World Cup Tuesday Preview: The USA in a must-win match vs. Iran for knockout stage qualifying berth

COPA-DO-MUNDO-QATAR-2022 Mandatory Credit: Photo by Heuler Andrey/SPP/Shutterstock (13638095af) Timothy Weah of the United States, during the match between England and the United States, for the 2nd round of Group B of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, Al Bayt Stadium this Friday 25. 30761 (Heuler Andrey / SPP) FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 – England vs United States, doha, qatar – 25 Nov 2022

World Cup Tuesday Preview: The USA in a must-win match vs. Iran for knockout stage qualifying berth


Group A: Senegal (No. 18) vs. Ecuador (No. 44)

When, where: 10 a.m. CT, Khalifa International Stadium (Al Rayyan, Qatar)

What to expect: Matchday 3 kicks off with what will be a hotly-contested battle between No. 18-ranked Senegal and No. 44-ranked Ecuador on Tuesday at Khalifa International Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar. Ecuador will qualify for the Round of 16 with either a win or a draw here, while Senegal will likely need to win outright in order to advance. The only way Senegal advances with a draw is if Qatar defeats the Netherlands by more than two goals, which seems to be the unlikeliest outcome of all 16 contests on Matchday 3. Senegal holds a 1-0 all-time record versus Ecuador, although the last and only time these two nations played was back in 2005 in an international friendly match. Ecuador hasn’t lost an international match since March when “la Tricolor” dropped a 3-1 decision to Paraguay in CONMEBOL South American qualifying. Since then, the Ecuadorians played to draws with the likes of Argentina, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, and Japan leading up to the 2022 World Cup. Enner Valencia continues to be the catalyst for his nation’s offensive attack, with the 33-year-old veteran forward scoring all three of Ecuador’s goals at the World Cup so far. Senegal, on the other hand, had a troubled qualifying run leading up to Qatar, dropping defeats to the likes of Liberia and Zambia over the summer. The Senegalese continue to play well on the big stage despite not having the services of superstar Sadio Mané, but they could run into trouble here against a solid Ecuador defense which would be more than happy with a draw. The pressure will certainly be on Senegal to score, which could give Ecuador some ripe counterattack opportunities in this match.

Chris Dell’s Prediction: Senegal 1, Ecuador 1


Group A: Netherlands (No. 8) vs. Qatar (No. 50)

When, where: 10 a.m. CT, Al Bayt Stadium (Al Khor, Qatar)

What to expect: The Netherlands simply needs a draw to punch its ticket to the Round of 16, and it shouldn’t be all that difficult to achieve against the host-nation punching bag of Qatar. The Qataris haven’t put up much of a fight in its two matches of Group A play so far while being outscored five to one in losses to aforementioned Senegal and Ecuador. Qatar was the first nation to be eliminated from making the knockout stage after its 3-1 loss to Senegal, and it boasts the second-worst goal differential (-4) of all 32 nations at the 2022 World Cup. The No. 8-ranked Dutch have been steady, if not remarkable, in their opening two matches. They drew 1-1 with No. 44-ranked Ecuador and needed a late score after the 80th-minute mark to beat Senegal on Matchday 1. Rising star forward Cody Gakpo of PSV leads the way so far with two goals in as many matches for the Dutch, while midfielder Davvy Klaassen netted the team’s third score in the ninth and final minute of stoppage time against Senegal. Qatar should certainly play loose and with no pressure, but it won’t be enough against a Netherlands squad with lofty World Cup expectations and looking to right a somewhat shaky ship with a win in this spot. If the Netherlands and Ecuador both win on Matchday 3, it will come down to which nation has the better result in goal differential to determine which team “wins” Group A.

Chris Dell’s Prediction: Netherlands 4, Qatar 1


Group B: England (No. 5) vs. Wales (No. 19)

When, where: 1 p.m. CT, Ahmad al Bin Stadium (Al Rayyan, Qatar)

What to expect: England can clinch the Group B first-place crown with a victory over Wales on Matchday 3, but it can also still qualify for the Round of 16 with a draw or a loss by fewer than six goals coupled with a USA draw or loss. The No. 5-ranked English are tied for second in total goals scored (six) and goal differential (+4) in the World Cup so far with France, trailing only Spain’s eight goals scored and +7 goal difference. Five different players have gotten in on the scoring fun, although English superstar Harry Kane has yet to find the back of the net after scoring six goals in the 2018 World Cup during England’s run to the semifinals. The English have all the reason in the world to win this match outright, however, and shouldn’t find much resistance in doing so against what seems to be a declining No. 19-ranked Welsh side. Wales dropped a 2-0 decision to Iran on Matchday 2 and are now left in a qualifying position in which it can only advance with a victory over England, coupled with an Iran loss to the USA. If Iran were to draw or win versus the USA, then Wales would need to beat England by more than four goals to advance. Expect a full-forced offensive attack for Wales and megastar Gareth Bale here, although it won’t be enough against one of the most balanced and talented rosters in the entire world. Look for a dominant English match here in what amounts to a must-win for both nations. England is 5-0 all-time against Wales, most recently blanking the Welsh 3-0 in an October 2022 friendly. The English have outscored the Welsh 9-1 during those five matches, while “The Dragons” of Wales have also lost four of their past five international matches dating back to UEFA Nations League play in June. The last win for Wales was the country’s 1-0 playoff finals win against Ukraine. It is hard to envision even a close loss or draw, given the circumstances.

Chris Dell’s Prediction: England 3, Wales 1


Group B: USA (No. 16) vs. Iran (No. 20)

When, where: 1 p.m. CT, Al Thumama Stadium (Doha, Qatar)

What to expect: The USA will qualify for the Round of 16 knockouts with an outright win against Iran. It’s that simple. The Americans can also still win Group B with an outright victory and England loss, or a win and an England draw coupled with four goals worth of goal differential. Although the latter is highly unlikely, the chances of a USA victory in this match are quite realistic. The No. 16-ranked USA hasn’t won an international contest since a 5-0 friendly victory over Grenada on June 1, 2022, but a rising core of young talent could be just what it needs to make a late push into the knockout stage in Qatar. Iran, on the other hand, has now won three of its past five international matches, including its 2-0 victory over Wales on Matchday 2, as well as wins against No. 14-ranked Uruguay in September and a 1-0 defeat of Nicaragua in early November. The Iranians are led by 30-year-old forward Mehdi Taremi, who leads the team with two goals scored in two matches at the 2022 World Cup. The 22-year-old Timothy Weah has the lone goal for the USA in two contests so far, while 24-year-old midfielder Christian Pulisic of Chelsea is still searching for his big moment on the World Cup stage in Qatar. Iran can still win the group with a win and an England draw or loss versus Wales, and the Iranians will also qualify with a draw here. The only time these two nations previously faced off was also in the World Cup, which was back in 1998 when Iran defeated the USA 2-1. The Stars and Stripes of the USA have the talent and depth offensively to pull away, although inexperience and added pressure could also be a negative for such a young squad. I expect a closely-fought match all the way through, with a welcoming World Cup moment for one of the USA’s young stars late to secure a win. Don’t be surprised to see a low-scoring affair between these two teams.

Chris Dell’s Prediction: USA 2, Iran 1


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: Nederland (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)

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

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