Qatar World Cup 2022 Day 10: Iran take on US as Netherlands, Senegal through to last 16

Qatar lost by 2-0 to the Netherlands in their last group-stage match - can Iran advance to the round of 16?
7 min read
29 November, 2022
[The New Arab]

Two countries from the Middle East and North Africa region are in action on day 10 of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, but with very different stakes.

Host nation Qatar, who were already out of the tournament, lost 2-0 to the Netherlands, who advance to the last 16 at the top of Group A.

Iran play a winner-takes-all match against the United States at 10pm local time (7pm GMT), with the victor going through to the last 16.

Ecuador and Senegal battled it out for a spot in the next round of the tournament, with the West African side winning 2-1 in a match with a nailbiter of a second half.

England, who currently sit at the top of Group B, will look to seal their place in the last 16 with a win or draw in their match against Wales.

9:07 PM
The New Arab Staff

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9:01 PM
The New Arab Staff

Full time in both this evening's games, the last in Group B.

England 3-0 Wales, USA 1-0 Iran!  

England have thumped neighbours Wales thanks to a brace from winger Marcus Rashford, while Iran have failed to come back against the USA.

 

8:35 PM
The New Arab Staff

3-0 England - this is starting to be a stroll in the park against Wales, as Rashford gets his second.

Over in Doha at al-Dumama, Iran are still chasing that precious equalizer which would send them through to the knockouts. 

8:15 PM
The New Arab Staff

50 minutes - England add another! 

This time the welsh full-back is dispossessed on the left flank and captain Harry Kane puts in Phil Foden for a tap-in.

2-0 to England. Looking ominous for Wales now. 

8:12 PM
The New Arab Staff

48 minutes in - 1-0 to England! 

A screamer from Marcus Rashford with a free kick just outside the area has settled some English nerves. 

7:54 PM
The New Arab Staff

It's half time in tonight's double header, and only one goal so far - that crucial goal for the USA.

Neither game have been full of chances, as might be expected - but with Iran now chasing the game to try and reach the last 16, and England knocking on the door against Wales, both fixtures may start to open up. 

 

 

 

Pulisic pounces to put the USA ahead [Getty images]
7:44 PM
The New Arab Staff

38 minutes in - and the USA have taken the lead against Iran. 

Christian Pulisic, who's impressed throughout the tournament, pounces on a bouncing ball in the area and gets on the scoresheet. 

 

7:24 PM
The New Arab Staff

Over at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in al-Rayyan, England have started really brightly and are having the lion's share of possession. 

25 minutes in, and Wales have barely had a sniff at the ball. 

7:19 PM
The New Arab Staff

A quick reminder of how things stand: Iran only have to draw and they're through.

At the moment, the US are pressing hard, trying to get an early foothold in the game. 

7:08 PM
The New Arab Staff

The Iranian team chose to sing their national anthem again tonight - having remained silent in their opening match against England. 

The players faced a backlash from lawmakers, who said the government should "never allow anyone to insult our anthem" after the first match.

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6:58 PM
The New Arab Staff

It's kick-off for this evening's two crunch matches. 

Can Iran pull off victory and leave the USA behind in the group stages, and can England seal off top spot? 

Stay with us for the evening - updates on all the major action here. 

4:59 PM
The New Arab Staff

Full-time: Netherlands 2-0 Qatar, Ecuador 1-2 Senegal

The Netherlands and Senegal are the first two teams through the round of 16 at this World Cup.

Qatar were unable to secure any points in their three group-stage matches [FIFA via Getty]
4:33 PM
The New Arab Staff

Ecuador 1-2 Senegal

Just two minutes after Ecuador's equaliser, Senegal retake the lead thanks to a goal from Kalidou Koulibaly. Senegal back to second place in Group A.

4:30 PM
The New Arab Staff

Ecuador 1-1 Senegal 

Moises Caicedo equalises for Ecuador in the 68th minute of their match.

As things stand, Ecuador will advance to the last 16 over Senegal.

4:27 PM
The New Arab Staff

Goal disallowed: Netherlands 2-0 Qatar

A goal from Stephen Berghuis is disallowed due to a handball from Cody Gakpo.

4:08 PM
The New Arab Staff

Netherlands 2-0 Qatar

Frenkie de Jong doubles the Dutch lead at 49 minutes.

