antonela Roccuzzo also stole the show as she stunned fans.
The 34-year-old watched on as she sported a purple Argentina away shirt with her husband's name and number on it.
Showing off her midriff in a pair of ripped jeans and a purple handbag, Antonela smiled on the stands at the Al-Rayyan Stadium.
Belgium star Eden Hazard is reportedly considering retirement from international football.
Roberto Martinez's side crashed out of the World Cup in the group stage after they failed to follow up their win over Canada, losing to Morocco and exiting the competition with a goalless draw against Croatia.
Following Belgium's disappointing campaign, HLN are claiming that Hazard will make a decision on his future with the national team in the coming days.
He has made a breathtaking 126 appearances for his country, scoring 33 goals across a 14-year period.
But with injury problems plaguing his club career at Real Madrid, Hazard may feel he does not have another major tournament in him.
The same report also claims he is considering a departure from the Bernabeu having played just 72 times in three-and-a-half seasons.
Game management time for Argentina.
15 minutes to go and they are 2-0 up against Australia.
Man City ace Julian Alvarez scored their second, as the the South Americans look all but through to the quarter-finals.
Louis Van Gaal gave Denzel Dumfries a big kiss on the cheek in his post-match press conference as he celebrated Holland reaching the last eight of the World Cup.
Man of the match Dumfries was sat next to Van Gaal while facing the media after Holland’s 3-1 win over USA in which he scored one and assisted two.
And Van Gaal said: "Denzel knows that the day before yesterday I gave him a big fat kiss, I am going to give him another…there you can see."
And Messi has it!
Argentina have taken the lead against Australia.
It's taken 35 minutes until the deadline was broken.
Can the Aussies fight back?
Portugal defender Pepe left manager Fernando Santos in stitches after comparing the national team to a salad.
He began: "We have several ingredients but unless we put all the ingredients together… as our coach said, can I say it coach?"
Santos, already laughing at Pepe, then nodded.
The centre-back continued: "You see, we have different types of salad. I mean you can't have a tomato on one side, the onion on the other side. It's important to put all the ingredients together.
"Indeed, we have a high quality national team but unless we work very hard, unless we respect our opponents, unless we do what our coach says, we won't benefit so much from this quality.
"So the most important thing is to be aware regardless of who is on the pitch or not, we have to do our very best so that we can secure a win. And that's the most important thing."
Jack Grealish says all of England’s fab five are desperate to start against Senegal – but the two that do will rally round the three that do not.
Speaking on the Lions’ Den on the FA’s YouTube channel, Grealish said: “It’s going to be one of those games you’ll be desperate to play in.
“It’s obviously difficult for the manager because he can only pick 11 players. I’m sure everyone is going to want to play in it.
“But no matter who he picks we’ll all be supporting each other.
“Because that’s one thing we have here, we have massive togetherness. I’m looking forward to it, it’s going to be a massive occasion.”
Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo has refuted suggestions that he swore at coach Fernando Santos after being subbed against South Korea.
He was quoted by reporters saying: "What happened was before my substitution, the South Korea player told me to get off quickly.
"I told him to shut up as he doesn't have that authority. There was no disagreement (with the coach)."
England star Jude Bellingham has admitted he was nervous about meeting Jack Grealish on international duty due to their former club's rivalry.
The midfielder used to play for Birmingham City, which has a big cross-city hatred with Grealish's former club Aston Villa.
He told TalkSport: "To tell you the truth, the first encounter I had (with Grealish) in the squad, I came down for lunch and it'd just been announced that I'm with the senior team.
"Obviously, I played for Blues and Jack played for Villa at the time.
"I didn't know what he'd say about it and I think it was a year after he got punched in the back of the head so I was thinking if he held that grudge or whatever.
"Then we come to the lunch line and he gives me a massive hug straight away and I just thought this is going to be sound."
Jack Grealish knows his onions – and is adamant he did NOT say “sliced veg” in an interview with talkSPORT that went viral.
The England man appeared to use that phrase rather than the correct saying of “best thing since sliced bread” during the chat.
Grealish himself even admitted it sounded like he had cocked up the phrase when the footage was played back to him on the Lions’s Den, England’s You Tube channel.
And he jokingly suggested the audio may have even been doctored.
But the 27-year-old protested: “I ain’t the brightest spark in the world but I know the difference between slice bread and slice veg is.
“That video, I think someone tapped it!
“I was speaking to Hendo (Jordan Henderson) the other day, I was in the ice bath. He said , ‘that video, Jack…’ and I said ‘Geez, I actually said sliced bread’.
“When I listen to it, it does sound like I said sliced veg. But no one has ever said sliced veg! I didn’t say it.”
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