Your latest World Cup headlines on Tuesday, November 29.
Ramsey must start v England
Dean Saunders says Aaron Ramsey has to start for Wales in their must-win clash with England.
The Nice star has been heavily criticised following his performances against the USA and Iran - with many fans questioning whether or not he should start against the Three Lions.
But former Wales striker Saunders says the quality of Ramsey and Gareth Bale means they are undroppable for the clash with Gareth Southgate's men.
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“I would definitely start with Aaron Ramsey,” said Saunders. “The point is, if England decide to leave out Declan Rice, they can pick Phil Foden, or Jack Grealish, Jordan Henderson or Mason Mount in his place.
“We haven’t got the standard of player in reserve that we can say, ‘let’s just play him instead’.
“Look at the one goal we have scored so far. It was scored by Gareth Bale and made by Aaron Ramsey. I would definitely play both.”
S4C – Tuesday, 6.00pm: Cwpan y Byd FIFA 2022 Qatar - Cymru v Lloegr. Live coverage of the match between Wales and England in the 2022 FIFA World Cup, from the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar.
Bale legacy ranked
Brad Friedel says Gareth Bale's legacy in the game deserves to be ranked just below those of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Bale won five Champions Leagues during his time with Real Madrid while he has also won an array of other trophies including a La Liga title, the Copa del Rey and an MLS Cup.
Messi and Ronaldo are widely regarded as the two greatest players of the current generation while many have hailed the pair as the best of all time. But former goalkeeper Friedel believes that, such has been Bale's impact in the game, that the Welshman's achievements can be ranked just below those of Messi and Ronaldo.
"In terms of his legacy in the game, I think Gareth Bale is just below Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo," the American told Online Casino.
"I certainly never played with any player as good as Bale. His power, pace and technical ability was honestly something to behold.
"When you look at Ronaldo and Messi, they've levels above everyone else, but you'd have to put Bale on the pedestal below them in terms of his ability."
Iran players' families 'threatened'
Iran players have been threatened that their families will face “violence and torture” if they fail to sign the national anthem prior to their World Cup clash with the USA or take part in any political protest against the Tehran regime, according to a report.
Iran players refused to sing the anthem prior to their 6-2 defeat to England amid domestic turmoil, and CNN claim that they were later summoned to a meeting with members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps.
And a source has since told the media outlet that there are Iranian security officers present in Qatar to monitor the behaviour of the team.
The quoted source said: “In the last game against Wales, the regime sent over hundreds of these actor supporters in order to create a false sense of support and favour amongst the fans. For the next game against the US, the regime is planning to significantly increase the number of actors into the thousands."
Iran take on the USA at 7pm tonight. Prior to the contest, USA captain Tyler Adams was pulled up on his supposedly incorrect pronunciation of “Iran” while also being asked about his feelings toward discrimination against Black people in America.
But the Leeds United man responded in composed fashion and admitted he was happy to be educated at the press conference.
“My apologies on the mispronunciation of your country," said the USA captain. "That being said, there’s discrimination everywhere you go.
"One thing that I’ve learned, especially from living abroad in the past years and having to fit in in different cultures, is that in the US, we’re continuing to make progress every single day.
“I grew up in a white family with obviously an African American heritage and background as well, so I had a little bit of different cultures and I was very easily able to assimilate in different cultures. Not everyone has that ease and the ability to do that. And obviously it takes the longest to understand. And through education, I think it’s super important—like you just educated me now on the pronunciation of your country.
“So it’s a process. I think as long as you see progress, that’s the most important thing."
Southgate expecting electric atmosphere
Gareth Southgate expects an electric atmosphere when Wales lock horns with England at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium tonight.
Rob Page's men have to win to stand any chance of reaching the last-16 while the Three Lions themselves are not yet guaranteed a place in the knockout stages.
And the England boss hinted that the Welsh may well view the fixture as more than just a sporting rivalry.
"It’s like any two countries whose borders are together," he said. "It’s a great sporting rivalry, there’s no more than that. That feeling might not be mutual but I can understand that as well.
"I live in Yorkshire and they feel the same about the rest of England! It’s going to be a fantastic atmosphere in the stadium and we’re really looking forward to the game."
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