The World Cup team of the group stage: Who is in the best performing XI so far in Qatar? December 1, 2022 The knockout rounds are almost upon us, so who have been the standout players from the group stage of this World Cup? To answer that question we asked football data experts Delphlyx to pick an XI using only the best performing players in each position. The presence of Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi may come [...]
All about Senegal: what to expect from England’s World Cup last 16 opponents December 1, 2022 The Wolof word “teranga” in Senegal’s nickname denotes a generosity of spirit that the West African country is proud of, although it is unlikely to extend to England when the teams meet at the World Cup on Sunday. It is no accident that the Teranga Lions are the reigning champions of Africa, and a team [...]
Ed Warner: Is Infantino a moonbeam or a clown? Either way, Fifa boss is here to stay December 1, 2022 Gianni Infantino. Moonbeam or clown? Flibbertigibbet? Certainly. Problem-solver, or problem to be solved? All depends on where you are coming from – quite literally. Just don’t expect Fifa’s demon/angel (delete according to taste) president to be going anywhere soon. Most likely not until 2031. Football’s Swiss-Italian head honcho has been front and centre of the [...]
World Cup briefing: Group E and F’s deciding games and how to watch December 1, 2022 Today’s World Cup matches bring in the festive season of December and represent the penultimate day of group stage action. All of today’s Group E and Group F matches will have some say in which teams make the last 16 in Qatar – and which crash out. So here is a round up of what’s [...]
Trevor Steven: Senegal will be England’s toughest test yet at this World Cup November 30, 2022 England’s progress from Group B to a World Cup last-16 tie with Senegal on Sunday has ticked a lot of boxes. They finished top, had six different goalscorers, avoided injuries and were able to give minutes to players who needed them, like Kyle Walker and Kalvin Phillips. It has put Gareth Southgate’s team up there [...]
World Cup briefing: Why and how to watch Wednesday’s matches November 30, 2022 Will Lionel Messi and Argentina crash out of the World Cup at the group stage on Wednesday or advance to the last 16? Read on for the talking points and permutations. Tunisia v France, 3pm, BBC World Cup holders France are already through to the next round and will definitely qualify as winners of Group [...]
Wales v England: World Cup stage set for Gareth Bale’s last dance November 29, 2022 While England have top spot in World Cup Group B in their sights tonight against Wales, the stakes are much higher for their opponents at the Ahmed bin Ali Stadium. If Wales are to avoid elimination, only a win against England will do – and even then, they will need to do so by four [...]
World Cup briefing: Why and how to watch Tuesday’s games, including Wales v England November 29, 2022 England are among several teams who will discover whether they have made it into the last 16 of the World Cup when the final games in Group A and Group B are played today. Here’s all you need to know. Netherlands v Qatar, 3pm, ITV Any two of three teams could still qualify from or [...]
World Cup briefing: Why and how to watch Monday’s matches November 28, 2022 The 2022 World Cup rolls into its second week, with pre-tournament favourites Brazil among those in action on Monday. Here’s your guide to today’s games. Cameroon v Serbia, 10am, ITV Both teams will be looking for their first points and first goals of Qatar 2022 when Cameroon meet Serbia on Monday morning. Cameroon, who lost [...]
Trevor Steven: England must ring the changes for Wales World Cup game November 27, 2022 England’s 0-0 draw with the USA at the World Cup on Friday was a wake-up call which raised several issues that Gareth Southgate can’t ignore ahead of their final Group B game with Wales on Tuesday. I was surprised that Southgate named exactly the same team that had beaten Iran four days earlier. The USA [...]