Qatar

Enner "Superman" Valencia adds to his cult status with game-winning double for Ecuador

AL KHOR, Qatar - Captain Enner Valencia extended his cult status in Ecuador to wider international acclaim with a first-half double that propelled the South Americans to a comfortable 2-0 win over hosts Qatar in the opening game of the World Cup on Sunday.

The 33-year-old forward, nicknamed Superman, increased his record tally of goals for Ecuador to 37 and became the country’s highest scoring player at World Cup tournaments as his double at the Al Bayt Stadium added to the three he scored in 2014.

Superman Valencia castiga todos los pecados de Catar

Catar soñaba con un triunfo en la inauguración de SU Mundial. Ecuador, sin embargo, no quiso ser el pastel de la fiesta y le clavó una dolorosa derrota 2-0.

¿Por qué le anularon un gol a Ecuador en su debut ante Catar?

No iban ni tres minutos de juego, en el partido inaugural del Mundial entre Catar y Ecuador, cuando la primera gran polémica del torneo se instaló en el debate de los aficionados. Esto luego de que el cuerpo arbitral liderado por el italiano Daniele Orsato decidiera anular un gol convertido por el ecuatoriano Enner Valencia.

El cobro se fundó en un supuesto fuera de juego en la construcción de la jugada, pero al ver las repeticiones la falta no parecía muy clara. Y eso desencadenó los ataques sobre Catar, nación anfitriona del evento, a la cual acusaron de corrupción. 

Qatar World Cup fan fest descends into chaos

DOHA - Chaotic scenes broke out inside and outside the fan festival at Al Bidda Park in Doha on Sunday an hour before the kick off of the opening World Cup match between hosts Qatar and Ecuador after organizers allowed too many fans to flood the precinct.

The venue has a capacity of 40,000 but at least double that number of people tried to make their way in and for a long time many were let into a holding area between the main festival park and the perimeter entrance.

Police realized the problem and had to shepherd irate supporters back out of the venue.

USMNT names its captain for the World Cup

AL RAYYAN, Qatar - U.S. coach Gregg Berhalter named Tyler Adams captain for the World Cup on the eve of their opener against Wales after he emerged as the popular choice to lead the Americans on their return to soccer's showpiece event after an eight-year absence.

Leeds United midfielder Adams, 23, is the youngest captain by a distance at this year's tournament, with England's Harry Kane the only other skipper under the age of 30 in Qatar.

Los hijos de Messi parten rumbo a Catar y dejan el árbol de Navidad armado en casa

Thiago, Mateo y Ciro, los hijos de Lionel Messi ya van rumbo a Catar para acompañar a su padre en el debut de Argentina ante Arabia Saudita y una aventura que esperan concluya con el trofeo de la Copa del Mundo en sus brazos.

Hijos de Messi en Catar

Vestidos con el uniforme de La Albiceleste, los tres aparecen en una foto compartida por Antonela Roccuzzo, esposa de Messi, que se ha vuelto viral. Con la lectura "Allá vamos Qatar", el post subido originalmente a Instagram cuenta ya con más de 1,5 millones de likes. 

Injury rules out Ballon d'Or winner from World Cup

It's officially been confirmed that France and Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema has picked up an injury in training, forcing him to miss the World Cup. 

The Frenchman had only joined his teammates Saturday as he recovered from a previous injury but had to leave the session after sustaining a further knock. According to the French national team, he injured his left quadriceps in training. The precise extent of the injury is unknown, but Benzema will not take any further part in his national team's campaign or preparations.

World Cup injury list: Sadio Mané is out after fibula injury

Following is a list of players who have been ruled out or are doubtful for the Nov. 20-Dec. 18 World Cup through injury.

Who will miss World Cup 2022? World Cup injury list  

PAUL POGBA (FRANCE)

Pogba injured his knee in pre-season and went under the knife in September to repair a damaged meniscus. The 29-year-old resumed training but on Oct. 31 his agent said the midfielder would not return to action for Juventus nor the world champions before the World Cup.

Looking for a high-stakes opener? It doesn't get any better than USA vs. Wales

DOHA - The United States and Wales will head into Monday's World Cup clash knowing that victory could decide one of Group B's two qualifiers, with England fancied as heavy favorites to advance as group winners.

With a golden generation of talent spearheaded by Gareth Bale and playing at their first World Cup in 64 years, Wales will be out to echo their recent successes at European level, having reached the Euro 2016 semifinals and the last 16 at Euro 2020.

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