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

USA by far the better team so far.

England can only get better.

Foden should be on soon.

England can get worse, Harry McGuire is still out there lol.

A draw will not be enough here for England imo. Wales will want to win.
 
That Mario Mandzukic goal broke English hearts, but Croatia is not a lower tiered team. They always punch above their weight.

I wouldn't say Croatia and England are at same level. England are slightly better. That was true in 2018 World Cup also.

Yeah. I remember Mario's goal. It was nice.
 
England can get worse, Harry McGuire is still out there lol.

A draw will not be enough here for England imo. Wales will want to win.

England's goal difference is great, so a draw here will be enough, even if they lose to Wales.
 
USA tired in the last 20 minutes but overall they should have won that match and were the better side.

England very poor, but they've got 4 points from 2 games.

All 4 teams in the group can still qualify.
 
Poor performance, obviously playing a tactically cautious game and conserving energy, but a useful result for England. They are guaranteed qualification unless they lose by four goals to Wales, which basically means they are guaranteed qualification lol.
 
Harry Maguire was England’s best player lol
 
Poor performance, obviously playing a tactically cautious game and conserving energy, but a useful result for England. They are guaranteed qualification unless they lose by four goals to Wales, which basically means they are guaranteed qualification lol.

Yeah. England should make it.

But, they probably would want to avoid finishing second. If they finish second, they may face the Dutch in Round of 16.
 
England laboured to a drab draw against the United States to miss the chance to seal qualification for the World Cup knockout stage.

Gareth Southgate's side were second best for long periods as they failed to match the energy and intensity of the USA, who have their own hopes of making the last 16.

England, with Harry Maguire outstanding in defence, were unimpressive and rode their luck when Weston McKennie missed an easy chance and Christian Pulisic struck the bar in the first half.

Mason Mount brought a fine save from USA goalkeeper Matt Turner just before the break but this was an undistinguished display that carried none of the attacking verve that saw the Three Lions thrash Iran in their opening game, and leaves them heading into their match against Wales with their fate undecided.

England remain firm favourites to qualify for the knockout stage, knowing they only need to avoid a four-goal defeat against Wales to progress.
 
England can get worse, Harry McGuire is still out there lol.

A draw will not be enough here for England imo. Wales will want to win.

Harry MacGuire : England :: KL Rahul : India ?

OR

Harry MacGuire : England :: Rishab Pant : India ?

Which would be a more accurate equivalent? :vk2
 
Today's results:

1.jpg

And how the groups concerned now look:

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Tomorrow's fixtures:

3.jpg
 
Honestly Mason Mount is such an overrated player. I never understood the hype with him, but because he is one of Southgate's favourites, he doesn't get dropped. Foden should have played ahead of him. Even Sterling shouldn't be in the team, but he is another one of Southgate's favourites.
 
Yeah. England should make it.

But, they probably would want to avoid finishing second. If they finish second, they may face the Dutch in Round of 16.

Dutch are nothing special, got overrun by Ecuador yesterday who looked a better team than them and should have won the game.

Seems like quite an open and unpredictable tournament. I’m enjoying it so far.
 
How bad England played, like a bottom half EPL team lucky they got a point
 
While all the talk about selection was James Maddison, who it appears is injured, Harvey Barnes was ignored for the likes of Mount and Gallagher. That's obviously a case of just selecting players from big clubs.

No doubt Ward-Prowse laments not being at a bigger club where mediocrity is rewarded.

Jack Harrison is English too
 
If that was England’s bad game in the tournament, it wasn’t that bad really. A point and a clean sheet against a decent team.

See what happens v Wales, doesn’t matter particularly, then it’s one of Netherlands / Ecuador / Senegal in the Round of 16, this will be the big game and all of these would be tricky opponents for different reasons.
 
Just like Croatia schooled England who'd laboured v Scotland, the first technically proficient team will beat us. Or the most streetwise like Italy.

Gareth's not the one, a kitten managing lions
 
If a disappointing exit is what it takes for the FA to conclude that they need a new head coach, then it’s probably worth it in the long run. Thomas Tuchel is a free agent and he is being strongly rumoured as Southgate’s successor; he would be a superb appointment, as would Pochettino — give one of them a four year contract and target a World Cup win in North America 2026.
 
2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar: Matchday & Tournament Thread

England feel disappointed by the draw against the USA. They didn´t put up a good game. The latter, though, did quite well to hold onto a draw.

Senegal are a decent team to be fair. Qatar might be hosts, but they are still very much a minnow team.

