XXII WORLD CUP (QATAR 2022)

FINAL STAGE — GAME DETAILS

(From 20-11-2022 to 18-12-2022)

 

 

GROUP STAGE

STADIUM: استاد البيت <ʾIstād al-Bayt> / Al-Bayt Stadium (Al-Khor)

DATE: 20-11-2022 (19:00 h)

ATTENDANCE: 67.372

REFEREE: Daniele Orsato (ITA)

GOALS: 0-1 (Valencia [p.] 16’); 0-2 (Valencia 31’)

BOOKED: Al-Sheeb (15’), Ali (22’), Boudiaf (36’), Afif (78’) / Caicedo (29’), Seba Méndez (56’)

[Incidents: Opening game of the World Cup, preceded by an inaugural ceremony.]

QAT

قطر

Qatar - Ecuador

Ecuador

ECU

0-2 (0-2)

QATAR

Al-Sheeb

Ró-Ró, Al-Rawi, Khoukhi, A. Hassan, Ahmed

Al-Haydos (c) (Waad 72’), Boudiaf, Hatem

Ali (Muntari 72’), Afif

COACH: Félix Sánchez

ECUADOR

Galíndez

Ángelo Preciado, Torres, Hincapié, Estupiñán

Plata, Seba Méndez, Caicedo (Franco 90’), Ibarra (Sarmiento 68’)

Valencia (c) (Cifuentes 77’), Estrada (Kevin Rodríguez 90’)

COACH: Gustavo Alfaro

GAME SUMMARY

Enner Valencia scored a first-half double as Ecuador overwhelmed hosts Qatar on their way to a routine 2-0 win in the opening game of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Three minutes into the game, Valencia thought he had added one more scratch to his tally as Ecuador's all-time top goalscorer when he headed home, but the goal was ruled out by VAR review for a marginal offside call against teammate Michael Estrada. However, Valencia didn’t have to wait long to celebrate after winning and coolly converting a 16th-minute penalty following a solo run into the Qatari area, which also made Ecuador's captain the first player in his country's history to score four goals in World Cup finals. Just after the half-hour mark, Valencia made it five goals in his tally after heading home Ángelo Preciado's wonderful right-wing cross. On the other side, a sorry Qatar didn’t have much to offer to its fans and failed to live up to the pre-match expectations, as they were comprehensively outplayed by a more expert Ecuador. Only striker Almoez Ali came close to scoring just before halftime, but his header from the center of the box went just wide to the left of Ecuatorian goalkeeper Hernán Galíndez. Qatar failed to stage a comeback in the second half and the game slowly died off. Happiness was not complete for Ecuador though, as captain Valencia hobbled off the pitch with a knee injury 13 minutes from time. Substitute Mohammed Muntari rippled the top of the netting with a late effort, but it was too little, too late for Qatar.

 

GROUP STAGE

STADIUM: ملعب خليفة الدولي <Maleab Khalīfah ad-Dawliyy> / Khalifa International Stadium (Al-Rayyan)

DATE: 21-11-2022 (16:00 h)

ATTENDANCE: 45.334

REFEREE: Raphael Claus (BRA)

GOALS: 1-0 (Bellingham 35’); 2-0 (Saka 43’); 3-0 (Sterling 45+’); 4-0 (Saka 62’); 4-1 (Taremi 65’); 5-1 (Rashford 71’); 6-1 (Grealish 90’); 6-2 (Taremi [p.] 90+’)

BOOKED: Jahanbakhsh (25’), Pouraliganji (48’)

[Incidents: The Iranian players refused to sing the national anthem in protest for the politican situation in the Islamic Republic. The game had a World Cup record 24-minute injury time: 14 minutes in the first half (justified by the very long interruption due to Beiranvand’s medical assistance) and 10 minutes in the second half (somehow unjustified, which extended to 14 minutes due to the VAR review on the penalty kick awarded to Iran).]

ENG

England

England - Iran

ایران

IRN

6-2 (3-0)

ENGLAND

Pickford

Trippier, Stones, Maguire (Dier 70’), Shaw

Bellingham, Mount (Foden 70’), Rice

Saka (Rashford 70’), Kane (c) (Wilson 75’), Sterling (Grealish 71’)

COACH: Gareth Southgate

IRAN

Beiranvand (H. Hosseini 20’)

Moharrami, Cheshmi (Kanaani. 46’), M. Hosseini, Mohammadi (Torabi 63’)

Nourollahi (Azmoun 77’), Hajsafi (c), Karimi (Ezatolahi 46’)

Jahanbakhsh (Gholizadeh 46’), Taremi, Pouraliganji

COACH: Carlos Queiroz

GAME SUMMARY

England kicked off their World Cup campaign in style as they thrashed Iran 6-2 thanks to a brace from young sensation Bukayo Saka and efforts from Jude Bellingham, Raheem Sterling, Marcus Rashford and Jack Grealish. Mehdi Taremi got Iran on the scoresheet midway through the second half and netted a penalty deep into stoppage time, but that was scant consolation for the Asian team. England dominated the early stages of the game, but their rhythm was disrupted in minute 9 after a very long delay to assist goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand, who suffered a horrendous clash of heads with teammate Majid Hosseini and (much against his initial will) was forced out of the game with a concussion and a broken nose. However, Carlos Queiroz's plans for his Iran side to spoil and frustrate the Three Lions went up in smoke after the half hour. Harry Maguire gave an initial warning of what was about to come when he thudded a Kieran Trippier corner against the crossbar, and three minutes later Beiranvand's replacement Hossein Hosseini had no chance when Borussia Dortmund midfielder Bellingham nodded in Luke Shaw's cross. Iran looked uneasy under England setpieces throughout the first half, and following a corner kick in minute 43 Saka rifled home to make it 2-0 from Maguire's knockdown. It got worse for Queiroz's men in the first minute of a whopping 14-minute injury time when Sterling dispatched Harry Kane's cross on the volley. The Chelsea winger then turned provider when he found Saka after the hour and Kane combined with Rashford in similar fashion for the Manchester United favourite to make an instant impact from the bench. Taremi thumped home via the crossbar in between those goals and also netted a penalty deep into stoppage time when John Stones was very harshly punished by VAR for an infringement at a corner. By that point, Callum Wilson had teed up Grealish after the magnificent Bellingham tore Iran apart with a perfect throughball.

 

GROUP STAGE

STADIUM: ملعب الثمامة <Maleab ath-Thumāma> / Al-Thumama Stadium (Doha)

DATE: 21-11-2022 (19:00 h)

ATTENDANCE: 41.721

REFEREE: Wílton Sampaio (BRA)

GOALS: 0-1 (Gakpo 84’); 0-2 (Klaassen 90+’)

BOOKED: N. Mendy (90’), I. Guèye (90+’) / De Ligt (56’)

SEN

Sénégal

Senegal - Netherlands

Nederland

NED

0-2 (0-0)

SENEGAL

É. Mendy

Sabaly, Koulibaly (c), Cissé, Diallo (Jakobs 62’)

N. Mendy, I. Guèye, Kouyaté (P. Gueye 73’)

Diatta (Jackson 74’), Dia (Dieng 69’), I. Sarr

COACH: Aliou Cissé

NETHERLANDS

Noppert

De Ligt, Van Dijk (c), Aké

Dumfries, Berghuis (Koopmeiners 79’), F. de Jong, Gakpo (De Roon 90+’), Blind

Janssen (Memphis 62’), Bergwijn (Klaassen 79’)

COACH: Louis van Gaal

GAME SUMMARY

Cody Gakpo's late header and a deep injury-time strike from substitute Davy Klaassen put Netherlands in pole position to qualify as Group A winners as they condemned Senegal to a dispiriting defeat in their opening 2022 World Cup match. The contest between the two highest-ranked teams in the group looked to be heading for a drab goalless draw until Gakpo rose highest to glance home Frenkie de Jong's floated ball into the area ahead of a miscalculating Édouard Mendy. The Chelsea goalkeeper also might have done better in the ninth minute of injury time as he could only parry a weak effort from Memphis Depay into the path of substitute Davy Klaassen, who swept home the clinching goal. In the absence of their talisman and top scorer Sadio Mané, ruled out of the tournament after knee surgery, Senegal looked relatively toothless in attack. Ismaïla Sarr whipped in a curling effort which Virgil van Dijk diverted over in the first half, while Pape Gueye forced debutant goalkeeper Andries Noppert into a late save, but the African champions lacked energy and a cutting edge.

 

Netherlands dominated the first half and provided regular pressure around the Senegal penalty area, but were poor in front of goal. The Dutch side squandered a glorious opportunity to take the lead on six minutes as Gakpo squared the ball to teammate Steven Bergwijn, whose attempt was blocked. Another chance came on 18 minutes when midfielder Frenkie de Jong found himself in plenty of space and with just opposing goalkeeper Édouard Mendy to beat, but he took too long to get a shot away and the move broke down. Senegal, meanwhile, looked pedestrian in attack as they badly missed the threat of Mané. Netherlands looked less in control in a largely dull second half, and Senegal enjoyed a pair of promising opportunities late on as Dutch goalkeeper Andries Noppert was forced into a couple of key saves from Idrissa Guèye (first) and Ismaïla Sarr (later). Just when a stalemate looked unavoidable, the Netherlands found their clinical touch to snatch all three points. In minute 84, Gakpo was faster than Édouard Mendy to meet a delightful deep cross from Frenkie de Jong and head Netherlands into the lead. Brazilian referee Wílton Sampaio signalled for eight minutes of added time and the Dutch used them well, as Memphis Depay's shot forced Mendy to parry to Klaassen, who provided a comfortable tap-in.

 

GROUP STAGE

STADIUM: ملعب أحمد بن علي <Maleab ʾAḥmad bin ʿAliyy> / Ahmad bin Ali Stadium (Al-Rayyan)

DATE: 21-11-2022 (22:00 h)

ATTENDANCE: 43.418

REFEREE: Abdulrahman al-Jassim (QAT)

GOALS: 1-0 (Weah 36’); 1-1 (Bale [p.] 82’)

BOOKED: Dest (11’), McKennie (13’), Ream (51’), Acosta (90+’) / Bale (40’), Mepham (45+’)

USA

USA

USA - Wales

Cymru

WAL

1-1 (1-0)

USA

Turner

Dest (Yedlin 74’), Ream, Zimmerman, Robinson

Musah (Acosta 74’), Adams (c), McKennie (Aaronson 66’)

Pulisic, Sargent (Wright 74’), Weah (Morris 88’)

COACH: Gregg Berhalter

WALES

Hennessey

Mepham, Rodon, B. Davies

Roberts, Ampadu (Morrell 90+’), Ramsey, N. Williams (Johnson 79’)

Wilson (Thomas 90+’), Bale (c), James (Moore 46’)

COACH: Rob Page

GAME SUMMARY

In a key game to decide qualification in group B, the United States and Wales settled for a 1-1 draw after the Americans were utterly in control in the first half but the Welsh pushed for an equalizer after the break. Both teams assumed their role from the beginning, with the US dominating possession while Wales were content to sit back and try to nail the Americans on the break. For a while, it looked like the US team wouldn’t take advantage of their scarce opportunities. Joe Rodon nearly gifted the Americans the goal they were unable to score when he headed Weah's hard cross right at keeper Wayne Hennessey, and Josh Sargent followed up with a header that hit the outside of the post. Wales then appeared to be settling into comfortable territory on defense, even as it generated next to nothing in attack. Tim Weah's opener after the half-hour mark, slotting home after collecting a deft pass from Christian Pulisic, gave the US team a deserved lead at the break, but the halftime introduction of Kieffer Moore up front for Wales changed the game in their favor and pinned the United States back for long stretches of the second half. Ben Davies nearly equalized with a 65th-minute header that was tipped over the bar by US keeper Matt Turner. Just when the Americans seemed to have stormed the Welsh onslaught in the second half and were in control of the game again, a clumsy and unnecessary challenge by Walker Zimmerman on Gareth Bale from behind conceded a penalty eight minutes from full time, one which the Welsh captain netted in emphatic fashion to level the score and secure a point for his team. The end of the game was chaotic, as it descended into a track meet, with players on both sides utterly exhausted and dropping on the pitch.

 

GROUP STAGE

STADIUM: ملعب لوسيل الدولي <Maleab Lūsayl ad-Dawliyy> / Lusail Iconic Stadium (Lusail)

DATE: 22-11-2022 (13:00 h)

ATTENDANCE: 88.012

REFEREE: Slavko Vinčič (SVN)

GOALS: 1-0 (Messi [p.] 10’); 1-1 (Al-Shehri 48’); 1-2 (S. al-Dosari 53’)

BOOKED: Al-Malki (67’), Al-Bulaihi (75’), S. al-Dosari (79’), Abdulhamid (82’), Al-Abed (88’), Al-Owais (90+’)

ARG

Argentina

Argentina - Saudi Arabia

العربية السعودية

KSA

1-2 (1-0)

ARGENTINA

Emiliano Martínez

Molina, Romero (Lisandro Martínez 59’), Otamendi, Tagliafico (Acuña 71’)

De Paul, Paredes (Enzo Fernández 59’), “Papu” Gómez (Álvarez 59’)

Di María, Lautaro Martínez, Messi (c)

COACH: Lionel Scaloni

SAUDI ARABIA

Al-Owais

Abdulhamid, Al-Tambakti, Al-Bulaihi, Al-Shahrani (Al-Buraik 90+’)

Al-Shehri (Al-Ghannam 78’), Kanno, Al-Malki, S. al-Dosari

Al-Faraj (c) (Al-Abed 45+’ (Al-Amri 89’)), Al-Buraikan (Asiri 89’)

COACH: Hervé Renard

GAME SUMMARY

In one of World Cup history's biggest shocks, Saudi Arabia stunned Argentina with a seismic 1-2 win. After surviving the Argentine onslaught in the first half, the Saudis scored twice early in the second half and handed the Albiceleste its first defeat after 36 unbeaten matches over the past three years. Lionel Messi, looking to cap a wonderful career by winning the tournament at his fifth attempt, gave Argentina the lead with a 10th-minute penalty kick, after a rather harsh referee decision via VAR following the slightest of contacts in the Saudi area (will referees ever realize that an attacker dropping forward when held from the back of his shirt contradicts all laws in physics?). However, the South Americans failed to build on their first-half dominance, having three further goals—one for Messi, two for Lautaro Martínez—ruled out for offside. Argentina was made to pay in a remarkable opening to the second half as Saudi Arabia first levelled and then went in front in the space of five sensational minutes. First Saleh al-Shehri surged past Cristian Romero and clipped a left-footed shot into the far corner for the equalizer, then Salem al-Dosari spun round, swerved away from a defender and curled in a brilliant effort from the left edge of the area into the top-right corner to send the Saudi fans into a rapture. Argentina tried to find a way back into the game, but Saudi Arabia goalkeeper Mohammed al-Owais made a series of saves from Nicolás Tagliafico, Messi and Julián Álvarez to seal one of the most remarkable results in World Cup history.

 

GROUP STAGE

STADIUM: استاد المدينة التعليمية <ʾIstād al-Madīna at-Taelīmiyya> / Education City Stadium (Al-Rayyan)

DATE: 22-11-2022 (16:00 h)

ATTENDANCE: 42.925

REFEREE: César Arturo Ramos (MEX)

GOALS: -

BOOKED: Kristensen (24’), Jensen (78’) / Khenissi (86’)

DEN

Danmark

Denmark - Tunisia

تونس

TUN

0-0 (0-0)

DENMARK

Schmeichel

Andersen, Kjær (c) (Jensen 65’), A. Christensen

Kristensen, Højbjerg, Eriksen, Delaney (Damsgaard 45+’), Mæhle

Skov Olsen (Lindstrøm 65’), Dolberg (Cornelius 65’)

COACH: Kasper Hjulmand

TUNISIA

Dahmen

Talbi, Bronn, Meriah

Dräger (Kechrida 88’), Laïdouni (Sassi 88’), Skhiri, Abdi

Ben Slimane (Sliti 67’), Jebali (Khenissi 80’), Msakni (c) (Mejbri 80’)

COACH: Jalel Kadri

GAME SUMMARY

Denmark started their 2022 FIFA World Cup campaign with a frustrating 0-0 draw against Tunisia. It was the African team, however, who carved the best first-half chances. Tunisia was clearly the more energetic side to start the match, and in the 11th minute it nearly struck an early goal when Mohamed Dräger’s shot took a massive deflection that flew just wide of the post as Denmark keeper Kasper Schmeichel stood and watched. In the 22nd minute, Denmark had its most dangerous chance yet with an out-swinging free kick from a dangerous position, but Christian Eriksen’s sharp cross was deflected by the Tunisian defense. On the ensuing counterattack, Tunisia scored what appeared to be the opening goal, but Issam Jebali’s smooth finish was immediately flagged for offside. In the 33rd minute, Pierre-Emile Højbjerg sent a dangerous shot through a crowd from distance that challenged the Tunisian keeper, but the Spurs midfielder appeared to be too far from goal to open the scoring. The North Africans once again had a top chance in the 39th minute, when Aïssa Laïdouni pounced on a deflected corner and launched a shot that barely missed the near post. Jebali had the best chance of the first half in the 41st minute, when he took a pass and was through on goal—although possibly offside—but his chip was saved by a quick hand from Schmeichel.

 

Denmark improved after the break and Andreas Skov Olsen had a goal disallowed for offside in the 55th minute. The former European champions thought they had taken the lead in the 70th minute after a series of golden chances, starting with Eriksen’s shot that was pushed wide. On the corner, Andreas Christensen sent the ball across to Andreas Cornelius, but the striker somehow failed to score when he headed against a post. Denmark continued to push forward while Tunisia threw most of its numbers back. The African team was dealt a scare in the third minute of injury time when Jesper Lindstrøm sent a knuckling ball into the box that goalkeeper Aymen Dahmen managed to push away in panic. A minute later, Tunisia feared the worst when the Mexican referee was called to a VAR review on a potential handball in the box, but César Ramos adjudged that the unintentional handball of defender Yassine Meriah on a rebound from a Christian Eriksen's corner didn’t deserve a penalty kick, and the Tunisian players were relieved at keeping a hard-earned point. On the other side, Danish coach Kasper Hjulmand will be sweating on a knee injury to midfielder Thomas Delaney that forced him off in the first half.

 

GROUP STAGE

STADIUM: استاد 974 <ʾIstād 974> / Stadium 974 (Doha)

DATE: 22-11-2022 (19:00 h)

ATTENDANCE: 39.369

REFEREE: Chris Beath (AUS)

GOALS: -

BOOKED: Jorge Sánchez (29’), Héctor Moreno (56’), Jorge Theiler [assistant coach to Tata Martino] (61’) / Frankowski (76’)

[Incidents: Lewandowski missed a penalty shot (min. 58), saved by Ochoa.]

MEX

México

Mexico - Poland

Polska

POL

0-0 (0-0)

MEXICO

Ochoa (c)

Jorge Sánchez, Montes, Héctor Moreno, Gallardo

Herrera (Charly Rodríguez 71’), E. Álvarez, Chávez

Lozano, Henry Martín (Jiménez 71’), Vega (Antuna 84’)

COACH: Tata Martino

POLAND

Szczęsny

Cash, Bereszyński, Glik, Kiwior, Zalewski (Bielik 46’)

Kamiński, Krychowiak, Szymański (Frankowski 72’)

Zieliński (Milik 87’), Lewandowski (c)

COACH: Czesław Michniewicz

GAME SUMMARY

Mexico and Poland both missed the chance to exploit Argentina's shock defeat by Saudi Arabia as their opening World Cup 2022 Group C encounter ended goalless. In a temporary arena built using 974 recycled shipping containers that overlooks the Arabian Gulf, a sea of Mexico fans in green outnumbered their Polish counterparts and they made their presence felt in the 40,000-capacity venue. Tata Martino's side had the bulk of possession and the best chances overall while Poland did little to merit victory, preferring a policy of containment. However, and much against the run of play, the Europeans might have snatched victory had star striker Robert Lewandowski not missed a second-half penalty. The Barcelona forward won the kick after a tussle with Héctor Moreno in the box which went to a VAR review, but his weak shot was saved by veteran goalkeeper Memo Ochoa, who became only the eighth player—and fourth Mexican—to play at five World Cups. Mexico had first-half chances via Alexis Vega's header and the dangerous Jesús Gallardo, while Poland goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny also did well to palm away a header from Henry Martín after the break.

 

GROUP STAGE

STADIUM: استاد الجنوب <ʾIstād al-Janūb> / Al-Janoub Stadium (Al-Wakrah)

DATE: 22-11-2022 (22:00 h)

ATTENDANCE: 40.875

REFEREE: Victor Gomes (SAF)

GOALS: 0-1 (Goodwin 9’); 1-1 (Rabiot 27’); 2-1 (Giroud 32’); 3-1 (Mbappé 68’); 4-1 (Giroud 71’)

BOOKED: Duke (55’), Irvine (80’), Mooy (90+’)

FRA

France

France - Australia

Australia

AUS

4-1 (2-1)

FRANCE

Lloris (c)

Pavard (Koundé 89’), Konaté, Upamecano, Lucas (Théo 13’)

Griezmann, Tchouaméni (Fofana 77’), Rabiot

Dembélé (Coman 77’), Giroud (Thuram 89’), Mbappé

COACH: Didier Deschamps

AUSTRALIA

Ryan (c)

Atkinson (Degenek 85’), Souttar, Rowles, Behich

McGree (Mabil 73’), Mooy, Irvine (Baccus 85’)

Leckie, Duke (Cummings 56’), Goodwin (Kuol 74’)

COACH: Graham Arnold

GAME SUMMARY

Title holder France came from behind to finally see off a determined Australia in their Group D opener at the Al-Janoub Stadium in Al-Wakrah. Olivier Giroud scored a brace to match Thierry Henry's national record of 51 goals. An injury-hit France showed early signs of susceptibility, and within nine minutes they fell behind, when a superb long pass from Harry Souttar played in Mathew Leckie down the right, whose cross found Craig Goodwin arriving fast at the far post, where the Australian winger rifled high past Hugo Lloris. With Lucas Hernández forced off in the aftermath having fallen awkwardly when challenging Leckie, his replacement brother Théo Hernández was nearly caught out moments after coming on, when Mitchell Duke intercepted his loose defensive pass and sent a shot whistling just too high. Théo made a more positive impact at the other end in the 27th minute, picking up possession after the Socceroos had failed to clear a corner properly and whipping in a tantalizing cross from the left that was met by Adrien Rabiot's thumping header, giving Mat Ryan no chance. Scorer turned provider five minutes later, as Rabiot latched on to Kylian Mbappé's clever flick and burst into the box before unselfishly squaring for Giroud to tap in his 50th international goal. Mbappé somehow volleyed over an Antoine Griezmann cross as France sought to extend their advantage before halftime, although Jackson Irvine's header clipped the post as Australia came close to exposing the depleted French backline again. The Socceroos were unable to provide a challenge in the second half though, and instead two more goals in three minutes finished the contest. First the irresistible Mbappé rose to nod in Ousmane Dembélé's cross after Griezmann's shot had been cleared off the line—quite a “zoological” goal, with a mosquito assisting a turtle to bite a kangaroo—, then the PSG star raced away down the left and clipped the ball across for Giroud to head in his record-equalling goal and wrap up an ultimately comfortable win.

