football
France suffer shock 1-0 defeat against Tunisia
Tunisia may not play in the Round of 16, but they will go home on a high note after upsetting World Cup Champions France 1-0 and finishing third in the Group D points table of the FIFA World Cup 2022. Australia finished second in the group and secured a place in the knockout round.
World Cup 2022: France vs Tunisia Match Report
France secured their place in the Round of 16 after beating Denmark 2-1 in their second match of the group. The match against Tunisia was therefore just a formality for the French side. But for coach Didier Deschamps, it was a good opportunity to test his squad's strength, which he did by dropping some of his star players from the starting XI.
Read More: Australia upset Denmark to march to World Cup last 16
Tunisia, on the other hand, had a different equation. They had a realistic opportunity to advance to the Round of 16. But both sides played cautiously in the first half, but France dominated possession.
The match actually opened up when Wahbi Khazri scored for Tunisia in the 58th minute, forcing Didier Deschamps, the French coach, to make some immediate changes. He deployed Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, William Saliba, and Adrien Rabiot to enforce the France attacking line-up. Later, Antoine Griezmann was also brought in.
France started to attack more after those changes, while Tunisia tried to put pressure on the French defense through counterattacks. However, despite getting close on a number of occasions, France failed to find the net in the match and conceded a disappointing loss to the African side. Though Antoine Griezmann did score in the final minute of the match, that one was later disallowed due to offside.
Read More: Special record that Messi can break if he plays in FIFA World Cup 2022 final
Aftermath
Tunisia fought hard throughout the game, eventually defeating reigning champions France 1-0. This was undoubtedly Tunisia's greatest victory. On the other hand, losing this contest was disappointing for the French side, especially before their Round of 16 fixture at the Qatar World Cup 2022.
Messi, Lewandowski to square off as Argentina face Poland
Two of the best players on the planet go head-to-head when Lionel Messi of Argentina and Robert Lewandowski of Poland meet with World Cup implications in what is likely Messi's final attempt to win the tournament.
That match is part of an intense Wednesday at the World Cup: Mexico could be eliminated from the group stage for the first time since 1978 and Saudi Arabi has a chance to advance after its opening-game upset over Argentina.
But the spectacle will be at Stadium 974 in Doha, where Messi and Lewandowski square off.
Poland leads the group and a draw is enough to advance to the round of 16. But after the shocking loss to Saudi Arabia in its opening match, Argentina is only guaranteed to advance with a victory. A draw could get Argentina into the next round depending on the other result.
A loss? Well, that would mean elimination and humiliation. Messi is playing in his record-tying fifth World Cup and, at 35 years old, he's unlikely to play in a sixth.
He knows it, too, and the devoted Argentina fanbase shed tears after Messi scored the crucial second-half goal to seal a 2-0 win over Mexico last week. Argentina has not been eliminated from the group stage since 2002.
Read more: Goalless Mexico on brink of World Cup elimination
“I think when the groups were drawn and we were put together, the whole world has been waiting for this match," Poland coach Czeslaw Michniewicz said.
Poland is trying to advance out of the group stage for the first time since 1986, and the Poles last went unbeaten in all three first round games in 1982 en route to the semifinals. Lewandowski failed to convert a penalty in a 0-0 draw with Mexico, but he scored his first career World Cup goal in a 2-0 win over Saudi Arabia.
Messi and Lewandowski have never before played each other at the international level, but have gone head-to-head three times at the club level in the Champions League. Messi scored twice for Barcelona in a 2015 win and Lewandowski scored once each for Bayern Munich in victories over Barcelona in 2015 and 2020.
Michniewicz said the match is much bigger than two players and it will be team effort, not Messi or Lewandowski, that decides the game.
“It’s not Messi versus Lewandowski. It’s not tennis, it’s not 1-on-1. They are not serving to each other," the Poland coach said. “Robert needs his teammates, like Leo does. They rely on their teammates, they can’t do this alone, although these individual players can do a lot themselves.”
MEXICO-SAUDI ARABIA
Mexico came to the World Cup with goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa desperate to advance past the round of 16 and play in an elusive “quinto partido” — a fifth game.
