Long matches, frequent stoppages, and increased injury times have been a common pattern throughout the FIFA World Cup in Qatar so far, leading to fans asking questions regarding the same. In fact, in the first five matches of the World Cup, the combined stoppage time added to 90 minutes – which is the duration of an extra football game itself. The opening Group B clash between England and Iran saw an astounding 24 minutes of injury time, with 14 in the first half and 10 in the second half. It is not a common sight to see so much injury time added to matches,…
Author: 1X Team
Argentina captain Lionel Messi has urged the fans to unite and deliver a compelling response to Saudi Arabia’s “hard blow” in the opening match of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. Messi’s penalty spot conversion after 10 minutes in Lusail raised the prospect of an Argentina cruise, which was widely expected. Lionel Scaloni’s men threatened to extend their lead several times and had three ‘goals’ disallowed for offside. However, the valiant Saudis stunned their illustrious opponents with two goals in five second-half minutes to turn the game – and the established order of world football – on its head, leaving them with…
Saudi King Salman declared a holiday for all public and private employees on Wednesday following the country’s 2-1 victory over Argentina in their FIFA World Cup opener. After conceding an early Lionel Messi penalty, Saudi Arabia produced one of the greatest World Cup upsets thanks to a Saleh Al-Shehri equaliser and a sublime Salem Al-Dawsari winner at Doha’s Lusail Stadium. Saudi Arabia ended Argentina’s 36-match unbeaten streak, which included a Copa America 2021 title. After the final whistle, fans formed impromptu dance circles and waved the sword-emblazoned national flag from the windows of speeding cars throughout the capital Riyadh. The government declared a public holiday for…
Les Bleus came back from a goal down to rout Australia 4-1 to begin their 2022 World Cup defence. Olivier Giroud grabbed a brace while Adrien Rabiot and Kylian Mbappe also scored for Didier Deschamps’ side. For a while, it seemed like the World Cup defending champions’ curse was alive and breathing after France conceded a shock goal inside the first 10 minutes. Against the run of play, Craig Goodwin gave the Socceroos the lead with a thunderous strike at the far post in the ninth minute of the game. Getting on to the end of Matthew Leckie’s cross from the right, Goodwin smacked the…
Tunisia held tournament dark horses Denmark to a pulsating 0-0 draw in their opening group game, leaving Group D wide open ahead of France’s clash with Australia later Tuesday. Jalel Kadri’s men started the game stronger, with the African side pressing the opposition high up the pitch and denying their talented midfield trio any time on the ball. They nearly got their reward as well, with Issam Jebali poking home for the visitors only to see the offside flag raised before being denied later by an excellent Kasper Schmeichel save. However, even as Denmark grew into the game, the Eagles of Carthage continued to go toe-to-toe…
Argentina, one of the 2022 World Cup favourites, suffered one of the biggest shocks of the tournament on Tuesday, as Saudi Arabia came from behind to win 2-1 in front of 88,012 fans at Lusail Stadium. La Albiceleste took a 10th-minute lead from the penalty spot thanks to Lionel Messi’s penalty kick. However, two goals early in the second half, including an outstanding strike from Salem Al-Dawsari, turned the game on its head and left the Albiceleste with little margin for error in their remaining Group C games against Mexico and Poland. Argentina were on course to match Italy’s record unbeaten run of 37…
Given the political and divisive nature of the FIFA World Cup being hosted in Qatar, FIFA has already communicated to different national federations that political messages will not be allowed on the pitch. However, England captain Harry Kane has said he will go ahead and wear the “OneLove” captain’s armband as a symbolic gesture of support for the LGBTQ community despite the threat of a yellow card and the England FA are prepared to be fined. Despite resistance from FIFA over political gestures and messages on the field, the Tottenham striker has said that he is ready to go ahead and wear…
France’s World Cup hopes were dealt a huge blow late Saturday when Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema was ruled out of the tournament in Qatar due to an injured left thigh. The 34-year-old Real Madrid striker had been battling an injury for some time and had played less than half an hour in his club’s last six games before the tournament. For the first time since the World Cup holders gathered last week ahead of the tournament, he participated in full training on Saturday. With the injury, the Real Madrid striker was forced to withdraw from the session at Qatari champions Al…
Ecuador captain Enner Valencia scored twice in the first half to stun the hosts Qatar in the opening match of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The tournament opener was preceded by the opening ceremony featuring the likes of Morgan Freeman and Jung Kook of BTS. Football’s biggest party is now upon us. Led by a dazzling show of lights, dancers, music, narration, as well as cultural references and throwbacks to previous World Cups, Qatar kicked off the first FIFA World Cup to be held in the Arab world in an emphatic fashion. Morgan Freeman lent his voice to the narration of events…
Argentina’s hopes of ending a 36-year World Cup title drought in Qatar can be hampered by Brazil, France, and England, according to Albiceleste captain Lionel Messi. “Whenever we talk about candidates, we always talk about the same teams,” “If I have to put some above others I think Brazil, France and England are a little bit above the rest. But the World Cup is so difficult and so complicated that anything can happen.”the Paris Saint-Germain attacker said in an interview with the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL). Lionel Scaloni’s men are unbeaten in their last 35 games, which includes the Copa America final…