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 cushty win over Poland.
It was a day of disappointment for Saudi Arabia, Mexico and Denmark, nevertheless.
Here’s a fast recap of all it’s essential 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 via to the final 16 of the World Cup for the primary time since 2006.
Denmark, ranked tenth on this planet by soccer’s governing physique FIFA, wanted to win the match on the Al Janoub Stadium to progress.
There have been no targets within the first half as Australia pissed off Denmark’s makes an attempt to maneuver ahead and mounted a number of counterattacks of their very own.
It was in regards to 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 instructed Australian broadcaster SBS after the sport.
“We all the time knew we might do it as a gaggle. We had our doubters however our spirit, our perception, our work ethic and the way shut we’re as a gaggle 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 known as a “magnificent win”.
Australia now face Argentina on Saturday.
Argentina vs Poland
It was a cushty 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 targets coming within the second half.
Alexis Mac Allister and Julian Alvarez’s targets capped a dominant show by coach Lionel Scaloni’s gamers with tens of hundreds of raucous supporters packing the stadium to cheer on their group.
Messi by no means stopped surging ahead and posed a menace to Poland all through the sport together with his dribbling capacity and imaginative and prescient.
His glittering efficiency stood in stark distinction to that of Poland’s star striker Robert Lewandowski who did not make an impression.
Messi, 35, has admitted that Qatar will in all probability be his final World Cup whereas Lewandoski, who’s a yr youthful, has stated he’s not sure if he’ll make it to the subsequent event, which is being held in North America in 2026.
Regardless of Poland’s lacklustre efficiency they nonetheless managed to make it via to the knockout section on purpose distinction. They are going to 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 Schooling Metropolis stadium.
France-born Wahbi Khazri scored the one purpose of the sport within the 58th minute as Tunisia had precipitated a critical upset.
It was solely the third victory in six World Cup tournaments for Tunisia. They have been eradicated when Australia beat Denmark within the different group match.
France, who gained their first two matches, completed high 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 exciting match however did not make the knockout stage.
Henry Martin and Luis Chavez each scored in an exciting Group C match, with the 2 targets coming in fast succession early within the second half.
The Mexicans wanted yet one more purpose to overhaul Poland on purpose distinction and get via the group nevertheless it was the Saudis who scored within the dying moments of the sport, making it 2-1.
“It’s a tough blow, there aren’t any phrases,” stated Mexico midfielder Edson Alvarez. “The group went out searching for it from the beginning and we had lots of probabilities. However we couldn’t rating and that leaves a bitter style.”
The loss was an extra 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.