FIFA World Cup 2022: Latest news, results, schedule

Omitting Cristiano Ronaldo for a World Cup knockout clash would be a massive call, but Portugal’s coach and fans are running out of patience with their star player.

FIFA World Cup results/scores

Croatia 1 – 1 Japan (Croatia wins 3-1 on penalties)

Brazil 4 v 1 South Korea

A poll in A Bola newspaper in Portugal showed that 70 per cent of voters thought that Cristiano Ronaldo should not start the round-of-16 game against Switzerland. Listening to a peeved Fernando Santos rebuke his star player, the Portugal head coach almost sounded tempted to agree.

Santos declined to confirm that Ronaldo would lead out his team — “I will only decide the captain when I reach the stadium, like I’ve always done,” he said — and, while it would be a big call to omit the man who made history in Qatar by scoring in a fifth World Cup, the head coach did not try to hide his annoyance at the forward.

Substituted during the 2-1 group-stage defeat by South Korea, Ronaldo had tried to claim that his angry reaction was directed at an opponent — initially Santos had believed him, only to find out that the player had sworn at the bench.

“During the game I heard nothing. I only saw him quarrel with a Korean. I’ve since seen the pictures and didn’t like it. I didn’t like it at all,” Santos said.

Portugal coach Fernando Santos greets Cristiano Ronaldo as he leaves the pitch against South Korea. Picture: AFP

Ronaldo, 37, scored in Portugal’s opening game, the 3-2 win over Ghana, but, having been taken off after 82 minutes against Uruguay, he lasted only 65 against South Korea.

“You’re in a f***ing hurry to sub me off,” Portuguese reports have quoted the player as saying on seeing his number held up.

Santos added that the matter had been resolved behind closed doors but his patience with the Ronaldo circus was evidently strained as he arrived at the media conference to be told that the former Manchester United striker, whose contract was terminated after he publicly criticised the club and owners, was close to signing an absurdly lucrative deal to play for Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia.

Asked about the deal, reportedly worth $300m over two and a half years, Santos added: “I only heard about it when I arrived here, a few minutes ago.

“That’s his decision, what he has to deal with. We are totally focused here on the World Cup.”

Cristiano Ronaldo watches on from the bench during Portugal’s clash with South Korea. Picture: AFP

Perhaps in reference to that poll about whether Ronaldo should play, Ruben Dias, the Manchester City defender, used the press conference to tell the Portuguese media that they should help to unite the team rather than cause division.

Portugal will need to be focused against Switzerland, who claimed a famous scalp when knocking France out of Euro 2020 on penalties and frustrated Brazil for 83 minutes in the group stage here in Qatar, until Casemiro struck.

Cristiano Ronaldo attends a training session ahead of Portugal’s clash with Switzerland. Picture: AFP

“We’ve shown we can challenge the big teams,” Murat Yakin, the Switzerland manager, said.

When the teams met in the Nations League this year, Portugal won the first game 4-0 but Switzerland avenged that defeat with a 1-0 victory in the return fixture.

“We have seen how euphoric the Swiss people are about our progress in this tournament,” Yakin said as he attempts to lead the national team to a World Cup quarter-final for the first time since 1954.

WORLD CUP COMMENTATOR SACKED MID-MATCH

A Turkish commentator was sacked during half-time in the World Cup Group F clash between Morocco and Canada.

Days after Morocco ran out 2-1 winners to top the group and send Belgium’s “Golden Generation” packing it’s been revealed that commentator Alper Bakircigil had his viewing of the spectacular cut short at half-time for mentioning to viewers in Turkey that the fastest ever goal in World Cup history was scored by Hakan Sukur.

The mere mention of Sukur didn’t go down well with his employers TRT and he was replaced mid-match.

Bakircigil was right - Sukur did score the fastest ever goal in World Cup history, in 2002 against South Korea.

However, Sukur’s post-retirement antics make him a controversial figure.

During his career, ex-Blackburn ace Sukur was one of the biggest stars in Turkish football, scoring 51 goals in 112 appearances for his country.

However, after his retirement, he entered politics and was later linked with terrorism.

