2022 World Cup Groups:
- Group A: Qatar, Ecuador, Senegal, Netherlands
- Group B: England, Iran, USA, Wales
- Group C: Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Poland
- Group D: France, Australia, Denmark, Tunisia
- Group E: Spain, Costa Rica, Germany, Japan
- Group F: Belgium, Canada, Morocco, Croatia
- Group G: Brazil, Serbia, Switzerland, Cameroon
- Group H: Portugal, Ghana, Uruguay, South Korea
Recapping the Friday action:
IRAN 2, WALES 0
- What: World Cup, Group Stage (B): Matchday 2 of 3
- When: Friday, Nov. 25, 2022 @ 4 a.m. CT
- Where: Ahmad bin Ali Stadium (Al Rayyan, Qatar)
- FIFA World Ranking: Wales (No. 19) vs. Iran (No. 20)
What seemed destined for a 0-0 draw quickly turned into a 2-0 thumping by Iran of Wales in the early game of the day at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar. Wales dominated time of possession throughout the match (62% to 38%), but the Iranians were constantly on the attack, especially late after a red card left the Welsh scrambling. Iran doubled Wales in both total shot attempts (21 to 10) and shots on goal (six to three), as well as holding a convincing edge in corner kick set pieces at seven to two. However, Wales’ fate was seemingly doomed at the 86th-minute mark when Wayne Hennessey was issued a red card. There is no coincidence that both of Iran’s goals came in stoppage time shortly after the red card for Hennessey, including a Roozbeh Cheshmi score in the 98th minute and a Ramin Rezaeian goal in the 101st minute, both scored against the backup Welsh goalkeeper. Wales is not entirely eliminated yet but would need a victory over England and a lot of tiebreaking magic to make it happen. Iran, on the other hand, just needs a win against the USA to qualify from Group B.
Next – Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2022 (Matchday 3 of 3)
- Group B: England (No. 5) vs. Wales (No. 19)
- When, where: 1 p.m. CT, Ahmad al Bin Stadium (Al Rayyan, Qatar)
- Group B: USA (No. 16) vs. Iran (No. 20)
- When, where: 1 p.m. CT, Al Thumama Stadium (Doha, Qatar)
SENEGAL 3, QATAR 1
- What: World Cup, Group Stage (A): Matchday 2 of 3
- When: Friday, Nov. 25, 2022 @ 7 a.m. CT
- Where: Al Thumama Stadium (Doha, Qatar)
- FIFA World Ranking: Senegal (No. 18) vs. Qatar (No. 50)
Senegal cruised to a 3-1 victory over host nation Qatar on Friday at Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, Qatar. The Senegalese jumped out to a 2-0 lead with goals by Boulaye Dia and Famara Diedhiou in the 41st and 48th minutes, respectively, the latter coming on a header attempt. Senegal out-mustered Qatar across the board offensively, holding an edge in time of possession (55% to 45%), total shots (13 to 10), shots on goal (five to three), and corner kicks (seven to six), and also had a late goal from Bamba Dieng in the 84th minute to pull away. Qatar finally scored its first goal of the 2022 World Cup on a header from Mohammed Muntari, which made it 2-1, but the glory was short-lived as Senegal countered with its third score of the day just six minutes later. Senegal will need a win outright over Ecuador to take that second spot in Group A when the two upstart nations face each other in “Matchday 3” play on Tuesday, November 29.
Next – Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2022 (Matchday 3 of 3)
- Group A: Senegal (No. 18) vs. Ecuador (No. 44)
- When, where: 10 a.m. CT, Khalifa International Stadium (Al Rayyan, Qatar)
- Group A: Netherlands (No. 8) vs. Qatar (No. 50)
- When, where: 10 a.m. CT, Al Bayt Stadium (Al Khor, Qatar)
NETHERLANDS 1, ECUADOR 1 (DRAW)
- What: World Cup, Group Stage (A): Matchday 2 of 3
- When: Friday, Nov. 25, 2022 @ 10 a.m. CT
- Where: Khalifa International Stadium (Al Rayyan, Qatar)
- FIFA World Ranking: Netherlands (No. 8) vs. Ecuador (No. 44)
The Netherlands and Ecuador played to a 1-1 draw on Friday at Khalifa International Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar. The Dutch took an early 1-0 lead on a goal by Cody Gakpo in the sixth minute of play, but the Ecuadorian side did not relinquish and challenged multiple times for the equalizing goal throughout the contest. Ecuador nearly knotted the score at 1-1 late in the first half, but a VAR ruling negated a would-be tying score. Enner Valencia produced more of his World Cup magic, however, scoring his third goal of the tournament in the 49th minute on a volley. The veteran 33-year-old forward now has all six of Ecuador’s goals dating back to the 2014 World Cup and leads the 2022 World Cup in goals scored through six days of “Matchday 1” play. The Dutch and Ecuador now sit dead even in points atop the Group A standings, with an ever-important match between Ecuador and Senegal looming on Tuesday, Nov. 29 which will likely determine the fate of who is the second nation to qualify for the knockout stage. Although Friday’s contest played to a draw, it was Ecuador which dominated with the ball in its possession. The Ecuadorians totaled 15 shots and four shots on goal, compared to just two total shots and one shot on goal by the Netherlands. “La Tricolor” of Ecuador also amassed five corner kick set pieces to just two for the Dutch, for a very impressive “Matchday 2” showing.
