WEDNESDAY, JULY 11, 2018 19

Torres signs for Ronaldo signs for Juventus Japan’s Reuters | Madrid two titles and four Champions role model in commitment, hard work, League trophies with them. responsibility, talent and a desire to always ristiano Ronaldo has joined Italian The signing of the latest Ballon d’Or win- exceed himself.” champions Juventus from Real ner and top scorer in the Champions League CMadrid on a four-year contract for for the last six seasons represents a major Remarkable consistency Cristiano 100 million euros ($117.34 million) signal- coup for Juve, who have had a stranglehold Despite his remarkable consistency, Ronal- Ronaldo ling the end of nine years at the Spanish on the Italian title since 2012 but have not do often appeared unsettled at Real and had Fernando Torres giants filled with trophies and goals. won Europe’s top prize since 1996. threatened to leave on several occasions, The two European giants on Tues- The signing also strikes a blow for the first airing his dissatisfaction with the club’s Reuters | Madrid day announced the much-antic- profile of against La Liga, which has hierarchy in 2012 by saying in a post-game ipated deal for the five-times now lost two of its three most famous play- interview: “I’m sad and the club know why”. ormer Spain striker Fer- world player of the year ers in the last year after Paris St Germain Reports emerged last year that Ronaldo Fnando Torres has an- who joined Real from signed from Barcelona for a world was again upset with the club’s President nounced he is joining Jap- Manchester United record fee last August. Florentino Perez over a pay dispute and was anese top flight side Sagan in 2008 for a then Real paid tribute to Ronaldo, who is intent on leaving, although he stayed on to Tosu as a free agent after world record the all-time top scorer in the Champions lead the club to a third successive Champi- leaving Atletico Madrid last 80 million League, in a lengthy statement on their ons League triumph. month. pounds ($106 website and said the player had asked to be Ronaldo, however, soured the celebra- “We have had offers from million). transferred. tions immediately after the 3-1 win over every continent. My new The 33-year- “Real Madrid announces that it has agreed Liverpool in the final in Kiev by indicating team will be Sagan Tosu of old Portugal to transfer to Juventus he had decided to leave, saying in a post- Japan,” the 34-year-old Tor- forward is the FC due to the will and desire expressed by match interview “It was beautiful to play res said at an event held at Spanish club’s the player,” the European champions said. for Real Madrid.” the gym he owns in Madrid all-time top “Today Real Madrid would like to express The Portugal international scored two on Tuesday scorer with its gratitude to a player that has proved to goals against Juventus in Real’s 4-1 win in “I have had offers from 451 goals in be the best in the world and has carved out the 2017 Champions League final and earlier France, Germany and even all compe- one of the most brilliant eras in the history this season struck a jaw-dropping bicycle one from Spain but at no titions and of our club and world football. kick against the Italians in a 3-0 win in a point did I ever think about won “Beyond all the trophies and match - quarter-final first-leg game in Turin which going to another Europe- es he won on the pitch during these nine prompted Juve supporters to give him a an team. I wanted a new years, Cristiano Ronaldo has also been a standing ovation. challenge in a completely different place.” Three crucial battles in World Cup semi-final

Youth faces experience 1 v Luka Modric 2 Harry Kane v Dejan Lovren 3 Kieran Trippier v Ivan Perisic when England’s young guns and Croatia’s old guard face off in Wednesday’s World Cupsemi-final in Moscow, with the prize of a return trip to the Luzhniki Stadium for the final. England have not reached Just over six weeks on from Liverpool’s defeat Facing the tournament’s top scorer brings back Trippier has been one of the breakout stars of the the last four for 28 years to Real Madrid in the Champions League final, bad memories for Lovren. The Liverpool defend- World Cup. Nicknamed the “Bury Beckham” for and have only once before Henderson has his chance to exact revenge er was replaced after just half an hour into a 4-1 the similarities in the quality of his crossing to reached the final, when on Modric and extend his incredible run of 30 defeat by Tottenham in October after being run the former England captain, Trippier is rivalling they won the World Cup on matches without defeat in an England shirt - the ragged by Kane. Neymar and Kevin De Bruyne for creating the home soil in 1966. Croatia longest unbeaten run for any player in England’s It was a performance that many believed would greatest number of chances at the tournament have never gone beyond the history. end Lovren’s career at . But he fought to so far. Henderson’s leadership, discipline and dis- win back Jurgen Klopp’s confidence at club level Southgate’s 3-5-2 system with another natural semis, but after matching tribution as Gareth Southgate’s deepest-lying and has marshalled a Croatian defence that shut right-back, Kyle Walker, in the back three has the achievements of their has been key to allowing Jesse Lin- down and Argentina in the group allowed Trippier to get forward at every op - much-revered 1998 side, a gard and Dele Alli to get forward and score goals stages. portunity. But his defensive capabilities will be richly talented generation’s in Russia. In total, Kane has scored five times in five examined up against Perisic. luck may have turned in However, that midfield faces its toughest test meetings with Lovren and will look to seal the The Inter Milan winger has scored five times time to land the biggest yet with Modric in the form of his life at 32. Golden Boot by adding to his six goals already at in his past 11 appearances at major international prize in football. Here are Modric has played defence-splitting passes, the World Cup. tournaments and is the one player in the Croa- scored goals and dictated the rhythm of the game tian attack with the pace to stretch the England three key battles that could during three man-of-the-match performances in defence. decide where the game is the four games he has completed at the World won and lost. Cup.

WORLD CUP PREDICT AND WIN Yesterday’s lucky winner is G M Nicholas. Winner will be contacted

DAY 28, 11th JULY 2018

SEMI FINAL 2

ENGLAND CROATIA

Entry should be submitted before 2pm