Japan 0 v Costa Rica 1
Belgium 0-2 Morocco
Croatia 4-1 Canada
Spain 1-1 Germany
Spain coach Luis Enrique said his thoughts were with his late daughter Xana on what would have been her 13th birthday, after his side ‘s 1-1 World Cup draw with Germany on Sunday.
Xana died from bone cancer in 2019, aged nine, during a period in which Luis Enrique stood down from the Spain job before later returning.
The coach paid tribute to her on the morning of the game with a video on social media and said he was coping with what happened naturally.
“It was a special day for my family, for a while we have thought about living through this as a natural part of life,” said Luis Enrique.
“We don’t physically have our daughter, but we think about her a lot. “That is how life works. It is not just happiness, but also knowing how to manage these moments.” Luis Enrique left his post in June 2019, with Xana passing away in August, before the coach returned to the helm of the Spain team in November 2019.
He took Spain to the semi-finals of Euro 2020 and after two games his team are top of Group E at the World Cup, needing a point from their last game against Japan to progress.
Despite conceding a late goal against Germany that stopped them virtually sealing qualification for the last 16, the coach was content.
“In the end we have to think about the position that we have in this moment,” said Luis Enrique.
“We are top of the classification in the ‘group of death’ and we have to be happy.”
EARLIER: CANADA COACH SLAMMED FOR SOUR MOVE
Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic said John Herdman needs to “learn some things” after accusing the Canada boss of ignoring him following his side’s 4-1 victory in the World Cup grudge match on Sunday.
Dalic had claimed Herdman lacked respect earlier this week following the Canadian coach’s profane attempt to inspire his team after their loss to Belgium in their group opener.
In a television interview, Herdman told his players: “You belong here. And we’re going to go and eff Croatia.”
Responding to Herdman’s rant, Croatia’s 24 Sata tabloid ran a full-page photo of a naked man below the Canada manager’s superimposed head, with maple leaf flags over his mouth and private parts and a headline that translated as “You have the mouth, but do you have the balls as well?”
The Croatians let their football do the talking as Andrej Kramaric’s double and goals from Marko Livaja and Lovro Majer sent them to the top of Group F and condemned Canada to an early exit.
But Dalic was still agitated by the row at his post-match press conference as he suggested Herdman deliberately snubbed the traditional handshake at the final whistle.
“I went on the pitch to see my players. I did not see the other head coach. Whether I lose or win, I always see the other coach. He was not there and that’s his way of doing things,” Dalic said.
“He’s obviously mad. He is a good coach, he is a quality professional. It will take some time for him to learn some things.”
Asked if he thought he made a mistake with his rant following the Belgium match, Herdman was initially defiant, telling reporters: “Not in the first 20 minutes (of the Croatia game), no.
“They might be celebrating now, and that is their right, they got the goals, but we didn’t give them an easy night.”
But the Englishman eventually conceded he would learn from the controversy, saying: “I could have been a little more composed coming out of the huddle. That is my learning. I will take that on the chin.”
9.10AM SAUDI PLAYER UNDERGOES SECOND SURGERY
Saudi Arabia’s Yasser Al-Shahrani has undergone a second surgery after suffering horror injuries in a collision with his team’s goalkeeper at the World Cup.
Al-Shahrani was injured in Saudi Arabia’s win over Argentina when he collided with Mohammed Al-Owais in stoppage time.
The Green Falcons said Al-Shahrani had a second surgery which was “successful” after earlier undergoing pancreas surgery.
“After the stabilization (sic) of the national football team player Yasser Al-Shahrani, and according to the medical plan,” a statement from the Saudi Arabian national team said.
“The player underwent a second stage of surgical intervention this afternoon and has had facial maxillofacial orthopaedic surgery …
“It should be noted that the player underwent the first stage of the surgical intervention where he had pancreas surgery last week.
“Surgeries at this stage have both been successful, thankfully.
“Our prayers for the player for safety and speedy recovery.”
