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    England 0 USA 0 – World Cup LIVE RESULT: Three Lions MISS chance to qualify for last-16 with bore draw against Americans

    ENGLAND have missed the chance to qualify for the World Cup last-16 tonight after a boring 0-0 draw with USA.The Three Lions started well when Harry Kane had a shot blocked after five minutes.
    But USA hit the post minutes later and were the better side for the majority of the game.
    Kane had the chance to win the game in the 94th-minute but his header whistled well wide of Matt Turner’s post.

    RESULT: England 0-0 USA
    England XI: Pickford, Trippier, Stones, Maguire, Shaw; Bellingham, Rice, Mount; Saka, Sterling, Kane
    USA XI: Turner, Robinson, Ream, Zimmerman, Dest, Musah, Adams, McKennie, Pulisic, Wright, Weah

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    The game of twists and turns
    Thrill-seekers travel the world looking for the biggest and fastest rollercoasters for that adrenaline-rush they crave.
    They should try becoming a football fan as this is the game with the most thrills and spills, ecstasy can be turned into depression in an instant.
    Unpredictable, it draws you in and then spits you just as easily.
    We wouldn’t change a thing, it is the game we all love.
    Credit: Getty Images – Getty
    Credit: Getty Images – Getty
    Credit: Getty Images – Getty
    Support was key to performance
    USA were quick to thank their travelling fans for their support against England this evening.
    Whenever they looked to attack, the crowd were on their feet, raising the decibels level in the ground.

    Stars and Stripes jinx continues
    England have failed to beat the USA in three World Cup meetings now.
    Having drawn twice and lose once, they have proved once again to be the Three Lions bogey team.
    England need to put the performance behind them and look to bounce back against Wales on Tuesday.
    From heroes to zeros
    The England team would never have imagined after the elation of their first group game that they would be getting booed off in their second.
    Fans let their stars know what they truly thought of the performance right on the final whistle.
    That makes the task all the more difficult for Gareth Southgate as they now also have to try and win back the fans.
    Credit: Reuters
    Learn a new thing every day
    Gareth Southgate needs to ensure that his side grow from the game this evening.
    There will be plenty of other teams that will try and shut England down tactically just as the stars and stripes did today.
    Brushing it off as a good result against a tough team will not put them in good stead the next time they find themselves in the same situation.
    All roads lead to Al-Rayyan
    England will take on Wales at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium on Tuesday, knowing that only a 4-0 defeat would see them not progress to the knockout rounds.
    Meanwhile, USA and Iran will play a last group game more akin to cup tie with the winner making it through to the next round.
    Credit: @FIFAWorldCup
    Dest way to hurt England
    Sergino Dest caused constant problems for Gareth Southgate’s side this evening.
    Once he was able to fly down the flanks with more regularity, he started to cause Luke Shaw major issues.
    The Barcelona full back was very busy down the right-hand side all evening.

    Wag o’clock in Al Khor
    Despite the disappointing performance, the England players wind down at the end of the game with their families and partners.
    They will need to refocus for their final group game with Wales on Tuesday.
    Progression from Group B still needs some work.
    Credit: Getty
    Credit: PA
    USA stop England playing
    So often in tonight’s game, England were having to focus on the attacking threat of the Americans rather than playing their own game.
    Declan Rice epitomises that with his play, as his heat map shows he was busier in areas trying to close down the USA threat than linking play for the Three Lions going forward.

    Anxious moments for Three Lions fans
    England fans could not hide the tension during the game as USA piled on the pressure.
    Eric Dier’s model girlfriend Anna Modler, could not take the pressure at one stage.
    Meanwhile, at BoxPark Wembley, the fans were feeling the tensions as the stars and stripes took the game to the Three Lions.

    Take a sad song and make it better
    Jude Bellingham was unable to pull the strings from the heart of midfield as he did against Iran.
    His bursting box-to-box runs seemed less effective as the USA managed to shut down so many of the key players for England.
    Bellingham struggled to make the same impact on the game with the tactics employed by the stars and stripes.

    Saying what we were thinking
    Aaron Ramsdale’s partner Georgina Irwin found the game much like the rest of us this evening.
    The game evidently did not look any better from the more expensive seats either.
    England’s school report for today would say, must try to apply themselves more.

