World Cup 2022 day 10: England progress to last 16 as Wales crash out, USA beat Iran

We’re down to the deciders now in Qatar, as the group stage reaches the crunch phase.

As a reminder, England will guarantee qualification into the next round of the tournament with a win over Wales, while Rob Page’s side need to win by four goals, and also hope that Iran draw with USA, to progress.

England boss Gareth Southgate has said: “We have got to play well. We are going to play an opponent that is wounded and, like everybody else, desperate to beat the English. We know what that will be. We have got to play an intelligent game and play well. Match the spirit.”

Wales’ Page has said: “We have got to play an intelligent game and play well. Match the spirit. I would be very disappointed if someone says to me that their players will want it more than ours.

“I would be asking questions about what we stand for and what we have been for five years. We are not quite done. We need a point more to be certain of qualifying. We need three points and if we get that we top the group and I don’t think many groups will be topped with nine points.”

How will they line up?

England will once again have a decision to make regarding striker Harry Kane. He has been struggling with a foot problem recently and hasn’t been 100% fit. Playmaker James Maddison is expected to make the bench after missing the first two.

Southgate is under pressure to make the right team selection for this one and could make a few changes. Winger Phil Foden didn’t play at all versus USA and is someone who large sections of supporters have been calling to be picked.

Wales have no fresh injury concerns. Midfielder Joe Allen came off the bench against Iran following his return from a hamstring problem.

Wales coach Rob Page has suggested that Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey could be used off the bench for Wales tonight.

Skipper Bale and Ramsey have been Wales’ best players over the last decade or so and guided the country to the last two European Championships and the 2022 World Cup. But both players – Bale is 33 and Ramsey 31 – have been way below their best in Qatar, leaving some Wales fans to call for the pair to be benched with Page’s side on the brink of World Cup elimination.

Page said: “It’s a big ask for anybody in this environment to go four days later. I’m going to pick a team that I think can go out and compete against England, whether that’s with or without them. I’m not going to give that away.

“If they don’t start, can they can make an impact? That’s always been my dilemma playing games in quick succession. If they start one game, can they start the next? My thought process won’t be any different.

“Whether they come on and have an impact or start and last an hour or 90 minutes, they are talented footballers.

“We’re all getting criticism now and rightly so because results aren’t going our way and that’s the industry we’re in. We’re big enough to take it – it’s not a problem. We put our big boy pants on and get on with it.”

The big talking point among England fans has been around Gareth Southgate’s decision not to use Phil Foden against the USA in the goalless draw on Friday night.

Will the coach cave to the pressure and start the mercurial Man City star this evening?

Here we offer our predictions for England’s starting XI against Wales...

A senior Qatari official involved in the World Cup organisation has put the number of worker deaths for the tournament “between 400 and 500” for the first time, a significantly higher number than any other previously offered by Doha.

The comment by Hassan al-Thawadi, secretary-general of Qatar’s Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, appeared to come off the cuff during an interview with Piers Morgan. It also threatened to reinvigorate criticism by human rights groups over the cost of hosting the Middle East’s first World Cup for the migrant labourers who built the stadiums, metro lines and new infrastructure.

During the interview, portions of which Morgan posted online, the journalist asks Mr al-Thawadi: “What is the honest, realistic total do you think of migrant workers who died from… as a result of work they’re doing for the World Cup in totality?”

Mr al-Thawadi replies: “The estimate is around 400, between 400 and 500… I don’t have the exact number. That’s something that’s been discussed.”

But that figure has not previously been discussed publicly.

Reports from the Supreme Committee dating from 2014 to the end of 2021 only include the number of deaths of workers involved in building and refurbishing the stadiums now hosting the World Cup. Those figures put the total number of deaths at 40, and include 37 from what the Qataris describe as non-work incidents such as heart attacks and three from workplace incidents. One report also separately lists a worker death from coronavirus amid the pandemic.

The Supreme Committee and Qatar’s government did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

A pitch invader who disrupted a last night’s match between Portugal and Uruguay with a rainbow flag said he will not face legal action.

