He then looked ahead to the semifinal against Croatia, who also beat Brazil in a dramatic penalty shootout…reports Asian Lite News
Lionel Messi admitted his side had suffered to qualify for the semifinals of the World Cup after a dramatic penalty shootout against the Netherlands.
“We are really happy, we suffered too much, but it’s a quarterfinal in the World Cup, and we suffered what we had to suffer to qualify,” said Messi.
Messi was the man of the match after setting up Nahuel Molina for the opening goal and then scoring Argentina’s second from the penalty spot with just 17 minutes left to play, reports Xinhua.
The game appeared to be over before a late Dutch fightback saw Wout Weghorst score in the 83rd and 10th minute of injury time to take it to extra time and penalties.
“We are taking it game after game with the same intensity and same desire. We want to be protagonists. We are really excited and really want to win and we need this joy for us and for everyone who supports us,” he said.
The striker expressed his frustration at the second equaliser for the Netherlands, saying that Spanish referee, Mateu Lahoz had added on too much injury time.
“I felt really angry at the late goal. I don’t want to talk about the referee, because you can get a suspension, but people saw what happened. FIFA have to look at that. They can’t put in a referee who isn’t up to the job at this stage,” he said.
However, Messi said that he had confidence his side would qualify.
“We knew we had an advantage with Emiliano (Martinez),” he said.
He then looked ahead to the semifinal against Croatia, who also beat Brazil in a dramatic penalty shootout.
“Croatia will be really hard. They were better than Brazil at times and move the ball really well. They are working with the same coach (Zlatko Dalic) as 2018 and it will be really hard.
“I’ve said all World Cup, we are enjoying this, the fans, and taking it step by step.
“I am very happy,” he concluded.
Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, who saved two penalties in the shootout, said: “I am very excited. We played for 45 million people. The people are not having a good time economically and we are giving them some joy.”
“I couldn’t make the saves in 90 minutes, but luckily I was able to do so in the penalties. I saved two and could have saved a third.
Two other teams, Netherlands and Argentina which have already qualified, on Saturday, for the last-eight stage will clash on December 9 at Lusail Stadium…reports Armstrong Vaz
A goal apiece from Jordan Henderson, Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka helped England to an impressive 3-0 win over African champions Senegal and move into the quarterfinals of the FIFA World Cup.
On Sunday at the Al Bayt Stadium, Gareth Southgate’s side went into the half time break leading 2-0, opening the scoring in the 38th minute and adding a second in injury stoppage time of the opening session.
England netted a third one 13 minutes into the second half to take the game away from Aliou Cisse’s side and set up a quarter-final clash with France, which earlier on Sunday defeated Poland 3-1.
England and France have met twice before at the World Cup, both in group games which England won 2-0 en route to the 1966 title and 3-1 in 1982 and thus France will be looking for a positive result when the two meet on Sunday December 10 at Al Bayt Stadium.
Two other teams, Netherlands and Argentina which have already qualified, on Saturday, for the last-eight stage will clash on December 9 at Lusail Stadium.
Two more teams will join the already qualified four after Monday’s clashes between Portugal vs Switzerland and Spain vs Morocco.
On Sunday, England made just one change for the game as Bukayo Saka was preferred in attack to three-goal scoring Marcus Rashford, while Raheem Sterling was unavailable for England, as he was dealing with some family issues back home. Saka, who netted a brace against Iran, was rested against Wales, where Rashford also scored twice in a 3-0 victory. Southgate also preferred to retain Phil Foden and Henderson in the side.
Both teams were rather circumspect at the start, but once the nerves wore off they elected to be more positive. Senegal, for certain periods of the first half, looked to be the more threatening as they sent in attack after attack.
Africa Cup of Nations champions Senegal, without their injured superstar Sadio Mane, will lament missing big chances from Ismaila Sarr and Bouyale Dia when the score was 0-0.
