hello this is bbc news. the headlines. train passengers in the uk face further delays today, as the rmt union continue their 48—hour strike as part of a long—running row over jobs, pay and conditions. only one in five services are expected to operate. covid cases soar in china following the lifting of the government's strict lockdown measures, resulting in queues rising at crematoria in beijing and shanghai closing most of its schools and ordering pupils to take classes online. russian attacks on ukraine's power grid plunge millions into darkness. work is continuing to restore electricity and heating as russian president vladimir putin meets with military chiefs in the headquarters of the country's special military operation. a 33—year—old woman who died

after being injured in a crush at a gig on thursday at london's 02 academy brixton is named as rebecca ikumelo. two other women remain in a critical condition. now on bbc news, it's time for sportsday. hello there, i'm olly foster, we are live in qatar. here's what's coming up on sportsday. it's not the prize they came here for, but croatia edge past morocco in the bronze—medal match. and now there isjust one game left... lionel messi's last world cup, we'll hear from the argentina camp. and the french. the stage is also set

for kylian mbappe as he looks to become the youngest man since pele to win two world cups. also coming up in the programme, with me, paul scott. a record breaking day as 18—year—old rehan ahmed takes wickets on his test debut, becoming the youngest man to do so for england. luke cowan—dickie bags a hat—trick, as exeter chiefs thrash the bulls in rugby union's european champions cup. and celtic�*s return to scottish premiership action is a winning one, although they left it late to see off aberdeen. welcome along, we will look

ahead to tomorrow's final injust a moment, but let's start with the third—fourth playoff, it's been a welcome distraction for us this afternoon, a surprisingly good game, which sometimes they aren't. croatia, runners up four years ago, finished third when they made their world cup debut in 1998 and they have another bronze medal after beating morocco 2—1. our correspondent, nesta mcgregor, was at the game. for morocco, this has been a tournament where the team has reached new heights. every step of the way, their plans have followed.

meanwhile, runners—upfrom the way, their plans have followed. meanwhile, runners—up from last time, croatia. trying to have a party of their own. but he would be the last one is dancing? it was a toothless 0—0 draw in the teams met in the group stage butjust seconds into this one, croatia were nearly into this one, croatia were nearly in the scoresheet, the key pair inches away from a huge error. soon after, morocco where behind. the massed attacker turned out to you in fact be a defender. one of the players of the tournament so far. less than two minutes, the teams were back level, another defender, another header. on the stroke of half—time, the game swung back and croatia's favour. the player might have to do score a goal better than this and wait some time. midway after the break, croatia felt they

should have been after a penalty. the referee and va are ruled out foul. that decision would have been even more egregious if morocco had scored in the final seconds, but in the end, 2—1 was how it finished. so croatia have their bronze medal. let's cross live to the khalifa international stadium. nesta macgregor is still there. i was saying before, these are games you normally gloss over. both those sites where bang up for it, you guessed morocco would be anyway because of the history that they have made over the past month. absolutely. i think you had hit the nail on the head. these games are a big ask. less than 48 hours ago, these players had the disappointment of missing out on the final and now they have been asked to summon up one final effort. as you mentioned,

a game full of incidents and goals. croatia continue to be a team that punch well above their weight when it comes to international football. just under 4 million people live there, they were second in russia four years ago, said this year. as you mentioned, morocco has been the story of this will cut. the pride of the african continent and the arab world as well. he would have thought at the beginning they would be in the third and fourth place play—off. some moroccan fans might have even taken that ahead of the tournament. the first african team to reach this far. incredible story. what has been interesting is that walking around ohio, you see lots of young kids, they might have messi, neymar, rinaldo shirts but now they have heroes that look like them playing the same football in the same countries. who knows what ships they might be wearing in time to come? they last a day, theirfans might be wearing in time to come? they last a day, their fans will know that they will be disappointed but i still think it is going to be some party in doha tonight. my mac

