Sport

Aisha Tanvir is proudly supporting the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 as one of 250 accessibility volunteers.Born in the UAE to Indian parents, Aisha attended Bristol University in the UK and works as a senior English writer at Qatar Foundation (QF).The Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy caught up with Aisha to discuss her role and the legacy the tournament will deliver.What convinced you to become a Qatar 2022 volunteer?It was Qatar’s commitment to hosting an accessible World Cup. In my interview, I was very clear that the only area I was interested in volunteering was accessibility. At QF, we have the Ability-Friendly Programme – an initiative that supports people of all abilities to engage in sporting and developmental activities. Volunteering for the programme was a huge eye-opener for me – it made me realise how inaccessible the simplest of things can be for people with disabilities and how unfair that is. It also encouraged me to seek ways to make a difference – and what better way than being an accessibility volunteer at the World Cup here in Qatar.How has your volunteer experience been so far?We are a group of around 250 accessibility volunteers and our induction, training and briefings have all been great – we have all learned a great deal about accessibility and are keen to play our part in ensuring an incredible experience for fans and visitors.Qatar is already a multicultural and cosmopolitan country, but through the volunteer programme it has been wonderful to interact with so many people from different walks of life. The team I am volunteering with includes a speech therapist, a child life specialist, a professor of public policy and law, and an assistive technology expert, making it a truly unique and memorable experience.Organisers are determined this tournament will leave a lasting legacy – what do you think that will look like?One of the great things about this tournament is that we are already seeing the legacy. Accessibility is one area that has benefitted massively – including transport infrastructure and access to facilities, such as stadiums and entertainment areas.Another prime example is the Accessibility Guide that QF has developed. Packed with over 30 attractions and experiences, the guide has been created to help people of all abilities – residents and visitors alike – enjoy Qatar and all it has to offer. On a more individual level, I think the push around accessibility has, perhaps for the first time, allowed a significant proportion of the non-disabled community to become aware of issues like social equity, social justice and access for all. Even if just our group of 250 accessibility volunteers can take what we have learned beyond the World Cup and actively contribute towards a more inclusive and accessible future, it can undoubtedly make a difference.Another legacy for me personally is that the World Cup has helped me to become more socially responsible and given me a more inclusive mindset. It is wonderful to see that accessibility will be a key legacy for the tournament – everyone has the opportunity to benefit from this amazing event.Finally, which team will you be supporting during the tournament?Qatar is my home from home, so I’ll be supporting the host nation.

The FIFA World Cup is proving as popular as ever around the world with preliminary figures for the opening match of the 2022 tournament in Qatar showing an increase in viewers compared to the corresponding match in Russia four years ago.* Opening match attracts more viewers than the same match four years ago, figures show* Half of viewing audience in Brazil watch Qatar versus Ecuador* France’s opening match attracts best audience of the yearFor example, the opening game between Qatar and Ecuador on Sunday, 20 November was watched by an average of 3.3 million viewers, with a peak audience of 3.6 million, in Ecuador. This represented a 109% increase in viewership of the opening game in the country compared to the highest rating in the last 2 editions of the FIFA World Cup.In addition, in Brazil attracted an audience share - the percentage of people watching at the time - of 50% on TV Globo. The average audience for the game of 24.36 million was 6% higher than for the opening game of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, between hosts Russia and Saudi Arabia, which was aired on the same channel (22.86 million viewers).Meanwhile, in Colombia, the viewing audience of 5.5 million, with a peak of 6.3 million, on Caracol TV was better than any of the six previous World Cup opening games and represented an audience share of 62.7%.European audiences were also higher than for the opening game in Russia.In the United Kingdom, BBC1's coverage of the game attracted an average audience of 6.25 million viewers, representing a 57.5% increase on the opening match of the previous World Cup, and an audience share of 47.1%.In France, where TF1 broadcast the game, the audience of 5.05 million was more than 30% up to the opening match in 2018 (3.83 million viewers). Live coverage of the opening ceremony was watched by an average of 4.18 million viewers, outperforming the rugby union international between France and Japan which was aired at the same time.In Italy, the opening match attracted the highest TV audience of the day -- an average of 4.66 million viewers (audience share 29.5%) and a significant increase on 2018 when 3.59 million viewers watched the opening match. In Spain, the audience was 13% higher than four years ago.The broadcast of the Netherlands v Senegal match on Monday 21 November attracted a share of 74.5% for Dutch broadcaster NPO1 and the audience of 4.16 million was higher than any programme for the month of October, and the highest of the day.Wales’s first appearance in the FIFA World Cup since 1958 was broadcast in English on ITV across the UK and in Welsh on S4C in Wales. The match against the United States attracted strong audiences with an audience of 7.8 million, with a peak of 12.5 million, in the UK, whilst taking an audience share of 43% within Wales.French broadcaster TF1 had the highest audience of the year, 12.53 million, with a peak of 14 million, and an audience share of 48.1 percent, watched the world champions begin the defence of their title with a 4-1 win over Australia.

