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☆ Shocks aplenty but Asia again unrepresented at business end
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-06 | by ( Nick Mulvenney | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

DOHA, Dec 6 (Reuters) - Asia will again be unrepresented in the World Cup quarter-finals but several upset wins and vibrant displays have many in the continent feeling that the gap to the best teams is closing. Japan, South Korea and Australia made it out of the group stage for a record representation in the last 16 but none were able emulate the 2002 Taegeuk Warriors and the North Korean side of 1966 by making the quarter-finals. All the people that are involved in the football in Asia as well as Japan I think can share our happiness." Of all the success for the Asian confederation sides, Australia's progressing to the last 16 was perhaps the most surprising given they had scraped into the tournament via two playoffs. "I do believe that Asian football is getting stronger and stronger and stronger, and we're catching up quickly."

☆ World Cup quarterfinals: Qualifying teams, fixtures and schedule
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-06 | by ( Alasdair Howorth | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —We are waiting on two teams to qualify for the World Cup quarterfinals, but six have already booked their places in the last eight. ETWhere: Education City StadiumAccording to Opta, Croatia has a 2.86% chance of winning the World Cup. But this team looks like it could be the first since 2002 to bring the World Cup trophy back to its spiritual home. ETWhere: Al Bayt StadiumAccording to Opta, England has a 18.83% chance of winning the World Cup. Which begs the question: is this the best England team since 1966, when it last won thee World?

☆ Analysis: Soccer-Morocco success hands Arab world its first World Cup quarter-finalist
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-06 | by ( Mark Gleeson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

In doing so, they became the first Arab nation to advance to the last eight, ensuring a breakthrough for the region in the first global tournament in the Middle East, and also became the fourth African side to go this far in World Cup history. The ear-shattering cacophonic combination of singing, drumming, jeering and whistling from Morocco’s supporters has created an atmosphere like no other in Qatar’s stadiums. They were again the vast majority in the capacity 44,667 crowd at the Education City Stadium, completely drowning out the Spain fans. But most of them shuffled from one side to another, rarely producing the penetrative pass Spain were looking for. They will however be mightily concerned to have lost centre back Nayef Aguerd, who limped off in tears in the second half, having just made the World Cup after ankle surgery kept him out for most of the season at his new English club West Ham United.

☆ Croatia beats Japan on penalties to reach World Cup quarterfinals
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-05 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +28 min

CNN —Goalkeeper Dominik Livaković made himself a national hero as Croatia beat Japan on penalties 1-1 (3-1) to reach the World Cup quarterfinals. Marko Djurica/ReutersJapan’s heartbreakDespite its defeat, Japan can look back at an impressive World Cup campaign. They made history Thursday as the first all-female refereeing crew for a men's World Cup match. Mbappé was one of the leading stars of the team's World Cup triumph four years ago. He also became just the third goalkeeper to save three penalties in a single World Cup shootout.

☆ France reaches World Cup quarterfinals with 3-1 victory over Poland as Kylian Mbappé breaks Pelé’s record
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-04 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +30 min

CNN —France was made to work hard for its place in the World Cup quarterfinals, overcoming an improved Poland side 3-1 thanks to goals from Olivier Giroud and Kylian Mbappé. That is Mbappé’s fifth goal of Qatar 2022 and already his ninth World Cup goal overall, breaking Pelé’s record of seven World Cup goals scored before the age of 24. They made history Thursday as the first all-female refereeing crew for a men's World Cup match. Issei Kato/Reuters Kylian Mbappé scores his second goal on November 26, leading France to a 2-1 victory over Denmark. Mbappé was one of the leading stars of the team's World Cup triumph four years ago.

☆ USMNT’s youth and talent at Qatar 2022 bodes well for 2026 World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-04 | by ( Issy Ronald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +31 min

The Netherlands knocked the USMNT out of the Qatar World Cup on Saturday. They made history Thursday as the first all-female refereeing crew for a men's World Cup match. Frappert became the first woman to referee a men's World Cup match. It was Morocco's first World Cup win since 1998 — and its third-ever at the tournament. Qatar is the first Islamic country to host a World Cup.

☆ Japan vs. Croatia: Samurai Blue aiming to reach World Cup quarterfinals for first time
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-04 | by ( Aimee Lewis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +31 min

CNN —In a World Cup of surprises, Japan has played a leading role in headline-making shock results. Croatia is a team undefeated in nine of its last 10 World Cup matches. They made history Thursday as the first all-female refereeing crew for a men's World Cup match. Frappert became the first woman to referee a men's World Cup match. It was Morocco's first World Cup win since 1998 — and its third-ever at the tournament.

