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Argentina defeat France 4-2 on penalties after a 3-3 draw to win the 2022 FIFA World Cup

topspin said:
Also that Qatari goalkeeper is the worst goalie I've ever seen in a World Cup.

Arabs need to learn - Don't host sports events if you're gonna embarrass yourself to the world.
Click to expand...

He made one good save.

I think he was nervous in the beginning but got better as game went on.
 
In the FIFA World Cup's 92-year history, the World Cup hosts have never lost the opening game... until now.
 
Ecuador win.

I think Qatar did okay overall considering this was their first World Cup game ever. They didn't get demolished.

They need to play better against Senegal though.
 
Ecuador were managing the game and conserving energy in the second half, understandably.

A slightly improved Qatar performance along with this prevented the scoreline today from becoming totally embarrassing.
 
Anyone recommend another broadcaster than BBC available in the UK?

I cannot stand the dull commentary and virtue signalling.
 
Technics 1210 said:
Anyone recommend another broadcaster than BBC available in the UK?

I cannot stand the dull commentary and virtue signalling.
Click to expand...

BBC and ITV have exclusive broadcasting rights in the UK for major football tournaments.
 
There were plenty of Qatari women in the crowd.
 
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Qatar looked like crap. Ecuador is a terrible team. It is there first World Cup. The typical atmosphere was missing. Maybe it’s because two mediocre teams playing. Let’s see what happens tomorrow. Go iran !!
 
Hosts Qatar opened the 2022 Fifa World Cup in calamitous fashion, easily beaten by Ecuador in a humbling defeat at Al Bayt.

Felix Sanchez's men have been together in camp for the last six months to prepare for the tournament and work on tactics, but a nervous and disjointed performance led to a Group A loss.

With Africa Cup of Nations champions Senegal and three-time finalists the Netherlands to come, this looked like Qatar's easiest game on paper but they totally outplayed.

A dramatic opening to the contest saw Enner Valencia's header from close range ruled out for offside by the video assistant referee, but the South Americans did break the deadlock shortly after.

Qatar's erratic goalkeeper Saad Al Sheeb brought Valencia down in the box and the ex-West Ham forward stepped up to convert the spot-kick.

It got worse for the hosts as Valencia powered in another header before half-time to leave the Al Bayt Stadium silenced at the break.

Many supporters who had left the stadium at the interval did not return, leaving the ground around half empty for much of the second period.

It contributed to a flat atmosphere both off and on the pitch, with Romario Ibarra's curling shot being pushed out by Al-Sheeb.

Star men Almoez Ali and captain Hassan Al Haydos were both substituted with 20 minutes remaining, and the side were unable to muster a shot on target.

After the controversies and conjecture, a football was finally kicked in the Qatar World Cup, 12 years on from being named as hosts.

A day that began with real excitement with the opening ceremony, Qatar's dream turned into a nightmare as they became the first hosts in the competition's history to lose their opening game.

The Asian champions, a tournament they won back in 2019, offered no threat in the final third and were unable to test Ecuador goalkeeper Hernan Galindez once.

South Africa have been the only hosts not to make it out of the group in 2010, but Qatar could follow as the second with two difficult games left to play.

Ecuador, meanwhile, have set themselves up in a superb position to progress, extending their excellent recent form to one defeat in 16 games and keeping a clean sheet in their last seven.

They were clearly the better side and had the ball in the back of the net after 160 seconds, but Valencia's close range header was ruled for offside by VAR.

There was confusion as to why the goal did not stand, but Felix Torres' initial challenge with the goalkeeper fell to Michael Estrada in an offside position.

Ecuador were all over Qatar, whose goalkeeper Al Sheeb was particularly shaky and he brought down Valencia, who coolly rolled in the penalty.

Qatar barely had a sniff and their first shot came in anger when defender Abdelkarim Hassan strode forward but his effort from range was blazed wildly over.

Star man Ali, who scored nine goals in the Asian Cup triumph, struggled to get into the game and headed wide, while Pedro Miguel headed did the same in the second half.

