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The breathtaking win for Japan meant they topped Group E, followed by Spain in second who finished ahead of third-placed Germany only on goal difference. Japan fans were in tears at the end of the match which gives them a chance to go further than they ever have before at a World Cup. "There were many fans who came all the way from Japan, as well as those that stayed behind in Japan," coach Moriyasu said. "We didn't have any danger in the first half, then in the second half, I told them during halftime to be cautious, because they would attack in the second half, they don't have anything to lose," he said. Japan defender Kou Itakura was shown his second yellow card of the tournament and will be suspended for the Croatia match.

☆ Dark horses Denmark exit World Cup as attack fails to fire
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-30 | by ( Philip O'Connor | Daniel Wiessner | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A scoreless draw with Tunisia and a 2-1 loss to France followed by a 1-0 defeat by Australia was a poor return from a side tipped to be Europe's dark horses in Qatar. They rattled in 30 goals in 10 World Cup qualifiers, winning nine straight games to book their spot in Qatar, but once they got there, the wheels came off as the rest of the world found ways to blunt their attacking weapons. Blessed with skill, vision and intelligence all over the pitch, what the Danes lacked most was a reliable goal-poaching striker, and it came back to haunt them. The Danes had plenty of possession, but their build-up play was ponderous and seldom incisive enough to create danger for their opponents. Reporting by Philip O'Connor; Editing by Hugh Lawson and Ed OsmondOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Gakpo on target again as Dutch beat Qatar 2-0 to top Group A
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-29 | by ( Philip O'Connor | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

PSV Eindhoven forward Gakpo proved the difference once again but he was keen to share the spotlight with his team mates. I think we were better on the ball than in recent games, we had a little more control," he said. In truth, the Dutch never had to get out of second gear against the hosts, who had their moments in a dull first half. We never thought at any time to set a goal of reaching the round of 16 or the quarter-finals. Our goal was to get here, to compete and see what we could do," he told reporters.

☆ We're not there yet, Dalic says after Croatia beat Canada
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-27 | by ( Philip O'Connor | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The 56-year-old coach gave credit to Canada, who took a shock lead after just 68 seconds when Alphonso Davies scored their first goal at a men's World Cup finals to take the lead. They scored a goal in the first minutes that gave them more energy and power, but we managed to stabilize ourselves," Dalic said. In their path stand Belgium in the final group game, a team that has not impressed yet but that is still brimming with talent. "This is a World Cup, there are no easy games. It will be a difficult game, Belgium need a win but we will also aim for a win," Dalic said.

☆ Analysis: Kramaric the bright spot for enigmatic Croatia as Belgium await
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-27 | by ( Philip O'Connor | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The Croatians seemed to have no-one who could match the power and agression of the fired-up Canadians, but Kramaric finally shook them from their slumber on the half-hour mark. Inevitably it was Kramaric who got the equaliser, and suddenly, the air went out of the Canadian bubble. Shortly afterwards the 31-year-old striker was substituted, with the job done and Belgium still to come. The bright spot for Croatia is that they scored four goals from their 10 attempts on target. Like Kramaric, it is not in the Croatians nature to play conservatively, but it might yet provide their best chance of getting into the last 16.

☆ Mercurial Mbappe fires France into last 16 after 2-1 win over Denmark
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-26 | by ( Philip O'Connor | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

"The first objective has been achieved," French coach Didier Deschamps said of their qualification in a post-match TV interview. France take on Tunisia and Denmark meet Socceroos in the final round on Wednesday, with the Danes needing a win to advance. Having lost twice to Denmark during the recent Nations League campaign, France started cautiously. But it was not long before they realised there were opportunities to be had by taking on the Danish wing backs. The French will face one of the teams from Group C - Poland, Saudi Arabia, Mexico or Argentina - in the last 16.

