What a time astatine the World Cup! From a historical upset to superstar play to a record-tying performance, Tuesday had it all. Nobody could person predicted Saudi Arabia's shocking triumph implicit Argentina, which could beryllium among the sport's biggest upsets.
Also, Cristiano Ronaldo's feud with Manchester United is implicit arsenic helium has near the club, close earlier Portugal footwear disconnected their campaign. We besides saw Olivier Giroud articulation a France scoring legend, and Mexico keeper (and five-time World Cup participant) Guillermo Ochoa proceed to bash what helium does best.
Be definite to cheque successful with ESPN passim the tourney arsenic we bring you the latest from Qatar. Here's what you whitethorn person missed from Tuesday's World Cup happenings.
- World Cup news, features, previews, and more
- Stream FC Daily and Futbol Americas connected ESPN+
Greatest upset ever? Argentina autumn level vs. Saudi Arabia
Seismic. Unbelievable. Phenomenal (if you're a Saudi Arabia fan). Catastrophic (if you're an Argentina supporter).
However you privation to picture it, Tuesday's effect volition spell down arsenic 1 of the astir memorable scorelines successful shot history. Just days ago, we were each talking astir however Lionel Messi would yet assistance the World Cup trophy and unafraid that GOAT status. Now, Argentina person enactment to bash to get retired of the radical stage.
Where to begin? Well, archetypal of all, let's look astatine however this crippled ranks among the biggest upsets astatine the World Cup. Hint -- it's not Argentina's archetypal clip to beryllium connected the abbreviated extremity of 1 of these games. And however volition an elite broadside specified arsenic this 1 bounce backmost aft this bump successful the road? Messi, seeking the lone large trophy that has eluded him successful his career, said that his teammates person "no excuses" if they are to beforehand successful Qatar.
So, kudos to Herve Renard's broadside for ripping up the publication and producing perchance the biggest triumph by an Asian broadside astatine the World Cup. Whether it was VAR-aided luck oregon owed to securing the champion signifier facilities, Saudi Arabia tin observe their 4th triumph ever astatine World Cup matches successful style. So overmuch truthful that the King Salman declared Wednesday a nationalist vacation successful Saudi Arabia.
2:30
Dale Johnson explains immoderate of the refereeing decisions successful Argentina's nonaccomplishment to Saudi Arabia astatine the World Cup.
Can Portugal grip Ronaldo-Man United drama?
It was 1 engaged time astatine the World Cup, but you tin ever number connected Cristiano Ronaldo and Manchester United to drawback immoderate headlines adjacent if neither is successful the nonstop spotlight.
After Tuesday's announcement that Ronaldo has near the nine by communal consent (that happens erstwhile you bad-mouth your bosses successful public), it'll beryllium absorbing to spot however the aftermath could impact Portugal's mentation up of their Group H opener against Ghana connected Thursday. Portugal manager Fernando Santos and perchance Ronaldo himself volition code the media connected Wednesday, and nary uncertainty it volition beryllium the apical topic.
And arsenic if that wasn't capable quality from Old Trafford, the Glazer household announced precocious Tuesday they are unfastened to selling the club. The Glazers completed their takeover successful 2005 but person faced fierce absorption to their ownership from supporters lately.
So present that Ronaldo volition beryllium escaped to find different nine aft helium returns from Qatar, wherever could helium perchance land? ESPN looks astatine the options for the 37-year-old superstar.
0:49
Mark Ogden lays retired the options for Cristiano Ronaldo's aboriginal aft the guardant near Manchester United with contiguous effect.
England vs. USA countdown: Kane wounded a concern?
The bully quality from the United States' 1-1 gully against Wales connected Monday? The U.S. started the archetypal fractional connected the state pedal and looked dynamic. The atrocious news: They failed to header with Wales' fantabulous second-half strategical adjustments and past gave up a precocious penalty.
And for possibly adjacent worse quality for USA fans? England looked spectacular earlier successful the day, walloping a defensive-minded Iran squad by an eye-popping 6-2 margin.
But it's not each roses successful Gareth Southgate's squad, arsenic it was revealed that Harry Kane will acquisition a scan for a close ankle wounded suffered successful that game. It is unclear astatine this signifier whether the scan is precautionary oregon a effect of Kane feeling much discomfort.
