World Cup Daily: Raheem Sterling Misses Senegal Win Due To Family Matter

The England star was absent as the Three Lions beat Senegal 3-0
21:41, 04 Dec 2022

England Book Their Quarters Place

England beat Senegal 3-0 to reach the quarter finals. Goals from Jordan Henderson, Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka did the business for Gareth Southgate’s men after a slow start.

Once the Three Lions found their groove, The Lions of Teranga had no answer. Jude Bellingham pulled the strings, laying on an assist which saw him make a piece of World Cup history. The Borussia Dortmund midfielder is the first player to score and log an assist at a World Cup since Lionel Messi in 2006. As omens go, that’s as good as it gets.

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Raheem Sterling Absent From England Squad

One player who did not have a chance to revel in England’s last 16 success is Raheem Sterling. The Chelsea winger withdrew from the squad due to needing to address a family matter.

While there is speculation online over what the matter was, nothing has been confirmed and it would be wrong to report without certainty. It is not known at this point whether Sterling was part of Southgate’s initial plans for his starting team against France. His usual left-wing berth went to Phil Foden against Senegal but, given the Manchester City man’s excellent display against Wales, that may have already been the plan.

Talk will now turn to whether Sterling will return to the squad for the France game or whether his World Cup has come to a premature end.

Olivier Giroud Enters The Record Books

AC Milan striker Olivier Giroud is now out on his own as France’s all-time top scorer. After equalling Thierry Henry’s record of 51 goals against Australia in the group stage, he has now surpassed it. 

Giroud netted France’s opener in their 3-1 round of 16 victory over Poland. Minutes after hitting goal number 52, Giroud nearly claimed a spectacular 53rd. A bicycle kick was cruelly chalked off for a marginal foul in the build-up. It would have been quite some way to put an exclamation mark on his historic achievement, but it was not to be. 

The ex-Arsenal and Chelsea man was not the only French forward to write a little history during the Poland game.

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Kylian Mbappe Surpasses Pele

The current leading scorer at the tournament, Mbappe has made this World Cup his personal playground. For his latest trick, the PSG superstar has surpassed a record held by a man synonymous with the World Cup: Pele.

Mbappe has beaten Pele’s total of eight World Cup goals by the age of 24. The Frenchman has nine to his name with the possibility of adding more. The forward turns 24 the day before the World Cup final, meaning he can add a few more to his total. He is only four away from the French World Cup record, which Just Fontaine holds with 13 goals. 

Senegal Bench Boasts A Familiar Face

Veteran watchers of the Premier League will have spotted one of the division’s most unforgettable figures on the Senegal bench. El Hadji Diouf was on hand working with his national team as an adviser to manager Aliou Cisse.

Diouf terrorised English defences for Liverpool, Bolton, Sunderland, Leeds and Blackburn Rovers. He also terrorised coaches, referees and teammates. Diouf was one of the most unforgettable imports to ever play the game in this country. Southgate was probably more than a little relieved Diouf wasn’t on the pitch to dole out some of his particular brand of physicality.

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