☆ Heartbroken Australia bow out with heads held high
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-04 | by ( Nick Mulvenney | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

"I just hope that everyone back in Australia really respects what we've done," said coach Graham Arnold. Indefatigable running, cohesiveness and pure Aussie grit had earned them back-to-back victories at the World Cup finals for the first time, surpassing even the hallowed 'Golden Generation' side of 2006. They just scraped into the tournament via two playoffs and departed for Qatar with the lowest expectations of any of the six Australia squads who have embarked on World Cup finals campaigns since 1974. On an individual level, young players like central defender Harry Souttar and Goodwin have proved they can mix it with the best in the world. Reporting by Nick Mulvenney; Editing by Ken FerrisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ World Cup 2022 Round of 16: qualified teams, schedule and how it works
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Dec 3 (Reuters) - With the World Cup knockout phase having begun, here is an overview of the teams advancing to the last 16 at the tournament in Qatar:HOW DOES THE KNOCKOUT STAGE AT WORLD CUP 2022 WORK? * In the knockout stage the teams will play each other once, with the winning team going to the next round. There are total of four rounds: Round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals and final, which will take place on Dec. 18. * Australia claimed a spot in the last 16 as Group D runners-up with 6 points from wins over Tunisia and Denmark. * Croatia joined the last 16 after two goalless draws with Morocco and Belgium and a 4-1 victory over Canada.

☆ Group stage excels as World Cup just keeps giving - now for the serious bit
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-03 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

That debate will continue after the final ball is kicked, but as far as what has happened inside the eight gleaming stadiums, the World Cup has been a stunning spectacle. When Lionel Messi gave Argentina the lead from the penalty spot in their opening Group C match against Saudi Arabia, all seemed normal. But Saleh Al-Shehri and Salem Al-Dawsari sealed a 2-1 Group C win for the 51st-ranked Green Falcons that, according to data company Nielsen Gracenote, was the biggest statistical shock in World Cup history. Goals by Itsu Doan and Ao Tanaka gave Japan the lead and Costa Rica hit back to lead Germany. After probably the most memorable group phase of any World Cup, now for the serious business.

☆ World Cup 2022: which teams are out of FIFA tournament?
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-02 | by ( Alan Baldwin | Joel Dubber | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Dec 2 (Reuters) - With the World Cup in Qatar nearing its knockout phase, here is an overview of the teams that have been eliminated from the tournament, which ends on Dec. 18. They ended their campaign without a point after a 2-0 defeat to the Netherlands in their final group stage match. MEXICO* Mexico missed out on the knockout stages after finishing behind Poland on goal difference, ending a run of seven successive last-16 appearances at the World Cup. GERMANY* Germany were knocked out of the World Cup at the group stage for a second consecutive time, finishing third in Group E behind Japan and Spain. CANADA* Canada, making their first World Cup appearance since 1986, finished bottom of Group F with three losses.

☆ Masks at World Cup: Why are South Korea star Son Heung-min and others wearing them?
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-02 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

You’d be forgiven for mistaking Son for a masked vigilante as he’s been wearing a superhero-like mask at the 2022 World Cup. Son is wearing the mask – which covers his eyes and nose – as a protective measure. After playing in Korea’s opening game of the World Cup against Uruguay – the first in the mask – Son said he felt “comfortable.”“I’m just happy that with the mask, I can play,” Son told reporters, per Reuters. But Son is not the only player to be playing at the World Cup wearing a protective mask. Gvardiol looks at the ball during Croatia's game against Canada at the 2022 World Cup.

☆ Beating Brazil tempers Cameroon disapppointment over World Cup exit
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-02 | by ( Mark Gleeson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

But a 1-0 victory over the five-time world champions, albeit fielding a second-string side, will temper the disappointment of yet another early exit for the Indomitable Lions, just as Tunisia beating World Cup holders France earlier this week softened the blow of their depature from the tournament. Cameroon might have been to more World Cups than any other African team but Friday's victory over Brazil was a first at the World Cup in two decades and only a fifth since they made the first of their eight appearances in Spain in 1982. Cameroon have long been riding on the reputation forged at the 1990 World Cup in Italy, when they beat holders Argentina, Romania and Colombia on their way to the last eight, becoming the first African country to get that far. One win in 17 matches since that tournament showed stagnation and even with the win over Brazil, there is little left of the charisma that they created some 32 years ago. He won a tightly contested election one year ago to become the new Cameroon Football Federation president and has set about stamping out the foibles of old and adding a professionalism to their organisation that was missing when he was a player.