8:45AM DISGRACEFUL SCENES: FANS RIOT AFTER WORLD CUP UPSET
Police used water cannon and teargas after coming under attack from football supporters who brought havoc to the centre of Brussels on Sunday following Morocco’s shock 2-0 World Cup win over Belgium in Qatar.
Dozens of fans smashed shop windows, threw fireworks and torched vehicles. Even before the end of the match, “dozens of people, including some wearing hoodies, sought confrontation with the police, which compromised public safety,” Brussels police said in a statement.
A spokeswoman said some fans were armed with sticks and a journalist “was injured in the face by fireworks”.
Around a hundred police officers were mobilised while residents were warned to avoid certain areas of the city centre. Metro stations were closed and streets blocked to limit the spread of the violence.
“I condemn in the strongest terms the incidents of this afternoon. The police have already firmly intervened. I therefore advise against fans coming to the city centre. The police are doing all they can to maintain public order,” tweeted the mayor of Brussels, Philippe Close.
“I have ordered the police to carry out arrests of the troublemakers.”
Belgium coach Roberto Martinez said his players were weighed down by a “fear of losing” in their shock World Cup defeat by Morocco.
The world’s second-ranked side will have to beat 2018 runners-up Croatia to be sure of a last-16 place after their 2-0 loss at the Al Thumama Stadium.
Belgium were not the only side upset overnight. Costa Rica – given a 0.01% chance of winning at this Cup beat Japan!
8:15AM KEEPER’S WEIRD DISAPPEARING ACT
World Cup fans and even the BBC were left totally baffled as Morocco’s goalkeeper appeared to be substituted before kick-off – despite lining up for the national anthem.
Morocco named Yassine Bounou – aka Bono – in the starting XI to face Belgium this afternoon.
The No1 walked out of the tunnel with his teammates and lined up as the North African nation belted out their song.
He is then filmed shaking hands with the Belgium players as usual.
But then Munir Mohand Mohamedi El Kajoui is pictured in the official pre-match team photo.
There was a short delay as the Morocco team lined up and Belgium captain Eden Hazard waited for the coin toss because Munir was getting himself ready and some final words of encouragement from manager Walid Regragui.
And the replacement, who is wearing No12 at the World Cup, took his place between the sticks in time for kick-off – with no sign of Bounou.
Even the BBC commentators, though, didn’t realise for around 25 minutes of the match and referred to the usual first-choice stopper when it was actually Munir who made a save from Michy Batshuayi in the first half.
And it did not take long for fans to spot the discrepancy, with ‘Bono’ trending on social media.
The confusion regarding the last-minute switch was clarified at halftime.
BBC presenter Mark Chapman explained Bounou was feeling unwell and had a problem with his vision.
Chapman said: “Bounou was there as they sang the national anthem.
“He then complained to the coach about something wrong with his eyes.
“Look at how calm the coach is and goes over to El Kajoui with a smile.
“He joins for the photo and then played the first 45 minutes.”
7:38 GERMANY EQUALISE!
They’re not done yet, it’s all square with 7 minutes of normal time to play.
Nrilliant finish from Fullkrug.
And that was enough for the two great footballing nations to share the spoils.
7:19 FINALLY A GOAL!
Well it’s taken over an hour but finally the deadlock is broken and VAR has nothing to complain about.
Spain are ahead!
A stunning cross perfectly deflected into the back of the net by Morata.
Brilliant finish.
Germany’s World Cup campaign is in all sorts.
6:39AM GOAL DISALLOWED!
Germany’s Rudiger had the ball in the back of the net for the opener but VAR has ruled it out for off-side.
5:22 CANADA ARE GOING HOME
Croatia romped to a 4-1 win over Canada in Doha on Sunday to knock the North Americans out of the World Cup.
Alphonso Davies had given Canada a shock lead after just 68 seconds but a brace from Andrej Kramaric helped Croatia bounce back and go top of Group F ahead of their last pool stage match.
