Goal! Saudi Arabia 1 Uruguay 1 (Araújo 80)
Uruguay have equalised, and it’s the Sporting Lisbon winger Maximiliano Araújo who leaps on another goalkeeping error. A strong header from Viñas is palmed to his right by Mohammed Al Owais, and Araújo smashes the rebound back across the keeper into the side netting to bring Bielsa’s side level.
How the Fab Four became inspiration behind England’s World Cup bid
There are some creative ideas that, in their genesis, seem ludicrously ambitious.
Lord Coe delights in recalling the moment when Danny Boyle shared his vision of James Bond and the Queen parachuting into the stadium at the opening ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics. As Coe says, the director of Trainspotting and Slumdog Millionaire had concluded that there was nobody more quintessentially British than Her Majesty and 007. All they had to do, insisted Boyle, was get Buckingham Palace and Barbara Broccoli on side.
The marketing department at the FA does not have a neat collection of Oscars, Baftas and Golden Globes on their collective mantelpiece but they too came up with something that, while brilliant, also felt like it could prove rather difficult to deliver.
They were discussing the commissioning of a film for last month’s World Cup squad announcement, when someone suggested a Beatles theme, because no four Englishmen have been more synonymous, one insider told The Times, with “conquering America”.
Read in full: How Fab Four became the inspiration behind England’s World Cup bid
Good forecast news
Fifa have said that conditions look to be improving around the Miami Stadium, so chances of a non-hydration break interruption have diminished.
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Disappointing showing from Bielsa’s side
Uruguay looked a shadow of the force they once were as they struggled in the stifling heat of Miami against a Saudi Arabian team who were more clinical than their South American opponents.
Most of the Saudi team play in their revamped Saudi Pro League and took a first-half lead through Abduleah Al Amri, a central defender who plays for Al-Nassr. He had already had one stinging drive well-saved and then followed up smartly after the keeper Fernando Muslera, who turns 40 on Tuesday, fumbled a header from the midfielder Mohamed Kanno.
Darwin Núñez, the former Liverpool striker who had also been in the Saudi Pro League but has not played since February, led the Uruguay attack but with little effect.
Pre-revolutionary Iran flags fly in LA
Two hours until kick-off at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, and some protesters have gathered outside the ground. There are a lot of pre-revolutionary Iranian flags and shirts. Some hats and shirts were being sold outside the ground too. Fifa have banned unauthorised flags and won a civil lawsuit this morning to maintain that ban.
There is a big mix of football shirts present, from Werder Bremen to Brighton and Peru. There are lots of Mexico fans in particular.
The power of a performance
Before the Spain game, the Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha had just 50,000 Instagram followers. Since that heroic performance, he now has more than 3.5 million and counting.
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Scaloni wary of opening-game upsets
Algeria, ranked 28 in the world, are 9-1 with the bookmakers to beat Argentina, but Scaloni knows what it is like to suffer an upset in the opening game of a World Cup and is not counting his chickens.
Saudi Arabia stunned Argentina in Doha in 2022’s opener, and the surprise results so far in this tournament have given him further reason for concern.
Just before coming into the press conference room, Scaloni had been watching Cape Verde’s draw against Spain in the Argentina hotel, and he also watched Brazil’s stalemate with Morocco two days ago.
“Algeria are a similar rival to Morocco,” Scaloni said.
“They have a similar build up to Morocco and we saw another good example earlier with Spain that there is no easy rival.
“We are concerned about Algeria, they are a great team with high quality. This will not be the definitive test, but it will be a test for us.”
Today’s results could have repercussions for Argentina as if Scaloni’s team win group J and Spain finish second in group H, the two teams will meet in a mouthwatering Round of 32 tie in Miami.
Storm may interrupt match
Fifa have announced that the game has entered “severe weather mode”, and lightning activity is approaching the stadium. An interruption may be on the cards here…
Goal! Saudi Arabia 1 Uruguay 0 (Al-Amri 41)
Saudi Arabia open the scoring, taking advantage of shaky set-piece defending from the Uruguayans. Mohamed Kanno directs a header towards goal from a corner. Muslera fluffs his lines in the Uruguay goal and spills it right into the path of Al Amri, who reacts first and stabs home.
Could Saudi Arabia be about to bloody the nose of a South American team in their opening game for the second tournament in a row?
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Thinking about having a beer on 5th Avenue? Think again…
It was a Wednesday evening in the middle of April and there was plenty to celebrate. It was one of the first sunny, hot and sticky days we’d had in New York after a particularly bitter winter and our friends had just arrived from London to set off on a two-month road trip across the US. We marked the occasion on a hastily purchased picnic blanket in Domino Park in Brooklyn. We gorged on pepperoni pizzas, washed down with a bottle of Modelo.
