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☆ Morocco's Hakimi up against country of his birth at World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-05 | by ( Mark Gleeson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

DOHA, Dec 5 (Reuters) - Achraf Hakimi was born in Madrid but will have little hesitation plotting the downfall of Spain when he and his Moroccan teammates take on the 2010 World Cup winners on Tuesday. The flying wingback is one of the key players in the north African outfit whose last-16 match in the Qatar World Cup against Spain, at the Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, gives them a chance to reach the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time. Hakimi could even have been on the opposite side, as he was called up when still a teenager for Spain's junior team. Hakimi was in the side that almost beat them in Kaliningrad in 2018, giving up an injury time equaliser in a 2-2 draw at the last World Cup in Russia. WINNING MENTALITY"Spain are a top five team and always come to the World Cup to win.

☆ Ronaldo in sharp focus ahead of Portugal match against Switzerland
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-05 | by ( Karolos Grohmann | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

AL RAYYAN, Qatar, Dec 5 (Reuters) - Speculation regarding the future of Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo and his outburst following his substitution against South Korea were in sharp focus on Monday ahead of their World Cup last-16 game against Switzerland. "I have not spoken to him about this," Santos told a news conference ahead of Tuesday's game against the Swiss. For Santos, what is important is Portugal reaching the last eight for the first time since 2006. Portugal always have the obligation to win," said Santos, who has been in charge since 2014. After each game, if you win the game you are closer to being a favourite," he added.

☆ U.S. Soccer Believes That It Will Win—In 2026. There’s Work to Do.
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-04 | by ( Joshua Robinson | Andrew Beaton | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

AL RAYYAN, Qatar—An hour after the U.S. men’s national team had been eliminated from the World Cup, a handful of players were still strolling around the field at Khalifa International Stadium. They walked around, barefoot on the grass, soaking in their final moments on soccer’s biggest stage before they began the four-year wait for another shot. U.S. captain Tyler Adams lingered for as long as he could before the grounds crew ushered him off. The Americans had lost 3-1 to a technically superior Netherlands side, but Adams was convinced that his team shouldn’t have been the one going home.

☆ Argentina Advances to World Cup Quarterfinals with 2-1 Win Over Australia
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-04 | by ( Jonathan Clegg | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

AL RAYYAN, Qatar—The knockout round of the World Cup is home to some of the most dramatic and unpredictable moments in all of sports. But it isn’t the place to come looking for upsets. The group stage can be relied upon to deliver shockers and surprises—and this tournament has given us its fair share, including Saudi Arabia’s historic defeat of Argentina and Japan’s stunner against Germany. But when the knockout stage rolls around, it’s time for Cinderella to go home.

☆ 'Miraculous' Croatia ready for similar-styled Japan
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-04 | by ( Andrew Cawthorne | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

"The population of Croatia is 4 million and the results we have achieved on the world stage are miraculous," said Dalic, whose nation were runners-up at the last World Cup and are unbeaten in three games in Qatar. We have become a world football force." The 12th-ranked Croatians are favourites to beat 24th-ranked Japan, but the Samurai Blue astounded expectations to defeat two powerhouses and former World Cup winners, Spain and Germany, at the group stage in comebacks. We have a similar mentality, Japan and Croatia. AGAINST THE ODDSThe coach said Croatia would fight to match or even better their performance in Russia.

☆ World Cup winners will be team with best wide players, Wenger says
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-04 | by ( Martin Petty | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

"The teams block the centre of the pitch, so they open more on the flanks... it means the best teams who have the best wide players have the best chance to win the World Cup," Wenger said in a presentation in Qatar on Sunday. That defensive pattern also led to a 33% reduction since the 2018 World Cup in Russia in the number of "take-ons", or players in possession of the ball running at defenders and beating them, while many were being forced out wide. "This means the technical level of a goalkeeper distributing with has feet has become a vital element of quality of a team," Wenger said. "He is becoming a real part of the team; now they're part of the team, it's the modern part of the team." He also said he favoured the increase in the number of World Cup teams from 32 to 48 in 2026, saying it would encourage countries to raise their domestic standards.