☆ Senegal lead Qatar at halftime in pivotal World Cup group game
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-25 | by ( Philip O'Connor | ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

DOHA, Nov 25 (Reuters) - Boulaye Dia gave Senegal a 1-0 lead over Qatar at the break in their World Cup Group A clash at the Al Thumama Stadium on Friday, a game in which both sides could do with a victory after losing their opening fixtures. The Qataris were denied a penalty when Senegal's Ismaila Sarr appeared to bundle over playmaker Akram Afif towards the end of the first half, but they were punished when Boualem Khoukhi made a mess of his clearance and Dia pounced to score. Reporting by Philip O'Connor; editing by Ken FerrisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Hosts Qatar on verge of exiting World Cup after Senegal loss
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-25 | by ( Philip O'Connor | Anita Kobylinska | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Summary Hosts Qatar lose 3-1 to Senegal in second group gameMuntari scores Qatar's first-ever World Cup goalQataris could go out of tournament later on FridayDOHA, Nov 25 (Reuters) - The World Cup hopes of Qatar were left hanging by a thread after a 3-1 loss to Senegal that leaves them bottom of Group A and facing elimination just five days after they opened the tournament with a 2-0 loss to Ecuador. With Qatar defending well, it was going to take either a moment of magic or a catastrophic mistake for Senegal to break the deadlock and unfortunately for Qatar defender Boualem Khoukhi it turned out to be the latter. Muntari reduced the deficit in the 78th with a bullet header from Mohamad's cross for Qatar's first ever goal at a World Cup in their debut tournament but Senegal were unruffled as they continued to out-muscle their opponents in midfield. "Expectations were set to give a good performance and organise a good World Cup, and that is the case," he told a news conference, praising his players for their efforts. First, though, they must meet the Netherlands in what will almost surely be their final game at this event.

☆ Jakobs makes first start for Senegal in Qatar showdown
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-25 | by ( Shady Amir | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

DOHA, Nov 25 (Reuters) - Defender Ismail Jakobs gets his first start of the tournament for Senegal and Meshaal Barsham gets the nod in goal for Qatar as the two sides meet in their second Group A game at the 2022 World Cup. Senegal manager Aliou Cisse swaps Jakobs in for the injured Cheikhou Kouyate and Pape Abou Cisse is replaced by Famara Diedhiou, while Qatar boss Felix Sanchez makes three changes from the side that lost 2-0 to Ecuador. TEAMS:Qatar: Meshaal Barsham, Pedro Miguel, Abdelkarim Hassan, Ismail Mohamad, Hassan Al-Haydos (captain), Akram Afif, Karim Boudiaf, Homam Ahmed, Assim Madibo, Boualem Khoukhi, Almoez Ali. Senegal: Eduoard Mendy, Youssouf Sabaly, Kalidou Koulibaly, Abdou Diallo, Nampalys Mendy, Famara Diedhiou, Idrissa Gana Gueye, Ismail Jakobs, Krepin Diatta, Ismaila Sarr, Boulaye Dia. Reporting by Shady Amir, additional reporting by Nick Said and Philip O'Connor; Editing by Hugh LawsonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Analysis: Uruguay leverage experience to stifle South Korean energy
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-24 | by ( Philip O'Connor | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Kicking off their campaign at the Education City Stadium, the two teams came into the tournament with solid defensive reputations, but the Uruguayans did a better job of solving the South Korean puzzle, hitting the woodwork twice. Outside him Martin Caceres, 35, shackled Son, harassing the South Korean winger any time he got the ball and sticking close to him to discourage others from passing his way. Up front Luis Suarez, also a year younger than Godin at 35, tormented the Korean defence with his angled, bustling runs as he tried to open up space for Uruguay to exploit. The Uruguayans almost scored what would have been a deserved late winner when Valverde hit a post. Reporting by Philip O'Connor Editing by Christian RadnedgeOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Danes won't support Infantino after armband spat, says FA
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-23 | by ( Philip O'Connor | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Speaking at a media briefing on Wednesday, DBU president Jesper Moeller said that he was angered by FIFA's actions and that the association had ruled out voting for Infantino in next year's election. Jensen said that the English FA was then expressly told at a meeting that the team captain might receive a yellow card for wearing the armband. "We were told that at the very least we would get a yellow card. It has been discussed whether there was any authority to give us a yellow card at all. We could have got a yellow card, we could have been suspended," he told a news conference at the team's training base.