For the first time ever, England and France will face off in the knockout stage of a men's FIFA World Cup 🏴🇫🇷👀
England seemed to be temporarily on the back foot in the face of the growing pressure from Senegal very early in the first half.
The African champions kept to a higher line, but the European side were well placed for a counter when the opportunity presented itself.
England looked primed for the counter whenever Senegal afforded them a chance, making their two opportunities count to giving them a decent lead going into the half time break.
Southgate boys opened the doors of the Senegal defence with Bellingham making a strong run into the box on the left side, Kane sent in a pass to the midfielder, who coolly slotted the ball past Edouardo Mendy and into the net.
England added a second one three minutes into injury stoppage time with Kane’s right footed shot from inside the box to the centre of the goal ending in the back of the nets, after set up by Phil Foden following a fast break.
England doubled the lead in a move which started from their own half, went on a blistering run towards the Senegal goal, closed in, spotted Foden on his left side, with Kane not too far on his right. The Manchester City forward seeing Kane peeling away from his marker sends in a quick pass with the last named player able to get enough space inside of the box to send in a powerful shot at the net, with Mendy having no chance of stopping it.
For Kane, the Golden Boot winner at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, with six goals, it was his first goal in Qatar’s World Cup and one which took him within one goal away from Wayne Rooney’s England record 53 goals.
The Tottenham forward was in fine form at Al Khor Stadium along with teenager Bellingham who had played a starring role in the first two goals, and Foden, who had two assists.
Senegal have made three substitutions at the start of the second half with Papa Gueye, Cheikh Dieng, Papa Sarr coming on in place of Ndiaye, Ciss and Diata with England going unchanged into the second half.
England put the issue beyond doubt with Saka’s left footed shot from the centre of the box of a move by Foden effectively dismissing their slim hopes of fighting back in the second half.
Southgate hails impressive win
England coach Gareth Southgate praised his side for the 3-0 win over Senegal in Qatar World Cup round of 16 on Sunday night with goals from Jordan Henderson, Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka.
Henderson opened the scoring in the 38th minute when England were struggling to contain Senegal, who almost took the lead through Boulaye Dia.
“We were a bit sticky with the ball in the first 25 to 30 minutes,” admitted Southgate, who said that in the first half, England’s best chances “came from winning the ball from them, and Jude (Bellingham) and Hendo (Henderson) were outstanding in that aspect of the game.”
“They’re both forward-thinking midfield players. Hendo doesn’t get many (goals) for us, but he’s been outstanding. He’s such a leader, he knits the team together, around the camp he’s brilliant, and his performances have been top drawer for us,” commented Southgate.
The coach was also happy to see Kane net his first goal from open play for England in open play this year when he finished off a break started by Jude Bellingham and prolonged by the impressive Phil Foden with the last kick of the first half.
Two more teams will join the already qualified four after Monday’s clashes between Portugal vs Switzerland and Spain vs Morocco…reports Armstrong Vaz
A goal apiece from Jordan Henderson, Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka helped England to an impressive 3-0 win over African champions Senegal and move into the quarterfinals of the FIFA World Cup.
On Sunday at the Al Bayt Stadium, Gareth Southgate’s side went into the half time break leading 2-0, opening the scoring in the 38th minute and adding a second in injury stoppage time of the opening session.
England netted a third one 13 minutes into the second half to take the game away from Aliou Cisse’s side and set up a quarter-final clash with France, which earlier on Sunday defeated Poland 3-1.
England and France have met twice before at the World Cup, both in group games which England won 2-0 en route to the 1966 title and 3-1 in 1982 and thus France will be looking for a positive result when the two meet on Sunday December 10 at Al Bayt Stadium.
Two other teams, Netherlands and Argentina which have already qualified, on Saturday, for the last-eight stage will clash on December 9 at Lusail Stadium.
Two more teams will join the already qualified four after Monday’s clashes between Portugal vs Switzerland and Spain vs Morocco.