But that won't halt america from assessing Friday's large lucifer betwixt the Stars and Stripes and the Three Lions. We instrumentality an archetypal look astatine however things are shaping up for some sides and what we tin expect.
1:11
Sam Borden reports from Doha arsenic Gio Reyna features successful grooming successful beforehand of the media up of Friday's important lucifer against England.
News and notes
Olivier Giroud equaled Thierry Henry's grounds for astir goals scored by a France men's nationalist squad player. With his brace against Australia, Giroud and Henry some basal astatine 51 goals apiece.
The wounded worries proceed to equine for France, arsenic Theo Hernandez sustained a genu wounded successful the Les Bleus' triumph implicit the Socceroos that could sideline him for the remainder of the tourney.
Germany midfielder Joshua Kimmich said his "childhood dream" of playing successful a World Cup is being tainted by the changeless disapproval directed astatine hosts Qatar from his country.
Some different Premier League-related tidbits amid the World Cup action.
As mentioned above, Manchester United issued a connection connected Tuesday to uncover they are "exploring strategical alternatives" including caller concern oregon a afloat sale. If United were to beryllium sold outright, the nine would beryllium expected to fetch a terms acold successful excess of the £2.5 cardinal ($2.9 billion) that Chelsea went for successful May. Earlier this month, Liverpool's owners said they were unfastened to selling the club.
Sources archer ESPN's Rob Dawson that Pep Guardiola is adjacent to agreeing a caller declaration astatine Manchester City with the nine present assured helium volition widen his enactment astatine the Etihad Stadium.
Arsenal look contention from Ajax and Monaco for Palmeiras youngster Danilo aft the Brazilian nine indicated they would beryllium consenting to judge a transportation interest for astir €24 cardinal ($24.7 million), sources person told ESPN's James Olley and Francisco De Laurentiis.
The champion bits from today
Mexico's memorable 'Memo' enactment continues arsenic Lewandowski denied
El Tri couldn't capitalize connected a raucous crowd, but Guillermo Ochoa's prevention connected Robert Lewandowski's punishment effort was arsenic impactful arsenic immoderate extremity that Mexico could person scored.
Barcelona's Ansu acceptable to radiance for Spain aft travel that began successful Guinea-Bissau
Spain's Ansu Fati, already a prima for Barcelona aged 20, has experienced much highs and lows than astir players.
What's it similar to triumph a large World Cup upset similar Saudi Arabia vs. Argentina?
World Cups are usually won by elite sides, but determination are inactive seismic shocks. What's it similar to beryllium connected the winning extremity of a monolithic upset?
Matches connected pat for Wednesday
- Group E: Germany vs. Japan (Khalifa International Stadium; 2 a.m. ET)
Among a roster database of household names, expect 17-year-old Jamal Musiala to outshine them each arsenic Germany question a 5th World Cup title. But Japan tin precise good propulsion disconnected a triumph -- plentifulness of their players ply their nine commercialized successful the Bundesliga and volition beryllium precise acquainted with their German opponents.
- Group F: Morocco vs. Croatia (Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor; 5 a.m. ET)
The runners-up of the 2018 World Cup instrumentality a spot older, but don't place Luka Modric's quality to make immoderate midfield magic for Croatia. Morocco person cardinal players specified arsenic Hakim Ziyech and Achraf Hakimi crossed a talented roster, truthful don't number them retired to marque a splash successful the radical stage.
- Group E: Spain vs. Costa Rica (Al Thumama Stadium, Doha; 11 a.m. ET)
Looking for a "just vibes" teams among the favorites? Go with Spain. Plenty of youngsters (Gavi, Pedri, Ansu Fati, Ferran Torres) adjacent if we tin lone conjecture however manager Luis Enrique volition enactment them each up. As for Costa Rica, they'll look to recapture that 2014 magic, each of which volition beryllium connected Keylor Navas' quality to support them successful games.
- Group F: Belgium vs. Canada (Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan; 2 p.m. ET)
It whitethorn beryllium twilight for Belgium's "Golden Generation" of Eden Hazard, Romelu Lukaku and Kevin De Bruyne, but that acquisition should usher them good successful a wide-open group. Canada are backmost successful the World Cup for the archetypal clip since 1986, but don't expect them to conscionable bask the trip. Even without an injured Alphonso Davies, determination is simply a coagulated halfway successful this squad.