☆ Dutch strike late to grab 2-0 win over Senegal
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-21 | by ( Karolos Grohmann | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

DOHA, Nov 21 (Reuters) - Netherlands scored twice in the final minutes through Cody Gakpo and substitute Davy Klaassen to beat Senegal 2-0 in their World Cup Group A match at Al Thumama Stadium on Monday. Klaassen then pounced on a weak Mendy save to score on the rebound nine minutes into stoppage time. The Dutch join Ecuador, 2-0 winners over Qatar on Sunday, on three points at the top of the group and the top two meet on Friday. Klaassen made sure of the three points with a tap-in in stoppage time after Mendy palmed a Memphis Depay shot into his path. They also stretched an unbeaten record in their opening game at World Cups that dates back to 1938.

☆ Dutch have more quality than 2014 squad, says Van Gaal
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-20 | by ( Philip O'Connor | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

DOHA, Nov 20 (Reuters) - Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal said his side are keen to deliver like never before as they prepare for their World Cup opener against Senegal on Monday. "I believe that this group of players are well-connected to each other together, they work well together in a professional way, and I think that will always contribute to success," Van Gaal told a news conference on Sunday. "I think that we could become world champion, but there are squads that, in my view, are at a higher level than my squad ... so I'm saying we can become a world champion. Van Gaal was flanked by Dutch captain Virgil van Dijk, who will not have to face his former Liverpool team mate Sadio Mane in the opener. Van Dijk said his team were very much looking forward to the tournament getting underway.

"It was dangerous," one fan carrying a child aged nearly four, who had exited the holding area, told Reuters. While there was chaos in the holding area, the scene inside the park seemed pleasant, with Brazilian fans Andrea Nascimento and Raphael de Jesus appreciating the atmosphere. "This is my third World Cup after 2014 and 2018, and so far everything has been very well organised." Fans gathered below the TV studios, craning their necks to try to get a view of the action on the big screens through the windows. A group of fans sat inside a Majlis, an air-conditioned sitting room, with their eyes glued to a television screen.

☆ Dark horses Denmark face tricky Tunisia test in World Cup opener
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-20 | by ( Philip O'Connor | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

DOHA, Nov 20 (Reuters) - Denmark go into their opening World Cup game against a tricky Tunisia side on Tuesday in the unusual position of being among Europe's dark horses, in with an outside chance of winning the tournament if they can get everything right in Qatar. The key group game will be against France, a side they beat twice in the recent Nations League campaign. Eriksen's World Cup debut came in South Africa, but back then he was a teenager just breaking through in the senior ranks of the national team. At the 2018 World Cup they held England scoreless until Harry Kane scored in the 91st minute to give the English a narrow win. He's a tremendous football player," Hjulmand said, and now Tunisia have to find a way to stop him.

☆ Chelsea go top of WSL, Arsenal lose to Man United
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

LONDON, Nov 20 (Reuters) - Chelsea scored three times in the first half as they beat Tottenham Hotspur 3-0 to go top of the Women's Super League on Sunday, making the most of Arsenal's shock defeat by Manchester United. Sam Kerr opened the scoring for Chelsea before Erin Cuthbert celebrated her contract extension with a superb goal, and Guro Reiten added a third from the penalty spot to send the Blues top on 21 points from eight games. Arsenal ended the weekend in second place on 18 points, ahead of United on goal difference, and both teams have a game in hand over Chelsea. Manchester City, who beat Everton 2-1 on Saturday, are fourth on 15 points, three ahead of Aston Villa, who coasted to a 3-1 win over Reading on Sunday thanks to a Rachel Daly hat-trick. Reporting by Philip O'Connor, editing by Ed OsmondOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Pereira stuns Adesanya to claim UFC middleweight crown
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

NEW YORK, Nov 13 (Reuters) - Brazil's Alex Pereira pulled off a stunning comeback to knock out Israel Adesanya in the fifth round and claim the UFC middleweight title and Zhang Weili choked out Carla Esparza to regain the strawweight belt at UFC 281 at Madison Square Garden. Behind on the judges' scorecards and running out of steam, Pereira unleashed a stunning combination of strikes in the final round to dethrone Adesanya, who had held the title for 3-1/2 years, in only his eighth professional MMA bout. "I feel so good, I've been training all my life, I worked so hard for this," an elated Pereira said in his post-fight interview. After winning the fourth round comfortably, Adesanya looked to be cruising towards a decision victory until Pereira, who has a previous KO win over him in kickboxing, rocked him with a right hand and followed it up with a flurry of devastating punches to claim the crown. Reporting by Philip O'Connor; Editing by Clarence FernandezOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Man United's Fernandes voices World Cup concerns after Fulham win
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"Of course it's strange, It's not exactly the time we want to be playing in the World Cup. The decision to award the tournament to Qatar has provoked widespread criticism, with concerns expressed over labour laws and human rights in the country. "We know the surroundings of the World Cup, what has been in the past few weeks, past few months, about the people that have died on the construction of the stadiums. "We want football to be for everyone, everyone has to be included and involved in a World Cup because a World Cup is for the world. I don't agree with how it's happened but we're footballers and we play football.