As we watched the sun disappear behind the Manhattan skyline, a police officer appeared. He informed us that drinking in public in New York was against the law and demanded to see our diver’s licences. “You can finish those,” he said, pointing to the nearly full bottles of beer as he handed us a pale green ticket. It was a civil-court summons. He assured us that paying the $25 fine before the court date would settle the issue. If we didn’t we’d have to appear in court, where further penalties could be imposed.
Read in full: Heed my warning, World Cup fans: police can fine you for drinking in a park
‘The whole planet wants to see Leo play’
Lionel Messi was another injury doubt for Argentina until last week, when he impressed during a 20-minute cameo in the friendly win over Iceland in Alabama.
It was the first time that the Argentina captain had played in 15 days. The 38-year–old has not missed a training session since at the Compass Minerals Center in Kansas City, where Argentina are based.
Now the stage is set for Messi to remind the world of his talent when he competes in his sixth World Cup. “Not only the Argentinian population, but the whole planet wants to see Leo play,” Scaloni said of the Inter Miami forward and eight-time Ballon d’Or winner.
“He has an effect on Argentina fans and on supporters from all over the world, and I have nothing negative to say about him.
“He has always been there. He is essential for us and he will remain that way.”
VAR: Gesture was ‘unconscious twitch’
Fifa has cleared an Australian VAR of making a white supremacist gesture after he insisted it was an involuntary twitch.
Shaun Evans had his right hand by his side making a ring with forefinger and thumb, and then extended his other fingers so they pointed down. The sign is used by white supremacists in the US — but is also used in other countries as a school practical joke.
Evans’ sign came when the TV broadcast showed the VAR crew in their Dallas control centre before the Germany v Curacao match in Houston.
He said in a statement released by Fifa: “I would like to clarify that I did not intentionally make a hand gesture or symbol to communicate a message, affiliation, game or belief of any kind.
“The only explanation I can offer is that the movement was an involuntary, subconscious twitch and I was unaware I had done it at the time. Images taken later during the match showed that I repeated this movement many times while holding a pen between my fingers.”
Read in full: VAR claims he made ‘white supremacist’ gesture due to ‘involuntary twitch’
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Injury updates from Argentina camp
It’s hot and sweaty here in the press conference room outside the Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, but Lionel Scaloni stayed way beyond his allotted 15 minutes and gave us insight into what we can expect from his Argentina team when they take on Algeria in the the early hours of Wednesday morning.
Scaloni reports good news from the treatment room, with only Nicolás Tagliafico absent due to a calf injury.
Julián Alvarez, Leandro Paredes and Emiliano Martínez were carrying injuries going into the World Cup, but they are all fit. Arguably the most important of those three players is Martínez, the Aston Villa goalkeeper who broke a finger in his right hand just before the Europa League final.
“I have not yet told the players the line-up yet but if Dibu [Martínez] trains like he did yesterday, I think he will play,” Scaloni said of the 33-year-old goalkeeper, who trained wearing gloves on Thursday for the first time since he suffered the injury.
Kick-off
Saudi Arabia get us under way in Miami. The ground is yet to completely fill, but the Uruguay fans are making a good noise already.
Saka: I’m happy to gamble on World Cup fitness
A short while ago we spoke to Bukayo Saka in the last press conference England will hold in Kansas City before their match against Croatia. The team will travel tomorrow after a training session.
Saka said he is willing to gamble on his fitness as he manages an achilles issue that has limited his playing time.
He was also asked about Ifab’s new rule: referees can award fouls against an attacking team at a corner before the kick is taken (ie if they are blocking illegally). Tuchel said he believes the rule change will make it difficult for referees, but Saka did not answer.
He and Rice are England’s corner takers, so the rule change pertains to them, but Saka seemed surprised by the question and said he did not understand it.
Arsenal are very coy about giving any set-piece secrets away, and it appears England may be taking a similar approach… or Saka hasn’t been paying attention!
Read in full: England’s Bukayo Saka happy to ‘gamble’ on World Cup fitness
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Kick-off approaching
We’re about 20 minutes away from kick-off in the third game of the day as Saudi Arabia face Uruguay in Miami.
Marcelo Bielsa’s first line-up of the tournament is full of recognisable names, including Manchester United’s Manuel Ugarte, Federico Valverde of Real Madrid, Tottenham Hotspur’s Rodrigo Bentancur and the former Liverpool striker Darwin Núñez.
Norway coach not keen on hydration breaks
Solbakken also declared that he is not a fan of the hydration breaks we’ve been having at this World Cup. “I can understand it when it’s 35C and really hot, then I think it’s fine, but I don’t like it otherwise, I think it’s unnecessary. The idea of the other rules [penalising slow throw-ins etc] is very good, all that is good and is to speed up the game, but the other things slow down the game, so it speaks against itself.”