On Sunday, England made just one change for the game as Bukayo Saka was preferred in attack to three-goal scoring Marcus Rashford, while Raheem Sterling was unavailable for England, as he was dealing with some family issues back home. Saka, who netted a brace against Iran, was rested against Wales, where Rashford also scored twice in a 3-0 victory. Southgate also preferred to retain Phil Foden and Henderson in the side.
Both teams were rather circumspect at the start, but once the nerves wore off they elected to be more positive. Senegal, for certain periods of the first half, looked to be the more threatening as they sent in attack after attack.
Africa Cup of Nations champions Senegal, without their injured superstar Sadio Mane, will lament missing big chances from Ismaila Sarr and Bouyale Dia when the score was 0-0.
England seemed to be temporarily on the back foot in the face of the growing pressure from Senegal very early in the first half.
The African champions kept to a higher line, but the European side were well placed for a counter when the opportunity presented itself.
England looked primed for the counter whenever Senegal afforded them a chance, making their two opportunities count to giving them a decent lead going into the half time break.
Southgate boys opened the doors of the Senegal defence with Bellingham making a strong run into the box on the left side, Kane sent in a pass to the midfielder, who coolly slotted the ball past Edouardo Mendy and into the net.
England added a second one three minutes into injury stoppage time with Kane’s right footed shot from inside the box to the centre of the goal ending in the back of the nets, after set up by Phil Foden following a fast break.
England doubled the lead in a move which started from their own half, went on a blistering run towards the Senegal goal, closed in, spotted Foden on his left side, with Kane not too far on his right. The Manchester City forward seeing Kane peeling away from his marker sends in a quick pass with the last-named player able to get enough space inside of the box to send in a powerful shot at the net, with Mendy having no chance of stopping it.
For Kane, the Golden Boot winner at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, with six goals, it was his first goal in Qatar’s World Cup and one which took him within one goal away from Wayne Rooney’s England record 53 goals.
The Tottenham forward was in fine form at Al Khor Stadium along with teenager Bellingham who had played a starring role in the first two goals, and Foden, who had two assists.
Senegal have made three substitutions at the start of the second half with Papa Gueye, Cheikh Dieng, Papa Sarr coming on in place of Ndiaye, Ciss and Diata with England going unchanged into the second half.
England put the issue beyond doubt with Saka’s left footed shot from the centre of the box of a move by Foden effectively dismissing their slim hopes of fighting back in the second half.
Here are the remaining last 16 fixtures at the Qatar World Cup (times in GMT):
Spain on the other hand started with 7-0 drubbing of Costa Rica and followed it up with a one-all draw with Germany…reports Armstrong Vaz
Japan rallied from a goal down to shock European giants Spain 2-1 in the concluding match of Group E to emerge as group winners while booking a place in the knockouts of the FIFA World Cup.
In material of losing the last league match of the group Spain qualified along with Japan to the knockout stage of the tournament.
In a night of chaotic pair of games, at the Khalifa International Stadium, Japan trailing by a 11th minute goal scored by Alvaro Morata to go into the half time break trailing 1-0.
The Samurai Blue however stormed back with full gusto in the second half to score two goals within a span of three minutes.
Coach Hajime Moriyasu drew level through Ritsu Doan in the 48th minute and went into the lead with a goal from Ao Tanaka three minutes later.
Japan, who have set a target of qualifying for the last-eight stage of the tournament, had opened their campaign with a 2-1 win over four-time winners Germany but lost to Costa Rica.
Spain on the other hand started with 7-0 drubbing of Costa Rica and followed it up with a one-all draw with Germany.
In the other match at Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Germany defeat Costa Rica 4-2 in a six-goal thriller which was officiated by a first all-female on-field refereeing team at men’s World Cup.
The winning effort fell short and was not enough as they finished with just four points from three matches the same as Spain but La Roja qualified on a better goal difference.
