FIFA World Cup 2022

England provided a wonderful fightback but missed a crucial chance to take the game into extra time as Harry Kane missed a penalty at fag end of the match. In the end, Les Bleus's ability to produce a moment of brilliance out of thin air was the difference and are the first reigning champion to reach the World Cup semi-finals since Brazil in 1998.

At the Education City Stadium on Friday the teams were locked goalless at the end of the normal period of play and both teams found the back of the nets in the 30 minutes of extra time. Brazil scored first with Neymar scoring a gem of a goal in the 105th minute only to find Croatia fighting it back to draw level in the 117th minute through Bruno Petkovic and take the 120 minutes to clash into a penalty shootout.

On Friday at the Lusail Stadium in Qatar, the Dutch came back strongly from two goals down to level the scores at the death and take the game into extra time but fell short in the penalty shootout. The late fightback meant that Lionel Messi's magic, of setting up a goal and then scoring a goal from the spot kick almost meant nothing as Argentina squandered a two-goal lead at the death.

Whether the iconic 37-year-old player Cristiano Ronaldo will make a return to the starting eleven in the quarterfinals against Morocco on Saturday or will he be benched again remains to be seen but one individual who would like him to be confined to the bench is Morocco coach Walid Regragui.

But if one compares the figures of FIFA World Cup opening day in India to the opener of Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) season nine, a stark difference in noticed. The opening day of PKL's season nine registered a staggering reach of 46 million (2+U+R) combined with a consumption of 1.41 billion minutes, which is significantly more than the figures recorded for the opening day of the FIFA World Cup.

The World Cup is not just a competition among the 32 squads but also a crucial market for the jersey sponsors. For some favourites who remain in Qatar, their jerseys have been sold out, but in stark contrast, for some other sides that have already left, their kits are unsalable.

The Netherlands have progressed calmly into the quarterfinals after beating the United States with an assured and serious display in the last 16, while Argentina were led by an excellent display from Messi against Australia. Messi was inspirational in what is likely to be his last World Cup appearance, but Van Dijk advised there is more to Argentina.

Messi has been in impressive form in Qatar, scoring three times in four games to help the Albiceleste into the last eight for the first time since 2014. "He is a great player but he also makes mistakes," Noppert told reporters after a training session on Wednesday. "We have seen him in this tournament. He is like us, a human being. Of course, he is good but he can also make mistakes."

The match between the two European neighbours and historic rivals looks set to be one of the games of the tournament with both playing excellent football on their way into the last eight. The duo spent several seasons together at Tottenham before Walker joined Manchester City in 2017, but Walker remembers his former companion, who will be in goal for the reigning World champions on Saturday night.

Spain controlled over 75 per cent of the ball in the game, but failed to get a shot on target from open play in 120 minutes, with their only efforts on target coming from set pieces."I am very happy with the players I have, I will stand with them to the death. I selected them and I congratulate them for the way they have behaved and for their World Cup," said Enrique, reports Xinhua