FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022

Argentina 1 Saudi Arabia 2

Messi (10'minutes pen)

Al Shehri (48'minutes),
Al Dawsari (53'minutes)

A bold and brilliant Saudi Arabia pulled off one of the World Cup's biggest shocks as they came from behind to stun two-time winners Argentina in a fantastic Group C opener in Lusail.




Ranked 51st in the world, Saudi Arabia could have been done and dusted in the first half as Lionel Messi opened the scoring from the penalty spot before Argentina had three goals ruled out for offside.

But Saudi Arabia flipped the game on its head in a stunning 10-minute period after half-time, Saleh Al-Shehri levelling with a low effort and Salem Al Dawsari firing them ahead to spark pandemonium in the stands.

Having shown their ruthlessness at one end, the Green Falcons demonstrated a ruggedness at the other, holding a stellar Argentina front line at bay to secure only their fourth World Cup win in history and throw the group wide open.

Denmark 0 Tunisia 0


Denmark were held to a draw by Tunisia in their World Cup opener in a raucous atmosphere at the Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan.



Despite fielding many Premier League regulars, the much-fancied Danes were given a tough workout in Group D.

Both sides had goals ruled out for offside, while Denmark's Andreas Cornelius somehow missed from a yard.

There was 95th-minute drama when referee Cesar Ramos checked the pitchside monitor over a potential Denmark penalty for handball, only to stick with his original decision and award a goal-kick.

Mexico 0 Poland 0

Robert Lewandowski had a penalty saved as Poland and Mexico played out a goalless World Cup draw at a fervent Stadium 974.



A forgettable first half saw Alexis Vega head narrowly wide and the only effort on target came when Jorge Sanchez's shot from the angle was pushed away by Wojciech Szczesny.

Hirving Lozano's curling effort from range was straight at the Poland goalkeeper, before the game finally sparked into life in the second half.

But both sides had to settle for a draw after Ochoa, 37, dived the right way to keep out Barcelona striker Lewandowski's penalty, awarded after the referee watched a replay on the pitchside monitor.

France 4 Australia 1

Rabiot (27'minutes),
Giroud (32'minutes, 71'minutes),
Mbappé (68'minutes)

Goodwin (9'minutes)

Olivier Giroud equalled Thierry Henry's all-time scoring record for France as the holders started the defence of their World Cup crown with an emphatic win over Australia.



Craig Goodwin side-footed the Socceroos into a surprise lead before Adrien Rabiot's header made it 1-1.

France went ahead through Giroud and Kylian Mbappe extended the lead.

Giroud, 36, capped a strong display by nodding past keeper Mathew Ryan, his 51st goal for his country.

Wednesday's games are Group E (13:00 GMT) Germany v Japan and (16:00 GMT) Spain v Costa Rica, and Group F (10:00 GMT) Morocco v Croatia and (19:00 GMT) Belgium v Canada
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Morocco are at their 6th tournament with a previous best reaching Round of 16 in 1986. Defender Nayef Aguerd has recovered from the ankle injury he picked up in pre-season, despite only making one West Ham appearance in the Premier League this season - as a substitute in the 2-0 loss against Leicester on 12 November.

Croatia are making a 6th apprentice in the World Cup. They achieved 3rd in there first tournament in 1998 and 20 years later reached the final in 2018 losing 4-2 against France. They have no fresh injury concerns, with Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic available despite struggling with a knee injury recently.
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Germany are making a 20th appearance, winning the title 4 times (1954, 1972, 1980, 1996). Leroy Sane has been ruled out of Germany’s opening fixture with a knee injury but Thomas Muller and Antonio Rudiger have appeared to shake off fitness concerns and are in line to start.

Japan play a 7th tournament, with a reasonable form in recent times reaching Round of 16 in 2002, 2010, 2018. Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu should be fit enough to start for Japan, who have a wealth of attacking options.
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Spain the 2010 champions have qualified for a 16th time. Left-back Jose Gaya withdrew from the squad for the tournament after suffering an ankle injury in training. He's been replaced by Barcelona Atletic teenager Alejandro Bald.