3:50 PM
The New Arab Staff

Half-time: Netherlands 1-0 Qatar, Ecuador 0-1 Senegal

The Netherlands and Senegal are one goal up in their respective matches. Both are deserving of their leads.

The Netherlands have edged closer to securing a place in the last 16 [Getty]
3:45 PM
The New Arab Staff

Ecuador 0-1 Senegal 

Ismaila Sarr puts away a penalty at 44 minutes to get Senegal off the mark.

3:26 PM
The New Arab Staff

Netherlands 1-0 Qatar

Cody Gakpo scores his third goal in three games to give the Netherlands the lead at 25 minutes.

3:01 PM
The New Arab Staff

Kick-off: Netherlands v Qatar and Ecuador v Senegal

Netherlands v Qatar has kicked off at the Al Bayt Stadium. No matter the outcome, Qatar won’t qualify for the last 16 - but they’ll want to put in a good last performance for the home crowd.

At the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Ecuador and Senegal will both be pushing for a win to secure a place in the next round.

2:30 PM
The New Arab Staff & Agencies

Senegal won't 'overthink' must-win World Cup clash with Ecuador

Senegal coach Aliou Cisse on Monday urged his players "not to overthink" their World Cup showdown with Ecuador, knowing they likely must win their final group game to reach the last 16.

Senegal bounced back from an opening loss to the Netherlands by beating hosts Qatar, but the African champions are a point behind the Dutch and Ecuador going into the last round of Group A matches.

"We understand that winning will allow us to continue the adventure and that's what we want to do," Cisse said, praising Tuesday's opponents Ecuador as "a beautiful team".

Cisse said his side was keeping a "cool head" and promised "not to overthink the game tomorrow" despite the weight on their shoulders.

"We are OK, we are dealing with pressure and stress. For me it is good stress.

"We are working day in, day out. I have been working with my players and we have been working for years to get to the World Cup."

Senegal have to beat Ecuador to advance to the tournament's last 16 [Buda Mendes/Getty]
2:05 PM
The New Arab Staff & Agencies

Blinken on Iran v US match: 'Let them do their thing'

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said he hopes players at the Iran v US match taking place later today would be allowed to "do their thing".

"We have what should be a competitive game and let's let the game speak for itself," Blinken said at a NATO foreign ministers meeting in Bucharest.

12:25 PM
The New Arab Staff

Female Iran fans 'fear Iranian surveillance at World Cup games': report

Iranian women attending World Cup games in Qatar fear that they are being spied on by Iranian state agents, The Athletic reported Monday.

Women who spoke to the sports news outlet said they had seen men looking at them through binoculars or filming them while they watched their national team play.

The accounts come amid nationwide protests in Iran calling for, among other things, an end to oppressive rule over women. Iranians attending the World Cup have also performed acts of protest inside stadiums.

A Qatari government official told The Athletic: "All security personnel in the stadiums report to the State of Qatar and are there to ensure the safety of everyone in attendance.

"There are no Iranian security personnel working as part of the Security and Safety Operations Committee (SSOC) for the World Cup."

More on this story here.

Iranians have taken protests to stadiums [Marvin Ibo Guengoer/GES Sportfoto via Getty]
11:28 AM
The New Arab Staff & Agencies

Arab fans united by World Cup wins

Victories against the odds by Arab teams competing at the Middle East's first World Cup have inspired their supporters, bringing a rare sense of optimism and unity for fans from the Gulf to the Atlantic Ocean.

With one match each left to play in their groups, Morocco and Saudi Arabia remain in strong contention to reach the knockout stage of the competition, the first time two Arab countries would have made it to the round of 16.

That chance to make history has forged a sense of solidarity among Arab supporters in Doha.

More on this story here.

Morocco and Saudi Arabia are in strong contention to reach the knockout stage [Getty]
11:05 AM
The New Arab Staff & Agencies

US, Iran face off for place in next round

The United States and Iran meet in a politically charged winner-takes-all World Cup clash on Tuesday.

Ever since the draw for the tournament was made in April, the Group B game between the US and Iran - who share more than 40 years of ideological enmity - has stood out as one of the highlights of the first phase in Qatar.

Both teams know that a win will see one of them advance to the knockout rounds while the loser is eliminated.

More on this story here.