Croatia’s World Cup campaign got off to a stuttering start with a 0-0 draw against a battling Morocco yesterday as the 2018 runners-up lacked the punch and guile of the side that went so close in Russia.Chances were at a premium at Al Bayt Stadium as an even Group F contest produced little goalmouth action and ended in the third goalless draw in nine games at the World Cup so far.There were glimpses for both sides, with Nikola Vlasic going close for Croatia at the end of the first half while Noussair Mazraoui had a header saved for Morocco, but nobody could find the breakthrough as the mercury soared on an energy-sapping afternoon.Croatia, who were beaten 4-2 by France in the final four years ago, will now turn their attentions to their game against Canada on Sunday, when Morocco will face Belgium.Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic was far from downcast with how his side had performed, with his only criticism that they lacked bravery to take more of the fight to their opponents.“We were very cautious not to make a mistake and were a bit indecisive,” he said. “I might say a bit of courage was missing on our side... but today Croatia had control and possession but not enough opportunities.”Croatia’s best moments predictably hinged on Luka Modric, who was given the freedom of the park, floating effortlessly from back to front, with football’s traditional midfield roles seeming not to apply to Croatia’s captain. One minute he was patrolling in front of his back four, the next hanging off the shoulder of Andrej Kramaric up front, but always looking to open up the North Africans, whether he was hovering at right back or hunting further forward.Morocco coach Walid Regragui was over the moon that his side had prevented the Croatian schemer from wreaking too much havoc. “Modric was unbelievable, what a player,” he said before declaring his satisfaction with a draw against Croatia, who he described as “one of the best teams in the competition.”Yet this Croatia performance lacked the cut and thrust of the team four years ago, which also boasted the talents of the now-retired Mario Mandzukic up front and midfielder Ivan Rakitic, who has called time on his international career.Morocco looked principally to Hakim Ziyech for inspiration and the Chelsea winger, recalled to the squad following Regragui’s appointment, was their most dangerous attacking outlet in the early stages, although his good work lacked an end product.While the encounter was low on action it was at least high on intensity, as both sides battled for midfield supremacy, but the first half ended with neither goal really threatened until the closing moments when Vlasic’s low effort was saved by Yassine Bounou.Borna Sosa’s cross to the near post found Vlasic, who poked out a leg to steer it towards goal, but he couldn’t beat Bounou. There was more action in the first five minutes of the second half when Morocco had raucous appeals for a penalty waved away after Sofiane Boufal’s shot appeared to hit Dejan Lovren’s arm, seconds before Mazraoui’s header was saved by Dominik Livakovic.Moments later, Lovren’s effort on the slide at the other end was blocked by Sofyan Amrabat, but that was about as good as it got for Croatia until centre back Josko Gvardiol’s header went wide in the 80th minute. Morocco were perhaps the better side in the second half, but for all their efforts their only other chance of note was Achraf Hakimi’s swerving shot from distance that was punched away by Livakovic.The two sides are likely to be happy with a point from a match in which there really was nothing to separate them, with both having seven attempts at goal and just two on target.

