Day 11 of the World Cup in Doha noticed wild celebrations as Australia made it to the event’s knockout stage for the primary time since 2006, whereas Argentina cruised into the knockout spherical with a snug win over Poland.
It was a day of disappointment for Saudi Arabia, Mexico and Denmark, nonetheless.
Here’s a fast recap of all it is advisable to know from day 11 – Wednesday, November 30 – of the Qatar World Cup 2022.
A purpose by Mathew Leckie gave Australia a 1-0 victory over Denmark and despatched the Socceroos by means of to the final 16 of the World Cup for the primary time since 2006.
Denmark, ranked tenth on the earth by soccer’s governing physique FIFA, wanted to win the match on the Al Janoub Stadium to progress.
There have been no objectives within the first half as Australia pissed off Denmark’s makes an attempt to maneuver ahead and mounted a couple of counterattacks of their very own.
It was concerning the one-hour mark when Leckie broke the impasse with a second of magic, outsmarting Danish full-back Joakim Maehle earlier than powering the ball previous Kasper Schmeichel and into the far nook of the web.
“I’m proud, exhausted, all the things actually. It’s exhausting to explain the feelings proper now,” Leckie informed Australian broadcaster SBS after the sport.
“We at all times knew we might do it as a bunch. We had our doubters however our spirit, our perception, our work ethic and the way shut we’re as a bunch reveals on the pitch. The final 15, 20 minutes, we battled till the tip.”
There have been celebrations in Australia and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese hailed what he referred to as a “magnificent win”.
Australia now face Argentina on Saturday.
Argentina vs Poland
It was a snug win for Argentina over Poland because the South American giants topped Group C and confirmed their place within the knockout stage.
Helped by a relentless Lionel Messi, Argentina notched up a 2-0 victory at Stadium 974, with each objectives coming within the second half.
Alexis Mac Allister and Julian Alvarez’s objectives capped a dominant show by coach Lionel Scaloni’s gamers with tens of hundreds of raucous supporters packing the stadium to cheer on their workforce.
Messi by no means stopped surging ahead and posed a menace to Poland all through the sport along with his dribbling capability and imaginative and prescient.
His glittering efficiency stood in stark distinction to that of Poland’s star striker Robert Lewandowski who didn’t make an influence.
Messi, 35, has admitted that Qatar will in all probability be his final World Cup whereas Lewandoski, who’s a yr youthful, has mentioned he’s uncertain if he’ll make it to the following event, which is being held in North America in 2026.
Regardless of Poland’s lacklustre efficiency they nonetheless managed to make it by means of to the knockout section on purpose distinction. They may tackle France within the final 16 on Sunday.
Tunisia vs France
France, the defending champions who had already booked their place within the knockout stage, fell to Tunisia in a shock 1-0 defeat on the Training Metropolis stadium.
France-born Wahbi Khazri scored the one purpose of the sport within the 58th minute as Tunisia had prompted a severe upset.
It was solely the third victory in six World Cup tournaments for Tunisia. They had been eradicated when Australia beat Denmark within the different group match.
France, who received their first two matches, completed prime of Group D on purpose distinction from runners-up Australia.
Mexico vs Saudi Arabia
It was an evening of celebration and disappointment for Mexico as they beat Saudi Arabia 2-1 in an exhilarating match however didn’t make the knockout stage.
Henry Martin and Luis Chavez each scored in an exhilarating Group C match, with the 2 objectives coming in fast succession early within the second half.
The Mexicans wanted another purpose to overhaul Poland on purpose distinction and get by means of the group however it was the Saudis who scored within the dying moments of the sport, making it 2-1.
“It’s a tough blow, there are not any phrases,” mentioned Mexico midfielder Edson Alvarez. “The workforce went out searching for it from the beginning and we had plenty of possibilities. However we couldn’t rating and that leaves a bitter style.”
The loss was an additional disappointment for Saudi Arabia who began the event on a excessive, beating Argentina 2-1.
The loss to Mexico adopted a 2-0 defeat to Poland and means Saudi Arabia end backside of the group.