World Cup Day 8: Mexico's Raul Jimenez is making the most of his 'second chance': Battle of set-piece giants
Round two of the World Cup group stage, let's get rolling. With the greatest of respect to our readers in Switzerland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada and Qatar, we aren't exactly bursting out of the traps with the best possible games. Then again, after draws in each of the two opening games, Group B is at least fascinatingly poised with two games left. It really could go in any direction.
After that, it is the turn of another of the hosts and there is plenty for Mexico to look forward to in Guadalajara. If Czechia do not beat South Africa in Group A's early game then a win over South Korea would guarantee them top spot in Group A and afford Javier Aguirre an opportunity to rotate his squad for the final group game. That is not something to be sniffed at in such a gruelling tournament, particularly when one of Mexico's star men has just turned 35.
Raul Jimenez, seizing his 'second chance'
If anyone deserved a dream start to the World Cup it was Raul Jimenez. Less than six years ago the idea of him even playing a game again seemed unimaginable after a sickening head injury suffered when he collided with Arsenal's David Luiz. For a time, it seemed a triumph that he was even back on the pitch. Even now, Jimenez has to wear a skull guard to protect a titanium plate and the fracture that remains. It need not matter that he was not that good, forced to settle for a substitute role at the 2022 World Cup as he had been four years earlier. Just the fact that he was there qualifies as a sporting miracle.
And yet a move to Fulham brought back something like an approximation of the player who had terrorised English defenses when he first came to the country with Wolverhampton Wanderers. He left Craven Cottage as a free agent at the end of this season with 28 goals from 98 appearances, ranking 35th in the top flight for goals per 90 minutes and averaging 0.4 combined non-penalty expected goals and expected assists. In the toughest league, these are really good numbers.
All the more given that the trying circumstances did not end. In March his father Raul Jimenez Vega passed away. Nine months earlier he, like many others in the football world, had been rocked by the death of Diogo Jota, a former teammate of his and "great friend" from their time together at Wolves. So yes, Jimenez deserved his goal, one typical of his career so far as he found space at the back post to head home a cross.
He would, however, have deserved that goal for his performance alone. Jimenez was excellent in his first World Cup start, a comprehensive 2-0 win over South Africa which he ended with four shots worth 0.84 xG. He excelled at linking play together, of his 27 touches 22 of them were what Gradient Sports terms to be only one touch possessions. The ball came to Mexico's No.9 and it moved on, all the more valuable given that no one received more passes in dangerous areas (as is to be expected of a center forward).
In the international game, it is hard to develop intricate build-up play in time for a major tournament. It helps no end if you have a guy at the top of the pitch who can win possession (Jimenez won 60% of his duels), keep the ball and move it on quickly. It was no wonder Brian Gutierrez and Julian Quinones looked so excellent with Jimenez as their reference point.
Speaking after the game, Jimenez described this as his "second chance". He has grasped it.
A set-piece battle between Switzerland and Bosnia?
Through the first round of fixtures, Switzerland and Bosnia and Herzegovina are two of the tournament's leading exponents of set-piece threat. How much of that was down to the particular matchups with their opposition, and how much their own qualities with dead balls? We may well find out when the two sides face off in Inglewood.
We're looking at a sample size of one game so a lot of this could go out in the wash, but the corner kicks Bosnia were launching into the Canada box in their opener felt pretty replicable. Jovo Lukic got his side's only goal in the 21st minute when Sead Kolasinac fizzed a ball to the near post, begging for a flick on that eventually beat the Canadian goalkeeper. They could have had more from deliveries that drilled into the box, Tarik Muharemovic not quite getting over one as he met the ball in a central location. All those chances meant that Bosnia ended that game with 0.95 xG from set pieces alone. That's more than 15 teams' total xG at the World Cup so far.
Switzerland weren't much worse off in set-piece xG terms either, though they did drop 3.2 xG in total on Qatar, 0.79 of it the penalty that Breel Embolo converted. In this case, we're looking at two prime chances more than a great volume of openings, Manuel Akanji and Nico Elvedi both coming close to doing something off whipped crosses by Ruben Vargas. From corners, Murat Yakin's side are trying something more on the lines of England in 2018, a train of attackers around the penalty box, ready to break off in all sorts of directions.
In the set piece above, two head to the center of the box, a trailing runner in Nico Elvedi almost using Manuel Akanji as a moving screen so he can get a move on his defender. Towards the back post, two Swiss players are doing similar, but with Granit Xhaka primed beyond them for a corner that is overhit, as this one is. Ultimately, Ricardo Rodriguez's delivery is not good enough to pick out any of them and a Qatar head meets it first.
