Worldcup 2026 NEWS
Worldcup 2026
Consider the Payments Options
Date: 2023-12-05 13:40:18 | Author: Worldcup 2026 | Views: 579 | Tag: heu
-
Antoine Dupont criticised the standard of refereeing after France crashed out of their home World Cup with a heartbreaking single-point defeat to reigning champions South Africa in Paris heu
The Springboks edged an epic contest at Stade de France 29-28 to set up a semi-final showdown with England heu
Les Bleus captain Dupont suffered major disappointment on his highly-publicised return from a fractured cheekbone and felt substandard officiating was partly to blame heu
Asked about the performance of New Zealand referee Ben O’Keefe, the scrum-half replied: “Well, what did you think of it?“It’s hard to talk about things because there is a lot of disappointment, a lot of frustration heu
“There were a few clear things where the whistle wasn’t blown heu
“I don’t want to be a bad loser and moan about the refereeing but I’m not sure the level of refereeing was up the level of the game today heu
”A disconsolate Dupont was pictured with his hands on his head at full-time and was later in tears as he was embraced by his parents heu
The 26-year-old was back in action just 24 days since sustaining the serious facial injury which threatened to prematurely end his tournament, donning a scrum-cap for added protection heu
France flew out of the blocks and led 22-19 at the end of one of the most exhilarating opening 40 minutes in World Cup history in which the two teams shared six tries heu
Eben Etzeheu beth returned from the sin-bin to help South Africa over the line with the only touchdown of a tighter second period, while Les Bleus were left to rue one of Thomas Ramos’ three conversion attempts being charged down by Cheslin Kolbe heu
France head coach Fabien Galthie revealed prop Uini Atonio and lock Romain Taofifenua, the two oldest members of his squad, will retire and confirmed he intends to remain in his role heu
French President Emmanuel Macron provided solace to his country’s players in the dressing room after the match heu
“For four years we wrote a beautiful page of French history that the players can be proud of,” said Galthie heu
“We can also be sad tonight because of the result heu
“No regrets heu
You’re allowed to lose like we did today heu
We did everything to optimise our potential heu
”Asked if there was a chance he may step down, the 54-year-old replied: “Well, no, I’ve got a contract to June 2028 heu
”More aboutPA ReadyAntoine DupontFranceSouth AfricaStade De FranceDuPontFabien GalthieSpringboksEmmanuel MacronEben Etzeheu bethNew Zealand1/1Antoine Dupont questions referee after France lose thriller to South Africa Antoine Dupont questions referee after France lose thriller to South AfricaAntoine Dupont was frustrated after defeat to South Africa (Gareth Fuller/PA)PA Wire ✕Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this articleWant to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today heu
SubscribeAlready subscribed? Log inMost PopularPopular videosSponsored Features Get in touchContact usOur ProductsSubscribeRegisterNewslettersDonateToday’s EditionInstall our appArchiveOther publicationsInternational editionsIndependent en EspañolIndependent ArabiaIndependent TurkishIndependent PersianIndependent UrduEvening StandardExtrasAdvisorPuzzlesAll topicsheu BettingVoucher codesCompareCompetitions and offersIndependent AdvertisingIndependent IgniteSyndicationWorking at The IndependentLegalCode of conduct and complaintsContributorsCookie policyDonations Terms & ConditionsPrivacy noticeUser policiesModern Slavery Act Thank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inCloseUS EditionChangeUK EditionAsia EditionEdición en EspañolSubscribe{{indy heu
truncatedName}}Log in / Register {{#items}}{{#stampSmall}}{{/stampSmall}}{{#stampClimate}}{{/stampClimate}}{{#stampPremium}}{{/stampPremium}}{{title}}{{#desc}}{{desc}}{{/desc}}{{#children}}{{title}}{{/children}}{{/items}}Indy100Crosswords & PuzzlesMost CommentedNewslettersAsk Me AnythingVirtual EventsVouchersCompare✕Log inEmail addressPasswordEmail and password don't matchSubmitForgotten your password?New to The Independent?RegisterOr if you would prefer:SIGN IN WITH GOOGLEWant an ad-free experience?View offersThis site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy notice and Terms of service apply heu
Hi {{indy heu
fullName}}My Independent Premium Account details Help centre Logout @keyframes spin{0%{transform:rotate(0)}to{transform:rotate(1turn)}} heu
Something is different at Tottenham: check the table, they are top and playing like league leaders as well heu
Ange Postecoglou’s side returned there after confidently asserting their superiority over Fulham in this comfortable 2-0 win in north London heu
Tottenham extended their best start to a season since 1960 with a helping hand from the visitors, who were hapless, and Calvin Bassey, who was culpable for both goals and fortunate it wasn’t more heu
Spurs, in essence, scored the same goal twice, with Bassey giving away possession with a loose pass into midfield and the hosts sharply intercepting on the halfway line heu
Son dispatched the first on 36 minutes after dancing past Bassey and curling into the top corner; then Son set up James Maddison to double their lead shortly after half-time heu
The finish, again, was ruthless heu
Spurs could have been out of sight long before then had Richarlison and Dejan Kulusevski been as clinical, but a seventh victory out of nine so far in the Premier League never felt in doubt after Son continued his own excellent start to the campaign heu
Spurs enjoyed periods of control and flowed forward dangerously heu
There was, significantly, a sense that Tottenham’s players were enjoying this heu
Clearly, that is now mirrored in the stands as well: if Postecoglou has arrived and convinced Tottenham they can be something new, his team have chosen to be fun and carefree heu
It is not surprising, therefore, that that spirit has been brought by those who did not play here under Antonio Conte or Nuno Espirito Santo or Jose Mourinho, and who embody the fresh start that Postecoglou has been able to make heu