With much of the crowd already leaving to go home, Akram Afif and substitute Mohammed Muntari both smashed over to bring to an end a disappointing opening evening for Qatar.
 
Three games tomorrow. Then four games per day from Tuesday :D

Will be footballed out!
 
SalimBhai said:
Qatar looked like crap. Ecuador is a terrible team. It is there first World Cup. The typical atmosphere was missing. Maybe it’s because two mediocre teams playing. Let’s see what happens tomorrow. Go iran !!
Click to expand...

Ecuador are better than "terrible". They held their own against the Giants of South America, Brazil.
 
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Ecuador aren't a bad team. They are a strong mid-tier team. They can challenge the top teams.
 
Ecuador is rated number 46 in the world. There are 32 teams in the tournament
 
SalimBhai said:
So I would consider them bottom tier team for the tournament.
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SalimBhai said:
Ecuador is rated number 46 in the world. There are 32 teams in the tournament
Click to expand...

If you watch football regularly, you would know rankings don't mean much. Check Italy's ranking. They are not even playing in this World Cup.

46 out of 200+ is pretty good. Mid-tier, as I said.

Bottom tier teams would be Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Canada, Costa Rica etc.
 
Saj said:
In the FIFA World Cup's 92-year history, the World Cup hosts have never lost the opening game... until now.
Click to expand...

The Western media is doing a lot of propaganda over this. It doesn't mean anything.

Until the 2006 World Cup, the host nation never played the opening match of the World Cup. Germany (2006) was the first host nation to play the opening World Cup match.

From 1930 to 1970, opening fixtures were decided randomly. From 1974 to 2002, the defending champions would play the opening game.

The 2006 World Cup was the first one where this tradition started, and it is not surprising that the host nation did not lose until today considering they were facing much weaker opponents.

2006: Germany v Costa Rica
2010: South Africa v Mexico
2014: Brazil v Croatia
2018: Russia v Saudi Arabia

The only surprising result was in 2010 when South Africa drew with Mexico, who were a much stronger team.

This is the 22nd World Cup. If host nations were playing the opening match since the first edition, there is no possible way this record would have lasted until 2022. The host nation losing the opening game is something completely normal and it will happen numerous times in the future if this tradition continues.

Whilst this statement is factually correct, it is embarrassing how the western media is trying to mislead the misinformed audience by making it seem like Qatar did something that has never been done in history. It doesn't mean anything when this "history" only started 16 years ago.
 
Qatar looked better in the second half when they attacked a bit more. In the first half they were all over the place and very negative.

There was a gulf in class between the 2 teams but Qatar will be disappointed with that performance today.
 
3 games tomorrow:

England vs Iran
USA vs Wales
Netherlands vs Senegal

USA and Netherlands should win. England-Iran may turn out to be a draw. Let's see.
 
Mamoon said:
The Western media is doing a lot of propaganda over this. It doesn't mean anything.

Until the 2006 World Cup, the host nation never played the opening match of the World Cup. Germany (2006) was the first host nation to play the opening World Cup match.

From 1930 to 1970, opening fixtures were decided randomly. From 1974 to 2002, the defending champions would play the opening game.

The 2006 World Cup was the first one where this tradition started, and it is not surprising that the host nation did not lose until today considering they were facing much weaker opponents.

2006: Germany v Costa Rica
2010: South Africa v Mexico
2014: Brazil v Croatia
2018: Russia v Saudi Arabia

The only surprising result was in 2010 when South Africa drew with Mexico, who were a much stronger team.

This is the 22nd World Cup. If host nations were playing the opening match since the first edition, there is no possible way this record would have lasted until 2022. The host nation losing the opening game is something completely normal and it will happen numerous times in the future if this tradition continues.

Whilst this statement is factually correct, it is embarrassing how the western media is trying to mislead the misinformed audience by making it seem like Qatar did something that has never been done in history. It doesn't mean anything when this "history" only started 16 years ago.
Click to expand...

Very good post.
 
sweep_shot said:
3 games tomorrow:

England vs Iran
USA vs Wales
Netherlands vs Senegal

USA and Netherlands should win. England-Iran may turn out to be a draw. Let's see.
Click to expand...

