We're already into the second set of Group Stage fixtures, with England and Wales amongst the sides in action on Friday.
An Unwanted Record for the Hosts
Qatar became the first nation to be eliminated from the 2022 World Cup following a 3-1 defeat to Senegal.
Boulaye Dia was first on the scoresheet for Senegal after a poor attempt at a clearance from Boualem Khoukhi, 41 minutes into a first half in which Ismaïla Sarr and Idrissa Gueye had also had chances. And the African Champions’ lead was doubled just three minutes after the break, Famara Diédhiou scoring a brilliant header.
Having had a penalty appeal ignored in the first half, Qatar were still looking for their first ever World Cup goal. Chelsea’s Edouard Mendy made two great saves to keep out attempts from Almoez Ali and Ismail Mohamad, but the historic moment eventually came, Mohammed Muntari scoring a thumping header from Mohammad’s cross.
However, any hopes Qatar had of a late comeback were crushed with six minutes to play, when Bamba Dieng added a third with an crisp finish from eleven yards out. This makes them only the second host nation to fail to make it out of the Group Stage, after South Africa in 2010, and the quickest side to be eliminated from the World Cup in its 92 year history.
Later in the day was the other Group A fixture, the two sides who made winning starts facing off. Coady Gakpo gave the Netherlands the lead with the quickest goal of the tournament, scored after just five minutes and four seconds, but that was as good as it got for the Oranje.
Brighton left back Pervis Estupiñán found the goal from 20 yards, but the strike didn’t count as it deflected in off his teammate Jackson Porozo, who was offside, on its way in.
Ecuador would find their equaliser not long after the break, after Estupiñán’s shot was saved by Andries Noppert and who else but captain Enner Valencia poked in his third of the tournament from about three yards out.
Ecuador peppered the goal of a rattled Dutch side with more and more shots as the second half went on and probably the European side couldn’t really have complained had they lost.
The results mean that Qatar are out, with their final opponents the Netherlands and Ecuador on four points, whilst Senegal have three. Senegal will need to win their final group match to progress unless Qatar can win by at least a couple of goals.
Disappointment for the Home Nations
Wales’ hopes of reaching the knockout rounds of their first World Cup in 64 years are hanging by a thread after two late Iranian goals condemned them to a just, but heart-breaking defeat. Iran had been all over Wales for much of the game, and Cymru’s task of keeping them at bay became even harder in the 86th minute, Wayne Hennessey becoming only the third goalkeeper to be sent off in a World Cup match after clattering into Medhi Taremi, despite only being shown a yellow before a VAR review.
The atmosphere in the stadium was tense prior to kick off, as Iran did sing their National Anthem, prompting boos and tears in the crowd, whilst clothing and signs displaying messages of protest against the regime in the country were confiscated.
The two goals were no less than Iran deserved, even if they did leave it until late. Cheshmi scored the first from twenty yards out, after Joe Allen’s poor clearance landed at his feet. Despite it coming in the 98th minute, Iran found time for a second, Taremi leading a counter attack and squaring the ball to Ramin Rezaeian who finished the move off.
There was also disappointment for England fans in the last of the day’s four games, as the Three Lions were held to a goalless draw by the United States.
England were outperformed by a young American side, who played with an impressive intensity. The Three Lions were fortunate when Weston McKennie blasted the ball over from around eight yards and later in the first half when Christian Pulisic hit the bar, whilst lacking any real creativity themselves.
As has often been the case when England have struggled in game, it took Gareth Southgate too long to change things. The introductions of Jordan Henderson and Jack Grealish with 20 minutes to go, and later Marcus Rashford helped a little, but Phil Foden, a key part of Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City side, was left on the bench, leaving many baffled.
Frankly, the only England player who covered themselves in any sort of glory was Harry Maguire, whose selection has been much debated given he has only started once in the Premier League for Manchester United this season. The Red Devils’ captain was defensively solid and imperious in the air, heading away many U.S corners, whilst also being a threat when attacking set pieces.
Even though most England supporters are disappointed with the result, Gareth Southgate not so much, describing it as a “hard earned”. And the USA do deserve much credit, Christian Pulisic was impressive, showing just what he can do, something he rarely gets a chance to do for Chelsea where he is a bit-part player rather than the star man. In fact, the young squad displayed many encouraging signs if we are to look ahead to 2026 when they will be one of the host nations.
England had the opportunity to secure qualification for the last sixteen, and will now have to wait until they face Wales on Tuesday, although they are still in pole position. England have four points in Group B, and will progress as long as they avoid a defeat by four or more goals against Wales. Iran have three points, and the USA two, so a win for either side in their match up would see them through, whilst a draw would be enough for Iran if England were to be victorious.
Wales will need to win. A one goal margin of victory would be enough to finish second, behind England, should Iran versus the USA finish level, otherwise Bale and co will need to do so by that four goal margin or more, in which case they’d eliminate England.
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