Ronaldo scores in fifth FIFA World Cup as Portugal squeeze past Ghana

Fri, 25 Nov, 2022

Ronaldo scores in fifth FIFA World Cup as Portugal squeeze past Ghana

Doha: Cristiano Ronaldo became the first man to score at five FIFA World Cups on Thursday when he scored the opening goal from the penalty spot in Portugal's 3-2 win over Ghana.

The 37-year-old set the record when he smashed home his spot-kick in the 65th minute at the 974 Stadium in Doha to send Fernando Santos' team to a victory which moved them top of Qatar 2022's Group H, two points ahead of Uruguay and Korea Republic.

Joao Felix and rising star Rafael Leao made sure of the win after Andre Ayew's leveller had briefly threatened to ruin Ronaldo's party.

Osman Bukari netted in the final minute for Ghana but the tournament's lowest-ranked side couldn't pull off a shock and sit bottom of the group.

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Korea Republic, Uruguay battle to a stalemate

Thu, 24 Nov, 2022

Korea Republic, Uruguay battle to a stalemate

Al Rayyan: Korea Republic picked up a point in their FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group H opener against Uruguay on Thursday as Paulo Bento’s side held their South American opponents to a 0-0 draw at Education City Stadium.

Neither side was able to find a breakthrough in an evenly contested 90 minutes, with the Uruguayans going closest to scoring when they struck the woodwork late in each half through Diego Godin and Fede Valverde respectively.

Preview - Group A: Qatar v Senegal

Fri, 25 Nov, 2022

Preview - Group A: Qatar v Senegal

Doha: Qatar head coach Felix Sanchez is hopeful things would go better but knows what’s at stake now, as his side take on Senegal at the Al Thumama Stadium on Friday in their second FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group A encounter.

Qatar’s first outing saw them succumb to a 2-0 defeat in their opener against Ecuador. Senegal on the other hand also fell to a 2-0 defeat against the Netherlands, making this game a do-or-die affair for both the African and Asian champions. 

Preview - Group B: Wales v IR Iran

Fri, 25 Nov, 2022

Preview - Group B: Wales v IR Iran

Al Rayyan: Carlos Queiroz has challenged Islamic Republic of Iran to revive their FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 hopes by defeating Wales when the two sides meet on Matchday Two of Group B on Friday.

Iran kicked off their bid for a first ever appearance in the knockout stage with a 6-2 defeat against England and need to beat Wales - who drew 1-1 with the United States in their first FIFA World Cup Finals match since 1958 – to keep their hopes alive. 

Japan's Moriyasu hails stunning victory made in Germany

Thu, 24 Nov, 2022

Japan's Moriyasu hails stunning victory made in Germany

Doha: Japan head coach Hajime Moriyasu hailed a win made in the Bundesliga after his Blue Samurai stunned four-time champions Germany 2-1 in their FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group E opener on Wednesday.

Eight of Japan's squad are based in Germany and it was two of those players who scored the goals that sealed a historic victory for the Asian side.

Freiburg's Ritsu Doan and Bochum's Takuma Asano both came off the bench to strike late in the second half and help Japan pull off an unlikely comeback against a German team leading through Ilkay Gundogan's first-half penalty.

Embolo powers Switzerland to victory over Cameroon

Thu, 24 Nov, 2022

Embolo powers Switzerland to victory over Cameroon

Al Wakrah: Breel Embolo fired Switzerland to a 1-0 win over Cameroon in their opening FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group G fixture on Thursday.

Embolo struck three minutes into the second half at the Al Janoub Stadium as Switzerland secured a vital three points in a group that includes tournament favourites Brazil and Serbia.