    Boss happy with result and performance
    The England manager gave his overview on what he thought about the goalless draw with USA:
    We didn’t have that same zip. That will happen, this is tournament football. I am so pleased with how we built from the back. Our two centre-backs controlled the game. Gareth SouthgateEngland manager
    Inside the round – post match analysis
    Sun reporter Jordan Davies from Qatar:
    Frustrated jeers during that second half turned to all-out boos at the full time whistle. 
    Both sides seem pleased with a point, but the fans know that this was a real chance to wrap up the group tonight.
    Instead, another performance is needed for Gareth Southgate’s men versus Wales.
    After the highs of Iran, optimism has been slightly dented.
    Fail to produce against the Welsh and those boos could become even more deafening.
    A lot to ponder for Southgate
    “That was a great clean sheet” were the words ringing out of captain Harry Kane’s mouth in his post-match press conference.
    If we are honest, that clean was mainly sponsored by the woodwork and the poor finishing by the USA.
    With Foden and Alexander-Arnold as unused substitutes, the manager had options when creativity looked so lacking in his team.
    The game today does question whether England actually have a ‘plan B’ for when things are not going their way.
    Credit: Reuters
    FT: England 0-0 USA
    Some World Cup games create their own ‘where were you’ moments.
    Where were you when England played USA in the 2022 World Cup?
    Probably in the kitchen making a cup of tea and who could blame you.

    What a difference four days make
    One day, all is well in the world, the birds sing as the sun shines down.
    Then the next, all your tea is in the bottom of a harbour.
    That is just how easily your fortunes can change.
    Even with the additional time VAR has been adding, almost creating an extra half, England still wouldn’t have looked like scoring.
    FT: England 0-0 USA
    The referee puts the England fans out of their misery with the full-time whistle.
    USA would have happily played on for another half an hour.
    Boos ring out as the game ends.
    England 0-0 USA
    90+3. Shaw swings the cross into the box.
    He finds the head of Harry Kane who seemed to have a free header.
    The Tottenham man gets it all wrong and heads it terribly wide.
    England 0-0 USA
    90+2. Well, this has not quite been the performance of would-be winners.
    Grealish is fouled once again as he is pushed in the back.
    Musah didn’t need to do that at all.
    Chance for England to put a good delivery in.
    England 0-0 USA
    90. If USA had been able to more pinpoint with their crosses tonight, they could have caused England a lot more problems.
    Henderson is the only player running around looking to put any pressure on the stars and stripes when they have the ball.
    He wins a free kick in a wide position.
    Taking a quick free kick, Moore deals with the threat and puts it behind for a corner.
    We are going to have four minutes added.
    Credit: Getty
    England 0-0 USA
    88. Grealish does well as he used the overlap of Shaw to cut inside.
    As he does, he backheels the ball to Rashford.
    Rashford drops the shoulder and cuts inside, looking to bend the ball into the top corner.
    Sadly, he only bends the ball into Turner’s hands.
    England 0-0 USA
    86. The only positive we can take from this drab England performance is that it really makes for a matchday three.
    The group will go down to the last game with all teams having something to play for.
    Pundits are changing their after-show speeches to discuss what a great point this was in the grand scheme of things.
    England 0-0 USA
    84. Weah is replaced by Reyna.
    On comes the son of Claudio Reyna, born in England.
    He was never going to play for anyone other than the USA.
    Grealish wins a foul out in a wide position.
    England 0-0 USA
    82. England are chasing shadows when USA have the ball.
    They need to do better when out of possession.
    It is all too easy for the stars and stripes to retain the ball and come forward.
    Credit: Getty
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    World Cup 2022 – Netherlands 1 Ecuador 1 LIVE RESULT: Hosts Qatar KNOCKED OUT after Group A draw

    NETHERLANDS’ 1-1 with Ecuador in Group A means that hosts Qatar have now been eliminated from the World Cup.Enner Valencia equalised after a fine move for the South Americans, though he later went off on a stretcher following a reoccurrence of his knee injury.
    Valencia – the tournament’s top scorer – was later seen on the bench with a bag of ice on his knee.