If Mexico doesn't make something happen against Saudi Arabia, there might not even be a “cuarto partido.”
El Tri hasn't advanced to the quarterfinals since Mexico hosted the 1986 tournament, but the team is now on the verge of elimination in group play. A loss to Saudi Arabia would end Mexico’s bid for an eighth straight trip to the World Cup’s knockout rounds.
The last time Mexico played at soccer’s biggest tournament and didn’t advance out of its group was in 1978.
But Mexico needs to do more than just win. Even with a victory, Mexico needs Poland to beat Argentina, and maybe even goal difference will determine Mexico's fate.
Read more: FIFA World Cup 2022: Messi leads Argentina to 2-0 win over Mexico
One problem: Mexico has yet to score any goals in Qatar. El Tri hasn’t scored in 384 straight minutes at the World Cup, dating back to their second group match at the 2018 tournament in Russia.
“In the next game we have no more chances,” Mexico forward Henry Martin said. “We have to score the goals that we can, and not worry what happens in the other game.”
Saudi Arabia pulled off one of the tournament’s biggest upsets ever when it beat Argentina 2-1 in its opener. The team reached the knockout stage in 1994 in its World Cup debut but hasn’t made it past the group stage since.
Saudi Arabia can advance with a win. A draw would also be enough if Poland beats Argentina.
“We will play to the last second of this tournament and we will not give up,” Saudi Arabia coach Herve Renard said.
Women's football: Bashundhara Kings hammer Dhaka Rangers 12-0
Bashundhara Kings thumped Dhaka Rangers 12-0 in the fourth-round match of the Bashundhara Group Women's Football League 2021-22 at the Birshrestha Shaheed Mostafa Kamal Stadium in the capital's Kamalapur Wednesday.
Siraj Jahan Swopna made a hat-trick with four goals; Sabina Khatun netted the second hat-trick with three goals. Ritu Porna Chakma, Maria Manda, Marzia, Shamsun Nahar Jr and Sumaiya scored one goal each for the Kings.
Read more: Round-4 matches of Women's Football League begins Wednesday
In the day's other match, Ataur Rahman Bhuiyan College earned a 3-1 victory over Barisal Football Academy at the same venue Wednesday afternoon.
Aklima, Mahfuza and Unnoti scored one goal each for the winners while Sajeda Khatun pulled one back for Barisal Football Academy.
In the day's other league match, Suddopuskorini JSC defeated FC Brahmanbaria 3-1 at the same venue.
Nasrin scored two and Kakoli netted one for the winners while Sagorika pulled one back for Brahmanbaria.
Read more: Women's football: Bashundhara Kings, Ataur Rahman Bhuiyan College earn comfortable wins
In the remaining fourth-round matches Thursday, Nasrin Sports Academy will face Cumilla United Club at 1pm. Uttara Football Club will play Jamalpur Karcharipara Akadash at 3pm and Siraj Smriti Sangsad will face Farashganj Sporting Club at 5pm.
All the matches will be played at the Birshrestha Shaheed Mostafa Kamal Stadium.
Rainbow items allowed at World Cup stadiums: FIFA
One day after Iran and Wales were eliminated at the World Cup, FIFA finally gave a public assurance Wednesday that rainbow items and banners supporting protests in Iran will be allowed into stadiums.
Stadium security staff organized by Qatari authorities had seized items with rainbow colors and slogans such as “Women. Life. Freedom” to stop them from getting inside stadiums.
In the first week of the tournament, seven European teams including Wales lost the fight to wear multi-colored “One Love” armbands during World Cup matches and some fans complained they weren’t allowed to bring items with rainbow colors, a symbol of LGBTQ rights, into the stadiums of the conservative Islamic emirate.
Read: Qatar World Cup: Spain has some work to do vs Japan to guarantee spot in the round of 16
The match between Iran and the United States on Tuesday was charged with emotion among Iranian fans, some of whom had come to Qatar not only to support their team, but the protest movement back home with banners and flags.