☆ World Cup quarter-finals a step too far for gritty underdogs Poland
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-04 | by ( Rohith Nair | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

We succeeded, but in the next round we faced the world champions," Poland coach Czeslaw Michniewicz said. After weeks and months, we can proudly say we achieved what Poland wasn't able to achieve in 36 years." In order to take advantage of every striker in our team, we need to bring them closer to the right zone. Lewandowski and Szczesny may not be around for the 2026 edition after both players admitted the tournament in Qatar could be their last World Cup. Reporting by Rohith Nair in Al Rayyan; Editing by Ken Ferris and Clare FallonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Brazil's Neymar fit to face South Korea, says coach Tite
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-04 | by ( Fernando Kallas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

AL RAYYAN, Qatar, Dec 4 (Reuters) - Brazil forward Neymar is set to play for the five-times champions in their World Cup last-16 match against South Korea on Monday after recovering from an ankle injury, coach Tite said. Full back Danilo was also cleared by the medical staff for the game against South Korea. "Neymar will train today in the afternoon and if he trains well he will play," Tite told a news conference. Tite said Danilo was also fit to return against South Korea on Monday but Sandro was out. With Neymar back, Tite said there will be no changes in the forward line from the team that started against Serbia, with Lucas Paqueta behind Neymar, Vinicius Jr., Raphinha and Richarlison.

☆ The Striking Problem That Doomed America at the World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-03 | by ( Andrew Beaton | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

U.S. coach Gregg Berhalter and Christian Pulisic walk off the pitch after the 3-1 loss to the Netherlands. AL RAYYAN, Qatar—The clearest sign that the U.S. would be returning home from the World Cup after the Round of 16 came just three minutes into its clash with the Netherlands. Christian Pulisic had the ball in the middle of the box, with only the Dutch goalkeeper between him and a 1-0 lead. Pulisic’s shot was saved without much difficulty. If the best U.S. goal scorer couldn’t capitalize on an ideal opportunity, how were the Americans going to score enough to hang in the World Cup?

☆ U.S. Eliminated From World Cup With 3-1 Loss to the Netherlands
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-03 | by ( Joshua Robinson | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

The Netherlands’ Memphis Depay scored the first goal of the match in the 10th minute. AL RAYYAN, Qatar—If the U.S. and the Netherlands had one thing in common at this World Cup, it’s that they both arrived having spent four years kicking themselves for missing the last one. They were stung, embarrassed and rebuilding almost from scratch. After four games in Qatar, the Americans’ return to the game’s biggest stage is over. With a 3-1 loss to the Netherlands in the round of 16 on Saturday, the U.S. is heading home from the World Cup.

☆ Messi scores in milestone match as Argentina reach World Cup quarters
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-03 | by ( Martin Petty | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

AL RAYYAN, Qatar, Dec 3 (Reuters) - Lionel Messi scored his first goal in a World Cup knockout round on his 1,000th career appearance to beat Diego Maradona's tournament tally for Argentina as they beat off a late Australia fightback to win 2-1 on Saturday and reach the quarter-finals. Messi put Argentina ahead after 35 minutes with a coolly taken strike low into the corner for his 94th international goal to pass the great Maradona's eight World Cup goals, in a match where he was instrumental in almost every Argentine attack. Lifted throughout by rapturous, overwhelmingly Argentine support that sang and bounced in unison on all sides of the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, Argentina pressed and finally made the breakthrough. After Goodwin's deflected shot found the net, there was a real prospect of extra time in a stadium where the Socceroos had booked their World Cup place via a penalty shootout in an intercontinental playoff earlier this year. Argentina looked dangerous late on as they battled for a third goal, with Lautaro Martinez firing wide before substitute Garang Kuol missed with seconds left in stoppage time.

☆ Senegal seek to end African drought against England
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-03 | by ( Steve Keating | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

England have faced African opposition 20 times, including seven at a World Cup, and have yet to lose. Senegal burst into that tournament by defeating reigning champions France and the dreadlocked Cisse has shared those memories with his players ahead of their date with England. "Beating England would be a tremendous achievement, I don't know how important it would rate compared to the victory in 2002, that was important as well. If we can beat a team like England it sends out a very strong message about the progress we have made." Bogaert explained that Senegal has done their homework and have paid special attention to set pieces - a part of the game where England have been particularly dangerous in recent years.

☆ England's Kane working on tapering form to peak in knockout rounds
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-03 | by ( Rohith Nair | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

"I think it probably goes back to 2018 in the World Cup. "As the tournament went on I felt like my performances maybe dipped in the latter stages. I was trying to make sure that, physically and mentally, I was in the best place for the knockout stages. I would love to be sitting here with two or three goals now, but I think the group stage has gone well. We know that they're African champions - very proud, great competitive spirit, a lot of belief in the team," Southgate added.