    Result: Netherlands 1-1 Ecuador
    Netherlands XI: Noppert, Dumfries, Timber, Van Dijk, Ake, Blind, Koopmeiners, F. de Jong, Klaassen, Gakpo, Bergwijn
    Ecuador XI: Galindez, Caicedo, Estrada, Estupinan, Hincapie, Mendez, Plata, Porozo, Preciado, Torres, Valencia

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    Holland 1-1 Ecuador
    95: Ake moves forward as the Dutch go for one final attack but the final whistle blows!
    It is all over. Both teams now need a point to guarantee progress in the final round.
    And hosts Qatar are now OUT!
    Holland 1-1 Ecuador
    92: Valencia went down without any contact too there.
    The top scorer at the World Cup is now sitting on the bench with a big bag of ice strapped to his knee.
    Holland 1-1 Ecuador
    90: Valencia went into today’s match with an injured knee.
    And there was ice on the knee while he was being taken off on a stretcher.
    Not looking good for the knockout stages here if Ecuador get through.
    Holland 1-1 Ecuador
    88: But there’s an injury to Enner Valencia.
    This is not looking good for him.
    He is being taken off on a stretcher.
    Qatar OUT – as things stand
    Hosts Qatar are out after just five days as things stand currently.
    Anything but an Ecuador win and Qatar are eliminated tonight!
    Holland 1-1 Ecuador
    79: Torres chips in a long ball forward to Valencia but Van Dijk does well to get a head on it.
    11 minutes to go and Ecuador upping the pressure.
    Qatar will be celebrating, at least, if Ecuador win then Qatar AREN’T out tonight…
    Holland 1-1 Ecuador
    74: Brighton youngster Jeremy Sarmiento comes on for the final 15 minutes.
    Ecuador sensing they can win this one.
    Holland 1-1 Ecuador
    71: Holland with some wasteful passes and the ball is out of play.
    They have been very out of sorts since Ecuador’s goal went in.
    Holland 1-1 Ecuador
    67: Koopmeiners lashes in a shot for the Dutch but it’s wide of the post.
    A rare moment of attack there for Holland in the second half.
    Holland 1-1 Ecuador
    62: Depay and Klaassen with a nice one-two on the edge of the box but is cleared.
    Ecuador now back on the counter-attack.
    Holland are all over the shop!
    There’s only one team who look like scoring soon…
    Holland 1-1 Ecuador
    Ecuador HIT THE BAR!
    Valencia’s shot is blocked by Van Dijk and Plata then hits an absolute rocket!
    But it cannons off the bar.
    All Ecuador this is now…
    Holland 1-1 Ecuador
    56: Yellow card for Mendez after a swipe on Memphis Depay.
    He’ll have to be careful now.
    Ecuador playing with their tails up now though after the goal.
    Holland 1-1 Ecuador
    52: Holland now back on the attack.
    The Oranje win a corner but it comes to nothing.
    Ecuador starting to look dangerous on the counter-attack.
    Credit: Reuters
    Holland 1-1 Ecuador
    And we don’t even go to the VAR check.
    Valencia is ON-SIDE!
    Game ON!
    Holland 1-1 Ecuador
    GOOOOALLLLLLLL!
    Valencia taps it in! But is he off-side?
    Did van Dijk just play him on?
    Holland 1-0 Ecuador
    46: The second half has kicked off!
    And Memphis Depay has come on for the Dutch.
    Depay is on for Steven Bergwijn.
    Gakpo stunner
    Cody Gakpo wheels away in celebration after his stunning strike.
    The goal has been the difference here so far, but what a goal it was.
    Credit: Reuters
    Qatar OUT – as things stand
    Qatar will currently be ELIMINATED from the World Cup as things stand.
    As Holland play Qatar in their final game, anything but a Ecuador win today would see the hosts knocked out!
    Holland 1 – 0 Ecuador
    48. Ecuador score but it is ruled out correctly for offside.
    The brief celebration was loud but wasted.
    The offside flag was correct and so was the VAR call.
    The half ends.
    Holland 1 – 0 Ecuador
    44. The football action has cooled so much that the cameraman has resorted to capturing attractive women in the crowd.
    There should not be any first-half injury time, just the standard hour-and-half at the end expected.
    Holland 1 – 0 Ecuador
    42. Valencia and Dumfries having a bit of aggro off the ball. But only handbags.
    Rafael van der Vaart is in the crowd, taking up a couple of seats.
    Thankfully there are plenty empty as usual.
    Holland 1 – 0 Ecuador
    39. Ecuador could have folded after going behind so early but they remain right in this race.
    The Dutch want time and space to create but are getting almost none of either.
    One moment of Enner Valencia magic could even things up.
    But Memphis Depay is expected after the interval and he is tasty too.
    Holland 1 – 0 Ecuador
    33. SAVE!
    Enner Valencia cuts in from the left wing and takes aim with his right.
    The effort is hard and true headed for the bottom left corner.
    But Noppert dives down to his right and parries away.
    Holland 1 – 0 Ecuador
    33. The is an increasing bit of needle arising from this game.
    Pushing and pulling at corners and firm-but-fair tackles.
    Holland 1 – 0 Ecuador
    31. Holland corner after a speedy break into the Ecuador half.
    Pushing and shoving again in the box and both sides taking risks with their physicality.
    Ecuador clear and the atmosphere cools.
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    Holland 1 Ecuador 1: Enner Valencia the hero again as he cancels out Cody Gakpo goal to KO hosts Qatar from World Cup