All games look quite unpredictable in my opinion. This is what makes the World Cup so good! :)
 
Qatar did ok, their fans were dumb to leave at half time though. Thats not what you do when you are the hosts
 
World Cup 2022: England and Wales braced for tournament openers

For England, it's been a four-year wait. For Wales, it's been a little longer. Sixty years longer, in fact.

The 2022 World Cup's opening day featured just one match - Ecuador's low-key win over hosts Qatar - but the action will be cranked up on Monday when Group B rivals England and Wales begin their respective campaigns.

The Three Lions, who face Iran (13:00 GMT on BBC One and iPlayer), have been desperate for another crack at football's biggest prize since falling at the semi-final stage in Russia four years ago.

But when the Wales players walk out on to the pitch at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium to face the United States (19:00), it will be the realisation of a 64-year dream.

Simply put, it's set to be a massive day for both nations.

Southgate wants to take England fans on another journey

The World Cup has the power to bring a country to a standstill.

On Monday, extended lunch breaks are sure to be taken. Office televisions are likely to have the football on. And yes, some schoolchildren may be lucky enough to watch the match between lessons.

Nobody will want to miss England's opener against Iran.

While Gareth Southgate's team attracted criticism after being relegated in the Nations League, England have captured the country's imagination in their last two tournaments.

After finishing fourth at the 2018 World Cup, they came agonisingly close at last summer's European Championship, losing to Italy on penalties in the final at Wembley.

"We have taken our supporters on a fantastic journey over the last few years," said Southgate.

Now, Southgate and his players want to take England fans on another journey as they bid to end 56 years of hurt in the World Cup.

"Our country is going through a difficult time as we speak," Southgate added. "Life has been difficult for our people - we are going through an economic recession - and we want a journey that brings them real happiness."

'As long as we give 100% our country will love us for that'

When Wales were knocked out of the 1958 World Cup quarter-finals by a 17-year-old Pele and eventual winners Brazil, few would have predicted it would take them 64 years to grace football's biggest stage for the second time.

An estimated 3,000 Wales fans have travelled to Qatar. Those who couldn't make it will have to create the atmosphere in living rooms and pubs up and down the country on Monday evening.

Yes, World Cup fever has gripped Wales - and captain Gareth Bale can feel it.

"Schools are going to stop to watch our games [Wales' second group match, against Iran, kicks off at 10:00 GMT]. It's one of those moments which is a massive piece of history, something we have wanted," said Bale, who also captained Wales at Euro 2020.

"We have the support of the nation back home, no matter what happens. As long as we give 100% our country will love us for that."

Bale, who said his first memory of the World Cup was France '98, added: "Most importantly, the best thing was to grow football in Wales and inspire another generation, to get more kids playing football.

"By doing that, we'll hopefully have a stronger national team in the future and, hopefully, someone will be sitting here in 20 years saying we have inspired them."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/63697402
 
SalimBhai said:
Rankings don’t mean much. But by watching you can tell they suck.
Click to expand...

By watching Ecuador you can tell they are very good team. They have a lot of great young players too. In the Conmebol world cup qualifying they finished 3rd, above Uruguay, Peru and Colombia, which is very tough to achieve, and last time played Argentina and Brazil they drew with them, which most teams aren't able to do.

Since Sadio Mane is ruled out now, its definitely possible for Ecuador to make the round of 16 ahead of Senegal now (But I still think Senegal will make it).
 
LongHorn said:
Qatar did ok, their fans were dumb to leave at half time though. Thats not what you do when you are the hosts
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Clearly Qatar have had some success locally, but last night was an event match and it felt like “the beginning” for football in Qatar on the world stage.

I am sure that the fans will learn from the experience. Not only to stay at half time if your team is losing, but to cheer them on and make some noise in the second half & it might just help and encourage the players to get back into the game.

In the first half, the Qatar players seemed a bit overwhelmed by the long buildup and the huge occasion, but in the second half they were able to manage their nerves better and settle down. Hopefully they do better in the second match.
 