“FIFA is aware of some incidents where permitted items were not allowed to be displayed at stadiums,” soccer’s world body said in a statement on Wednesday, more than a week after some incidents were reported at World Cup stadiums. “FIFA has received assurances by authorities that venue commanders have been contacted in relation to the agreed rules and regulations for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.”
FIFA’s assurances that have seemed to be overridden by Qatari authorities.
Read: US, Iran fans mingle in Qatar ahead of World Cup clash
Wales and Iran will not play any more games at the World Cup after results late Tuesday sent England and the United States from their Group B into the knockout rounds.
“FIFA continues to work closely with the Host Country to ensure the full implementation of related regulations and agreed protocols,” FIFA said.
In Ukraine, seeing World Cup, playing football pose challenges
Ukrainian video-game vendor Roman Kryvyi, fresh from a soccer game on a snow-blanketed field in suburban Kyiv, sat up close to a TV in a kebab shop as intermittent city power returned just in time for Tuesday’s World Cup game between Wales and England.
For the 22-year-old soccer buff, there was no question about which side to support in the matchup: He remembers how he was crestfallen — rolling on the floor in despair and on the verge of tears — when Wales ousted his beloved Ukraine in the qualifiers. The grudge hasn’t worn off.
“Only England! England has supported us in a military way,” Kryvyi said, overlooking the fact that England and Wales are both part of the United Kingdom — whose government has generously backed Ukraine with firepower and other support as it tries to repel Russia’s invasion. He wants England to go all the way.
With their team not having made the finals this year, many Ukrainian soccer fans are throwing their support behind European countries that have backed Ukraine’s fight against Moscow’s forces, or teams with greats like Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi of Argentina. Others just want to see top-notch play, out of appreciation for the game.
For Ukrainians these days, soccer trails well behind mere survival in the order of priorities. But the sport — as in many places around the world — can offer an escape from the troubles of daily life. For players, running around a field can offer up camaraderie and churn up body heat, and in this war-battered, says simply: Life must go on. Watching the World Cup in Qatar gives a sense of connection to the rest of the world.
Read: Special record that Messi can break if he plays in FIFA World Cup 2022 final
Like many fans in Ukraine, Kryvyi and teammate Hlib Kuian, 21, were far from certain that they would be able to see the England-Wales match. Russian military strikes in recent weeks have devastated power plants, rendered internet services uncertain and affected basics like water and heating — on top of the deaths and injuries they have caused.
Only minutes before Tuesday evening’s match, which England ended up winning 3-0, Mazza Cafe kebab-stand operator Mashrabjan Haydarov spotted that the lights had come back on in an apartment building across the street, so he turned off the generator outside that had been powering his bulbs and TV, and switched back to the local grid.
Then, even though the electricity was back, the internet popped off momentarily. The friends, accustomed to daily setbacks large and small, shrugged off the delay until the service rebooted. They also had to return home right when the match was set to end because of an 11 p.m. wartime curfew.
“In my house. I have no internet, so it’s a big problem for me,” said Kuian, an economics student. The only alternative to going out to see the match, he said, was watching it on his mobile phone’s small screen.
For all their interest in watching the World Cup, Kuian and Kryvyi prefer being on the field themselves.
As night fell, their team joined up with two others on a fenced-in field in a public park in Irpin, a town that Russian forces occupied earlier this year — and their pullout exposed suspected atrocities committed against civilians.
Read: Qatar World Cup: Spain has some work to do vs Japan to guarantee spot in the round of 16
In yet another sign of the Ukrainian resourcefulness that has become legendary in their war-battered country, the teams purchased and strung up lights to illuminate the field, and powered them up with an old — and recharged — car battery on the sideline. One player got up on a motorized scooter to shovel off the field, as snowflakes continued to fall.
Time was that they would have preferred to play in Irpin’s larger stadium, but it was pockmarked by craters and a nearby cultural center gutted as Ukrainian and Russian forces battled for control of the town.
As for the obstacles to soccer-playing, electricity shortages and other woes, Kuian is taking them in stride.
“I have to live with it. I know who made this (happen),” he said. “I know that the Russian Federation wants that I live like this.”