    THERE WILL be no hanky panky for the Van Gaals after this.Not after Louis’ Dutch side went limp in the second-half at the Khalifa Stadium.
    Ecuador players celebrate after their equaliser against HollandCredit: Getty
    Cody Gakpo rifled the Dutch into the lead with just six minutes on the clockCredit: EPA
    Enner Valencia stabbed home after the restart to earn a drawCredit: Reuters
    A stunning sixth-minute opener from Cody Gakpo had him up off his seat.
    But he was a frustrated figure after Enner Valencia grabbed a deserved leveller on 49 minutes for Ecuador.
    The South Americans were closest to getting the winner too when Gonzalo Plata rattled the bar on 59 minutes.
    So it will be just a cold cup of tea and biscuits probably back at base camp Oranje for the Van Gaals on this occasion.
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    To think Louis was all giddy after a 2-0 opening group game victory over Senegal this week.
    He was caught on camera at the Dutch training ground the following day saying to wife Truus ‘But you can come to the hotel. Just to my room. To get laid’ as he laughed.

    No reason for fun and frolics on this occasion and Ecuador will feel justice has been done in earning a share of the spoils.
    Boos had rung out at the Khalifa at half time.
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    It was in the final minute of the first period when a poor corner to the near post was cleared to the edge of the area from where Angelo Reciado shot and Pervis Estupinan stuck out a boot to deflect the ball past goalkeeper Andries Noppert.
    Celebrations round the ground where Ecuador fans outnumbered the Dutch by four to one.
    But the linesman’s flag was raised against Jackson Porozo who was standing in the six-yard box.
    He didn’t touch the ball but was adjudged to have affected the goalkeeper’s view even though Noppert was already diving to his right before Estupinan’s intervention.
    No Dutch players appealed, not even Noppert who looked as confused as the Ecuador players when the flag was raised.
    The whistle for the break blew seconds later and the protests to all the officials went on with the Ecuador players perplexed by the explanation they were getting.
    But they would get their reward when four minutes after the break after a catalogue of errors by the Dutch finished with Valencia playing the ball wide to Estupinan and following up to poke home his parried cross shot.

    Worryingly for Ecuador, however, Valencia would later leave the field on a stretcher before limping heavily to the dugout.
    What a goal it was that had given Holland the early lead.
    Brighton’s Moises Caicedo was guilty of losing possession to Davy Klaassen and what he did next was class.
    Taking the ball to his right and two defenders with him he then produced  a clever back heel to Gakpo.
    He still had three Ecuador players to evade which he did with a curling shot that began outside the left-hand upright but altered it’s direction in the air finding a gap between post and the goalkeeper’s outstretched arm.
    His second goal in two games after breaking the deadlock in the 84th minute of Holland’s 2-0 victory over Senegal, in which Klaassen came on as a sub to add the second.
    But that bright start fizzled out very quickly with Ecuador finishing much the stronger. More

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    Qatar OUT of World Cup 2022 after FIVE DAYS as they break record for worst host nation in tournament’s 92-year history

