Figure caption, Stars shine at half-time show
ByMadeline Halpert
Reporting fromNew York
Pop giants Madonna, BTS, Shakira and Justin Bieber have performed for thousands of spectators at the World Cup final in a half-time show to rival the Superbowl.
Madonna, who sung her hit song Music – seemed to appear from tunnels under the arena, joined by Brazilian football legends Ronaldo and Ronaldinho.
The performances came in a half-time that ran to 27 minutes and 22 seconds – the longest in World Cup history.
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Image caption, Madonna was flanked by Brazilian greats Ronaldinho and Ronaldo
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Image caption, Justin Bieber played guitar in his segment
The length of the half-time show had already caused controversy, with the International Football Association Board (Ifab) rules stating players are only entitled to a maximum 15-minute stoppage.
Colombian pop star Shakira and Nigerian musician Burna Boy reunited on stage after performing together at the tournament’s opening ceremony in Mexico City last month.
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K-Pop supergroup BTS, meanwhile, have been making their comeback from a three-year music hiatus to complete their mandatory military service in South Korea.
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Image caption, South Korean K-pop group BTS
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Image caption, The stadium was a riot of colour for the half-time show, with fireworks ringing the stadium
Several celebrities were spotted watching on, including Kylie Jenner and her boyfriend Timothee Chalamet, as well as Beyonce and Jay-Z.
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Image caption, Timothee Chalamet and Kylie Jenner
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Image caption, Jay-Z and Beyonce
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Image caption, British-Argentine actress Anya Taylor-Joy was joined by her husband Malcolm McRae – she told reporters ahead of the England v Argentina semi-final that she was for Argentina in her “heart of hearts”
Earlier, a range of performances began the sporting event’s closing ceremony, including Jennifer Hudson singing the national anthem and a speech from actor Tom Cruise.
Streamer IShowSpeed took to the field at the New York New Jersey Stadium first, alongside drummers and dancers in vibrant tracksuits.
Nicole Scherzinger, Robbie Williams and Italian singer Laura Pausini also performed together, while rapper and singer Post Malone also performed his hit song Wow.
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Image caption, Nicole Scherzinger, Robbie Williams and Italian Singer Laura Pausini performed together
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Image caption, Tom Cruise spoke about the power of football to unite people
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Image caption, Jennifer Hudson sings the national anthem before the match
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Image caption, David Beckham and his wife Victoria Beckham shared a laugh with actor Tom Cruise
Ahead of kick-off, multi-award-winning singer and actor Jennifer Hudson performed the US national anthem, accompanied by a live band.
After the performances, Tom Cruise took to the stage to introduce the match.
“From every corner of the globe, we have witnessed greatness, and we have shared in moments of joy,” he told the crowd. “Football is a language spoken without words, a force that unites people.”
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Image caption, The band Animal performed during the half-time show – with an appearance from the Muppets
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Image caption, Post Malone was joined by rapper Swae Lee to sing their hit song Sunflower
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Image caption, US actress Jessica Alba and US actor Danny Ramirez were spotted waving flags
Italian singer Pausini told the BBC she had goosebumps when Williams invited her to sing alongside him.
But not everyone was thrilled by the performances half-time performance.
Former England player Wayne Rooney, who was part of the commentary team for the BBC, gave his instant reaction: “I like a lot of them artists, but I thought it was crap.”
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Image source, FIFA via Getty Images
Image caption, Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump joined the Fifa boss Gianni Infantino
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