Saudi Arabia stun Argentina in one of World Cup’s biggest ever shocks November 22, 2022 Saudi Arabia pulled off one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history by beating much-fancied Argentina in their opening match in Qatar today. Lionel Messi put Argentina ahead with a penalty but second-half goals from Saleh Al-Shehri and Salem Al Dawsari stunned the two-time winners and delighted the strong Saudi support at the Lusail [...]
Only 5.8m viewers stuck around for whole England v Iran 6-2 victory November 22, 2022 Only 5.8m viewers stuck around to watch the whole of England’s 6-2 victory against Iran in its World Cup opening match yesterday. According to fresh data from ratings body Barb, the lunchtime match raked in far fewer viewers than the Lions’ opening match back in 2018 at the Russia World Cup, as well as the [...]
World Cup briefing: Today’s games and why you should watch them November 22, 2022 If England and Wales starting their World Cup campaigns hasn’t whetted the appetite yet, perhaps today’s fixtures, which feature Argentina and France among others, will get you in the mood. Here, City A.M. previews Tuesday’s games in Qatar. Group C: Argentina v Saudi Arabia, 10am, ITV Argentina, one of the favourites for the tournament, have [...]
England 6-2 Iran: Saka and Bellingham star as Three Lions start World Cup with a bang November 21, 2022 England blew away months of growing pessimism with a free-wheeling start to the World Cup today, smashing six goals past Iran to underline their credentials as potential winners. Bukayo Saka scored twice while Jude Bellingham, Raheem Sterling, Marcus Rashford and Jack Grealish also netted as Gareth Southgate’s team put down a marker in Qatar. Two [...]
World Cup briefing: England v Iran at 1pm November 21, 2022 Not feeling excited by the Qatar 2022 World Cup? Need a reason to watch today’s games? Let City A.M. get you in the mood. Group B: England v Iran, 1pm, BBC England begin their bid to go one better than their runner-up finish at last year’s European Championship when they play Iran this afternoon. They [...]
Fifa threats prompt England to scrap plan to wear One Love armband at World Cup November 21, 2022 England football chiefs say captain Harry Kane will not wear a One Love armband in their opening World Cup match against Iran today after Fifa threatened them with sporting sanctions. They were one of seven nations planning for their captains to wear the armband as a gesture of solidarity with minority groups in Qatar, where [...]
C’mon England: Pub bosses set to be the Three Lions’ biggest fans November 21, 2022 Pubs are hoping for a wintry windfall thanks to the World Cup kicking off this week. The country’s boozers are hoping that England’s first match versus Iran this afternoon will draw in crowds on a traditionally quiet trading day. The football tournament typically draws in £155m for pubs when held in the summer months. Pubs [...]
Qatar World Cup Group B analysed: England and their rivals’ strengths and weaknesses November 20, 2022 Will the real World Cup Group B stand up? On the one hand, England’s pool is the only one in Qatar in which all of the teams inhabit the top 20 of Fifa’s world rankings. On the other, Iran, the USA and Wales looks, on paper, like a kind draw for Gareth Southgate’s team. Today’s [...]
Comment: Criticise me not Qatar for World Cup, says Infantino. OK then, here goes November 20, 2022 In a speech riddled with crass false equivalences on the eve of the World Cup, Gianni Infantino had a message for critics of this tournament. “Don’t criticise Qatar. Don’t criticise the players” the Fifa president said. “Criticise me, because I am responsible for everything.” OK, Gianni; here goes. There is no shortage of material. Criticise [...]
Fifa president accuses West of ‘hypocrisy’ in Qatar World Cup coverage November 19, 2022 Fifa president Gianni Infantino has accused the West of “hypocrisy” in its reporting of Qatar’s human rights record. In a news conference in Doha, Infantino defended Qatar and the tournament, which is due to kick off tomorrow evening. “Today I have strong feelings. Today I feel Qatari, I feel Arab, I feel African, I feel [...]