    WORLD CUP hosts Qatar have been officially knocked out of the competition already.The Netherlands’ 1-1 draw with Ecuador all but ended the Qatari national team’s slim hopes of making it out of Group A.
    Hosts Qatar have already been knocked out of the 2022 World CupCredit: Reuters
    Qatar have officially had the worst run out of any other World Cup hostCredit: Getty
    Felix Sanchez’s men lost both of their opening matches against Ecuador and Senegal, making their final game against Holland in the group stage nothing but a formality.
    Qatar have officially had the worst run out of any other World Cup host nation as they have been eliminated earlier than all of their predecessors and with fewer points.
    It only took five days for the Qatari national team to crash out of the tournament.
    That poses as a record for a host nation in the World Cup’s 92-year history.
    Read More on World Cup
    South Africa became the first ever host nation to crash out of the group stages in 2010.
    But the South African were drawn in a tough group alongside Uruguay, Mexico and France.
    They still managed to finish third and were eliminated on goal difference.
    That was after drawing 1-1 with Mexico, losing 3-0 to Uruguay and famously beating France 2-1.
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    Qatar also became the first World Cup hosts to lose their tournament opener as they were defeated 2-0 by Ecuador.
    Of the previous 22 hosts, 16 won their opening games and the other six drew it.

    In fact, Qatar had zero efforts on target against the Ecuadorians – a feat achieved by teams only four times throughout the whole 2018 tournament.
    In all, that game provided just 11 goal attempts – the lowest total for an opener since records began with England’s triumphant hosting in 1966. More

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    I love England so much I quit my job to watch every Three Lions match – I’d be miserable if I missed a single minute

    A FAN who quit his job because he loves England so much said he would be miserable if he missed a single minute.Casey Bishop, 39, handed in his resignation for his job at Northumbria University in Newcastle so he doesn’t miss any footy at home or in the pub.
    Casey Bishop, 39, handed in his resignation for his job in the name of footballCredit: NNP
    He took drastic action as he wanted to watch every single World Cup gameCredit: NNP
    Football mad Casey said: “I would have been so miserable stuck at work.
    “I’m a massive football fan, and I just couldn’t imagine not being able to watch them. 
    “Morally I felt as though I couldn’t go [to Qatar]. I’ve always been against it but when I heard about the atrocities and the human rights record. I couldn’t give my money to them. 
    “I have also heard from mates over there they are paying £16 for a pint of beer so I’m glad I made that decision.”
    Read More about the World Cup
    Thankfully Casey has a new job lined up for the new year, and his last boss kindly halved his notice period to two weeks so he could leave just as the World Cup began. 
    He is watching the matches at the pub, fan zones and at home.

    It comes as England fans got the party started in pubs tonight ahead of the Three Lion’s crunch game against the USA.
    Raucous England fans have already been pictured getting in the mood for tonight’s drama by packing out pubs and flying the flag.
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    Excited fans were in cheery spirits as they got the party started at the Red Lion pub in London with one loyal fan even donning a whole flag as an outfit.
    Some have been snapped donning player-themed fancy dress as one supporter wore a Harry Maguire mask and hoisted aloft a replica World Cup trophy.
    While Boxpark Wembley was packed out with fans who arrived for a pint after clocking off work early.
    A win will see the Three Lions progress to the last 16 while a draw could potentially be enough thanks to their goal difference.
    Gareth Southgate’s side head into the game in stunning form after thrashing Iran 6-2 in their opener in Doha.
    In Qatar, Amie Coady and other Wags have been spotted heading to the stadium to support the England stars.
    Up to 11 million reportedly swerved the office in favour of working from home for Monday’s match in honour of the earlier 1pm whistle.
    Following their draw against Wales, USA will be itching to bounce back and keep their dream of reaching the knockout stages alive.
    Read More on The Sun
    England last faced the USA in the World Cup 12 years ago when a Rob Green howler saw the game end 1-1 between the two sides.
    Wales’ World Cup hopes are hanging by a thread after two late Iran goals broke Welsh hearts earlier today. More

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    Brazil in another World Cup blow as Man Utd star Antony misses training through illness amid Neymar injury fears

