Qatar 2022: Day 2 Live - England vs Iran, Senegal vs Netherlands, USA vs Wales

Here's a quick one to refresh your memory about what went down on the first day of the tournament. Click here: DAY 1 ROUND UP

Some highlights of Qatar's 2-0 defeat to Ecuador. They became the first hosts in the 92-year history of the competition to lose the opening game

Day 2 of the competition will come with three games:

By 2 pm: ENGLAND vs IRAN

By 5 pm: SENEGAL vs NETHERLANDS

By 8 pm: USA vs WALES

You can read our preview on the first game of the day by clicking here: England vs Iran

Now, here's how both teams will line up this afternoon

Iran XI: Carlos Queiroz's first line up for the tournament

England XI: Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane lead the English in attack

HEAD-TO-HEAD:

It is worthy to note that this is the first meeting between England and Iran

MATCH FORM HEADING INTO THE WORLD CUP:

England 3-3 Germany

Italy 1-0 England

England 0-4 Hungary

---

Iran 0-2 Tunisia

Iran 1-0 Nicaragua

Iran 1-1 Senegal

England’s captain Harry Kane scored two of their most recent four goals and is chasing history here as he hopes to become the first player to be a top/joint-top scorer in two separate World Cups.

And we're underway at the Khalifa International Stadium in Al Rayyan. Its the first game for Group B and the second of the tournament

Iran's goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand has been on the ground for almost 5 minutes, requiring medical treatment,. New FIFA rules supports concussion injury whereby if a goalkeeper is forced out due to a collision, the substitution made does not count as one of the five subs. Call this "the free substitution"

15' Beiranvand is back on his feet and the game will resume now. England 0-0 IR Iran

Beiranvand is down again. Looks like he cannot continue. Fun fact about the Iranian goalkeeper: He holds the record for the longest throw in football (61m and 26mm = 66.7 yards)

Substitution for IR Iran: Alireza Beiranvand will no longer continue and Carlos Queiroz replaces him with Hossein Hosseini.

CLOSE! England almost find the opener, however, Mason Mount's shot that flies just wide of the right post and hits the side of the net

Half and hour gone in Al Rayyan

England 0-0 IR Iran

HITS THE CROSSBAR! Harry Maguire gets his header to an England corner, but it hits the crossbar. That should have been the lead there

This is what it means for the 19-year-old

There will be 14 minutes of added time. Largely due to the time spent in treating Alireza Beiranvand

Iran get their closest chance so far, but Alireza Jahanbakhsh balloons the lofted pass into the box, over the crossbar

MATCH STATS AT HALF-TIME

Goal Attempts: 8-1

On Target: 4-0

Blocked Shots: 1-0

Freekicks: 9-4

Corner kicks: 4-0

Yellow Cards: 0-1

46' And we're back with the second half.
England 3-0 IR Iran

Iran's coach Carlos Queiroz makes a triple substitution:

Saeid Ezatolahi on for Ali Karimi
Ali Gholizadeh on for Alireza Jahanbakhsh
Roozbeh Cheshmi on for Hossein Kanaani

England with four substitutions:
Jack Grealish COMES ON FOR Raheem Sterling

Phil Foden COMES ON FOR Mason Mount

Marcus Rashford COMES ON FOR Bukayo Saka

Eric Dier COMES ON FOR Harry Maguire

75' Fifteen minutes left to play
Goal Attempts: 12-5

On Target: 6-1

Blocked Shots: 3-1

Freekicks: 12-7

Corner kicks: 7-0

Yellow Cards: 0-2

Final substitution for England. Its Callum Wilson coming on for Harry Kane

A difficult night its been for Carlos Queiroz. He would make one final change for Iran. Sardar Azmoun COMES ON FOR Ahmad Noorollahi.

There will be 10 minutes added on in this game. That's a lot of time for more goals in this game

HITS THE CROSSBAR! Iran comes close yet again as Sardar Azmoun storms into the box after getting on end of a pass, but he smashes his shot straight onto the crossbar.

After that melee in the box, the referee makes the VAR signal and is going to check whether it’s a penalty for Iran.

IT'S A PENALTY FOR IR IRAN! The Asians get a chance to grab a second

An exciting game that was, eh?

8 goals in that one in Al Rayyan. Here are some reactions that trailed that magnificent victory by England: ‘From Villain to Hero’ - Fans sing Bukayo Saka’s praises

Do remember that Senegal will launch their World Cup campaign in barely an hour. The same Netherlands.

That game takes centre stage by 5 pm

Some odds to start our live coverage for Senegal vs Netherlands

You can read our preview on the second game of the day by clicking here: Senegal vs Netherlands

Now, here's how both teams will line up this evening. The game will be played at the 40000-seater capacity Al Thumama Stadium in Doha

Netherlands starting XI: Like Louis van Gaal had earlier revealed, unfit Memphis Depay will have to make do with starting from the bench. Its a 5-3-2 for the Dutchmen

Senegal starting XI: Sadio Mane obviously missing for the tournament. Here is how Aliou Cisse lines his men up this evening

HEAD-TO-HEAD:

This match will be the first meeting between Senegal and Netherlands

MATCH FORM HEADING INTO THE WORLD CUP:

Iran 1-1 Senegal

Bolivia 0-2 Senegal

Rwanda 0-1 Senegal

---

Netherlands 1-0 Belgium

Poland 0-2 Netherlands

Netherlands 3-2 Wales

Players to watch:

Without their ‘talis-Mané’, Senegal may look to Ismaila Sarr for goals. The Watford man has struck six times at club level this season and scored in the quarter-finals en route to their recent AFCON win.
------

Netherlands forward Cody Gakpo has impressed at club level this season, scoring 13 goals and has contributed to goals in three of his five international appearances in 2022.