Special record that Messi can break if he plays in FIFA World Cup 2022 final
Argentina’s captain, Lionel Messi, has plenty of footballing records to his name, whether at club level or for his country. At the age of 35, he is still going strong and continues to break records. Messi is currently busy playing in the Qatar 2022 competition with Argentina, and this is probably going to be his last World Cup appearance. So, this is his last opportunity to break any record related to the World Cup. Here is the one unique record Leo Messi can break if he plays in the FIFA World Cup 2022 final.
Which record can Lionel Messi break if Argentina reach the final?
Lionel Messi can break Lothar Matthaus' World Cup appearance record if Argentina reaches the final and he plays in all of the games. Lionel Messi has played 21 matches and needs to play five more matches to surpass Lothar Matthaus’ 25 appearances in the World Cup tournament.
Read More: France vs Tunisia FIFA World Cup 2022 LIVE Streaming: Where and how to watch online and on TV Channel, predicted XIArgentina will play four more matches (a group-phase match against Poland, the Round of 16, the quarterfinal, and the semifinal) if they overcome all the hurdles and book their place in the final. Lionel Messi is expected to be part of each of the contests if he stays fit.
If Argentina fail to qualify for the final, Messi can take the second or third position in most appearance lists, depending on how far Argentina can reach in the ongoing event. Miroslav Klose of Germany (24) and Paolo Maldini of Italy (23) are in second and third positions, respectively, on that list.
By taking part in the first two matches of the group stage, Lionel Messi already broke two records. When Messi came on the field against Saudi Arabia in Argentina's first match, he became the first player to represent Argentina in five different World Cups and the fifth player overall to do so. Two days later, Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal became the sixth player to represent a country in five World Cups.
Read More: Some football fans in Iran celebrate US win over the country's national team in World Cup
Six players who represented their countries in five World Cup events
Player
Team
Tournaments
Antonio Carbajal
Mexico
1950, 1954, 1958, 1962, 1966
Andres Guardado
Mexico
2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022
Lothar Matthaus
Germany
1982, 1986, 1990, 1994, 1998
Rafael Marquez
Mexico
2002, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018
Lionel Messi
Argentina
2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022
Cristiano Ronaldo
Portugal
2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022
Ind Cup Football: Holders Dhaka Abahani eliminated from semis losing to Sheikh Russell KC
Defending champions Dhaka Abahani Limited was eliminated from semifinal of the season's curtain raiser soccer meet, the Bashundhara Group Independent Cup Football' 2022 losing to Sheikh Russell Krira Chakra by 2-3 goal at the Bir Shrestha Fl Lt Matiur Rahman Stadium in Munshiganj on Wednesday.
Sheikh Russell Krira Chakra will the play final on Monday (December 5) at 1 pm at the Shaheed Dhirendranath Dutta Stadium in Cumilla against the winners of Bashundhara Kings and Bangladesh Police FC, who will meet each other in the 2nd semifinal on Thursday (December 1) at the Sheikh Fazlul Haque Moni Stadium in Gopalganj.
Read more: Round-4 matches of Women's Football League begins Wednesday
The 3rd place deciding match between two losing semifinalists will be held on Sunday (December 4) at the Bir Shrestha Fl Lt Matiur Rahman Stadium in Munshiganj.
The winners led the first half by a solitary goal.
In the day's first semifinal, Ivory Coast medio jean Charles Didier put Sheikh Russell KC ahead in the 31st minute (1-0) while Nigerian striker Mfon Sunday Udoh doubled the margin the 54th minute (2-0)
Nigerian fowrad Peter Nworah pulled Abahani the margin one back in the 64th minute (2-1) while Uzbek defender Timur Talipoy again sounded the Sheikh Russell margin in the 72nd minute (3-1).
Russian World Cup playing Costa Rica booter Daniel Colindres reduced the Abahani margin in the stoppage time (90+5 minute) of the match from a penalty (3-2).
Later, Kpeji Jean Charles Didier of Sheikh Russell KC was adjudged the man of the match.