 

GROUP STAGE

STADIUM: استاد البيت <ʾIstād al-Bayt> / Al-Bayt Stadium (Al-Khor)

DATE: 23-11-2022 (13:00 h)

ATTENDANCE: 59.407

REFEREE: Fernando Rapallini (ARG)

GOALS: -

BOOKED: Amrabat (78’)

MOR

المغرب

Morocco - Croatia

Hrvatska

CRO

0-0 (0-0)

MOROCCO

Bono

Achraf, Aguerd, Saïss (c), Mazraoui (Attiyat-Allah 60’)

Ounahi (Sabiri 81’), Amrabat, Amallah

Ziyech, En-Nesyri (Hamdallah 81’), Boufal (Abde 65’)

COACH: Walid Regragui

CROATIA

Livaković

Juranović, Lovren, Gvardiol, Sosa

Modrić (c), Brozović, Kovačić (Majer 79’)

Vlašić (Pašalić 46’), Kramarić (Livaja 71’), Perišić (Oršić 90’)

COACH: Zlatko Dalić

GAME SUMMARY

Croatia was unable to unlock a disciplined Morocco as the 2018 finalists had to settle for a draw in their opening 2022 World Cup Group F match. Ivan Perišić and Luka Modrić both fired over the bar and Nikola Vlašić had a close-range effort saved in the first half. On the African side, Youssef en-Nesyri was unable to get his head on a Hakim Ziyech cross, while Achraf Hakimi's thunderous shot after the break was beaten away by Croatia keeper Dominik Livaković. Sofiane Boufal also had a penalty claim waved away when his shot appeared to hit the hand of a Croatia defender as he turned his back on it. With one point apiece, Morocco will be by far the happier of the two sides with their performance, as they prevented any Croatian creativity.

 

GROUP STAGE

STADIUM: ملعب خليفة الدولي <Maleab Khalīfah ad-Dawliyy> / Khalifa International Stadium (Al-Rayyan)

DATE: 23-11-2022 (16:00 h)

ATTENDANCE: 42.608

REFEREE: Iván Barton (SLV)

GOALS: 1-0 (Gündoğan [p.] 33’); 1-1 (Dōan 75’); 1-2 (Asano 83’)

BOOKED: -

[Incidents: During the pre-match group picture, the German players covered their mouths in protest for the lack of freedom of speech during the World Cup, as captain Manuel Neuer was not allowed to wear an armband with the “OneLove” logo.]

GER

Deutschland

Germany - Japan

日本

JAP

1-2 (1-0)

GERMANY

Neuer (c)

Süle, Rüdiger, Schlotterbeck, Raum

Musiala (Götze 79’), Kimmich, Gündoğan (Goretzka 67’), Gnabry (Moukoko 90’)

Müller (Hofmann 67’), Havertz (Füllkrug 79’)

COACH: Hansi Flick

JAPAN

Gonda

Sakai (Minamino 75’), Yoshida (c), Itakura, Nagatomo (Mitoma 57’)

J. Ito, Endo, Kamada, Tanaka (Dōan 71’), Kubo (Tomiyasu 46’)

Maeda (Asano 57’)

COACH: Hajime Moriyasu

GAME SUMMARY

In yet another shocking outcome in the Qatar World Cup, Japan stunned Germany with a 2-1 victory at the Khalifa International Stadium in Al-Rayyan. After İlkay Gündoğan had given the Mannschaft the lead through a first-half penalty, needlessly conceded by goalkeeper Shuichi Gonda, Germany failed to build on its lead and missed several chances to put the game beyond contest. Japan braved the storm and grabbed its chance 15 minutes from the end, when substitute Ritsu Dōan equalized after picking a loose ball from Takumi Minamino's angled shot, then fellow substitute Takuma Asano (who plays for German club VfL Bochum) scored a dramatic winning goal after latching on to Ko Itakura's long ball forward, executing a sublime piece of control and shooting past Neuer at the close post to spark wild celebrations among the blue sections of the stadium. Before the turnaround, the game had looked set to catapult Germany playmaker Jamal Musiala into the spotlight after the 19-year-old put on a superb display of skill in attack while Germany was in control, but the Mannschaft paid dearly for its uncharacteristic collapse and defensive errors, which put two men under the focus: centre-back Nico Schlotterbeck (erratic in defense) and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer (conceding the second Japanese goal from a tight angle at the near post). The ghost of Russia 2018, with Germany exiting in the group stage for the first time in its post-war history following a defeat to South Korea, will be now an additional pressure for Hansi Flick’s men ahead of their key game against Spain.

 

GROUP STAGE

STADIUM: ملعب الثمامة <Maleab ath-Thumāma> / Al-Thumama Stadium (Doha)

DATE: 23-11-2022 (19:00 h)

ATTENDANCE: 40.013

REFEREE: Mohammed Abdullah (UAE)

GOALS: 1-0 (Dani Olmo 11’); 2-0 (Asensio 21’); 3-0 (Ferran Torres [p.] 31’); 4-0 (Ferran Torres 54’); 5-0 (Gavi 74’); 6-0 (Soler 90’); 7-0 (Morata 90+’)

BOOKED: Calvo (68’), Campbell (90+’)

[Incidents: In solidarity with their Iranian colleagues, the Spanish players refused to sing the national anthem before the game (J).]

SPA

España

Spain - Costa Rica

Costa Rica

CRC

7-0 (3-0)

SPAIN

Unai Simón

Azpilicueta, Rodri, Laporte, Jordi Alba (Baldé 64’)

Gavi, Busquets (c) (Koke 64’), Pedri (Soler 57’)

Ferran Torres (Morata 57’), Asensio (Nico Williams 69’), Dani Olmo

COACH: Luis Enrique Martínez

COSTA RICA

Keylor Navas (c)

Carlos Martínez (Waston 46’), Fuller, Duarte, Calvo, Oviedo (Matarrita 82’)

Campbell, Borges (Aguilera 72’), Tejeda, Bennette (Bryan Ruiz 61’)

Contreras (Zamora 61’)

COACH: Luis Suárez

GAME SUMMARY

Spain started their 2022 World Cup campaign with a 7-0 thrashing of Costa Rica in the so-called “Group of Death,” and in the process achieved their biggest-ever victory in the tournament. Luis Enrique’s side was in control from the first kick, with Costa Rica dizzied by their early onslaught and unable to find any rhythm in a game where Pedri, Dani Olmo and Marco Asensio dazzled. Spain almost went ahead after five minutes, when Pedri's deep cross from the left found Dani Olmo in space, but his shot went wide of the post. Asensio squandered a clear chance moments later, connecting awkwardly with the ball and sending it wide after being picked out by the pivotal Pedri, who had a role in seemingly every Spain attack and always found the right option and time to send a through ball. Dani Olmo got La Roja off the mark, scoring their 100th World Cup goal with a neat turn and finish after 11 minutes, and Marco Asensio doubled the Spanish lead ten minutes later with a well-taken finish from a Jordi Alba cross. Ferran Torres scored either side of halftime, once from the penalty spot after the half-hour mark and once from open play in minute 54 when he took advantage of some sloppy Costa Rica defending, before Gavi added another goal with a superb volley and became Spain's youngest World Cup goalscorer in the process (at the age of 18). Carlos Soler came off the bench and netted Spain's sixth on 90 minutes, then fellow substitute Álvaro Morata completed the scoring in injury time. Costa Rica, who was hoping to maintain their strong recent defensive record after going into the game with eight clean sheets in their previous 13 internationals, showed instead a disastrous defensive display, with lack of attention and aggressiveness.

 

GROUP STAGE

STADIUM: ملعب أحمد بن علي <Maleab ʾAḥmad bin ʿAliyy> / Ahmad bin Ali Stadium (Al-Rayyan)

DATE: 23-11-2022 (22:00 h)

ATTENDANCE: 40.432

REFEREE: Janny Sikazwe (ZAM)

GOALS: 1-0 (Batshuayi 44’)

BOOKED: Carrasco (9’), Meunier (54’), Onana (56’) / Davies (81’), Johnston (83’)

[Incidents: Davies missed a penalty shot (min. 7), saved by Courtois.]

BEL

België / Belgique

Belgium - Canada

Canada

CAN

1-0 (1-0)

BELGIUM

Courtois

Dendoncker, Alderweireld, Vertonghen

Castagne, De Bruyne, Witsel, Carrasco (Meunier 46’)

Tielemans (Onana 46’), Batshuayi (Openda 78’), E. Hazard (c) (Trossard 62’)

COACH: Roberto Martínez

CANADA

Borjan

Johnston, Vitória, Miller, Laryea (Adekugbe 74’)

Hoilett (Larin 58’), Hutchinson (c) (Koné 58’), Eustáquio (Osorio 81’)

Buchanan (Millar 81’), David, Davies

COACH: John Herdman

GAME SUMMARY

Canada's first World Cup finals appearance since 1986 ended in defeat as Michy Batshuayi's clinic first-half finish gave Belgium all three points in Group F after Alphonso Davies had an early penalty saved by Thibaut Courtois. Canada's pace and energy caused Belgium no end of problems throughout the first half, and paid early dividends when Tajon Buchanan's shot hit Yannick Carrasco's left wrist and a penalty was awarded after a VAR review. Davies' spot-kick lacked both power and direction, however, and Courtois dived to his right to make the save. Undeterred, Canada continued to pour forward, Junior Hoilett and Atiba Hutchinson both shooting wide from promising positions while Alistair Johnston's fierce effort from the angle stung the palms of Courtois. A goal looked to be coming—and it duly arrived, but at the other end of the field. Toby Alderweireld's long pass found the run of Batshuayi as the Canada defense was caught out, and the Belgium striker made the most of the space he had found with an emphatic left-foot volley past Milan Borjan. The goal was harsh on Canada, who might have been back on terms either side of the break, Buchanan lifting a Richie Laryea cross over the bar before Jonathan David steered a header wide from Stephen Eustáquio's pinpoint delivery. With Canada unable to exert the same pressure on the Belgium defense, a second goal looked more likely at the other end, and only a superb Laryea challenge denied Batshuayi from Kevin de Bruyne's pass. Courtois was perfectly placed to deal with Cyle Larin's header as Canada attempted to mount a late rally, but Belgium held on.

 

GROUP STAGE

STADIUM: استاد الجنوب <ʾIstād al-Janūb> / Al-Janoub Stadium (Al-Wakrah)

DATE: 24-11-2022 (13:00 h)

ATTENDANCE: 39.089

REFEREE: Facundo Tello (ARG)

GOALS: 1-0 (Embolo 48’)

BOOKED: Elvedi (64’), Akanji (83’) / Faï (36’)

SWI

Schweiz / Suisse

Switzerland - Cameroon

Cameroun

CAM

1-0 (0-0)

SWITZERLAND

Sommer

Widmer, Akanji, Elvedi, Rodríguez (Cömert 90’)

Shaqiri (Okafor 72’), Freuler, Sow (Frei 72’), Xhaka (c), Vargas (Rieder 81’)

Embolo (Seferović 72’)

COACH: Murat Yakin

CAMEROON

Onana

Faï, Castelletto, Nkoulou, Nouhou

Hongla (Ondoua 68’), Gouet, Zambo Anguissa

Mbeumo (Ngamaleu 81’), Choupo-M. (c) (Abou. 74’), Toko E. (Nkoudou 74’)

COACH: Rigobert Song

GAME SUMMARY

Switzerland edged past Cameroon after a tense opening match in Group G. Chasing a first finals win since 2002, the Indomitable Lions wasted several good first-half chances, Bryan Mbeumo, Éric Choupo-Moting and André Zambo Anguissa all denied by Swiss keeper Yann Sommer. However, it was Switzerland who should have taken the lead just before the break when Manuel Akanji headed a corner wide from close range. The Nati made the breakthrough three minutes into the second half when Cameroon-born Breel Embolo side-footed home a sweet first-time cross from Xherdan Shaqiri. Rubén Vargas and substitute Haris Seferović could have added further goals for the Swiss.

 

GROUP STAGE

STADIUM: استاد المدينة التعليمية <ʾIstād al-Madīna at-Taelīmiyya> / Education City Stadium (Al-Rayyan)

DATE: 24-11-2022 (16:00 h)

ATTENDANCE: 41.663

REFEREE: Clément Turpin (FRA)

GOALS: -

BOOKED: Cáceres (57’) / Cho Gyu-sung (88’), Paulo Bento (90+’)

URU

Uruguay

Uruguay - South Korea

한국

SKR

0-0 (0-0)

URUGUAY

Rochet

Cáceres, Giménez, Godín (c), Olivera (Viña 79’)

Valverde, Vecino (De la Cruz 78’), Bentancur

Pellistri (Varela 88’), Suárez (Cavani 64’), Darwin Núñez

COACH: Diego Alonso

SOUTH KOREA

Kim Seung-gyu

Kim Moon-hwan, Kim Min-jae, Kim Young-gwon, Kim Jin-soo

Hwang In-bum, Lee Jae-sung (Son Joon-ho 74’), Jung Woo-young

Son Heung-min (c), Hwang Ui-jo (Cho G.S. 74’), Na Sang-ho (Lee K.I. 74’)

COACH: Paulo Bento

GAME SUMMARY

Uruguay and South Korea cancelled each other out in their Group H opener. Veteran defender Diego Godín and rising star Fede Valverde both hit the post at the Education City Stadium, the former with a header against the base of a post from a corner before halftime, the Real Madrid midfielder with a thunderous late strike. Hwang Ui-jo also spurned a glorious opportunity for South Korea, in their 10th consecutive finals appearance, when he fired over the bar from close range in the 34th minute. Uruguay almost made the Koreans regret that miss in the 43rd minute when Godín rose highest from a Valverde corner and struck the base of the post with a header. Tottenham's Son Heung-min (wearing a protective mask after facial surgery) and Liverpool's Darwin Núñez also curled efforts wide as neither side could muster a single official shot on target—a World Cup record—, not even a rasping shot from distance in the 90th minute by Valverde which cannoned off the post. It all added up to a fourth goalless draw in 14 matches at this World Cup, after only one in 64 in 2018.

 

GROUP STAGE

STADIUM: استاد 974 <ʾIstād 974> / Stadium 974 (Doha)

DATE: 24-11-2022 (19:00 h)

ATTENDANCE: 42.662

REFEREE: Ismail Elfath (USA)

GOALS: 1-0 (Cristiano Ronaldo [p.] 65’); 1-1 (A. Ayew 73’); 2-1 (João Félix 78’); 3-1 (Rafael Leão 80’); 3-2 (Bukari 89’)

BOOKED: Danilo Pereira (90+’), Bruno Fernandes (90+’) / Kudus (45+’), A. Ayew (49’), Seidu (57’), Iñaki Williams (90+’)

POR

Portugal

Portugal - Ghana

Ghana

GHA

3-2 (0-0)

PORTUGAL

Diogo Costa

João Cancelo, Rúben Dias, Danilo Pereira, Raphaël Guerreiro

B. Silva (J. Palhinha 88’), Rúben Neves (Rafael Leão 77’), Bruno Fernandes

Otávio (W. Carvalho 56’), C. Ronaldo (c) (G. Ramos 88’), J. Félix (J. Mário 88’)

COACH: Fernando Santos

GHANA

Ati-Zigi

Seidu (Lamptey 66’), Djiku (Semenyo 90+’), Amartey, Salisu, Baba

Kudus (Bukari 77’), Thomas, Abdul S. (Kyereh 90+’), A. Ayew (c) (J. Ayew 77’)

I. Williams

COACH: Otto Addo

GAME SUMMARY

Cristiano Ronaldo became the first man to score in five World Cups as Portugal finally saw off Ghana to open Group H with a win in a five-goal thriller. As Quinas took control of the match from the first whistle, and nearly turned their early dominance of possession into a tangible reward—Cristiano Ronaldo being thwarted by Lawrence Ati-Zigi, before heading wide at the far post a few moments later. The ball was in the Ghana net just past the half-hour mark, via a typically assured Cristiano Ronaldo finish, but the Portugal captain was adjudged to have fouled Alexander Djiku as he spun on the ball, and the strike was ruled out. Portugal continued to toil into the second half but out of the blue they were handed a golden opportunity when Cristiano Ronaldo fell in the Ghanaian area under minimal contact by Mohammed Salisu. To everyone’s surprise (including the Portugal captain himself, as his face betrayed), the referee immediately pointed to the penalty spot, which cancelled any possibility of VAR review, and Cristiano Ronaldo stepped up to smash in his 118th international goal from the spot. Ghana responded strongly, with Mohammed Kudus stinging the palms of Diogo Costa before getting away down the left and delivering a low cross that deflected off Danilo Pereira and fell perfectly for captain André Ayew to turn the ball in from close range. This time it was Portugal's turn to find an answer, and they duly struck twice in two minutes to win it. Bruno Fernandes was the architect of both, slipping passes through the Ghana backline for assured finishes from first João Félix and then Rafael Leão, the latter's first international goal. Ghana did have renewed hope when Osman Bukari headed them back into it in the 89th minute—and then mocked Cristiano Ronaldo with his scoring celebration—before they almost snatched an unlikely draw right at the end, as Iñaki Williams cleverly caught out Diogo Costa from behind, only to slip at the crucial moment as he tried to nip in ahead of the goalkeeper while he was rolling the ball out for a punt forward.

 

GROUP STAGE

STADIUM: ملعب لوسيل الدولي <Maleab Lūsayl ad-Dawliyy> / Lusail Iconic Stadium (Lusail)

DATE: 24-11-2022 (22:00 h)

ATTENDANCE: 88.103

REFEREE: Alireza Faghani (IRN)

GOALS: 1-0 (Richarlison 62’); 2-0 (Richarlison 73’)

BOOKED: Pavlović (7’), Gudelj (49’), Tadić (64’)

BRA

Brasil

Brazil - Serbia

Србија

SER

2-0 (0-0)

BRAZIL

Alisson

Danilo, Marquinhos, Thiago Silva (c), Alex Sandro

L. Paquetá (Fred 75’), Neymar (Antony 79’), Casemiro

Raphinha (Marti. 87’), Richarlison (Gabriel Jesus 79’), Vinícius (Rodrygo 75’)

COACH: Adenor Bacchi “Tite”

SERBIA

V. Milinković-Savić

Milenković, Veljković, Pavlović

Živković (Rado. 57’), Lukić (Lazo. 66’), Gudelj (Ilić 57’), Mladenović (Vlaho. 66’)

Tadić (c), A. Mitrović (Maksimović 83’), S. Milinković-Savić

COACH: Dragan Stojković

GAME SUMMARY

Five-time winners Brazil opened their Group G challenge at the World Cup by finally breaking the resolve of a determined Serbia thanks to a Richarlison's brace, whose second, a stunning scissor kick, will be a serious contender for goal of the tournament. The win was partly overshadowed by a right ankle injury to Neymar, who was fouled repeatedly throughout the game and was pictured in tears on the Brazil bench after being substituted in the 79th minute. The team doctor said they will have to wait 24 to 48 hours to further determine his fitness for the rest of the World Cup.

 

Brazil dominated possession for much of the first half, but were unable to probe a well-drilled Serbia side. Instead, they were left relying on moments of individual improvisation and inspiration, such as Neymar's clever inswinging corner, clawed away by goalkeeper Vanja Milinković-Savić. With Vinícius looking Brazil's most likely source of a breakthrough on the left, his opposite winger, Raphinha, went closest to finding a way through after exchanging passes with Lucas Paquetá—only to prod his shot straight at the goalkeeper, who also saved sharply at the feet of Vinícius. Brazil came out for the second half at an increased tempo, Vanja Milinković-Savić having to deny Raphinha within a few seconds of the restart, before Neymar sliced wide from Vinícius' cross. Alex Sandro then smashed a long-range effort off the post on the hour, but two minutes later the South American side were in front. Neymar made the initial foray into the area, the ball breaking for Vinícius and, though Vanja Milinković-Savić kept out his low shot, Richarlison was on hand to turn in the rebound. The Tottenham striker's second goal was even more special—a flick into the air from Vinícius' low cross preceding a spectacular overhead volley that made it nine goals in his last seven international appearances. Brazil continued to push forward in the closing stages, Casemiro curling a shot against the crossbar, but the South American side had already secured a solid opening victory.

 

GROUP STAGE

STADIUM: ملعب أحمد بن علي <Maleab ʾAḥmad bin ʿAliyy> / Ahmad bin Ali Stadium (Al-Rayyan)

DATE: 25-11-2022 (13:00 h)

ATTENDANCE: 40.875

REFEREE: Mario Escobar (GUA)

GOALS: 0-1 (Cheshmi 90+’); 0-2 (Rezaeian 90+’)

BOOKED: Rodon (45+’), Hennessey (RC 86’) / Rezaeian (90+’), Jahanbakhsh (90+’)

[Incidents: Hennessey was sent off with a straight red card (min. 86), after his initial yellow card (min. 85) was corrected by VAR review.]

WAL

Cymru

Wales - Iran

ایران

IRN

0-2 (0-0)

WALES

Hennessey

Mepham, Rodon, B. Davies

Roberts (Johnson 57’), Ampadu (Allen 77’), Ramsey (Ward 87’), N. Williams

Bale (c), Moore, Wilson (James 57’)

COACH: Rob Page

IRAN

H. Hosseini

Rezaeian, Pouraliganji, M. Hosseini, Mohammadi

Nourollahi (Cheshmi 77’), Ezatolahi (Karimi 83’), Hajsafi (c) (Torabi 77’)

Gholizadeh (Jahanbakhsh 77’), Azmoun (Ansarifard 68’), Taremi

COACH: Carlos Queiroz

GAME SUMMARY

Two stoppage-time goals from substitutes Rouzbeh Cheshmi and Ramin Rezaeian gave Iran a deserved 2-0 World Cup win over 10-man Wales in Group B. After being hammered 6-2 by England in their opening game, Carlos Queiroz made five changes to the Iran eleven, and the team was completely transformed. Kieffer Moore, into the Wales eleven after impressing from the bench in the 1-1 draw against the USA, almost gave his team a 12th-minute lead from Connor Roberts' cross. That was as good as things got for Gareth Bale and his colleagues in an attacking sense, as Iran started to dominate the game and created several chances to take the lead. In minute 16, Ali Gholizadeh thought he had opened the scoring, only to have needlessly strayed offside when tapping home Sardar Azmoun’s pass. Bayer Leverkusen forward Azmoun was back from a calf injury and proved a constant menace to Wales. Early in the second half, he broke free and thumped a shot against the post, only for Gholizadeh to pick up the loose ball and clatter the other upright with a curling shot. Wales goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey had a very busy afternoon, and in minute 73 he was at full stretch to save superbly from Saeid Ezatolahi's low drive. A key moment arrived in the 86th minute, when Hennessey was sent off for a brutal challenge on Mehdi Taremi that everyone in the stadium saw as a clear red card… everyone except the Guatemalan referee Mario Escobar, who had to be warned by VAR officials about the seriousness of this infringement. Iran, who had dominated the second half up until that point, was finally rewarded in deep injury time, when Cheshmi seized upon a loose ball to thrash home. Soon after, the tireless right-back Rezaeian charged forward on the counterattack to coolly make sure of the points amid delirious scenes of Iranian fans at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium. Iran's victory means that they now go into Tuesday's final group game against the United States knowing that a win will take them into the knockout stages. Wales, meanwhile, now need to beat England on the same day to have any hope of reaching the round of 16.