FUN FACT:

Netherlands are unbeaten in all of their 15 international matches since Louis van Gaal began his third stint as coach

FUN FACT:

The last time Senegal played a European team was in 2018 when they defeated Poland 2-1 in their group opener of the 2018 World Cup.

1' We are now underway at the Al Thumama Stadium in Doha

Who else is loving the colour display and noise by the Senegal fans in Doha?

30' Half an hour gone in Doha
MATCH STATS

Goal Attempts: 5-4

On Target: 0-0

Blocked Shots: 3-2

Freekicks: 6-3

Corner kicks: 3-1

Yellow Cards: 0-0

CLOSE! The Dutch almost go in front following a buildup, however, Steven Berghuis lashes the ball narrowly over the crossbar. Still goalless in Doha

45' Senegal 0-0 Netherlands.
Looks like everyone has been impressed with Senegal's game play so far

45' There will be 2 added minutes in the first half

STATS AT HALF-TIME

Possession: 47% - 53%

Goal Attempts: 6-5

On Target: 1-0

Blocked Shots: 3-2

Freekicks: 8-6

Corner kicks: 3-3

Yellow Cards: 0-0

46' And we're underway with the second half

Senegal 0-0 Netherlands

In a game that have seen little in attack, as well as fouls, Matthijs de Ligt is shown the first yellow card of the day for his rough tackle

60' An hour gone in Doha and nothing separates these teams. Could we be heading for our first goalless game of the tournament?

Its the first substitution of the game, and its Aliou Cisse doing the tinkering for Senegal

And here comes Memphis Depay for the Netherlands

Another substitution for the Africans

The day have unfortunately come to an end for Krepin Diatta who have been immense for Senegal today

80' We're just left with ten minutes to play in this game

There will be 8 minutes of stoppage time

90+6' Senegal are getting rougher in this final minutes. Consecutive yellow to Idrissa Gueye and Nampalys Mendy in the last two minutes

What a game that was!

Sad the African champions gave so much in that but came out it with nothing. Netherlands nick all three points and join Ecuador at the top of Group A

Next up will be the one between USA and Wales. That game comes up at 8 pm, but our live coverage will start by 7:30 pm

Now, its time for the final game of the day.

At 8 pm, it will be USA vs Wales

It's the second game in Al Rayyan today, and it will as well, be the second Group B game.

The Ahmad bin Ali Stadium will host tonight's encounter

Now, here's how both teams will line up this evening.

Wales starting XI: It’s a big day for Robert Page who will become the first manager to lead Wales into a World Cup since Jimmy Murphy back in 1958. Here's how his team lines up tonight

USA starting XI: After missing out in 2018, the USA return to the FIFA World Cup stage in Qatar. Automatic qualification for the finals was secured by the skin of their teeth, finishing above Costa Rica on goal difference. Tonight, coach Gregg Berhalter trust this men to start on a high for him

HEAD-TO-HEAD:

Friendly: Wales 0-0 USA (Nov 2020)

Friendly: USA 2-0 Wales (May 2003)

MATCH FORM HEADING INTO THE WORLD CUP:

USA 0-0 Saudi Arabia

Japan 2-0 USA

El Salvador 1-1 USA

---

Wales 0-1 Poland

Belgium 2-1 Wales

Netherlands 3-2 Wales

Did you by chance see President Biden's phone call with the USA. Sweet eh? Now, its time to see if that would be motivation enough against a hungry Welsh side led by experienced Gareth Bale

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

• Christian Pulisic a.k.a 'Captain America' will be front and centre of the USA journey as he makes his World Cup debut at the World Cup finals. The Chelsea man has made 19 direct goal contributions - 12 goals and 7 assists - from 23 qualifiers (G12, A7). 
• Wales’ Gareth Bale warmed up for this tournament with a breathtaking equaliser in the MLS Cup finals, and he also netted two of Wales’ three goals in the play-offs. He is expected to be the star man for the Welsh tonight

1' And we're underway with the final fixture for the day, live at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan

30' Its been a quiet half hour. Still USA 0-0 Wales

STATS SO FAR:

Goal Attempts: 2-1

On Target: 0-0

Blocked Shots: 0-0

Freekicks: 1-5

Corner kicks: 1-0

Yellow Cards: 2-0

We thought we would be getting a goal off Gareth Bale. Perhaps, not for now. It's a yellow card for the Wales captain

One goal in this game so far, and it had to be this man: WEAHHHHH!!!

What a way to be living up to your father's reputation

45' USA 1-0 Wales. There will be 4 added minutes in this one

46' Underway with the second half at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium. Its USA 1-0 Wales

Early second half change by Robert Page

60' An hour gone on the clock. The Americans still lead the Welsh. Its still 1-0

It's a triple change by the Americans

75' And we're down to the final fifteen minutes of this game

STATS SO FAR:

Goal Attempts: 4-5

On Target: 1-1

Blocked Shots: 0-1

Freekicks: 6-12

Corner kicks: 5-3

Yellow Cards: 3-2

ITS A PENALTY TO WALES! Gareth Bale is the man brought down in USA's box

And off goes USA's goalscorer. The night ends here for Timothy Weah

90+1' USA 1-1 Wales

There will be 9 minutes of added time in this game

And that's it for our coverage today. Three exciting games with very varying results. 

England 6-2 IR Iran

Senegal 0-2 Netherlands

USA 1-1 Wales

Meanwhile in Group A

Thanks for sticking around. Tomorrow will see four games involving all the teams in Groups C and D. Hopefully, its as exciting as today's. For now, its goodnight from me. Do have a great rest!