It sounds like he may also have taken a lukewarm view of the famous Viking photoshoot which Norway did for their official team photo. “The team were positive about it, the federation were positive, I was average positive,” he said. “A famous Norwegian cook made some very good beef, so that was my highlight of the day.”
‘If Haaland’s shot hit Selvik, he’d be dead’
Stale Solbakken, the Norway manager, has been speaking ahead of his side’s first World Cup match in 28 years, against Iraq tomorrow. It sounds like Erling Haaland is in form.
“He had his best training session yesterday, during an eleven against eleven match, and he scored the goal of the year,” Solbakken said. “If it had been televised, it would have been the goal of the year. If it had hit Egil Selvik, he would be dead. Fortunately, it went into the corner.”
The war-ravaged village that turned Modric into global superstar
As Croatia prepare to face England, Gregor Robertson visits the place where the midfielder’s grandfather was shot dead and where a career was forged from tragedy and hardship.
Read in full: War-ravaged village that turned Luka Modric into a global superstar
Belgium are also in a funk
Belgium haven’t won any of their last three games at a World Cup (two draws and a loss), as many times as in their previous 15 in the competition combined (won 12, lost three).
The dry spell continues for Egypt
Egypt have yet to win a game at a World Cup finals in eight attempts. They’ve drawn three and lost five, which, according to Opta, is the second most games played without a victory in the competitions history after Honduras, who have no wins in nine.
Full time: Belgium 1 Egypt 1
There goes the full-time whistle. Both teams look a little frustrated after that, and one of Iran or New Zealand can take a big step towards the knockouts with a win in this evening’s game.
Mo Salah has gone off
The birthday boy has departed, so there’ll be no goal for him on his 34th birthday. He did get the assist for Emam Ashour’s goal, though, meaning he was the first African player to register a World Cup goal involvement on his birthday.
A closer look at the goal…
Lukaku did what he does best, bullying defenders and forcing them exactly where they don’t want to be — facing their own goal.
Any screen will do
The Egyptian public are enjoying the match wherever they can back home…
Goal! Belgium 1 Egypt 1 (Hany own goal 66)
There’s the equaliser and it’s an own goal from Mohamed Hany. He was under significant pressure from the substitute Romelu Lukaku as a cross came in from the right-hand side, can’t sort his feet out and it ends up in the top corner of Mostafa Shobeir’s net.
Argentina fans arrive in the Midwest
About 25,000 Argentinians have arrived in Kansas City over the last 24 hours before their opener against Algeria, which takes place here in the early hours of Wednesday morning UK time.
I watched the last 15 minutes of the Spain v Cape Verde game with a few of them in the hotel lobby and it is safe to say they were rooting for the underdog.
“Falta nueve” [they lack a number 9] was the verdict of some of those watching — a problem that Argentina doesn’t have given that they have Julián Álvarez and Lautaro Martínez in their squad.
Kevin De Bruyne hits the post
The former Manchester City midfielder’s free kick from just outside the box kisses the left-hand post in one of the best chances for Belgium so far.
Second half begins
Right, back to Seattle and Belgium vs Egypt.
No changes for either side at the start of the second half. Egypt get us going again after the break.
Pulisic misses US training
Away from this game, we have an update about Christian Pulisic’s calf injury.
Pulisic did not take part in full training with his United States team-mates on Monday, although coach Mauricio Pochettino has played down the severity of his injury.
The 27-year-old forward, who was substituted at half time during the 4-1 win over Paraguay on Friday, stayed in the gym before taking part in a modified session at the team’s base camp in Irvine, California.
Pulisic picked up the knock in training a couple of days before the victory over Paraguay and while he started the opening fixture of the tournament, and was a standout performer in the first half, he felt uncomfortable at the interval and was substituted. Pochettino had said after the match that he hopes it’s not a big issue and that he will be fine to face Australia. During the open training session he was asked by the media how his star player was doing. “He’s good,” he replied.
Tyler Adams, the United States midfielder, was also asked about the fitness of his team-mate: “Christian will be ready, everyone,” he said. “Let’s relax.”
The US otherwise fielded a full complement of players for their open session and were in high spirits following their comprehensive victory. The team will travel to Seattle on Thursday, ahead of their next Group D fixture against Australia, on Sunday.
Real team effort from Egypt
Yes, it’s only half-time of game one, but Egypt look a serious prospect. Mohamed Salah has played well but their lead has been earned through a real team effort, with Emam Ashour getting the goal and all ten outfield players defending brilliantly as a unit.
Belgium need to get going, but rejuvenation won’t be easy if Egypt keep this up.