    BRAZIL have been dealt another blow after Antony missed training through illness.The five-time winners are already sweating on the fitness of Neymar, who limped off against Serbia on Thursday after injuring his ankle.
    Antony came on in the second half of Brazil’s win against SerbiaCredit: Getty
    The PSG star was reduced to tears after being on the recieving end of a poor tackle from Nikola Milenkovic.
    According to Brazilian journalist Andres Onrubia Ramos, Neymar won’t miss the rest of the World Cup, but might not play again in the groups.
    He said: “His participation in the World Cup is not in danger, although he may not return until the round of 16. Good news.”
    But the South Americans have been handed another blow after a malaise forced Manchester United winger Antony to sit out training on Friday.
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    According to Isabelle Costa, Antony was one of four absent players.
    Along with Neymar, West Ham’s Lucas Paqueta and Liverpool star Alisson Becker also missed out.
    Antony’s setback comes less than 24 hours after making his World Cup debut in the Serbia win.
    Strangely, it was the ex-Ajax star who replaced Neymar late in the game.
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    Brazil don’t play again until Monday, but they’ll need Antony available, especially with Neymar potentially missing out against Switzerland and Cameroon.
    Regardless, Tito still has an abundance of wide options, with the likes of Rodrygo, Gabriell Martinelli and Flamengo’s Pedro all waiting in the wings. More

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    World Cup 2022 – Netherlands vs Ecuador LIVE: Stream FREE, score, TV channel – Gakpo opens scoring with stunning strike

    NETHERLANDS are taking on Ecuador in their crucial Group A clash RIGHT NOW – and they lead 1-0!Earlier in their group this afternoon, Senegal defeated hosts Qatar 3-1.
    This means that should the game end in a draw today then Qatar will be knocked out.
    Holland failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup leaving the entire world stunned due to their unbelievable squad.
    But their new range of talent such as Frankie de Jong and Cody Gakpo has led people to believe that they could be the dark horses of the tournament.
    And Netherlands will be backed to get the job done against an Ecuadorian side who haven’t made it out the group stages since 2006.

    Kick-off: 4pm UK
    TV channel: ITV 1
    Live stream: ITV X
    Netherlands XI: Noppert, Dumfries, Timber, Van Dijk, Ake, Blind, Koopmeiners, F. de Jong, Klaassen, Gakpo, Bergwijn
    Ecuador XI: Galindez, Caicedo, Estrada, Estupinan, Hincapie, Mendez, Plata, Porozo, Preciado, Torres, Valencia

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    Holland 1 – 0 Ecuador
    7. Klassen nicked the ball off the Ecuador defence and fed Holland’s most in-form striker.
    The forward took two touches to the ball out from under his fast feet.
    And then he unleashed a howitzer into the stanchion.
    Holland 1 – 0 Ecuador
    6. GAKPO BANGER!
    A left-foot piledriver flies in the top bin.
    Pick that out
    Holland 0 – 0 Ecuador
    4. Ecuador have an injury with Preciado down and needing treatment.
    The defender gets to his feet but has to go off.
    A bit of physio TLC appears to have cured him and we have 11 v 11 again.
    Holland 0 – 0 Ecuador
    2. The Dutch controlling the ball with Total Football.
    Ecuador are not pressing too high or desperately.
    Edgar Davids is wearing sunglasses on the bench. Well you would too if you were Eddie Davies
    Headache
    Some Dutch fans are wearing traditional Arabic head dresses in the stadium.
    There are reports that fans are not allowed to drink alcohol while wearing such outfits.
    So lets hope they’re teetotal or have alternative clothes under their orange robes.
    EcuaRoar
    The boys belt out their anthem with some gusto.
    Valencia shuts his eyes tightly as studies have shown voluntary blindness can increase singing volume by up to 3 per cent.
    They are up for this.
    Ecuabore at the back
    The yellow underdogs are on a run of seven consecutive clean sheets starting way back in March.
    The Dutchm, though, have kept four clean sheets in their last four World Cup matches and have their eye on equalling the tournament record of five.
    A goal fest is not on the cards.
    Beginning of the Enner
    Ecuardor ace Enner Valencia kicked the Qatar tournament off with a classy brace against the hosts.
    But how will the sharp shooter fare against the Dutch and their star defender Virgil van Dijk?
    The Liverpool leader has struggled at times in the Prem this season. Can he be exposed again?
    Ecualiser?
    The South Americans go 5-4-1 in a defensive bid to blockade against the Dutch attack.
    Expect wave after to wave of orange skill and flair.
    But we have seen a few superb upsets so far and would love another.
    Sub Standard
    Some real aces in the dug-out hole for Netherlands today.
    De Ligt, Depay and De Jong all start on the bench.
    Will it be D-Dady for the Dutch or Ecuador?
    Group A state of play
    So here is the Group A table.
    And this means that if this next game is a draw then hosts Qatar will be the first team knocked out.
    There will be no way of them reaching four points with one game left.

