Ramos hat-trick steers Portugal through

Wed, 07 Dec, 2022

Ramos hat-trick steers Portugal through

Lusail: Goncalo Ramos scored a hat-trick as Portugal beat Switzerland 6-1 to advance to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 quarter-finals on Tuesday.

The 21-year-old Ramos, who started instead of Cristiano Ronaldo, became the youngest player to strike three times in a FIFA World Cup knockout match since Pele in 1958.

Pepe, Raphael Guerreiro and Rafael Leao were also on target for a rampant Portugal, who booked a showdown with Morocco on Saturday for a place in the last four.

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Morocco stun Spain to make quarter-finals

Wed, 07 Dec, 2022

Morocco stun Spain to make quarter-finals

Al Rayyan: Morocco defeated Spain 3-0 on penalties to advance to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 quarter-finals after their Round of 16 tie ended goalless over 120 minutes on Tuesday.

Spain coach Luis Enrique had claimed his players prepared by taking 1,000 penalties as homework but Pablo Sarabia, Carlos Soler and Sergio Busquets all missed from the spot and Madrid-born Hakimi dinked his home to the delight of Morocco's raucous support.

Walid Regragui's side will face Portugal or Switzerland in what is uncharted territory for them, with their previous best a last-16 exit in 1986.

Captain Son apologises after Taeguk Warriors' bid ends

Wed, 07 Dec, 2022

Captain Son apologises after Taeguk Warriors' bid ends

Doha: Son Heung-min apologised after Korea Republic exited the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 following a sobering 4-1 defeat to favourites Brazil in the last 16.

The captain and talisman was powerless as Brazil scored four times in the first half on Monday, before Paik Seung-ho netted a 76th-minute consolation for the Taeguk Warriors.

Triumphs count for nothing after exit - Doan

Tue, 06 Dec, 2022

Triumphs count for nothing after exit - Doan

Al Wakrah: Forward Ritsu Doan said Japan's historic FIFA World Cup wins over Germany and Spain counted for nothing after the Blue Samurai were eliminated by Croatia in the last 16 on Monday.

Japan missed out on a first-ever place in the quarter-finals after a 3-1 penalty shootout defeat to the Croatians, following a gruelling encounter that finished 1-1 after extra-time.

Japan beat both Germany and Spain in the goup stage in Qatar but Doan took no consolation from his team's achievements.

Bento steps down as Korea Republic head coach

Tue, 06 Dec, 2022

Bento steps down as Korea Republic head coach

Doha: Paulo Bento announced he would not be staying on as head coach of Korea Republic after they were eliminated from the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 with a 4-1 defeat at the hands of Brazil on Monday.

"Now I need to think about the future, but I will not be with the Korea team. I am going to rest and then see," the 53-year-old former Portugal coach said after the loss in the last 16.

Moriyasu urges Japan players to rise from disappointment

Tue, 06 Dec, 2022

Moriyasu urges Japan players to rise from disappointment

Al Wakrah: Hajime Moriyasu called on Japan’s players to use their disappointment at exiting the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 in a penalty shootout against Croatia on Monday to fuel their future improvement as the Samurai Blue once again missed out on the quarter-finals.

Croatian goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic saved spot-kicks from Takumi Minamino, Kaoru Mitoma and Maya Yoshida to ensure Zlatko Dalic’s side notched up a 3-1 shootout win after the teams had endured 120 minutes at Al Janoub Stadium and were locked in a 1-1 draw.
 
Japan’s exit is the fourth time the nation has missed out on a place in the last eight after losing to Turkey in 2002, Paraguay in 2010 and Belgium in Russia four years ago, when they lost out to the Europeans deep into injury time.

Brazil dedicate victory to ailing Pele

Tue, 06 Dec, 2022

Brazil dedicate victory to ailing Pele

Doha: Brazil's players paid tribute to legend Pele, who is receiving hospital treatment in Sao Paulo due to his ailing health, after sauntering to a 4-1 FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 victory over Korea Republic.

Following Monday's last-16 match at Stadium 974 in Doha, the players unfurled a huge banner to the 82-year-old, widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time.

First-half goals from Vinicius Junior, Neymar, Richarlison and Lucas Paqueta saw Brazil put the game to bed long before Paik Seung-ho's stunning consolation in the second period.

Croatia can't win 'without drama', says Modric

Tue, 06 Dec, 2022

Croatia can't win 'without drama', says Modric

Al Wakrah: Croatia captain Luka Modric said his team "can't do it without a drama" after they reached the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 quarter-finals following a penalty shootout win against Japan on Monday.

Mario Pasalic struck the winning spot-kick after Dominik Livakovic saved three penalties.

Earlier, Ivan Perisic had pulled Croatia level in the 55th minute of normal time following Daizen Maeda's opener for Japan just before the break.

But no side could find a winner either in 90 minutes or in extra-time as it finished 1-1.