 

GROUP STAGE

STADIUM: ملعب الثمامة <Maleab ath-Thumāma> / Al-Thumama Stadium (Doha)

DATE: 25-11-2022 (16:00 h)

ATTENDANCE: 41.797

REFEREE: Antonio Mateu Lahoz (SPA)

GOALS: 0-1 (Dia 41’); 0-2 (Diédhiou 48’); 1-2 (Muntari 78’); 1-3 (Dieng 84’)

BOOKED: Mohammad (20’), Ahmed (45+’), Madibo (90+’) / Dia (30’), Jakobs (52’), Ciss (87’)

QAT

قطر

Qatar - Senegal

Sénégal

1-3 (0-1)

QATAR

Barsham

Ró-Ró (Waad 83’), Mohammad, Khoukhi, A. Hassan, Ahmed (Salman 83’)

Al-Haydos (c) (Muntari 74’), Boudiaf (Hatem 69’), Madibo

Ali, Afif

COACH: Félix Sánchez

SENEGAL

É. Mendy

Sabaly, Koulibaly (c), Jakobs (Cissé 78’), Diallo

Diatta (Ciss 64’), I. Guèye, N. Mendy (P. Sarr 78’), I. Sarr (Ndiaye 74’)

Diédhiou (Dieng 74’), Dia

COACH: Aliou Cissé

GAME SUMMARY

Senegal kept its qualification hopes alive by beating Qatar 3-1. After another poor performance, the hosts are now on the bring of exiting their own tournament, despite Mohammed Muntari scoring his country's first World Cup goal, while Senegal claimed Africa's first win of this 2022 tournament. Qatar made three changes to its starting eleven, bringing in Meshaal Barsham in goal, who was fortunate to see Famara Diédhiou's early header drop wide after being beaten to a corner. Idrissa Guèye fired just wide as Senegal looked the more likely to score first, although Qatar were denied a penalty claim at the other end after Akram Afif went down under a challenge. Two goals either side of halftime put the African champions in control. A defensive mistake provided the first as Boualem Khoukhi took a huge swing at Krépin Diatta's cross, lost his footing and presented the ball to Boulaye Dia, who slotted past Barsham. Three minutes into the second half, Diédhiou met Ismail Jakobs' right-wing corner with a clever header at the near post. The hosts responded with purpose, Abdelkarim Hassan flashing a swerving shot wide before Almoez Ali was denied by Édouard Mendy's fingertips, with what was Qatar's first shot on target of the entire tournament. A second effort followed shortly afterwards, Senegal goalkeeper Mendy producing an even better stop to claw away Ismaeel Mohammad's effort from close range. Just as the hosts looked to have run out of steam, substitute Muntari provided a moment of history, meeting Mohammad's pinpoint cross from the right with a powerful downward header to revive home hopes. Those were swiftly extinguished six minutes late through one of Senegal's substitutes, Iliman Ndiaye surging down the right and pulling the ball back for Bamba Dieng to sweep in and finally seal the win.

 

GROUP STAGE

STADIUM: ملعب خليفة الدولي <Maleab Khalīfah ad-Dawliyy> / Khalifa International Stadium (Al-Rayyan)

DATE: 25-11-2022 (19:00 h)

ATTENDANCE: 44.833

REFEREE: Mustapha Ghorbal (ALG)

GOALS: 1-0 (Gakpo 6’); 1-1 (Valencia 49’)

BOOKED: Seba Méndez (57’)

NED

Nederland

Netherlands - Ecuador

Ecuador

ECU

1-1 (1-0)

NETHERLANDS

Noppert

Dumfries, Timber, Van Dijk (c), Aké, Blind

Koopmeiners (De Roon 80’), F. de Jong, Klaassen (Berghuis 69’)

Bergwijn (Memphis 46’), Gakpo (Weghorst 79’)

COACH: Louis van Gaal

ECUADOR

Galíndez

Ángelo Preciado, Porozo, Torres, Hincapié, Estupiñán

Plata (Ibarra 90’), Seba Méndez, Caicedo, Estrada (Sarmiento 74’)

Valencia (c) (Kevin Rodríguez 90’)

COACH: Gustavo Alfaro

GAME SUMMARY

Netherlands and Ecuador are level on four points at the top of Group A after Cody Gakpo's stunning early strike was cancelled out by Enner Valencia early in the second half of an entertaining draw that eliminated hosts Qatar from the 2022 World Cup. The Oranje had been made to wait for their breakthrough against Senegal, but were in front within six minutes here, their two goalscorers from the first game combining to devastating effect. Davy Klaassen was sharp to pick up a loose ball and find Gakpo, who unleashed a stunning left-foot shot into the top corner of Hernán Galíndez's goal. However, any thoughts of a straightforward Netherlands win were swiftly dispelled as Ecuador upped the tempo. In minute 11, Valencia's effort was headed away by Virgil van Dijk. After the half-hour mark, Valencia again was denied by Dutch keeper Andries Noppert at the near post. Ecuador had the ball in the net seconds before the break, Pervis Estupiñán's low shot turned in by Ángelo Preciado only for the offside Jackson Porozo to be adjudged to be blocking Noppert's line of vision, and the goal was cancelled. Four minutes after the break, the South Americans were not to be denied and were finally back on terms when Estupiñán's low shot was well saved by Noppert and Valencia, played onside by Nathan Aké, reacted quickest to prod in the rebound. Ecuador continued to look the more likely scorers and were close to taking the lead just before the hour as Gonzalo Plata's shot smashed off the underside of the bar. That was as close as either side came to a winner in a game in which the most significant late action was the departure of Valencia on a stretcher after he had aggravated an ongoing knee injury.

 

GROUP STAGE

STADIUM: استاد البيت <ʾIstād al-Bayt> / Al-Bayt Stadium (Al-Khor)

DATE: 25-11-2022 (22:00 h)

ATTENDANCE: 68.463

REFEREE: Jesús Valenzuela (VEN)

GOALS: -

BOOKED: -

ENG

England

England - USA

USA

USA

0-0 (0-0)

ENGLAND

Pickford

Trippier, Stones, Maguire, Shaw

Bellingham (Henderson 68’), Rice, Mount

Saka (Rashford 78’), Kane (c), Sterling (Grealish 68’)

COACH: Gareth Southgate

USA

Turner

Dest (Moore 78’), Zimmerman, Ream, Robinson

McKennie (Aaronson 77’), Adams (c), Musah

Weah (Reyna 83’), Wright (Sargent 83’), Pulisic

COACH: Gregg Berhalter

GAME SUMMARY

The United States put forth a mightily impressive performance against world No. 5-ranked team England, but couldn't manage a goal as the two teams played to a 0-0 draw in World Cup Group B. It was a high-quality display from Gregg Berhalter's side, led by midfielders Weston McKennie and Yunus Musah while Christian Pulisic pulled the strings up front. The US enjoyed the best chances in an uneventful first half. Harry Kane looked dangerous early on, arriving at the six-yard box at the right time to shoot and force a block from opposing defender Walker Zimmerman in the first attacking opportunity of the match. But Gregg Berhalter's side sprung into action soon after and provided a couple of inviting chances. First, McKennie skied a first-time effort from just inside the 18-yard box, followed minutes later by Pulisic facing up England defender Luke Shaw before hitting a powerful strike, only to be denied by the bar. The US looked the most likely to break the deadlock, winning a number of corners amid regular attacking pressure, while England's attack remained frustrated by the well-organized and resolute American defense. Kane had a chance to win the match at the death for England, but put his header wide. The result leaves the US third in Group B with two points from two games and needing a victory in their final group match against Iran on Tuesday to advance to the knockout stages. Meanwhile, England will qualify as long as they avoid a three-goal defeat in their match against Wales.

 

GROUP STAGE

STADIUM: استاد الجنوب <ʾIstād al-Janūb> / Al-Janoub Stadium (Al-Wakrah)

DATE: 26-11-2022 (13:00 h)

ATTENDANCE: 41.823

REFEREE: Daniel Siebert (GER)

GOALS: 0-1 (Duke 23’)

BOOKED: Laïdouni (26’), Abdi (65’), Sassi (90+’)

TUN

تونس

Tunisia - Australia

Australia

AUS

0-1 (0-1)

TUNISIA

Dahmen

Bronn (Kechrida 73’), Meriah, Talbi

Dräger (Sassi 46’), Skhiri, Laïdouni (Khazri 67’), Abdi

Sliti, Jebali (Khenissi 73’), Msakni (c)

COACH: Jalel Kadri

AUSTRALIA

Ryan (c)

Karačić (Degenek 75’), Souttar, Rowles, Behich

Irvine, Mooy, McGree (Hrustic 64’)

Leckie (Baccus 85’), Duke (Maclaren 64’), Goodwin (Mabil 85’)

COACH: Graham Arnold

GAME SUMMARY

Australia boosted its hopes of reaching the 2022 World Cup knock-out stages with a nail-biting victory over Tunisia. Mitchell Duke's superb backward header, glancing home Craig Goodwin's deflected cross in the 23rd minute, proved to be the winner as the Socceroos claimed their first World Cup finals win since beating Serbia in 2010. Almost straight from kick-off, it was obvious that the high-stakes nature of the fixture was playing on the minds of both teams. Passes were mis-hit, first touches ricocheted away, and the game was played with the kind of frenetic energy that can only be produced when both sets of players want to move the ball on as quickly as possible and not be the one that makes a mistake. Looking to play on the front foot and largely control the territory battle during these exchanges, Australia were frequently able to work the ball in positions to send deliveries into the Tunisia penalty area in the early exchanges, only for the North African defense to get in the way at the vital moment. Tunisia, conversely, was largely restricted to playing on the counter, though this allowed them the best opportunity of the opening 20 minutes when Issam Jebali found space on the right and cut the ball back to Youssef Msakni, only for the Tunisian captain to fluff his lines. Mohamed Dräger had a long-range chance moments later, but couldn't contain his enthusiasm and blasted several yards over the crossbar. Just when the Eagles of Carthage were giving their fans something to roar about, Duke sent them quiet again. Knocking down a long ball forward from keeper Mat Ryan to Riley McGree, the Fagiano Okayama striker sprinted forward to meet Craig Goodwin's deflected cross and put his side ahead with an instinctive backward header. Tunisia tried to recover from this blow, but they spurned several good chances, with Dräger denied by a brilliant last-ditch block from Australia defender Harry Souttar, who repeated the trick to prevent Taha Khenissi from getting a shot away late on. Captain Youssef Msakni and Wahbi Khazri also wasted good chances as Tunisia were left to pick themselves off the canvas before tackling group favourites France on Wednesday.

 

GROUP STAGE

STADIUM: استاد المدينة التعليمية <ʾIstād al-Madīna at-Taelīmiyya> / Education City Stadium (Al-Rayyan)

DATE: 26-11-2022 (16:00 h)

ATTENDANCE: 44.259

REFEREE: Wílton Sampaio (BRA)

GOALS: 1-0 (Zieliński 39’); 2-0 (Lewandowski 82’)

BOOKED: Kiwior (15’), Cash (16’), Milik (19’) / Al-Malki (20’), Renard (27’), Al-Amri (45+’)

[Incidents: Salem al-Dosari missed a penalty shot (min. 45+), saved by Szczęsny.]

POL

Polska

Poland - Saudi Arabia

العربية السعودية

KSA

2-0 (1-0)

POLAND

Szczęsny

Cash, Glik, Kiwior, Bereszyński

Milik (Piątek 71’), Krychowiak, Zieliński (Kamiński 63’), Bielik, Frankowski

Lewandowski (c)

COACH: Czesław Michniewicz

SAUDI ARABIA

Al-Owais

Abdulhamid, Al-Amri, Al-Bulaihi, Al-Buraik (Al-Ghannam 65’)

Al-Najei (Al-Abed 46’ (Bahebri 90+’)), Al-Malki (Al-Aboud 85’), Kanno

Al-Buraikan, Al-Shehri (N. al-Dosari 86’), S. al-Dosari (c)

COACH: Hervé Renard

GAME SUMMARY

Piotr Zieliński's clinical first-half strike and Robert Lewandowski's first goal at a World Cup finals tournament gave Poland their first points in Qatar, and brought Saudi Arabia back down to earth after their sensational win against Argentina in Group C. The Saudis had all of the belief their opponents seemed bereft of early on, pinging passes around slickly in midfield with a serenity that occasionally gave the impression that they had a numerical advantage. However, somewhat against the run of play, it was Poland who took the lead six minutes before the break when Napoli midfielder Zieliński fired in a thunderous volley after Lewandowski had connected with Matty Cash's cross. Saudi Arabia continued pushing forward and they had a penalty claim in minute 43, when Saleh al-Shehri went down in the Polish area under minimal pressure from Krystian Bielik, who didn’t even hold the Saudi player. It was surprising that VAR officials warned Wílton Sampaio to review this play on the monitor, but to everyone’s bewilderment the Brazilian referee not only didn’t book Al-Shehri for a clear flopping, but went on to call a penalty. Polish goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny produced a sublime double save to thwart Saudi Arabia, keeping out Salem al-Dosari's penalty and tipping Mohammed al-Buraik's effort from the rebound over the crossbar. Arkadiusz Milik and Lewandowski both hit the woodwork before the Poland captain gleefully pounced on a heavy touch by Abdulelah al-Malki to double Poland's lead late on.

 

GROUP STAGE

STADIUM: استاد 974 <ʾIstād 974> / Stadium 974 (Doha)

DATE: 26-11-2022 (19:00 h)

ATTENDANCE: 42.860

REFEREE: Szymon Marciniak (POL)

GOALS: 1-0 (Mbappé 61’); 1-1 (A. Christensen 68’); 2-1 (Mbappé 86’)

BOOKED: Koundé (43’) / A. Christensen (20’), Cornelius (23’)

FRA

France

France - Denmark

Danmark

DEN

2-1 (0-0)

FRANCE

Lloris (c)

Koundé, Varane (Konaté 75’), Upamecano, Théo

Griezmann (Fofana 90+’), Tchouaméni, Rabiot

Dembélé (Coman 75’), Giroud (Thuram 63’), Mbappé

COACH: Didier Deschamps

DENMARK

Schmeichel (c)

Andersen, A. Christensen, Nelsson

Kristensen (Bah 90+’), Højbjerg, Eriksen, Mæhle

Lindstrøm (Nørgaard 85’), Cornelius (Braithwaite 46’), Damsgaard (Dolberg 73’)

COACH: Kasper Hjulmand

GAME SUMMARY

France successfully exacted revenge on Denmark for their two UEFA Nations League defeats in the summer thanks to a brace by the irresistible Kylian Mbappé. The victory puts Les Bleus clear atop Group D with six points in two games and allows them to be the first nation at the 2022 World Cup to mathematically secure a knockout-stage place. It was a resounding performance from France throughout, who was unlucky to reach halftime without securing the opener. The return of Raphaël Varane was very important, bringing calm and serenity to the back line, and his partnership with an impressive Dayot Upamecano was excellent. The French were dominant in midfield too thanks to the relentless work of Aurélien Tchouaméni and Adrien Rabiot. However, the man of the match was Antoine Griezmann, who added box-to-box midfielder to his set of playing positions for France (striker, second striker and winger). The Atlético de Madrid player made the game more fluid, playing simple one- or two-touch sequences, accelerating the game or slowing it down when needed. He recovered many balls by working hard defensively, cut out the passing lanes to Christian Eriksen and sent exceptional deliveries from set pieces. Griezmann should have scored too, finding himself one-on-one with goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, but blasted the ball over the bar just before the hour mark. He was the one who recovered the ball before the buildup to France's first goal. It was Griezmann, too, who provided the assist for Mbappe's match winner.

 

After constant pressure, France finally managed to open the scoring just past the hour mark, as Mbappé snuck a shot between two defenders and past an in-form Schmeichel to put France in front. Denmark gave it a real effort, and they levelled shortly afterwards against the run of play, with defender Andreas Christensen heading home past Hugo Lloris following a corner kick. Yet they could not hang on amidst relentless French pressure, and Mbappé played hero yet again with his second goal just four minutes from time, popping up at the back post.

 

GROUP STAGE

STADIUM: ملعب لوسيل الدولي <Maleab Lūsayl ad-Dawliyy> / Lusail Iconic Stadium (Lusail)

DATE: 26-11-2022 (22:00 h)

ATTENDANCE: 88.966

REFEREE: Daniele Orsato (ITA)

GOALS: 1-0 (Messi 64’); 2-0 (Enzo Fernández 87’)

BOOKED: Montiel (43’) / Araujo (22’), Gutiérrez (50’), Herrera (66’), Alvarado (89’)

[Incidents: With 88,966 fans in the stands of Lusail Iconic Stadium, Argentina-Mexico was the third game in the history of the World Cup with more attendance, after Brazil-Uruguay in 1950 (173,050) and Brazil-Italy in 1994 (94,194).]

ARG

Argentina

Argentina - Mexico

México

MEX

2-0 (0-0)

ARGENTINA

Emiliano Martínez

Montiel (Molina 63’), Otamendi, Lisandro Martínez, Acuña

Di María (Romero 69’), De Paul, Guido R. (Enzo F. 57’), Mac A. (Palacios 69’)

Messi (c), Lautaro Martínez (Álvarez 63’)

COACH: Lionel Scaloni

MEXICO

Ochoa

K. Álvarez (Jiménez 66’), Araujo, Montes, Héctor Moreno, Gallardo

Herrera, Guardado (c) (Gutiérrez 42’), Chávez

Lozano (Alvarado 73’), Vega (Antuna 66’)

COACH: Tata Martino

GAME SUMMARY

Leo Messi rescued Argentina from the brink of World Cup elimination, scoring the crucial opening goal in a 2-0 win over Mexico at Lusail Iconic Stadium to put the South American champions back on track to reach the last 16. Argentina were being frustrated by a stubborn, physical Mexico side until Messi produced a moment of magic, firing the ball low into the corner of the net from 20 yards in the 64th minute. With the deadlock broken and space finally starting to open up, Enzo Fernández curled in a brilliant first goal for his country in the 87th minute to ensure the vital three points. A win against Poland in the last group game will now guarantee Argentina's progress to the knockout stage, while a draw could be sufficient depending on the result of the other game. Mexico, who again offered little up front, will go into its last group game with just one point and needing to beat Saudi Arabia—and likely by several goals—to stand a chance of finishing in the top two.

 

With the prospect of an Argentina elimination, tensions were high on and off the ball in a scrappy first half as the two sets of fans created an electric atmosphere in the stadium. The opening period did not live up to the match's billing, with neither team wanting to commit too many players forward, and apart from a free kick by Mexico's Luis Chávez in the ninth minute that sailed past the goalmouth, there were few chances. Mexico's high-pressing game stifled most of their opponent's attack, and Argentine talisman Messi struggled to find any space to manoeuvre in a congested midfield. Apart from a Lautaro Martínez effort that was well off the mark and another from Messi, the Albiceleste was toothless up front. In a major blow to Mexico, skipper Andrés Guardado, a veteran of five World Cups who had been a commanding presence in midfield, had to be taken off injured in the 42nd minute. The Mexican team still carved out two more chances before the break, with Alexis Vega first curling a free kick over the wall for keeper Emiliano “Dibu” Martínez to save and minutes later thundering a shot over the bar. The South Americans looked more determined after the break but had no real chance before Messi dragged them out of trouble with his second goal of the tournament. With Mexico throwing the kitchen sink in search of a late leveller, Benfica playmaker Enzo Fernández curled the ball into the top-right corner to seal the result and rekindle Messi's hopes of a first-ever World Cup title.

 

GROUP STAGE

STADIUM: ملعب أحمد بن علي <Maleab ʾAḥmad bin ʿAliyy> / Ahmad bin Ali Stadium (Al-Rayyan)

DATE: 27-11-2022 (13:00 h)

ATTENDANCE: 41.479

REFEREE: Michael Oliver (ENG)

GOALS: 0-1 (Fuller 81’)

BOOKED: Yamane (44’), Itakura (84’), Endo (90+’) / Contreras (41’), Borges (62’), Calvo (70’)

JAP

日本

Japan - Costa Rica

Costa Rica

CRC

0-1 (0-0)

JAPAN

Gonda

Yamane (Mitoma 62’), Itakura, Yoshida (c), Nagatomo (H. Ito 46’)

Dōan (J. Ito 67’), Endo, Kamada, Morita, Soma (Minamino 82’)

Ueda (Asano 46’)

COACH: Hajime Moriyasu

COSTA RICA

Keylor Navas (c)

Waston, Duarte, Calvo, Oviedo

Fuller, Borges (Salas 89’), Tejeda, Torres (Aguilera 65’)

Campbell (Chacón 90+’), Contreras (Bennette 65’)

COACH: Luis Suárez

GAME SUMMARY

Costa Rica claimed an unlikely victory over Japan through Keysher Fuller’s late winner that throws the Central American side a lifeline at the 2022 World Cup. The defender found himself just outside the box with nine minutes to go and unleashed a fine, curling shot that Japan goalkeeper Shuichi Gonda could not deal with, as he jumped too early to get a clear touch to a slow-mo ball. It was Costa Rica’s first shot on target of the tournament, and following their 7-0 thrashing by Spain it gives the ticos a win that few would have predicted. On the other side, Japan fielded a team with five changes from the side that beat Germany and paid dearly for its conservatism and lack of determination, when a victory could have sent the Blue Samurais into the last 16. Fuller’s goal lit up an otherwise pedestrian match that saw Costa Rica’s resilient defense cope well with Japan’s attack. Apart from a two-minute burst at the start of the game by Japan, the rest of the opening half was played at snail's pace. For Costa Rica, the lack of goalmouth action was probably most welcome seeing as they conceded three times in the opening half an hour against Spain. Both goalkeepers were redundant and the only incidents that could pass as goalmouth action was a cross by Japan's Ritsu Dōan that flashed across the goal and a scooped shot high over the crossbar by Costa Rica forward Joel Campbell. The Asian team woke up from its lethargy after the break, when the skilful Hiroki Ito and Takuma Asano came on. Immediately after the break, Japan looked more threatening with Hidemasa Morita finally testing Keylor Navas with a stinging drive that the Costa Rica keeper turned away. Kicking towards their fans, Japan began to seize control when attacking midfielder Kaoru Mitoma came on for right back Miki Yamane. The Blue Samurais camped in Costa Rica's half and it seemed only a matter of time before their pressure would pay off. However, in a rare Costa Rica break, the Japanese defense failed to clear and Fuller curled a shot which keeper Gonda could not keep out. Scrambled saves from Keylor Navas kept Japan at bay late on, leaving the group decision for the last day.

 

GROUP STAGE

STADIUM: ملعب الثمامة <Maleab ath-Thumāma> / Al-Thumama Stadium (Doha)

DATE: 27-11-2022 (16:00 h)

ATTENDANCE: 43.738

REFEREE: César Arturo Ramos (MEX)

GOALS: 0-1 (Sabiri 73’); 0-2 (Aboukhlal 90+’)

BOOKED: Onana (29’) / Sabiri (90+’)

[Incidents: Goalkeeper Bono, originally included in the Morocco starting eleven, was dropped minutes before kick-off as he had a bad reaction to a medicine he was taking to treat a back injury.]

BEL

België / Belgique

Belgium - Morocco

المغرب

MOR

0-2 (0-0)

BELGIUM

Courtois

Meunier (Lukaku 81’), Alderweireld, Vertonghen

Castagne, Onana (Tielemans 60’), Witsel, Th. Hazard (Trossard 75’)

E. Hazard (c) (Mertens 60’), Batshuayi (De Ketelaere 75’), De Bruyne

COACH: Roberto Martínez

MOROCCO

Munir

Achraf (Attiyat-Allah 68’), Aguerd, Saïss (c), Mazraoui

Ounahi (El-Yamiq 78’), Amrabat, Amallah (Sabiri 68’)

Ziyech, En-Nesyri (Hamdallah 73’), Boufal (Aboukhlal 73’)

COACH: Walid Regragui

GAME SUMMARY

Thanks to two second-half goals from substitutes Abdelhamid Sabiri and Zakaria Aboukhlal, Morocco shocked 2018 semifinalists Belgium with the greatest result in their World Cup history. It was a fully deserved victory for the Atlas Lions, who put up a determined display against a poor Belgian side who once again failed to live up to their “Golden Generation” status. Morocco also overcame the loss of first-choice keeper Yassine Bono just before kick-off after he felt indisposed with a stomach problem. His replacement, Munir Mohamedi, acquitted himself well and played his part in a famous win that, ahead of the game Canada vs. Croatia, leaves Group F wide open.

 

At the end of an entertaining first half, Hakim Ziyech thought he had scored the opener for Morocco when his free kick from a tight angle eluded Thibault Courtois, but his goal was chalked off for offside by VAR. Belgium’s keeper was at fault again for the first goal midway the second half, put off by Romain Saïss at his near post but still allowing the ball from Sabiri’s free kick squeeze in past him. Despite a myriad of attacking talents out on the pitch late on, Belgium did little to worry Morocco before Ziyech broke away on the right to feed Aboukhlal for the clincher in added-on time.

