Antes del Mundial, la opinión generalizada en la afición era que México se devolvería a casa sin poder pasar la fase de grupos. Y si bien la realidad cumplió con ese pesimismo, esto no evitó que la gente se sintiera con el corazón roto una vez sellada la eliminación.
Sobre todo por la forma con la que el equipo se despidió, jugando su mejor partido y peleando hasta el pitazo final.
El México que queríamos ver en el Mundial apareció ante Arabia Saudita. Rápido, vertical y capaz de hacer goles. Lo malo de esta historia es que ese Tri llegó tarde a Catar y no pudo evitar ser eliminado en la fase de grupos.
Ojalá lo hubiéramos visto ante Argentina y sobre todo en el debut ante Polonia.
Pero bueno, así es la vida y así fue la performance de un México que en su último partido en el Grupo C hizo soñar a su afición, pero que hoy hace las maletas de regreso a casa.
Mexico beat Saudi Arabia but the third goal wouldn't come. Argentina beat Poland but the third goal, which would've gotten it done for El Tri, wouldn't come. When the final whistle sounded at Lusail Stadium, bringing the insanity of World Cup Group C to a close, it confirmed Argentina as winners and Poland as runners-up on goal difference (Poland's zero vs. Mexico's negative one).
It had been even closer than that.
No todo fue alegría en la victoria 2-0 de Brasil sobre Serbia. Neymar acabó con su tobillo derecho como una bola y el cuerpo médico de la selección sudamericana confirmó este viernes que el jugador se perderá el resto de la fase de grupos del Mundial.
Así como lo lees, no habrá Neymar ante Suiza y tampoco habrá Neymar ante Camerún.
Neymar recibió un total de nueve faltas ante los serbios, convirtiéndose en el futbolista más golpeado en la Copa del Mundo.
Brazil opened its World Cup on Thursday with a memorable (because of Richarlison's jaw-dropping overhead kick) 2-0 victory over a dangerous Serbia team, but some of the shine was taken off by Neymar's 80th-minute exit and subsequent images of the Seleção's most important player in tears on the bench.
Oh, what could have been for Canada’s golden boy? Just 10 minutes into his side’s opening match, Alphonso Davies had the opportunity to score Canada’s first goal at the men’s World Cup. Fate would not be on his side, however, as Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois saved his tame effort to keep the match scoreless.
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The search for a first-ever men's FIFA World Cup goal continues for Canada pic.twitter.com/M3v0ClUOfZ
In recent times, very few international sides have disappointed their countrymen more consistently than Mexico and Poland, but when Saudi Arabia began Tuesday's World Cup Group C play with a shock 2-1 upset of Argentina, both nations were granted the opportunity to put one foot inside the last-16 by coming away with three points. All would be forgiven.
DOHA - Players of Iran's national soccer team chose not to sing their country's anthem at their opening World Cup match against England on Monday, in an apparent show of support for protesters back home.
The players were silent as the anthem was played at the Khalifa International Stadium, where Iranian fans gathered in the stands shouted as the music was played. Some were seen making thumbs-down gestures.
DOHA - France coach Didier Deschamps has decided not to replace injured striker Karim Benzema in his World Cup squad, leaving the reigning champions with 25 players for their title defense.
Benzema trained with the squad for the first time since arriving in Qatar on Saturday but was forced to leave the session early with a thigh injury and scans ruled him out of the tournament.
Asked on Sunday by TeleFoot whether he would replace the Ballon d'Or winner in his squad, Deschamps said "No".
Following is a list of players who have been ruled out or are doubtful for the Nov. 20-Dec. 18 World Cup through injury.
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.