4:34AM: GERMAN GREAT BRANDED A ‘DISGRACE’ OVER COMMENTARY SLUR
Iran coach Carlos Queiroz called German great Jurgen Klinsmann “a disgrace” and demanded he resign from FIFA’s Technical Committee over a savage commentary assessment in a dramatic postscript to their 2-0 victory over Wales.
Iran had bounced back from their opening game thrashing at the hands of England to defeat Wales and put themselves in with a strong shot at reaching the Round of 16 ahead of their final group game against the USA.
But, in his role as a commentator to BBC, Klinnsman highlighted several fouls from Iranian players during the game, accused them of gamesmanship and said they “worked the referee”.
“Carlos fits really well with the national team and their culture, he failed in South America with Colombia and then failed to qualify with Egypt, and he came in right before the World Cup with Iran, where he worked for a long time,” Klinsmann said.
“It is not by coincidence, it is part of their culture, how they play.
“They worked the referee. They work the linesman and fourth official, they are constantly in their ear. There were a lot of incidents we didn’t see. This is their culture, they take you off your game.”
In response, Queiroz took to social media to brand the World Cup winner, and former Germany and USA national coach, a “disgrace to football”.
“Even not knowing me personally, you question my character with a typical prejudiced judgment of superiority,” Queiroz wrote.
“No matter how much I can respect what you did inside the pitch, those remarks about Iran culture, Iran national team and my players are a disgrace to football.
“Listen from our players how much they love and respect football.
“At the same time, we just want to follow with full attention what will be the decision of Fifa regarding your position as a member of the Qatar 2022 technical study group. Because, obviously, we expect you to resign before you visit our camp.”
Klinsmann attempted to cool the situation on Sunday when he fronted BBC Breakfast to clear the air and suggest his comments were overblown.
“I will try to give him a call and calm things down,” Klinsmann said.
“I have never criticised Carlos or the Iranian bench. Some even thought I was criticising the referee because he didn’t do anything about the way they were behaving on the bench.
“All I described was their emotional way of doing things, which is actually admirable in a certain way. The whole bench lives the game. They’re jumping up and down and Carlos is a very emotional coach, he’s constantly on the sidelines trying to give his players all his energy and direction.”
3AM: ARNIE’S WITHERING SPRAY AT SKIPPER CAUGHT ON CAMERA
Aussie fans went absolutely bonkers when Mitch Duke’s header in the 23rd minute against Tunisia found its way into the back of the net.
Wild scenes unfolded in the stadium crowd, in bars across the globe and in Melbourne’s Federation Square.
But in footage captured by the BBC, Graham Arnold’s joy very quickly turned into a white-hot rage.
The Socceroos coach celebrated briefly before he vented his frustrations in the direction of skipper Mat Ryan.
Arnold was seen pointing and screaming at the goalkeeper, shouting at him to go and celebrate with his teammates.
The moment from the Socceroos manager shows just how much he wants the team to be truly bonded.
Saudis pull handbrake on players’ Rollers deal
– New York Post
It will go down in history as one of the biggest World Cup upsets of all time, but the entire Saudi Arabia team will not be each gifted with a new Rolls-Royce for their deeds.
Team coach Herve Renard has swiped a report that his 26 players would be received the luxury cars by the royal family following their shocking 2-1 win over Argentina.
Several publications reported that crown prince Mohammed bin Salman would be giving out RM6 Million Rolls-Royces, but it seems that the claim in fact surfaced via a tweet from a Pakistani dentist, who was ill-informed.
“There is nothing true about this,” Renard said. “We have a very serious federation and ministry of sport and it is not the time to get something at this moment.”
Saudi Arabia lost 2-0 to Poland in its second group stage match on Saturday morning, needing a win to secure advancement to the knockout stage.
Saudi Arabia forward Saleh al-Shehri also called the report false.
“It’s not true,” he said. “We are here to serve our country and do our best. That is the rewards.”
Perhaps. But a Rolls would be a nice add-on.
Originally published as FIFA World Cup 2022 results, scores, schedule: Spain coach Luis Enrique’s heartbreaking tribute to late daughter Xana