 

GROUP STAGE

STADIUM: ملعب خليفة الدولي <Maleab Khalīfah ad-Dawliyy> / Khalifa International Stadium (Al-Rayyan)

DATE: 27-11-2022 (19:00 h)

ATTENDANCE: 44.374

REFEREE: Andrés Matonte (URU)

GOALS: 0-1 (Davies 2’); 1-1 (Kramarić 36’); 2-1 (Livaja 44’); 3-1 (Kramarić 70’); 4-1 (Majer 90+’)

BOOKED: Lovren (56’), Modrić (85’) / Buchanan (52’), Miller (85’)

CRO

Hrvatska

Croatia - Canada

Canada

CAN

4-1 (2-1)

CROATIA

Livaković

Juranović, Lovren, Gvardiol, Sosa

Modrić (c) (Pašalić 86’), Brozović, Kovačić (Majer 86’)

Livaja (Petković 60’), Kramarić (Vlašić 73’), Perišić (Oršić 86’)

COACH: Zlatko Dalić

CANADA

Borjan

Johnston, Vitória, Miller

Laryea (Hoilett 62’), Hutchin. (c) (Adekugbe 73’), Eustáquio (Koné 46’), Davies

Buchanan, Larin (Osorio 46’), David (Cavallini 72’)

COACH: John Herdman

GAME SUMMARY

Canada got their first-ever World Cup goal, just two minutes into the match, but the North Americans were eliminated from the knock-out rounds after having lost both of their first two games, an insurmountable four points behind joint-group leaders Croatia and Morocco. Croatia, the 2018 World Cup finalists, were just too much and a brace from Andrej Kramarić led the way in a 4-1 win. Alphonso Davies opened the scoring on two minutes (the fastest goal of the tournament so far) with a superb leaping header after an equally superb cross from the right by Tajon Buchanan. With open spaces, the Canadians were carving through the Croatian midfield, with Davies's pace and trickery causing nightmares in the red-white checkered defenders. Midway the first half, Croatia shifted into gear and turned the tempo of the game to its advantage. Zlatko Dalić’s side had the ball in the net after 26 minutes through Kramarić, only for the linesman's flag to cut short their celebrations, but that was a temporary reprieve for Canada. Croatia drew level in the 36th minute when Ivan Perišić, a growing influence on the left, slid the ball through to Kramarić, who shot first time into the far corner. Eight minutes later, the Croatians took the lead when a lovely build-up from the back ended with Marko Livaja firing right-footed low into the net from the edge of the area after being fed by Mateo Kovačić. Canada’s coach John Herdman rang the changes at halftime in an effort to claw back the initiative, and substitute Jonathan Osorio curled an effort just wide shortly after the restart. Kramarić had an effort well saved by the keeper, while Canada went close again when Jonathan David's shot was superbly tipped over by Dominik Livaković. Yet the Canadian hopes of getting back into the contest were dashed in the 70th minute, when a curling cross from Perišić on the left was controlled by Kramarić, who shifted the ball on to his left foot and dispatched it low into the bottom corner. Deep into stoppage time, Croatia added a final blow when Mislav Oršić broke clear and unselfishly squared for Lovro Majer to tap home.

 

GROUP STAGE

STADIUM: استاد البيت <ʾIstād al-Bayt> / Al-Bayt Stadium (Al-Khor)

DATE: 27-11-2022 (22:00 h)

ATTENDANCE: 68.895

REFEREE: Danny Makkelie (NED)

GOALS: 1-0 (Morata 62’); 1-1 (Füllkrug 83’)

BOOKED: Busquets (44’) / Kehrer (37’), Goretzka (58’), Kimmich (60’)

SPA

España

Spain - Germany

Deutschland

GER

1-1 (0-0)

SPAIN

Unai Simón

Carvajal, Rodri, Laporte, Jordi Alba (Baldé 82’)

Gavi (Nico Williams 66’), Busquets (c), Pedri

Ferran Torres (Morata 54’), Asensio (Koke 66’), Dani Olmo

COACH: Luis Enrique Martínez

GERMANY

Neuer (c)

Kehrer (Klostermann 70’), Süle, Rüdiger, Raum (Schlotterbeck 87’)

Gnabry (Hofmann 85’), Goretzka, Gündoğan (Sané 70’), Kimmich, Musiala

Müller (Füllkrug 70’)

COACH: Hansi Flick

GAME SUMMARY

Niclas Füllkrug gave Germany a World Cup lifeline with an 83rd-minute equalizer to snatch a 1-1 draw against Spain at Al-Bayt Stadium. Four-time World Cup winners Germany were looking to bounce back from their shocking 2-1 defeat to Japan, while Luis Enrique's side were riding high after their 7-0 demolition of Costa Rica in Group E. A surprising 1-0 win for Costa Rica over Japan earlier on Sunday slightly lessened the stakes of this game, although the intensity was still suffocating at times. In the seventh minute, Germany captain Manuel Neuer was at his best to put an instinctive hand to a rasping Dani Olmo drive and deflect the incoming ball against a combination of crossbar and upright. Both Spain and Germany probed at one another throughout an absorbing first half, although their best chances were disallowed by VAR for offside: in minute 33, Ferran Torres blazed over from close range in front of an open goal, and six minutes later Antonio Rüdiger headed home for Germany a free kick, but he was marginally offside and his goal was ruled out. Unai Simón was forced into his first substantial save in the 56th minute to a Joshua Kimmich shot from just inside the penalty area. Luis Enrique brought Álvaro Morata off the bench early in the second half and the move paid quick dividends, as the Atlético de Madrid striker beat his marker to Jordi Alba's near-cross and cleverly flicked it by Neuer to give Spain a deserved lead. Germany fought hard and should have drawn level in the 73rd minute, but Jamal Muisala's shot with only the keeper to beat was saved by Unai Simón. With time running out on Hansi Flick's side, Füllkrug had the ball fortuitously fall to him in the Spain penalty area and he made no doubt with the finish, blasting a beautiful strike past Unai Simón to restore parity. Both teams seemed content at 1-1 in the dying stages of the game, as this result leaves qualification in their own hands ahead of their last group games, where all four teams, Spain, Japan, Germany and Costa Rica, have the chance to advance to the last 16 round with a number of possible scenarios.

 

GROUP STAGE

STADIUM: استاد الجنوب <ʾIstād al-Janūb> / Al-Janoub Stadium (Al-Wakrah)

DATE: 28-11-2022 (13:00 h)

ATTENDANCE: 39.789

REFEREE: Mohammed Abdullah (UAE)

GOALS: 1-0 (Castelletto 29’); 1-1 (Pavlović 45+’); 1-2 (S. Milinković-Savić 45+’); 1-3 (A. Mitrović 53’); 2-3 (Aboubakar 63’); 3-3 (Choupo-Moting 66’)

BOOKED: Nkoulou (24’), Bassogog (30’) / Jović [bench] (45+’), Milenković (90+’)

[Incidents: Before the game, goalkeeper André Onana left the Cameroon headquarters in Qatar in disagreement with head coach Rigobert Song, who deems Onana’s style of play too risky for his team. After Castelletto’s goal, all the substitute players sitting in the Cameroon bench crossed the field to celebrate with their teammate in the opposite corner; when the referee arrived to book them, the Cameroon players ran away quickly and Mohammed Abdullah could only grab Bassogog, who was the only player to be booked after being asked by the referee to show him his shirt number.]

CAM

Cameroun

Cameroon - Serbia

Србија

SER

3-3 (1-2)

CAMEROON

Epassy

Faï, Castelletto, Nkoulou, Nouhou

Zambo Anguissa (Gouet 81’), Kunde (Ondoua 67’), Hongla (Aboubakar 55’)

Mbeumo (Nkoudou 81’), Choupo-Moting (c), Toko Ekambi (Bassogog 67’)

COACH: Rigobert Song

SERBIA

V. Milinković-Savić

Milenković, Veljković (Babić 78’), Pavlović (S. Mitrović 56’)

Živković (Radonjić 78’), Lukić, Maksimović, Kostić (Đuričić 90+’)

Tadić (c), A. Mitrović, S. Milinković-Savić (Grujić 79’)

COACH: Dragan Stojković

GAME SUMMARY

In the craziest 2022 World Cup game so far, with several micro-games within it, Cameroon rescued a point in a 3-3 draw with Serbia that ended a run of eight successive World Cup losses for the African side. With the Indomitable Lions trailing 3-1 and staring a ninth successive defeat in the competition, experienced striker Vincent Aboubakar came off the bench to score one goal with a lob and set up another for teammate Éric Choupo-Moting.

 

Serbia started the brighter, and within the first ten minutes Aleksandar Mitrović floated a header over the bar, then struck the post with a left-foot shot. The Fulham striker had another great opportunity when Cameroon made a hash of clearing their lines and the ball fell to him eight yards out with the whole goal to aim at, but he fired wide. However, it was Cameroon who took the lead in the 29th minute from a set-piece, when Jean-Charles Castelletto touched home a flick-on from a needlessly conceded corner. Serbia, beaten 2-0 by title favourites Brazil in their first match, hit back strongly with two goals in injury time of the first half: first Strahinja Pavlović headed home a free kick, and two minutes later Sergej Milinković-Savić drilled a low left-foot shot into the right corner. Aleksandar Mitrović increased Serbia's lead with his 51st international goal after a succession of beautiful passes inside the penalty area, and by then Dragan Stojković’s side looked in complete control and cruising to a crushing win against a chaotic and depressed Cameroon team. Much against the run of play, Aboubakar, top-scorer at the Africa Cup of Nations finals earlier this year, turned the game around when he came off the bench, first netting a fine solo goal with an audacious chip over the keeper to reduce the deficit, then breaking forward and crossing to Choupo-Moting to smash in the equalizer three minutes later.

 

GROUP STAGE

STADIUM: استاد المدينة التعليمية <ʾIstād al-Madīna at-Taelīmiyya> / Education City Stadium (Al-Rayyan)

DATE: 28-11-2022 (16:00 h)

ATTENDANCE: 43.983

REFEREE: Anthony Taylor (ENG)

GOALS: 0-1 (Salisu 24’); 0-2 (Kudus 34’); 1-2 (Cho Gyu-sung 58’); 2-2 (Cho Gyu-sung 61’); 2-3 (Kudus 68’)

BOOKED: Jung Woo-young (27’), Kim Young-gwon (77’), Paulo Bento (RC 90+’) / Amartey (21’), Lamptey (73’)

[Incidents: South Korea coach Paulo Bento was sent off with a straight red card after the final whistle for complaining noisily to the referee that he blew the end of the game just before a corner kick.]

SKR

한국

South Korea - Ghana

Ghana

GHA

2-3 (0-2)

SOUTH KOREA

Kim Seung-gyu

Kim Moon-hwan, Kim Min-jae (Kwon K.W. 90+’), Kim Young-gwon, Kim Jin-soo

Kwon Chang-hoon (Lee K.I. 57’), Hwang In-bum, Jeong Woo-yeong (Na S.H. 46’), Jung Woo-young (Hwang U.J. 79’), Son Heung-min (c)

Cho Gyu-sung

COACH: Paulo Bento

GHANA

Ati-Zigi

Lamptey (Odoi 78’), Amartey, Salisu, Mensah (Baba 88’)

Thomas, Abdul Samed, Kudus (Djiku 83’)

A. Ayew (c) (Kyereh 78’), I. Williams, J. Ayew (Kamaldeen 78’)

COACH: Otto Addo

GAME SUMMARY

Ghana revived its hopes of reaching the World Cup knockout stages for only the second time with a thrilling victory over South Korea after a second-half fightback. The 2010 quarterfinalists, who had impressed in an opening 3-2 defeat against Portugal, saw off the early Korean pressure and went in front in the 24th minute when defender Mohammed Salisu swept home Jordan Ayew's curling free kick. Ghana scored another goal ten minutes later when Jordan Ayew whipped in another superb delivery from the left and the faintest of headers from Mohammed Kudus doubled the Black Stars' lead. Early second-half changes breathed new life into Korea's attack. Mallorca’s Lee Kang-in had barely been on the field for a minute when he helped dispossess Tariq Lamptey and fired in a cross that Cho Gyu-sung attacked with pace, leaving Salisu watching as he got in front of his marker to power home a 58th-minute header. The Korean center forward was even more determined three minutes later, when a chip from Kim Jin-soo caught the out-of-position goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi scrambling and Cho Gyu-sung climbed above the center backs to score a dramatic equalizer, right in front of a bank of screaming Korean supporters. But Ghana, the lowest-ranked side in the Qatar tournament (61st in the world), regained the lead in the 68th minute when some sloppy Korean defending to a Gideon Mensah's cross allowed Kudus to side-foot home his second goal, after Iñaki Williams had missed the ball. The fortuitous turn for the Black Stars was followed by Ati-Zigi making a fine save from Lee Kang-in's free kick and watching as the ball was cleared off the line from Kim Jin-soo's scuffed shot. They African side held on amid a late Korean onslaught to earn a precious win ahead of a final group game against Uruguay. The referee was besieged at the final whistle as he ended the game with South Korea about to take a corner kick, and head coach Paulo Bento earned a red card for his protestations.

 

GROUP STAGE

STADIUM: استاد 974 <ʾIstād 974> / Stadium 974 (Doha)

DATE: 28-11-2022 (19:00 h)

ATTENDANCE: 46.649

REFEREE: Iván Barton (SLV)

GOALS: 1-0 (Casemiro 83’)

BOOKED: Fred (52’) / Rieder (50’)

BRA

Brasil

Brazil - Switzerland

Schweiz / Suisse

SWI

1-0 (0-0)

BRAZIL

Alisson

Éder Militão, Marquinhos, Thiago Silva (c), Alex Sandro (Alex Telles 86’)

Fred (Bruno Guimarães 58’), Lucas Paquetá (Rodrygo 46’), Casemiro

Raphinha (Antony 73’), Richarlison (Gabriel Jesus 73’), Vinícius

COACH: Adenor Bacchi “Tite”

SWITZERLAND

Sommer

Widmer (Frei 86’), Akanji, Elvedi, Rodríguez

Rieder (Steffen 59’), Freuler, Xhaka (c)

Embolo (Seferović 76’), Sow (Aebischer 76’), Vargas (Edi Fernandes 58’)

COACH: Murat Yakin

GAME SUMMARY

A late Casemiro goal took Brazil into the last 16 of World Cup 2022, as the resistance of a dogged Switzerland side finally cracked. Deprived of Neymar by injury, Brazil struggled to find a way through a typically disciplined Switzerland defense. Vinícius had the best chance of the opening period, when he drifted into space at the far post only to fail to connect properly with Raphinha's cross, allowing Yann Sommer to save. Switzerland more than held their own and had glimmers of openings without ever really creating a gilt-edged opportunity, with neither side finding it easy to unlock the opposing backline. Brazil brought on Rodrygo at the break and he was soon linking up with his Real Madrid teammate Vinícius, who sent in a sumptuous cross with the outside of his right foot that Richarlison only narrowly failed to turn in. Brazil were turning up the heat and just past the hour thought they had broken through when Rodrygo played in Vinícius down the left to skip Nico Elvedi's challenge and roll the ball past Sommer. A lengthy VAR check found Richarlison to be offside earlier in the same phase of play, however, and the effort was chalked off. Seven minutes from time, the South American side would not be denied, Vinícius and Rodrygo combining once again to work space in the area for Casemiro, whose fine half-volley flicked Manuel Akanji on its way past Sommer and inside the far post. Sommer pushed over Rodrygo's effort and Akanji blocked another goalbound Rodrygo strike in added time, but Brazil had already done enough to join holders France in the last 16.

 

GROUP STAGE

STADIUM: ملعب لوسيل الدولي <Maleab Lūsayl ad-Dawliyy> / Lusail Iconic Stadium (Lusail)

DATE: 28-11-2022 (22:00 h)

ATTENDANCE: 88.668

REFEREE: Alireza Faghani (IRN)

GOALS: 1-0 (Bruno Fernandes 54’); 2-0 (Bruno Fernandes [p.] 90+’)

BOOKED: Rúben Neves (38’), João Félix (77’), Rúben Dias (89’) / Bentancur (6’), Olivera (44’)

[Incidents: In minute 51, a pitch invader carrying a Pride rainbow flag halted the game in protest against Qatar's anti-LGBT laws.]

POR

Portugal

Portugal - Uruguay

Uruguay

URU

2-0 (0-0)

PORTUGAL

Diogo Costa

João Cancelo, Rúben Dias, Pepe, Nuno Mendes (Raphaël Guerreiro 42’)

Bernardo Silva, W. Carvalho (J. Palhinha 82’), Rúben Neves (Rafael Leão 69’)

Bruno Fernandes, C. Ronaldo (c) (G. Ramos 82’), João Félix (M. Nunes 82’)

COACH: Fernando Santos

URUGUAY

Rochet

Varela, Giménez, Godín (c) (Pellistri 62’), Coates, Olivera (Viña 86’)

Valverde, Bentancur, Vecino (De Arrascaeta 62’)

Cavani (Suárez 73’), Darwin Núñez (Maxi Gómez 72’)

COACH: Diego Alonso

GAME SUMMARY

A second-half double by Bruno Fernandes took Portugal into the round of 16 at World Cup 2022 and left Uruguay's hopes of joining them in progressing from Group H hanging by a thread. Portugal had dominated possession and territory in the first half but without creating clear chances, the best coming early on from Cristiano Ronaldo's improvised shoulder layoff, but William Carvalho was unable to keep his volley down. In contrast, Uruguay looked short of attacking threat but went closest to taking a first-half lead, Rodrigo Bentancur picking the ball up inside his own half and driving through the heart of the Portugal backline, only to shoot straight at Diogo Costa with just the goalkeeper to beat. The pattern continued into the second period, João Félix firing into the side-netting after a swift break had allowed Portugal to outnumber their opponents, but Uruguay failed to heed the warning and duly fell behind a few moments later. Bruno Fernandes was allowed the time to line up a cross on the left side and Cristiano Ronaldo, played onside by Guillermo Varela, ghosted in to seemingly flick the ball past Sergio Rochet, although a subsequent review decided he had not touched the ball and awarded the goal to his teammate instead. Uruguay tried to up the pressure in response, Maxi Gómez curling against the upright after fine work from fellow substitute Facundo Pellistri, before Luis Suárez fired just wide from inside the area and Giorgian de Arrascaeta was denied by a diving Diogo Costa. That was as good as it got for the South Americans, whose hopes were finally finished off in added time. A sliding José María Giménez was adjudged, after a VAR check, to have handled the ball as he challenged Bruno Fernandes, who duly sent Rochet the wrong way from the spot to wrap up Portugal's win and place in the last 16. The Manchester United midfielder twice went close to completing a hat-trick in the closing stages.

 

GROUP STAGE

STADIUM: ملعب خليفة الدولي <Maleab Khalīfah ad-Dawliyy> / Khalifa International Stadium (Al-Rayyan)

DATE: 29-11-2022 (18:00 h)

ATTENDANCE: 44.569

REFEREE: Clément Turpin (FRA)

GOALS: 0-1 (I. Sarr [p.] 44’); 1-1 (Caicedo 67’); 1-2 (Koulibaly 70’)

BOOKED: I. Guèye (66’)

ECU

Ecuador

Ecuador - Senegal

Sénégal

SEN

1-2 (0-1)

ECUADOR

Galíndez

Ángelo Preciado (Porozo 85’), Torres, Hincapié, Estupiñán

Franco (Sarmiento 46’), Gruezo (Cifuentes 46’), Caicedo

Plata, Estrada (Reasco 64’), Valencia (c)

COACH: Gustavo Alfaro

SENEGAL

É. Mendy

Sabaly, Koulibaly (c), Jakobs, Diallo

Ndiaye (Dieng 75’), Ciss (N. Mendy 74’), I. Guèye, P. Gueye, I. Sarr

Dia (Cissé 90+’)

COACH: Aliou Cissé

GAME SUMMARY

Senegalese captain Kalidou Koulibaly sent his team to the round of 16 with a superb volley at the expense of Ecuador. Needing a win to qualify, the Lions of Teranga went in front just before halftime when Piero Hincapié bundled over Ismaïla Sarr, who picked himself up to calmly convert the penalty. It was a deserved lead for the reigning African champions, who had missed a series of early chances, with Idrissa Guèye and Boulaye Dia both dragging shots wide. Having spent much of the first half pushing Ecuador back, Senegal was made to pay for sitting off early in the second half in the 67th minute, when Moisés Caicedo equalized with a tap-in at the back post following a corner. La Tri could only celebrate a temporary qualification for three minutes though, as Idrissa Guèye's free kick dropped to Koulibaly in the box and the Chelsea defender lashed home a shot with a superb right-foot volley. Ecuador desperately tried to force the leveller they needed to progress to the knockout stages, but Senegal held on to book its ticket into the final 16.

 

GROUP STAGE

STADIUM: استاد البيت <ʾIstād al-Bayt> / Al-Bayt Stadium (Al-Khor)

DATE: 29-11-2022 (18:00 h)

ATTENDANCE: 66.784

REFEREE: Bakary Gassama (GAM)

GOALS: 1-0 (Gakpo 26’); 2-0 (F. de Jong 49’)

BOOKED: Aké (52’)

NED

Nederland

Netherlands - Qatar

قطر

QAT

2-0 (1-0)

NETHERLANDS

Noppert

Timber, Van Dijk (c), Aké

Dumfries, De Roon (Koopmeiners 83’), F. de Jong (Taylor 86’), Blind

Gakpo (Weghorst 82’), Klaassen (Berghuis 66’), Memphis (Janssen 66’)

COACH: Louis van Gaal

QATAR

Barsham

Mohammad (Kheder 85’), Ró-Ró, Khoukhi, A. Hassan, Ahmed

Al-Haydos (c) (Assadalla 64’), Madibo (Boudiaf 64’), Hatem (Alaaeldin 85’)

Ali (Muntari 64’), Afif

COACH: Félix Sánchez

GAME SUMMARY

The Netherlands sealed top spot in Group A at the 2022 World Cup thanks to a straightforward 2-0 win over Qatar, who became the first host nation to lose all three of their group-stage matches. Goals either side of the break from the on-fire Cody Gakpo and Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong eased the Oranje into the knockout stages. Louis van Gaal's men had the possession and territory, but were wasteful in front of goal. This was Memphis Depay's first start in this World Cup having recovered from injury, but his radar was uncharacteristically wayward as he squandered a decent chance in the first half and misplaced several passes. The standout moment from the first half was Gakpo's trademark finish, as the PSV forward netted his third goal of the tournament in as many games cutting in from the left across the face of the box and placing the ball in the far corner with his right foot. The second half had predictably more space. Memphis finally managed to trouble the goalkeeper with a close range strike, only for Frenkie de Jong to bundle in the rebound and end any hopes of a Qatar fightback. The Dutch had another effort ruled out after 68 minutes for a handball call given against Gakpo in the build-up to a Steven Berghuis tap-in.

 

GROUP STAGE

STADIUM: ملعب أحمد بن علي <Maleab ʾAḥmad bin ʿAliyy> / Ahmad bin Ali Stadium (Al-Rayyan)

DATE: 29-11-2022 (22:00 h)

ATTENDANCE: 44.297

REFEREE: Slavko Vinčič (SVN)

GOALS: 0-1 (Rashford 50’); 0-2 (Foden 51’); 0-3 (Rashford 68’)

BOOKED: James (29’), Ramsey (61’)

WAL

Cymru

Wales - England

England

ENG

0-3 (0-0)

WALES

Ward

N. Williams (Roberts 36’), Mepham, Rodon, B. Davies (Morrell 59’)

Bale (c) (Johnson 46’), Allen (Colwill 81’), Ramsey, Ampadu

Moore, James (Wilson 77’)

COACH: Rob Page

ENGLAND

Pickford

Walker (Alexander-Arnold 57’), Stones, Maguire, Shaw (Trippier 65’)

Henderson, Rice (Phillips 58’), Bellingham

Foden, Kane (c) (Wilson 58’), Rashford (Grealish 75’)

COACH: Gareth Southgate

GAME SUMMARY

Marcus Rashford and Phil Foden made the most of their inclusion in England's starting line-up as they played starring roles in a dominant 3-0 World Cup win over Wales. Manchester United favorite Rashford hammered home a superb 50th-minute free kick, won by Foden after a jinking run, and his Manchester City counterpart was on target a minute later. Rashford drilled his third of the tournament through the legs of Wales goalkeeper Danny Ward to make sure of top spot in Group B and set up a last-16 showdown with Senegal. Wales' first World Cup finals appearance since 1958 ended with a solitary point and captain Gareth Bale departing through injury at halftime.

