Matt Doherty's World Cup diary | 22 November
Tue 22 November 2022, 09:00|
Tottenham Hotspur
We’ve an expert eye to guide us through the World Cup as Matt Doherty brings us his daily diary on the greatest football show on earth in Qatar.
Now capped 33 times by the Republic of Ireland, his latest two caps in the last week, Matt will tell us what is catching his attention in Qatar and the players and matches to look out for as the tournament progresses.
With 12 team-mates in Qatar, plus the experience of playing against eight countries in the competition, Matt will give us his insight into the busy group stage over the next fortnight, then into the knockout stage which starts on 3 December.
Yesterday’s results
England 6-2 Iran
Senegal 0-2 Holland
USA 1-1 Wales
Today’s matches
Group C - Argentina v Saudi Arabia (10am, ITV)
Group D - Denmark v Tunisia (1pm, ITV)
Group C - Mexico v Poland (4pm, BBC)
Group D - France v Australia (7pm, BBC)
Our players in action today
Cristian Romero - Argentina v Saudi Arabia
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg - Denmark v Tunisia
Hugo Lloris - France v Australia
What caught my eye yesterday
Matt: “I was really impressed with how England played against Iran, played some great football against an Iran team that I thought would cause a few more problems, so, fair play to England. I noticed they changed to a back four, but looked really comfortable, very impressive. Wales-USA was good, and I thought Wales were very good in the second half, possibly could have nicked it. I guess a draw was a fair result. Holland left it late against Senegal. Watching that game, I always felt that Holland would score in the end. You could have predicted those results, I guess."
What I’m looking forward to today
Matt: “There are some interesting games today. Argentina-Saudi Arabia, I'm interested to see Messi. I think he's the best player of all-time. I have a feeling about Argentina at this World Cup, so I'm curious to see how Messi and Argentina get on in their first game. Pierre will play for Denmark against Tunisia, I fancy Denmark to get the job done there, interesting to watch Pierre and Christian Eriksen in that midfield together. Mexico-Poland, Mexico are a dangerous team, they seem to qualify for every major tournament and have exciting players. Raul Jimenez is in the squad, a player I know well, and that's a bonus for them. Poland, also good players including Lewandowski. That looks like a close game to me, maybe a draw, maybe Mexico edge that one. France have had a lot of injuries to key players, Kante, Pogba, Benzema the latest. They're not at full strength, but have world-class players everywhere, Hugo the captain. It will be interesting to see how they get on against Australia."
If you only watch one game today
Matt: “I'd probably just go for Argentina-Saudi Arabia, because we all get to see the brilliance of Lionel Messi on the world stage yet again. If you can't make that one, I'd go for France-Australia."
Player to watch
Matt: “Wow, tough call today! I'm going to go for a French player, and I think Ousmane Dembele will have a good tournament. He's got back into form at Barcelona this season, so he could light up the World Cup. So, hopefully he starts today and I get that one right!"