it wasn'tjust africa, some party in doha tonight. my mac it wasn't just africa, it was for the whole arabic speaking world. we just saw some pictures are sets going up to get his bronze medal, we have been concentrating on cristiano ronaldo. we won't see him after tomorrow, we will not see messi and another world cup. modric, at the age of 37, he will not be at a well cut either. he age of 37, he will not be at a well cut either-— cut either. he has been a player that can play — cut either. he has been a player that can play 90 _ cut either. he has been a player that can play 90 minutes - cut either. he has been a player that can play 90 minutes of- cut either. he has been a player - that can play 90 minutes of football without standing out and that's not to suspect it's just because he does the basic so well. he probably made the basic so well. he probably made the most passes on the pitch but unless you are a football connoisseur, you don't notice how important and pivotal he is for the team. remember, this is a ballon d'or winner. team. remember, this is a ballon d'orwinner. he team. remember, this is a ballon d'or winner. he spent most of his career at real madrid and won several la leaguers. chances of him

appearing at another world cup are slim. we know professionals take good care of their body, to return at 39, 40, 41, is probably a big as. as you mentioned, croatia's golden generation. so i think for them, it might be how do you replace a player like modric? the? might be how do you replace a player like modric? , ., might be how do you replace a player like modric?— like modric? they do have a standout su erstar like modric? they do have a standout superstar defender. _ like modric? they do have a standout superstar defender. many _ like modric? they do have a standout superstar defender. many thanks - superstar defender. many thanks indeed. croatia go home with a bronze medal, the greatest prize in the game awaits for france or argentina at the lusail stadium tomorrow. both looking to lift the trophy for a third time, both will be looking to their star players to help them achieve their goal. ben croucher reports.

32 teams came to qatar hoping to ignite a dream to unite a nation to create their history. to remain. carrying the weight of that history every step of the way. the world's createst every step of the way. the world's greatest player— every step of the way. the world's greatest player receives _ every step of the way. the world's greatest player receives the - every step of the way. the world's. greatest player receives the world's most important price.— greatest player receives the world's most important price. sedan, again. this will be — most important price. sedan, again. this will be the — most important price. sedan, again. this will be the story _ most important price. sedan, again. this will be the story of _ most important price. sedan, again. this will be the story of two - most important price. sedan, again. this will be the story of two teams l this will be the story of two teams but also to players. the great, the greatest? translation: ., ., , ~ ., translation: the game as argentina auainst translation: the game as argentina against france — translation: the game as argentina against france much _ translation: the game as argentina against france much more _ translation: the game as argentina against france much more than - translation: the game as argentina against france much more than lionel| against france much more than lionel messi against kylian mbappe. both teams have the weapons they need and the match can be decided by others, notjust the match can be decided by others, not just others. the match can be decided by others, not just others— the match can be decided by others, not just others. notjust others. many may have their sa , but notjust others. many may have their say. but two — notjust others. many may have their say. but two may _ notjust others. many may have their say, but two may be _ notjust others. many may have their say, but two may be shouting - notjust others. many may have their say, but two may be shouting louder| say, but two may be shouting louder than others. for messi, the one major trophy to elude him in what's

likely to be his final world cup. can you follow in the famous footsteps before him? for kylian mbappe, already a world cup winner at 19, age is no barrier status, holds no fear. i at 19, age is no barrier status, holds no fear.— at19, age is no barrier status, holds no fear.— holds no fear. i think he is so driven and — holds no fear. i think he is so driven and so _ holds no fear. i think he is so driven and so ambitious - holds no fear. i think he is so driven and so ambitious and. holds no fear. i think he is so i driven and so ambitious and he holds no fear. i think he is so - driven and so ambitious and he wants to write his name in big letters right at there at the top of the football world. he almost doesn't think about who is against him. neither nation has done its either way, both tasted defeat in the groups. way, both tasted defeat in the urou s. �* ., ., way, both tasted defeat in the u-rous. ~ ., ., ., way, both tasted defeat in the u-rous. �* ., ., ., , groups. argentina are now behind. both know the _ groups. argentina are now behind. both know the pressure _ groups. argentina are now behind. both know the pressure of - groups. argentina are now behind. i both know the pressure of penalties. he's missed it. both know the pressure of penalties. he's missed it— he's missed it. that, when they've needed it most, _ he's missed it. that, when they've needed it most, both _ he's missed it. that, when they've needed it most, both produce - he's missed it. that, when they've| needed it most, both produce their best when the time has come. translation:— best when the time has come. translation: ~ , ., ., . translation: when you are french, -la in: in translation: when you are french, playing in the — translation: when you are french, playing in the world _ translation: when you are french, playing in the world cup _ translation: when you are french, playing in the world cup final- playing in the world cup final regardless of the opponent is big. to meet argentina makes it even better and whatever happens we hope this match will go down in the history books for this france team

