All 32 World Cup competitors have played their first match in Qatar. Now the group stage heats up, with elimination well and truly on the line – as is qualification to the Round of 16.
After a draw with the USA in their opening fixture, Wales will look to notch their first ever win at a World Cup finals when they face Iran, who were trounced 6-2 by England in their opening match.
Then, hosts Qatar look to bounce back from their dismal opener when they face reigning African champions Senegal, who also lost their first match (2-0 against Netherlands). Defeat would all-but-eliminate the loser.
The Netherlands play the third match overnight, facing Ecuador in a battle for top spot in Group A.
Finally, it’s a Group B blockbuster when England face USA at 6am AEDT, with England hoping for a win that would book their place in the knockout stages.
Follow FIFA World Cup Matchday 6 in our live blogs below, including Wales v Iran (9pm AEDT), Qatar v Senegal (12am AEDT), Netherlands v Ecuador (3am AEDT) and England v USA (6am AEDT).
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BALE SET FOR WALES HISTORY
Carlos Queiroz’s Iran will be out if they lose to Wales, who drew their opener with the US.
Forward Mehdi Taremi, who scored their two goals against England, denied the team had come under pressure from Iran’s government after opting not to sing the national anthem before their first game.
“I don’t like to talk about political issues but we are not under any pressure,” he said.
Wales could put themselves on the brink of qualification ahead of a meeting with neighbours England with three points, in their first World Cup since losing to Pele’s Brazil in the 1958 quarter-finals.
Bale ends 64-year drought for Wales | 00:55
“They’re a difficult team and they’re at the World Cup for a reason,” skipper Gareth Bale, who scored a late penalty against the United States, said of Iran.
Already Wales all-time top scorer, Bale will become the nation’s most-capped player when he takes to the field for the 110th time.
Former Real Madrid manager Quieroz said: “Welcome to the big show for Wales after 64 years. It is incredible to see the Red Wall in the stadium.
“Wales play with character. It’s like a party. A football party show.”
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QATAR ‘FREE FROM PRESSURE’ AFTER WOEFUL START
Qatar are in desperate need of a response after slumping to a tame 2-0 loss to Ecuador in the tournament curtain-raiser which saw the majority of the crowd leave before the final whistle.
Another defeat could see the Asian Cup holders become only the second home team to crash out in the group stage, after South Africa in 2010.
“We hope that now we are free from all the pressure that we had in the opening match,” said Qatar coach Felix Sanchez. “I hope we can compete and bring our ‘A Game’.”
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DUTCH MAKE MASSIVE TITLE STATEMENT
Louis van Gaal’s Dutch team could also go through from Group A with a win over Ecuador but would need hosts Qatar to draw with Senegal.
The Oranje edged to a 2-0 success against the African champions in their first outing with late goals from in-form youngster Cody Gakpo and Davy Klaassen.
Netherlands save best for last | 00:23
The Netherlands, three-time runners-up, are playing at the World Cup for the first time since finishing third under Van Gaal in 2014.
“We are here to become world champions,” Van Gaal said on the eve of the game.
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ENGLAND EYE ‘HISTORY’ … AND REVENGE
Gareth Southgate’s men kicked off their campaign with a 6-2 rout of Iran who take on Wales in Friday’s first Group B game.
Regardless of the result of that match, England would progress by beating the Americans, but will have to overcome a talented young side and the weight of history.
The USA knocked England out of the 1950 tournament with one of the biggest shocks in World Cups and in 2010 held a star-studded team to a 1-1 draw best remembered for a howler by English goalkeeper Rob Green.
England’s early World Cup Statement! | 02:06
“Have we ever beaten the US at a World Cup? No. Tomorrow we have to try and make history,” Southgate told a pre-match press conference.
“We are good at talking highly of ourselves as a nation on very little evidence. We know we will face a very highly motivated team. I don’t think we will be underestimating the US at all.” England are still bidding for a first major tournament title in 56 years after losing last year’s European Championship final to Italy on penalties.
They were given a boost ahead of the USA game, though, as captain Harry Kane was passed fit despite taking a knock to his ankle against Iran.
According to reports in England, Gareth Southgate is set to name an unchanged team.
MATCH CENTRE: Line-ups, stats, play-by-play
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