Hosts Qatar and England Forced To Wait for Host nation Qatar was knocked out of the World Cup on Friday after suffering its second consecutive defeat, while uninspired England missed the opportunity to secure qualification for the last 16 with a 0-0 draw against the United States.
After the Netherlands and Ecuador played to a 1-1 draw in the other Group A match, Qatar became the first team eliminated from the World Cup after losing to Senegal 3-1. Qatar, the tournament’s Asian champions, had high hopes going into it, but they fell short in the group stage, becoming only the second home team to do so since South Africa in 2010.
Tarek Salman, a Qatari defender who came on as a substitute in the second half, said, “We would like to say we’re very sorry to the supporters and to the country.”
Cody Gakpo’s second goal of the tournament gave the Netherlands an early lead against Ecuador, but Ecuador leveled with captain Enner Valencia’s third goal, which is leading the tournament.
With a draw against Qatar in their final match, Louis van Gaal’s Netherlands, who have four points, will qualify for the last 16.
For Senegal to reach the knockout stage, it must defeat Ecuador.
Subsequent to pounding Iran 6-2 in their initial match, an unimaginative England created a limp display against the USA and was booed off at full-time.
If they had won, Gareth Southgate’s team would have been in Group B already, but they rarely got past a determined US team.
Earlier, Iran scored Wales 2-0 with two goals in the final minute to give a World Cup campaign that had been overshadowed by mass protests against the government a home new life.
Ramin Rezaeian’s second goal on the counterattack sent the Iranians’ thousands of fans at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Doha into a frenzy.
As Iran’s players and staff, including their Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz, embraced on the field and took in the cheers of their supporters, there were moving scenes.
The team’s star striker, Mehdi Taremi, paid tribute to Iran’s fans.
Taremi, who was knocked down by Wayne Hennessey as the goalkeeper emerged from his goal, said, “Thank you to our supporters, they helped us all the time.”
Hennessey received his first World Cup red card when he was dismissed in the 86th minute.
Taremi added, “We need those supporters to support us like always.” If his team wins Tuesday’s politically charged matchup with the United States, they will advance to the round of 16.
– Neymar will not play in Brazil’s next game
Brazil’s team camp said that superstar forward Neymar would not play in Brazil’s next game against Switzerland because he injured his ankle ligament in their first game, a 2-0 win over Serbia.
“Today is one of the most troublesome snapshots of my profession… what’s more, again in a World Cup,” Neymar composed on Instagram.
Neymar may be sidelined for Brazil’s last gathering game against Cameroon too, as indicated by a report from Brazil’s Globo Esporte.