Tag: FIFA World Cup 2022

DOHA: Japan produced yet another scintillating outcome as they downed 2010 champions Spain 2-1, who still managed to make it to the knockouts as Germany failed to improvise their goal difference despite a dominating 4-2 triumph over Costa Rica.

The ongoing FIFA World Cup 2022 “group of death” had an astounding outcome as Japan emerged as the leader by beating two former champions Spain and Germany, while the 2014 champions failed to make it to the knockouts.

Spain and Germany both ended on four points each, but Luis Enrique’s side progressed on goal difference.

Spain took the lead early on thanks to a spectacular header from Alvaro Morata, but Japan dramatically responded at the start of the second half.

Ritsu Doan netted the equalizer for Japan just three minutes after the break as sloppy defending from the former champions allowed Doan to seize the ball at the edge of the box before sending it into the top corner. Ao Tanaka then put Japan into the lead as he struck three minutes after the equalizer to put the European side under immense pressure.

Spain made desperate attempts to fire an equalizer but struggled to create chances against a staunch Japanese defence, who were well aware that conceding another goal would send them crashing.

Meanwhile, the four-time champions Germany, who took the field in a must-win game were also reliant on Japan’s game with Spain to progress, the outcome, however, did not favour them, resulting in them crashing out of the group stage second time in succession.

Germany had a flying start to their last group fixture as a curling strike from Serge Gnarby straight away put them up front Costa Rica.

The two sides then went hard at each other but to no avail as the scoreboard remained intact at half-time.

Costa Rica then neutralized briefly after the break courtesy of Yeltsin Tajeda’s strike and soon took the lead when German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer handed them an own goal in the 70th minute.

Germany responded minutes later, drawing level through Kai Havertz. Havertz scored again in the 86th minute, and Fuellkrug added another in the 89th, bringing the score to 4-2, but the team’s mind remained uneasily fixated on the group’s parallel fixture, and Germany lost on goal difference to second-placed Spain.

Group E winner Japan will take on last world cup’s runners-up Croatia in the Round of 16 on Monday, while Spain will take Group F winner Morocco on Tuesday.

READ: Belgium crashed out as Croatia, Morocco progress to Round of 16

DOHA: Last World Cup’s third Belgium’s goalless draw against then runners-up Croatia sent them crashing out of the ongoing 2022 mega event, while spirited Morocco edged Canada 2-1 to make it to the knockouts.

The ongoing FIFA World Cup 2022 marked a major upset as the second-ranked Belgium, who finished third in the 2018 World Cup failed to make it to the Round of 16, while 22nd-ranked Morocco topped Group F with seven points above last edition’s runners-up Croatia.

Morocco made it to the knockouts for the first time since 1986 as they downed eliminated Canada 2-1 on Thursday.

The North African side took just four minutes to take the lead in an all-important clash as Hakim Ziyech took advantage of a terribly mixed-up Canada defence to net the second-fastest goal of the ongoing world cup.

Youssef En-Nesyri soon doubled Morocco’s lead in the 23rd minute as he received a simple through-ball from Achraf Hakimi and raced past Canada’s centre-back Kamal Miller before firing it past Milan Borjan and into the nets.

Canada got a rare advantage five minutes before half-time when defender Sam Adekugbe rifled in a low cross and Nayef Aguerd stuck a leg out, causing the ball to deflect and raced past Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou to make it 2-1.

John Herdman’s side, however, failed to capitalize on the opportunity and could not fire in an equalizer as the Moroccan defence dropped deeper to bar any further twist and the Atlas Lions escaped the groups as toppers.

Morocco’s 2-1 triumph over Canada meant that last world cup’s third-placed Belgium could only survive in the tournament by defeating Croatia but the goalless draw against Croatia spilt beans on their hopes of making it to the knockouts.

Roberto Matinez’s side came closer to scoring the match-winning goal at the hour mark when Romelu Lukaku hit the woodwork with the goal gaping on the rebound.

Lukaku then botched another chance in the 87th minute, deflecting Thomas Meunier’s shot wide.

