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Wednesday 30th November Results..

Group D Tunisia 1 (Khazri 58) France 0

France had a goal ruled out by VAR for offside in the final minute of stoppage-time as Tunisia held on to register a shock victory.

However, despite victory they failed to qualify for the last 16 of the World Cup.

Substitute Antoine Griezmann volleyed in a dramatic equaliser at the Education City Stadium, but the VAR decision meant Tunisia captain Wahbi Khazi's brilliant first-half goal proved to be the winner.

However, with Australia recording a 1-0 victory over Denmark in the other match in Group D, Tunisia's hopes of progressing had been dashed before Griezmann's goal was ruled out.

France are through to the last 16 as group winners having already secured qualification with victory over Denmark in the last game.

Despite their failure to progress, Tunisia captain Khazi produced the moment fans had been waiting for - a goal at this World Cup - when he drove to the edge of the box and coolly rolled it into the bottom right corner.

There was an outpouring of emotion from a large following of Tunisia fans at the stadium, while Tunisian substitutes sprinted onto the pitch in a moment of pure elation.

But their celebrations were shortlived when news of Australia's lead began to ripple through the stadium, with supporters checking their phones for updates from the other match in Group D.

France, who were much-changed from their 2-1 win over Denmark having already qualified as group winners, lacked quality in a disappointing performance.

Paris St-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe and Atletico Madrid's Griezmann were brought on later in the second half to try and find a way back into the game.

They had an impact despite loud jeers and whistling from Tunisia fans keen to put them off and Griezmann almost provided the goal they craved.

Didier Deschamps' side are set to face the runner-up of Group C, currently Argentina, in the last 16 on Sunday, 4 December.

Tunisia's wait to reach the knockout stages of the World Cup for the first time continues as they exit the competition.

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Group D Australia 1 (Leckie 60) Denmark 0

Australia reached the knockout stage of the World Cup for the first time in 16 years after shocking Denmark.

The Danes, needing victory to progress, dominated possession but were caught out on the break when Australia scored the winner on the hour mark.

Denmark lost the ball in the Australian box and Mathew Leckie finished a brilliant counter attack with a low shot past Kasper Schmeichel.

Australia finish in second place in Group D on six points, only behind world champions France on goal difference.

Denmark meanwhile exit Qatar 2022 in disappointing fashion, with just one point from three games, sitting bottom of the group.

Australia will now play the winners of Group C - with Poland, Argentina, Saudi Arabia and Mexico all in with a chance of topping the table - on Saturday (19:00 GMT).

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Final Group D Table

1..France....6 points
2..Australia 6 points

3..Tunisia....4 points
4..Denmark..1 point

Wednesday 30th November Results..

Poland 0 Argentina 2 (McAlister 46, Alvarez 67, Messi missed pen 39)

Argentina completed the turnaround from the shock opening World Cup loss to Saudi Arabia by qualifying for the last 16 in impressive style against Poland - who went through on goal difference having finished level on points with Mexico.

Lionel Messi was the catalyst for the crucial win against Mexico that got Argentina's campaign back on track, and he was instrumental again as they illustrated why they were regarded as one of the tournament favourites to set up a second-round match against Australia.

Poland were set to progress by virtue of the Fifa Fair Play rule for having fewer yellow cards than Mexico - until Saudi Arabia pulled one back deep into stoppage time in their 2-1 loss to the Concacaf side. That meant goal difference was decisive for the Poles, who will next face France.

Argentina ran out comfortable winners with second-half goals from Brighton's Alexis Mac Allister and Manchester City striker Julian Alvarez, but the game still held real drama and jeopardy in the closing stages as Poland knew another goal conceded, or another goal for Mexico against the Saudis, would send them out on goals scored.

Argentina dominated throughout but had to wait until after the second half to make the breakthrough as Messi had a first-half penalty saved by Poland keeper Wojciech Szczesny after the pair collided in an aerial challenge, a harsh award after a video assistant referee consultation.

Mac Allister gave Argentina the lead they deserved when he swept home Nahuel Molina's cross a minute after the break and Alvarez sealed victory with a fine finish into the top corner in the 67th minute.