Watching Switzerland's set pieces back the sense that there was more on the table for them repeats itself. Vargas knocking a corner short and getting the ball back to him at an awkward height. Another that he puts into a good area but without the pace and movement to really discomfort Mahmud Abunada. Given a few more reps on the training ground Switzerland could be an even better set piece outfit.
Perhaps not against Bosnia though. There is one other factor that might just be the easiest explanation for why these two teams got joy in dead balls: they were just markedly bigger than their opponents. Bosnia have the joint-highest squad at the tournament with Norway and had on average a two-inch height advantage over Canada. Switzerland's squad stand at an average of 185.2cm, barely a shade below Thursday's opponent, but enough to tower over Qatar, the third-shortest team at the competition. Both these teams have good set-piece routines, enough that they are worth keeping an eye on as the tournament progresses. This time around though, expect to see two of the World Cup's big boys cancel each other out.
Add CBS Sports on GoogleBadenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price subsidising their life by livestreaming
Venezuela Fury and her husband Noah Price look to be making their own way in the world by raking it in from their lucrative social media accounts.
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury, 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year.
Since getting married and moving in together the couple have been earning thousands of pounds a month, livestreaming their life as newlyweds in their static caravan in the East Riding of Yorkshire.
And fans can't get enough of their regular life updates on TikTok and Kick, which have proved to be very profitable for the pair.
They look to be supporting themselves after Noah denied that he was given £5million by Venezuela's family as a wedding gift.
Despite his wife's huge family wealth, an estimated combined £160 million, Noah recently told his Kick followers that he 'pays for everything' for the couple.
Making light of the claims about Venezuela's millionaire financial status, Noah said: 'I actually pay for everything unfortunately. You'd expect the millionaire to pay for it wouldn't you.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price are earning thousands livestreaming their caravan life - after her new groom insisted he pays all the bills and denied he had £5m handout from her dad
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury , 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year
Venezuela then asked their fans: 'Do you think I am a millionaire?'
Noah joked: 'She isn't a secret millionaire guys', before she broke into song and sang: 'But I live like a millionaire!'
But it seems according to estimated calculations from their social media work, Noah and Venezuela can more than afford to support themselves.
Noah has been livestreaming on platforms such as Kick and TikTok, where viewers can send paid gifts or donations.
He was previously encouraging viewers to send gifts on his honeymoon during livestreams, suggesting this is one revenue stream.
Both Noah and Venezuela have built substantial followings on Instagram and TikTok. They can potentially earn money through sponsored posts, brand collaborations, affiliate links and creator payouts.
Kick allows its creators to take home 95 per cent of the £4.99 subscription cost that fans pay.
Streamers keep 100 per cent of direct tips and donations, minus minor standard payment processing fees.
It is unclear how many subscribers Noah currently has because this information is hidden, but he does have 7,200 followers which is publicly viewable.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million
In one video on their honeymoon, Noah asked his followers if they'd give them some more gifts now that they were married.
In a TikTok live viewed by 20,000 he said: 'Keep liking our videos people, keep sending gifts.'
After saying thank you to several of his followers he joked they should stick around on the livestream and 'watch Venezuela punch me in the mouth'.
The other half of the honeymooning couple said: 'I am, honestly!'
Noah previously confirmed that the pair don't share their finances after they were asked whether they have a shared bank account.
'She earns her money, I earn mine,' said Noah, as Venezuela joked: 'Yeah, what you gonna do about it.'
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'.
Meanwhile Venezuela is being eyed up by executives for a fly on the wall TV series.
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'
Boasting 1.3 million TikTok followers, Venezuela is already entertaining fans with her honest musings and candid moments, from cooking to kitting out her and Noah's static caravan home.
And following the success of the Netflix series At Home With The Furys, it is no wonder bosses are wanting to draw on the Fury popularity.
A TV insider said: 'The couple are not A-list celebrities but everyone has become obsessed with their love story.
'People are genuinely intrigued by them. Whether it’s the fact they have married so young, Venezuela’s famous family or their gypsy lifestyle, they have the ‘X factor'.
'Several TV executives think a proper fly-on-the-wall series following their lives as newlyweds in the gypsy community would be fascinating,' they told The Sun.
It is thought Netflix would be likely to produce the series due to their already established relationship with the Furys.
Venezuela's representatives told The Daily Mail: 'We have many offers on the table regarding Venezuela which we are discussing.'
