World Cup: Daily update from day 2 in Qatar
Denmark and Tunisia meet in Group D of the World Cup 2022 in Qatar today.
Last summer Denmark made a stirring run to the semi-finals of the Euros, somehow absorbing the shock of Christian Eriksen’s cardiac arrest in the group stage and going on to record one of their best performances at a major tournament. Now, at the Qatar World Cup almost 18 months later, Kasper Hjulmand’s team will look to replicate that remarkable effort.
First up for the Danes is a Group D clash with Tunisia, who will likely be vying with Denmark for the second-place spot in this pool. Elsewhere in the group, France are out to avoid the recent curse of defending champions exiting the next edition of the World Cup in the group stage, and their talented squad is expected to do that and qualify first here. With Australia not fancied to do much in Qatar, this game between Denmark and Tunisia could therefore be decisive in Group D.
The winner may just set themselves up to advance to the knockout stages at the other team’s expense, while a draw would make for an interesting dynamic in the group ahead of the next two matchdays.
Follow all the action with our live blog below:
Denmark vs Tunisia
A reminder of the teams at the Education City Stadium this afternoon!
Denmark XI: Schmeichel; Andersen, Kjaer, Christensen, Kristensen, Maehle; Hojbjerg, Delaney, Eriksen; Olsen, Dolberg.
Tunisia XI: Dahmen, Abdi, Talbi, Meriah, Bronn, Draeger, Laidouni, Skhiri, Slimane, Msakni, Jembali
Kieran Jackson22 November 2022 12:58
Denmark vs Tunisia
The teams are out at the Education City Stadium – time now for the national anthems! Denmark’s first…
Kieran Jackson22 November 2022 12:55
Denmark vs Tunisia
Christian Eriksen in the starting XI less than 18 months since he suffered a cardiac arrest in Denmark’s opening game of Euro 2020.
A great sight for all involved to see the Manchester United midfielder on the pitch in Qatar!
(Getty Images)
Kieran Jackson22 November 2022 12:52
Denmark vs Tunisia – TEAM NEWS
Denmark XI: Schmeichel; Andersen, Kjaer, Christensen, Kristensen, Maehle; Hojbjerg, Delaney, Eriksen; Olsen, Dolberg.
Tunisia XI: Dahmen, Abdi, Talbi, Meriah, Bronn, Draeger, Laidouni, Skhiri, Slimane, Msakni, Jembali
Kieran Jackson22 November 2022 12:49
Denmark vs Tunisia…
Now we turn our attention to the second game today – a clash between Group D between Denmark and Tunisia at the Education City Stadium!
Kieran Jackson22 November 2022 12:48
Argentina 1-2 Saudi Arabia match report:
Miguel Delaney, at the Lusail Iconic Stadium:
A moment of authenticity in this tournament, yet one that seemed to defy reality.
This World Cup has had its first classic shock, and maybe one of its biggest of all. An utterly stunned Argentina lost for the first time in 36 games, to an admirably adventurous Saudi Arabia, driven on by a raucous atmosphere. Manager Herve Renard pulled off another incredible feat.
The fact they came from behind to win 2-1 only emphasised their spirit and resolve, and showed how even the most problematic World Cup is still driven by human sporting qualities. That is what Qatar are trying to buy.
A further irony is that is what their complicated political rivals in Saudi Arabia will now use. What a venue for their greatest ever World Cup victory, in the host’s prize stadium, not long after the Gulf blockade was lifted.And yet whatever about how the state will use this, this was the classically sporting story of footballers rising to greater levels, driven on by fans.
Kieran Jackson22 November 2022 12:36
Argentina 1-2 Saudi Arabia player ratings:
Argentina suffered one of the greatest World Cup shocks of all time as they went down 2-1 to underdogs Saudi Arabia in Qatar.
The South American side were one of the pre-tournament favourites but endured the worst possible start to Lionel Messi’s quest to finally get a World Cup winners medal with a stunning loss.
Messi scored from the penalty spot early on but Saleh Al-Shehri squeezed in a low shot in the 48th minute while Salem Al-Dawsari curled in a scorching strike from the edge of the penalty area in the 53rd minute to leave Argentina looking utterly shell-shocked
Despite plenty of possession after that, Argentina were unable to find the all-important equaliser as they slipped to a stunning loss.
Here are how the Argentina players rated in their Group C opener:
Kieran Jackson22 November 2022 12:27
Argentina 1-2 Saudi Arabia
“Mexico is now massive. For Scaloni, a young and inexperienced manager, went on a run… this is a huge test now. He’s got to lift that group of players and find a way to get them back. It’s a big ask for him.”
Kieran Jackson22 November 2022 12:22
Argentina 1-2 Saudi Arabia
“They had something to hold on. Argentina didn’t show the quality – the decision-making! Fantastic from Saudi Arabia! They got the bodies back, they were strong and got a bit of luck!”
“I thought ‘what are they thinking with that high line’. Messi never got on the ball, one of the most quiet games I’ve seen him play!”
Kieran Jackson22 November 2022 12:18
Argentina 1-2 Saudi Arabia
Graeme Souness, speaking on ITV:
“I am gobsmacked. I’ve never seen an Argentina team not turn up for the fight – they were wishy-washy today. I thought Argentina had another gear, they didn’t have another gear!
“If that’s their quality, England have nothing to fear if they face them in this competition. Argentina didn’t match them. They got intimidated today by Saudi Arabia! They got rolled over by a very enthusiastic and aggressive Saudi Arabia! I am so disappointed in Argentina!”
Kieran Jackson22 November 2022 12:12
Kaynak: briturkish.com