above all else.— above all else. finals, they can twist and _ above all else. finals, they can twist and turn _ above all else. finals, they can twist and turn on _ above all else. finals, they can twist and turn on you _ above all else. finals, they can twist and turn on you come - above all else. finals, they can twist and turn on you come out above all else. finals, they can - twist and turn on you come out with a little _ twist and turn on you come out with a little bit _ twist and turn on you come out with a little bit of— twist and turn on you come out with a little bit of good fortune, an incredible moment that might come from either lionel messi or kylian mbappe _ from either lionel messi or kylian mbappe or both, it's a very tough one to _ mbappe or both, it's a very tough one to predict. in mbappe or both, it's a very tough one to predict-— mbappe or both, it's a very tough one to predict. in this tournament of shocks, — one to predict. in this tournament of shocks, surprises _ one to predict. in this tournament of shocks, surprises of _ one to predict. in this tournament of shocks, surprises of the - one to predict. in this tournament l of shocks, surprises of the sublime and the surrealjust 90 minutes or so remains. but then there were two, for one, greatness beckons. a few news lines out of the french camp today. they were missing a couple of key players out of their semifinal win. with this sickness bug. is it a flu like a virus that has gone through the team? three more players went down with it and they did actually miss training.

some of they came back into training but they have been trying to keep a lid on that sickness back. the captain was asked about it today, they have been slightly cagey as to how they are dealing with it, but the captain said excitement and adrenaline will get us through that final. no matter how sick some of our players might feel. we just hope, keeping everything crossed, that there will be no excuses from the reigning champions. when they come face—to—face with argentina. the captain is looking to become, in the whole issue of the tournament, there are so many milestones to be met, looking to become the first captain to the trophy twi captain to ce. diego maradona came close, winning it in �*86 but was then runner up at italia �*90, and now we have lionel messi in the captain's armband.

i wonder what millions of their fans are feeling tonight on the eve of the final? esteban edul is one of the presenters with espn argentina out here. they have been broadcasting night and day to all of the fans back home, the millions who are trying to absorb and feel the atmosphere in qatar. irate absorb and feel the atmosphere in qatar. ~ . . absorb and feel the atmosphere in qatar. ~ ., ., ., absorb and feel the atmosphere in qatar. ., ., ., ., ., ., , qatar. we have a lot of emotions in m bod , qatar. we have a lot of emotions in my body. in — qatar. we have a lot of emotions in my body. in the _ qatar. we have a lot of emotions in my body, in the argentinian - qatar. we have a lot of emotions in my body, in the argentinian body, i qatar. we have a lot of emotions in l my body, in the argentinian body, we know that a lot of people come from argentina, we have in all the matches many people supporting the team. people from here and people from argentina. but this match is going to be special for all of us.