Sukur and his family then fled to the United States after he was accused of playing a role in a failed coup attempt in 2016.

The 112-capped Sukur is now said to be an Uber taxi driver.

However, he has spoken out on the accusations of terrorism.

He told German news outlet Welt Am Sonntag: “I have nothing left. Erdogan took everything: my right to freedom, my right to freedom of speech and my right to work.

“I never did anything illegal. I am not a traitor or a terrorist.”

Originally published by The Sun

12.50PM: BRAZIL PLAYERS DEDICATE WC VICTORY TO AILING PELE

Brazil’s players paid tribute to legend Pele, who is receiving hospital treatment in Sao Paulo due to his ailing health, after sauntering to a 4-1 World Cup victory over South Korea.

Following Tuesday morning’s (AEDT) last-16 match at Stadium 974 in Doha, the players unfurled a huge banner to the 82-year-old, widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time.

First-half goals from Vinicius Junior, Neymar, Richarlison and Lucas Paqueta saw2 Brazil put the game to bed long before Paik Seung-ho’s stunning consolation in the second period.

“It’s hard to talk about what Pele is going through right now but I wish him all the best,” said Neymar, who made his return from an ankle injury to play most of the game.

Brazil players hold a banner showing support for Pele after their Round of 16 win over South Korea. Picture: Getty Images

“I hope he will be back in good health as soon as possible and that we could have at least comforted him with the victory,” Neymar told Globo.

Pele’s battle with colon cancer is providing motivation for the players to try to win a record-extending sixth world title -- the first three of which Pele was part of.

“He needs a lot of strength from us and this victory is for him, so that he can come out of this situation and that we can be champions for him,” said Vinicius.

BRAZIL STAR NEYMAR OPENS UP ON INJURY FEARS

Neymar’s return gave Brazil a huge boost and they were on fire right from the first minute.

His 13th minute goal from the penalty spot took Neymar to within one goal of Pele’s record 77 strikes for Brazil.

But he admitted there had been moments after he was injured in Brazil’s opening World Cup match against Serbia that he thought his tournament might be over.

“When I got injured I spent a very difficult night. I was thinking of a million different things,” said Neymar, who added he had been “crying a lot”.

Neymar celebrates after scoring for Brazil against South Korea. Picture: Getty Images

“I was afraid of not being able to play in this World Cup again but I had the support of all my teammates and my family who gave me strength.” Richarlison paid tribute to the team’s talisman, saying Neymar’s very presence on the pitch makes the game easier for everyone else.

“I’m very happy about the return of Neymar. On the pitch he drags away two or three players creating space for the others,” said Richarlison, who now has three goals in the tournament.

“Neymar provides a competitive advantage, he makes the difference on the pitch -- he’s the driving force,” added assistant coach Cesar Sampaio.

10:45AM FOOTBALL LEGEND SLAMS BRAZIL’S ‘DISRESPECTFUL ACT’

Former Manchester United great Roy Keane tore into the Brazil team for dancing after scoring against South Korea.

The five-time champions raced into a 4-0 lead at half-time and danced in celebration after every goal.

Manager Tite even got involved after Richarlison ran over to the dugout after scoring Brazil’s third goal.

But Keane could not understand the players’ antics and likened it to an episode of Strictly Come Dancing.

He said on ITV’s coverage of the match: “I can’t believe what I’m watching. Obviously brilliant, brilliant by Brazil.

“Fantastic finish by Vinicius, great start to the game. But I’ve never seen so much dancing. It’s like watching Strictly. I can’t believe what I’m watching.”

He added: “I don’t like this. People say it’s their culture. But I think that’s really disrespecting the opposition.

“It’s four goals, and they are doing it every time.

“I don’t mind so much the first jig, it’s the one after that, and the manager getting involved. I’m not happy about it. I don’t think it’s good at all.”

Fellow ITV pundit Graeme Souness also found the dancing distasteful, calling it a “shambles”.

He added: “It’s only a matter of time before someone goes right through one of these Brazilians.”Fans found Keane’s comments hilarious with one saying: “Hahaha Roy Keane is in the mood!”

