National Teams

Here are the 3 big takeaways and things to fix from the USA’s opening game vs. Wales

The United States men’s national team played its first World Cup game in eight years on Monday tying Wales 1-1 at Al Rayyan Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar.

Monday’s game was a tale of two halves with the USA controlling the first and scoring through Timothy Weah in the 36th minute.

Tim Weah scores brilliantly as the United States ties Wales

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.  

USA player ratings vs. Wales: A tale of two halves

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.

¡Ouch! Frenkie de Jong le da un manotazo en los "Países Bajos" a Cheikhou Kouyaté

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.

Manotazo de Frenkie de Jong a Cheikhou Kouyaté

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.

3 things we learned from Netherlands vs. Senegal: Clockwork Oranje

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.  

England gets rowdy on a Monday afternoon after Three Lions put 6 past Iran

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.

Saka y Bellingham lideran la golapalooza de Inglaterra sobre Irán

Inglaterra no dejó espacio para las sorpresas. El equipo dirigido por Gareth Southgate inició su aventura en la Copa del Mundo demoliendo a Irán 6-2 y mostrando sus credenciales como candidato al título. 

Los Tres Leones – con una escuadra tasada en 1.300 millones de dólares – dominaron de principio a fin, estableciendo una posesión del balón del 70 por ciento y completando 733 pases, años luz de los escuálidos 156 que Irán logró hilvanar. 

FIFA’s awful concussion protocol shown as Iran’s goalkeeper allowed to play with clear head injury

FIFA’s concussion protocol is still Medieval and that was on full display during the first half of England’s opener vs. Iran on Monday. Iran’s goalkeeper, Alireza Beiranvand, had a nasty clash of heads with teammate Majid Hosseini in the eighth minute.

Iran Goalkeeper Concussion Controversy

Here was the incident that took place.

Iran players refuse to sing national anthem at World Cup opener

DOHA - Players of Iran's national soccer team chose not to sing their country's anthem at their opening World Cup match against England on Monday, in an apparent show of support for protesters back home.

The players were silent as the anthem was played at the Khalifa International Stadium, where Iranian fans gathered in the stands shouted as the music was played. Some were seen making thumbs-down gestures.

Enner "Superman" Valencia adds to his cult status with game-winning double for Ecuador

AL KHOR, Qatar - Captain Enner Valencia extended his cult status in Ecuador to wider international acclaim with a first-half double that propelled the South Americans to a comfortable 2-0 win over hosts Qatar in the opening game of the World Cup on Sunday.

The 33-year-old forward, nicknamed Superman, increased his record tally of goals for Ecuador to 37 and became the country’s highest scoring player at World Cup tournaments as his double at the Al Bayt Stadium added to the three he scored in 2014.

Pages