Japan’s 2-1 win over Spain meant Japan and Spain were through, Japan finished with six points from two wins and loss.
This is the second tournament in a row, Germany go out in the group stages. It’s one of those nights where it just hasn’t been enough.
Germany’s failure to advance for the second straight World Cup is a remarkable fall for a national team that won the event in 2014, finished third in 2010 and 2006 and was the runner-up in 2002.
On Thursday, both Group E and Group F had surprising group winners. Group E champion Japan will face Croatia in the round of 16 on Monday. Group F winner Morocco will face Spain on Tuesday.
The World Cup continues Friday, when the round of 16 will be set after the finales in Group G and Group H.
Moriyassu’s last-eight target, set at the start of the tournament, is now a step away.
Moriyasu has had some bitter memories of Qatar, as a player as he was part of the Japan team which missed out on the chance to qualify for the 1994 World Cup Finals as they were within seconds of reaching their first finals only to concede a stoppage-time equalizer to Iraq which sent arch-rivals South Korea through instead.
That crushing moment is known as the “Agony of Doha” but while Japan’s biggest football setback may never be forgotten, the Samurai Blue are determined to reverse their fortunes and make Qatar the stage for their best World Cup performance.
Japan have since then put the 1994 set behind them and since debuting in 1998 have qualified for seven successive World Cup tournaments and a last-eight finish is finally within Japan’s reach despite featuring in a tough group feels Moriyasu, which he has reiterated time to time ahead of their opening match.
Wednesday two other matches will see Argentina take on Poland and a winless Mexico taking on Saudi Arabia…reports Asian Lite News
A 58th minute goal from Wahbi Khazri helped Tunisia inflict a first-ever defeat on defending champions France but the win at the Education City Stadium was not enough to see them to the knockout stage of the FIFA World Cup as Australia piped them to the qualifying post.
Khazri’s goal went in vain as the Socceroos’ made it at the expense of the North Africans from Group D after defeating Denmark at the Janoub Stadium and made it to the knockout stage from the group along with France.
France started the World Cup in fine fashion, picking up six points from their first two games and scoring six goals in the process but finished as group leaders ahead of Australia. France, who had already qualified for the knock-out stage with two wins, ended up top despite making nine changes and producing a poor performance.
Both Australia and France finished with six points from two wins, while Tunisia took the third spot with four points from one win and one draw against Denmark, which finished at the bottom with one point.
Australia join already qualified teams France, Portugal, Brazil, Senegal and The Netherlands and will take on winners of Group C, which consists of Argentina, Poland, Mexico and Saudi Arabia.
Wednesday two other matches will see Argentina take on Poland and a winless Mexico taking on Saudi Arabia.
“It’s mixed feelings because we’re happy to beat a team like France,” Tunisia manager Jalel Kadri said.
“We can be proud and leave with our head high, but it is a bitter victory.
“It would have been beautiful to beat France and reach the last 16. It is our fault for not doing what we needed to do before.”
“I said nothing is impossible. We have been able to win over the world champions,” added Kadri.
“We have been able to prove our efficiency and we did our best. We worked as a team. It wasn’t easy for us to get these four points (in the group stage) but we leave with a lot of honour and pride.”
On Wednesday, France having already qualified for the last 16 stage opted to rest a number of players, including Hugo Lloris, Kylian Mbappe and Olivier Giroud.
Taking a cue, the Tunisians dominated the major chunk of the opening session.
The Tunisian continued to call the shot in the second session for the major part of the second session.
Khazri struck 13 minutes into the second session. Youssouf Fofana lost the ball in midfield for France and the ball went to Khazri 30 yards from goal, he moved deep into the rival territory and dribbled into the box almost unchallenged, before slipping the ball past Steve Mandanda, 1-0.
It was only the introduction of Antonie Griezmann and Kylian Mbappe that injected some energy into the French attack.
Infact, Griezmann the Athletico Madrid man had volleyed home from 10 yards to put the teams on level terms but the goal was ruled out following VAR review.