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Saudi Arabia 1 (Al Dawsari 90+5) Mexico 2 (Martin 47, Chavez 52)

Mexico defeated Saudi Arabia 2-1 but agonisingly went out of the World Cup on goal difference on a night of incredible drama in Doha.

With Argentina beating Poland 2-0 in Group C at Stadium 974 and Mexico leading by the same scoreline at Lusail Stadium in the 94th minute, Gerardo Martino's side needed one more goal to prevent them from going out according to Fifa's fair play rule.

But Salem Al Dawsari's injury-time consolation goal for Saudi Arabia sent the distraught Mexicans home anyway, leaving the Polish players to celebrate across the city.

After a stop-start first half with little rhythm to it, the match burst into life two minutes after the break as Henry Martin reacted quickest to finish Cesar Montes' flick on.

Mexico fans had barely calmed their celebrations before Luis Chavez curled a glorious 30-yard free-kick into the top corner to send their supporters into pandemonium.

They thought they had another but Hirving Lozano's low strike was chalked off for offside and Martin should have had a second but volleyed over from 12 yards out.

It was all Mexico as they pushed for further goals. Chavez nearly struck another stunning free-kick but Mohammed Al Owais palmed it out, then Orbelín Pineda curled narrowly wide.

Mexico thought they had sealed progression when Uriel Antuna stroked in late on, but that too was flagged for offside and they went out in the most excruciating manner.

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Final Group C Table

1..Argentina.......6 points
2..Poland...........4 points

3..Mexico..........4 points
4..Saudi Arabia..3 points

Saturday 3rd December Fixtures..

R-16-1..Netherlands v USA - Khalifa International Stadium, Al Rayyan - 3pm

R-16-2..Argentina v Australia - Ahmed bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan - 7pm


Sunday 4th December Fixtures..

R-16-5..ENGLAND v Senegal - Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor - 7pm

R-16-6..France v Poland - Al Thumama Stadium, Doha - 3pm


Monday 5th December Fixtures..

R-16-3..Japan v Croatia - Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah - 3pm

R-16-4..Brazil v South Korea - Stadium 974, Doha - 7pm


Tuesday 6th December Fixtures..

R-16-7..Morocco v Spain - Education City Stadium, Al Rayyan - 3pm

R-16-8..Portugal v Switzerland - Lusail Iconic Stadium, Lusail - 7pm

Thursday 1st December Results..

Group E - Japan 2 (Doan 48, Tanaka 51) Spain 1 (Morata 11)

Japan scored a controversial winner as they staged another extraordinary World Cup comeback to top Group E ahead of Spain and reach the last 16.

Ao Tanaka claimed Japan's second goal after the Video Assistant Referee ruled the ball had not gone out of play before substitute Kaoru Mitoma crossed from the byeline, even though on first viewing it appeared to have done so.

It proved the decisive moment in a stunning performance against a Spain side who were fortunate to join Japan in the knockout stage.

In a tournament that has been full of shocks, this was perhaps the most dramatic night so far, with Spain left relying on the result of Germany's game with Costa Rica for them to progress.

All four teams had started the evening with a chance of progressing but with Spain needing only a draw to qualify, they were not expected to need any favours from elsewhere.

La Roja were cruising at the break after Alvaro Morata headed home Cesar Azpilicueta's cross from close range, but Japan would quickly turn the game - and the whole of Group E - on its head.

The Samurai Blue sent on substitutes Ritsu Doan and Mitoma at half-time and within six minutes of the restart they had both made a huge impact.

Doan equalised with a fierce shot from the edge of the area and, only 142 seconds later, Mitomo retrieved Doan's low cross and found Tanaka to bundle home from close range in dramatic circumstances.

The goal was initially ruled out by the assistant referee who signalled Doan's cross had gone out of play, but the VAR ruled Mitomo had reached it in time.

To the naked eye it appeared over the line, but the decision was made that the curvature of the ball was hanging over the chalk, to the delight of Japan's players.

Things got even worse for Spain when Costa Rica took a surprise lead over Germany moments later, because at that stage they were heading out.

The big screens at Khalifa International Stadium showed the updated group table, to the disbelief of the Spain supporters, and pretty much everyone else here too.

Luis Enrique's side were in big trouble, and were showing few signs of knowing how to rescue themselves, with only Germany's late rally sending La Roja through as group runners-up on goal difference.