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DOHA: Mexico missed out on securing a Round of 16 berth despite their 2-1 triumph over Saudi Arabia as Robert Lewandowski’s Poland progressed despite losing 2-0 to Lionel Messi’s Argentina in the final round of Group C matches of the ongoing FIFA World Cup.

Mexico concluded group play tied with Poland on four points after defeating Saudi Arabia 2-1, however, they were denied a spot in Qatar’s knockout stages due to an inferior goal difference.

Henry Martin and Luis Chavez’s goals in the second half powered Mexico to the win, but Salem Al-Dawsari’s late goal dropped them to third place behind Poland.

Gerardo Martino’s side frantically sought a third goal to improve their goal deficit as they faced elimination under FIFA fair play regulations.

Saudi Arabia, on the other hand, pulled off one of the greatest upsets in World Cup history when they downed Messi’s Argentina but could not continue the momentum in their remaining group matches and finished the group at the bottom place.

Meanwhile, in another Group C match, Messi had a penalty saved but Argentina still advanced to the last 16 as Alexis Mac Allister’s 46th-minute goal settled Argentina’s nerves after a tense first half, before Julian Alvarez doubled their lead just over 20 minutes later.

Despite a 0-2 defeat, Poland also proceeded into the knockouts as runners-up, but only on the strength of goal difference because Mexico could only defeat Saudi Arabia 2-1 in the other group match.

Following their narrow qualification, Poland have a major task ahead of them in the Round of 16 where they will take on defending champions France on Sunday, while Argentina will lock horns with Australia, who made it to the knockouts on the same day.

DOHA: Tunisia’s upset 1-0 victory over defending champions France went in vain as Australia booked a Round of 16 berth following their triumph over bottom-placed Denmark in the final round of Group D matches on Wednesday.

Tunisia put on a remarkable performance in their last group fixture against defending champions and marked another upset in the ongoing world cup. The triumph, however, proved insufficient for them to secure a knockout spot as Australia edged Denmark to finish as runners-up of Group D.

The African side put on a defiant show in the first half of the game to keep a much-changed French attack silent.

Their momentum-filled Tunisian side momentum just 13 minutes into the second half won the ball again and Aissa Laidouni played it forward to Wahbi Khazri, who turned and glide towards the goal, stepped beyond two defenders before slotting the ball into the far corner.

France came close to avoiding the upset defeat when Antoine Griezmann struck in the stoppage time, which was, however, ruled out for offside after a VAR review.

Despite failing to qualify for the knockout stage, Tunisia have something to celebrate as their triumph over France was their first win against European opposition at a World Cup and third overall in 18 matches.

Tunisia, however, wanted Australia to drop points in their group fixture against Denmark to allow them to make it to the next round but Mathew Leckie’s second-half strike spilt beans on their hopes as the Socceroos’ 1-0 win over Denmark bolstered them to finish second in Group D standings.

World Champion France will now await Group C runners-up in the Last 16 on Sunday, while Australia will take on Group C winners earlier on the same day.

READ: PCB issues update on commencement of Rawalpindi Test

DOHA: The approaching men’s World Cup will be the first to feature female referees, with three women set to make history in Qatar while hoping that the focus remains on their job rather than their gender.

France’s Stephanie Frappart, Rwanda’s Salima Mukansanga and Japan’s Yoshimi Yamashita were included in the list of 36 referees selected by FIFA, while three more women will head to Qatar as assistant referees.

The trio of referees, as well as assistants Neuza Back of Brazil, Mexico’s Karen Diaz Medina and Kathryn Nesbitt of the United States, will go to Qatar having already established themselves as officials in the men’s game.

On announcing the appointments, Pierluigi Collina, the head of FIFA’s Referees Committee, insisted that “we clearly emphasise that it is quality that counts for us and not gender”.

For the 38-year-old Frappart, being selected for the World Cup seemed like a logical next step after a rapid rise to refereeing at the top level in Europe.

She was the first woman to referee in France’s Ligue 1 in 2019, the same year she took charge of the women’s World Cup final in her home country.

Frappart also refereed the 2019 UEFA Super Cup final between Liverpool and Chelsea, before officiating in the Champions League in 2020 and then the French Cup final last season.

