We witnessed day 6 of the 2022 world cup in Qatar and this also marks the first day where all the participating teams have already played their first matches and everyone now will be heading onto their second match of the group stages.
Hard Work paying off in the 100th minute for Iran
The first match saw Wales take on Iran, previously Wales had drew their game 1-1 against USA while Iran came from taking a 6 goal beating from England, and everyone was expecting Wales to make an easy job of Iran.
But Iran were on a whole different mood as you can clearly see the difference between their performance and even against Wales when they seemed to be the better side throughout most of the match
But it wasn’t until the 86th minute when Wales goalkeeper W. Hennessey came out flying and kneed the Iran forward Teremi in the face, resulting in the first red card of this tournament, and also the first one since Luis Suarez in 2014 against Ghana for THAT save.
Iran finally managed to break through as they scored 2 goals in quick succession with R. Cheshmi scoring in the 90+8 minute and R. Rezaeian scoring in the 90+11 minutes against 10 men Wales.
Another Defeat for the Hosts Qatar
And the slumber continues for the host nation as Qatar, who failed to win their opening game (first time in the history of the world Cup where a host nation has lost) faced Senegal in group A.
Senegal scored late into the first half with B. Dia scoring in the 41st minute, and they would pick up their form early in the second half with F. Diedhiou scoring in the 48th minute for the African team.
Qatar scored their first goal of the tournament through M. Muntari in the 78th minute to the fans delight, but it wasn’t enough as Senegal reclaimed their 2 goal lead when they scored again in the 84th minute to finish off the game.
With this defeat, it also marks the first time a world Cup host has crashed out of the tournament after just two matches as they can no longer qualify for the knockout stages.
Ecuador draw with Netherlands
Netherlands slides to the top of their group as they drew against an hard working Ecuador team which saw the inform Cody Gakpo scoring in the first 6 minutes, turning many heads of some major clubs for the transfer window.
Ecuador managed to Equalize and always looked the more threatening side as their main man Enner Valencia scored yet again, making him the only goal scorer for Equador the last six times, no one else has done it besides him.
Gakpo names his Club choices.
Cody Gakpo, who is no doubt a transfer target for many, named the clubs he would want to play for
He named Real Madrid, Barcelona, also Manchester City and Manchester United from the premier league as clubs he would want to join, stating that he would need to look at the team and see if they fit his style of play first.
Snooze fest between England and USA
Perhaps the most boring match of the night, an much anticipated matchup between England and USA where fans were expecting fireworks, delivered us a dud, a match that had nothing going for it.
With a total of 4 shots on target for both teams COMBINED, where the live streamers were seen snoozing reacting to the match, it had nothing, no exicting plays, no goal threats, not even good player ratings.
The entire teams got a rating in the region of 3-4, a match everyone was excited for, disappointed us the most
Team standing in group A and B
After their 2nd loss, Qatar are officially out as they sit at the bottom of group A, a group in which Netherlands and Ecuador occupy the first place with 4 points, with both teams having a 2 goal difference as well, Senegal sits 3rd with 3 points.
Over in group B, England sits at the top despite the draw, while Iran is in second place after their win against Wales, USA takes the 3rd spot and Wales the 4th.
It will be all to play for when Iran takes on USA next week.