Category: worldcup

Veterans Messi and Lewandowski Face Off for Knockout Berth

DOHA—Two of the most intimidating strikers in world football, Argentina’s 35-year-old Lionel Messi and Poland’s 34-year-old Robert Lewandowski, line up against each other on Wednesday with a last 16 place at stake in the World Cup. Messi has scored twice in Argentina’s extraordinary start to the campaign, suffering one of the biggest upsets in the…


Aboubakar Rescues Cameroon in Comeback Draw With Serbia

AL WAKRAH, Qatar—Cameroon’s Vincent Aboubakar came off the bench to rescue his side by scoring one superb goal and creating another as they fought back to draw 3–3 with Serbia on Monday, a result that kept both sides’ slim chances alive at the World Cup. Serbia’s Strahinja Pavlovic and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic scored in first-half stoppage…


Mbappe Scores 2, France Reaches Knockout Stage of World Cup

DOHA, Qatar—Kylian Mbappe scored two goals and put defending champion France into the knockout stage of the World Cup with a 2–1 win over Denmark on Saturday. Mbappe put France ahead in the 61st minute and then scored the winner in the 86th with his right thigh as Les Bleus became the first team to…


Lewandowski Scores at World Cup, Poland Beats Saudis 2–0

AL RAYYAN, Qatar—Robert Lewandowski finally scored at the World Cup on Saturday, helping Poland beat Saudi Arabia 2–0 and boosting his team’s chances of reaching the knockout stages. Lewandowski shed tears after scoring in the 82nd minute. He raced toward the corner with his arms outstretched, then stayed slumped on the field as teammates rushed…


Australia Beats Tunisia 1–0 to Revive Its World Cup Campaign

AL WAKRAH, Qatar—Australia beat Tunisia 1–0 on Saturday to revive its chances of advancing from the group stage at the World Cup. Mitchell Duke gave Australia the lead midway through the first half with a header. Defending champion France and Australia lead Group D with three points each, while Denmark and Tunisia have one point…


Valencia Scores World Cup-Best 3rd Goal in Ecuador Draw

AL RAYYAN, Qatar—Ecuador striker Énner Valencia scored a World Cup-best third goal Friday in a 1–1 draw against the Netherlands that eliminated host nation Qatar from the tournament. The draw gave both the Dutch and Ecuador one point apiece to move them to four points in Group A. It left Qatar with zero points after…


Hosts Qatar on Verge of Elimination After 3–1 Loss to Senegal

DOHA—Host nation Qatar is perilously close to crashing out of the World Cup after they slumped to a 3–1 defeat by Senegal at the Al Thumama Stadium on Friday, despite Mohammed Muntari netting a first-ever World Cup finals goal for the Qataris. A win or a draw for Netherlands against Ecuador, who beat Qatar in…


Cheshmi’s Late Goal Sends Iran to 2-0 Win Over Wales

Al RAYYAN, Qatar—Rouzbeh Cheshmi scored in the eighth minute of stoppage time to break a scoreless stalemate and Iran went on to defeat Wales 2–0 at the World Cup on Friday. Cheshmi’s strike from outside the box was just beyond the diving reach of Wales backup goalkeeper Danny Ward, who was pressed into duty when…


Ronaldo Makes World Cup History, Portugal Beats Ghana 3–2

DOHA, Qatar—Cristiano Ronaldo closed his eyes, took in a deep breath, and then made World Cup history. The Portugal striker became the first male player to score at five World Cups with his 65th-minute penalty in a 3–2 win over Ghana on Thursday. Andre Ayew equalized for Ghana eight minutes later, but Joao Felix regained…


South Korea Holds Uruguay to 0-0 Draw at World Cup

AL RAYYAN, Qatar—South Korea and Uruguay started their World Cup campaigns with a 0–0 draw on Thursday, a result that probably favors the Asian team. The draw at Education City Stadium was yet another early World Cup match with the favored team stumbling. Argentina and Germany both lost their opening matches in major upsets. South…