2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar: Matchday & Tournament Thread

One good thing which Ecuador did by winning the opening encounter by 2-0 was to give me whole three points in the predictions competition. :D
 
2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar: Matchday & Tournament Thread

I missed the second half, by the way, as I had a wedding to attend. Up until that time, Qatar never really looked in the game.
 
Saka starts for England

England v Iran (13:00 GMT)

Bukayo Saka is handed his first-ever World Cup start as England boss Gareth Southgate names his team for their opener against Iran.

The Arsenal man gets the nod thanks to his excellent club form, and starts ahead of Phil Foden. Harry Maguire starts with England appearing to be lining up with a back four.

As expected, Kyle Walker and James Maddison are not fit enough to be involved.

England XI: Pickford, Stones, Maguire, Trippier, Rice, Bellingham, Mount, Shaw, Saka, Kane, Sterling

Iran XI: Beiranvand, Moharrami, Hajsafi, Mohammadi, Jahanbakhsh, Pouraliganji, Taremi, Cheshmi, Karimi,Hosseini, Nourollahi
 
Want Iran to beat both UK and US as a thappar to the face for breaking the nuclear deal despite being in full compliance.

However Carlos Queiroz has always been a fairly defensive coach.
 
GOAL!! England 1-0 Iran

Jude Bellingham scores England's opening goal at the World Cup in the 35th minute with a superb header
 
Asian football is so bad right now. Outside of Japan there is hardly any decent team. SK are avg as well
 
Easy for England.

USA and Wales will be far tougher games.
 
James said:
Easy for England.

USA and Wales will be far tougher games.
Click to expand...

It's one of the easier groups to be honest. I wouldn't expect too much trouble in either game, although both teams will fight hard. England struggle more against the elite teams like Brazil or France. That's when their limitations get exposed.
 
This is superb from England, yes verses a minnow team, but I am liking the fact than England are playing well given the heat.

Promising start!
 
sweep_shot said:
If you watch football regularly, you would know rankings don't mean much. Check Italy's ranking. They are not even playing in this World Cup.

46 out of 200+ is pretty good. Mid-tier, as I said.

Bottom tier teams would be Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Canada, Costa Rica etc.
Click to expand...

I would say Mexico is bottom tier too then, they lost to Canada in WC qualifiers.
 
2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar: Matchday & Tournament Thread

A real hammering for Iran here. Poor guys.....
 
RESULT: England 6-2 Iran - Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka (2), Raheem Sterling and substitute Marcus Rashford put England in control.

Iran reduce deficit in second half before being awarded penalty by VAR

Iran keeper Beiranvand taken off after head injury in first half
 
Hundreds of fans missed the start of England's opening match against Iran at the World Cup due to an issue with Fifa's ticketing app.

The match at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha was the second of the tournament.

And at kick off at 13:00 GMT on Monday some fans were stuck outside with Fifa saying there were issues with the app.

There were large queues at ticketing centres around the stadium as fans attempted to gain access.

England took the knee before kick-off and England captain Harry Kane wore Fifa's No Discrimination armband, after the football associations of seven European nations chose not to wear the OneLove armband because of the threat of players being booked.

The Iran national anthem was widely jeered in the stadium, with the country's players refusing to sing.

Human rights activists have said more than 400 anti-government protesters have been killed in Iran and 16,800 others arrested in a crackdown by security forces in recent months.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/63704491
 
Wales v USA might actually be an entertaining match for once
 
Holland vs Senegal the stadium is more than half empty. Shocker. I have never seen an empty stadium at world cups.
 
'Wasteful from the Dutch'
HT: Senegal 0-0 Netherlands

Chris Sutton

Former England striker Chris Sutton on BBC Radio 5 Live

Netherlands have had the better of the opportunities. Cody Gakpo early on, should have taken on a shot himself. He tried to square it to Steven Bergwijn and missed the pass, big chance gone. Frenkie de Jong has been a great watch, he had a one on one situation. He dallied, he took too long. Chance gone.

Interesting one this. Senegal have shown enough but nothing really clear cut. You feel that they're going to threaten the Dutch goal in the second half, more than they did in the first half but the Dutch have been wasteful.
 