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Group E - Costa Rica 2 (Tejeda 58, Neuer 70 og) Germany 4 (Gnabry 10, Havertz 73, 85, Fullkrug 89)

Germany crashed out of the Fifa World Cup on a remarkable night of drama despite victory over Costa Rica at Al Bayt Stadium.

Japan's controversial 2-1 victory against Spain would have eliminated Germany anyway, but Hansi Flick's side needed three points to give themselves any chance of reaching the last 16.

They completed their part of the bargain, but it was to no avail as the four-time champions finished third in the group and were eliminated on goal difference.

It could have been a different story after Japan's winning goal in the other Group E match was initially ruled out because the officials thought the ball had gone out of play before it was put into the net, but the decision was overturned by VAR.

Germany were in complete control and in front through Serge Gnabry's 10th-minute header, only for Costa Rica to turn the match on its head to raise the remarkable possibility of Spain also going out.

Yeltsin Tejeda equalised after Germany keeper Manuel Neuer pushed out Kendall Waston's header in the 58th minute, before Neuer was deemed to have the final touch for the second goal 12 minutes later when Juan Pablo Vargas bundled in from close range.

At that stage, Costa Rica were going through with Japan, and Spain were heading for the exit.

It would have capped one of the most astonishing nights in World Cup history, but Germany substitute Kai Havertz restored a measure of normality with two clinical finishes to extinguish Costa Rica's hopes of springing a major shock.

Substitute Niclas Fullkrug added a last-minute fourth to confirm victory, but it will be of no consolation as Germany failed to reach the knockout stage of the tournament for the second time in succession.

This was also a match that made history as an all-female officiating team took charge of a men's World Cup game for the first time, with France's Stephanie Frappart refereeing, joined by assistant referees Neuza Back from Brazil and Karen Diaz Medina from Mexico.

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It is the second consecutive World Cup where Germany have exited at the group stage after they finished bottom of their group in Russia in 2018

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Final Group E Table

1..Japan.........6 points
2..Spain.........4 points

3..Germany....4 points
4..Costa Rica..3 points

Pele: Brazil legend says hospital stay was routine 'monthly visit'..



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Pele has thanked well-wishers for sending "good vibes" after confirming his hospital stay was a routine visit.

Concerns were raised on Wednesday when ESPN Brasil reported Pele had been admitted to Sao Paulo's Hospital Albert Einstein with "general swelling".

The Brazil legend had a tumour removed from his colon in September 2021 and has since had regular treatment.

"Friends, I am at the hospital making my monthly visit," the 82-year-old wrote on Instagram.

The three-time World Cup winner included an image of a tribute to him at the Qatar World Cup alongside the post.

And he added: "It's always nice to receive positive messages like this. Thanks to Qatar for this tribute, and to everyone who sends me good vibes!"

ESPN Brasil also reported Pele was having cardiac issues and there were concerns that his chemotherapy treatment is not having the expected effect.

His daughter, Kely Nascimento, was moved to clarify on Instagram, saying: "There is no emergency or new dire prediction. He is in the hospital regulating medication."

Pele is Brazil's all-time leading scorer with 77 goals in 92 games, and the former striker is one of only four players to have scored in four World Cup tournaments.

A couple of days of bizarre games and eventful ends to group stages.
Obviously gutted to see Germany go out... but watching the Uruguayan cheats in tears has really cheered me up.

Friday 2nd December Results..

Group G: Cameroon 1(Aboubakar 90'+2, Sent Off 90'+3) Brazil 0

Cameroon defeated a Brazil side resting a host of regulars but still saw their World Cup campaign ended after an entertaining encounter at Lusail Stadium.

Vincent Aboubakar header the winner in stoppage time but his joy immediately turned to disappointment as he was given a second yellow card for taking his shirt off.

Cameroon had acquitted themselves well throughout as Bryan Mbuemo brought an outstanding save from Manchester City's Ederson, deputising for Liverpool keeper Alisson, but Switzerland's victory over Serbia ended the African team's chances of reaching the last 16.

With his side having already qualified after their first two games, Brazil coach Tite made 10 changes and Arsenal's Gabriel Martinelli took the chance to impress with a fine performance in which he was thwarted on several occasions by Cameroon keeper Devis Epassy.