Read more: Ind Cup Football: Dhaka Abahani to play Sheikh Russell KC in first semifinal on Wednesday
Earlier, Dhaka Abahani Limited qualified for the semi-final eliminating Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club by 2-1 goals while Sheikh Russell KC booked a seat for the last four stage eliminating Chittagong Abahani Limited by 1-0 goal in the quarterfinals.
Bangladesh Police FC qualified for the semis defeating Bangladesh Muktijoddha Sangsad KC by 5-4 goals while star-studded Bashundhara Kings assured the semifinal berth beating Dhaka Mohammedan SC by 2-0 goal in their respective quarterfinals.
France vs Tunisia FIFA World Cup 2022 LIVE Streaming: Where and how to watch online and on TV Channel, predicted XI
Here you can get all the details as to When, Where, and How you can watch the FIFA World Cup 2022 between France vs Tunisia Live Streaming.
Tunisia will play to have their chance to qualify for the next round with a win against France, who have already qualified for Round of 16. While it will be a do-or-die match for the Eagles of Carthage, France would like to go to the knockout stage as the first team to have won all three matches in the group stage.
Already through to the knockout stage, reigning World Cup champion France play their final Group D match when Les Bleus square off against Tunisia in the 2022 World Cup on Wednesday at Education City Stadium in Doha. The French, ranked No. 4 in the world, sit atop the group with six points after victories over Australia and Denmark. Three points ahead of second place Australia, the French are overwhelming favorites to advance as the top team in the group.
Read more: Qatar World Cup: Spain has some work to do vs Japan to guarantee spot in the round of 16
Where and how to watch FIFA World Cup 2022 France vs Tunisia live in Bangladesh?
Bangladesh viewers can watch the match live on all of these channels: BTV, T Sports, PTE LTD and Viacom 18.
France vs Tunisia match on Toffee apps live-The digital platform powered by Banglalink
Bangladesh viewers can also enjoy live stream online the World Cup games on Toffee, the digital platform powered by Banglalink.
France vs Tunisia Match Live on Facebook and Youtube
Many Facebook pages and YouTube channels also live the match
How to watch France vs Tunisia live stream in India
In India, the World Cup is being televised on Sports18, but every game is being shown for free and in 4K via the JioCinema app. You can live stream France vs Tunisia on Thursday night.
Coverage is available in Hindi, English, Malayalam, Bengali and Tamil, and the JioCinema app is compatible with Chromecast, so you can get a big-screen experience.
Anyone outside of India who wants to watch their home World Cup coverage can just pick up a good VPN and follow the instructions above to safely live stream the action.
How to watch France vs Tunisia live stream in Australia
Football fans in Australia can watch France vs Tunisia, along with every World Cup 2022 game, on free-to-air SBS. You can tune in on TV or live stream France vs Tunisia using SBS On Demand.
SBS on Demand is free to use and works on a range of smart devices including mobile phones, smart TVs and web browsers.
How to watch France vs Tunisia live stream World Cup 2022 soccer in the US without cable
Soccer fans in the US can watch France vs Tunisia on FS1 and Peacock TV, with kick-off set for 11am ET / 8am PT on Sunday morning.
FS1 shares TV rights to the 2022 World Cup group stage with Fox, but Fox will be showing every game of the knockouts.
France vs Tunisia live stream without cable
If you don't have cable TV, a cord-cutting service is what you need for instant access to Fox and FS1. Sling Blue is the cheapest option. It's $40 per month but you can get your first month half-price with this discount.
FuboTV is another good option. It carries both Fox and FS1, and over 100 channels besides, and allows you to watch the World Cup 2022 in 4K HDR. It's more expensive at $69.99 a month, but first there's a FREE FuboTV trial.
Every game of the World Cup is also being shown on Peacock TV, but the catch is that commentary will be in Spanish. To make up for that, France vs Tunisia and a few other games are being shown for FREE. The Peacock price comes in at $4.99 a month and the service also offers live coverage of the NFL, EPL and WWE.
If you subscribe to Sling, Peacock or any other US streaming service, and find yourself unable to access coverage because you're out of the country, consider using a VPN – we rate ExpressVPN as the best of the best.