I was more or less seeing it from two factors: one being that they´re the home team and have good crowd support; the other being that, them being Asian champions, some of the other Asian teams have outperformed them, such as Saudi Arabia and Japan, and have effected massive upsets in the tournament, whereas Qatar lost to teams like Ecuador and Senegal. At least on papers perhaps, Qatar are supposed to do better than the aforementioned teams.
 
2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar: Matchday & Tournament Thread

England feel disappointed by the draw against the USA. They didn´t put up a good game. The latter, though, did quite well to hold onto a draw.

"England SHOULD feel disappointed.... ", I meant. Pardon the typo. :)
 
Socceroos fighting to stay in
Tunisia v Australia (10:00 GMT)

Australia's qualification campaign lasted more than 1,000 days and covered 10 countries, with 16 of their 20 matches taking place abroad due to Covid-19 restrictions at home.

Having made it to Qatar the long way round, the Socceroos are desperate to avoid an early exit.

Lose to Tunisia and they're following Qatar out of the door.
 
Argentina will be going home tonight. All the blister and Messi hysteria and he'll slump out early in yet another tournament.
 
Argentina will be going home tonight. All the blister and Messi hysteria and he'll slump out early in yet another tournament.

Think they hang on for another game — not sure that Mexico have the goals in them
 
Australia held on to a narrow first-half lead to pick up a crucial victory over Tunisia that keeps alive their hopes of qualifying for the World Cup last 16.

Knowing defeat would see them make an early exit from the competition, Graham Arnold's side came out of the blocks full of energy and intent.

Mitchell Duke took advantage of their positive start when he superbly flicked Craig Goodwin's cross into the far corner to put them 1-0 up after 23 minutes.

That sparked an outburst of jubilant celebration from the small contingent of Australia fans behind the goal, which momentarily silenced the hostile and unwavering support for Tunisia.

Hissed and jeered throughout by striking clusters of Tunisia fans draped in red at the Al Janoub Stadium, Australia held their nerve to claim their first victory at a World Cup since 2010.

They survived a desperate onslaught from Tunisia in the second half, with Youssef Msakni forcing goalkeeper Mathew Ryan into a save at his near post, though that came moments after Mathew Leckie had come inches away from connecting with Goodwin's cross at the other end.

Stoke City defender Harry Souttar put in a superb performance, making several key blocks and tackles as Australia dug in.

Australia, who suffered a humbling defeat by France in their opening match, will take on tough opponents Denmark next - but with qualification in their own hands.

BBC
 
2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar: Matchday & Tournament Thread

The last 15 minutes or so were thrilling to watch! Tunisia gave it a good attempt, but credit to Australia; they defended clinically each time. Again, it was a very good passage of play to watch towards the end of the game.
 
2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar: Matchday & Tournament Thread

A massive game later tonight for Messi`s Argentina, and then for Germany tomorrow night. Two steps wrong, and two big teams in tournament go home. Exciting times ahead of us.
 
Tunisia looked the better team. 5 live commentary fawning over Australia, especially teh American. Nauseating
 
Missed another chance Saudi , they feel under pressure or something
 
2-0 to Poland. A smash and grab performance.

Saudi have had a lot of possession and have created numerous chances, but they have been so wasteful with their opportunities in this game.
 
2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar: Matchday & Tournament Thread

It was a fiery match. The score-line doesn't quite reflect how close it ran. Saudi Arabia made stupid mistakes, missed a penalty, and weren't able to make much out of their chances.

The Polish goal-keeper stopped the penalty and then recovered quickly, stood up, and made another save immediately within the space of hardly a second. Can't remember having seen a better performance than that by a goal-keeper in a single passage of play. Amazing! Played a huge role in the win.
 
<b>Robert Lewandowski scored his first World Cup goal as Poland earned a crucial 2-0 victory over Saudi Arabia that leaves Group C wide open.</b>

The Barcelona striker capitalised on an error by Saudi Arabia midfielder Abdelulelah Al Malki before sending a composed finish past onrushing goalkeeper Mohammed Al Owais.

Lewandowski was visibly emotional after ending a run of four World Cup games without finding the net.

Piotr Zielinski had given Poland a first-half lead from Lewandowski's cutback, but Saudi Arabia were awarded a penalty five minutes later for Krystian Bielik's foul on Saleh Al Shehri.

Wojciech Szczesny kept out Feras Al Brikan's effort before producing a sensational one-handed stop to prevent Mohammed Al Burayk from burying the rebound.

Saud Abdulhamid was denied by Sczcesny and Al Brikan shot over the bar in the second half, while Arkadiusz Milik and Lewandowski were both denied by the woodwork as Poland sought to double their lead on the counter-attack.