The pre-tournament favourites finished top of Group G despite the loss and now meet South Korea in the knockout phase after their dramatic late win against Portugal saw them edge out Uruguay, who beat Ghana, on goals scored.

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Group G: Serbia 2 (Mitrovic 26, Vlahovic 35) Switzerland 3 (Shaqiri 20, Embolo 44, Freuler 48)

Switzerland sealed their place in the World Cup last 16 following an entertaining five-goal victory over Serbia to round off the group stage.

Switzerland, who knew a draw would be enough to qualify, took an early lead through former Stoke and Liverpool forward Xherdan Shaqiri.

Serbia turned it around in the first half, going 2-1 up with goals from Fulham's Aleksandar Mitrovic and centre-forward partner Dusan Vlahovic - and they would have gone through as things stood.

The entertainment did not stop there though, as Switzerland's Breel Embolo equalised on the stroke of half-time when he poked in from close range.

With Serbia needing to win, the second half promised further twists but it was Switzerland who struck next - Embolo coolly flicking it on for Nottingham Forest's Remo Freuler to thump a half-volley into the net and make it 3-2 in their favour.

Further chances came for both sides but Switzerland held on to set up a meeting with Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal in the next round, while Serbia are eliminated.

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Xherdan Shaqiri celebrated in front of the Serbia fans behind the goal

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Final Group G Table

1..Brazil.......6 points
2..Switzerland..6 points

3..Cameroon.....4 points
4..Serbia.......1 point

Saturday 3rd December Results..

R-16-1..Netherlands 3 (Depay 10, Blind 45+1, Dumfries 81) USA 1 (Wright 76)

The Netherlands survived a late scare against the United States to move into the Fifa World Cup quarter-finals with a ruthless display of finishing.

The US had the game's biggest early chance when Christian Pulisic was denied by the legs of Dutch goalkeeper Andries Noppert and the failure to take that opportunity proved highly expensive.

Louis van Gaal's side responded in the finest Dutch traditions in the 10th minute when Memphis Depay crowned a magnificent 21-pass move by turning in Denzel Dumfries' cross.

The US battled hard but lacked a cutting edge and were punished in similar fashion with the final kick of the first half when Daley Blind arrived with perfect timing on the end of another Dumfries cut back.

The Dutch were given anxious moments when the US pulled a goal back in the 76th minute as Haji Wright's freak deflection from Pulisic's cross looped in at the far post.

But they restored their two-goal lead five minutes later when creator Dumfries turned scorer, side-footing in a volley at the far post from Blind's cross.

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R-16-2..Argentina 2 (Messi 35, Alvarez 57) Australia 1 (Fernandez 77 og)

Lionel Messi produced a moment of magic on his 1,000th career appearance as two-time champions Argentina beat Australia to reach the World Cup quarter-finals.

Messi, 35, was winning his 119th cap for his country and they needed his brilliance to take them through to the next round and a tantalising tie against the Netherlands on Friday.

Argentina had barely threatened in the first half but Paris St-Germain's Messi stroked in a delightful low finish to spark wild celebrations from their fans.

It was his 789th career goal, 94 of those coming for Argentina, and Messi is now the joint top goalscorer in Qatar.

The South American supporters had been on their feet singing all game and they had further delight when Julian Alvarez punished Mat Ryan's mistake to double their advantage.

Australia had offered very little but surprisingly pulled one back with 13 minutes remaining when substitute Craig Goodwin's strike took a huge deflection off Enzo Fernandez.

They could have levelled shortly after through Aziz Behich, whose incredible solo run took him past four players, but his shot was superbly blocked by Lisandro Martinez's sliding challenge as Argentina edged through.

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Messi by numbers

Messi became the oldest Argentine to score a World Cup knockout goal - taking the 'record' off Roberto Ayala.

He is one of only six players to appear at five different World Cups.

He is the second player to score at least three World Cup goals after his 35th birthday, after Roger Milla (five) for Cameroon.


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Spain....kings of tippy tappy and patience finally came unstuck losing out on penalties to Morrocco ... obviously they now need to get the idea that you can actually shoot at goal from over 2 yards out,!!