South Korea’s Son Heung-min will be able to play with a mask in their World Cup Group H opener against Uruguay today, coach Paulo Bento said as the talismanic forward returns from a surgical procedure to stabilise a fracture around his left eye.Son was injured midway through Tottenham Hotspur’s Champions League tie at Olympique de Marseille earlier this month and there were doubts the 30-year-old would be fit in time for the World Cup group stage.“Sonny will be able to play,” Bento assured reporters yesterday. “I think the fact that he will be wearing a mask is not an inconvenience for him, it’s quite natural for him. We stuck with the plan when we arrived here... But we will see tomorrow how it will be. Our hope is that he will be comfortable to the greatest extent possible and use the best strategy so that he can feel at ease during the game. He knows and we know that after his injury we cannot take any risks.”Bento confirmed that Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Hwang Hee-chan had not recovered in time for the game while the team will take a late call on defender Kim Jin-su. South Korea have failed to replicate their magical run to the 2002 World Cup semi-finals in recent tournaments and Bento said he would not burden them with the aim of qualifying for the knockout stages, taking things “one match at a time” instead.“Our aspirations is something we conveyed, we wish to compete in the best manner possible in the three group games,” he said. “We are well aware that we will face many difficulties with rivals we play against and we’re aware that in the history of World Cups, South Korea only advanced to knockouts twice – one of them when they were co-hosts with Japan. I don’t see any reason to put any pressure on their shoulders. If this was a team that always advanced, then I would say, ‘Yes, we need to qualify (for the next stage)’.”Midfielder Jung Woo-young, one of the most experienced players in South Korea’s World Cup squad, said set pieces would be one of their “biggest weapons” and brushed aside concerns that Uruguay’s taller players would have an advantage.“Set pieces are very important to determine the outcome of the match, so this will be a big advantage for us,” said the 32-year-old, who plays for Al Sadd in the Qatar Stars League.“We have an excellent kicker in our team and we have players that are physically equipped. We also have tall players, so we’re not worried about the height. It is not a determining factor in football, so this doesn’t bother us.”

Michy Batshuayi’s first-half goal proved enough for a below-par Belgium to squeeze to a 1-0 win over a Canada side playing their first World Cup match for 36 years yesterday.Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois saved Alphonso Davies’ early penalty and Batshuayi opened the scoring against the run of play in the 44th minute.John Herdman’s Canada, roared on by their vocal support, also had another strong penalty appeal turned down and dominated the second half to no avail. Belgium were without injured record goalscorer Romelu Lukaku and struggled throughout with the pace of Canada’s forwards.But the 2018 semi-finalists clung on to move top of what could prove a hotly-contested Group F after Croatia and Morocco’s goalless draw earlier yesterday. Canada will head into their game against Croatia on Sunday still full of confidence after more than matching the team ranked second in the world, who next face Morocco.The North Americans, matching Belgium in formation by playing three at the back, made a bright start and Jonathan David’s low effort was deflected wide.From the resulting corner, Tajon Buchanan’s strike was blocked by Yannick Carrasco with his arm and a penalty was awarded after a VAR check in the 11th minute. But Davies produced a weak effort which was saved low to his right by Courtois, before David lashed the rebound over the crossbar.Belgium’s ageing defence were struggling with the pace of the Canada attackers and Junior Hoilett got in behind before firing a shot wide.The underdogs kept coming, as Courtois palmed away right wing-back Alistair Johnston’s fierce drive and David headed off target. Canada had a big penalty appeal turned down despite a VAR review when Axel Witsel was outpaced by Richie Laryea inside the area and then tripped his opponent.Belgium grabbed the lead out of nothing when a simple long ball over the top from Toby Alderweireld found the run of Batshuayi who hammered home left-footed.There was still time for Canada to create, and waste, another glorious opportunity before the break, as Laryea’s low cross was fired over on the slide by Buchanan from six yards out. Belgium coach Roberto Martinez made a double substitution at half-time to try and stem the tide, with Thomas Meunier replacing Carrasco and Everton youngster Amadou Onana coming into the midfield. Canada could have levelled just minutes after the restart, though, as David headed wide from Stephen Eustaquio’s delicious cross after the Porto midfielder had nutmegged Kevin De Bruyne. Herdman’s men continued to flood forward, but could not find the finishing touch required, with Buchanan miskicking horribly from the edge of the box.