you are at the final eight years ago? what you think has changed about messi and this team? i don't know if it's — about messi and this team? i don't know if it's a _ about messi and this team? i don't know if it's a better _ about messi and this team? i don't know if it's a better team, - about messi and this team? i don't know if it's a better team, but - about messi and this team? i don't know if it's a better team, but they play better in the world cup. this team have good players, too, but the best players in this cap, there was the goalkeeper, and now the best player is lionel messi in the world cup. in the match of the world cup. and the players that stay from an attack like alvarez, dave maria, and we think that this team make a better messi than they are. you mention the _ better messi than they are. you mention the goalkeeper, obviously football british fans will know martinez, he has a fantastic story. he only made his debut last year, he is 30, he has come from the very bottom of some of the teams he has

played four, oxford, rotherham, reading, and now here he is here in a final. he reading, and now here he is here in a final. �* . a final. he left argentina when he was still a kid _ a final. he left argentina when he was still a kid and _ a final. he left argentina when he was still a kid and in _ a final. he left argentina when he was still a kid and in the - a final. he left argentina when he was still a kid and in the last - was still a kid and in the last world cup he said he was bothered that in this he is going to stay in the team. and this dream is made rail because he works very hard and because in a conversation with the manager they said he needs to play sunday to sunday or wednesday to sunday, if he does it, he will play in the selection. and for him and his brother, he said he would do it. you are playing very well, a great team, do you worry about france? yes, because they have good players, very good players. and they have the experience that the last world cup made for the team. but we dream of a

good match from argentina. argentina speaking to me earlier, more from here in qatar later on we will get the view from argentina from when i say rest, but let's head back to the bbc sport centre now because paul scott has a lot of other sport. thanks olly, away from the world cup and leg—spinner rehan ahmed has become the youngest man to take test wickets for england, as the tourists bowled pakistan out for 304 on the first day of the third and final test in karachi. joe wilson was watching. 18 years, 126 days. rehan ahmed playing for england and his dad practically young enough to be a team—mate. lovely. at 31 and a half, jack leach was opening the building.

abdullah shafik out lbw. remember the series stands at 2—0 to england. incorrectly it was last chance obama has done to lead pakistan for glory. stand by for the fair success on disk spin bowling of rehan ahmed. sad shakeel gone and he is the youngest man ever to take a test wicket again. i youngest man ever to take a test wicket again-— youngest man ever to take a test wicket again. i always feel ready, i think if you — wicket again. i always feel ready, i think if you have _ wicket again. i always feel ready, i think if you have the _ wicket again. i always feel ready, i think if you have the opportunity . think if you have the opportunity and other people think you are ready for it, then you should know you are ready for it, too. just ankle for it. ~ ., ., .,. ready for it, too. just ankle for it. ., ., ready for it, too. just ankle for it. mohammed race man, where have i hit that? straight— it. mohammed race man, where have i hit that? straight to _ it. mohammed race man, where have i hit that? straight to ben _ it. mohammed race man, where have i hit that? straight to ben stokes. - it. mohammed race man, where have i hit that? straight to ben stokes. as i hit that? straight to ben stokes. as a bowler, you learn to your luck. here is another gift, a risky run, some rapid work from folks. the ball in his right glove took config bail, run out for 78, pakistan were all out for 74. the match is still young. ahmed bowling for pakistan,

crawling out lbw, and then resume at 7-1 crawling out lbw, and then resume at 7—1 and what mobile this young man do? joe wilson, bbc news. perfectly poised for a day two which gets under way in the early hours. exeter chiefs have made it two wins from two in pool a of rugby union's european champions cup. luke cowan dickie was the hero as he celebrated a hat—trick as the chiefs beat the bulls 44—14. alex fletcher rounds up the best of the action. both sides had their eyes firmly on the ball after winning last time out with exeter ending 27 match unbeaten home run before this one. it was the visitors who got off to the best possible start, jacob is breaking the line before touching down. fiend the line before touching down. and no the line before touching down. and ngo jacobs- — the line before touching down. and ngo jacobs. this _ the line before touching down. and ngo jacobs. this wasn't _ the line before touching down. and ngo jacobs. this wasn't a - the line before touching down. and ngo jacobs. this wasn't a sign - the line before touching down. and ngo jacobs. this wasn't a sign of i ngo jacobs. this wasn't a sign of thins to ngo jacobs. this wasn't a sign of things to come, _ ngo jacobs. this wasn't a sign of things to come, though. - ngo jacobs. this wasn't a sign of things to come, though. their i ngo jacobs. this wasn't a sign of i things to come, though. their view is responding for exeter before luke cowan—dickie drove through not once but twice. to extend the home side's