Another added: “It’s like watching Strictly!” is a predictably great line from Roy Keane.”

And a third said: “Roy Keane is an absolute legend. How can he say I’m watching Strictly.”

Vinicius Junior of Brazil celebrates

10:15AM ANOTHER SACKING/QUITTER

Germany’s team director Oliver Bierhoff has stepped aside two years early after his country crashed out in the group stage for the second consecutive World Cup, the national association said.

The four-time World Cup winners had a poor campaign in Qatar, which included defeat against Japan in their opening game.

Bierhoff and the German Football Association (DFB) have agreed “to terminate his contract, which runs until 2024, early,” the association said in a statement.

Former striker Bierhoff, who scored two goals in the Euro 1996 final when Germany last won the tournament, had worked for the body since 2004.

Bierhoff was an influential and very public figure alongside coaches Juergen Klinsmann, then Joachim Loew before Hansi Flick took over in 2021.

10AM COACH QUITS

Paulo Bento announced he would not be staying on as coach of South Korea after they were eliminated from the World Cup with a 4-1 defeat at the hands of Brazil on Monday.

“Now I need to think about the future, but I will not be with the Korea team. I am going to rest and then see,” the 53-year-old former Portugal coach said after the loss in the last 16.

“I have just told the players and the president of the national federation. “This is a decision which I took in September. It was set in stone and today I confirmed it. I have to thank them and am very proud to have been their manager.” Bento took over following the 2018 World Cup, succeeding Shin Tae-yong. In Qatar, he led South Korea to the knockout round for the first time since 2010 with a last-gasp win over Portugal in their final group game.

However, they were outclassed by Brazil as they found themselves four goals down before half-time at Doha’s Stadium 974, although they did pull one back late on through substitute Paik Seung-ho.

“I believe we can be very proud of what we have done at this World Cup, and what we have done over the last four years to get here,” said Bento, who coached his home country at the 2014 tournament in Brazil.

Bento becomes the third manager to leave his job at the World Cup following Roberto Martinez’s resignation as Belgium boss.

Mexico manager Tata Martino was also axed after failing to qualify for the knock-out round, losing out to Argentina and Poland.

9:35AM PELE’S MESSAGE OF HOPE

With fans worldwide on edge over his health, ailing 82-year-old football legend Pele said he was cheering for the Brazilian national team from hospital as they stormed to a spot in the World Cup quarter-finals.

Considered by many the greatest footballer of all time, Pele was hospitalized in Sao Paulo last Tuesday amid treatment for colon cancer, just as Brazil wage their campaign to win a record-extending sixth World Cup in Qatar.

In a message on Instagram as the “Selecao” prepared for their 4-1 romp over South Korea in the round of 16, Pele said he was watching.

“I’ll be rooting for each one of you,” Pele, the only player to win three World Cups (1958, 1962 and 1970), told the team.

“The King” posted a faded color picture of himself as a baby-faced 17-year-old in Stockholm, Sweden, on his way to dazzling the planet with his extraordinary talent in Brazil’s maiden World Cup championship run.

Eight years earlier, seeing his footballer father cry when Brazil lost the 1950 World Cup final at home to Uruguay, Pele had promised to win the trophy one day.

“In 1958, in Sweden, I was walking through the streets thinking about fulfilling the promise I made to my father,” Pele wrote.

“I know that many of the national team made similar promises and are also looking for their first World Cup. I want to inspire you, my friends... We are on this journey together. Good luck to our Brazil!”

Brazil players hold a banner showing support for former Brazil player Pele

8.00AM RONALDO’S WORLD CUP GOES FROM BAD TO WORSE

Portugal coach Fernando Santos said he was unimpressed with Cristiano Ronaldo’s behaviour after the forward reacted angrily when substituted during the team’s final group game at the World Cup in Qatar.

Santos, who said the matter was now closed, is preparing his team to face Switzerland in the last 16 on Tuesday.

Ronaldo initially said he was “insulted” by a South Korean player as he was substituted in the second half of his side’s 2-1 defeat to the Asian side on Friday.

But Portuguese media have shown images that suggest he used vulgar language in response to Santos’s decision.