 

Even though they needed to beat England to stand any chance to advance, Wales dug in doggedly during the first period. The best opening of the first 45 minutes fell to Rashford in the early stages, when England captain Harry Kane dropped deep to thread a fine throughball into his path but Ward, who was playing in place of the suspended Wayne Hennessey, stood firm. Gareth Southgate started Foden and Rashford on the right and left flanks, respectively, but switched them for the start of the second half, and the move paid immediate dividends. Foden darted infield to send Wales defenders scrambling and he was brought down by a combination of Joe Rodon and Connor Roberts. Rashford arrowed a fabulous strike over the wall and Ward wrong-footed himself by stepping to his right. Kane, yet to get on the scoresheet at this tournament, collected his third assist in three games after Rashford harried Ben Davies into an error and fed his captain to cross for the onrushing Foden at the far post. Southgate was then able to ring the changes with an eye on Sunday's meeting with Senegal and one of the replacements, Kalvin Phillips, released Rashford down the right, who made light of Roberts' attentions before nutmegging Ward.

 

GROUP STAGE

STADIUM: ملعب الثمامة <Maleab ath-Thumāma> / Al-Thumama Stadium (Doha)

DATE: 29-11-2022 (22:00 h)

ATTENDANCE: 42.127

REFEREE: Antonio Mateu Lahoz (SPA)

GOALS: 0-1 (Pulisic 38’)

BOOKED: M. Hosseini (77’), Kanaanizadegan [bench] (84’), Jalali (90+’) / Adams (43’)

IRN

ایران

Iran - USA

USA

USA

0-1 (0-1)

IRAN

Beiranvand

Rezaeian, M. Hosseini, Pouraliganji, Mohammadi (Karimi 45+’)

Nourollahi (Torabi 71’), Ezatolahi, Hajsafi (c) (Jalali 71’)

Gholizadeh (Ansarifard 77’), Azmoun (Ghoddos 46’), Taremi

COACH: Carlos Queiroz

USA

Turner

Dest (Moore 82’), Carter-Vickers, Ream, Robinson

McKennie (Acosta 65’), Adams (c), Musah

Weah (Zimmerman 82’), Sargent (Wright 77’), Pulisic (Aaronson 46’)

COACH: Gregg Berhalter

GAME SUMMARY

In a game stretching beyond the sporting aspects of it, the United States advanced to the knockout stage of the 2022 World Cup by defeating Iran 1-0 in a must-win match. The tension was evident on the field in the first half as the US probed for the goal they needed against an Iran side increasingly happy to pack men behind the ball. Christian Pulisic and Josh Sargent failed to make the most of early headed opportunities. In the 38th minute, Pulisic scored the winner after turning in Sergiño Dest's headed cross, although the Chelsea winger suffered an abdominal injury in the process after clashing with Iran's goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand and had to be replaced at halftime. In the second period, Iran threw numbers forward looking for the equalizer they needed to advance, but the American backline stood firm. Before that, the US briefly thought they had extended their lead when Tim Weah calmly slotted home from Weston McKennie's through ball. However, the assistant referee's flag was immediately raised for the tightest of offside calls. As the second half wore on, the US began clinging increasingly anxiously to their lead. Saman Ghoddos fired just wide with Matt Turner frozen in the US goal, and the Americans then had to survive two frantic appeals for penalties in the closing stages before the referee finally blew the full-time whistle after more than nine minutes of stoppage time.

 

GROUP STAGE

STADIUM: استاد الجنوب <ʾIstād al-Janūb> / Al-Janoub Stadium (Al-Wakrah)

DATE: 30-11-2022 (18:00 h)

ATTENDANCE: 41.232

REFEREE: Mustapha Ghorbal (ALG)

GOALS: 1-0 (Leckie 60’)

BOOKED: Behich (4’), Degenek (57’) / Skov (75’)

AUS

Australia

Australia - Denmark

Danmark

DEN

1-0 (0-0)

AUSTRALIA

Ryan (c)

Degenek, Souttar, Rowles, Behich

Leckie (Hrustic 89’), Irvine, Mooy, Goodwin (Baccus 46’)

Duke (Maclaren 82’), McGree (Wright 74’)

COACH: Graham Arnold

DENMARK

Schmeichel

Kristensen (Bah 46’) Andersen, A. Christensen, Mæhle (Cornelius 70’)

Skov O. (Skov 69’), Højbjerg, Eriksen (c), Jensen (Damsgaard 59’), Lindstrøm

Braithwaite (Dolberg 59’)

COACH: Kasper Hjulmand

GAME SUMMARY

Australia progressed to the World Cup Round of 16 for only the second time in its history thanks to a Mathew Leckie's second-half winner, whereas Denmark, who impressed in Euro 2020, crashed out at the group stage. The Socceroos began their Group D decider thinking a draw would be sufficient, and consequently they sat back and played on the counter, but with Tunisia surprisingly beating France, who had already qualified, Graham Arnold's side required victory, as did the Danes. Denmark missed several good first-half chances to take the lead, with Miloš Degenek denying Jesper Lindstrøm with a brilliant block and Mat Ryan saving a Mathias Jensen effort. Instead it was Australia who broke the deadlock on the hour, when Leckie twisted Denmark defender Joakim Mæhle inside and out before threading a precise left-foot shot low into the right corner. The Danes tried to stage a fightback, but the lack of cutting edge that characterized their two previous group games continued to dog them and Australia celebrated wildly at the final whistle.

 

GROUP STAGE

STADIUM: استاد المدينة التعليمية <ʾIstād al-Madīna at-Taelīmiyya> / Education City Stadium (Al-Rayyan)

DATE: 30-11-2022 (18:00 h)

ATTENDANCE: 43.627

REFEREE: Matt Conger (NZL)

GOALS: 1-0 (Khazri 58’)

BOOKED: Kechrida (28’)

TUN

تونس

Tunisia - France

France

FRA

1-0 (0-0)

TUNISIA

Dahmen

Ghandri, Meriah, Talbi

Kechrida, Skhiri, Laïdouni, Maâloul

Ben Slimane (Abdi 83’), Khazri (c)(Jebali 60’), Ben Romdhane (Chaâlali 74’)

COACH: Jalel Kadri

FRANCE

Mandanda

Fofana (Griezmann 73’), Konaté, Varane (c) (Saliba 63’), Disasi

Guendouzi (Dembélé 79’), Tchouaméni, Camavinga

Veretout (Rabiot 63’), Kolo Muani, Coman (Mbappé 63’)

COACH: Didier Deschamps

GAME SUMMARY

Tunisia bowed out of World Cup 2022 despite claiming their first-ever competitive victory against France thanks to Wahbi Khazri's second-half strike. France, who had a late Antoine Griezmann strike ruled out by VAR in the final few seconds of injury time, still finished top of Group D. With both sides making wholesale changes, it was Tunisia—needing a victory to have any hope of progressing—who made the brighter start, Nader Ghandri having an early effort ruled out by the offside flag. The African side remained on top for the remainder of the first half, although France's reshuffled attack still carried a threat, Kingsley Coman passing up the best chance of the opening period as he sliced wide having been played in by Youssouf Fofana's run. Khazri was at the heart of Tunisia's better moments throughout the opening period, Steve Mandanda parrying his shot, but the goalkeeper was beaten two minutes before the hour, when Ellyes Skhiri robbed Fofana on halfway and Khazri was allowed to run straight at the heart of the France backline, skipping round Raphaël Varane before placing a low left-foot shot past Mandanda. Didier Deschamps responded with a double substitution that included Kylian Mbappé and Adrien Rabiot, with Griezmann and Ousmane Dembélé following them, but France failed to significantly threaten until the final few moments. Rabiot pulled a shot wide when well placed before Mbappé's shot was saved by Aymen Dahmen and Randal Kolo Muani's effort was deflected just wide. Tunisia's resolve looked to have finally cracked when Griezmann volleyed in eight minutes into added time, but the effort was ruled out for offside after a long VAR check, ensuring Tunisia enjoyed a memorable result to conclude their Qatar 2022 campaign.

 

GROUP STAGE

STADIUM: استاد 974 <ʾIstād 974> / Stadium 974 (Doha)

DATE: 30-11-2022 (22:00 h)

ATTENDANCE: 44.089

REFEREE: Danny Makkelie (NED)

GOALS: 0-1 (Mac Allister 46’); 0-2 (Álvarez 67’)

BOOKED: Krychowiak (78’) / Acuña (49’)

[Incidents: Messi missed a penalty shot (min. 39), saved by Szczęsny.]

POL

Polska

Poland - Argentina

Argentina

ARG

0-2 (0-0)

POLAND

Szczęsny

Cash, Glik, Kiwior, Bereszyński (Jędrzejczyk 72’)

Bielik (Szymański 62’), Świderski (Skóraś 46’), Krychowiak (Piątek 83’)

Zieliński, Lewandowski (c), Frankowski (Kamiński 46’)

COACH: Czesław Michniewicz

ARGENTINA

Emiliano Martínez

Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Acuña (Tagliafico 59’)

Mac Allister (Almada 84’), De Paul, Enzo Fernández (Pezzella 79’)

Di María (Paredes 59’), Messi (c), Álvarez (Lautaro Martínez 79’)

COACH: Lionel Scaloni

GAME SUMMARY

Second-half goals from Alexis Mac Allister and Julián Álvarez took Argentina into the round of 16 at World Cup 2022 as group winners, whereas Poland, in spite of defeat, also advanced as Group C runners-up on goal differential with Mexico. Leo Messi twice went close in the opening ten minutes, setting the pattern for a first half dominated by Argentina. The Albiceleste struggled to create clear chances, however. Marcos Acuña flashed a shot past the post just before the half-hour mark before Wojciech Szczęsny denied Julián Álvarez. In minute 38, minimal contact between Szczęsny’s hand and Messi’s head when both players jumped to a cross was reviewed by VAR officials. Danny Makkelie, who had not seen anything irregular, was adviced to check this action in the monitor, and yet another ridiculous penalty was conceded in this World Cup (Szczęsny was simply stepping backwards trying to deflect the cross and couldn't even see Messi, and if anything it was the Argentine's head hitting the goalkeeper's hand). Szczęsny redeemed himself by plunging to his left and sticking up his right hand to turn away Messi's penalty. Argentina did not have to wait long for a breakthrough, however, striking 60 seconds into the second period as Nahuel Molina's cutback from the right was expertly turned in by Mac Allister for his first international goal. Kamil Glik headed agonizingly past the post as Poland sought a quick response, but it was Argentina who looked more likely to score again and they duly doubled their lead in the 67th minute, Álvarez collecting Enzo Fernández's pass and finding the corner of the net. Messi and Álvarez both went close to adding a third with Poland unable to muster any sort of attacking threat, and they were fortunate not to concede again as Jakub Kiwior's loose pass set Lautaro Martínez through only for the substitute to drag his shot wide. The central defender then headed Nicolás Tagliafico's chip off the line in added time, and that proved crucial for Poland, who advanced ahead of Mexico on a single goal’s difference.

 

GROUP STAGE

STADIUM: ملعب لوسيل الدولي <Maleab Lūsayl ad-Dawliyy> / Lusail Iconic Stadium (Lusail)

DATE: 30-11-2022 (22:00 h)

ATTENDANCE: 84.985

REFEREE: Michael Oliver (ENG)

GOALS: 0-1 (Henry Martín 47’); 0-2 (Chávez 52’); 1-2 (S. al-Dosari 90+’)

BOOKED: Al-Shehri (28’), Al-Hassan (34’), Al-Tambakti (52’), Madu (81’), Al-Amri (90+’), Bahebri (90+’) / E. Álvarez (16’)

KSA

العربية السعودية

Saudi Arabia - Mexico

México

MEX

1-2 (0-0)

SAUDI ARABIA

Al-Owais

Al-Tambakti, Al-Bulaihi (Sharahili 37’), Al-Amri

Abdulhamid, Al-Hassan (Madu 46’), Kanno, Al-Ghannam (Bahebri 88’)

Al-Buraikan, Al-Shehri (Al-Aboud 62’), S. al-Dosari (c)

COACH: Hervé Renard

MEXICO

Ochoa (c)

Jorge Sánchez (K. Álvarez 86’), Montes, Héctor Moreno, Gallardo

Pineda (Charly Rodríguez 77’), E. Álvarez (Funes Mori 87’), Chávez

Lozano, Henry Martín (Jiménez 77’), Vega (Antuna 46’)

COACH: Tata Martino

GAME SUMMARY

Mexico came so close to pulling off the most incredible comeback in World Cup group stage history, pummeling Saudi Arabia after halftime and scoring twice, but El Tri fell just a single goal short of overtaking Poland for the runner-up spot in the group. In the end, Mexico defeated Saudi Arabia 2-1, with Poland falling to Argentina 2-0 in the simultaneous group game, and although both teams finished on four points, the Mexicans could not match the Poles on the tiebreakers to advance, needing another goal to see their way through.

 

At the start of the matchday, Mexico were not in control of their own destiny, but they did know one thing: all scenarios that would see them through to the knockout stage at the 2022 World Cup started with victory over Saudi Arabia. When Henry Martín scored the opener early in the second half after tapping home a corner from the left flicked on (Mexico's first goal of the World Cup), El Tri was level with Poland on four points, and left them chasing goal differential. It would get even crazier from there. Mexico found a second goal on an absolutely stunning free kick from Luis “Bazooka” Chávez that sent Lusail Iconic Stadium alight. About ten minutes later, Julián Álvarez gave Argentina a 2-0 lead against Poland, and suddenly tiebreakers were thrown into the spotlight. The scorelines on both sides meant that the sides were level on points, goal differential and goals scored, leaving the final tiebreaker—fair play points—the only thing to separate the sides. As it stood, Mexico had drawn seven yellow cards to Poland's four, so Mexico would still have been eliminated at that point, leaving them needing a goal (or more yellow cards for Poland). In the 78th minute, Poland's Grzegorz Krychowiak earned a caution, pulling the two sides within two fair play points of a drawing of lots (which is the final tiebreaker if fair play points are level). Argentina came so close on numerous occasions, where a third goal against Poland would have also seen Mexico through, but Leo Messi and Álvarez both dragged shots inches wide with Szczęsny beaten. In addition, Uriel Antuna nearly had his name written in stars, but his goal in the 87th minute was chalked off, correctly, for offside. In injury time, Saudi Arabia scored a consolation goal and that was the final blow for Mexico, who fell on goal differential in the end.

 

GROUP STAGE

STADIUM: ملعب أحمد بن علي <Maleab ʾAḥmad bin ʿAliyy> / Ahmad bin Ali Stadium (Al-Rayyan)

DATE: 1-12-2022 (18:00 h)

ATTENDANCE: 43.984

REFEREE: Anthony Taylor (ENG)

GOALS: -

BOOKED: Dendoncker (67’)

CRO

Hrvatska

Croatia - Belgium

België / Belgique

BEL

0-0 (0-0)

CROATIA

Livaković

Juranović, Lovren, Gvardiol, Sosa

Modrić (c), Brozović, Kovačić (Majer 90+’)

Kramarić (Pašalić 64’), Livaja (Petković 64’), Perišić

COACH: Zlatko Dalić

BELGIUM

Courtois

Dendoncker (Tielemans 72’), Alderweireld, Vertonghen

Meunier (E. Hazard 87’), Witsel, De Bruyne (c), Castagne

Trossard (Th. Hazard 59’), Mertens (Lukaku 46’), Carrasco (Doku 72’)

COACH: Roberto Martínez

GAME SUMMARY

The perennial candidate Belgium, with the best generation of players in its history, bowed out of World Cup 2022 as Romelu Lukaku passed up three great opportunities in a goalless draw that sent Croatia through as Group F runners-up behind Morocco. Having kicked off in third place, the Red Devils knew only a win would guarantee their progress, but in the end Belgium, who finished third at Russia 2018 and are second in the FIFA ranking, could not force a win and failed to qualify to the knock-out stage for the first time since 1998. Belgium's already slender hopes nearly narrowed further within ten seconds as Ivan Perišić flashed a shot wide straight from kick-off, although Roberto Martínez’ men then created two chances of their own. Dominik Livaković rushed off his line to block Yannick Carrasco's shot before Dries Mertens blazed over Kevin de Bruyne's pass. Croatia, however, were looking the more dangerous side, and in minute 15 they thought they had a penalty as Carrasco felled Andrej Kramarić and the referee immediately pointed to the spot. After a long VAR check, however, the decision was overturned for offside. At halftime, with Morocco leading against Canada, Belgium knew they were facing elimination and Roberto Martínez brought on Lukaku. After a brief Belgium flurry, Croatia continued to look the side most likely to force a breakthrough, Thibaut Courtois saving from Mateo Kovačić, Marcelo Brozović and Luka Modrić in quick succession. With Belgium's need increasingly urgent, De Bruyne's pass set Carrasco racing into the penalty area and, though Josip Juranović made a fine block, the ball broke for Lukaku, whose shot struck the post. The Inter Milan attacker then nodded over with the goal at his mercy, although the ball from De Bruyne's cross was already out of play. As time ran out for Belgium and with a raft of attacking players thrown on, Thomas Meunier's fierce shot bounced wide off Lukaku, who then failed to turn in Thorgan Hazard's cross, and with that Belgium's last chance had gone.

 

GROUP STAGE

STADIUM: ملعب الثمامة <Maleab ath-Thumāma> / Al-Thumama Stadium (Doha)

DATE: 1-12-2022 (18:00 h)

ATTENDANCE: 43.102

REFEREE: Raphael Claus (BRA)

GOALS: 0-1 (Ziyech 4’); 0-2 (En-Nesyri 23’); 1-2 (Aguerd [o.g.] 40’)

BOOKED: Hoilett (7’), Osorio (26’), Adekugbe (45+’), Vitória (84’)

CAN

Canada

Canada - Morocco

المغرب

MOR

1-2 (1-2)

CANADA

Borjan (c)

Johnston, Vitória, Miller

Adekugbe (Koné 61’), Osorio (Laryea 65’), Kaye (Hutchinson 60’), Davies

Buchanan, Larin (David 60’), Hoilett (Wotherspoon 76’)

COACH: John Herdman

MOROCCO

Bono

Achraf (Jabrane 85’), Aguerd, Saïss (c), Mazraoui

Ounahi (El-Yamiq 77’), Amrabat, Sabiri (Amallah 65’)

Ziyech (Hamdallah 76’), En-Nesyri, Boufal (Aboukhlal 65’)

COACH: Walid Regragui

GAME SUMMARY

Thanks to first-half goals from Hakim Ziyech and Youssef en-Nesyri, Morocco advanced to the World Cup knockout stage for the first time since 1986 as they defeated Canada 2-1, and they did it in style, finishing in top position of Group F thanks to the scoreless tie between Belgium and Croatia in the simultaneous game. At the other end, Canada once again put forth a spirited effort, but came away with nothing, punished for their defensive mistakes yet again. Their lone strike came just before the half via an own goal from Nayef Aguerd, who deflected a Sam Adekugbe cross into the back of the net.

 

Cheered on by a boisterous crowd of Moroccan fans, the Atlas Lions opened the scoring on four minutes as Ziyech profited from a weak clearance by Milan Borjan to effortlessly lob the ball over the stranded goalkeeper. Borjan had been placed in an unenviable position by central defender Steven Vitória, whose weak back pass forced the Canadian keeper to race Moroccan forward Youssef en-Nesyri to the ball. En-Nesyri remained dangerous throughout the first half, doubling Morocco's lead in the 23rd minute when he ran onto a long ball from Achraf Hakimi and beat Borjan at the near post. Moroccan defender Aguerd put Canada on the scoreboard with an own goal, the first of this World Cup, by accidentally flicking a cross by Sam Adekugbe past his own goalkeeper Yassine Bono in the 40th minute. During stoppage time in the first half, En-Nesyri thumped a volley into the Canadian net, but the goal was ruled offside. Canada was the better of the two teams in the second half and came close to an equalizer in minute 72 when Atiba Hutchinson's header stroke the bar and then the line.

 

GROUP STAGE

STADIUM: ملعب خليفة الدولي <Maleab Khalīfah ad-Dawliyy> / Khalifa International Stadium (Al-Rayyan)

DATE: 1-12-2022 (22:00 h)

ATTENDANCE: 44.851

REFEREE: Victor Gomes (SAF)

GOALS: 0-1 (Morata 11’); 1-1 (Dōan 48’); 2-1 (Tanaka 51’)

BOOKED: Itakura (39’), Taniguchi (44’), Yoshida (45’)

JAP

日本

Japan - Spain

España

SPA

2-1 (0-1)

JAPAN

Gonda

Itakura, Yoshida (c), Taniguchi

J. Ito, Morita, Tanaka (Endo 87’), Nagatomo (Mitoma 46’)

Kamada (Tomiyasu 69’), Maeda (Asano 62’), Kubo (Dōan 46’)

COACH: Hajime Moriyasu

SPAIN

Unai Simón

Azpilicueta (Carvajal 46’), Rodri, Pau Torres, Baldé (Jordi Alba 68’)

Gavi (Ansu Fati 68’), Busquets (c), Pedri

Nico Williams (Ferran Torres 57’), Morata (Asensio 57’), Dani Olmo

COACH: Luis Enrique Martínez

GAME SUMMARY

The Blue Samurais did it again. Japan came from behind to seize another shock victory over a European superpower, as second-half goals from Ritsu Dōan and Ao Tanaka downed Spain and sent Germany crashing out of the 2022 World Cup. This victory saw the Japanese top Group E to book a round-of-16 date with Group F runners-up Croatia, while La Roja will face Morocco in the first knockout stage. The game between Japan and Spain also contributed to the grotesque collection of controversial decisions and mistakes by the referee-VAR team in this World Cup. The several ridiculous penaltis after minimal, non-intentional or even non-existent contacts between defenders and attackers, in which referee and VAR agreed or disagreed at random, were increased now by Japan's second goal, in which replays show the ball going well over the byline before Kaoru Mitoma cut it back for Tanaka to tap home. After a lengthy referral to VAR, the goal was surprisingly awarded (apparently, without clear visual evidence for VAR officials that the ball had or had not crossed the byline). If football is so successful in the world is because of its simplicity, and in order to keep the interest of fans FIFA should make the new technologies’ decisions more transparent and accessible, starting with onscreen explanations and replays of why VAR officials award or cancel goals, which one gets the impression sometimes that is made secretly, randomly or differently in every game, and the official explanation of the obscure rule applied always comes too late, once the game is over and never at full satisfaction or unification of criteria.

 

Spain looked in complete control after just 11 minutes, when Álvaro Morata headed home César Azpilicueta's cross for his third goal in three group games. The first half was a Spanish monologue (with almost 80% possession) against a Japanese team who seemed comfortable sitting in defense. But Japan, who knew they needed at least a draw to have a chance of progressing, roared to life at the start of the second half, scoring two goals in the first six minutes. Halftime substitute Dōan transformed the momentum three minutes after coming on when he seized on a loose pass from Spain goalkeeper Unai Simón and drilled home the equalizer. With Spain still reeling from that bolt from the blue, Japan took the lead in controversial circumstances, when Tanaka's close-range goal was initially disallowed by the referee, with the ball appearing to roll out of play before Mitoma cut it back for Tanaka, but later validated by VAR. At that point, a win for Costa Rica over Germany in the group's other game would have knocked Spain out of the competition (as it was actually the case in minute 70, when Costa Rica scored its second goal and was surprisingly leading 2-1 against Germany). Despite their domination in the second half, a dispirited Spain could not find an equalizer. In the end, Germany came back against Costa Rica to spare Spain’s blushes, but unfortunately for the Mannschaft the Spaniards didn’t return the favor.