lead. the heck i wasn't finished there. so quick thinking saw him grab his hat—trick shortly after the break. solomon cut out then rounded off the scoring for the chiefs who look on course for qualification for the round of 16. as leicester welcome clermont to welford road, the prop celebrated his 300th cap. despite two early penalties giving the french side the lead, they lost the french side the lead, they lost the captain to injury and seemingly lost their way. one player charging through the defensive line to score on his own love appearance. another t . on his own love appearance. another try- charlie — on his own love appearance. another try. charlie atkinson _ on his own love appearance. another try. charlie atkinson making - on his own love appearance. another try. charlie atkinson making no - try. charlie atkinson making no mistake with _ try. charlie atkinson making no mistake with the _ try. charlie atkinson making no mistake with the resulting - try. charlie atkinson making no - mistake with the resulting penalty. ten minutes from time, it was a case of deja vu. atkinson sending another in between the sticks to settle the game. leicesterjoining exeter on game. leicester joining exeter on the game. leicesterjoining exeter on the brink of qualification. alex fletcher, bbc news.

it's been a really busy day of european rugby. the 2019 winners, saracens, beat lyon 28—20. leicester tigers also beat french opposition in the shape of clermont auvergne. stormers 24—7 london irish, ulster 7—36 la rochelle. montpellier against ospreys gets under way at 8pm. let's have a quick look at some of the other stories making the sports news today and britain's charlotte bankes has won gold at the snowboard cross world cup in in italy. jockey frankie dettori has announced that 2023 will be his final season. the 52—year—old is one of the sport's best—known figures and has ridden over 3000 british winners, since his first, back in 1987. his wins also include 21 british classic successes and three champion jockey titles.

simon whitlock survived a scare to reach the second round of the world darts championships. he beat asian champion christian perez. englishman martin lukeman and alan soutar of scotland are also through. mark selby is into the final of the english open after knocking out defending champion neil robertson. selby beat the australian by 6 frames to 4. he'll play the winner of the other semi between luca brecel and mark allen. and great britain's men claimed their second bonus point in a row in the fih pro league mini tournament, after seeing off the netherlands in a shoot—out. nick bandurak scoring his first goal for great britain as it finished 1—1, but the gb men held their nerve in the shoot—out. now, the football world cup may have paused top flight league football across europe, but the scottish premiership returned to action this week. earlier today, celtic extended

their lead at the top to 9 point although they left it late at aberdeen, asjo currie reports. as the freeze affected fixtures across scotland, celtic�*s match away to aberdeen survived the conditions to give the leaders a chance to restore their nine—point gap at the top. the first half came and went in a flurry of celtic chances. aberdeen had the goalkeeper to thank for keeping them in the game, while they themselves offered little in the way of attack. after the break, the one—way action continued. celtic had no problem creating chances, the issue was finishing them. as aberdeen stubbornly dug in and around their own box, the visitors kept up the intensity, but time and time again they failed to find the target. with the clock ticking down, celtic were running out of time until this moment of magic. captain callum mcgregor marking his return from a two—month long injury with a most special

of goals, finally rewarding his team's dominance. with festive songs ringing out around pittodrie from the travelling fans at full—time, they headed home with all three points. jo currie, bbc news. a couple of matches did fall foul to the weather today, but the games at hearts and ross county also went ahead. hearts moved in to fourth place with a 3—1 win at home to kilmarnock. lawrence shankland with a brace in that one. while ali crawford scored twice in the final 13 minutes to a complete a comeback for stjohnstone at io—man ross county. the games at livingston and motherwell were postponed. the a—league derby between melbourne city and melbourne victory was abandoned after a player was injured by a spectator during a pitch invasion. city goalkeeper tom glover was hit by a metal bucket after a large number of spectators ran on to the pitch in the 22nd minute, flares were also thrown. the 24—year—old suffered a cut to his face and "likely has a concussion", according

