Van Gaal: Exit on penalties 'incredibly painful'

Sat, 10 Dec, 2022

Van Gaal: Exit on penalties 'incredibly painful'

Lusail: Netherlands head coach Louis van Gaal said his team's loss to Argentina on penalties in the quarter-finals of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 on Friday was "incredibly painful".

The Dutch rallied with two late goals from Wout Weghorst to force extra time after Argentina led 2-0 through efforts from Nahuel Molina and Lionel Messi, who scored from the spot.

But Virgil van Dijk and Steven Berghuis watched in agony as their spot-kicks were saved in the shootout by Emiliano Martinez as Argentina won 4-3 on penalties, setting up a semi-final with Croatia.

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Argentina have 'passion and heart' says 'keeper Martinez

Sat, 10 Dec, 2022

Argentina have 'passion and heart' says 'keeper Martinez

Lusail: Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez said "passion and heart" propelled his side into the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 semi-finals - and he was delighted to bring joy to his struggling country.

Martinez was one of the heroes of the quarter-final, saving the Netherlands' first two spot-kicks in the penalty shootout after the match ended 2-2 following extra time.

Argentina won the shootout 4-3 to move into a semi-final on Tuesday against Croatia, the surprise victors against Brazil.

Croatia's Dalic pledges 'this is not the end'

Sat, 10 Dec, 2022

Croatia's Dalic pledges 'this is not the end'

Al Rayyan: Croatia head coach Zlatko Dalic pledged "this is not the end" after his team sensationally dumped Brazil out of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 on penalties at the quarter-final stage on Friday.

The match finished 1-1 after extra time, with Bruno Petkovic cancelling out Neymar's brilliant solo opener in the dying minutes.

Croatia, finalists at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, won the shootout 4-2.

Tite bows out as Brazil coach

Sat, 10 Dec, 2022

Tite bows out as Brazil coach

Al Rayyan: Tite confirmed that it was the "end of a cycle" for him as head coach of Brazil after the favourites were dumped out of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 in the quarter-finals on penalties by Croatia on Friday.

The 61-year-old, who has been in charge since 2016, had previously made it no secret that he would leave the position after the tournament in Qatar, regardless of the outcome.

Preview - Quarter-final: Morocco v Portugal

Sat, 10 Dec, 2022

Preview - Quarter-final: Morocco v Portugal

Doha: Morocco head into Saturday's last-eight clash with Portugal knowing they are only one step away from making history as Africa's first FIFA World Cup semi-finalists, but they face a buoyant opposition fresh from scoring six goals against Switzerland.

Walid Regragui's Moroccans are in uncharted territory after a surprise run which saw them finish top of Group F after beating Belgium and Canada before a stunning victory over Spain on penalties in the last 16.

The Atlas Lions are only the fourth African side to reach the quarter-finals - after Cameroon in 1990, Senegal in 2002 and Ghana in 2010.

Preview - Quarter-final: England v France

Sun, 11 Dec, 2022

Preview - Quarter-final: England v France

Al Khor: Defending champions France take on England in a mouthwatering FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 quarter-final on Saturday that pits superstar Kylian Mbappe against a forward line-up packed with youthful zest.

The two European heavyweights, separated by just 32 kilometres of ocean, have surprisingly met just twice on the biggest stage, but not since 1982.