The French have qualified for the last 16, breaking the curse of the outgoing World Cup winner. With 6 points, France is now first in its group and qualified while Australia, which defeated Tunisia earlier in the day, is 2nd with 3 points. The duel of the 3rd day against Denmark, 3rd with 1 point, could prove decisive for the accession to the eighth round. Tunisia is 4th with 1 point. All the teams in group C (Argentina, Mexico, Poland and Saudi Arabia), which Les Bleus will meet in the last 16, can still get out of their group.
Belgium lost to Morocco and will have to respond to Croatia to qualify (0-2)
The Red Devils’ 50th World Cup match ended in a 2-0 loss to Morocco at the Al Thumama stadium in Doha, Qatar on Sunday. The goals were scored in the 73rd minute by Abdelhamid Sabiri from a free kick and in stoppage time by Zakaria Aboukhlal (90th+3).
After this second game of group F, the Red Devils have 3 points, and are second in the ranking behind Morocco, who have 4 points. Croatia have one point and Canada zero. The latter two teams meet at 5pm (Belgian time). A performance against Croatia in Al-Rayyan on Thursday is a must for the Belgians to qualify for the last 16.
Argentina still alive
For an hour, we thought that Argentina were going to do the same thing to us as in 2002. They were an unplayable team on paper (and in the previous 35 games), crumbly on grass and sent home in the first round. The Albiceleste had no impact against the hard-working Mexicans and once again relied on Lionel Messi to tip the balance in their favour. A low shot past the untouchable Ochoa in the 64th minute, a decisive pass in a tempo that was “more accurate than death” for Enzo Fernandez’s goal: the Pulga jumped and Argentina were still alive.
This week’s day-by-day calendar:
Monday 28 November
- 14.00: Cameroon-Serbia, Al-Janoub Stadium, Al-Wakrah
- 17.00: South Korea-Ghana, Education City Stadium, Doha
- 8pm: Brazil-Switzerland, 974 Stadium, Doha
- 2pm: Portugal-Uruguay, Lusail Stadium, Lusail
Tuesday 29 November
- 8pm: Ecuador – Senegal, Khalifa International Stadium, Doha
- 8pm: Netherlands – Qatar, Al-Bayt Stadium, Al-Khor
- 23:00: Iran-USA, Al-Thumama Stadium, Doha
- 23:00: Wales – England, Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, Al-Rayyan
Wednesday 30 November
- 8pm: Australia-Denmark, Al-Janoub Stadium, Al-Wakrah
- 8pm: Tunisia-France, Education City Stadium, Doha
- 23:00 Poland-Argentina, 974 Stadium, Doha
- 23:00 Saudi Arabia-Mexico, Lusail Stadium, Lusail
Thursday 1 December
- 20:00: Canada-Morocco, Al-Thumama Stadium, Doha
- 20:00 Croatia-Belgium, Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, Al-Rayyan
- 23:00: Japan – Spain, Khalifa International Stadium, Doha
- 23:00: Germany – Costa Rica, Al-Bayt Stadium, Al-Khor
Friday 2 December
- 8pm: Ghana-Uruguay, Al-Janoub Stadium, Al-Wakrah
- 8pm: South Korea-Portugal, Education City Stadium, Doha
- 23:00: Serbia – Switzerland, 974 Stadium, Doha
- 23:00 Cameroon-Brazil, Lusail Stadium, Lusail