to his club. the game was initially suspended, then abandoned on player safety grounds. you're up to date with the latest away from the world cup but let's head back to qatar now and olly foster. welcome back. it's a superstition among argentina fans that there has to be a gathering somewhere before the big game and then they march on the stadium. we're expecting to see a lot of that in doha tomorrow before they head north to lusail for the final against france. over 50,000 expected here, how will the final be viewed from back in argentina? here's our south america correspondent, katy watson. everywhere you walk, lionel messi's presence is felt. ahead of the big game,

this city has been spruced up in the colours of the flag. argentina is ready for victory. in my case, it's my dream, because since i was born in the �*90s, i couldn't see never argentina champion of the world. for many people, it will be a dream come true. translation: it is something | that is beautiful for this country. we are always struggling to make ends meet. it is nice to have some happiness. luis' bar is packed with relics, dedicated to the beautiful game. he is dedicated to the beautiful game, and sunday means everything to him and his customers. translation: in argentina, they say the football - pitches don't shake, they have a heartbeat. every argentinian sees himself as a coach. everyone has a different opinion, but the moment we celebrate, we cry. we cry a lot and hug.

this is the man who has defined argentina's success this year. while messi is the winner of almost every football trophy out there, a world cup win still eludes him. so the whole of argentina is behind him to put that right. the mini messis are everywhere on argentina's shabby football grounds for their future players. kevin is one of the stars here. playing since he was four, he's signed to a local team. this is a poor part of buenos aires. kids are playing on a dirt football pitch. this is a country where people have been really struggling for years. high inflation rates. just getting through each and every month. but along comes messi, a chance to win the world cup, and people here are energised, they are transformed. mum looks on proudly, sipping her drink in argentinian style. translation: the world cup

has made kevin crazy. - he sings all the songs, cheers the goals and says he wants to be a player. messi is an example. an argentine famous for his footwork, everyone here is watching messi's last dance. and they are cheering him and the team on from afar. katie watson, bbc news, buenos aires. whatever way you look at it, there's going to be history made. they do this very clever thing in doha where their skyline is lit up in the colours. will it be a tap on the

white and blue orjust blue? i'll be backin white and blue orjust blue? i'll be back in 30 minutes. see you then. hello there, we are finally seeing a change to this weather which will be moving up from the south. as it does so and bumps into the cold air, we are likely to see a transient spell of ice and snow. in the short term, tonight will be another very cold one across the board but particularly so for central northern and eastern areas with a shout for us. temperature will be gradually recovering across the south as that area of low pressure starts to move on. you can see it here on the pressure chart, pushing up from the south—west, lots of isobars and will be turning ready for all areas. the milder air will be be turning ready for all areas. the milderairwill be in be turning ready for all areas. the milder air will be in towards a south—west later in the afternoon but it will take its time to get into the north and east. the ice could be problematic across northern england, we could see some travel

disruption said the met office have issued an amber ice warning. stats of dry and cold, the wet and windy weather spreads out from the south through the day, transient snow and ice across northern areas, milder in the south—west later in the day.

this is bbc news broadcasting to viewers in the uk and around the world. the headlines: train passengers in the uk face further delays today, as the rmt union continue their 48—hour strike — only one in five services are expected to operate. hospitals are told to free up beds ahead of ambulance staff going on strike in england on wednesday. queues at beijing crematoria and school closures in shanghai as virus cases soar after the lifting of china's zero—covid policy. work is continuing to restore electricity and heating in parts of ukraine — after a wave of russian air strikes hits infrastructure. a 33—year—old woman, rebecca ikumelo, dies after being injured in a crush at a gig on thursday

at london's 02 academy in brixton.