Cristiano Ronaldo is not winning over fans or teammates. Picture: Patricia de Melo Moreira / AFP

Asked how he had reacted to those images, Santos told a news conference on Monday: “I didn’t like it at all. I didn’t like it at all.”

But he said a line had been drawn under the incident. “Then these matters are resolved, resolved in-house,” he said. “They are over. It is the end of the story regarding this issue and now we’re thinking about the game tomorrow and everyone is fully focused on the match preparations.”

Ronaldo’s starting role in the team remains a hot topic among Portugal fans, but Santos said he was not paying attention to the debate or online polls on the issue.

“I do not read this type of material,” he said. “It is not a lack of respect, it is simply that we have three days to train for a game and I am not looking at other kinds of news. We focus on the upcoming match.” 

8.00AM BRAZIL’S WARNING TO CUP RIVALS

Neymar returned from injury to help inspire Brazil to a 4-1 victory over South Korea on Monday as the favourites cruised through to the quarter-finals of the World Cup.

The world’s most expensive player had sat out his team’s last two matches with a sprained ankle suffered in their first game in Qatar, a 2-0 win over Serbia.

But he came back for this last-16 tie as Tite’s team clicked into gear and delivered an ominous message to their rivals, at least before easing off in the second half.

Vinicius Junior opened the scoring inside seven minutes before Neymar added another from the penalty spot to move to 76 goals for his country, leaving him just one away from equalling Pele’s all-time record tally.

Richarlison’s brilliant goal made it 3-0 and Lucas Paqueta added another before halftime to leave South Korea shell-shocked.

Paik Seung-ho pulled one back but by then Brazil were thinking about Friday’s quarter-final clash with 2018 runners-up Croatia.

Brazil's forward #09 Richarlison (L) scores his team's third goal. Picture: Manan Vatsyayana/AFP

The five-time World Cup winners had not scored four goals in a knockout game at the tournament since 1998.

Here they played at times with the joy associated with the Brazilian national team, the players coming together to celebrate each goal by showing off their dance moves and their coach even joining in.

If they finished playing within themselves, their first-half display was superb and a fitting tribute to the great Pele.

The Brazilian legend had said he would watch the game from the Sao Paulo hospital to where he was admitted last week amid ongoing treatment for colon cancer, and supporters in Doha’s Stadium 974 unfurled a banner with a get well soon message to him.

All of it was a chastening experience for Son Heung-min and South Korea, who have still never won a World Cup knockout match outside their own country.

Tite made 10 changes to the Brazil team after rotating his squad for the 1-0 loss to Cameroon which came after qualification for the last 16 had been secured.

Danilo also returned from injury at left-back, while Eder Militao was the only player to keep his place and shifted across to right-back.

Brazil supporters display a banner depicting Brazilian football legend Pele and reading "Pele, get well soon" during the Qatar 2022 World Cup round of 16 football match between Brazil and South Korea. Picture: Manan Vatsyayana/AFP

With Alisson Becker back in goal and Thiago Silva and Marquinhos playing too, this was Brazil’s first-choice defence but their forwards quickly put the tie to bed.

The opener came from their first shot on target in the seventh minute as Raphinha burst away from Kim Jin-su on the right and his ball across goal came to the feet of Vinicius who coolly picked his spot.

They then won a penalty as Richarlison was caught by Jung Woo-young and Neymar duly beat Kim Seung-gyu — his last six goals for Brazil have now all come from the spot.

Alisson was then called into action to tip over a vicious long-range effort from Hwang Hee-chan, but Brazil then scored their third in style just before the half-hour mark.

Brazil's forward #20 Vinicius Junior celebrates scoring his team's first goal. Picture: Manan Vatsyayana/AFP

Richarlison juggled the ball on his head three times just outside the area before laying it off to Marquinhos and then continuing into the box to get on the end of Silva’s pass which he slotted home for his third goal at this World Cup.

Paqueta then got their fourth nine minutes before the break with a first-time finish as he connected with a Vinicius ball held up from the byline.

They could have added more in the second half had they not taken their foot off the pedal, although Raphinha was denied on more than one occasion by the goalkeeper.