The huge contingent of Tunisian fans welcomed the decision with a big roar as the Kiwi referee Matthew Conger overturned the last-minute equalizer.
Tunisia held on to record an against-the-odds to claim a memorable 1-0 win but The Eagles of Carthage will not progress to the last 16 due to Australia’s victory over Denmark in Group D’s other final fixture but will take solace from this upset against the 2018 champions.
There is a large Tunisian community in France who will savour the result, the country’s first win against European opposition at a World Cup and just their third ever in 18 matches at the tournament.
Dider Deschamps side aiming to retain the trophy will aim to continue their strong start to the tournament in the hope of reaching the quarter-finals…reports Asian Lite News
Lionel Messi missed a controversial first-half penalty for Argentina against Poland but his side recovered in time to register a 2-0 win, their second successive one and move into the knockout stage of the FIFA World Cup as Group C winners.
On Wednesday night at the 974 Stadium, one goal apiece from Alexis Mac Allister and Julian Alvarez helped two-time champions Argentina to collect full points.
La Albiceleste scored both the goals in the second half to finish with six points, having started their campaign with a shocking 2-1 loss to Saudi Arabia in the Group C opener.
Argentina as group winners will take on Australia, which finished second in Group D. Poland with one win against Saudi Arabia and one loss, finished second behind the group leaders and also qualified for the last 16 stage and will take on defending champions France, which despite their 1-0 loss to Tunisia finished as group winners.
Dider Deschamps side aiming to retain the trophy will aim to continue their strong start to the tournament in the hope of reaching the quarter-finals.
Argentina and Poland join Australia, Portugal, Brazil, England, France, the Netherlands, Senegal and USA, making it ten teams making it to the last 16 stage with another six set to join the qualified teams in the next stage of the tournament.
Argentina were the dominant team in the first session in which Messi struck two shots on target in the opening ten minutes as Argentina battered at the door of Poland.
They continued to rack up shots through the first half, including a stunning attempt from Rodrigo de Paul from the corner flag.
Julian Alvarez – replacing Lautaro Martinez in the starting line-up – also had a shot blocked from close range in the 36th minute.
Then controversy struck when Messi was awarded a penalty after a VAR review. Poland keeper Wojciech Szczesny had attempted to punch away an Argentina cross but missed, and his hand struck the head of Messi at the back post. Messi had already headed the ball wide of the upright.
But, in a stunning twist, Szczesny saved Messi’s penalty with a brilliant diving block – his second penalty save of the tournament.
Argentina, playing their best football of the tournament, which will please Lionel Scaloni ahead of the round of 16, overcame the penalty save with two goals in the second session.
Argentina went into the lead 60 seconds after the restart with a goal by the Brighton midfielder Mac Allister. Molina got to the touch line and cut the ball back where Mac Allister was waiting – the 23-year-old didn’t make a clean connection as he swept it with his right foot, but the direction was perfect and just kissed the far post after passing Szczesny.
The second goal had been coming. It was a brilliant finish from Alvarez. Enzo Fernandez drives at the defence and finds Alvaraz, who takes a touch, swivels and blasts a rocket into the top corner. A brilliant, instinctive finish from the Manchester city man in the 67th minute to confirm Argentina as group winners.
England will take on African Cup Champions Senegal, the Group A runners up in the knockout stage on Sunday…reports Amstrong Vaz
A brace from Marcus Rashford and a goal from Phil Foden helped England to trounce Wales 3-0 in the FIFA World Cup and qualify to the knockout stage as group leaders.
On Tuesday night at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium after a barren first half, the English strikers went on a goal scoring spree notching three goals within a span of 18 minutes.
Manchester United striker Rashford started the scoring in the 50th and added his second one in the 68th minute, in between Manchester city’s Foden scored in the 51st minute.