☆ Lionel Messi plays 1,000th career game
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

AL RAYYAN, Qatar, Dec 3 (Reuters) - Lionel Messi began the 1,000th game of his remarkable career on Saturday in Argentina's World Cup last 16 clash with Australia as he sought the only major trophy to elude him. The 35-year-old is Argentina's all-time top scorer, with 93 goals, and was making his 169th appearance for his nation. Messi joined Barcelona's youth setup at 13, becoming their top scorer also with with 672 goals in 778 games, before moving to Paris St Germain last year. In total, he has scored 788 career goals. Reporting by Andrew Cawthorne; Editing by Angus MacSwanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Proud Son endured 'longest six minutes' before Korea advanced
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-03 | by ( Michael Church | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

"It was the longest six minutes of my life, but in the circle we were really positive," said Son, who will be playing in the World Cup knockout rounds for the first time in his career. Korea's win over the Portuguese carried echoes of their 2-0 victory over Germany in Russia four years ago, which eliminated the then-defending champions. The Koreans will next take on tournament favourites Brazil on Monday with Son praising the unity within Paulo Bento's squad. "We're really, really close. I'm really grateful to those who didn't play, they could be sad but they didn't show their disappointment.

☆ With 2026 on the horizon future looks bright for young Americans
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-03 | by ( Steve Keating | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

[1/5] Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Round of 16 - Netherlands v United States - Khalifa International Stadium, Doha, Qatar - December 3, 2022 United States players applaud fans after the match as United States are eliminated from the World Cup REUTERS/Annegret HilseAL RAYYAN, Qatar, Dec 3 (Reuters) - The United States exited the World Cup with a Round of 16 loss to the Netherlands on Saturday but looking towards the 2026 horizon, a bright future is rising for the young Americans. With defender DeAndre Yedlin, who played in Brazil in 2014, the only link to the country's World Cup past, the Americans' lack of experience was glaring at moments but offset by exuberance and a breathless work rate. A gritty, politically charged win over Iran and draws against England and Wales carried the United States into the last 16 but more will be expected on home soil. "We're just not there yet, we have to use this World Cup to establish ourselves. The loss to the Netherlands underscored the hard work ahead if the Americans plan to venture beyond the Round of 16 in 2026.

☆ This Flying Dutchman Can Sink the Americans at the World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-02 | by ( Andrew Beaton | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

AL RAYYAN, Qatar—Almost a decade ago, an American teenager who was starting to attract attention from the top teams in Europe made a pit stop in the Netherlands. Christian Pulisic’s time at PSV Eindhoven was brief, but he was there long enough to play in a youth tournament against the academies from other elite clubs. And one of his teammates would eventually become an even more dangerous attacking talent than he was. His name was Cody Gakpo. And Gakpo is now the player capable of sending Pulisic and the Americans home from the World Cup.

☆ Japan Upsets Spain and Eliminates Germany From the World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-02 | by ( Joshua Robinson | Jonathan Clegg | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

AL RAYYAN, Qatar—On the day his team landed in a World Cup group alongside Spain and Germany last spring, Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu did his best not to sound alarmed. He spoke about his team’s belief, its inherent quality, and its desire to test itself against the best in the world. But, Moriyasu knew, there was no getting around the truth. Surrounded by two of the past three champions, Japan had landed in the World Cup’s Group of Death.

☆ Waiting is the hardest part as South Korea reach last 16
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-02 | by ( Steve Keating | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

"While waiting for the result of the Uruguay and Ghana match it was difficult," said goalscorer Hwang, whose heroics earned him man of the match honours. Portugal topped the group but the Koreans edged out Uruguay on the second tiebreak - number of goals scored. It marks only the third time that South Korea have made it to the round of 16 and they will be determined to try to match their best result - reaching the semi-finals at home in 2002. "I cannot compare because I did not know the Korean team back in 2002," said assistant coach Sergio Costa. Reporting by Steve Keating in Al Rayyan; Editing by Ken FerrisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Berhalter hoping to draw on Dutch lessons in last 16 tie
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-02 | by ( Hritika Sharma | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Former American international Berhalter signed his first professional contract with Dutch side PEC Zwolle and also played for Sparta Rotterdam and Cambuur Leeuwarden during an 18-year playing career. Berhalter is not the only person in the American camp with Dutch experience. Right back Sergino Dest was born to a Dutch mother and Surinamese-American father in Almere, Netherlands and grew up in Holland. It's a very good club to develop players and he did really well there," Berhalter said. "It looks pretty good, but we'll have to see him today on the pitch to get confirmation of that," Berhalter said.