Korea though deserve credit for keeping going and they were rewarded inside the final quarter-hour as substitute Paik brought down a headed clearance and sent in a ferocious shot from 25 metres that brushed off Silva to beat Alisson.

The Brazil goalkeeper was then taken off for the final 10 minutes to be replaced by Weverton, while Neymar was also withdrawn with Tite’s mind on Croatia.

6.37AM: And that’s FOUR goals in the first half now

In the 28th minutes the brilliantly bleached Richarlison scored a goal of the tournament contender showing some beautiful touch to control a long ball, pass it off, move into the box then make no mistake when the ball came back his way.

And it was Pacqueta who scored his team’s fourth goal making the most of a lovely pass from Vincius.

Lucas Paqueta of Brazil celebrates after scoring the team's fourth goal. Picture: Francois Nel/Getty Images

6.05AM: Brazil score twice in quick succession

Vinicius opened the scoring for Brazil in their match against South Korea. It was Raphinha who laid it on with a swerve left then right before gliding past Jin-Su and cutting it back across the six-yard box.

The ball missed everyone and came to Vinicius who took a touch, paused for an age then sent the ball gliding into the top corner.

Wonderful finish, and the perfect start to Brazil’s evening.

And things got better in a hurry with Brazil awarded a penalty just minutes later. Neymar stepped up and converted with ease and it’s Brazil 2-0 within 15 minutes.

Vinicius Junior of Brazil (2L) celebrates with teammates after scoring the team's first goal. Picture: Michael Steele/Getty Images

4.50AM: Rival’s touching gesture amid devastating Cup exit

Croatia reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup on Monday with a dramatic 3-1 penalty shootout win over Japan after a tense last-16 clash ended 1-1.

Mario Pasalic struck the winning penalty to send Croatia through after Ivan Perisic had pulled Croatia level in the 55th minute of normal time following Daizen Maeda’s opener for Japan just before the break.

Croatia now face either Brazil or South Korea in the last eight and continued midfield icon Luka Modric’s stay at his fourth and likely final World Cup.

Croatia's players rush to celebrate winning their penalty shootout over Japan. Picture: AFP

Japan’s bid to reach the last eight for the first time in their history came to a crushing end after another display of the sort which saw off Spain and Germany on their way to topping Group E.

However they could not claim one more big European scalp in the shape of the 2018 finalists and go home in the second round, as they did four years ago, after having three of their penalties saved.

Josip Juranovic left the Croatia celebrations after knocking out Japan, running to console Celtic teammate Daizen Maeda who was in tears.

A touch of class 👏🏽🍀 pic.twitter.com/O36EkwwimW

— Everything Celtic (@aboutceltic) December 5, 2022

Japan could easily have been ahead within three minutes when Shogo Taniguchi glanced a header wide from point-blank range, and 10 minutes later Daizen Maeda came close to turning in Junya Ito’s brilliantly placed low ball from the right flank.

In the meantime Perisic had let off a shot from a tight angle which led to a goalmouth scramble, but had Croatia scored they risked the goal being ruled out for what looked like a clear push on Takehiro Tomiyasu.

Daizen Maeda put Japan in front with a stunning first-half goal. Picture: AFP

Bruno Petkovic then wasted a great opportunity in the 25th minute, strolling through almost unopposed onto a long through ball only to dawdle and fail to get a pass off to Andrej Kramaric who was charging into the box.

Kramaric was then too slow to latch on to Perisic’s dangerous flick-on and from there Japan took control, and the lead.

Daichi Kamada had already blasted over after a superb passing move when in the 43rd minute Maeda fired in the opener after Ritsu Doan’s cross was knocked down by Maya Yoshida.

Japan looked the better team and ready to inflict more damage but out of the blue Croatia’s most dangerous player Perisic levelled the scores with a bullet header from Dejan Lovren’s deep cross.

Croatia's midfielder Ivan Perisic (R) celebrates his equaliser. Picture: AFP

Almost immediately afterwards Wataru Endo responded by having a good strike tipped over the bar by Dominik Livakovic, before Shuichi Gonda pulled off the save of the match to keep out Modric’s beautifully-struck, dripping shot.