 

GROUP STAGE

STADIUM: استاد البيت <ʾIstād al-Bayt> / Al-Bayt Stadium (Al-Khor)

DATE: 1-12-2022 (22:00 h)

ATTENDANCE: 67.054

REFEREE: Stéphanie Frappart (GER)

GOALS: 0-1 (Gnabry 10’); 1-1 (Tejeda 58’); 2-1 (Neuer [o.g.] 70’); 2-2 (Havertz 73’); 2-3 (Havertz 85’); 2-4 (Füllkrug 89’)

BOOKED: Duarte (77’)

[Incidents: Referees Stéphanie Frappart (France), Neuza Back (Brazil) and Karen Díaz (Mexico) became the first all-women crew to oversee a game at a men's World Cup match.]

CRC

Costa Rica

Costa Rica - Germany

Deutschland

GER

2-4 (0-1)

COSTA RICA

Keylor Navas (c)

Fuller (Bennette 74’), Duarte, Waston, Vargas, Oviedo (Contreras 90+’)

Borges, Tejeda (Wilson 90+’), Aguilera (Salas 46’)

Campbell, Venegas (Matarrita 74’)

COACH: Luis Suárez

GERMANY

Neuer (c)

Kimmich, Süle (Ginter 90+’), Rüdiger, Raum (Götze 67’)

Gnabry, Gündoğan (Füllkrug 55’), Musiala, Goretzka (Klostermann 46’), Sané

Müller (Havertz 66’)

COACH: Hansi Flick

GAME SUMMARY

Germany failed to progress from the group stage for the second consecutive World Cup after an entertaining 4-2 win against Costa Rica. The four-time winners, who were eliminated at the first hurdle as holders at Russia 2018, scored three times in the final 17 minutes to finally see off a Costa Rica side who somehow managed to hold their own ambitions of progressing to the round of 16 under a constant German pressure, and for three minutes (between 70 and 73) the Ticos were actually qualified for the knock-out stages ahead of Spain and Germany. However, Japan's win against Spain in the other game meant that those two sides qualified at the expense of Germany, whose victory against Costa Rica was useless.

 

Needing to win to have any chance of staying in the tournament, Germany started at breakneck speed, with Jamal Musiala particularly prominent early on. Thomas Müller headed wide Joshua Kimmich's cross, but less than a minute later Germany were in front, Serge Gnabry applying a clever flicked header to David Raum's cross. The flurry of goals that Germany needed to increase its qualification chances started to look likely by then, but Keylor Navas had other ideas, denying Leon Goretzka and Kimmich while Gnabry curled just wide as the European side controlled the game without being able to add to their lead. Germany nearly paid the price as halftime approached, Raum and Antonio Rüdiger making a mess of a clearance to leave Keysher Fuller with only Manuel Neuer to beat, but the Germany goalkeeper stuck up a hand to turn the ball over the bar. With news coming through that Japan had scored twice to take the lead against Spain, Germany's hopes were fading fast, and when Neuer parried Kendall Waston's header and Yeltsin Tejeda smashed in, they looked to be all but over. Costa Rica, in contrast, were revived, and they were in dreamland with 20 minutes left as Juan Vargas scrambled in from a free kick to nutmeg a jumping Neuer (who was finally credited an own goal). That goal meant Japan and Costa Rica were heading through, but the celebrations had barely died down before Niclas Füllkrug had played in fellow substitute Kai Havertz to level at 2-2. Germany continued to pour forward, Keylor Navas saving from Füllkrug with his face, but the goalkeeper was beaten for a third time as Gnabry set up Havertz for his second of the evening. Füllkrug then tapped in a late fourth, awarded after a VAR check, but Germany's fate was already sealed thanks to Japan's triumph.

 

GROUP STAGE

STADIUM: استاد الجنوب <ʾIstād al-Janūb> / Al-Janoub Stadium (Al-Wakrah)

DATE: 2-12-2022 (18:00 h)

ATTENDANCE: 43.443

REFEREE: Daniel Siebert (GER)

GOALS: 0-1 (De Arrascaeta 26’); 0-2 (De Arrascaeta 32’)

BOOKED: Kamaldeen (86’), Seidu (90+’) / Darwin Núñez (20’), Suárez (60’), Coates (87’), Giménez (90+’), Cavani (90+’)

[Incidents: A. Ayew missed a penalty shot (min. 21), saved by Rochet.]

GHA

Ghana

Ghana - Uruguay

Uruguay

URU

0-2 (0-2)

GHANA

Ati-Zigi

Seidu, Amartey, Salisu, Baba

Thomas, A. Ayew (c) (Bukari 46’), Abdul Samed (Kyereh 72’)

Kudus (Issahaku 90+’), I. Williams (Semenyo 72’), J. Ayew (Kamaldeen 46’)

COACH: Otto Addo

URUGUAY

Rochet

Varela, Giménez, Coates, Olivera

De Arrascaeta (Maxi Gómez 80’), Bentancur (Vecino 34’), Valverde

Pellistri (De la Cruz 66’), Suárez (c) (Cavani 66’), Darwin Núñez (Canobbio 80’)

COACH: Diego Alonso

GAME SUMMARY

Uruguay surely regretted their lack of ambition in their previous two group games, as they failed to qualify for the knock-out stages on scored goals, following a 2-0 win against Ghana that put the South Americans tied with South Korea on points (4) and goal differential (+0) after South Korea's 2-1 win over Portugal in the other group game. At this juncture, it was the Asian Tigers who advanced ahead of Uruguay on more goals scored (4 for 2 in La Celeste).

 

The build-up to the match had been dominated by memories of Luis Suárez' deliberate handball right at the end of extra-time in the 2010 knock-out match between Uruguay and Ghana. Asamoah Gyan's miss that day proved fatal for Ghana, but André Ayew, the only remaining player from that squad, couldn't vindicate it 12 years later when he sent a weak penalty effort straight into the gloves of Sergio Rochet, missing a glorious chance to put the Black Stars into the lead after just 21 minutes. Uruguay punished Ghana's inability to finish almost straight away, after Suárez' low shot was parried into the path of Giorgian de Arrascaeta, who nodded in from close range to mark his first World Cup start with Uruguay's first goal of the tournament. Celebrations amongst those in sky blue had hardly died down when a series of flicks and volleys saw the ball drop to De Arrascaeta again, and he finished with venom to double La Celeste's lead. Ghana pressed hard in the second half to get back into the game, with the dangerous Mohammed Kudus leading the way. Substitute Osman Bukari also had several chances to divert the ball home, but the superb Rochet, as well as his well-drilled Uruguayan backline, kept them at arm's reach. Coach Diego Alonso took off both Suárez and Darwin Núñez in a bid to close out the game, but Uruguay's approach was soon thrown into chaos thanks to what was unfolding between Portugal and South Korea. Anything other than a victory for the Koreans would have sent Uruguay through to the last 16, and had Ghana drawn, they would have advanced at South Korea's expense. No-one told Hwang Hee-chan though, the Korean sweeping in a 91st-minute winner to send his side above both Ghana and Uruguay and leave La Celeste out on the tie-breaker of goals scored!

 

GROUP STAGE

STADIUM: استاد المدينة التعليمية <ʾIstād al-Madīna at-Taelīmiyya> / Education City Stadium (Al-Rayyan)

DATE: 2-12-2022 (18:00 h)

ATTENDANCE: 44.097

REFEREE: Facundo Tello (ARG)

GOALS: 0-1 (Ricardo Horta 5’); 1-1 (Kim Young-gwon 27’); 2-1 (Hwang Hee-chan 90+’)

BOOKED: Lee Kang-in (36’), Hwang Hee-chan (90+’)

[Incidents: South Korea’s assistant coach, Sérgio Costa, sat on the bench instead of head coach Paulo Bento, who was suspended after earning a red card at the end of the previous game against Ghana.]

SKR

한국

South Korea - Portugal

Portugal

POR

2-1 (1-1)

SOUTH KOREA

Kim Seung-gyu

Kim Moon-hwan, Kwon Kyung-won, Kim Young-gwon (Son J.H. 81’), Kim Jin-soo

Hwang In-bum, Jeong Woo-yeong, Lee Kang-in (Hwang Ui-jo 81’)

Lee Jae-sung (Hwang H.C. 66’), Cho G.S. (Cho Y.M. 90+’), Son Heung-min (c)

COACH: Sérgio Costa

PORTUGAL

Diogo Costa

João Cancelo, Pepe, António Silva, Diogo Dalot

M. Nunes (J. Palhinha 65’), R. Neves (R. Leão 65’), João Mário (B. Silva 82’)

Vitinha (W. Carvalho 82’), Cristiano Ronaldo (c) (A. Silva 65’), Ricardo Horta

COACH: Fernando Santos

GAME SUMMARY

Hwang Hee-chan's late strike sealed a comeback victory to send South Korea into the Round of 16 at the 2022 FIFA World Cup on goals scored ahead of Uruguay. The Asian Tigers fell behind early on when Ricardo Horta stroked home Diogo Dalot's cross to put Portugal in the ascendancy. But South Korea, knowing only a win would give them any hope of progressing, responded well, and they had the ball in the Portuguese net in the 17th minute, but Kim Jin-soo was deemed to be offside as he finished from close range after a fine save from Diogo Costa. However, ten minutes later Kim Young-gwon lashed home an equalizer after Portugal had failed to clear a corner. As the second half progressed, with Uruguay leading Ghana 2-0 in the other group game, South Korea knew that one goal would see them overhaul the South Americans into second place. And in the 91st minute, they counter-attacked after a Portugal corner and Son Heung-min raced clear before slipping a pass into substitute Hwang Hee-chan, who finished superbly. After the final whistle, South Korea still had to wait several minutes until the Uruguay-Ghana match concluded before their qualification behind Group H leaders Portugal was confirmed.

 

GROUP STAGE

STADIUM: استاد 974 <ʾIstād 974> / Stadium 974 (Doha)

DATE: 2-12-2022 (22:00 h)

ATTENDANCE: 41.378

REFEREE: Fernando Rapallini (ARG)

GOALS: 0-1 (Shaqiri 20’); 1-1 (A. Mitrović 26’); 2-1 (Vlahović 35’); 2-2 (Embolo 44’); 2-3 (Freuler 48’)

BOOKED: S. Milinković-Savić (47’), Pavlović (56’), Rajković [bench] (66’), Gudelj (81’), A. Mitrović (82’), Milenković (90+’), Lukić (90+’) / Widmer (15’), Vargas (34’), Xhaka (90+’), Schär (90+’)

SER

Србија

Serbia - Switzerland

Schweiz / Suisse

SWI

2-3 (2-2)

SERBIA

V. Milinković-Savić

Živković (Radonjić 78’), Milenković, Veljković (Gudelj 55’), Pavlović, Kostić

S. Milinković-Savić (Maksimović 68’), Tadić (c) (Đuričić 78’), Lukić

Vlahović (Jović 55’), A. Mitrović

COACH: Dragan Stojković

SWITZERLAND

Kobel

Widmer, Akanji, Schär, Rodríguez

Sow (Edi Fernandes 68’), Freuler, Xhaka (c)

Shaqiri (Zakaria 69’), Embolo (Okafor 90+’), Vargas (Fassnacht 83’)

COACH: Murat Yakin

GAME SUMMARY

Switzerland secured their spot in the 2022 World Cup Round of 16 for the third successive tournament after beating Serbia 3-2 in a thrilling finale to Group G. In a contest that ebbed and flowed at breakneck speed in the first half at Stadium 974, Xherdan Shaqiri put Switzerland ahead, but Serbia swiftly scored twice within ten minutes through Aleksandar Mitrović and Dušan Vlahović to flip the game on its head. Breel Embolo delivered another twist in an absorbing opening period by pulling Switzerland side level just before the break, while Remo Freuler scored three minutes after the restart to restore the one-goal advantage for Switzerland and drop the tempo of the game.

 

With barely 30 seconds on the clock, Switzerland had fired warning shots as captain Granit Xhaka's strike was blocked by the Serbian defense before goalkeeper Vanja Milinković-Savić denied both Embolo one-on-one and also Xhaka on the rebound. Serbia enjoyed a spell of pressure after that early scare, with Nikola Milenković heading wide from Dušan Tadić's corner before Andrija Živković took aim from outside the penalty area and rattled the left post with a powerful effort. Ricardo Rodríguez's cross in the 20th minute was cleared and fell to Djibril Sow, who picked out Shaqiri on the right. The midfielder fired home a strike that took a slight deflection off Strahinja Pavlović on its way into the net. Fulham attacker Aleksandar Mitrović headed in Tadić's cross to deservedly draw Serbia level six minutes later. Tadić was involved again and slipped the ball through to Vlahović, who steered a low shot past goalkeeper Gregor Kobel to complete the Serbian turnaround. For all the quality of the Serbian frontline, their defense was weak and disarrayed, resulting in Embolo slotting home Silvan Widmer's low cross in the 44th minute. Three minutes after the break, Freuler kept the Swiss momentum going by thumping in the fifth goal of the evening after two wonderfully worked moves. Midway through the second half, Aleksandar Mitrović went down too easily after a challenge from Fabian Schär, but his appeals for a penalty were turned down, and the Serbian dugout spilled onto the pitch protesting the referee's decision. The two teams squared off in the closing stages and Serbia nearly snatched an equalizer in the final seconds of stoppage time through substitute Nemanja Radonjić, but Switzerland held on to set up a meeting with Portugal on Tuesday for a place in the quarterfinals.

 

GROUP STAGE

STADIUM: ملعب لوسيل الدولي <Maleab Lūsayl ad-Dawliyy> / Lusail Iconic Stadium (Lusail)

DATE: 2-12-2022 (22:00 h)

ATTENDANCE: 85.986

REFEREE: Ismail Elfath (USA)

GOALS: 1-0 (Aboubakar 90+’)

BOOKED: Nouhou (6’), Kunde (28’), Faï (32’), Aboubakar (81’), Aboubakar (90+’ > RC) / Éder Militão (7’), Bruno Guimarães (85’)

[Incidents: Aboubakar was sent off (min. 90+) after taking his shirt off during the celebration of his goal.]

CAM

Cameroun

Cameroon - Brazil

Brasil

BRA

1-0 (0-0)

CAMEROON

Epassy

Faï, Wooh, Ebosse, Nouhou

Zambo Anguissa, Choupo-Moting, Kunde (Ntcham 68’)

Mbeumo (Toko Ekambi 64’), Aboubakar (c), Ngamaleu (Mbekeli 86’)

COACH: Rigobert Song

BRAZIL

Ederson

Dani Alves (c), Bremer, Éder Militão, Alex Telles (Marquinhos 54’)

Antony (Raphinha 79’), Fabinho, Fred (Bruno G. 55’), Rodrygo (Éverton R. 55’)

Gabriel Jesus (Pedro 64’), Martinelli

COACH: Adenor Bacchi “Tite”

GAME SUMMARY

Brazil were beaten by Cameroon but still topped Group G at World Cup 2022, while Cameroon bowed out despite Vincent Aboubakar's late winner. Cameroon needed a victory to keep alive their hopes of progress and they found it just when it looked as if they had run out of time, as Aboubakar produced a stunning header two minutes into added time to break the deadlock. The African side needed Serbia to take points off Switzerland, but the Swiss held on for a 3-2 win to claim second place in the pool behind Brazil.

 

Brazil's much-changed line-up still boasted plenty of attacking talent, with Antony and Rodrygo running at the Cameroon backline. Fourteen minutes into the game, Gabriel Martinelli, making his first international start, forced Devis Epassy to tip the ball over his firm header from Fred's cross. That was largely as good as it got for Brazil before halftime though, with the clearest chance of the first 45 minutes falling Cameroon's way. Moumi Ngamaleu worked space on the left side and delivered a cross that Bryan Mbeumo attacked at the far post, connecting with a fierce downward header that Ederson sprang to his right to push away. Aboubakar flashed a shot across goal soon after the restart, but Epassy was then in the thick of the action, pushing another Martinelli effort over before dropping Éder Militão's effort, recovering to turn the ball behind. Brazil continued to press as they sought to make it three wins from three, but Cameroon continued to deny them with a mixture of fortitude and fortune. They needed more at the other end, however, and just as it looked as if they would come up short, Jérôme Mbekeli sent in a pin-point cross from the right that got the finish it deserved, Aboubakar guiding a perfect header into Ederson's bottom corner. With Brazil's prospects suddenly in the balance, they threw everything forward in the closing stages. Martinelli and Bruno Guimarães were unable to convert gilt-edged chances. It mattered little, however, with Cameroon heading home on the back of a memorable win while their opponents will face South Korea in the Round of 16.

 

1/8 FINAL

STADIUM: ملعب خليفة الدولي <Maleab Khalīfah ad-Dawliyy> / Khalifa International Stadium (Al-Rayyan)

DATE: 3-12-2022 (18:00 h)

ATTENDANCE: 44.846

REFEREE: Wílton Sampaio (BRA)

GOALS: 1-0 (Memphis 10’); 2-0 (Blind 45+’); 2-1 (Wright 76’); 3-1 (Dumfries 81’)

BOOKED: Koopmeiners (60’), F. de Jong (87’)

NED

Nederland

Netherlands - USA

USA

USA

3-1 (2-0)

NETHERLANDS

Noppert

Timber, Van Dijk (c), Aké (De Ligt 90+’)

Dumfries, De Roon (Bergwijn 46’), F. de Jong, Blind

Gakpo (Weghorst 90+’), Klaassen (Koopmeiners 46’), Memphis (Simons 82’)

COACH: Louis van Gaal

USA

Turner

Dest (Yedlin 75’), Zimmerman, Ream, Robinson (Morris 90+’)

McKennie (Wright 67’), Adams (c), Musah

Weah (Aaronson 67’), Ferreira (Reyna 46’), Pulisic

COACH: Gregg Berhalter

GAME SUMMARY

The Netherlands became the first quarterfinalist in the 2022 World Cup after a convincing 3-1 victory against the United States. First half goals from Memphis Depay and Daley Blind—both assisted by Denzel Dumfries—staked the Dutch to a lead they would never relinquish. The US pulled a goal back in the 76th minute through Haji Wright’s incredible (and accidental) backheel and piled on the pressure, but Dumfries added the clincher in the 81st minute to give the Netherlands some needed breathing room. The general impression is that, although the US soccer team has improved tremendously in recent years ahead of the 2026 World Cup in American soil, they still look behind European football in competitiveness and aggressiveness (very few fouls and no yellow cards in a live-or-die game).

 

The finishing in front of goal made the difference in this game, as the Dutch capitalized on their three best chances, while the United States missed a host of good opportunities, which started as soon as the third minute, when Tyler Adams’ pass over the Dutch defense found Christian Pulisic in the clear, but his left-footed shot was saved by Dutch goalkeeper Andries Noppert. Sergiño Dest made some promising forays from the right wing, but couldn't get that last crucial touch to get a clear look at goal. And Pulisic had another opportunity to run in space, only for his centering feed to be too far behind two runners in the box. From then on, the Netherlands punished the Stars and Stripes for every mistake, as defensive lapses and attacking frailties continued to haunt the US team. Dutch manager Louis van Gaal's tactical game plan was ruthlessly effective. The Oranje were content to let the US have possession and then attack in transition once possession was gained. It had the effect of asking the US to do things it wasn't good at, namely breaking down an organized defense. It also accentuated some of the Netherlands' strengths, that of using its technical ability to play through the US press and create transition opportunities. Dumfries was the biggest beneficiary of the Dutch strategy, and the quality from the Netherlands was evident on Depay's goal in the 10th minute, when the Oranje played through the US press to find Dumfries on the wing, and his low cross found Memphis in too much space, allowing him to finish with authority. Nothing noteworthy happened until first half stoppage time, when the Netherlands delivered a killer, and again it was Dumfries who was at the center of it, with a similar cut back pass that Blind hammered home. In the second half, the US threw everything forward in a bid to back in the match, and gained a lifeline through Wright's goal, accidentally backheeling a cross into the far post. But it was left to Dumfries to provide the capper, hammering home Blind's lofted ball.

 

1/8 FINAL

STADIUM: ملعب أحمد بن علي <Maleab ʾAḥmad bin ʿAliyy> / Ahmad bin Ali Stadium (Al-Rayyan)

DATE: 3-12-2022 (22:00 h)

ATTENDANCE: 45.032

REFEREE: Szymon Marciniak (POL)

GOALS: 1-0 (Messi 35’); 2-0 (Álvarez 57’); 2-1 (Enzo Fernández [o.g.] 77’)

BOOKED: Irvine (15’), Degenek (38’)

ARG

Argentina

Argentina - Australia

Australia

AUS

2-1 (1-0)

ARGENTINA

Emiliano Martínez

Molina (Palacios 80’), Romero, Otamendi, Acuña (Tagliafico 72’)

De Paul, Enzo Fernández, Mac Allister (Montiel 80’)

“Papu” Gómez (Lisandro Martínez 50’), Messi (c), Álvarez (Lautaro Martínez 71’)

COACH: Lionel Scaloni

AUSTRALIA

Ryan (c)

Degenek (Karačić 72’), Souttar, Rowles, Behich

Leckie (Kuol 72’), Mooy, Irvine, Baccus (Hrustic 58’)

McGree (Goodwin 58’), Duke (Maclaren 72’)

COACH: Graham Arnold

GAME SUMMARY

Leo Messi inspired Argentina into the quarterfinals of the 2022 World Cup after another superb display in his 1,000th game that saw a valiant Australia side go out despite a late rally. Despite Argentina's firepower, Australia managed to limit the early proceedings, keeping them uneventful with neither side exerting any dominance. But the Socceroos' defense was breached on 35 minutes, as Messi showed his undeniable quality to score his first-ever goal in the World Cup knock-out stage with a trademark curled left-footed shot into the bottom corner after starting the move with a sprint into the area. Buoyed by rapturous support, Argentina tightened their grip on a quarterfinal spot 12 minutes after halftime as Rodrigo de Paul pounced on a slack touch by Australia goalkeeper Mat Ryan, allowing Julián Álvarez to slot into an empty net, doubling his side's lead and seemingly putting Argentina out of reach. But a freakishly deflected goal gave the Australians hope late on, Craig Goodwin's shot bouncing in off Enzo Fernández and fooling goalkeeper Emiliano “Dibu” Martínez. With renewed optimism, Aziz Behich came close to levelling the game three minutes later as he embarked on a fantastic darting run, beating four Argentina defenders before eventually being thwarted by a great tackle by Lisandro Martínez. In the 97th minute, Garang Kuol's shot was saved at close range by “Dibu” Martínez.

