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Nicolas Atkin

Paul Pogba has dedicated France’s World Cup semi-final win against Belgium to the young Thai football team who were rescued from a flooded cave earlier on Tuesday.
The last of the 12 boys and their coach were freed a few hours before the match kicked off at the St Petersburg Stadium in Russia.
After reaching the final, which takes place in Moscow on Sunday, Pogba posted a message of support on Twitter for the Wild Boars team, who had been trapped for more than two weeks after the Tham Luang cave they were exploring became flooded by rain.
Alongside pictures of the boys, the Manchester United midfielder wrote the 1-0 victory “goes to the heroes of the day”.
Pogba added: “Well done boys, you are so strong.”

This victory goes to the heroes of the day, well done boys, you are so strong #thaicaverescue #chiangrai pic.twitter.com/05wysCSuVy
— Paul Pogba (@paulpogba) July 10, 2018

The team had been invited by Fifa to watch Pogba and his France teammates face either England or Croatia in the final at the Luzhniki Stadium on Sunday.
However, world football’s governing body announced the boys would not be able to attend the game because they are still receiving medical treatment.
Lesson to be learned as Thai cave drama ends happily

The boys, who have been taken to hospital in the nearest city of Chiang Rai, were saved after a daring rescue mission by Thai Navy seals.
Tragically, former Navy Seal diver Saman Kunont died after bringing oxygen to the junior team, as he ran out of oxygen for himself on his way back to the cave entrance.
Several other prominent figures in football have wished the boys well, with Manchester United offering to host the team for a match at Old Trafford next season.

#MUFC is relieved to learn that the 12 footballers and their coach trapped in a cave in Thailand are now safe. Our thoughts and prayers are with those affected.
We would love to welcome the team from Wild Boars Football Club and their rescuers to Old Trafford this coming season. pic.twitter.com/5CGMoD1Msq
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) July 10, 2018

One of the young boys was pictured wearing an England shirt in the cave, and Three Lions defender Kyle Walker offered to send the whole team some England shirts.

Amazing news that all of the Thai kids are out of the cave safely! I'd like to send out shirts to them! Is there anyone who can help with an address? @England pic.twitter.com/pQYwW4SPh7
— Kyle Walker (@kylewalker2) July 10, 2018



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Fifa World Cup 2018

Fifa World Cup: Paul Pogba dedicates France semi-final win to Thai soccer team after cave rescue by Navy Seals

France’s Paul Pogba celebrates after his team progressed to the World Cup final. Photo: AP

Boys from the under-16 soccer team trapped inside Tham Luang cave greet members of the Thai rescue team in Chiang Rai, Thailand, in this still image taken from a July 3, 2018 video by Thai Navy Seal. Thai Navy Seal/Handout via REUTERS TV ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVE. MANDATORY CREDIT.

Lesson to be learned as Thai cave drama ends happily

The rescue of the young soccer players and their coach brought international attention, cooperation and despair when a diver died; now the flood-prone attraction should be closed during the rainy season and warnings issued

People celebrate after divers evacuate some of the boys and their coach trapped at Tham Luang cave in northern Thailand on Tuesday. Photo: AP

Mission accomplished: worldwide jubilation as all 12 boys and coach are rescued from Thai cave

Local police place umbrellas around an evacuation helicopter near the cave in Mae Sai, Chiang Rai. Photo: AP

Relatives of boys trapped in a flooded cave are seen at a check point near the Tham Luang cave complex in the northern province of Chiang Rai, Thailand, July 10, 2018. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun

Volunteers celebrate near Tham Luang cave complex in the northern province of Chiang Rai, Thailand, July 10, 2018. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun

An ambulance allegedly transporting rescued members of the children's football leaves Tham Luang cave area in Khun Nam Nang Non Forest Park in the Mae Sai district of Chiang Rai province on July 10, 2018. All 12 boys and their coach who became trapped in a flooded Thai cave more than a fortnight ago have been rescued, the Navy SEALs announced on July 10, completing an astonishing against-the-odds rescue mission that has captivated the world. / AFP PHOTO / YE AUNG THU

Sport

Football

Paul Pogba posts message of support on Twitter to the 12 boys freed from flooded Tham Luang cave after France reach World Cup final


Fifa World Cup: Paul Pogba dedicates France semi-final win to Thai soccer team after cave rescue by Navy Seals

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Paul Pogba posts message of support on Twitter to the 12 boys freed from flooded Tham Luang cave after France reach World Cup final

Paul Pogba posts message of support on Twitter to the 12 boys freed from flooded Tham Luang cave after France reach World Cup final