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A guide to the 2019 World Cup Final

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This year’s Rugby World Cup hasn’t been short of drama, but at last, we reach the climax as England take on South Africa for the Web Ellis Cup. Ahead of the match, England is the favourite in Rugby World Cup winner odds. Eddie Jones’ men have had a successful campaign, but have one final hurdle. Here’s all you need to know ahead of what will be a thrilling final.

The road to Yokohama

England finished top of Pool C, despite Typhoon Hagibis cancelling their final group game against France. Jones’ side won their other three games against Tonga, the USA, and Argentina, and gained two points in their cancelled game, which counted as a draw.

In the quarter-finals, the Red Roses took on Australia, who finished runners-up in Pool D. It proved to be a demolition, with England victorious 40-16, and it was enough for the Wallabies coach, Michael Cheika to resign from his post. New Zealand was the opponent in the semis, and again, it was a comfortable win. The All-Blacks were looking to retain their title for a third successive World Cup but were completely overwhelmed from the opening minute.

South Africa were runners-up to the All-Blacks in Pool B, having lost their opening clash against the holders. But they went on to win their final three games against Namibia, Italy, and Canada, conceding as few as 13 points. Rassie Erasmus’ side scored the most points (185) in the Pool stages.

The Springboks took on the hosts in the quarter-finals, ending the Brave Blossoms party with a dominant victory. The Boks had to withstand some heavy pressure and it was a low-scoring first half, with South Africa winning 5-3. Unable to add to their tally in the second half, Faf de Klerk et al crushed the Blossoms’ dreams. Their semi-final against Wales was a lot closer, with the Boks holding a slender lead of 9-6 at half time – but they continued to hold on and triumph 19-16.

Team previews

England will remain unchanged for the final, with Eddie Jones adamant his side will produce their finest performance when it matters. Captain Owen Farrell, leading try-scorer Jonny May and Kyle Sinckler have all overcome their knocks from the semi-final.

Ahead of the clash, Jones said: “That was always our aim, to be here on 2 November in the Yokohama Stadium. So, we’ve achieved one goal, but we know what’s at stake in the final, and we’re well prepared.

“We have to make adjustments, but we’re ready for the brutality of the game. Our players have had the will to prepare. They’ve pushed themselves through some tough physical tasks.”

Meanwhile, Erasmus makes one change to the Boks line-up, with Cheslin Kolbe returning to the squad, replacing Sbu Nkosi, who drops out of the 23. SiyaKolisi will lead the side out for the 20th time, as he earns his 50th cap. On his decision to drop Nkosi, Erasmus said: “We have been developing some momentum through the tournament, which has come from consistency and although we know there are things we can do better this is a fit, well-practised set of combinations.”

They’ve met before

The Springboks and Red Roses contested the 2007 World Cup Final held in Paris. It was back-to-back finals for England, who had won the 2003 World Cup in Australia. But this time it wasn’t to be and South Africa won their second Webb Ellis Cup.

It was a low-scoring final, with no tries scored, although both sides had an opportunity each. Instead, South Africa scored five penalties, with England’s Jonny Wilkinson scoring two. Although England held long spells of possession, they were unable to break South Africa down.

Jones was on the Boks coaching team in 2007 and was accredited with masterminding their success in France. There’s no doubt he will be aiming for the trophy again as his England side look to avenge South Africa in Yokohama.

Looking back at their previous meetings, South Africa has a decent record over England. They have won 25 of their 42 encounters, most recently winning the 2018 test, held in South Africa. But England was victorious in last year’s autumn international – and as we’ve seen at the World Cup, anything can happen.

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Tottenham Fight Back To Hold Brighton

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Tottenham fought back from two-goals down to secure a deserved point against Brighton.

The Seagulls were second best for much of the match but found themselves 2-0 up after 31 minutes thanks to Yankuba Minteh’s early strike and Yasin Ayari’s powerful drive.

However, Richarlison halved the deficit just before half-time when he stopped a shot by Mohammed Kudus before slotting in.

Spurs dominated the second half but their finishing let them down as Richarlison and substitute Xavi Simons were both unable to make the most of promising opportunities.

But the equaliser came eight minutes from time when Jan Paul van Hecke turned Kudus’ cross into his own net.

Spurs then pushed for a winner as they looked to continue their impressive start to the season, but Brighton held on for the point.

Bundesliga: Kane Continues Goal Harvest (5)

Harry Kane scored his second hat-trick of the season as Bayern Munich overcame a shaky start to win at Hoffenheim and continue their 100% start.

The England captain, 32, broke the deadlock on the stroke of half-time with a clinical first-time finish from a cleverly worked low corner, and doubled Bayern’s lead from the spot after Albian Hajdari was harshly penalised for a handball.