During the Group H match on Monday, activist Mario Ferri ran onto the pitch at the Lusail Stadium in Qatar wearing a Superman T-shirt bearing the words “Save Ukraine” on the front and “Respect for Iranian woman” on the back.

Security officials chased after Mr Ferri, who was also holding a rainbow-coloured flag, before he was escorted away.

Mr Ferri, who is described in his Instagram bio as a footballer and influencer, updated his followers on Tuesday saying “I am free”.

“So many emotions right now. No legal consequence I am free,” Mr Ferri’s Instagram story – translated using an online translator – read on Tuesday.

In a post, the activist wrote: “I will call it ‘the last dance’ my last run on a playing field. I wanted to send important messages for me that I have lived on my skin in the past months…”

Mr Ferri went on to share messages regarding the plight of Iranian women, the controversial attitude at Qatar 2022 towards LGBTQ+ support, and the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

“Thanks for all the messages of love coming to me from the world, Iran and Ukraine,” he wrote. “Breaking the rules if you do it for a good cause is never a crime.”

In his latest diary from Qatar, our football writer Rahman Osman writes...

You may remember that famous Diego Maradona goal against England back in 1986: all that would not have happened if Sir Bobby Robson had not shaken up the England team and made changes after a slow start.

During that tournament the Three Lions had lost the opening game to Portugal and drew with Morocco before the changes Robson made helped England to win against Poland. They moved to a win against Paraguay to set up that famous match against Argentina.

That has gone on to be forever remembered for that Maradona moment, but Wales have waited decades to be at the World Cup and now they face a similar situation.

They drew with the USA in the first game and lost to Iran. A heavy win against England, a team they have lost to in their last six meetings, could see them secure a place in the knockout stage of the World Cup - if the USA draw with Iran.

Read his article in full via our sister site 3addedminutes.com

The protester who ran on to the pitch during a World Cup match, carrying a rainbow flag and wearing a blue Superman T-shirt with messages in support of Ukraine and Iranian women, has been banned from attending any more matches during the football tournament in Qatar.

The World Cup organising committee said in a statement that “the individual involved was released shortly after being removed from the pitch” and that his embassy has been informed.

“As a consequence of his actions, and as is standard practice, his (entry permit) has been cancelled and he has been banned from attending future matches at this tournament,” the statement said.

The protester identified himself on social media as Mario Ferri, an Italian who has carried out similar stunts at football matches before. He had earlier said that he didn’t think he was facing any form of punishment.

The World Cup’s decision to ban him may follow standard protocol but raises the issue of free speech and human rights in Qatar once again.

Excitement is building ahead of the England v Wales match tonight, but there has also been some important action in Group A this afternoon.

Kalidou Koulibaly scored a second-half winner as Senegal beat Ecuador 2-1 at the Khalifa International Stadium to finish second in their group and book their place in the last 16.

Watford’s Ismaila Sarr kept his cool to slot in a penalty just before half-time, but Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo equalised in the 68th minute. Senegal, though, were soon back in front when captain Koulibaly fired the ball home following a free-kick to send his side into the knockout stage – and a potential showdown with England.

In the other match, Cody Gakpo enhanced his growing reputation after becoming the first Netherlands player to score in each of his first three World Cup matches in a 2-0 victory over hosts Qatar.

Victory ensured Van Gaal’s side finished top of Group A with seven points, setting up a last-16 meeting with the runners-up from England’s group and extended their unbeaten run to 18 matches.

With Gakpo, a target for Leeds and Southampton in the summer, in the form he is the Dutch will fancy their chances in the knockout stages having failed to qualify for the last World Cup in Russia.

Not so Qatar, who have looked woefully out of their depth and are the first nation to lose three matches at a tournament they were hosting.

Our football reporter Rahman Osman points out that World Cup progression is nothing new for Senegal coach Aliou Cisse:

Gareth Southgate has made four changes to his England starting XI from the draw against USA. Phil Foden and Marcus Rashford will play on the wings with Harry Kane up front. Both Raheem Sterling and Bukayo Saka drop to the bench.

The fit again Kyle Walker replaces Kieran Trippier at right back, and in midfield Jordan Henderson replaces Mason Mount.

England starting XI: