Senegal’s 2022 FIFA World Cup started with a disappointed, while England thrashed Carlos Queiroz Iran and Wales collected a point thanks to Gareth Bale.
Netherlands 2-0 Senegal
The Netherlands hit Senegal with a sucker punch as Cody Gakpo and Davy Klaasen netted late on for a 2-0 win in their Group A opener at the Al Thumama Stadium.
In a heated opening half that proved an even affair against two sides packed with quality, it was the African champions who looked the more threatening.
With four shots on target of their 14 attempts, the Lions of Teranga looked to take the game to the Dutch – but they held on resiliently and netted a stunning winner five minutes from time.
Dutch Footballer of the Year, Gakpo, headed home a teasing Frenkie de Jong delivery to put them ahead before Davy Klaasen added a second with the last kick of the game.
The win moves the Oranje into second place in the group behind Ecuador, who beat tournament hosts Qatar on Sunday evening.
England 6-2 Iran
England ran riot in their opening game of the 2022 FIFA World Cup thrashing Iran 6-2 at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha.
Iran suffered a major blow early on when veteran goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand broke his nose after a collision with his own teammate in the area.
After more than 10 minutes of treatment, he was eventually replaced, and the floodgates opened.
Jude Bellingham, 19, scored his first goal for his country before Bukayo Saka and Raheem Sterling added further goals before the break.
It took just 10 minutes into the second half for Saka to bag his brace, showing supreme composure dancing in the area before his low effort.
Medhi Taremi managed to grab a consolation shortly after but Marcus Rashford added a fifth when he came off from the bench to score with his third touch of the game.
And another substitute, Jack Grealish made it six a minute before regulation time but it wasn’t the end of the scoring as Carlos Quieroz side received a last-minute penalty.
Taremi stepped up to secure his brace, with the score finishing 6-2, a thoroughly commanding display for the Three Lions.
USA 1-1 Wales
The United States opened the scoring in the 36th minute when George Weah, son of Africa’s only Ballon d’Or winner George Weah, was sent through by Christian Pulisic and slotted home calmly.
Wales didn’t have a great first half, with no shots on target, but came out much stronger in the second interval. Their best chance came in the 63rd minute when Matt Turner pushed Ben Davies’ header over the bar with a superb save.
The USA dropped too deep in the second half and gifted Wales a penalty in the 82nd minute, which was converted by Gareth Bale, who scored his 41st goal for Wales.
It was Wales’ first goal at the World Cup after a 64-year absence and secured his side one point in their opener.