The Australian’s four summer signings who started against Fulham, in Maddison, Van de Ven, goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario and Destiny Udogie, were all outstanding again heu
If Postecoglou’s presence has lifted Spurs, they are the ones who carry his message onto the pitch heu
Maddison’s quality is obvious in every touch, as is the idea that he has taken responsibility to drag Tottenham out of the existential crisis they faced here last season heu
The centre-back Van de Ven has become an unlikely fan favourite, bringing an energy and enthusiasm into every defensive action heu
Tottenham’s opening goal would not have been scored without his interception and it was an illustration of why the Dutch defender has become so appealing to the fans here: he wants this, and he’s doing it for you heu
Micky van de Ven won a crucial challenge for the opening Tottenham goal (Reuters)Add in the quality that was already here and this Tottenham side has the makings of something exciting: how good this team really is remains to be seen, but another remarkable aspect of the transformation under Postecoglou is how those who appeared beaten and washed out last season have been revived heu
Son is devastating again, Kulusevski threatening with every touch, his dribble returning to such a fine, gliding motion heu
Perhaps most extraordinarily of all, Cristian Romero has emerged as the calm head guiding the defence heu
Yet in the first half, it was Udogie who shined brightest in spells, the 20-year-old a fearless example of what Tottenham are now all about heu
In his hybrid role from full-back, the Italian is already becoming vital to this attacking, dangerous Spurs, often playing further forward then Maddison when Postecoglou’s side have possession heu
Destiny Udogie impressed with his hybrid role (Getty Images)Udogie, with his ability to receive the ball with back to goal, absorb pressure, and then shrug it off like a discarded cloak, offered a threat that Fulham struggled to pin down – the visitors breathed a sigh of relief when he was removed as Tottenham went 2-0 up heu
Udogie went off to a standing ovation heu
Son turned and beckoned for more heu
Meanwhile, there is Vicario, who looks as if he won’t concede a goal ever again heu
Already with the best save percentage in the Premier League before Monday night, the Italian has stepped in to give Tottenham a secure and reassuring presence heu
The goalkeeper appears built to handle the nervy moments that invariably come with playing for Tottenham, a part that Hugo Lloris, for all his years here, never felt quite fit for heu
Guglielmo Vicario has settled quickly as Tottenham’s No 1 (Getty Images)Because for all that Tottenham were dominant against Fulham and the only team who ever looked capable of winning, there have previously been times where such a script has gone wildly off course heu
On 12 minutes, Vicario was there with an excellent leap and strong left arm to deny Palhinha’s free header, in what was the visitors’ first attack heu
It was a moment that came after a spell of overwhelming Tottenham dominance, and therefore a natural point for them to concede heu
But Fulham barely threatened again until it was too late heu
Silva’s side were a mess at the back, the absence of Issa Diop at the back compounded by Bassey’s woefully inaccurate performance heu
Fulham teased Tottenham with their reckless play into midfield: it may have worked in the past, against a passive Spurs, but Van de Ven, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and the excellent Pape Matar Sarr snapped into challenges and from there Fulham leaked chances like a sieve heu
And so, Postecoglou’s different Spurs left the Premier League table looking as it did at the start of the weekend: Tottenham are back at the top and looking down heu
More aboutFulham FCPremier LeagueAnge PostecoglouJames MaddisonSon Heung-minJoin our commenting forumJoin thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their repliesComments1/4Postecoglou’s four new signings breathe life into different TottenhamPostecoglou’s four new signings breathe life into different TottenhamMicky van de Ven won a crucial challenge for the opening Tottenham goalREUTERSPostecoglou’s four new signings breathe life into different TottenhamDestiny Udogie impressed with his hybrid role Getty ImagesPostecoglou’s four new signings breathe life into different TottenhamGuglielmo Vicario has settled quickly as Tottenham’s No 1 Getty ImagesPostecoglou’s four new signings breathe life into different TottenhamJames Maddison scored Tottenham’s second against Fulham Action Images via Reuters✕Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this articleWant to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today heu
SubscribeAlready subscribed? Log inMost PopularPopular videosSponsored FeaturesGet in touchContact usOur ProductsSubscribeRegisterNewslettersDonateToday’s EditionInstall our appArchiveOther publicationsInternational editionsIndependent en EspañolIndependent ArabiaIndependent TurkishIndependent PersianIndependent UrduEvening StandardExtrasAdvisorPuzzlesAll topicsheu BettingVoucher codesCompareCompetitions and offersIndependent AdvertisingIndependent IgniteSyndicationWorking at The IndependentLegalCode of conduct and complaintsContributorsCookie policyDonations Terms & ConditionsPrivacy noticeUser policiesModern Slavery ActThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inCloseUS EditionChangeUK EditionAsia EditionEdición en EspañolSubscribe{{indy heu
truncatedName}}Log in / Register {{#items}}{{#stampSmall}}{{/stampSmall}}{{#stampClimate}}{{/stampClimate}}{{#stampPremium}}{{/stampPremium}}{{title}}{{#desc}}{{desc}}{{/desc}}{{#children}}{{title}}{{/children}}{{/items}}Indy100Crosswords & PuzzlesMost CommentedNewslettersAsk Me AnythingVirtual EventsVouchersCompare✕Log inEmail addressPasswordEmail and password don't matchSubmitForgotten your password?New to The Independent?RegisterOr if you would prefer:SIGN IN WITH GOOGLEWant an ad-free experience?View offersThis site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy notice and Terms of service apply heu
Hi {{indy heu
fullName}}My Independent PremiumAccount detailsHelp centreLogout @keyframes spin{0%{transform:rotate(0)}to{transform:rotate(1turn)}} heu