Riyadh: Saudi defender Yasser al-Shahrani was set to undergo surgery yesterday after sustaining injuries in a collision during his team’s shock World Cup win over Argentina, the national team said.Al-Shahrani was “transferred by medical evacuation to the National Guard Hospital in Riyadh, and he will undergo surgery in the coming hours, according to the treatment plan set by the medical apparatus for him,” said a statement posted on the team’s official Twitter account.Medical examinations conducted in Hamad Medical City Doha revealed al-Shahrani to be in “stable condition” after “suffering a strong clash in the head, chest and abdomen”, the statement said.Al-Shahrani collided with Saudi goalkeeper Mohamed al-Owais during stoppage time of the second half during the match against Argentina, which ended in an upset 2-1 victory for the Green Falcons.Al-Owais’s left knee connected squarely with al-Shahrani’s face.“I would like to ensure you that I am ok, pray for me and congratulations on winning,” al-Shahrani said in a video clip from his hospital bed posted on social media.Saudi Arabia were propelled to victory by a stunning goal from Salem al-Dawsari, bringing Argentina’s 36-match unbeaten run to a shuddering halt.The Saudis’ next match is on Saturday against Poland. (AFP)

Former champions Spain got their World Cup off to a pulsating start yesterday through a record 7-0 win over Costa Rica, with a Ferran Torres brace and strikes from five other players taking them past the 100-goal mark in soccer’s showpiece event.The European giants put their stamp on a Group E stunned by Japan’s 2-1 victory over Germany hours earlier, with Spain relentlessly on the attack against a shambolic Costa Rican side.Scores from Dani Olmo, Gavi, Marco Asensio, Carlos Soler, Alvaro Morata and Torres sent Spain into the 100 club of World Cup goals – and a victory by their biggest margin in their 16 appearances in the contest.“I don’t think it was Costa Rica being bad, I think the win was our merit. We deserved to win, taking the game to them,” Olmo said.“Our team is strong and that is the path we need to follow. It was a boost of motivation, for sure.”Spain were in control from the first kick, with Costa Rica dizzied by their early onslaught at the Al Thumama Stadium in Doha and unable to find any rhythm in a game where Pedri, Olmo, Gavi and Asensio all dazzled.Spain almost went ahead after five minutes, when Pedri’s deep cross found Olmo in space, whose shot went wide of the post. Asensio squandered a clear chance moments later after being picked out by the pivotal Pedri, who had a role in seemingly every Spain attack.GOAL FESTThey went ahead 11 minutes into the game when man of the match Gavi, who became Spain’s youngest ever World Cup player at the age of 18, put the ball into the path of Olmo, who turned and deftly lifted it over the advancing keeper Keylor Navas.Spain got it on 21 minutes when Jordi Alba’s neat pass across the box found Asensio who fired low past Navas.Spain searched eagerly for a third and won a penalty around the half hour mark when Oscar Duarte tripped Alba, with Torres coolly stroking the ball down the middle past the helpless Navas.Costa Rica were all at sea and failed to record a single attempt on goal, while Spain returned from the break hungry for moreTorres gave Spain a fourth and himself a brace on 53 minutes, finding Gavi on the right, who played it back into the area for the Barcelona forward to turn and fire home his second.Gavi found the net himself 16 minutes from time with a sumptuous volley in off the post after from a floating cross from Alvaro Morata, then Carlos Soler and Morata completed the demolition with two goals in the dying minutes.Costa Rica defender Kendall Waston said he felt hurt and ashamed by the thrashing.“It’s a result that nobody wants to experience, lose 7-0 in a World Cup,” he said. “We need to stand up together and fight back in the two games that are left.”Costa Rica’s coach Luis Fernando Suarez said his was outplayed by a far superior side.“They kept the ball throughout the match. We did the exact opposite, we didn’t have possession, we didn’t really attack,”he said. “They played an amazing game and we didn’t.”