England topped the group after a 3-0 win over Wales and will take on African Cup Champions Senegal, the Group A runners up in the knockout stage on Sunday.
England and USA from Group B join Senegal and The Netherlands, the two teams which made it to the last 16 stage from Group A. Other teams which have qualified for the knockouts till date are Brazil, Portugal and France, all the three having made it to the next stage with a game to spare as they have won two of the three group matches.
The US, returning to the World Cup for the first time in eight years, finished with five points with one win and two draws from Group B and sailed into the knockouts as group runners up and will face The Netherlands, the winners of Group A. The USA had two draws, 1-1 with Wales and 0-0 against England.
Iran, who were thrashed 6-2 by England but recovered to beat Wales 2-0, finished with three points, for the 2-0 win over Wales, who were returning to the World cup after a 64 years’ absence, lost all their league matches.
After a sedate first half, the game sprung to life thanks to the three goals from England.
The Three Lions opened the scoring with a magnificent strike from the England forward. Rashford took a couple of steps and whipped a shot over the wall and past the diving Danny Ward in Wales goal for his second goal of the tournament and his first direct free-kick goal for England at the 2022 World Cup.
A minute later, Foden delivered on the goal scoring front of a move fashioned by Rashford and Harry Kane, the former won the highball and the latter strokes a low cross across the face of goal that Foden can’t miss, 2-0.
For the Manchester City striker, it was his first for England in 16 appearances and his first in over two years in an England shirt. The 21-year-old also silenced a few of his critics in the process.
Rashford added a personal second and the team’s third. The move started deep from the England defense and Kalvin Phillips launched the ball forward with precision to the Manchester United forward. Rashford did not disappoint as he carried forward the ball and in a swift action moving inside and finishing off with a low shot.
Rashford’s second goal was England’s 100th scored at the World Cup, while it made him just the second Manchester United player to score 3+ goals for the Three Lions at a major tournament after Bobby Charlton. “In the first half we controlled the game but we didn’t create enough clear chances. We wanted a bit more thrust in the final third, to play forward a bit quicker. The second half, once we got the two goals, we knew that their spirit had probably gone. I thought we kept our discipline right until the end,” England coach Gareth Southgate said after the match.
The England tactician praised both the goal scorers for their efforts.
“It’s great for (Marcus Rashford). He’s trained really well, I have to say, and he could have had a hat-trick. His free-kick was an incredible strike; that’s what he’s capable of. In moments I thought both [Rashford and Foden] were a bit quiet in the first half. We decided to switch them at half-time and they responded really well, and for them to both get their goals was great.”
🎯 The first direct free-kick scored in the tournament 💯 England’s 100th #FIFAWorldCup goal 🏆 @Budweiser Player of the Match
Marcus Rashford is the star as England top Group B.
Rashford on the other hand said they were disappointed by the draw against USA and were determined to get full points.
“It’s a great feeling. We were a bit disappointed after the USA game, and the only way to bounce back is to have a good performance in your next game; I thought we did it. It was just about taking the chances when they came,” said Rashford.
The striker was happy that he was successful with his freekick.
“I fancied a free-kick in the first half, but the one in the second half was in a better position. From there it’s about being calm and executing what you do in training. They don’t go in often but I was glad it did today.
“At half-time the manager said we’d played really but that we could work the keeper more. In the second half we did that. Moments like this, this is what I play football for. I’m really happy that we’re going through and I hope we can build on this performance. I have massive ambition for this team and I think we play even better,” he added.
“Football is universal. In other words, sport is universal and unifying. No other issue should be included in the sport”…reports Asian Lite News
As the 2022 FIFA World Cup enters the semi-final stage, football fans in Türkiye said the month-long event would contribute to eradicating prejudices among religions, nations and people.
The World Cup displays the unifying power of sports and helps people erase their bias against each other, Ecem Koc, a young woman in Istanbul, told Xinhua. “Football is universal. In other words, sport is universal and unifying. No other issue should be included in the sport.”