Lewandowski's late strike ended Saudi Arabia's hopes of building on Tuesday's remarkable victory over Argentina and boosts Poland's hopes of reaching the last 16 for the first time since 1986, when they were beaten 4-0 by Brazil in the first knockout round.

Czeslaw Michniewicz's team play Argentina in their final Group C game on Wednesday, while Saudi Arabia face Mexico at the same time.
 
Massive game tonight Messi to become Maradona yes it will be
ARG 2-1 Mex

Still this Argentina side is inferior to their predecessors
Back in 90s Batistuta Ortega Caniggia then Crespo Cruz Veron Aaimar Riquelme then Tevez Higuain Lavezzi
 
HALF-TIME
France 0-0 Denmark

The half-time whistle goes. France have had chances but haven't fully got going yet.
 
Argentina has almost always beaten Mexico and Nigeria when they played in the world cups But I predict mexico to nick this one
 
Saudis played so well, loads of energy but lacked the biggest quality on a football pitch, putting the ball in the back of the net. Still have a decent chance of going through.

France 1-0, will be first team to qualify if they hold on and win.
 
Good game between France and Denmark, seem quite closely matched.

Just as they were against Australia, France are dynamite going forward and create loads of chances but they do look vulnerable at the back.
 
Argentina has almost always beaten Mexico and Nigeria when they played in the world cups But I predict mexico to nick this one

I think Argentina will be under a lot of pressure here after their recent loss, for me they will nick the win but it will be nervy.
 
Mbappe puts France 2-1 up with another sneaky and brilliant goal. He’s a proper player.
 
Mbappe is on a different level.

Best in the world at the moment?

France the 1st team to qualify for the knockout stage.
 
FULL-TIME
France 2-1 Denmark

It's all over. France are the first team to reach the knockout stages of the 2022 World Cup.
 
What a great match that was. France looks extremely strong. Will take something exceptional to stop them.
 
FULL-TIME
France 2-1 Denmark

It's all over. France are the first team to reach the knockout stages of the 2022 World Cup.

Kylian Mbappe scored twice for France as the defending champions laid down a marker by beating Denmark to become the first team into the World Cup knockout stage.

The 23-year-old forward, France's youngest scorer in the competition, stole the show once again by netting twice in the second half to take his side through.

Mbappe had earlier blazed over from 12 yards and forced Kasper Schmeichel into a save with a rising shot in the second half.

But the Paris St-Germain star broke the deadlock just past the hour mark, exchanging a fine one-two with Theo Hernandez before stroking in.

Denmark equalised just seven minutes later with their first effort on target as defender Andreas Christensen headed home at the far post after France failed to clear a corner.

Christensen, though, may have counted himself lucky to still be on the pitch at that point after receiving only a yellow card on 20 minutes for dragging back Mbappe, who was looking to run clear.

France keeper Hugo Lloris made a sharp stop to deny Tottenham team-mate Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg's first-time shot and Martin Braithwaite agonisingly fired into the side netting.

With four minutes left, Mbappe had the final say, sneaking in at the far post to convert Antoine Griezmann's cross.

BBC
 
If Argentina lose today, they are eliminated. But, I think they should win or at least draw it.

If Argentina win, they are in a good position to top the group (after KSA's loss to Poland).
 
No chances in the first 40 minutes at all. Mexico have got their tactics spot on so far, playing a hard physical game against Argentina who couldn’t handle the crunching tackles and 50-50s against Saudi Arabia & they are struggling with the same again here, backing off and rolling around on the floor. The way it’s going I can’t see many goals in this tight and congested game, maybe 1 or 2.
 
This Argentina team look a pale shadow of some of their great teams of yesteryear.

Messi seems to be walking around thinking, who the hell picked some of these players.
 
Very cagey half.

This is the problem when a team loses the first group game. Creates so much nervousness and pressure for the rest of the round.
 
2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar: Matchday & Tournament Thread

The third match of the day was a seriously good and exciting one. One of best matches of the tournament! Well done, France! Mbappe is the man! Too hot to handle for Denmark, even though they did fight hard in the game.
 
Argentina haven't been able to string 2 passes together in the first half.

No pace, no creativity, nothing.
 
Argentina really struggling here, they need a quick set piece or a moment of magic otherwise there will be no way through this Mexican defence.
 
The magician once again showing why he is a legend.

Superb and much needed goal for Argentina.
 
Messi doesn't have the character or sheer tour de force that Maradona did. Good goal but needs to keep producing
 
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