Manchester United’s US owners have begun looking at options for the 20-time English soccer champions, including a new investment or a potential sale, 17 years after the Glazer family bought the club.The Glazer family is working with financial advisers on the process, which could lead to a partial sale of the Old Trafford club or investments including stadium and infrastructure redevelopment, the club said in a statement.Manchester United fans have been clamouring for a change of ownership and the Glazers have been the target of intense criticism as the team, which has a record 13 English Premier League titles, have gone five years without winning a trophy.The last silverware they won was the Europa League and League Cup back in 2017.“As we seek to continue building on the club’s history of success, the board has authorised a thorough evaluation of strategic alternatives,” Avram Glazer and Joel Glazer, executive co-chairmen and directors of United, said in the statement.“We will evaluate all options to ensure that we best serve our fans and that Manchester United maximises the significant growth opportunities available to the club today and in the future,” the statement said.Its sale may attract high-profile investors. In August, British billionaire and a long-standing fan of the club, Jim Ratcliffe had expressed interest in buying United, Reuters reported. At the time, Elon Musk had also joked about planning to buy the club.Chemical firm INEOS, where Ratcliffe is chairman, declined to comment yesterday.Manchester United shares jumped as much as 13% in early New York trade, building on the more than 14% rise after news of the sales process on Tuesday afternoon.The company was worth $2.5bn at the close of US trading on Tuesday, but the shares are only slightly above their 2012 IPO price of $14.The club’s capitalisation as a public company peaked at $4.3bn in 2018. Asian tycoons, especially those from China, have been buying European teams in recent years including Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers and Italy’s Inter Milan.However, football clubs have since been deemed unfavourable assets by China and any major overseas purchase would seem unlikely at the moment, said Mark Dreyer, Beijing-based author of Sporting Superpower, a book about China’s sports ambitions.“It’s almost impossible to see how any Chinese-related entity could justify a purchase of this magnitude in the current climate,” he said, citing the economic fallout of China’s ongoing battle to contain Covid-19 infections. “No state body would approve this kind of deal.”The Glazers, who also own National Football League team Tampa Bay Bucccaneers, are under pressure with United sitting fifth in the Premier League halfway through the season, which has been suspended because of the current Qatar World Cup.LATEST IN PLAYMore big clubs are in play. Liverpool chairman Tom Werner has said the Premier League side’s owners Fenway Sports Group (FSG) were exploring a sale of the club.In May, Roman Abramovich sold Chelsea Football Club to an investment group led by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital for $3.2bn (£2.5bn). Jefferies analysts said they believe ManU would fetch more – the club’s Old Trafford stadium is bigger, the club has more than 1bn followers, far more than its London rival, and generates more revenue and core profit.Hargreaves Lansdown senior investment and markets analyst Susannah Streeter estimated the club’s worth at more than $4.5bn. Also on Tuesday, the club said that star striker Cristiano Ronaldo will leave with immediate effect, marking a bitter end to the Portugal captain’s second spell at Old Trafford after he said he felt betrayed by the club.The Glazers bought the club for £790mn ($939.07mn) in 2005 in a highly leveraged deal which has been criticised for loading debt onto the club.They sold 10% of their holding via the 2012 US listing and have sold more shares since.The Raine Group is acting as financial adviser and Latham & Watkins LLP is the legal adviser to Manchester United.Rothschild and Co is acting as financial adviser to the Glazer family shareholders.Among the fan protests against the Glazers was one in May 2021 that forced the postponement of a home match against Liverpool, one of the club’s biggest rivals. It was the first Premier League match to be postponed because of a protest.United finished sixth last season in their worst Premier League campaign in terms of points earned, failing to qualify for the lucrative European Champions League competition.They won the last of their record 20 top-flight league titles