That broke Hoffenheim’s resistance and Kane completed his ninth Bundesliga hat-trick with another penalty, given for a foul on substitute Michael Olise after a video assistant referee (VAR) check.

This time Kane sent home keeper Oliver Baumann the wrong way for his 13th Bayern goal in seven matches across all competitions this season, adding to his Champions League double against Chelsea last Wednesday.

“Hat-trick Harry is what they called me in school,” Kane told Tidesports source after the match. “That one kind of stuck when I was younger.”

“Any ball in the box, whether penalty or not, I back myself to hit the target.”

Hoffenheim had the better of the first 45 minutes, Fisnik Asllani only able to hit the post after goalkeeper Manuel Neuer passed straight to the Kosovan.

They eventually got some reward for their efforts, former West Ham full-back Vladimir Coufal’s deflected free-kick beating Neuer to earn the Czech his first goal for the club.

Ex-Liverpool winger Luis Diaz hit the top of the bar late on as he failed to continue his record of scoring in every Bundesliga game this season, but Serge Gnabry added a fourth for Bayern with the last kick, converting a rebound from a tight angle after Baumann saved from Joshua Kimmich.

Nicolas Jackson made his first start since joining Bayern on an initial loan deal from Chelsea, but the Senegal striker had a very quiet game before being replaced in the 62nd minute.

In Italy, Lorenzo Pellegrini fired Roma into the Serie A top four as Lazio had two players sent off in a fiery derby.

The midfielder found the bottom corner in the 38th minute as Roma extended their unbeaten run to four games against their city rivals.

Lazio have lost three of their opening games of the season and had Reda Belahyane and former Arsenal midfielder Matteo Guendouzi dismissed in late drama.

Roma started well and Rome-born Pellegrini claimed the vital goal – his fourth in a Rome derby after being available for transfer in the summer – following good work down the right by Matias Soule.

But the hosts will rue missed opportunities as Boulaye Dia, Mattia Zaccagni and Alessio Romagnoli all had openings.

With four minutes left substitute Belahyane was shown a red card for a late studs-up challenge on Manu Kone.

Danilo Cataldi struck the outside of the post for Lazio in a last-gasp effort to snatch a point, while team-mate Guendouzi was sent off for dissent after the final whistle.

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Zidane’s Son Switches Allegiance To Algeria

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Luca Zidane, the son of France’s World Cup-winning playmaker Zinedine, has switched his international allegiance from France to Algeria.

Born just outside Marseille, the 27-year-old goalkeeper had appeared for France at various youth levels.

The move, which was approved by Fifa, may enable Zidane to follow in his father’s footsteps by appearing at a World Cup, with Algeria expected to secure a place at the 2026 finals in North America in their qualifier against Somalia next month.

Zidane, who is the second of four brothers, all of whom came through the Real Madrid academy, currently plays for Spanish second tier side Granada.

He played two matches for Madrid and has La Liga experience at Rayo Vallecano, but dropped a level in 2022 to play for Eibar before heading to Andalusia in 2024.

Zidane qualifies for the North African country through his father, whose parents hailed from the Kabylie region of Algeria.

Zinedine Zidane, who is regarded as one of the games greatest players scored twice for France in their 1998 World Cup final victory over Brazil, but was famously sent-off in the 2006 final, which was won by Italy after a penalty shootout.

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Man Utd Beat Chelsea To Ease Pressure 

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Manchester United capitalised on Robert Sanchez’s fifth-minute red card to secure a crucial victory over Chelsea in torrential rain at Old Trafford.

The first match in Premier League history to see two or more goals, red cards and substitutions in the first half was settled by goals from United skipper Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro, who was the other player sent off before the break.

It was Sanchez’s dismissal that set the course of the game though.

The Spain international raced from his goal to meet Bryan Mbeumo as the striker ran beyond the Chelsea defence.

Sanchez then upended the forward outside his area rather than allow him past to tap the ball into an empty net.

Enzo Maresca’s response to the red card was to take off both Pedro Neto and Estevao Willian and, as Cole Palmer had to be replaced after suffering a recurrence of a groin injury, Chelsea had lost three attacking players in the space of 20 minutes.

Trevor Chalobah pulled one back for Chelsea with a header 10 minutes from time but United kept their nerves at bay to make it to the final whistle with their lead intact.

The victory was United’s second of the season and came in front of minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who gave head coach Ruben Amorim assurances over his future 48 hours earlier.

It also means Chelsea have still not won at Old Trafford since 2013, when Sir Alex Ferguson was United manager.

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