Read more: Argentina vs Poland FIFA World Cup 2022 LIVE Streaming: Where and how to watch online and on TV Channel, predicted XI
How to watch France vs Tunisia live stream in UK
Football fans in the UK can watch Argentina vs Poland live stream for free on BBC iPlayer, along with many more World Cup 2022 games, as coverage of the tournament is split evenly between the BBC and ITV.
Every BBC game will be on BBC TV channels in HD and also live streamed on BBC iPlayer in glorious 4K HDR. Just make sure you possess a valid TV license and that your device is 4K-compatible with iPlayer.
Away from home in the UK right now? No worries:
Use ExpressVPN to watch BBC iPlayer from abroad.
BBC iPlayer is free to use and works across a wide range of devices including smart TVs, laptops, games consoles, mobile phones, tablets and streaming sticks. You can watch all the other World Cup 2022 live streams for free on ITV Hub.
How to watch France vs Tunisia live stream in Canada
TSN is the place to watch every 2022 World Cup soccer game in Canada. If you get the channel as part of your cable deal, you'll be able to log in with the details of your provider for access France vs Tunisia live stream.
If you don't have cable, you can subscribe to TSN on a streaming-only basis for $19.99 a month or $199.90 per year.
If you decide to subscribe, or already have, remember you can take your favorite sports streaming service with you wherever you go – just try our No. 1 overall rated VPN 100% risk-free for 30-days and follow the instructions.
Read more: Christian Pulisic’s lone goal fires USA to last 16 with a win vs Iran
How to watch live France vs Tunisia Match live from Iran and others country?
If you're abroad during World Cup 2022, and want to tune into your usual home coverage, you'll most likely find yourself geo-blocked and will need to use a VPN to unlock your access.
A VPN is a piece of software that allows you to change your apparent location and World 2022 live streams from any country and streaming service you need. They're easy to use and super-secure. We rate ExpressVPN as the best VPN for streaming.
France vs Tunisia Match live on TV Channels
Bangladesh: BTV, Gazi TV, T-Sports
India: Sports18, Sports18 HD, Sony TV Networks
Pakistan: ARY Digital Network
Nepal: Media Hub Private Limited
Malaysia: Astro GO
Singapore: Singtel TV GO, CAST, StarHub TV+, MeWatch
New Zealand: Sky Go, Sky Sport NOW
Indian Subcontinent: Sony Network
What time and date will the FIFA World Cup 2022 France vs Tunisia match are played?
The Tunisia vs France match will be played on November 30 at 08:30 PM IST in the Education City Stadium, Ar Rayyan.
France vs Tunisia lineups: FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022
Tunisia predicted lineup:
Dahmen; Meriah, Bronn, Talbi; Skhiri, Kechrida, Laidouni, Abdi; Sliti, Msakni; Khazri
France predicted lineup:
Mandanda; Varane, Pavard, Konate, Camavinga; Fofana, Guendouzi; Coman, Mbappe, Griezmann; Thuram
France vs Tunisia Head-to-head record
Tunisia and France have not squared off against each other in the last 12 years. The last match these two played was an international friendly in May 2010 that resulted in a score of 1-1. Except that, Tunisia and France have played three times, with Tunisia winning one and France winning twice.
Some football fans in Iran celebrate US win over the country's national team in World Cup
Soccer fans in Iran's Kurdish region set off fireworks and honked car horns early Wednesday to celebrate the U.S. win over the Iranian national team in a politically charged World Cup match that divided the protest-riven country.
Cheering fans hit the streets in Iran's Kurdish-majority province of Kurdistan and fireworks lit the skies over the Bukan area of West Azerbaijan province to celebrate the Iranian team’s 1-0 loss.
Some shouted “Death to the dictator,” a popular protest slogan referring to the Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The Kurdish areas of Iran have been hot spots of ongoing anti-government demonstrations.
The protests first erupted in September, following the death of a young Kurdish woman in the custody of Iran's morality police in the capital of Tehran.
The protests quickly morphed into the most serious challenge to Iran's theocracy since its establishment in the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Iranian authorities have blamed foreign actors, chiefly the U.S., for orchestrating the protest movement, but have provided no evidence.