☆ Argentina will 'break our backs' to beat Australia, says Scaloni
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-02 | by ( Rohith Nair | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Argentina beat Poland late on Wednesday to book their spot in the knockout stages and must play Australia on Saturday, a turnaround time that Scaloni had previously described as "absolute madness". Scaloni and midfielder Rodrigo De Paul said they have yet to train, instead focusing on down time and recovery over the past two days. "We will break our backs on this pitch to compete, we know how difficult this World Cup is, this is football. Scaloni said Argentina must shed the "favourites" tag going into the contest, while De Paul said they had analysed the team that beat Tunisia and Denmark in the group stage. "I think it's a very fast team, focusing on wide players, and they have tall centre backs as well.

☆ Over the line? Japan goal adds fuel to VAR debate
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-02 | by ( Nick Mulvenney | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

The perspective that is clear is from above, and the belly of the ball is very big," he said. Everyone can take and use the photo they want, it doesn't matter, but the ball didn't go out." FIFA, who declined to comment on the incident on Friday, have invested heavily in VAR technology since introducing it at the World Cup four years ago in Russia. The match ball now contains a chip that transmits data to the VAR operations room 500 times a second, while 12 cameras in each stadium track 29 points on the body of each player. Former Scotland midfielder Graeme Souness said FIFA needed to be more transparent over VAR decisions.

☆ Israeli journalists experience chilly reception at Qatar World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-02 | by ( Hadas Gold | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +13 min

Former Israeli football star, and now a commentator Eil Ohana posted a video showing a Qatari police officer driving him in a golf cart. Videos have gone viral in Israel and the Arab world showing football fans yelling at Israeli reporters, refusing to speak to them because of where they are from. Canadian pop star Justin Bieber launched clean water company Generosity at Qatar’s World Cup, to provide premium alkaline water in refillable fountains across the globe. The pitch invader who waved a rainbow flag on the field during Portugal’s World Cup match with Uruguay on Monday said FIFA president Gianni Infantino came to the Qatari police station to free him in order to “avoid more controversy.”Thursday’s Group E FIFA World Cup match between Costa Rica and Germany saw an all-women refereeing team for the first time in men’s World Cup history. Stephanie Frappart, from France, led the refereeing team, making her the first woman to referee a men’s World Cup match.

☆ World Cup 2022 top goal scorer: who could win Golden Boot?
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Dec 1 (Reuters) - The 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar is nearing its knockout phase. England's captain Harry Kane bagged the prize in the 2018 edition of the World Cup in Russia, where he scored six goals and led his team to the semi-finals. MARCUS RASHFORDSoccer Football - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Group B - Wales v England - Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan, Qatar - November 29, 2022 England's Marcus Rashford with manager Gareth Southgate after being substituted REUTERS/Hannah MckayThe England striker has enjoyed a dream start to his World Cup campaign in Qatar. BRUNO FERNANDESSoccer Football - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Group H - Portugal v Uruguay - Lusail Stadium, Lusail, Qatar - November 28, 2022 Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes celebrate after the match REUTERS/Kai PfaffenbachPortugal's run in the World Cup in Qatar so far has been overshadowed by controversy surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo and his acrimonious departure from Manchester United. WORLD CUP TOP GOAL SCORER 2022: GOLDEN BOOT STANDINGS** Stats as of Nov. 30Compiled by Siddharth K in Bengaluru; Editing by Milla NissiOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ England take unbeaten record against African teams into Senegal clash
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-01 | by ( Mark Gleeson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

DOHA, Dec 1 (Reuters) - England will take an unbeaten record against African opposition into Sunday’s World Cup last-16 clash against Senegal – the first meeting between the two countries. It will be England’s 21st clash against an African team, the last coming in March against Senegal’s regional rivals Ivory Coast, who a second-string England easily beat 3-0 at Wembley. Morocco were England's first African opponents at a World Cup in 1986 when a 0-0 draw at Monterrey proved a breakthrough result for African football. England beat Egypt at the 1990 World Cup in Cagliari and Tunisia twice in the 1998 and 2018 editions. If any England players need advice on scoring against an African team ahead of Sunday's clash they need look no further than their manager Gareth Southgate.

