In recent times, very few international sides have disappointed their countrymen more consistently than Mexico and Poland, but when Saudi Arabia began Tuesday's World Cup Group C play with a shock 2-1 upset of Argentina, both nations were granted the opportunity to put one foot inside the last-16 by coming away with three points. All would be forgiven.
You'll hear the sentiment over and over again during tournament coverage: There are no mysteries at the World Cup anymore — modernity and globalization have combined to eliminate the past thrill of the complete unknown showing up on our TV screens and taking over.
3,065 days removed from elimination at the hands of Belgium in 2014, the United States began its World Cup campaign with a heartbreaking 1-1 draw against Wales. With the hopes of a nation on their backs, the Stars and Stripes came to play in the first half, epitomized by Tim Weah’s goal just after the half-hour mark, but ultimately a late penalty from Gareth Bale saved a draw for the Dragons.
To beat Wales to open its World Cup campaign, scoring twice was always going to be necessary for the United States. Why? Because even if he did absolutely nothing for 89 minutes, you knew Gareth Bale was going to score in the 90th.
The U.S. got its first in a sensational opening 45 minutes, but that second goal never came as Wales gained the ascendency for large portions of the second half. The inevitable moment finally arrived in the 82nd minute after Walker Zimmerman fouled Bale in the area, and the 33-year-old came up clutch from the spot.
El partido entre Países Bajos y Senegal, en el Grupo A del Mundial, fue un verdadero bostezo. Pero en medio de la refriega, al menos una imagen quedó para el recuerdo: el duro golpe que Frenkie de Jong le dio a Cheikhou Kouyaté, ahí donde nace la vida.
La jugada se produjo en el minuto 69 (no, no es chiste) cuando Kouyaté intentaba evadir a De Jong con un sombrerito. El neerlandés pasó de largo y al intentar apoyarse en algo puso toda su mano en los "Países Bajos" del volante senegalés.
At the 2018 World Cup (one of the best group stages ever), we didn't have a 0-0 until Day 13 of the tournament. We looked set for one on Day 2 of the 2022 World Cup before Frenkie de Jong's beautifully measured ball met the advancing Cody Gakpo just ahead of the outrushing Édouard Mendy in the 84th minute, and Davy Klaassen added another at the death.
If winning Group B at the World Cup comes down to goal difference, England already has it in the bag after its extremely impressive 6-2 opening victory over an Iran side in disharmony.
Kick-off at Khalifa International Stadium was scheduled for 1 p.m. in the UK, but obviously that didn't stop England supporters from getting rowdy as hell on a Monday afternoon.
DOHA - Spain winger Ferran Torres faces big challenges at the World Cup in Qatar but his relationship with the daughter of national team coach Luis Enrique is not one of them, according to the Barcelona player.
"Not at all," Torres told a news conference on Sunday when asked whether he felt pressure because of the relationship. "I think the coach and I, we know how to differentiate between when it's family and when we are manager and player. I think we have to get on with it in a natural way, just that and we're getting along fine."
It's officially been confirmed that France and Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema has picked up an injury in training, forcing him to miss the World Cup.
The Frenchman had only joined his teammates Saturday as he recovered from a previous injury but had to leave the session after sustaining a further knock. According to the French national team, he injured his left quadriceps in training. The precise extent of the injury is unknown, but Benzema will not take any further part in his national team's campaign or preparations.
DOHA - France coach Didier Deschamps has decided not to replace injured striker Karim Benzema in his World Cup squad, leaving the reigning champions with 25 players for their title defense.
Benzema trained with the squad for the first time since arriving in Qatar on Saturday but was forced to leave the session early with a thigh injury and scans ruled him out of the tournament.
Asked on Sunday by TeleFoot whether he would replace the Ballon d'Or winner in his squad, Deschamps said "No".