    Atmosphere building
    The fans are arriving in their droves in Doha.
    Not long to kick-off now.
    And remember, if it is a draw then hosts Qatar will be knocked OUT.
    Credit: AFP
    Credit: AFP
    Team News
    Netherlands XI: Noppert, Dumfries, Timber, Van Dijk, Aké, Blind, Koopmeiners, F. de Jong, Klaassen, Gakpo, Bergwijn.
    Ecuador XI: Galindez, Caicedo, Estrada, Estupinan, Hincapie, Mendez, Plata, Porozo, Preciado, Torres, Valencia.
    Sambad news
    Neymar is reportedly out of Brazil’s next two games at the World Cup.
    The PSG forward injured his ankle against Serbia and now looks ruled out of the remaining group games.
    What effect will that have on the World Cup favourites?
    Depay sidelined
    The rapid forward only gets a spot on the bench.
    But we can expect him to get at least the second 45 minutes.
    Depay de price
    LvG has revealed that fellow Manchester United reject Memphis Depay could play a half of the game after his hamstring injury.
    The boss said: “The injury he has makes it so difficult to decide when he can start.
    “But he is an extraordinary player and so I have set aside my principles because I consider him to be incredibly important to my team.
    “I explained this to the players, that I am doing all this for Memphis, and the players accepted this.”
    Dum For
    Holland started the OneLove campaign but have decided against pressuring Fifa further over the armbands.
    Defender Denzel Dumfries said: “Over the past few weeks, we’ve really talked about it a lot. But we came to Qatar to play football.
    “That’s what we’re focusing on”.
    No Stance
    Holland boss Luis van der Gaal insists his side do need to copy Germany and their anti-Fifa gesture.
    The ex-Man United manager said: “”We put a full stop after all the political issues last Thursday.
    “We have this purpose and we’re not going to have that tarnished by the actions of Fifa, or whichever other organisation”.
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    Watch Saudi Arabia boss Herve Renard’s incredible half-time team talk vs Argentina that inspired shock World Cup win

    SAUDI ARABIA boss Herve Renard produced an incredible half-time team talk to inspire shock victory over Argentina. Renard’s men were 1-0 down to Lionel Messi’s Argentina, with the Barcelona legend opening the lead from the spot.
    Herve Renard produced an incredible half-time team talk to inspire victory over ArgentinaCredit: Twitter
    Saudi Arabia were inspired to beat ArgentinaCredit: Twitter
    And Saudi Arabia were staring defeat in the face as they returned to the dressing room lucky to be just one down.
    That was until Renard – once sacked by CAMBRIDGE – gave his side some motivational words of wisdom.
    He was captured saying: “Messi, he has the ball in the middle of the pitch and you stand [hands up] in front of the defence.
    “You have to go and mark him in the middle. Take your phone, you can make a picture with him!
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    “You don’t feel we are able to come back? You don’t feel it? You play relaxed. Come on guys, this is the World Cup. Give everything!”
    Renard’s message paid dividends as just three minutes into the second half Saleh Al-Shehri brilliant slotted into the corner to equalise.
    But winger Salem Al-Dawsari took home the spoils after his wonderstrike sealed a famous win.
    He cut in from the left and fired into the top corner on 53 minutes and Saudi Arabia held on for well over 40 minutes.
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    The Government declared a national holiday such was the magnitude of the upset win.
    Saudi Arabia look to continue their World Cup heroics tomorrow against Robert Lewandowski’s Poland.
    Meanwhile, Argentina fight to keep their tournament alive when they play Mexico.
    Herve Renard led Saudi Arabia to victory over Saudi ArabiaCredit: Getty More