Mexico coach Martino braced for titanic clash with Saudi Arabia

Mon, 28 Nov, 2022

Mexico coach Martino braced for titanic clash with Saudi Arabia

Doha: Mexico coach Tata Martino said he was expecting a no-holds-barred clash with Saudi Arabia in their final FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group C clash after defeat by Argentina on Saturday.

Lionel Messi and Enzo Fernandez's strikes helped the Albiceleste win 2-0 at the Lusail Stadium, leaving the Mexicans bottom of the group and desperate for a big win over Saudi Arabia on Wednesday.

Mexico will likely need to win by at least three goals against Saudi Arabia to qualify, unless Poland beat Argentina, in which case any victory would suffice.

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Missed penalty changed game, says Saudi Arabia's Renard

Sun, 27 Nov, 2022

Missed penalty changed game, says Saudi Arabia's Renard

Al Rayyan: Herve Renard called Salem Al Dawsari’s penalty miss a “game changer” as Saudi Arabia slumped to a 2-0 loss against Poland in Group C of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 on Saturday, but vowed his side would fight to achieve their dream of a place in the knockout rounds.

Poland scored through Piotr Zielinski and Robert Lewandowski while Al Dawsari saw his penalty saved by Wojciech Szczesny late in the first half as the Saudis slipped to a defeat after opening the competition with a 2-1 victory over two-time champions Argentina.
 
However, victory over Mexico - beaten 2-0 by Argentina on Saturday - in their final game on Wednesday would still take Saudi Arabia into the Round of 16 for the first time since 1994 and Renard remains bullish about his team’s prospects.

Arnold hails 'old Aussie way' after crucial victory

Sun, 27 Nov, 2022

Arnold hails 'old Aussie way' after crucial victory

Al Wakrah: Head coach Graham Arnold said "the old Aussie way" helped his side beat Tunisia 1-0 on Saturday to keep their FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 alive but warned his players they had achieved nothing yet.

A Mitchell Duke header in the first half combined with some determined defending in the second revived the Socceroos' hopes of reaching the last 16 for only a second time.

They face Denmark - who were beaten 2-1 by reigning champions France on Saturday - in their last Group D game in Qatar with their fate in their own hands.

Duke predicted strike as Socceroos get back on track

Sun, 27 Nov, 2022

Duke predicted strike as Socceroos get back on track

Al Wakrah: Goal hero Mitch Duke said he had a feeling he would score after his header gave determined Australia a 1-0 FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 win over Tunisia on Saturday to revive their last-16 hopes.

The striker's clever looped header in Qatar put Australia in front in the 23rd minute and they desperately held on in the second half to silence Tunisia's vociferous fans.

Messi goal helps keep Argentina's dream alive

Sun, 27 Nov, 2022

Messi goal helps keep Argentina's dream alive

Lusail: Lionel Messi helped keep Argentina's FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 bid alive with the first goal in a 2-0 victory over Mexico on Saturday.

Defeat to Saudi Arabia in their opening Group G match in Qatar had left Argentina on the brink, knowing another loss would spell the end of their tournament chances.

But the Albiceleste just edged a disjointed and tetchy affair against their fellow Latin Americans at the Lusail Stadium.

Mbappe double puts holders France into last 16

Sun, 27 Nov, 2022

Mbappe double puts holders France into last 16

Doha: Kylian Mbappe scored twice, including a late winner, as holders France edged Denmark 2-1 on Saturday to become the first team to reach the last 16 of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

A potent French side knew a second victory in as many Group D outings would take them through to the knockout phase and they were well worth the lead that Mbappe gave them when he opened the scoring at Stadium 974 just after the hour mark.

However, Andreas Christensen soon equalised for the Danes and Les Bleus needed Mbappe to deliver again in the 86th minute as he turned in Antoine Griezmann's cross to puncture the Danish resistance once and for all.

Having scored four during France's victorious 2018 campaign and one against Australia, Mbappe now has seven goals in nine World Cup appearances.