Next – Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2022 (Matchday 3 of 3)
- Group A: Senegal (No. 18) vs. Ecuador (No. 44)
- When, where: 10 a.m. CT, Khalifa International Stadium (Al Rayyan, Qatar)
- Group A: Nederland (No. 8) vs. Qatar (No. 50)
- When, where: 10 a.m. CT, Al Bayt Stadium (Al Khor, Qatar)
ENGLAND 0, USA 0 (DRAW)
- What: World Cup, Group Stage (B): Matchday 2 of 3
- When: Friday, Nov. 25, 2022 @ 1 p.m. CT
- Where: Al Bayt Stadium (Al Khor, Qatar)
- FIFA World Ranking: England (No. 5) vs. USA (No. 16)
The USA went toe-to-toe with powerhouse England on Friday at Al Bayt Stadium and played the No. 5-ranked English to a 0-0 draw to earn one point in the Group B standings. The Stars and Stripes of the USA played a dominant second half in which they held a distinct edge in time of possession and finished the contest with more total shots (10 to eight) and corner kick set pieces (seven to three) than their English counterparts. It was the USA’s first World Cup draw against a European side since 1950, when it pulled off a historic 1-0 upset over this same England national team. Arsenal goalkeeper Matt Turner held down the net for the USA, notching a game-high three saves, while Christian Pulisic nearly converted a chance but rattled the crossbar in the first half instead. Friday’s draw leaves the Americans in third place but not out of qualifying position. Assuming Wales loses to England on “Matchday 3” for this group, then it will likely come down to a do-or-die scenario for the USA versus Iran for the second qualifying spot into the knockout elimination stage. Iran, who currently sits in second place in Group B, defeated Wales 2-0 in one of the earlier matches of the day. The USA will need to defeat Iran straight up to earn three points and advance. A draw against Iran would eliminate the USA, while on the other hand, the English will simply need a draw against Wales to clinch their ticket to the knockouts. England can still advance with a loss by fewer than four goals against the Welsh too.
Next – Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2022 (Matchday 3 of 3)
- Group B: England (No. 5) vs. Wales (No. 19)
- When, where: 1 p.m. CT, Ahmad al Bin Stadium (Al Rayyan, Qatar)
- Group B: USA (No. 16) vs. Iran (No. 20)
- When, where: 1 p.m. CT, Al Thumama Stadium (Doha, Qatar)
Saturday’s Schedule (Nov. 26, 2022): Matchday 2 of 3
- Group D: Tunisia (No. 30) vs. Australia (No. 38)
- When, where: 4 a.m. CT, Al Janoub Stadium (Al Wakrah, Qatar)
- Group C: Poland (No. 26) vs. Saudi Arabia (No. 51)
- When, where: 7 a.m. CT, Education City Stadium (Doha, Qatar)
- Group D: France (No. 4) vs. Denmark (No. 10)
- When, where: 10 a.m. CT, Stadium 974 (Doha, Qatar)
- Group C: Argentina (No. 3) vs. Mexico (No. 13)
- When, where: 2 p.m. CT, Lusail Iconic Stadium (Lusail, Qatar)
Sunday’s Schedule (Nov. 27, 2022): Matchday 2 of 3
- Group E: Japan (No. 24) vs. Costa Rica (No. 31)
- When, where: 4 a.m. CT, Ahmad bin Ali Stadium (Al Rayyan, Qatar)
- Group F: Belgium (No. 2) vs. Morocco (No. 22)
- When, where: 7 a.m. CT, Al Thumama Stadium (Doha, Qatar)
- Group F: Croatia (No. 12) vs. Canada (No. 41)
- When, where: 10 a.m. CT, Khalifa International Stadium (Al Rayyan, Qatar)
- Group E: Spain (No. 7) vs. Germany (No. 11)
