📰 Table Of Contents
Accumulator of the day:
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IR Iran vs United States
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It’s a straight shootout for round of 16 qualification at Al-Thumama Stadium.
Against all the odds, having been smashed 6-2 in their opener, IR Iran come into this final matchday occupying second spot.
That’s because, on Monday afternoon, Team Melli beat Wales, thanks to a pair of stoppage time goals.
Rouzbeh Cheshmi firing home in the eighth minute of injury time, before Ramin Rezaeian bundled home a clincher three minutes later.
Despite scoring the World Cup’s latest-ever winner, excluding extra time, don’t be fooled, that was a fully-deserved victory for Carlos Queiroz’s team.
This was just Iran’s third victory at the tournament, famously beating USA at France ‘98, before defeating Morocco four years ago.
Conversely, United States simply must win.
Gregg Berhalter’s team have drawn both matches in Qatar, 1-1 with Wales and then 0-0 with England on Black Friday.
The U.S. were certainly the better team in the latter, with Weston McKennie and Christian Pulisic going closest.
However, USA continue to struggle in the final third, which could certainly be an issue given Iran’s defensive solidity.
So, will the United States claim the victory they need, or will it be the greatest night in Iran’s footballing history?
Wales vs England
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Wales have waited 64 years to compete at the World Cup but, baring a final day miracle, this’ll be the end of their adventure.
After the Dragons opening night draw with USA, many were optimistic about their chances of getting through.
However, Rob Page’s team were second-best throughout, and it all fell apart right at the end.
Wayne Hennessey was sent off in the 86th minute, for a Schumacher on Battiston-esque ‘tackle’ before IR Iran scored not once but twice right at the end of stoppage time.
This leaves Wales bottom of this group, needing to win and win big to have any chance of staying in Qatar.
Given that they’re winless in six meetings with England, dating back to 1984, this seems unlikely.
The Three Lions, for their part, need a point to qualify, knowing only a victory will guarantee first place.
Gareth Southgate’s side were scintillating on Monday, putting six past Iran, but were then anything but on Friday.
Last time out, England played out a drab an uneventful scoreless draw with USA and, in truth, it was the Americans who created the clearer opportunities.
This has certainly tempered expectations, but England do remain in a healthy position to advance.
Over 3,000 mile from home, who will win this battle of Britain at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium?
Ecuador vs Senegal
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This is a knockout stage match in all but name as, assuming Netherlands aren’t beaten by Qatar, one of these two will go through, while the other will be heading home.
Ecuador only need a point, after they drew 1-1 with the Dutch in Al Rayyan on Monday evening.
Enner Valencia bagged la Tri’s equaliser just after half time and, in truth, Ecuador dominated throughout and deserved to win.
Amazingly, since the start of the 2014 edition, only Lionel Messi has scored more World Cup goals than Valencia, despite the fact Ecuador didn’t qualify for Russia.
With four points on the board, a draw would suffice for Gustavo Alfaro’s team, thereby matching la Tri’s best-ever World Cup run of 2006.
For Senegal, they simply must win, having lost to Netherlands, before a comfortable 3-1 victory over the hosts.
Boulaye Dia, Famara Diédhiou and Bamba Dieng all on target at Al-Thumama Stadium as they swatted Qatar aside.
The Lions of Teranga were eliminated on the fair play metric four years ago, the seventh tie-breaker, so are desperate to avoid another group phase elimination.
Who will be celebrating and who will be heartbroken at Khalifa International Stadium?
Netherlands vs Qatar
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Will Netherlands wrap up top spot? Well, based on how hopeless Qatar have been, this seems an inevitability.
Oranje have four points on the board, leaving it late to beat Senegal in their opener before a 1-1 draw with Ecuador on Friday.
In the latter, Cody Gakpo fired home a spectacular opener but that, coming in the sixth minute, was their second and last shot of the evening.
Ecuador bagged a deserved equalised just after the interval and, in truth, should’ve claimed all three points.
Nevertheless, 1-1 it finished, meaning Louis van Gaal’s team remain top of Group A, needing a victory here to ensure they remain there.
Qatar meantime have already broken countless records at this tournament, all of which are unwanted.
They had 4,376 days to prepare for their World Cup debut on home soil, but lasted just six days before elimination.
On Friday, Félix Sánchez Bas’ team were beaten 3-1 by Senegal, thereby ensuring they’re the first hosts to have zero points after two games.
Mohammed Muntari’s header will always be the Maroons’ first-ever goal at this tournament, but it only provided the home support a minutia amount of celebration.
In 2021, Qatar were beaten 4-0 by Republic of Ireland, 3-0 by Portugal and 4-0 by Serbia twice.
This game at Al-Bayt Stadium is likely to produce a similar outcome.