☆ Garnacho grabs late winner as Manchester United beat Fulham 2-1
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LONDON, Nov 13 (Reuters) - Alejandro Garnacho came off the bench to score a stoppage-time winner for Manchester United as they beat Fulham 2-1 at Craven Cottage in their final Premier League game before the World Cup break on Sunday. The result means Manchester United, whose next league game is at home to Nottingham Forest on Dec. 27, will celebrate Christmas in fifth place on 26 points, while Fulham, who travel to Crystal Palace on Dec. 26, are ninth on 19 points. Eriksen joked about his first Premier League goal since joining United. "I owed a few so I'm happy to be on the scoresheet in the last game before the World Cup. United midfielder Fernandes hailed young substitute Garnacho after his decisive intervention.

☆ Forest edge out Palace to move off the bottom
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

NOTTINGHAM, England, Nov 12 (Reuters) - Morgan Gibbs-White grabbed the only goal as Nottingham Forest beat Crystal Palace 1-0 at the City Ground on Saturday to ensure that they will not spend Christmas at the bottom of the Premier League. "We rode our luck with the penalty but I thought the best team won," Forest manager Steve Cooper told the BBC. Instead, it was Palace who were awarded a spot-kick when Joe Worrall brought down Zaha just before halftime. Lingard could have killed off the game in the 75th minute after a brilliant Forest attack in which Gibbs-White picked out Brennan in the box. Palace left plenty of space for Forest to exploit as they poured forward looking for an equaliser, but the home side hung on for a much-needed win.

☆ Klopp rues lack of control as Liverpool come up short again
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

I thought we had a really good start then conceded a freakish goal," Klopp told Sky Sports. He had a good start but couldn't keep it going. Thiago has been ill, up front the same (players) play all the time - they are the three strikers we have left," Klopp said glumly. Liverpool have league games at Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton to come before next month's World Cup, which cannot come quickly enough as Klopp seeks to find some answers to his side's poor form in the top-flight. It's our situation and it means we have to help ourselves, and that is what we will do," he said.

☆ Tight at the top of WSL as Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea all win
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Sunday's results leave nothing between Arsenal and United in the early going, with the two sides tied on 12 points and having scored 11 goals scored while conceding none. Waelti opened the scoring for Arsenal in the 15th minute, snapping up a clearance from a corner and belting it into the net, and Norway international Maanum made it 2-0 seven minutes later with a powerful run and finish. In Sunday's late game, champions Chelsea had to battle hard on a sodden pitch but eventually won 2-0 away at Brighton & Hove Albion to stay third, level with the leaders on points but behind on goal difference and having played a game more. Also on Saturday, Jamaican striker Khadija Shaw scored either side of the break to help Manchester City to a comfortable 3-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting by Philip O'Connor, editing by Pritha Sarkar, Clare Fallon and Christian RadnedgeOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Chelsea beat Man City after Arsenal and Spurs set WSL crowd record
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

LONDON, Sept 25 (Reuters) - Chelsea bounced back from an opening-day loss to beat Manchester City 2-0 in the Women's Super League on Sunday, while on Saturday Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur set a new WSL attendance record as 47,367 watched the Gunners take a comfortable 4-0 win. That crowd figure was dwarfed at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday as Arsenal and Spurs clashed, with Vivianne Miedema scoring twice as the Gunners registered their second straight 4-0 league win to top the standings. They are level on six points with Arsenal and Aston Villa, who continued their good start to the season by beating Leicester City 2-0. Liverpool host Everton in the season's first Merseyside derby later on Sunday. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting by Philip O'Connor; Editing by Hugh LawsonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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