Page 3 - Qatar 2022 Fifa World Cup

FIFA WC 2022: After Neymar, Croatia aims to end Messi's World Cup dream

Croatia has already ended Neymar's World Cup dream. Now it hopes to do the same to Lionel Messi. Croatia, runner-up in 2018, is the next obstacle for Argentina to overcome on Tuesday in the semifinals as Messi aims to win the one major trophy that has eluded him. But Croatia, which lost to France in the final in Russia, is on its own mission to go one step further this time around. "I don't think we need to fear anybody. We need to look at ourselves to play our best game," Croatia defender Josip Juranovic said Sunday. "I would say the secret of our success is our togetherness, our unity. The fact that we act and play as a family." Neymar was left in tears after Croatia beat Brazil 4-2 on penalties following a 1-1 draw through extra time in their quarterfinal match. Messi has been in inspired form during Argentina's run to the semifinals, scoring four goals in five games. His assist for Nahuel Molina against the Netherlands in the quarterfinals was a moment of magic from the seven

FIFA 2022: World Cup dream was beautiful while it lasted, says Ronaldo

Portugal were denied a berth in the semifinals after they suffered a 1-0 quarterfinal loss to Morocco in Doha

Morocco beats Portugal to become 1st African country to reach WC semifinals

Morocco became the first African country to reach the World Cup semifinals by beating Portugal 1-0 on Saturday, likely ending Cristiano Ronaldo's chances of winning soccer's biggest prize. Youssef En-Nesyri scored the winning goal in the 42nd minute to continue Morocco's improbable run that has generated an outpouring of pride in the Arab world during the first World Cup to be staged in the Middle East. The 37-year-old Ronaldo, one of soccer's greatest players, didn't start for the second straight game but came on as a substitute in the 51st minute. The five-time world player of the year is set to finish his career without capturing the World Cup or ever getting to the final. Morocco will play either France or England in the semifinals. It is a seminal moment in World Cup history, with an African nation finally advancing to the levels typically only reached by European or South American teams. Cameroon (1990), Senegal (2002) and Ghana (2010) all reached the quarterfinals but got n

Fifa opens probe after ugly scenes in Argentina vs Netherlands quarterfinal

Both Argentina and the Netherlands face disciplinary action from FIFA as a result of some ugly scenes towards the end of their dramatic World Cup quarterfinal match at Lusail Stadium on Friday night

France beats England 2-1, advances to semifinals at Fifa World Cup

Kylian Mbappe and France made it back to the semifinals of the World Cup on Saturday by beating England 2-1. Olivier Giroud scored in the 78th minute at Al Bayt Stadium to keep France on course to become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to win back-to-back World Cups. Giroud raced away in delight when his header deflected off England defender Harry Maguire and sailed past goalkeeper Jordan Pickford. England striker Harry Kane had a chance to even the score late in the match but he sent a penalty attempt over the bar. It was his second spot kick of the match. He earlier scored to make it 1-1 after Aurelien Tchouameni had given France the lead in the 17th minute with a powerful drive from 20 meters (yards). France will next face Morocco in the semifinals on Wednesday. The Moroccans became the first African team to reach the semifinals at the World Cup by beating Portugal 1-0. England had been looking like the team more likely to score when the match was at 1-1. But instead it wa

Fifa WC, ENG vs FRA Highlights: England head home as Kane misses penalty

Fifa World Cup, England vs France Quarterfinal Highlights: Harry Kane, the joint-highest goal scorer for England missed a penalty in the 83rd minute. It was game-changing as France eventually won 2-1

Fifa World Cup, MAR vs POR Highlights: Morocco create history, reach semis

Fifa World Cup, Morocco vs Portugal Quarterfinal Highlights: It was yet another surprising day in history as Morocco became the first African nation to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup.

US sportswriter Grant Wahl, 49, dies at FIFA World Cup match in Qatar

Grant Wahl, one of the most well-known soccer writers in the United States, died early Saturday while covering the World Cup match between Argentina and the Netherlands. U.S. media seated near him said Wahl fell back in his seat in the media tribune at Lusail Iconic Stadium during extra time and reporters adjacent to him called for assistance. Emergency services workers responded very quickly, the reporters said, and the reporters later were told that Wahl had died. Wahl tweeted on Wednesday that he had celebrated his birthday that day. American reporters who knew Wahl said he was 49. "We could always count on Grant to deliver insightful and entertaining stories about our game, and its major protagonists," the U.S. Soccer Federation said in a statement. "Grant's belief in the power of the game to advance human rights was, and will remain, an inspiration to all. Grant made soccer his life's work, and we are devastated that he and his brilliant writing will no longer be with us." W

Pele sends message of support to Neymar after Brazil's FIFA World Cup exit

Brazilian soccer great Pele congratulated Neymar for matching his national team scoring record on Friday, and then commiserated with the player for his World Cup exit. Pele, who has been hospitalized while being treated for a respiratory infection, posted his message on Instagram after Brazil lost to Croatia in the quarterfinals in a penalty shootout at the tournament in Qatar. "I saw you grow, I cheered for you every day and I can finally congratulate you for reaching my number of goals with Brazil. We both know that this is more than a figure," the 82-year-old Pele wrote. "Our biggest duty as athletes is to inspire. Inspire our teammates of today, the next generations and, above all, everyone who loves our sport. "Unfortunately this is not the happiest day for us," Pele added. "My record was set almost 50 years ago, and nobody had managed to get near it until now. You got there, kid. That shows how great your achievement is." Neymar scored Brazil's only goal against Croatia at

