Latest News: Cakir to referee semi-finals between Croatia and England

MOSCOW (AP) – The last Monday at the World Cup (all times):

20h40

Cuneyt Cakir of Turkey was selected to referee the World Cup semi-finals between Croatia and England.

Cakir will make his third World Cup match on Wednesday at the Luzhniki stadium in Mosco u.

He handled Argentina's 2-1 victory over Nigeria and Iran's 1-0 win Uruguayan Andres Cunha was nominated to referee Tuesday's semi-final between France and the United States. Belgium in St. Petersburg

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20h15

Belgian coach Roberto Martinez said midfielder Kevin De Bruyne is a footballer so talented that he could play it virtually anytime. where and what would it excel

It is not yet known what role will play De Bruyne for Belgium against a team of France high-profile in the semifinal of the World Cup on Tuesday. He is grateful to have in his team one of the most known players of the English Premier League.

Martinez says, "It's essential to have a player like Kevin – that he can play different roles."

Goalkeeper, I could tell you that he could not just play, he could play at the highest level in any position. It's the quality that he has. "

The Manchester City midfielder had a relatively quiet start to the tournament – because of his high standards – playing a deeper and more defensive role than he does at club level. wants to surprise England goaltender Jordan Pickford in the World Cup semifinals.

Pickford played just three games for England before the World Cup, but produced a few He saves to help his team reach the semi-finals for the first time since 1990.

Croatian striker Mario Mandzukic notes that Pickford is doing well at the tournament but says "all the members of our team are dangerous for opponents, so I imagine someone will find a way to surprise him. "

Mandzukic rejected suggestions that Croatia would have trouble playing in overtime and being forced into penalty kicks in their last two knockout matches, saying" if we were to play today , we would do it.

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6:35 pm

Kylian Mbappe skipped the start of France's test session a day before the World Cup semi-final match against Belgium.

Mbappe was absent team formed at St. Petersburg stadium on Monday afternoon.Only the first 15 minutes of the session are open to the media and it was not clear when he joined the team once that reporters, photographers and cameramen teams had come out.

Earlier, French coach Didier Deschamps of his players would only have a light training workout, but that all 23 would be fit to

Mbappe scored three goals at the World Cup and struck fear in defenses with his electrifying pace

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18h15

French coach Didier Deschamps was puzzled by a question at from a press conference to the v of the World Cup semi-final match against Belgium.

A Russian journalist asked Deschamps, who reached the quarter-finals against most expectations. But Deschamps was only interested in talking about France against Belgium.

Pressing the translation device against his ear, Deschamps, surprised, paused and asked the FIFA official next to him, "Are you sure you ask me this question?"

The L & # 39; FIFA official intervened saying that another question was to be asked – at which point Deschamps – still puzzled – spoke again.

"We are on the eve of a match (half I have already talked about Russia, I do not really see what it is, whether for French journalists, foreign journalists, Belgian journalists or others. "

Deschamps then added: "Well, let's move on."

17:55

Goalkeeper Hugo Lloris says his former team-mate Thierry Henry will be torn apart when Les Bleus face Belgium in half-time. final of the World Cup World Cup.

Henry is now assistant to Belgium coach Robert Martinez, and will help Belgium t But Henry is also France's top scorer with 51 goals and helped France to win the 1998 World Cup and the European Championship two years later. Henry played 123 times for France, retiring from international football after the 2010 World Cup.

Lloris, who made his debut in France 10 years ago, says: "I have the chance to have played with Henry He was a huge player, "adds Lloris," I think his heart will be divided tomorrow, because he's mostly French and he's had good times with him. " France. "

Although Lloris, who will win his 103rd international selection, says Henry" has left his mark on French football, "he agrees" he will do his utmost to help his team. "

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5:20 pm

England defender Ashley Young says her team could have a "major advantage" in its World Cup semifinal because Croatia was put on the penalty shootout in his two knockout phase matches.

Tuesday's quarter-finals, Croatia was taken overtime and penalties by the host nation Russia hours later. Croatia also beat Denmark on penalties after the round of 16 after the extra time.

Young says: "I think, especially physically, that the body needs 120 minutes of play. Of course, you have to fly"

Young says the World Cup has felt "like good" "This is the camaraderie in the team, and that England is back to the base and they have done it twice now." has a "great chance" of being World champion for the second time, after 1966.

England and Croatia meet in Moscow on Wednesday.

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4:50 pm

Mark Geiger is one of 12 referees still in the running for the World Cup final

The US referee has already faced one of the most explosive matches in Russia: England defeated Colombia at one time. a series of 16 matches in Moscow

assistants and assisting videographers (VAR) who were selected for four matches in the ek final of the tournament.

The list of 12 referees It is still in service includes Geiger, Alireza Faghani from Iran and four from Europe. The remaining four teams of the tournament come from Europe

FIFA has named Andres Cunha, from Uruguay, for the first semifinal between France and Belgium on Tuesday in St. Petersburg.

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Corrected to reflect 12 Norway expelled ex-player Ognjen Vukojevic from his World Cup delegation after making a pro-Ukrainian video with defender Domagoj Vida.

16:30

19659002] The Croatian Football Federation apologized to the Russian public for this video, posted after Croatia beat Russia on penalties in the quarter-finals of the World Cup on Saturday.

. this win is for Dynamo and Ukraine … go to Croatia. "Both Vida and Vukojevic have already played for the Ukrainian team Dynamo Kiev.

FIFA rules prevent players from taking political action at the World Cup and they gave a formal warning to Vida on Sunday The federation says in a statement that Vukojevic has been with the team as an observer but his World Cup qualifications have now been withdrawn.

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15: 30

Former Barcelona coach Luis Enrique was hired as head coach The preparations for the World Cup of Spain were launched in troubled days before the tournament, when Julen Lopetegui was sacked for accepting the position at Real Madrid without consulting the national federation Fernando Hierro was named interim coach of the World Cup, where Spain had two draws and a win in the second half e groups before being eliminated in the round of 16 by Russia.

The federation announced the appointment of 47-year-old Enrique on a two-year contract on Monday, a day after confirming that Hierro had left the team.

The president of the Spanish federation, Luis Rubiales, declared: "The decision was unanimous", on Enrique. He let out better financial opportunities to become coach of the national team.

Enrique played for Real Madrid before settling in Barcelona in 1996, where he won two La Liga titles and became captain before retiring. 2004.

As a coach, he spent time in Rome in 2011-12 before joining Celta Vigo, then replacing Gerardo Martino in 2014 in Barcelona, ​​where he won nine of 13 possible titles at during his three years of service. 19659002] ___

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The coach Didier Deschamps grimace responds to reporters at a press conference on the eve of his semifinal against the Belgium at the 2018 Football World Cup in St. Petersburg, Russia, Monday, July 9, 2018. (AP Photo / David Vincent)