- When, where: 1 p.m. CT, Al Bayt Stadium (Al Khor, Qatar)
Monday’s Schedule (Nov. 28, 2022): Matchday 2 of 3
- Group G: Serbia (No. 21) vs. Cameroon (No. 43)
- When, where: 4 a.m. CT, Al Janoub Stadium (Al Wakrah, Qatar)
- Group H: South Korea (No. 28) vs. Ghana (No. 61)
- When, where: 7 a.m. CT, Education City Stadium (Doha, Qatar)
- Group G: Brazil (No. 1) vs. Switzerland (No. 15)
- When, where: 10 a.m. CT, Stadium 974 (Doha, Qatar)
- Group H: Portugal (No. 9) vs. Uruguay (No. 14)
- When, where: 1 p.m. CT, Lusail Iconic Stadium (Lusail, Qatar)
Tuesday’s Schedule (Nov. 29, 2022): Matchday 3 of 3
- Group A: Senegal (No. 18) vs. Ecuador (No. 44)
- When, where: 10 a.m. CT, Khalifa International Stadium (Al Rayyan, Qatar)
- Group A: Netherlands (No. 8) vs. Qatar (No. 50)
- When, where: 10 a.m. CT, Al Bayt Stadium (Al Khor, Qatar)
- Group B: England (No. 5) vs. Wales (No. 19)
- When, where: 1 p.m. CT, Ahmad al Bin Stadium (Al Rayyan, Qatar)
- Group B: USA (No. 16) vs. Iran (No. 20)
- When, where: 1 p.m. CT, Al Thumama Stadium (Doha, Qatar)
Wednesday’s Schedule (Nov. 30, 2022): Matchday 3 of 3
- Group D: France (No. 4) vs. Tunisia (No. 30)
- When, where: 10 a.m. CT, Education City Stadium (Doha, Qatar)
- Group D: Denmark (No. 10) vs. Australia (No. 38)
- When, where: 10 a.m. CT, Al Janoub Stadium (Al Wakrah, Qatar)
- Group C: Mexico (No. 13) vs. Saudi Arabia (No. 51)
- When, where: 1 p.m. CT, Lusail Iconic Stadium (Lusail, Qatar)
- Group C: Argentina (No. 3) vs. Poland (No. 26)
- When, where: 1 p.m. CT, Stadium 974, (Doha, Qatar)
Thursday’s Schedule (Dec. 1, 2022): Matchday 3 of 3
- Group F: Morocco (No. 22) vs. Canada (No. 41)
- When, where: 10 a.m. CT, Al Thumama Stadium (Doha, Qatar)
- Group F: Belgium (No. 2) vs. Croatia (No. 12)
- When, where: 10 a.m. CT, Ahmad bin Ali Stadium (Al Rayyan, Qatar)
- Group E: Germany (No. 11) vs. Costa Rica (No. 31)
- When, where: 1 p.m. CT, Al Bayt Stadium (Al Khor, Qatar)
- Group E: Spain (No. 7) vs. Japan (No. 24)
- When, where: 1 p.m. CT, Khalifa International Stadium (Al Rayyan, Qatar)
Friday’s Schedule (Dec. 2, 2022): Matchday 3 of 3
- Group H: Portugal (No. 9) vs. South Korea (No. 28)
- When, where: 10 a.m. CT, Education City Stadium (Doha, Qatar)
- Group H: Uruguay (No. 14) vs. Ghana (No. 61)
- When, where: 10 a.m. CT, Al Janoub Stadium (Al Wakrah, Qatar)
- Group G: Brazil (No. 1) vs. Cameroon (No. 43)
- When, where: 1 p.m. CT, Lusail Iconic Stadium (Lusail, Qatar)
- Group G: Switzerland (No. 15) vs. Serbia (No. 21)
- When, where: 1 p.m. CT, Stadium 974 (Doha, Qatar)
Rd of 16: Saturday, Dec. 3
- Who: 1A vs. 2B
- When, where: 10 a.m. CT, Khalifa International Stadium (Al Rayyan, Qatar)
- Who: 1C vs. 2D
- When, where: 1 p.m. CT, Ahmad bin Ali Stadium (Al Rayyan, Qatar)
Rd of 16: Sunday, Dec. 4
- Who: 1D vs. 2C
- When, where: 10 a.m. CT, Al Thumama Stadium (Doha, Qatar)
- Who: 1B vs. 2A
- When, where: 1 p.m. CT, Al Bayt Stadium (Al Khor, Qatar)
Rd of 16: Monday, Dec. 5
- Who: 1E vs. 2F
- When, where: 10 a.m. CT, Al Janoub Stadium (Al Wakrah, Qatar)
- Who: 1G vs. 2H
- When, where: 1 p.m. CT, Stadium 974 (Doha, Qatar)
Rd of 16: Tuesday, Dec. 6
- Who: 1F vs. 2E
- When, where: 10 a.m. CT, Education City Stadium (Doha, Qatar)
- Who: 1H vs. 2G
- When, where: 1 p.m. CT, Lusail Iconic Stadium (Lusail, Qatar)