Neymar ties Pele's record but Brazil loses again at FIFA World Cup 2022

Neymar walked off the field with teammate Dani Alves by his side, tears still rolling down the Brazil forward's cheeks. Other players had already tried to console Neymar as he cried while sitting near midfield, head down, hiding his face. There wasn't much they could say to get the team's biggest star to lift his head up. Again there was disappointment instead of joy at the end of a World Cup for Neymar. Again he couldn't lead Brazil to a major title. It was his third failure at a World Cup, and his only triumphs with the national team are the 2013 Confederations Cup and the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, when Brazil won its first gold medal in soccer. Neymar said it wasn't the time to talk about his future with the national team. "Honestly, I don't know what's going to happen. It's hard to talk about it right now," he said. "It would be too hasty to come here and say that this is it, but I can't guarantee anything. I have to take some time to think about it. I'm not closing any

Messi, Argentina beat Netherlands on penalties at FIFA World Cup 2022

Lionel Messi's quest to win the World Cup moves into the semifinals after Argentina beat the Netherlands 4-3 in a penalty shootout on Friday. Messi converted his penalty in the shootout and Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martnez saved two attempts. Lautaro Martinez scored the clinching penalty. The match finished 2-2 after extra time, with Messi scoring one goal and setting up another. The Netherlands equalized in the 11th minute of second-half stoppage time. Argentina will play Croatia in the semifinals on Tuesday.

Croatia beats Brazil on penalties in Fifa World Cup 2022 quarterfinals

Croatia knocked Brazil out of the World Cup, beating the five-time champions 4-2 in a penalty shootout on Friday in the quarterfinals. Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic saved a penalty attempt by Rodrygo and Marquinhos later hit the post. Neymar had scored late in the first half of extra time to give Brazil the lead, but Croatia equalized when Bruno Petkovic scored in the 117th. Neymar's goal moved him into a tie with Pel as Brazil's all-time leading scorer with 77 goals. Croatia will next face either Argentina or the Netherlands.

FIFA World Cup: Deschamps dismisses idea that France rely heavily on Mbappe

The pre-game talk is centred around the match within a match between Mbappe and England right-back Kyle Walker

Fifa World Cup, NED vs ARG Highlights: Argentina in semis, win shootout 4-3

Fifa World Cup, Netherlands vs Argentina Quarterfinal Highlights: Even after two great goals by the Dutch in the 81st and 101st minute to send the game into extra-time and then penalties, they lost it

Fifa WC, CRO vs BRA Highlights: Croatia win shoot-out, send Brazil packing

Fifa World Cup Quarterfinal, Croatia vs Brazil Highlights: Once again, Croatia and penalty shoot-out have had a fairy tale ending and last edition's runners-up have sent five times champions back home

Fifa World Cup fans on pace to spend record amounts at tournament venues

With 10 days to go until the end of the Fifa World Cup, fans have already spent more money than they did when Brazil hosted in 2014, and 89% of the value they spent at Russia in 2018

Ronaldo-less Portugal beats Switzerland at FIFA WC, reaches quarterfinals

With Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench, the superstar striker's replacement scored a hat trick to lead Portugal over Switzerland 6-1 and into the World Cup quarterfinals on Tuesday. Goncalo Ramos, a 21-year-old forward who only made his Portugal debut last month, made his first start for his country and demonstrated the kind of clinical finishing Ronaldo was once known for. Ramos scored the opening goal in the 17th minute and added others in the 51st and 67th by which time chants of RONALDO! RONALDO! were swirling around the 89,000-seat Lusail Stadium. The 37-year-old Ronaldo entered as a substitute in the 72nd minute to loud cheers, though Portugal had the game wrapped up by then with defenders Pepe and Raphael Guerreiro also scoring. Rafael Leao added a another goal in stoppage time. Manuel Akanji scored for Switzerland. Portugal advanced to the quarterfinals for the third time, after 1966 and 2006, and will play Morocco on Saturday. Portugal coach Fernando Santos now has to deci

Fifa WC POR vs SUI Highlights: Ramos' hattrick leads Portugal to 6-1 win

Fifa World Cup, POR vs SUI Round of 16 Highlights: It was a night to remember for Portugal's Goncalo Ramos as he scored a hattrick, helping his team thrash Switzerland 6-1 and reach the last 8.

Fifa WC Highlights: Morocoo beat Spain on penalties, enter last 8 1st time

Fifa World Cup Round of 16, Morocco vs Spain Highlights: Morocco created history as they became the fourth African nation to qualify for World Cup quarterfinals after they beat Spain 3-0 in shoot-out

Fifa World Cup: A migration story of players shooting beyond boundaries

There are over 50 Africa-born or African-origin players in 11 teams; only 4 of 32 teams have all players born in their own country - Argentina, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, and South Korea