Batshuayi fires Belgium past Canada

Thu, 24 Nov, 2022

Batshuayi fires Belgium past Canada

Al Rayyan: Michy Batshuayi's first-half goal proved enough for a below-par Belgium to squeeze to a 1-0 win over a Canada side playing their first FIFA World Cup match for 36 years on Wednesday.

Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois saved Alphonso Davies' early penalty and Batshuayi opened the scoring against the run of play in the 44th minute.

John Herdman's Canada, roared on by their vocal support, also had another strong penalty appeal turned down and dominated the second half to no avail.

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Resilient Japan shock Germany

Thu, 24 Nov, 2022

Resilient Japan shock Germany

Doha: Takuma Asano was the hero as Japan came from behind to stun four-time champions Germany and open their FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group E campaign with a 2-1 victory on Wednesday. 

Germany dominated the opening half at the Khalifa International Stadium and went in front through an Ilkay Gundogan penalty just after the half-hour before substitute Ritsu Doan levelled with 15 minutes to play.

And fellow substitute Asano then turned the game on its head with seven minutes remaining when he fired into the roof of the German net to secure a win for the ages on yet another historic day for Asian football in Qatar.

Spain ignite bid by impressing against Costa Rica

Thu, 24 Nov, 2022

Spain ignite bid by impressing against Costa Rica

Doha: Spain shredded Costa Rica 7-0 on Wednesday in a brutal destruction in their Qatar 2022 Group E opener which launched their bid to lift a second FIFA World Cup.

Avoiding the fate of giants Argentina and group rivals Germany, who lost 2-1 to Japan earlier on, Luis Enrique's fancied side sparkled at Doha's Al Thumama Stadium, dominating possession and taking their chances mercilessly.

Ferran Torres netted twice and Marco Asensio, Dani Olmo, Gavi, Carlos Soler and Alvaro Morata were also on the scoresheet for the Euro 2020 semi-finalists in an emphatic romp.

Solid Morocco hold Modric's Croatia

Wed, 23 Nov, 2022

Solid Morocco hold Modric's Croatia

Al Khor: Morocco held Croatia to a 0-0 draw in their opening Group F game of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 on Wednesday, producing a spirited display against the 2018 runners-up led by Luka Modric.

Backed by Qatar's large Moroccan community at the Al Bayt Stadium, the Atlas Lions followed up north African rivals Tunisia's strong performance against Denmark a day earlier to frustrate Croatia.

Preview - Group H: Uruguay v Korea Republic

Thu, 24 Nov, 2022

Preview - Group H: Uruguay v Korea Republic

Al Rayyan: Korea Republic head coach Paulo Bento expects Son Heung-min to be fit to face Uruguay in his side’s FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group H opener at the Education City Stadium on Thursday but there will be no place in the squad for Hwang Hee-chan.

Bento ruled Hwang out of the clash with the South Americans and revealed the Koreans would make a late decision over the selection of Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors full back Kim Jin-su.

Arnold: France were too good for Australia

Wed, 23 Nov, 2022

Arnold: France were too good for Australia

Al Wakrah: Graham Arnold conceded his Australia team could do little to match the quality of defending champions France as the Socceroos slipped to a 4-1 loss in their opening FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 clash on Tuesday.

The defeat equalled Australia’s worst-ever result at a FIFA World Cup – a 4-1 loss against Germany in South Africa in 2010 – as Olivier Giroud’s double and efforts from Adrien Rabiot and Kylian Mbappe earned France a comprehensive win after Craig Goodwin’s early opener.

Saudi Arabia's Renard not dwelling on 'crazy' win

Wed, 23 Nov, 2022

Saudi Arabia's Renard not dwelling on 'crazy' win

Doha: Saudi Arabia's French coach Herve Renard warned his players not to celebrate for too long after their "totally crazy" 2-1 win against Argentina in their FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group C opener on Tuesday.

The Saudis bounced back from conceding an early Lionel Messi penalty to produce one of the great FIFA World Cup shocks thanks to a Saleh Al Shehri equaliser and a sublime Salem Al Dawsari winner at the Lusail Stadium in Doha.