“There is such a multicultural environment. … Qatar is very open to different nations, values and cultures,” said Feyza Gumusluoglu, foreign news department coordinator of Istanbul-based broadcaster EkoTurk.
However, the journalist, who lived in Qatar’s capital Doha from 2010 to 2016, noticed that the country’s achievements on the course to the World Cup were being overshadowed by unfair news from western media. “The handling and the coverage of this World Cup by the Western press, has come to a point of smearing,” she told Xinhua.
Gumusluoglu said she believes that Qatar did a tremendous job transforming the country in line with the requirements of such a big sports event, implementing a series of reforms on labor policy, building and improving infrastructure, and redesigning cities.
In early November, the Arab League said some Western countries had politicized the games by fabricating a “baseless campaign of defamation” against Qatar through their media coverage. Gianni Infantino, president of FIFA, recently lashed out at some Western media, blaming certain Westerners for having “hypocritical double standards.”
For Fatih Ahmetcan Alpcan, a 24-year-old social media manager in Türkiye, the World Cup is where people can get rid of their current problems for a while and only focus on football.
“Even though we (Türkiye) did not participate in the World Cup, it is an organization where we get away from current issues for a while and talk about football and sports. It is important in this sense,” Alpcan said.
Murat Tufan, an analyst with Ekoturk, said the World Cup in Qatar shows that another world is possible and that tolerance should prevail in such a world.
Fans Throng
After the first round of FIFA World Cup group stage matches were completed, official figures show that the average overall match attendance stands at an impressive 94% compared to stadium capacities for the event, according to a report published by FIFA on its website.
With all 32 nations having taken to the field – and more than three million tickets sold for the tournament – the strong attendance figures also follow the recent news that the preliminary comparable television viewing figures are up in nations across the world from the previous FIFA World Cup edition.
The highest match attendance of the tournament was the game at Lusail Stadium on 24 November, with 88,103 there to see Brazil beat Serbia 2-0. On the same day, the FIFA Fan Festival in Doha’s Al Bidda Park has also achieved its highest accumulative attendance, with a total of 98,000 fans throughout the day. The multi-national and multi-cultured festival of football is screening every FIFA World Cup game on giant screens, as well as providing free entertainment between games with some of the most famous names from music scenes around the world – and has been enjoyed by fans from every corner of the globe.
While FIFA requests that venues hosting the final match, opening game and semi-finals can host a minimum of 80,000 and 60,000 spectators respectively, the magnificent Lusail Stadium can accommodate 88,966 spectators, while Al Bayt Stadium can host up to 68,895 fans. For all other matches, a minimum 40,000-seater capacity is required, with the demountable Stadium 974 being the most compact of all Qatar 2022 venues (44,089).
The capacity figures for the tournament have been finalised after all operational arrangements were made – from the final seating map to temporary infrastructure to accommodate media, broadcasters, and guests. It was also explained that capacities for specific matches such as opening and final may vary slightly, and that figures for legacy mode are different and provided by the Host Country.
Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni.(photo:@Argentina/Twitter)
Scaloni bemoaned a slew of missed opportunities, pointing out that his team could have put the game to rest by halftime…reports Asian Lite News
Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni said his team would keep a positive mindset despite a shock 2-1 defeat to Saudi Arabia in their opening match of the 2022 FIFA World Cup on Tuesday.
The two-time world champions looked on track for a perfect start to their Group C campaign when Lionel Messi converted an early penalty at Lusail Stadium.
But Saleh Al-Shehri and Salem Al-Dawsari scored second-half goals to hand Saudi Arabia their first ever victory over the South American team.
“We have no other option other than to pick ourselves up,” Scaloni told a news conference, reports Xinhua. “Today was a sad day but we have to keep our heads up and continue.”
Scaloni bemoaned a slew of missed opportunities, pointing out that his team could have put the game to rest by halftime.
