World Cup 2022 Day 3 Highlights: A new record in sight for Messi and Argentina

Defending champion France opens play Tuesday against Australia in a rematch from four years ago. France won 2-1 in Russia when Paul Pogba’s shot in the 81st minute deflected in off a defender for an own-goal. Pogba is not in the squad following knee surgery, and France is also down another two stars with N’Golo Kante and Karim Benzema sidelined. France does expect defender Raphael Varane to play following a hamstring injury he picked up in October.

Just hours before the Argentina vs Saudi Arabia game, former Argentine player Sergio Aguero, who retired last year after he was diagnosed with a cardiac arrhythmia, has lashed out the Argentine football officials for not allowing him to visit the team camp and meet his former team-mates. “If they don't want me to go, tell me to my face,” he took a pot shot at the AFA for not issuing credentials to visit the camp. “Always fully with Argentina and with this team that represents us all. We know that they will give everything for this shirt that we love so much. And as Leo [Messi] said, we will all be walking together,” he wrote on twitter. He is in Qatar at the invitation of the FIFA. Then he vented more on his Twitch stream, according to a report in Argentina’s largest selling newspaper ‘Clarin

Kun Aguero: "Si no quieren que vaya (a la concentración de la Seleccion) que me lo digan en la cara". pic.twitter.com/F1FFDxMfWT

— Pablo Gravellone (@gravep) November 21, 2022

Just hours before Argentina vs Saudi Arabia game, former Argentine player Sergio Aguero, who retired last year after he was diagnosed with a cardiac arrhythmia, has lashed out the Argentine football officials for not allowing him to visit the team camp and meet his former team-mates. “If they don’t want me to go, tell me to my face,” he took a pot shot at the AFA for not issuing credentials to visit the camp. “Always fully with Argentina and with this team that represents us all. We know that they will give everything for this shirt that we love so much. And as Leo [Messi] said, we will all be walking together,” he wrote on twitter. He is in Qatar at the invitation of the FIFA. Then he vented more on his Twitch stream, according to a report in Argentina’s largest selling newspaper ‘Clarin’. [Read More]

“All my life growing up, I’ve learned to live a life of lies,” the Australian footballer Josh Cavallo would say in the change room. Around him clustered were his team-mates and support staff: Serious, arms around their chest, scratching the chin, staring at him quietly, intently. With his hands clasped together, Cavallo continues in a steady voice: “For the last six years, I have been struggling with my sexuality. Today I would be coming out to the public that I am gay footballer”. And with those words, he had just come out to his team in 2021. The footage from the documentary cuts to the post-chat to scenes of players hugging him. He would later say how, “30 seconds after I made that announcement, me and the boys went straight back to talking about football and everything was normal again … It’s been a journey to get to this point in my life, but I couldn’t be happier with my decision to come out. Adelaide United has made me realise football is more than just a game — it is a family.” Cavallo is a rare male top-flight professional footballer in the world to come out as gay. [Read More]

The first few days of the World Cup have been been marred by logistical snags, the latest on Monday when fans complained their tickets to the England-Iran match had vanished from their mobile FIFA application. Long lines grew outside the Khalifa International Stadium about an hour before kickoff with fans furious they might not get inside. The night before, the official fan zone quickly became overcrowded during the opening match between host nation Qatar and Ecuador. Tens of thousands of fans pushed and shoved against police lines to enter the venue, one of the few places where fans could purchase beer and watch the game.

EN ARGENTINA NACÍ.

TIERRA DE DIEGO Y LIONEL. ???? pic.twitter.com/gkbSbKuj5M

— Ataque Futbolero (@AtaqueFutbolero) November 21, 2022

Argentina, this is your moment ?? #FIFAWorldCup #Qatar2022 pic.twitter.com/hA84Wj1Orb

— Road to 2022 (@roadto2022en) November 22, 2022

An Argentinian fan with an Indian flag in metro.

Lionel Messi returns to the World Cup for a fifth attempt at finally winning soccer’s biggest prize. He'll also be hoping to make history with Argentina. The Argentines are among the favorites to win in Qatar and victory would fill the one gaping hole in his resume. But a win or a draw Tuesday against Saudi Arabia, one of the weakest teams in the tournament, would give Argentina a record-tying result. Argentina arrived in Qatar on a 36-match unbeaten streak, one shy of tying Italy's record in international men’s soccer, set from 2018-21.

Anticipation can finally end as Lionel Messi, gleefully announcing he is fully fit in pre-match press, and Argentina begin their World Cup campaign. Given Messi’s immense popularity, the world’s eyes are on Lionel Scaloni’s side, who are unbeaten in 36 games and touted as one of the favourites. [Read More]

Clear your schedules. We have a full day of football!#FIFAWorldCup | @adidasfootball

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) November 22, 2022

In one of his ‘stories’ on Instagram, the Brazilian star Neymar had posted a photo of his shorts. Instead of five stars, to symbolise Brazil’s five world cup wins, there were six; the extra star added by Neymar to suggest Brazil’s sixth world cup win would come in Qatar. The usual criticism followed: Arrogant, attitude and the jazz. Despite the fact that he has scored more goals than the great Ronaldo, and is just behind Pele, Neymar isn’t universally loved figure in Brazil. Historically, Brazil judges its footballers not by their club stature but with the number of World Cups they have won. So far Neymar has failed to make an impact on big games, like the quarterfinal against Belgium in the World Cup or the UEFA Champions League final against Bayern Munich. This is the biggest hole in his CV and also the reason he hasn’t been as popular as Ronaldo or Pele on terraces in Brazil. [Read More]