All that experience means Qatar will not faze her.

“I am really moved because I didn’t necessarily expect this. It doesn’t get bigger than the World Cup,” Frappart said.

Yamashita, who is two years younger than Frappart, has had a similar rise to the top of the men’s game in Japan and became the first woman to referee an Asian Champions League match in 2019.

She turned professional earlier this year, giving up her work as a fitness coach which she had previously continued on a part-time basis.

Yamashita told AFP that refereeing at the World Cup “is a big responsibility but I am happy to have it”, adding that she “never imagined” being handed such an opportunity.

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DOHA: Iran and Wales failed to qualify for the knockout stage following their defeats against the United States of America and England respectively, while the latter two sides booked their Round of 16 berths in the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2022.

England, needing just one point to qualify for the Round of 16, bagged three following an emphatic 3-0 victory over neighbours Wales and topped the Group B standings with seven points.

Following another dominant triumph in the first round, Gareth Southgate’s side topped the Group B standings at the back of Marcus Rashford and Phil Foden.

Defiant Wales did well in the first half to keep the English attack silent and managed to keep the scoresheet blank.

England, however, regrouped after the break and intensified their domination over Wales and it soon rewarded just five minutes into the second half when Rashford broke the deadlock and opened the scoring for England.

Foden then doubled England’s lead just seconds later to put his side completely in command of the one-side affair and took the game away from Wales’ grasp.

Rashford then struck again to pile on the misery of Wales, whose world cup’s return after 1958 ended in dismay.

One of the tournament’s favourites England will next face Group A runners-up Senegal in the Round of 16 on Monday.

Meanwhile, in the last group B fixture, two bitter rivals Iran and the USA put on a thrilling contest but Christian Pulisic’s first-half goal turned out to be enough for the latter to pull off a vital victory.

The USA have been all over Iran since the start of the match and finally got the lead when Sergino Dest headed the ball to their star of the day Pulisic, who then made no mistake to send the ball past the Iranian goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand.

The victory powered the USA to finish second in Group B with five points behind leader England with seven, while Iran finished third with three points.

The USA have a major task ahead of them in the Round of 16 as they will take on Group A winners Netherlands on Saturday.

READ: Ecuador crashed out as Netherlands, Senegal book Round of 16 spots

DOHA: Ecuador failed to make it to the knockouts following their narrow 2-1 defeat against Senegal, while the Netherlands thrashed hosts Qatar 2-0 to make it to the Round 16 of the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2022.

The Netherlands, needing just one point to qualify for the Round of 16, bagged three following an emphatic victory over struggling hosts Qatar and topped the Group A standings with seven points.

The key player Cody Gakpo scored again for the Netherlands in the 29th minute to put them in command of the one-sided affair. Gakpo’s goal against Qatar marked his third goal in as many group matches.

Briefly, after the break, Frenkie de Jong doubled Netherlands’ lead over the hosts, sustained till the final whistle as Luis van Gaal’s side cruised through.

Hosts Qatar, already eliminated from the qualification race, bagged another unwanted record as they became the first home side in World Cup to finish the group stage without a point.

Netherlands’ impressive run led them to top Group A and will now face the second-placed team from Group B in the Round of 16.

Meanwhile, Netherlands’ dominant victory over Qatar, meant that only a win would take Senegal into the knockouts and a draw would see Ecuador cruising.

Senegal, however, were already in command of the match as they were leading Ecuador 2-1 in the extra time and put on a defiant show to bar the latter side from netting an equalizer.

Despite some desperate attempts from Ecuador in the extra time, Senegal held their composure and ran away with a 2-1 triumph and booked their spot in the Round of 16.

Senegal opened the scoring in the first half, courtesy of a late first-half penalty by Ismaila Sarr. However, despite holding Ecuador’s skipper Enner Valencia dormant throughout, the South American side still managed to score an equalizer as Moises Caicedo scored in the 67th minute.

Following the equalizer, Senegal’s captain Kalidou Koulibaly stood up for his team and took just three minutes to put his team up front again as he sent the ball crashing into the nets.

The victory powered Senegal to finish second in Group A with six points and will next face the Group B topper in the Round of 16.