☆ Ronaldo denies he swore at Portugal coach over substitution
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-02 | by ( William Schomberg | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Ronaldo, Portugal's captain, said the comments he made as he left the field in the 65th minute were in fact aimed at a South Korean player. The 37-year-old is seeking to equal the Portuguese record of most World Cup goals held by Eusebio, who racked up nine in 1966 in England, the only World Cup tournament he played in. Santos, asked by reporters about the substitution incident, also said a South Korean player had been aggressive in his comments towards the five-time Ballon d'Or winner. Ronaldo was kept largely at bay by South Korea's defence in the Asians' last-gasp victory over Portugal that sent Uruguay out of the World Cup. We wanted to go through with a win, we wanted to go through playing good football to keep boosting our confidence," Santos said.

☆ South Korea beat Portugal to squeeze into next round at World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-02 | by ( Anita Kobylinska | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/8] Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Group H - South Korea v Portugal - Education City Stadium, Al Rayyan, Qatar - December 2, 2022 South Korea players celebrate after the match as South Korea qualify for the knockout stages REUTERS/Wolfgang RattayAL RAYYAN, Qatar, Dec 2 (Reuters) - South Korea scored a last-gasp goal to beat already-qualified Portugal 2-1 at the World Cup in a comeback win that sent the Asian side into the last 16 ahead of Uruguay on goals scored. South Korea had to beat Portugal at the Education City Stadium to stand a chance of going through to the last 16 and their win catapulted them from fourth to second place by virtue of having scored four goals in the tournament to Uruguay's two. Portugal finished top despite the loss and should avoid facing likely Group G winners Brazil in the knockout stage. However, they did manage to equalise 10 minutes later through defender Kim Young-gwon who scored after the ball bounced off Cristiano Ronaldo's back following a corner. Writing by William Schomberg and Anita Kobylinska; Editing by Ken FerrisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Analysis: Relentless Son drives South Korea into last 16
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-02 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

AL RAYYAN, Qatar, Dec 2 (Reuters) - South Korea talisman Son Heung-min is still without a goal at this World Cup but he ran himself into the ground on Friday to ensure his team reached the last 16 in dramatic fashion. The Asian side simply refused to accept that their World Cup dream was over and it was captain Son who epitomised the Koreans' relentless energy with a selfless display. From a Portugal corner, the ball was cleared and suddenly captain Son found himself in acres of space on the lush turf. That saw South Korea jump from bottom of the group to second, above Uruguay who beat Ghana 2-0 but were left in third place by virtue of scoring fewer goals than South Korea. But Son led by example, summoning the spirit of 2002 when South Korea reached the semi-finals on home soil, having also beaten Portugal to get out of the group.

☆ Ronaldo leads Portugal against South Korea after injury scare
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Portugal, needing only a draw to be sure of top spot in Group H and mindful of the risk of yellow-card suspensions in the next round, have brought Diogo Dalot and Antonio Silva into the defence. Matheus Nunes, Vitinha and Joao Mario come into the midfield in place of Bernardo Silva, William Carvalho and Bruno Fernandes -- who scored twice in the 2-0 win over Uruguay -- while Ricardo Horta replaces Joao Felix up front. South Korea's Portuguese coach Paulo Bento left out central defender Kim Min-jae, who was an injury doubt, and replaced him with Kwon Kyung-won, while Lee Jae-sung and Lee Kang-in were drafted into midfield. The Koreans, with one point so far, must beat Portugal and hope the result of Ghana's match with Uruguay goes their way in order to reach the last 16. TeamsSouth Korea: Kim Seung-gyu, Kim Moon-hwan, Kwon Kyung-won, Kim Young-gwon, Kim Jin-su, Lee Jae-sung, Lee Kang-in, Jeong Woo-yeong, Hwang In-beom, Son Heung-min, Cho Gue-sungPortugal: Diogo Costa, Diogo Dalot, Pepe, Antonio Silva, Joao Cancelo, Matheus Nunes, Ruben Neves, Vitinha, Joao Mario, Cristiano Ronaldo, Ricardo HortaWriting by William Schomberg and Anita Kobylinska; Editing by Ken FerrisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ U.S. Star Christian Pulisic’s Status Uncertain for World Cup Clash vs. Netherlands
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-01 | by ( Andrew Beaton | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

AL RAYYAN, Qatar— U.S. men’s national team star Christian Pulisic said he would do “everything within my power” to play in the Americans’ Round of 16 match against the Netherlands on Saturday, but stopped short of guaranteeing he will appear after suffering an injury in the group stage finale against Iran. The U.S. win over Iran that sent the team to the knockout stage came at a high price when Pulisic was hurt as he scored the only goal in the 1-0 win. After briefly returning to the pitch, he left the game at halftime and was taken to the hospital for tests, where he followed the end of the game on a cellphone. Pulisic is officially labeled as “day to day” with a pelvic contusion.

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