Read more: Iran shuts out noise at World Cup but United States looms
Iran’s Kurdish-majority areas have seen waves of unrest amid nationwide protests against the government. The national team’s loss to the United States was seen by some as a victory against what they see as oppression by the government.
Even in areas of Tehran some chanted protest slogans following the U.S. win.
Videos posted online showed cars out on the streets of Saqqez, the capital of Kurdistan province, and the home town of Mahsa Amini, the young woman died in police custody in September.
But not everyone was cheering. Parham Azmand, a soccer fan in Tehran, said the Iranian team had done its best.
“We worked very hard but we couldn’t score although we did whatever we could," he said. "This was their day (the Americans). Our players did their best and I hope we will perform better in future world cups and God willing go through to the second round.”
Following the match, state TV commentator Mohammad Hossein Misaghi said the U.S. took advantage of “many opportunities” in the match.
Read more: Iran-US World Cup clash rife with political tension
“It was not our day,” said another commentator, Mohammadreza Ahmadi. He brushed off the defeat, saying “a match is like that; it has win and loss."
Qatar World Cup: Spain has some work to do vs Japan to guarantee spot in the round of 16
After conceding late to miss out on a victory against Germany, Spain finds itself with some work left to do against Japan to guarantee its spot in the round of 16 at the World Cup.
It doesn’t need much, though, as a draw on Thursday will be enough, and even a loss may allow La Roja to advance depending on the other Group E result between Germany and Costa Rica.
Japan doesn’t have it as easy, but a win will guarantee the Japanese a place in the knockout stage for a second straight time. It would be the first time Japan advances past the group stage in back-to-back tournaments. If Japan loses, though, it will head home no matter what. The Japanese opened their campaign with a surprising win over four-time champions Germany before losing to Costa Rica. They were eliminated by Belgium in the last 16 in Russia.
Spain, which conceded an 83rd-minute equalizer against Germany, may also go home with a loss if Costa Rica beats Germany or if the Germans win big to overcome Spain’s goal difference after La Roja's 7-0 opening win over Costa Rica.
Read more: FIFA World Cup 2022: Young Spain rout experienced Costa Rica 7-0
A victory at Khalifa International Stadium will guarantee Spain first place in the group, and keep it on track for a possible matchup with five-time champions Brazil in the quarterfinals. Spain enters the final round with four points, one more than both Japan and Costa Rica. Germany has one point.
“We are not thinking about our opponents in the knockout rounds,” Spain midfielder Koke Resurrección said. “We need to beat Japan first and then we’ll see which team we’ll have to play against. If it’s Brazil in the quarterfinals, so be it, and we’ll try to prepare for it as best as possible.”
Germany’s chances of staying alive in Qatar will largely depend on Spain winning its match against Japan. Then a victory over Costa Rica would be enough for the Germans.
What may not help Germany is the fact that Spain coach Luis Enrique is expected to rotate some of his players after making only one change from the first to the second game — Dani Carvajal coming in for César Azpilicueta in the right back position.
Teenager Gavi, who started in the first two matches, trained separately from the group after the 1-1 draw with Germany because of a knock on a knee. He was expected to be available for Thursday’s match but was not likely to start.
Another midfielder expected to be rested is 34-year-old Sergio Busquets, the only remaining player from Spain’s World Cup-winning squad in 2010. Striker Álvaro Morata, who scored a goal in each of the first two matches after coming off the bench, could get a spot in the starting lineup against Japan.
Read more: Germany pin hopes on Spain match to avoid early FIFA World Cup exit
Japan could see Ayase Ueda and Junya Ito playing together in attack from the start for the first time.
The under-23 squads of Spain and Japan met in the semifinals of the Tokyo Olympics last year, when Spain advanced before eventually losing to Brazil in the final. Several players from those squads made their senior teams in Qatar, including Marco Asensio, who scored Spain’s winner in extra time in the semifinal against Japan, and Japan’s Takefusa Kubo, who plays for Real Sociedad in the Spanish league.