Matt Doherty's World Cup diary | 25 November

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 running until 2 December, then into the knockout stage which starts on 3 December.

What caught my eye yesterday

Matt: “Richarlison! Brazil were very impressive in the second half against Serbia, and our boy Richy with the goal of tournament so far! His record with Brazil is phenomenal (that's nine goals in six caps in 2022) and he could bring them the World Cup. He works his socks off and what a nice guy, he deserves everything positive that comes his way. The first two games weren't great, Switzerland-Cameroon, it must be hard to play at that time of day, the heat looks brutal out there in the early kick-offs (1pm local time). Korea and Uruguay, Sonny and Rodri, not too much happened. We’ve had quite a few 0-0 games... I’m not surprised, lads are probably completely shattered after the warm-ups! Portugal was a good game. Ghana looked a threat in the second half. I was surprised Ghana took off Kudus (on 77 minutes) with no apparent injury, I thought he was their best player. I thought Portugal were sloppy conceding the second goal (89 minutes), maybe they felt the game was over at 3-1, and then right at the end! I couldn't believe that (Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa rolled the ball on the ball to clear in his area, without realising Inaki Williams was behind him, but he slipped as he got to the ball) and if Williams doesn't slip it looks a definite goal."

What I’m looking forward to today

Matt: "Wales, off the back of their draw against USA, that kinda would have felt like a win, I'm sure they will beat Iran, not comfortably, but hopefully they'll prevail with Ben and Joe starting again. Qatar-Senegal, sorry, that just looks like another 0-0! Holland, my second country, against Ecuador, another game people will expect them to win but won’t be easy at all. Ecuador qualified out of South America ahead of Chile and Colombia, so they can play, but my Dutch friends will win by a goal, in my opinion. England-USA is probably the game of the day - well, not probably, definitely! England will continue like they did the other day against Iran, but will USA also be as good as they were against Wales? I think it’s going to be a close game, but I think England will win, and the best USA can hope for is a draw. Hopefully Harry is fit and Eric plays, come on Gareth, get Eric in! England need him spraying balls around from the back. His time is coming!" 

If you only watch one game today

Matt: "One game to watch... it has to be England v USA , it's on at a great time as well - 7pm on a Friday night."

Player to watch

Matt: "Dutch winger Cody Gakpo. There is a lot of hype about him, and he’s very young, but he still scored in Holland's first game against Senegal... let’s take a closer look today."

My predictions

Matt: "Right, I'm going all out now with score predictions as well, so here goes..."

Wales 2-1 Iran
Qatar 0-0 Senegal
Holland 1-0 Ecuador
England 2-0 USA