Netherlands are particularly odd to watch in the box. They put together some very effective attacks but then don’t know how to finish the chances they’ve created it seems.
 
James said:
Netherlands are particularly odd to watch in the box. They put together some very effective attacks but then don’t know how to finish the chances they’ve created it seems.
Click to expand...

Exactly from Bergkamp to Kluivert to v.Nistelrooy to V.Persie to Robben to Kuyt , Dutch lacking a finisher
 
JaDed said:
I would say Mexico is bottom tier too then, they lost to Canada in WC qualifiers.
Click to expand...

You have demonstrated you don't watch much football with this comment.

Canada is having a good run but that doesn't mean they are better than Mexico.
 
Two late goals from the Netherlands sealed a crucial victory in their World Cup opener against Senegal in Group A.

PSV Eindhoven forward Cody Gakpo beat Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy to the ball when it was chipped in by Frenkie de Jong to nod the Dutch in front with six minutes remaining.

Substitute Davy Klaasen then pounced on a rebound from Memphis Depay's shot to add a second deep into stoppage-time to confirm the success.

Gakpo whirled away in celebration in front of the Senegal fans behind the goal as the Dutch supporters, together in a sea of orange at the other end of the Al Thumama Stadium, rose to their feet.

The Dutch supporters were already chanting their team's name as they knew victory was near before Klaasen made sure with seconds remaining.

Senegal, who had threatened throughout the match, came close to equalising before Davy's goal when Papa Gueye fired it towards the bottom left corner moments but Dutch goalkeeper Andries Noppert got his fingertips to it.

It was a match which had teased a goal for long periods but both sides lacked ruthlessness. Netherlands boss Louis van Gaal even risked the fitness of Depay to bring him on as a second-half substitute in the hope of finding a way through.

The risk paid off as the Netherlands secured a vital three points in a game many believe could decide the winners of Group A.

They now sit joint-top in the group with Ecuador, who beat hosts Qatar 2-0 on Sunday evening.

Senegal, without injured key forward Sadio Mane during the competition, looked like a side missing their main attacking threat but can take confidence from the number of times they troubled the Dutch defence.
 
Iran goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand playing on after a clash of heads at the World Cup is "unacceptable", says ex-England midfielder Jermaine Jenas.

Beiranvand received treatment on the pitch for about 10 minutes before trying to play on during Iran's opening group match against England.

The 30-year-old was eventually taken off on a stretcher and replaced.

"I don't see how him carrying on is right. I think it's a joke," said Jenas on BBC One's World Cup coverage.

"It's 2022 and we are having so many discussions about concussion protocols. That's why these protocols are in place. This is not OK."

Beiranvand received medical treatment after clashing heads with his own defender in the penalty box, before appearing to tell Iran's medical team he wanted to play on.

However, he looked visibly dazed and had a bloodied nose, and eventually signalled that he needed to come off.

"Beiranvand shouldn't be on the pitch now. It's almost as if he's been forced to carry on here," said Jenas.

"It's just really unacceptable. It doesn't matter how important Beiranvand is to [Iran manager] Carlos Queiroz."

England defender Harry Maguire was quickly taken off after being assessed for concussion in the second half when the Three Lions were 4-1 up.

Hundreds of fans miss start of England-Iran gam
 
Serious grind of a result from Netherlands.

Got the job done.

They’ll get better.
 
2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar: Matchday & Tournament Thread

Senegal fought really hard, but the better team prevailed in the end. It was a good game to watch and was quite a contest until that 84th minute, of course.
 
In the 3 or 4 times Iran have played WC since 1998 they have never conceded more than 2 goals in a game. So it is a seriously good result for England.
Half the Iranian team held Portugal to a draw and went inch and inch with Spain in the last world cup
 
LongHorn said:
In the 3 or 4 times Iran have played WC since 1998 they have never conceded more than 2 goals in a game. So it is a seriously good result for England.
Half the Iranian team held Portugal to a draw and went inch and inch with Spain in the last world cup
Click to expand...

I was surprised to learn about how highly Iran are placed in the world rankings.
 
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