After much contention the 2022 FIFA World Cup is finally here, with Ecuador comfortably accounting for hosts Qatar 2-0 on Monday in the tournament opener. One game down, 63 more to go.
Here’s what’s making news on Day 1 in Qatar.
Qatar make unwanted history
Ecuador thought they were ahead early on, but it only took about four minutes for the first VAR check of the tournament. Michael Estrada was controversially adjudged to be offside after the video review, and just like that, back to 0-0.
Vision emerged on social media of one brave Ecuador fan taunting the home support. He made the gesture for money, clearly suggesting he felt there was something suspicious about the decision, and was met with an angry reaction.
Ten minutes later Valencia was illegally brought down in the area, prompting Daniele Orsato to point to the spot. No VAR needed this time, and the Ecuador forward duly tucked the spot-kick away for the first goal of the World Cup. Valencia finished with a brace.
Qatar become the first hosts to lose the opening game in the 92-year history of the World Cup, and – if it wasn’t already – they’ve got a monumental mountain to climb now to escape Group A.
For Ecuador, they can afford to lose to Netherlands (and they probably will). A point against Senegal may or may not be enough for them to reach the knockout stage, but a win would all but guarantee their spot in the round of 16.
Qatar coach Felix Sanchez insisted his team felt the backing of the home crowd despite supporters leaving in droves in the second half of their 2-0 defeat by Ecuador on the World Cup’s opening night.
The Al Bayt Stadium had been a riot of noise and colour during the opening ceremony and even during the first half but Enner Valencia’s double clearly punctured the enthusiasm of the home fans, and with 10 minutes to go the stadium was virtually empty.
Sanchez was asked about the empty seats and said: “Truth be told, I have enough work to do to take a look at it.
“We felt backed and supported and we hope for the next game, people will feel prouder and keep supporting us to the end of the tournament.
“The atmosphere was great, people were very much looking forward to this game.
“We knew (a defeat) could happen and the result can sometimes be difficult. We will try to learn from today and I’m completely sure we will make people feel more happy with our performance.”
French star out for the tournament
Karim Benzema will miss the entirety of France’s World Cup campaign after suffering a quad injury at training in Doha. Since being welcomed back into the national team set-up, the Real Madrid striker has been an important part of the French attack.
This is just the latest injury setback for Didier Deschamps, who is also bereft of the services of Paul Pogba, N’Golo Kante, Presnel Kimpembe, Christopher Nkunku and Mike Maignan. There are some pretty crucial cogs in that list.
Benzema’s absence is good news for the Socceroos, however. Both sides get their respective campaigns started on Wednesday morning (AEDT), and while the reigning world champions are deservedly favourites with the bookmakers, there could be just a sliver of hope emerging for Graham Arnold’s side to cause a huge boilover.
With Benzema out of the tournament, Olivier Giroud is expected to move from the bench to a starting role against Australia. He has extra motivation to do well, since he is just two goals shy of Thierry Henry’s France record of 51 goals.
“For me it’s a gift to play in this World Cup, I’m treating it like a young player appearing in his first World Cup. It would be a bonus to beat Titi’s (Henry’s) record,” Giroud said prior to Benzema’s injury. “I’m very happy to be part of this adventure. It’s a great source of pride.”
The 36-year-old striker has looked sharp with AC Milan this season and his hunger is evident.
“I feel in good shape,” he said. “I’m not setting myself any limits. My determination to stay at the highest level remains the same.”
Socceroo’s World Cup hopes dashed
Martin Boyle has also been ruled out of the World Cup overnight. A knee injury will keep the winger sidelined throughout the tournament after he failed a final fitness test yesterday.
The question for Arnie now is: who replaces Boyle in the starting 11 on Wednesday? The obvious replacement, you would think, would be one of Craig Goodwin or Mathew Leckie. Marco Tilio, who was flown over to Qatar in the last few days as Boyle’s fitness was looking dicey, has now officially been parachuted into the 26-man squad and could be an outside chance of making his debut World Cup appearance.
Of course live wire Garang Kuol is in the squad, too, but it’s highly unlikely Arnold would send Kuol out to make his competitive international debut as a starter. Tilio, Leckie and Goodwin are still ahead of the Mariners man for a starting place, but as a substitute, it could be a different story.
We’ve seen him wreak havoc on tired defenders in the A-League, and, yes, we’re talking about a much higher standard here, but his X-factor could be the Socceroos’ best chance at scoring from open play in Qatar.
Arnold also revealed Ajdin Hrustic isn’t ready for 90 minutes against France, but could still play a part on Wednesday.
“Ajdin is fine,” the Socceroos boss said.
“He won’t start against France but he is capable of coming off the bench and having an impact, but he will ready for sure to start against Tunisia (on Saturday).”
England to take a knee but armband an an issue
England players will take the knee before Monday’s World Cup opener against Iran. The Three Lions have carried out the anti-racism gesture before their matches since the death of George Floyd in 2020.
“It’s what we stand for as a team and have done for a long period of time,” said coach Gareth Southgate.
“We feel this is the biggest and we think it’s a strong statement that will go around the world for young people, in particular, to see that inclusivity is very important.”
Premier League players also took the knee before matches following football’s return from the Covid-19 shutdown in the summer of 2020.
Meanwhile, England are trying to get clarification over whether captains will be booked if they wear the OneLove Armband in matches in the World Cup.
The captains of nine countries, including England and Wales, had planned to wear the OneLove armband to promote diversity and inclusion.
But FIFA announced new armbands in partnership with three United Nations agencies on the eve of the tournament.
The FA wrote to FIFA in September about the armband but didn’t get a response. Their position was that they were willing to take a fine.
Captain Harry Kane Kane is adamant he wants to wear the armband.
“We’ve made it clear as a team and a staff and organisation that we want to wear the armband,” Kane said.
“I know the FA are talking to Fifa at the moment and I’m sure by game time tomorrow they will have their decision. I think we’ve made it clear that we want to wear it.”
It’s a much busier Day 2 of the FIFA World Cup, as England begin their campaign against Iran in the pick of the overnight action. Netherlands will take on Senegal, and Wales face USA in the 6am kick-off.
We’ll have all the reaction right here on The Roar, so make sure you’re across our World Cup coverage.
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