☆ Emotional Wright dedicates Australia win to sick mother-in-law
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Wright, who plays for Sunderland in England's second tier, told Australian reporters at the stadium that he had grave fears for his mother-in-law's health. Wright said he had not told his team mates about his worries back home. Graham Arnold's Australia meet Argentina in the last 16 at Qatar, only the second time the Socceroos have made the knockout phase. Few gave Australia much of a chance to advance from a group that also featured 2018 champions France and Tunisia. However, the Socceroos had already shown through an arduous qualifying journey that they liked doing things "the hard way", said Wright.

☆ Argentina must avoid Australia upset to keep Messi's dream alive
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-01 | by ( Andrew Cawthorne | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

DOHA, Dec 1 (Reuters) - Argentina are hot favourites to beat Australia on Saturday in pursuit of Lionel Messi's dream of winning a first World Cup, but they more than anyone have learned not to underestimate an underdog, especially the hard-battling Socceroos. "We've almost got no time to let it all sink in, enjoy it ... it's recovery, recovery, recovery," concurred Australia's assistant coach Rene Meulensteen. Anyone who thinks the match against Australia will be easy is wrong," Argentina's Scaloni said. Reaching the quarter-finals would be dreamland for Australia, but for Argentina it is a bare minimum national expectation as they seek a third World Cup trophy. Messi, on his fifth and final quest to win the World Cup and match his great predecessor Diego Maradona in the No.

☆ France on a tightrope as knockout phase looms
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-01 | by ( Julien Pretot | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Until then, with Deschamps having made nine changes to the team who secured their spot in the knockout phase with a 2-1 win against Denmark, France looked clueless and were overwhelmed in the midfield. LACK OF 'COLLECTIVE EXPERIENCE'"I know I haven't put them in the best conditions with all these changes because they don't have a collective experience," said Deschamps. The Liverpool centre back appeared a level above all his team mates, especially Varane, and it is a safe bet to say that Deschamps might consider fielding him from the start alongside Dayot Upamecano. "Another tournament is starting now," said Deschamps - which may come as a relief to France watchers after Wednesday's performance. Reporting by Julien Pretot; Editing by Hugh LawsonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

In earlier matches they had tied with Croatia and scored a surprise win over Belgium, the second-ranked team in the world. "This team can go all the way in this World Cup!" In Qatar, where the home team along with Saudi Arabia and Tunisia have already been knocked out, Morocco now carries the mantle for an Arab world that has cheered victories by Arab teams against some of the tournament favourites. FIFA and Qatar's World Cup organisers, the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment on the crowding outside the stadium. Morocco's last World Cup appearance, four years ago, ended in the group stage.

☆ Disappointed Danes won't take success for granted after early Qatar exit
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-01 | by ( Philip O'Connor | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

DOHA, Dec 1 (Reuters) - Denmark coach Kasper Hjulmand said his side would not take their recent successes for granted following their abrupt exit from the World Cup in Qatar. Denmark came into the tournament after reaching the semi-finals of Euro 2020 and had enjoyed two wins over France in the recent Nations League campaign. However, things fell apart in Qatar. They had to be activists, (but) there has been a feeling of 'what do we have to do to do the right thing? "I think the debate around Qatar has been extremely difficult, and I think it is extremely difficult.

After Iran’s loss to the United States on Tuesday, however, many Iranians cheered their players’ failure, saying they represented the repressive theocratic regime rather than the people it violently oppresses. On Tuesday, those criticizing the team made their voices heard: This was the Islamic Republic’s loss, not Iran’s. Meanwhile, there were thousands of tweets in Persian, or in English from prominent Iranians, saying how happy they were their own team had fallen at the first hurdle of the competition. “For 43 years the regime brainwashed Iranians to hate America,” Masih Alinejad, a New York-based Iranian journalist and activist, tweeted. “But see how people across Iran are celebrating the victory of the U.S. soccer team against the Islamic Republic.”Read the full story here.

Here are the live standings:So far Wednesday, teams were coming up empty in Qatar, with scoreless matches in France vs. Tunisia and Australia vs. Denmark going into halftime. The United States needed late dramatics to beat Iran on Tuesday and finish second in Group B. Oranje won Group A with two victories and a draw. An Australian victory locks up advancement , while a win by Denmark will likely put Danish Dynamite into knockout play. The United States will play in the round of 16 against the Netherlands at 10 a.m. EST on Saturday in a game that’ll be televised in Spanish on Telemundo and streamed on Peacock. Making knockout play was a major achievement for the United States, which failed to qualify for the 2018 tournament in Russia.

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