Group C ?? ?? ?? ?? Get your colours ON! #FIFAWorldCup #Qatar2022 pic.twitter.com/N3MlDeWD6K

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) November 22, 2022

FIFA has denied Belgium's request to wear team jerseys with a “Love” label at the World Cup in Qatar because of a commercial link to a rave festival. Multi-color detail on the white shirt was described as a “symbol for mutual values on diversity, equality and inclusivity” at the September launch by Belgium's signature electronic music event Tomorrowland. But FIFA rules on team uniforms and equipment forced Belgium to change its World Cup plans for its first alternate jersey to the traditional red.

“We had to skip it for commercial reasons because of referring to Tomorrowland,” the Belgian soccer federation said Monday. FIFA declined to comment on its ruling regarding the second-choice jersey, which was made several weeks ago.

The decision emerged Monday after FIFA flexed its power to crack down on Belgium and six other European teams for wanting their captains to wear the “One Love” armband with a multi-colored, heart-shaped logo in Qatar. The teams backed down when FIFA threatened instant yellow cards for each captain.The armband, which breaks FIFA equipment rules, was to support a Dutch anti-discrimination campaign that drew attention to the host nation's record on human rights.

- AP

George Weah is the Liberian Imran Khan. A celebrated football star, first African to be become FIFA player of the year, turned to politics after retirement and became the president in 2017. His son Tim starred last night for USA, scoring the goal against Wales. The father George was born in the Gibraltar area of Clara Town, a slum in Monrovia, the capital of Liberia. “Sport was my passport out of poverty,” he once said. During his teenage years in the 1980s, he shared a bedroom with 10 other boys. Years later, he would stand at the Samuel Doe football stadium in Monrovia, where he has played a lot, to take the oath of office as the president of Liberia. It was the first election of the nation, formed by the freed American slaves, after the end of the brutal civil wars. He took over from Africa’s first female president, Nobel Peace Prize winner Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, who stepped aside after two terms. [Read Full Article]

Lionel Messi returns to the World Cup for a fifth attempt at finally winning soccer's biggest prize. He'll also be hoping to make history with Argentina. The Argentines are among the favorites to win in Qatar and victory would fill the one gaping hole in his resume. But a win or a draw Tuesday against Saudi Arabia, one of the weakest teams in the tournament, would give Argentina a record-tying result. Argentina arrived in Qatar on a 36-match unbeaten streak, one shy of tying Italy's record in international men's soccer, set from 2018-21. [More]

Wales defender Neco Williams has put out a message on social media informing about his grandfather’s death ahead of Wales’ opening match vs USA on Monday night. Williams, who was substituted in the second half of the 1-1 draw against the USA, was in tears at the end of the game. He was also seen pointing to the sky in tribute to his grandfather. [Read More]

The room was dimly lit, the light-brown ceiling and plywood- panelled walls amplifying the dimness. Like before the screening of a movie, there were hushed whispers. There were worried brows and excited faces as the seconds ticked down with the length of an hour. “It’s so long, where is he?” one among the hundreds of journalists asked and then looked at his watch, “Oh! five more minutes!”. The cameramen, slumped on the floor, kept readjusting for that perfect frame. Some were composing a selfie frame. [Read More]

Around 3 mn World Cup tickets have been sold, AFP has reported on Sunday. The governing body’s president revealed the tournament has helped push revenues over the past four years to a record $7.5 bn. “2.95mn tickets had been sold up to Sunday’s opening day,” AFP quoted a FIFA spokesman. [Read More]

Australia winger Martin Boyle has been ruled out of the World Cup because of a knee injury. The team announced that Marco Tilio will take his place on the Socceroos’ 26-player roster. Boyle, who plays for Scottish league team Hibernian, was injured some three weeks ago and was unable to train with Australia ahead of the tournament in Qatar. The 29-year-old posted a statement to his Instagram on Sunday announcing that he will serve as the “vibe manager” for the Socceroos. [Read More]

We’ve seen it happen countless times. Players are promised the moon by their agents but more often than not, it all comes crashing down. The same happened to Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, and that’s why his journey to the Qatar World Cup is about resilience and never giving up on your dreams. Born in France, his parents enrolled him in Le Havre Academy — the same academy where stars like Paul Pogba and Riyad Mahrez started their professional careers. [Read More] 

Germany’s teenage sensation Jamal Musiala on Monday credited his England youth period for helping him develop the creative game that has quickly turned him into one of the rising stars of the sport. The 19-year-old, following a stellar season start with Bayern Munich where he scored nine goals and delivered six assists so far, is expected to be Germany’s conductor in attack, operating between central midfield and the front line. [Read More]

Coach Lionel Scaloni will combine veterans Messi and Angel di Maria with younger players such as Manchester City forward Julian Alvarez.

Welcome to our live blog on Day 3 of the FIFA World Cup 2022. Argentina will take on Saudi Arabia today in the first match of the day, France vs Australia, Poland vs Mexico and Denmark vs Tunisia will play today. So stay tuned for more live updates and analysis.