Costa Rica at thier 6th tournament with a best result Quarter-finals in 2014. They didn't have a shortage of players to choose from having used 77 players during the tenure of Luis Fernando Suarez - which only began in June 2021. Which was whittle down to the 26 members of the final selection, all expected to be fit for the opener.
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Belgium will complete at their 14th tournament with a best of Third place achieved at the last World Cup in 2018. They will be without record goalscorer Romelu Lukaku who has played less than half an hour of football for Inter since August after sustaining a pair of hamstring injuries in quick succession. Thomas Meunier is a doubt due to the broken cheekbone he suffered last month, while Jan Vertonghen has also been carrying a knock.

Canada are at only their 2nd World Cup, in their only other appearance in 1986 they went out at Group stage without scoring a goal. They have been boosted by the news that Alphonso Davies has been passed fit after a hamstring strain. Stephen Eustaquio has recovered from a muscle problem and goalkeeper Milan Borjan is also available.

Morocco 0 Croatia 0

Croatia, runners-up four years ago, started their World Cup campaign with a goalless draw against a well-drilled Morocco at Al Bayt Stadium.



Only four players from their final defeat by France in 2018 started this game and they lacked an attacking spark throughout, but came closest through Nikola Vlasic's toe-poked effort.

Morocco were impressive, but failed to create clear-cut opportunities.

Germany 1 Japan 2

Gündogan (33'minutes pen)

Doan (75'minutes),
Asano (83'minutes)

A stunning late comeback from Japan saw four-time winners Germany fall to a shock defeat in their opening World Cup game in Qatar.


Germany dominated a frenetic match for large spells but failed to capitalise on their pressure. Manchester City's Ilkay Gundogan had given Germany the lead from the penalty spot in the first half, before Japan substitute Ritsu Doan equalised in the 75th minute.

Substitute Takuma Asano squeezed in a thumping strike from a tight angle to make it 2-1 to Japan and ran over to the photographers in the corner of the stadium in sheer delight.

Spain 7 Costa Rica 0

Olmo (11'minutes),
Asensio (21'minutes),
F Torres (31'minutes pen, 54'minutes),
Gavi (74'minutes),
Soler (90'minutes),
Morata (90'+2minutes)

Gavi announced himself on the global stage with a brilliant volley as Spain produced a sparkling passing performance to outclass Costa Rica and start their World Cup in sensational style.



Ferran Torres scored twice in what was a stroll from start to finish for the 2010 champions but the pick of their seven goals was Gavi's outstanding volleyed finish, with the Barcelona teenager using the outside of his foot to steer a dropping ball home via the post.

Belgium 1 Canada 0

Batshuayi (44'minutes)

Belgium laboured to victory in their opening World Cup game as they were pushed all the way by an outstanding effort from Canada.



Canada dominated large portions of this Group F game but were wasteful in front of goal, particularly when Alphonso Davies saw a first-half penalty saved by Belgium keeper Thibaut Courtois.

Courtois also had to save well from Alistair Johnston, but Canada were undone against the run of play on the stroke of half-time when Michy Batshuayi collected Toby Alderweireld's long ball and fired a powerful left-foot finish past Milan Borjan.

Jonathan David wasted a glorious headed chance to draw Canada level and Courtois also saved from Cyle Larin. Canada were also left nursing a sense of injustice after they had two presentable penalty appeals ignored in the first half. Canada continued to push forward in the second half but it was Belgium who closed out the win.

yeah and was given the tournament at the same time as Russia. Who also have quite a rocky view on human rights and gays. Was hosted not long after they annexed Crimea. And for the most part no one cared and look what happened since

Just like before the World Cup which there's been 12 years to do anything about any of these problems, it'll probably all be forgotten again after as anything can be payed off with money and oil