Half-time: Belgium 0-1 Egypt
Brilliant half for Egypt. They lead Belgium at the break after Emam Ashour’s 19th-minute strike.
Big chance for Belgium
That’s a missed opportunity for Belgium.
The ball drops to the Jérémy Doku in the box, but he can’t keep his volley down and it goes sailing over the bar. It’s Belgium’s best chance of a disappointing half.
Doku wiped out
Jérémy Doku has struggled to make an impact on proceedings so far but has just been taken out by Egypt defender Ahmed Fatouh as he tried to break away.
Left-back Fatouh goes into the referee’s book and Doku immediately switches over to the right-wing so he can continue driving at the Egypt man.
Egypt deserve their opener
A deserved opener for Egypt, who have looked the sharper in the first 20 minutes in Seattle. Emam Ashour’s finish from Mohamed Salah’s pass was emphatic, but Belgium afforded him too much space.
The goal is a decent symbol for the game’s overall pattern. Egypt have defended tenaciously, Salah looks lively and Belgium have been sluggish.
Goal! Belgium 0-1 Egypt
Egypt lead in Seattle! Emam Ashour receives the ball on the edge of the box, takes one touch and fires a superb finish beyond Thibaut Courtois.
Salah closing in on Egypt record
An Egypt statistic to keep an eye on tonight and beyond: Mohamed Salah needs three goals to break his country’s all-time goalscoring record, which is held by Hossam Hassan with 69 goals. Hassan just so happens to be Egypt’s head coach at this World Cup.
Kick-off
Away we go for the second game of the day. Belgium get us started.
Belgium and Egypt — two of the great underachievers
Belgium vs Egypt is a meeting of two of the great underachievers in 21st-century World Cup football.
Belgium built a “Golden Generation” over the 2010s, but could not progress beyond the World Cup semi-finals, finishing third at the 2018 tournament. While the likes of Kevin De Bruyne and Thibaut Courtois start tonight, much of this decorated group of players are past their prime at the very least.
Egypt, meanwhile, have won a record seven Africa Cup of Nations — including three in a row between 2006 and 2010 — but have never won a World Cup game. This tournament is surely the last chance for Mohamed Salah, who turns 34 today, to make a mark on football’s grandest stage.
Can either of these nations buck the trend of performing below expectations? We’ll get an initial indication this evening.
Salah and De Bruyne start
There are some familiar names in both the Belgium and Egypt starting lineups.
Kevin De Bruyne, Jérémy Doku and Leandro Trossard all start for Belgium, while Egypt boast Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush.
Over to Seattle for Belgium vs Egypt
We may be done in Atlanta after Cape Verde held Spain to a shock draw but stay with us, there’s still loads more to come!
Belgium vs Egypt is up next, we’ll bring you all the team news from Seattle very shortly.
Magical Vozinha steals the show
At 40-years-old, Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha is the seventh-oldest player at the World Cup, but he was simply outstanding against Spain.
The shot-stopper made seven saves in total, keeping out the likes of Mikel Oyarzabal, Marc Cucurella and Aymeric Laporte, as well as claiming several crosses in the closing stages.
It’s a day the veteran will never forget.
The story behind Cape Verde hero Pico Lopes
One of Cape Verde’s heroes today was centre-back Pico Lopes, who grew up in Dublin and currently plays for Shamrock Rovers in the League of Ireland Premier Division.
Paul Rowan spoke to Lopes before the World Cup, and heard the unlikely story behind his Cape Verde call-up.
Read in full: How a LinkedIn ‘hoax’ led Shamrock Rovers defender to World Cup
Match stats: Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
Here’s the match stats from that famous draw.
Unsurprisingly, Spain dominated proceedings, with 74.2 per cent possession and 27 shots. Cape Verde did manage six attempts, with Diney Borges recording their only shot on target in stoppage time.
There’s only one stat that really matters, though … Spain 0-0 Cape Verde.
Cape Verde celebrate draw with Spain
Scenes of jubilation in Atlanta as Cape Verde celebrate one of the biggest shocks in World Cup history.
Full Time: Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
Magnificent. Cape Verde have done it. 67th in the Fifa world rankings, the minnows have held European champions Spain at the World Cup.
Huge chance for Cape Verde
Oh my word. Cape Verde break and win a corner. Defender Diney Borges risest highest but can only direct his header straight at Unai Simón. That would have been special.
Nico Williams on
Nico Williams joins Lamine Yamal on the pitch, but it could be too late for Spain. Cape Verde fans watch on in hope.
Cape Verde closing in on history
We’re into the final ten minutes and Cape Verde are STILL level with Spain. This would be some result.
Dani Olmo comes on for Spain as they continue their search for an opener.