 

1/8 FINAL

STADIUM: ملعب الثمامة <Maleab ath-Thumāma> / Al-Thumama Stadium (Doha)

DATE: 4-12-2022 (18:00 h)

ATTENDANCE: 40.989

REFEREE: Jesús Valenzuela (VEN)

GOALS: 1-0 (Giroud 44’); 2-0 (Mbappé 74’); 3-0 (Mbappé 90+’); 3-1 (Lewandowski [p.] 90+’)

BOOKED: Tchouaméni (32’) / Bereszyński (47’), Cash (88’)

FRA

France

France - Poland

Polska

POL

3-1 (1-0)

FRANCE

Lloris (c)

Koundé (Disasi 90+’), Varane, Upamecano, Théo

Tchouaméni (Fofana 66’), Griezmann, Rabiot

Dembélé (Coman 76’), Giroud (Thuram 76’), Mbappé

COACH: Didier Deschamps

POLAND

Szczęsny

Cash, Glik, Kiwior (Bednarek 86’), Bereszyński

Zieliński, Krychowiak (Bielik 71’), Szymański (Milik 64’)

Kamiński (Zalewski 71’), Lewandowski (c), Frankowski (Grosicki 87’)

COACH: Czesław Michniewicz

GAME SUMMARY

Kylian Mbappé scored twice and Olivier Giroud became France's all-time record goalscorer as they knocked Poland out of the World Cup Round of 16. The AC Milan striker looked certain to open the scoring early on as he arrived to tap in a backpost cross from Ousmane Dembélé into an open goal, but he could not reach it in time. After a dominant start, France abandoned possession looking to create space in the back of the Polish defense, as Mbappé's first forays failed to lead to clear chances. Poland's poise was close to being rewarded in the 38th minute when the onrushing Piotr Zieliński's shot was parried by Hugo Lloris. It then came back into the midfielder's path, but his second attempt was deflected by Théo Hernández. Jakub Kamiński followed, only for his shot to be saved close to the goalline by Raphaël Varane. One minute from the break, however, France's tactics paid off, as Mbappé drew the defense to him and slid the ball through into the path of Giroud, who rifled France ahead with a superb turn and a clipped shot to move beyond Thierry Henry in the all-time Les Bleus list, with his 52nd goal for his country. Giroud's opener swung the game France's way after they had struggled to make their mark against a limited but tough Polish side. Giroud was involved in Mbappé's first goal, as France broke out from the back, the PSG star slamming a shot high past Szczęsny. His second was even better, shifting the ball from left to right before curling a shot high into the opposite corner, despite the Poland goalkeeper getting a finger to it. Robert Lewandowski scored a consolation penalty in stoppage time that had to be taken twice after Lloris had moved off his line in saving Lewandowski's first attempt.

 

1/8 FINAL

STADIUM: استاد البيت <ʾIstād al-Bayt> / Al-Bayt Stadium (Al-Khor)

DATE: 4-12-2022 (22:00 h)

ATTENDANCE: 65.985

REFEREE: Iván Barton (SLV)

GOALS: 1-0 (Henderson 38’); 2-0 (Kane 45+’); 3-0 (Saka 57’)

BOOKED: Koulibaly (76’)

ENG

England

England - Senegal

Sénégal

SEN

3-0 (2-0)

ENGLAND

Pickford

Walker, Stones (Dier 77’), Maguire, Shaw

Henderson (Phillips 82’), Rice, Bellingham (Mount 76’)

Saka (Rashford 65’), Kane (c), Foden (Grealish 65’)

COACH: Gareth Southgate

SENEGAL

É. Mendy

Sabaly, Koulibaly (c), Diallo, Jakobs (Ballo-Touré 84’)

I. Sarr, N. Mendy, Ciss (P. Gueye 46’), Diatta (P. Sarr 46’)

Ndiaye (Dieng 46’), Dia (Diédhiou 72’)

COACH: Aliou Cissé

GAME SUMMARY

After a testing start, England turned on the class to beat Senegal 3-0 at the 2022 World Cup and advance to the quarterfinals, where they will meet world champions France. Just past the half-hour mark, speedy Senegal striker Boulaye Dia, who looked dangerous on the counter, came closest for the African side when he brought out a sharp one-handed save from Jordan Pickford, after England's defense carelessly gave the ball away. Earlier, Ismaïla Sarr had missed another glorious chance from close range. In the 38th minute, somehow against the run of play, Jordan Henderson settled England's nerves with the opener, striking the ball home after being played in by Jude Bellingham at the end of a lovely passing move. Harry Kane followed that up with a fierce shot before halftime that saw England’s skipper get off the mark in Qatar and move just one goal behind Wayne Rooney's record of 53 goals for England. Manager Aliou Cissé rang the changes for Senegal at halftime but to little effect, as Bukayo Saka put England three up in the 57th minute, applying a deft touch to Phil Foden's cross through the six-yard box over the outstretched arms of Édouard Mendy.

 

1/8 FINAL

STADIUM: استاد الجنوب <ʾIstād al-Janūb> / Al-Janoub Stadium (Al-Wakrah)

DATE: 5-12-2022 (18:00 h)

ATTENDANCE: 42.523

REFEREE: Ismail Elfath (USA)

GOALS: 1-0 (Maeda 43’); 1-1 (Perišić 55’)

BOOKED: Kovačić (90’), Barišić (116’)

PK: 0-0 (Minamino [saved]); 0-1 (Vlašić) / 0-1 (Mitoma [saved]); 0-2 (Brozović) / 1-2 (Asano); 1-2 (Livaja [out]) / 1-2 (Yoshida [saved]); 1-3 (Pašalić)

JAP

日本

Japan - Croatia

Hrvatska

CRO

1-1 (1-0;1-1) (pk: 1-3)

JAPAN

Gonda

Tomiyasu, Yoshida (c), Taniguchi

J. Ito, Endo, Morita (Tanaka 106’), Nagatomo (Mitoma 64’)

Dōan (Minamino 87’), Maeda (Asano 64’), Kamada (Sakai 75’)

COACH: Hajime Moriyasu

CROATIA

Livaković

Juranović, Lovren, Gvardiol, Barišić

Kovačić (Vlašić 99’), Brozović, Modrić (c) (Majer 99’)

Kramarić (Pašalić 68’), Petković (Budimir 62’ (Livaja 106’)), Perišić (Oršić 106’)

COACH: Zlatko Dalić

GAME SUMMARY

Croatia extended their impressive recent history in the World Cup and secured a spot in the quarterfinals of the 2022 tournament after beating Japan 3-1 on penalties following a 1-1 draw in Al-Janoub Stadium. The 2018 finalists struggled in the opening stages against the Blue Samurais, the tournament's consensus Cinderella after beating Germany and Spain in the group stage. After a rather uneventful first half, Japan went ahead just before the break with a close-range blast from veteran striker Daizen Maeda, and it felt like another upset could be in their hands. However, after a first half in which they were often too casual in possession, Croatia was more precise after the interval and had the best chances as the game went on. Zlatko Dalić's experienced side levelled the score ten minutes after the restart, when Tottenham winger Ivan Perišić netted a powerful header from just inside the area. Nether side could find a second goal in extra-time, and Croatia won the battle of nerves in the penalty shoot-out, when Dominik Livaković was the Croatian hero after saving three Japan spot-kicks and Mario Pašalić blasted home the decisive penalty.

 

1/8 FINAL

STADIUM: استاد 974 <ʾIstād 974> / Stadium 974 (Doha)

DATE: 5-12-2022 (22:00 h)

ATTENDANCE: 43.847

REFEREE: Clément Turpin (FRA)

GOALS: 1-0 (Vinícius 7’); 2-0 (Neymar [p.] 13’); 3-0 (Richarlison 29’); 4-0 (Lucas Paquetá 36’); 4-1 (Baek Seung-ho 76’)

BOOKED: Jeong Woo-yeong (44’)

BRA

Brasil

Brazil - South Korea

한국

SKR

4-1 (4-0)

BRAZIL

Alisson (Wéverton 80’)

Éder Militão (Dani Alves 63’), Thiago Silva (c), Marquinhos, Danilo (Bremer 72’)

Lucas Paquetá, Neymar (Rodrygo 80’), Casemiro

Raphinha, Richarlison, Vinícius (Martinelli 72’)

COACH: Adenor Bacchi “Tite”

SOUTH KOREA

Kim Seung-gyu

Kim Moon-hwan, Kim Min-jae, Kim Young-gwon, Kim Jin-soo (Hong Chul 46’)

Lee J.S. (Lee K.I. 74’), Jeong W.Y. (Son J.H. 46’), Hwang I.B. (Baek S.H. 65’)

Hwang Hee-chan, Cho Gyu-sung (Hwang Ui-jo 80’), Son Heung-min (c)

COACH: Paulo Bento

GAME SUMMARY

Brazil made a gigantic statement in their quest for a sixth World Cup with an artful 4-1 demolition of South Korea in the Round of 16 that made even coach Tite dance. Chasing a first World Cup trophy since Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Ronaldinho swept to glory in 2002, the Canarinha put a first-half display at Stadium 974 worthy of being a part of that lineage. Neymar's ankle injury looked completely forgotten in this game. The PSG star moved around the field without a sign of a player with an injury concern. In the first half, before Brazil took its foot off the gas, Neymar's presence commanded South Korea's attention more than anyone else. The space Neymar created for the rest of Brazil's embarrassment of attacking riches made for one of the most exciting attacking displays this World Cup has seen. That, combined with Danilo's return, bodes well for Brazil, particularly after Danilo's efforts contributed to unbalancing South Korea in the midfield, which made them so vulnerable repeatedly. Brazil's 4-0 halftime lead tied for the second largest at the break ever in a World Cup (the only larger margin was Germany's 5-0 lead against Brazil in 2014).

 

The wonderful verve of Brazil in the opening 45 minutes was epitomized by Vinícius’ opener in the 7th minute, after cooling delaying his shot to find the path to goal among a sea of Korean defenders. In the 13th-minute, Neymar made it 2-0 from the penalty spot, after Jung Woo-young tried a clearance in the Korean area and Richarlison fell exaggeratedly down with the slightest of contacts (if any) to his right foot. In line with the ridiculous and non-existent penalties called in this World Cup, French referee Clément Turpin immediately pointed to the spot and VAR officials didn’t disallow him. The third Brazilian goal, on the half-hour mark, was sheer jogo bonito: after doing a bit of one-man head tennis, Richarlison sprinted into the area to meet a pinpoint pass from Thiago Silva and score his third goal of the tournament. Lucas Paquetá completed the Brazilian thrashing before halftime with a volley from Vinícius’ chipped cross. Brazil took its foot off the gas in the second half and South Korea had a chance to score a consolation goal, a fantastic shot from Baek Seung-ho after the Brazilian defense failed to clear a free kick.

 

1/8 FINAL

STADIUM: استاد المدينة التعليمية <ʾIstād al-Madīna at-Taelīmiyya> / Education City Stadium (Al-Rayyan)

DATE: 6-12-2022 (18:00 h)

ATTENDANCE: 44.667

REFEREE: Fernando Rapallini (ARG)

GOALS: -

BOOKED: Saïss (90’) / Laporte (77’)

PK: 1-0 (Sabiri); 1-0 (Sarabia [out]) / 2-0 (Ziyech); 2-0 (Soler [saved]) / 2-0 (Benoun [saved]); 2-0 (Busquets [saved]) / 3-0 (Achraf)

MOR

المغرب

Morocco - Spain

España

SPA

0-0 (0-0;0-0) (pk: 3-0)

MOROCCO

Bono

Achraf, Aguerd (El-Yamiq 84’), Saïss (c), Mazraoui (Attiyat-Allah 82’)

Ounahi (Benoun 120’), Amrabat, Amallah (Cheddira 82’)

Ziyech, En-Nesyri (Sabiri 82’), Boufal (Abde 66’)

COACH: Walid Regragui

SPAIN

Unai Simón

Llorente, Rodri, Laporte, Jordi Alba (Baldé 98’)

Gavi (Soler 63’), Busquets (c), Pedri

Ferran (Williams 75’ (Sarabia 118’)), Asensio (Morata 63’), Olmo (Ansu 98’)

COACH: Luis Enrique Martínez

GAME SUMMARY

Morocco reached the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time, as they ousted former winners Spain on penalties in a gripping Round of 16 game. The last African side left in World Cup 2022 defended superbly throughout and, under constant Spanish domination, had two golden chances to win in extra-time—Walid Cheddira twice going close. It mattered little, though, as Spain failed with their first three spot-kicks in the shoot-out, leaving Achraf Hakimi to nervelessly convert the decisive kick with an audacious Panenka chip and send his team through. Spain proved once more that they don’t have a B plan to crack well-organized defenses, as their constant interpassing game became very predictable and easy to neutralize for the Moroccan backline.

 

The pattern of the game was established from the first whistle, Spain dominating possession but struggling to find a way through a disciplined Morocco backline, which has only conceded one goal (an own goal) in the tournament. Luis Enrique's side had almost 70 percent of the ball in the first 45 minutes but went no closer than Marco Asensio's shot into the side-netting, with Gavi and Ferran Torres both denied in the same move by spectacular blocks, although the offside flag was already up. Morocco's gameplan was clearly to soak up pressure and try to hit the Spanish on the break. In minute 33, Noussair Mazraoui's fierce shot from range stung the palms of Unai Simón, then Nayef Aguerd, unmarked at the far post, headed over a golden chance created by the trickery of Sofiane Boufal. The same pattern continued into the second period, Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bono reacting smartly to push away Dani Olmo free kicks at either end of the half, while Álvaro Morata fizzed a shot across the face of the goal shortly after his introduction. Morocco had the two best chances of the first period of extra-time, Cheddira first being denied by Aymeric Laporte's challenge and then the right leg of Unai Simón, but it was the African side's superb defending at the other end that proved crucial. Having already lost three penalty shoot-outs in the World Cup, Spain became the first nation in the tournament’s history to lose four and the second side (after Switzerland against Ukraine in 2006) not to score a single kick. Pablo Sarabia hit the post with Spain's first shot before Bono saved from Carlos Soler and Sergio Busquets, giving the chance for Achraf to convert the winning penalty with a Panenka kick.

 

1/8 FINAL

STADIUM: ملعب لوسيل الدولي <Maleab Lūsayl ad-Dawliyy> / Lusail Iconic Stadium (Lusail)

DATE: 6-12-2022 (22:00 h)

ATTENDANCE: 83.720

REFEREE: César Arturo Ramos (MEX)

GOALS: 1-0 (Gonçalo Ramos 17’); 2-0 (Pepe 33’); 3-0 (Gonçalo Ramos 51’); 4-0 (Raphaël Guerreiro 55’); 4-1 (Akanji 58’); 5-1 (Gonçalo Ramos 67’); 6-1 (Rafael Leão 90+’)

BOOKED: Schär (43’), Cömert (59’)

POR

Portugal

Portugal - Switzerland

Schweiz / Suisse

SWI

xxx (xxx)

PORTUGAL

Diogo Costa

Diogo Dalot, Pepe (c), Rúben Dias, Raphaël Guerreiro

B. Silva (R. Neves 81’), W. Carvalho, Otávio (Vitinha 74’)

B. Fernandes (R. Leão 87’), G. Ramos (R. Horta 74’), J. Félix (C. Ronaldo 74’)

COACH: Fernando Santos

SWITZERLAND

Sommer

Edi Fernandes, Akanji, Schär (Cömert 46’), Rodríguez

Shaqiri, Freuler (Zakaria 54’), Sow (Sefer. 54’), Xhaka (c), Vargas (Okafor 66’)

Embolo (Jashari 89’)

COACH: Murat Yakin

GAME SUMMARY

Cristiano Ronaldo’s substitute, Gonçalo Ramos, netted a magnificent hat-trick to inspire Portugal to an emphatic 6-1 victory over Switzerland. It was the first knock-out victory for the Seleção das Quinas since the 2006 World Cup in Germany, having suffered a group stage exit (Brazil 2014) and round of 16 elimination (South Africa 2010 and Russia 2018) since then.

 

Portugal boss Fernando Santos made a brave call to drop the leading goalscorer in history of international football on the bench, but his 21-year-old replacement, making his first international start, promptly stole the show and booked a quarterfinal showdown with Morocco. Gonçalo Ramos violently crashed a 17th-minute shot into the top corner before a man 18 years his senior, veteran centre-back Pepe, made it 2-0 for Portugal with a thumping header from a corner to become the second-oldest goalscorer at the World Cup behind Cameroon legend Roger Milla. Gonçalo Ramos struck again to start the second half when he got on the end of defender Diogo Dalot's low cross to tap home between Yann Sommer's legs, and within four minutes Raphaël Guerreiro put the game to bed after capping a well-worked team move with a powerful strike. Switzerland struck one back on 58 minutes when Manuel Akanji found space at the back post from a corner and comfortably nodded in, but it did not spur a comeback, with Gonçalo Ramos striking his third with a deft chip over an onrushing Sommer. Cristiano Ronaldo was brought off the bench on 74 minutes, in time for Portugal to complete the matchpoint and set with a superb strike from attacker Rafael Leão in added time.

 

1/4 FINAL

STADIUM: استاد المدينة التعليمية <ʾIstād al-Madīna at-Taelīmiyya> / Education City Stadium (Al-Rayyan)

DATE: 9-12-2022 (18:00 h)

ATTENDANCE: 43.893

REFEREE: Michael Oliver (ENG)

GOALS: 0-1 (Neymar 105+’); 1-1 (Petković 117’)

BOOKED: Brozović (31’), Petković (117’) / Danilo (25’), Casemiro (68’), Marquinhos (77’)

PK: 1-0 (Vlašić); 1-0 (Rodrygo [saved]) / 2-0 (Majer); 2-1 (Casemiro) / 3-1 (Modrić); 3-2 (Pedro) / 4-2 (Oršić); 4-2 (Marquinhos [out])

CRO

Hrvatska

Croatia - Brazil

Brasil

BRA

1-1 (0-0;0-0) (pk: 4-2)

CROATIA

Livaković

Juranović, Lovren, Gvardiol, Sosa (Budimir 110’)

Kovačić (Majer 106’), Brozović (Oršić 114’), Modrić (c)

Pašalić (Vlašić 72’), Kramarić (Petković 72’), Perišić

COACH: Zlatko Dalić

BRAZIL

Alisson

Éder Militão (Alex Sandro 106’), Marquinhos, Thiago Silva (c), Danilo

Lucas Paquetá (Fred 106’), Neymar, Casemiro

Raphinha (Antony 56’), Richarlison (Pedro 84’), Vinícius (Rodrygo 64’)

COACH: Adenor Bacchi “Tite”

GAME SUMMARY

Croatia stunned arch-favorites Brazil in the quarterfinals of the 2022 World Cup at the end of 120 minutes and a penalty shoot-out. Goalkeeper Dominik Livaković was the hero for the red-and-white checkered team, after denying the Brazilian attackers during regulation and saving again (as in the game against Japan) during the shoot-out. Before that, Neymar thought he had booked a place in the semifinals for the Canarinha with a stunning extra-time effort—drawing level in the process with the great Pelé as Brazil’s all-time top scorer—, but substitute Bruno Petković beat Alisson with a deflected strike in the 117th minute. Croatia were then perfect from the spot, scoring four out of four. Livaković saved from Rodrygo on Brazil’s first kick and Marquinhos rattled the post with the fourth, meaning his PSG teammate Neymar was left high and dry, waiting on a fifth penalty that never happened in a 4-2 defeat on spot kicks.

 

Croatia was the surprising dominator of the first half and the best chance fell their way in minute 13, with Josip Juranović and Ivan Perišić just failing to get on the end of a teasing cross from surprise starter Mario Pašalić. Brazil were often befuddled by a Luka Modrić-orchestrated midfield before assuming the ascendency during the second period. That was when Livaković, who excelled himself to see off Japan in the previous round, came to the fore. Twice he thwarted Neymar with his feet on the end of Richarlison throughballs and he also brilliantly denied Lucas Paquetá at close quarters. It was going to take something special to beat Livaković and Neymar duly obliged, completing a couple of one-twos to blast holes in the Croatia defense. The second return pass from substitute Pedro was overhit, but Neymar simply sashayed around Livaković and rammed into the roof of the net from an acute angle. But Petković, who put in an otherwise labored cameo, produced a jaw-dropping twist before Nikola Vlašić, Lovro Majer, Modrić and Mislav Oršić all held their nerve from 9 meters, reducing Neymar to a tearful bystander.

 

1/4 FINAL

STADIUM: ملعب لوسيل الدولي <Maleab Lūsayl ad-Dawliyy> / Lusail Iconic Stadium (Lusail)

DATE: 9-12-2022 (22:00 h)

ATTENDANCE: 88.235

REFEREE: Antonio Mateu Lahoz (SPA)

GOALS: 0-1 (Molina 35’); 0-2 (Messi [p.] 73’); 1-2 (Weghorst 83’); 2-2 (Weghorst 90+’)

BOOKED: Timber (43’), Weghorst [bench] (45+’), Memphis (76’), Berghuis (88’), Bergwijn (91’), Dumfries (128’) [pk], Dumfries (129’ > RC) [pk], Lang (129’) [pk] / Walter Samuel [Argentina assistant coach] (31’), Acuña (43’), Romero (45’), Lisandro Martínez (76’), Paredes (89’), Scaloni (90’), Messi (90+’), Otamendi (90+’), Montiel (109’), Pezzella (112’)

PK: 0-0 (Van Dijk [saved]); 0-1 (Messi) / 0-1 (Berghuis [saved]); 0-2 (Paredes) / 1-2 (Koopmeiners); 1-3 (Montiel) / 2-3 (Weghorst); 2-3 (Enzo Fernández [out]) / 3-3 (L. de Jong); 3-4 (Lautaro Martínez)

[Incidents: Dumfries was sent off during the brawl among Argentine and Dutch players that ensued the penalty shoot-out. Spanish referee Mateu Lahoz set a new booking record in the history of the World Cup: 18 yellow cards and 1 red card.]

NED

Nederland

Netherlands - Argentina

Argentina

ARG

2-2 (0-1;2-2) (pk: 3-4)

NETHERLANDS

Noppert

Timber, Van Dijk (c), Aké

Dumfries, De Roon (Koopmeiners 46’), F. de Jong, Blind (L. de Jong 64’)

Gakpo (Lang 113’), Memphis (Weghorst 78’), Bergwijn (Berghuis 46’)

COACH: Louis van Gaal

ARGENTINA

Emiliano Martínez

Romero (Pezzella 78’), Otamendi, Lisandro Martínez (Di María 112’)

Molina (Mont. 106’), De Paul (Pared. 67’), Enzo F., Mac A., Acuña (Taglia. 78’)

Messi (c), Álvarez (Lautaro Martínez 82’)

COACH: Lionel Scaloni

GAME SUMMARY

A Leo Messi-inspired Argentina saw off a spirited Netherlands fightback to book their place in the semifinals of the 2022 World Cup after a a dramatic 4-3 penalty shoot-out victory in Lusail. The Albiceleste looked home and hosed late in the second half after their talismanic #10 dispatched a penalty to follow up a barely believable assist for Nahuel Molina in the opening 45 minutes. But the course of the game changed when substitute Wout Weghorst entered the action for the Dutch and soon headed home what initially appeared to be little more than a consolation goal. Argentina simply could not handle the Beşiktaş striker's physicality, and he sent the game to extra-time by poking a finish home in the final minute of added time after a genius free kick routine. Against the run of play and morale, Argentina had the best of extra-time, but the Netherlands held on to a penalty shoot-out. It was then when goalkeeper Emiliano “Dibu” Martínez produced more penalty heroics to save twice and Lautaro Martínez converted his shot to send the Albiceleste into the last four.

 

After a cagey opening, Argentina started enjoying the majority of the possession. In minute 35, Messi provided a superb assist with a delicately threaded pass to Molina, who expertly poked the ball past an onrushing Andries Noppert to hand Argentina a first-half lead. Louis van Gaal’s substitutions at the break didn’t initially have an impact in the game and Argentina seemed comfortable sitting back in defense and threatening on the counter. In minute 72, Denzel Dumfries tripped Marcos Acuña after the Sevilla left-back cut inside in the box and the referee didn't hesitate to point to the spot. Messi made no mistake with a well-taken penalty, and by then it looked like Argentina was cruising to the semifinals. At this juncture, Van Gaal threw away his notebook and replaced tactics for a more direct approach to goal, with crosses into the area. In one of them, Weghorst scored a header on the 83rd minute to claw one back for Netherlands and set up a tense end that repeatedly boiled over. Deep into injury-time, the Netherlands were handed a final lifeline with what looked to be the last kick of the match when midfielder Teun Koopmeiners stepped up to take a free kick on the edge of the box before sliding a pass under the wall, which Weghorst coolly slotted home. Argentina was dominant during extra-time and Enzo Fernández hit the post near the end, but the penalty shoot-out was unavoidable. Dutch defender Virgil van Dijk and winger Steven Berghuis missed their side's opening two penalties, while Argentina converted their first three before Enzo Fernández missed their fourth. However, Lautaro Martínez stepped up and slotted home to secure a drama-filled victory and set up a semifinal clash with Croatia on Tuesday. The loss for Netherlands eliminates them from the tournament, as well as signals the end of head coach Louis van Gaal's third spell in charge. The 71-year-old coach, who is undergoing treatment for prostate cancer, had already made clear ahead of the tournament that this would be his last in charge.