Modric was replaced nine minutes into the first half of extra-time in which Japan had the best chance, Kaoru Mitoma’s effort well tipped away by Livakovic.

With penalties drawing close, one final chance fell to Modric’s replacement Lovro Majer, who dragged his shot wide, but his team prevailed in the shootout to end the Blue Samurai’s entertaining adventure.

2.15AM: URUGUAY FACE PROBE OVER EXPLOSIVE EXIT

Uruguay striker Edinson Cavani and several teammates face disciplinary action from FIFA following the South Americans’ stormy World Cup exit, a statement said on Monday.

The world governing body said disciplinary proceedings had been opened against Cavani, Jose Maria Gimenez, Fernando Muslera and Diego Godin after a melee following Uruguay’s 2-0 win over Ghana.

Uruguay were eliminated despite their victory on Friday due to South Korea’s 2-1 defeat of Portugal in Group H.

Edinson Cavani is shown a yellow card by referee Daniel Siebert. Picture: Getty

Referee Daniel Siebert was surrounded by a group of furious Uruguay players after the match, in which several decisions went against La Celeste, including two penalty claims.

Cavani, 35, later knocked over a VAR monitor in disgust as he left the pitch. As well as the disciplinary action against players, Uruguay’s football association faces potential sanctions for breaches of regulations relating to offensive behaviour and misconduct of players

11pm PELE’S DAUGHTERS GIVE UPDATE ON ILL FOOTBALL ICON

Brazilian football superstar Pele’s daughters told his fans Sunday that their father’s health was not at serious risk, saying they are confident he will return home when he recovers from a respiratory infection.

The 82-year-old has been hospitalised in Sao Paulo since Tuesday amid ongoing treatments for colon cancer, which was first diagnosed in September 2021.

Pele “is sick, he is elderly, but at this point he is hospitalised for a lung infection,” Kely Arantes Nascimento told the TV channel Globo.

“And when he gets better, he’ll come home,” she said.

A vigil outside the Albert Einstein Israelite Hospital where Pele is hospitalised in Sao Paulo.

“We are not saying goodbye in the hospital,” she insisted, explaining that the respiratory illness was the result of a Covid-19 infection the sporting icon had contracted three weeks ago.

Her sister, Flavia Arantes Nascimento, denied reports from the daily Folha de S.Paulo and ESPN Brazil that Pele was no longer responding to chemotherapy and was now receiving only “palliative care.”

She told the news channel that her father was not in the intensive care unit, but a regular ward, and that the family was “tired of receiving condolences” and that the cancer treatment is “delivering results.”

“It’s really unfair that they’re saying he’s at the terminal stage. It’s not that, believe us,” she said.

Fans place a flag with the image of Brazilian football legend Pele outside the Albert Einstein Israelite Hospital entrance. Picture: AFP

Earlier Sunday, fans of Pele — born Edson Arantes do Nascimento — congregated outside the Sao Paulo hospital where the three-time world champion is staying.

More than 100 devotees prayed for the recovery of the man widely regarded as the greatest footballer of all time.

“We are a spiritual force” praying for the sporting idol as he wages “one of the toughest battles of his life,” one fan, Marcos Bispo dos Santos, told AFP.

Doctors at Sao Paulo’s Albert Einstein Hospital said Saturday that Pele remained “stable”. Pele “has had a good response to care without any worsening in the clinical picture in the last 24 hours,” they said in a statement.

The star later struck an optimistic note in an Instagram post, saying, “My friends, I want to keep everyone calm and positive. I’m strong, with a lot of hope and I follow my treatment as usual.”

On Sunday, his fans stood mostly in silence outside the clinic in the Morumbi neighbourhood of western Sao Paulo, holding a banner bearing an image of a youthful Pele and marked “Torcida Joven” (“Young Fans”).

“Long live the king!” said several posters pasted on walls near entrances to the hospital.

Around noon, the fans formed a circle and held hands as they recited an “Our Father.”

Originally published as FIFA World Cup 2022: Latest news, results, schedule