World Cup 2022 thread

[Trollheart]

DAY 2

GROUP B

England v Iran (Result: 6-2)

Went pretty much as expected, though even I would not have predicted how many goals England would get. I was thinking maybe 4-0. In the end it was 6-2 to England, with Iran finally waking up near the end and scoring a peach of a goal out of basically nothing, and then getting a penalty right at the end. First scorer for England was Bellingham, the only player, I believe, in the team not playing in the English leagues (he's with Borussia Dortmund) and his first ever goal in the World Cup, a lovely header. Next was Arsenal's Saka with a sweet volley, followed by Sterling from Chelsea, a great assist from Harry Kane giving England their third. Saka scored again in the second half, with no reply from Iran as yet.

Soon after Taremi scored literally out of nothing, but England came back with another courtesy of Man United's Rashford, the sixth being scored by Jack Grealish of Man City. In the very last seconds of ten minutes (TEN MINUTES???) of extra time, Iran got a penalty when Stones pulled one of the players' shirts, and coming ten minutes after another glorious chance for Iran went begging, Taremi took the penalty coolly and netted a second, which at least left the scoreline looking not so disastrous for Iran, but a powerful opening statement from England. Of course, it was only Iran, and they were expected to win, nevertheless they now top the group.


GROUP A

Senegal v Netherlands (Result: 0-2)

First African nation up versus one of the tournament's favourites, Senegal ruing the loss of Mane, out injured. Netherlands missed a sitter, ball passed but nobody there to tap it in, should have been ahead in the third minute. As it turned out, somewhat hesitant play from the Dutch led to them squandering more chances, of which they had the most, but it was in the closing minutes that Netherlands scored through Gakpo, finally, their pressure paying off. Senegal had just lost Kouyate, one of their best players, to a hamstring injury, which was a huge blow to the African team. They never recovered, and though they went close in the last minute or so, the Dutch finished it off in the last minutes of extra time with a second, this time from Klassen, and that was that.

USA v Wales (Result: 1-1 )

Possibly the first two teams to play being even matched; this could have gone either way. Powerful pressure from the USA, who went very close in the 9th minute, only being stopped by a smart save from the keeper. In the end it was the 35th minute before they scored through Weah. In the second half Wales went close, this time the American keeper preventing them drawing level, and then missed from a corner a few moments later.

And then a penalty to Wales in the 80th minute gave Gareth Bale the opportunity to score, and he did not waste the chance. The momentum was now with Wales, but the USA hung on for the draw, so honours even.



Four matches tomorrow:

Group C

Argentina v Saudi Arabia: Argentina twice winners, and with Messi in their squad, who would bet against them?

Mexico v Poland: I imagine that could be interesting.

Group D

Denmark v Tunisia: Would have to bet on the Danes here, but then you never know.

France v Australia: Winners of the tournament twice also, and current holders of the title, you couldn't see France having much trouble beating the Socceroos.