 

1/4 FINAL

STADIUM: ملعب الثمامة <Maleab ath-Thumāma> / Al-Thumama Stadium (Doha)

DATE: 10-12-2022 (18:00 h)

ATTENDANCE: 44.198

REFEREE: Facundo Tello (ARG)

GOALS: 1-0 (En-Nesyri 42’)

BOOKED: Dari (70’), Cheddira (90+’), Cheddira (90+’ > RC) / Vitinha (87’)

[Incidents: Cheddira was sent off (min. 90+). Morocco became the first African team to reach the semifinals of the World Cup.]

MOR

المغرب

Morocco - Portugal

Portugal

POR

1-0 (1-0)

MOROCCO

Bono

Achraf, El-Yamiq, Saïss (c) (Dari 57’), Attiyat-Allah

Ounahi, Amrabat, Amallah (Cheddira 65’)

Ziyech (Aboukhlal 82’), En-Nesyri (Benoun 65’), Boufal (Jabrane 82’)

COACH: Walid Regragui

PORTUGAL

Diogo Costa

D. Dalot (R. Horta 79’), Pepe (c), Rúben Dias, R. Guerreiro (João Cancelo 51’)

Bernardo Silva, Rúben Neves (Cristiano Ronaldo 51’), Otávio (Vitinha 69’)

Bruno Fernandes, Gonçalo Ramos (Rafael Leão 69’), João Félix

COACH: Fernando Santos

GAME SUMMARY

Morocco became the first African nation to reach the semifinals of a FIFA World Cup after a 1-0 win against Portugal. Just as they did in their previous game against Spain, Walid Regragui’s men stifled and frustrated the Portuguese attackers, and in addition this time they capitalized on their scarce opportunities: near halftime, Youssef en-Nesyri outjumped goalkeeper Diogo Costa and centre-back Rúben Dias to head in the decisive goal. Bruno Fernandes almost equalized moments later when he produced an audacious half volley which rattled the crossbar, before Morocco spurned a great chance to go further ahead when Yahia Attiyat-Allah skewed a shot wide after a fine counterattack. Portugal, with substitute Cristiano Ronaldo entering after the break, poured on the pressure, but could not find a way through. The Portuguese captain missed his one good opportunity to change the game in added time. Rafael Leão was the true injection of attacking flair, but his introduction came too late to alter the scoreline. Meanwhile, Morocco midfielders Sofiane Boufal and Azzedine Ounahi made the difference throughout the game, and replacement defender Attiyat-Allah also put forth a massive effort. Morocco captain Romain Saïss came off injured in the second half, and substitute Walid Cheddira was sent off in injury-time, but it made no difference as the African nation remained solid in shape and structure. Goalkeeper Yassine Bono was enormous once more, making a number of huge saves to keep another clean sheet for the Atlas Lions. Morocco victory was the triumph of heart over pedigree.

 

1/4 FINAL

STADIUM: استاد البيت <ʾIstād al-Bayt> / Al-Bayt Stadium (Al-Khor)

DATE: 10-12-2022 (22:00 h)

ATTENDANCE: 68.895

REFEREE: Wílton Sampaio (BRA)

GOALS: 0-1 (Tchouaméni 17’); 1-1 (Kane [p.] 54’); 1-2 (Giroud 78’)

BOOKED: Maguire (89’) / Griezmann (43’), Dembélé (46’), Théo (82’)

[Incidents: Kane missed a penalty shot (min. 84).]

ENG

England

England - France

France

FRA

1-2 (0-1)

ENGLAND

Pickford

Walker, Stones (Grealish 90+’), Maguire, Shaw

Henderson (Mount 79’), Rice, Bellingham

Saka (Sterling 79’), Kane (c), Foden (Rashford 85’)

COACH: Gareth Southgate

FRANCE

Lloris (c)

Koundé, Varane, Upamecano, Théo

Tchouaméni, Griezmann, Rabiot

Dembélé (Coman 79’), Giroud, Mbappé

COACH: Didier Deschamps

GAME SUMMARY

Reigning champions France reached the 2022 World Cup semifinals at the expense of England in a compelling quarterfinal decided by Olivier Giroud's close-range header and Harry Kane's penalty miss at the Al-Bayt Stadium. Kane blazed a penalty over the crossbar six minutes from time to ensure England would not level for a second time, after the Tottenham striker had matched Wayne Rooney's record of 53 goals for England to tie the game 1-1 in the second half with a well-taken penalty kick. Aurélien Tchouaméni had given France the lead with a long-range strike that dipped beyond Jordan Pickford's dive in the 17th minute. France had the better of the opening stages but were indebted to goalkeeper Hugo Lloris—earning a record 143rd cap for his country's senior men's team—when he clawed a powerful long-range drive from Kane around a post to keep his side in front. Jude Bellingham's stinging attempt was tipped over the crossbar by Lloris, and England goalkeeper Pickford kept out a Giroud volley from close range as the sides traded chances during the second half.

 

France got off to the perfect start when Tchouaméni shook off a tackle from Declan Rice and struck a brilliant effort from distance which Jordan Pickford was powerless to stop. There were calls for an England penalty in the 25th minute when Dayot Upamecano tangled with Kane on the edge of the area, but referee Wílton Sampaio waved away those appeals after a VAR review. Southgate's team were given a way back after a strong start to the second half when Tchouaméni brought down Saka for a penalty. Kane stepped up and sent Hugo Lloris the wrong way to draw the Three Lions level. England almost took the lead for the first time in the 70th minute when Harry Maguire rose highest from a free kick, but his header skimmed the post with Lloris stretching. France spurned a fine chance of their own seven minutes later when Giroud's volley was acrobatically turned away by Pickford, but the France striker made up for that with a thumping header from Antoine Griezmann's cross to put his side ahead. It looked as if that lead would not last long when England were awarded a penalty for Théo Hernández's barge on substitute Mason Mount following a VAR review. This time, however, Kane skied his effort in uncharacteristic fashion.

 

1/2 FINAL

STADIUM: ملعب لوسيل الدولي <Maleab Lūsayl ad-Dawliyy> / Lusail Iconic Stadium (Lusail)

DATE: 13-12-2022 (22:00 h)

ATTENDANCE: 88.966

REFEREE: Daniele Orsato (ITA)

GOALS: 1-0 (Messi [p.] 34’); 2-0 (Álvarez 39’); 3-0 (Álvarez 69’)

BOOKED: Romero (68’), Otamendi (71’) / Livaković (32’), Kovačić (32’), Mario Mandžukić [assistant coach to Zlatko Dalić] (RC 35’)

[Incidents: With today’s game and goal, Messi tied Lothar Matthäus with most World Cup games (25) and became Argentina's all-time leading World Cup goalscorer (11). Croatia’s assistant coach, Mario Mandžukić, was sent off from the bench (min. 35).]

ARG

Argentina

Argentina - Croatia

Hrvatska

CRO

3-0 (2-0)

ARGENTINA

Emiliano Martínez

Molina (Foyth 86’), Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico

De Paul (Palacios 74’), Enzo F., Paredes (Lisandro M. 62’), Mac A. (Correa 86’)

Messi (c), Álvarez (Dybala 74’)

COACH: Lionel Scaloni

CROATIA

Livaković

Juranović, Lovren, Gvardiol, Sosa (Oršić 46’)

Modrić (c) (Majer 81’), Brozović (Petković 50’), Kovačić

Pašalić (Vlašić 46’), Kramarić (Livaja 72’), Perišić

COACH: Zlatko Dalić

GAME SUMMARY

Leo Messi and Julián Álvarez fired Argentina to a place in the World Cup final with a dominant 3-0 semifinal win over Croatia at Lusail Stadium. The checkered team, aiming to reach back-to-back finals after their 2018 heroics, were the better side during a cagey opening half-hour, but everything changed when goalkeeper Dominik Livaković brought down Álvarez as the Manchester City striker lifted the ball over him and Messi scored the perfect penalty, thumping the ball into the top-right corner. Álvarez then tenaciously bundled his way through a scattered Croatia backline on the counterattack to double the lead before halftime. Midway the second half, the two Argentina goalscorers combined delightfully—Messi tormenting Joško Gvardiol with a winding dribble before teeing up Álvarez—to put the game beyond contest.

 

Luka Modrić orchestrated a composed opening for Croatia, although their lack of cutting edge when compared to Argentina's lethal front two (Messi-Álvarez) was ultimately exposed. In minute 32, following an Argentine counterattack after Italian referee Daniele Orsato denied a clear corner kick to Croatia when Ivan Perišić shot on goal was deflected over the bar by a defender, Dejan Lovren absent-mindedly played Álvarez onside and the Manchester City attacker collided with Livaković as he prodded towards goal. As expected from the refereeing standards in the Qatar World Cup, Daniele Orsato immediately pointed at the 11-meter spot, without giving a second thought as to who rammed into whom (in basketball, it would be a clear offensive foul of Álvarez over a motionless Livaković). Messi calmly found a precision strike into an angle impossible to reach for Livaković (who had guessed correctly once more) to net his 11th overall World Cup goal and give Argentina the lead. Five minutes later, another Argentina’s counter found the Croatia backline in disarray. Álvarez started a solo run from the halfway line and, after bundling through a couple of challenges from Josip Juranović and Borna Sosa, finished emphatically. Messi almost scored his second in minute 58, exchanging passes with Enzo Fernández to draw a fine stop from Livaković at his near post, but he had one more piece of magic to remain in the history of the World Cup. In minute 69, Gvardiol, one of the best centre-backs in the Qatar tournament, found himself bamboozled as Messi beat him on the byline, checked back and spun around him again to leave a chance on a plate for Álvarez to poke the ball in and secure Argentina’s ticket to the final.

 

1/2 FINAL

STADIUM: استاد البيت <ʾIstād al-Bayt> / Al-Bayt Stadium (Al-Khor)

DATE: 14-12-2022 (22:00 h)

ATTENDANCE: 68.294

REFEREE: César Arturo Ramos (MEX)

GOALS: 1-0 (Théo 5’); 2-0 (Kolo Muani 79’)

BOOKED: Boufal (27’)

[Incidents: Moroccan defender Nayef Aguerd, who had been named in the starting XI, was dropped out after aggravating an existing injury during the pre-match warm-up (he was replaced by Achraf Dari).]

FRA

France

France - Morocco

المغرب

MOR

2-0 (1-0)

FRANCE

Lloris (c)

Koundé, Varane, Konaté, Théo

Tchouaméni, Griezmann, Fofana

Dembélé (Kolo Muani 78’), Giroud (Thuram 65’), Mbappé

COACH: Didier Deschamps

MOROCCO

Bono

Achraf, El-Yamiq, Dari, Saïss (c) (Amallah 21’ (Abde 78’)), Mazraoui (Attiyat 46’)

Ziyech, Ounahi, Amrabat, Boufal (Aboukhlal 66’)

En-Nesyri (Hamdallah 66’)

COACH: Walid Regragui

GAME SUMMARY

Théo Hernández fired France into an early lead before substitute Randal Kolo Muani sealed a 2-0 victory against an excellent Morocco team at Al-Bayt Stadium to send Les Blues into their second back-to-back World Cup final, where they will meet Leo Messi and Argentina in the showpiece. Only Brazil in 1962 and Italy in 1938 have ever successfully defended the World Cup, and now France can join that illustrious group after reaching the final with a hard-fought 2-0 win over Morocco. Just as they did against England at the quarterfinal stage, Didier Descamps' side rode their luck at times and were solid rather than stylish throughout, relying on some dogged and occasionally desperate defending to repel a Morocco team roared on by their tireless supporters. The surprise package of Qatar 2022 responded superbly after Théo's fifth-minute opener, pinning back the world champions for significant periods in a display of considerable courage and skill, showing that they can attack as well as defend. In the process of becoming the first African side in history to reach the World Cup semifinals, Morocco had only conceded once in the tournament heading into this match (even that was an own goal). Eleven minutes from time, Eintracht Frankfurt striker Kolo Muani proved to be France's unlikely hero, scoring with his first touch after Kylian Mbappé had a shot blocked and effectively putting the game beyond contest for an exhausted and injury-striken Moroccan team. Honors to the Atlas Lions after an unforgettable tournament.

 

Morocco players were so physically drained after the highly demanding games against Spain and Portugal that coach Walid Regragui skipped the training sessions before the semifinal and advised his men to get as much sleep as possible. Romain Saïss, Nayef Aguerd and Noussair Mazraoui were all passed fit to start, but West Ham's Aguerd withdrew after the warm-up and captain Saïss was substituted midway through the first half when clearly struggling. Morocco started the game with its characteristic defensive display, but all that changed after five minutes, when French playmaker Antoine Griezmann seized upon a slip from Jawad el-Yamiq and cut the ball back to Mbappé. The PSG star had his first effort blocked and a second looped up off Olivier Giroud, with Théo alert to the deflection with an acrobatic finish at the back post. Four minutes later, Morocco almost responded spectacularly, as Azzedine Ounahi curled a right-footed effort towards the bottom corner to force Hugo Lloris into a fine save with his left hand. In minute 18, Giroud struck the left upright, aggravating Saïss’ injury in the process and forcing the Morocco captain to abandon the game. In minute 27, Théo was fortunate not to concede a penalty when tackling Sofiane Boufal in the French area, adding to the grotesque collection of referee-VAR decisions and mistakes in the Qatar World Cup, which are becoming worse and worse as the final approaches (how come Daniele Orsato called a penalty in yersterday’s semifinal for an “offensive foul” of Julián Álvarez on Dominik Livaković, whereas César Ramos and VAR official Drew Fischer, in exactly the same kind of clash but with opposite result, abstained from reviewing a more than potential penalty and even went to book Boufal? Unbelievable…). Just before halftime, El-Yamiq almost atoned for his error in the French goal with a spectacular overhead kick that thumped the base of the post. Mbappé tried to get France back on the front foot after the restart, but it was another winger, Chelsea's Hakim Ziyech, who was the outstanding attacker of the half, orchestrating several intricate attacks down the right flank. Ibrahima Konaté, only playing after Dayot Upemacano was ruled out through illness, made last-ditch clearances and France only had breathing space when Mbappé's quick feet made room for a half-blocked shot that fell kindly for Kolo Muani, who had only been on the field for 44 seconds, to make it 2-0 for France.

 

PLACES 3-4

STADIUM: ملعب خليفة الدولي <Maleab Khalīfah ad-Dawliyy> / Khalifa International Stadium (Al-Rayyan)

DATE: 17-12-2022 (18:00 h)

ATTENDANCE: 44.137

REFEREE: Abdulrahman al-Jassim (QAT)

GOALS: 1-0 (Gvardiol 7’); 1-1 (Dari 9’); 2-1 (Oršić 42’)

BOOKED: Ounahi (69’), Amallah (84’)

CRO

Hrvatska

Croatia - Morocco

المغرب

MOR

2-1 (2-1)

CROATIA

Livaković

Stanišić, Šutalo, Gvardiol

Oršić (Jakić 90+’), Majer (Pašalić 66’), Modrić (c), Kovačić, Perišić

Livaja (Petković 66’), Kramarić (Vlašić 61’)

COACH: Zlatko Dalić

MOROCCO

Bono

Achraf, Dari (Benoun 64’), El-Yamiq (Amallah 67’), Attiyat-Allah

Sabiri (Chair 46’), Amrabat, El-Khannous (Ounahi 56’)

Ziyech (c), En-Nesyri, Boufal (Zaroury 64’)

COACH: Walid Regragui

GAME SUMMARY

Mislav Oršić's sublime goal towards the end of the first half gave Croatia a 2-1 win over Morocco in the third-place playoff at the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Morocco, without key defenders Romain Saïss, Nayef Aguerd and Noussair Mazraoui, began uncertainly before Joško Gvardiol converted a smartly worked set piece in the seventh minute. But Morocco centre-back Achraf Dari was left unmarked to hit back immediately. Both sides continued to attack with the pressure off, making for an attractive spectacle. The most sumptuous moment of the first half came when Oršić lofted a beautiful finish over Yassine Bono and in off the far post after the Morocco goalkeeper saw his team give possession away on the edge of his area. The second period became more attritional as both sides suffered injuries and exhaustion after putting everything on the line one last time at the end of their superb campaigns in Qatar.

 

The Moroccan backline, very solid and reliable during all the tournament, got itself in a mess early on, repeatedly trying and failing to play through Croatia’s astute press. There were signs of nerves from Morocco in the opening stages, with goalkeeper Bono nearly scything a clearance into his own goal in just the third minute. In the end, a clever set play undid them, with Ivan Perišić flicking back across goal for Gvardiol to head home and banish the memory of his semifinal torment at the hands of Leo Messi. However, the lead was short-lived as just two minutes later Morocco responded at the other end with a set piece of their own, when a cross came off Lovro Majer's head and looped into the box, where an unmarked Dari beat Dominik Livaković with a header, in what was his first international goal. Emboldened by the equalizer, Morocco began to find chinks in the Croatian defense, with their movement and passing helping to create several chances, but the African side lacked the killer instinct in front of goal. Modrić, almost certainly playing his last World Cup game despite his apparent immunity to fatigue at 37, conducted proceedings in a typically masterful fashion, but Achraf Hakimi, Hakim Ziyech and Sofiane Boufal ensured that Morocco’s threat on the counter remained. It made for an intriguing game of cat and mouse before Oršić produced the cream in the 42nd minute: the Atlas Lions again coughed up possession on the edge of their own box, Marko Livaja picked him out on the left and the Dinamo Zagreb winger lofted a right-footed finish over Bono and in off the far post. Absolutely sublime.

 

The second half was not as fast or feisty as the first as exhaustion after a long tournament seemed to have caught up with both teams, playing their seventh game in Qatar. Croatia's Andrej Kramarić even left the pitch in tears with what looked like a thigh injury while goalscorer Dari also hobbled off having opted to continue playing after the restart despite struggling at the end of the first half. By the 67th minute, Morocco had made all five of their substitutions. With Saïss and Aguerd benched, Jawad el-Yamiq became their fourth centre-back to bid the tournament goodbye when he came off. Adding to the collection of polemic referee-VAR decisions in the Qatar World Cup, Qatari official Abdulrahman al-Jassim waved away Croatian protests in the 73rd-minute after what seemed like a clear penalty by Sofyan Amrabat on Gvardiol. Amrabat was operating as an emergency centre-back by that stage, but Morocco continued battling to the last and a leaping Youssef en-Nesyri almost forced an additional half-hour when he headed onto the roof of the net in the sixth minute of stoppage time.

 

FINAL

STADIUM: ملعب لوسيل الدولي <Maleab Lūsayl ad-Dawliyy> / Lusail Iconic Stadium (Lusail)

DATE: 18-12-2022 (18:00 h)

ATTENDANCE: 88.966

REFEREE: Szymon Marciniak (POL)

GOALS: 1-0 (Messi [p.] 23’); 2-0 (Di María 36’); 2-1 (Mbappé [p.] 80’); 2-2 (Mbappé 81’); 3-2 (Messi 108’); 3-3 (Mbappé [p.] 118’)

BOOKED: Enzo Fernández (45+’), Acuña (90+’), Paredes (114’), Montiel (116’), Emiliano Martínez (125’) [pk] / Rabiot (55’), Thuram (87’), Giroud (90+’) [bench]

PK: 0-1 (Mbappé); 1-1 (Messi) / 1-1 (Coman [saved]); 2-1 (Dybala) / 2-1 (Tchouaméni [out]); 3-1 (Paredes) / 3-2 (Kolo Muani); 4-2 (Montiel)

[Incidents: Messi set a new record for most appearances at the World Cup (26 games). Mbappé became the second player to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final (after Geoff Hurst in 1966).]

ARG

Argentina

Argentina - France

France

FRA

3-3 (2-0;2-2) (pk: 4-2)

ARGENTINA

Emiliano Martínez

Molina (Montiel 91’), Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico (Dybala 120+’)

De Paul (Paredes 102’), Enzo Fernández, Mac Allister (Pezzella 116’)

Messi (c), Álvarez (Lautaro Martínez 102’), Di María (Acuña 64’)

COACH: Lionel Scaloni

FRANCE

Lloris (c)

Koundé (Disasi 120+’), Varane (Konaté 113’), Upamecano, Théo (Camavinga 71’)

Griezmann (Coman 71’), Tchouaméni, Rabiot (Fofana 96’)

Dembélé (Kolo Muani 41’), Giroud (Thuram 41’), Mbappé

COACH: Didier Deschamps

GAME SUMMARY

Leo Messi finally enjoyed the crowning moment of his incomparable career as he helped Argentina win their third World Cup, the only major honor to have eluded him. After Kempes in 1978 and Maradona in 1986, Messi became the new Argentine idol in 2022. The 35-year-old scored twice in a thrilling 3-3 draw with France that has every chance of going down as the greatest final ever played in the tournament. Argentina led 2-0 at halftime and 3-2 in extra-time, with Messi scoring twice either side of a goal from the exceptional Ángel di María. But Messi's PSG teammate Kylian Mbappé became the second man in World Cup final history to score a hat-trick, twice holding his nerve from the penalty spot in a pulsating 3-3 draw after 120 minutes. Mbappé and Messi both scored again at the start of the penalty shoot-out, then Kinglsey Coman’s spot-kick was saved by Emiliano “Dibu” Martínez and Aurélien Tchouaméni fired wide. Paulo Dybala, Leandro Paredes and Randal Kolo Muani all converted, leaving Gonzalo Montiel to send Hugo Lloris the wrong way and secure his country’s third World Cup title.

 

France was aiming to become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to retain the World Cup title, but were overrun by a rampant Argentina during the first half, with Messi getting a 23rd-minute breakthrough from the spot after Ousmane Dembélé clumsily brought down Di María. The Juventus attacker was a surprise selection on the left wing and tormented Les Bleus frequently before scoring one of the great World Cup final goals. Messi, Julián Álvarez and Alexis Mac Allister were all involved in a scything counterattack that Di María dispatched with aplomb. France, seemingly affected by the camel flu that attacked several key players, was uncharacteristically weak and sluggish during the first half, and Mbappé barely had a touch on the left wing. Didier Deschamps took the extreme step of making a double substitution in the 41st minute, hauling off Olivier Giroud and the dire Dembélé for attacking duo Kolo Muani and Marcus Thuram. Argentina continued to dominate for much of the second half, but France, who took until 71 minutes to register a shot on goal, burst into life late in the game and were rewarded in minute 79, when Nicolás Otamendi was caught out by Kolo Muani’s pace and sent him tumbling in the Argentine box. Mbappé drilled his first penalty past Dibu Martínez's dive, and within 97 seconds he completed a slick give-and-go with Thuram to make it 2-2 with a volley into the bottom right corner. Argentina's once vibrant attack was then deflated as they desperately held on before Messi, with almost the last kick of regulation time, struck a shot that forced Lloris into a spectacular save, sending the game to extra-time.

 

In the additional period, it took a while for Argentina's heads to clear, but Lautaro Martínez’s introduction gave them fresh impetus and Messi scrambled home a finish after Hugo Lloris saved the Inter Milan striker’s 108th-minute shot. Mbappé then fired a shot at Montiel's arm and dispatched his second penalty. The goal—Mbappé's eighth in Qatar—meant that he became just the second man ever to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final and helped him beat Messi to the tournament's Golden Boot award. Dibu Martínez was once again the hero for Argentina, first denying Kolo Muani in stoppage time, then saving from Coman in the penalty shoot-out and making Tchouaméni lose his focus and send his kick out, before Montiel stepped up and converted to help Argentina to a 4-2 win on penalties.

 

 

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