Matchday 2 of Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup kicks of today with a Group B clash between Wales and Iran.
For Iran and other teams that lost their opening fixtures, this Matchday presents a make-or-mar situtation. Another defeat will see hosts Qatar and African champions Senegal (both Group A) out of the competition.
So will be the situation with one of the tournament’s favourites, Argentina, which parade one of the superstars of football, Lionel Messi.
Also on the edge are Australia (GroupD); another football giants Germany with Coata Rica (both Group E); Canada in Group F; Cameroon and Serbia (Group G) and Ghana (Group H).
In the 16 matches of Matchday 1 of the group phase, 41 goals were scored, and six players are leading the golden boot chart with two goals each. They are Nigerian born English winger Bukayo Saka, France’s Olivier Giroud, Ferran Torres (Spain), Richarlison (Brazil), Enner Valencia (Ecuador) and Iran’s Mehdi Taremi.
Wales had to fight back in their opening fixture to share honours with the United States. After Liberian president George Weah’s son, Timothy placed the American at advantage in the 36th minute, Gareth Bale scored from the spot with eight minutes of regulation time remaining to end the game 1-1.
Their opponents this time, Iran were so walloped 2-6 in their first match against England. Former Egyptian manager Carlos Queiróz, who is now in charge of the Asian nation, will have to strike the right formation to avoid another setback against the Welsh.
In that same group, England and United States take the stage later in the day. Inspired by their whitewashing of Iran, the Three Lions will go all out to make progression to the knockout stage easy by overcoming their North American foes.
Group A will have Senegal going up against the host nation. It’s a match both teams will have to do all they can to win and gain their first points of Qatar 2022.
Netherlands and Ecuador, both winners on Matchday 1, are chasing more points in their head-to-head clash.
Today’s games: Group A: Qatar v Senegal (2 pm), Netherlands v Ecuador (5 pm); Group B: Wales v Iran (11 am), England v United States (8 pm) (all West African Time)