READ: PAK vs ENG: Naseem Shah opens up on comparison with James Anderson

DOHA: Former champions Brazil have eased through to the Round of 16 as Casemiro’s late strike powered them to a 1-0 victory over Switzerland in the Group G clash of the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2022 at Stadium 974 here on Monday.

Five-time champions Brazil joined the defending champions France in the knockout stage as they beat Switzerland to taste their second consecutive group stage triumph and qualified with one game to spare.

The inflexible Swiss side frustrated Brazil in the first half and they eventually had to settle for a goalless first half as both teams remained hesitant to high press.

The important Group G clash between the two powerhouses seemed to be on track for a goalless draw when Vinicius Jr’s second-half goal was disallowed for offside after a VAR check.

However, seven minutes away from the 90-minute mark, Rodrygo flicked the ball towards the penalty area, which took a bounce before Casemiro smashed a half-volley that sent it spiralling into the far corner.

Brazil next face Cameroon in their final group match on Sunday and will be tempted to rest their key players, while Switzerland will take on Serbia, knowing that a win can guarantee them a spot into the knockout stage.

READ: Kudus’ double powers Ghana to edge South Korea in FIFA WC

AR-RAYYAN: Mohammed Kudus netted twice in Ghana’s thrilling 3-2 victory over South Korea in the Group H encounter of the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2022 at Education City Stadium here on Monday.

In a clash between two Group H bottom-ranked sides, Ghana recovered from a close 3-2 defeat against Portugal and kept their knockout qualification expedition intact as they produced a similar scoreline but in their favour against South Korea.

Otto Addo’s side had a flying start to their must-win group match as Mohammed Salisu opened the scoring in just the 24th minute when Jordan Ayew sent a dangerous cross into the South Korean box, who failed to clear the lines, allowing Salisu to fire the ball home with his left feet.

Kudus then doubled Ghana’s lead just 10 minutes later with a stunning header off Ayew’s assist, who sent a cross to the far post and the latter powered the ball sneak past Kim Seung-gyu.

Paulo Bento’s side, who appeared defenceless in the first half, bounced back after the break and pulled level 16 minutes into the second half, courtesy of a quickfire double from forward Cho Gue-sung, who produced back-to-back sensational headers.

Gue-sung’s double stunned Ghana but they held their composure to retain the lead in the 68th minute when Kudus fired the ball comprehensively into the nets after Inaki Williams failed to connect with a cross from the left.

Following the victory, Ghana rose to the second spot in the Group H standings, behind Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal on goal difference.

READ: Afghanistan qualify directly for 2023 ODI World Cup 

DOHA: Vincent Aboubakar and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting bolstered Cameroon from two goals down to a fighting 3-3 draw against Serbia in a thrilling Group G clash of the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2022.

Cameroon held their composure to keep their world cup campaign alive as they managed to seal their first point after a sea-saw clash against Serbia.

Defender Jean-Charles Castelletto provided Cameroon with an early lead with his 29th-minute strike as he received the ball close to woodwork after Nouhou Tolo’s corner converted with a tricky cross that left him in an ideal position to score.

Cameroon’s early breakthrough, motivated Serbia to launch a counterattack as Rigobert Song’s side endured two back-to-back strikes from Strahinja Pavlovic and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic in the extra time of the first half as Serbia finished the first half with a 2-1 lead.

Serbia then continued to maintain their dominance over Cameroon and Aleksandar Mitrovic’s strike just eight minutes into the second half seemed to have buried Song’s side and Serbia favourites to seal their first victory of the campaign.

But Vincent Aboubakar came off the bench and cut Serbia’s lead to one goal in just eight minutes as he got on the end of Jean-Charles Castelletto’s long ball before chipping it over the goalkeeper and into the net.

Choupo-Moting, a couple of minutes later Aboubakar’s strike, snatched a high-scoring draw for Cameroon as he received the ball from Vincent Aboubakar and netted from close range.

The draw kept both teams in contention for a place in the last 16 as they both had their first point each and are two points behind group leaders Brazil and Switzerland, who will be up against each other later today.

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