What other caught our eye
Does it look like immoderate of these games are longer than usual? Well, due to the fact that they are.
Prolonged periods of stoppage clip being added owed to injuries, and VAR person made each of the archetypal 4 games of the tourney spell implicit 100 minutes.
2:05
Dale Johnson explains the reasons we're seeing longer wounded clip added to astir each World Cup crippled truthful far.
Your champion bets (odds via Caesars Sportsbook)
If you're looking to stake connected the World Cup, ESPN contributors Paul Carr, Dan Thomas and Dalen Cuff are present to springiness you cardinal tips on odds, options and futures.
Here's what we person for the Wednesday matches.
Group E
Germany (-230) vs. Japan (+625), Draw (+340)
Paul Carr: Germany are evidently the dense favorite, and I deliberation a carnal Japan squad could beryllium sneaky dangerous. Germany person a ton of attacking weapons and volition surely score, arsenic they've done successful 15 retired of 16 games since past year's Euros. Germany person besides been shaky defensively, and I deliberation Japan volition springiness them capable occupation to find a goal. I similar some teams to people (-115).
Dalen Cuff: I'm with Paul, I truly similar this Japan team. I deliberation contempt being successful this group, they could beryllium a acheronian equine to get retired of it and marque an interaction successful the knockout stage. I besides similar some teams to score, but besides whitethorn sprinkle successful a "Draw no" stake connected Japan (+410).
Daniel Thomas: In spite of the information that helium chose Germany implicit England I emotion everything astir Jamal Musiala. Taking him astatine +220 for anytime extremity scorer looks similar the stake of the day.
Spain (-750) vs. Costa Rica (+2600), Draw (+600)
Carr: Costa Rica were fortunate to qualify, making it lone due to the fact that of Keylor Navas' heroics successful extremity passim the last round, and they inactive haven't recovered the adjacent procreation to regenerate the stars of the 2014 World Cup quarterfinal team. Spain person plentifulness of young stars, and they are nary longer the tiki-taka squad that volition grind retired 1-0 wins. They'll property Costa Rica and make plentifulness of scoring chances and triumph this 1 going away. Give maine Spain -2.5 (+127).
Cuff: Spain volition predominate some the shot and the game, but this broadside inactive lacks a objective striker. Costa Rica person veterans. They'll hunker down successful beforehand of 1 of the world's champion keepers -- inactive -- successful Navas. I similar nether 2.5 goals (+120).
Thomas: Pedri is already 1 of the champion players successful the world, contempt his young age. Selecting him for 1 oregon much assistance (+300) for Spain offers fantabulous value.
Group F
Morocco (+305) vs. Croatia (+105), Draw (+205)
Carr: No stake for maine connected this one, though I similar a batch astir some teams. Croatia has the vantage successful the midfield, and Morocco mightiness person the champion brace of fullbacks astatine the tourney successful PSG's Achraf Hakimi and Bayern's Noussair Mazraoui. I consciousness similar conscionable astir immoderate effect is successful play here.
Cuff: I person precocious hopes for this lucifer being 1 of champion successful the opening circular of games. There's been a youthful injection into the seasoned Croatian squad, portion Morocco person the dynamic attacking players whom Paul mentioned above. It's anyone's crippled successful my mind, and I similar some to people (+110).
Thomas: I'll instrumentality the gully successful this 1 arsenic I expect it to beryllium an evenly matched contest
Belgium (-200) vs. Canada (+550), Draw (+320)
Carr: Even with Alphonso Davies doubtful owed to injury, I similar Canada here. They don't person to alteration their benignant of play for this game, being contented to support and counter. And erstwhile they counter, they'll blitz an aged Belgium defence that volition apt person 35-year-old Jan Vertonghen and 33-year-old Toby Alderweireld trying to support up with Jonathan David and Cyle Larin. I'm playing Canada connected the treble accidental (win oregon draw) astatine +155.
Cuff: I similar Canada arsenic well. They topped CONCACAF qualifying up of some the United States and Mexico. The Davies wounded concerns me, arsenic helium is Canada's astir dynamic and unsafe player, but I inactive deliberation they tin astatine slightest get connected the board. Give maine some to people (-110).
Thomas: Belgium should triumph this easy with Kevin De Bruyne being the star. I'll spell with KDB (+140) for an assist.
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