Argentina had three goals ruled out in the opening 45 minutes with Lautaro Martinez (twice) and Lionel Messi both being denied by the offside flag as Saudi Arabia deployed a high defensive line.
“The first half was all ours and those offside situations could easily have been goals,” Scaloni said. “In the second half, they had us tied. We will analyse it better later. The players are disappointed by the result but we know we can turn the situation around.”
Argentina will likely need to win their last two group matches — against Mexico on Saturday and Poland the following Wednesday — to progress to the round of 16.
Tuesday’s result marked Argentina’s first defeat in more than three years, ending a 36-game unbeaten run that stretched back to the 2019 Copa America. The sequence left Scaloni’s men one game shy of Italy’s international record of 37 games without defeat from 2018 and 2021.
“We couldn’t have entered the tournament in better shape,” Scaloni said. “But it’s a reality. These great competitions don’t give you time to make mistakes. Now we have to move on and win each of our next two games,” he added.
Manuel Neuer’s goal on more than one occasion, pulled level with 15 minutes remaining through substitute Ritsu Doan’s opportunistic close-range finish…reports Asian Lite News
Japan made a scintillating comeback to create a massive upset against Germany, defeating the four-time champions 2-1 in the group E match of the FIFA World Cup at the Khalifa International Stadium on Wednesday.
Germany were leading at the end of the first half but Japan scaled up their game in the second half, scoring in the 75th minute through Ritsu Doan and in the 83rd minute through Takuma Asano.
Takuma Asano was brought in as a substitution in the 57th minute and proved his mettle in the match as Japanese supporters yelled and cheered from the stands. The second half saw the Japanese players come with a new fervour, zeal and confidence as they dominated the ball possession and made constant runs to the German box.
Gundogan, who had scored for Germany through the penalty kick in the first half, continued his good form and came very close to scoring in the 60th minute but his the ball ricocheted off the goalpost to huge disappointment of German fans.
Germany ended with superior ball possession and shots on goal but piercing attacks by Japanese team left them vulnerable.
With this win, Japan has got to the top of the table in Group E which also features Germany, Costa Rica and Spain.
Germany were leading Japan 1-0 at half-time after Ilkay Gundogan scored via penalty kick in the group E match at the Khalifa International Stadium on Wednesday.
Japan goalkeeper Shuichi Gonda failed to prevent a goal in the 32nd minute of the match. Gundogan netted the ball straight into the goal through a penalty kick to give Germany 1-0 lead.
The four-time FIFA champions wasted no time and came out all guns blazing as they went deep inside the Japanese box in the second minute of the game and looked threatening from the beginning.
Daizen Maeda challenged German Antonio Rudiger to dribble the ball past him but the centre-back was alert and cut the Japanese’ run short.
Maeda was in the reckoning once again in the 8th minute as he made a brilliant run to get to the ball perfectly and score, only to be called off-side.
There was a constant struggle between the sides for possession. Japan also had the advantage for some time.
Germany came close to scoring in the 16th minute with a superb corner kick from Joshua Walter Kimmich that was headed just a few inches wide by Rudiger.
A free-kick was given to Germany as Thomas Muller was brought down by Takefusa Kubo in the 18th minute but the Germans failed to score off it.
Gundogan troubled the Japan team with his brilliant football skill as he managed to constantly find vacant spaces in the field.
The German finally scored via a penalty to give Germany a one-goal lead over Japan.
Japanese players seemed a bit demotivated after trailing and faltered with the ball, giving possession to the German players in the first half.
Germany almost took a 2-0 lead in the closing minutes of the first half after Kai Havertz found the back of the net but was called off-side.
The result of the match was similar to that on Tuesday when Saudi Arabia had shocked fancied Argentina 2-1.
Japan caused an upset much similar to the match between Saudi Arabia and Argentina on Tuesday.
Both Japan and Saudi Arabia came from behind to clinch famous victories against their fancied rivals. (ANI)
