Argentina were out on the training pitch in Doha on Monday, preparing for their World Cup semi-final against Croatia.
The South American champions came through a bruising quarter-final against the Netherlands on Friday that saw 16 yellow cards brandished and numerous skirmishes break out between the two sides before Argentina eventually ran out winners on penalties.
Argentina started the tournament in the worst possible fashion when they fell to a shock defeat to Saudi Arabia in their opening match, before picking themselves up by securing 2-0 wins against Mexico and Poland to finish top of Group C.
Australia were dispatched 2-1 in the last-16 before the manic Dutch match that saw Louis van Gaal's side score two late goals, levelling the tie at 2-2 and taking the match into extra-time and then penalties, where Argentina eventually came out on top 4-3.
Their talisman and captain Lionel Messi scored from the spot against the Netherlands, as well as finding the net in the shoot-out, and now has four in the tournament. Only France striker Kylian Mbappe, with five, has scored more.
This will probably be Messi’s last World Cup and the 35-year-old is set to make a record-equalling 25th appearance in the competition on Tuesday.
“He’s always been a winner,” manager Lionel Scaloni said of Messi, who is set to match former Germany player Lothar Matthaus’s competition record. “He’s so eager, willing to keep playing football so we’re very happy about this.
“We’ll see whether he continues playing or not. We will keep enjoying him. That’s the most [important] thing we can do – that’s for us and the world of football.
“In case things turn out well, then everything will be good for us. We have our whole country supporting us. They’re backing us.
“But there’s still a long road to go. We need to play crucial matches. Tomorrow’s game will be a very tough one and we need to focus entirely on that.”
You can see images from Monday's training session in the gallery above. To move on to the next photo, click on the arrows or swipe if using a mobile device.
Farage on Muslim Brotherhood
Nigel Farage told Reform's annual conference that the party will proscribe the Muslim Brotherhood if he becomes Prime Minister.
"We will stop dangerous organisations with links to terrorism operating in our country," he said. "Quite why we've been so gutless about this – both Labour and Conservative – I don't know.
“All across the Middle East, countries have banned and proscribed the Muslim Brotherhood as a dangerous organisation. We will do the very same.”
It is 10 years since a ground-breaking report into the Muslim Brotherhood by Sir John Jenkins.
Among the former diplomat's findings was an assessment that “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” has “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
The prime minister at the time, David Cameron, who commissioned the report, said membership or association with the Muslim Brotherhood was a "possible indicator of extremism" but it would not be banned.
Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
Anghami
Started: December 2011
Co-founders: Elie Habib, Eddy Maroun
Based: Beirut and Dubai
Sector: Entertainment
Size: 85 employees
Stage: Series C
Investors: MEVP, du, Mobily, MBC, Samena Capital
Challenge Cup result:
1. UAE 3 faults
2. Ireland 9 faults
3. Brazil 11 faults
4. Spain 15 faults
5. Great Britain 17 faults
6. New Zealand 20 faults
7. Italy 26 faults
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COMPANY PROFILE
Company name: Letstango.com
Started: June 2013
Founder: Alex Tchablakian
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Ingredients
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Blend all the ingredients together on high in a high-speed blender until smooth and creamy.
BMW M5 specs
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Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
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Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
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Results
6.30pm Al Maktoum Challenge Round-3 Group 1 (PA) US$100,000 (Dirt) 2,000m, Winner Bandar, Fernando Jara (jockey), Majed Al Jahouri (trainer).
7.05pm Meydan Classic Listed (TB) $175,000 (Turf) 1,600m, Winner Well Of Wisdom, William Buick, Charlie Appleby.
7.40pm Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 2,000m, Winner Star Safari, Mickael Barzalona, Charlie Appleby.
8.15pm Handicap (TB) $135,000 (D) 1,600m, Winner Moqarrar, Fabrice Veron, Erwan Charpy.
8.50pm Nad Al Sheba Trophy Group 2 (TB) $300,000 (T) 2,810m, Winner Secret Advisor, William Buick, Charlie Appleby.
9.25pm Curlin Stakes Listed (TB) $175,000 (D) 2,000m, Winner Parsimony, William Buick, Doug O’Neill.
10pm Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 2,000m, Winner Simsir, Ronan Whelan, Michael Halford.
10.35pm Handicap (TB) $175,000 (T) 1,400m, Winner Velorum, Mickael Barzalona, Charlie Appleby.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
JAPANESE GRAND PRIX INFO
Schedule (All times UAE)
First practice: Friday, 5-6.30am
Second practice: Friday, 9-10.30am
Third practice: Saturday, 7-8am
Qualifying: Saturday, 10-11am
Race: Sunday, 9am-midday
Race venue: Suzuka International Racing Course
Circuit Length: 5.807km
Number of Laps: 53
Watch live: beIN Sports HD
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Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Our legal consultants
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Key fixtures from January 5-7
Watford v Bristol City
Liverpool v Everton
Brighton v Crystal Palace
Bournemouth v AFC Fylde or Wigan
Coventry v Stoke City
Nottingham Forest v Arsenal
Manchester United v Derby
Forest Green or Exeter v West Brom
Tottenham v AFC Wimbledon
Fleetwood or Hereford v Leicester City
Manchester City v Burnley
Shrewsbury v West Ham United
Wolves v Swansea City
Newcastle United v Luton Town
Fulham v Southampton
Norwich City v Chelsea