in 2013, the year the great Alex Ferguson stepped down as manager after more than 26 years in charge. The club have hired Dutch manager Erik ten Hag from Ajax Amsterdam in a bid to turn around their fortunes.Ronaldo banned for two matches and fined £50,000 over Everton fan clashCristiano Ronaldo has been banned for two matches and fined £50,000 ($60,000) for hitting a mobile phone out of a teenage fan’s hand at Everton, the Football Association said yesterday, AFP reported from London.Ronaldo, now a free agent following his release by Manchester United on Tuesday, was involved in a flare-up with a 14-year-old boy following the Red Devils 1-0 loss away to Everton in the Premier League at Goodison Park on April 9.He was cautioned by Merseyside Police, while the FA also charged the Portugal forward with improper conduct.Now an independent panel has handed down a suspension and a fine.The ban will be transferred when Ronaldo joins a new club in any country, but does not apply in the ongoing World Cup in Qatar, where the 37-year-old is set to feature today when Portugal launch their campaign against Ghana.“Cristiano Ronaldo has been suspended for two matches, fined £50,000 and warned as to his future conduct for a breach of FA rule E3,” said a statement from English football’s governing body.“The forward admitted that his conduct after the final whistle of the Premier League game between Manchester United FC and Everton FC on April 9, 2022 was improper.“An independent regulatory commission found that his conduct was both improper and violent during a subsequent hearing, and imposed these sanctions.”Ronaldo requested a personal hearing in a bid to avoid a suspension.During the hearing, held via Microsoft Teams on November 8, Ronaldo said he had “legitimate concern... for his own physical safety and well-being and leaving the field of play” after approaching the tunnel where Everton fans were gathering.The panel, however, said Ronaldo’s conduct was an “act born of frustration and annoyance rather than fear or concern for his well-being”, but they also rejected the FA’s bid to have him banned for three games.(AFP)

Ghana captain Andre Ayew does not believe Cristiano Ronaldo’s messy exit from Manchester United will have any bearing on their World Cup Group H opener against Portugal as he urged his side to be “brave” in their clash at Stadium 974 today.Ronaldo announced he had parted ways with the Old Trafford club by mutual consent on Tuesday following scathing public comments he had made towards the United hierarchy and coach Erik ten Hag.However, Ayew said this should not be a distraction for Portugal. “It is not our problem what is happening within the Portuguese team,” the 32-year-old told reporters yesterday. “They are all great professionals playing at top teams and they will be ready for the World Cup, whatever else is happening.”Tunisia and Morocco have already managed to hold more fancied European opposition at this World Cup and Ayew said there was no reason why Ghana can’t do the same or even better.“We go into this game with Portugal favourites on paper. But we have to show that it is more important what happens on the pitch. We are playing a big side with top players, but we believe in ourselves and will make it very difficult for them,” he said. “When you are playing the first game of a tournament it is never the decisive one. Whatever happens, you still have a chance to go through.“The first game is one where you can go for it and be brave. It would be a great bonus for us to get something (from the match).”LONE SURVIVORSAyew and his brother Jordan are the only survivors from the Ghana side that lost 2-1 to Portugal in their final group stage clash in 2014, when Ronaldo scored the winner 10 minutes from fulltime.“The two teams have changed a lot since then. It is a different game, when we played them in 2014 we had to win by two goals to advance,” Ayew said.“It is not the same game, or the same moment, it is completely different. Every game has its own realities and we will try to give them a tough time.“We all know in these big tournaments there are surprises that can happen, we just need to be ready.”

Switzerland manager Murat Yakin said yesterday the current national team is the “best that ever existed” and is determined to reach the later stages of the World Cup in Qatar.Switzerland, who will play their opener against Cameroon today, have progressed from the group stage in three of their last four tournaments, missing out only in 2010.Yakin, who took the reins last year after Switzerland’s run to the Euro 2020 quarter-finals, predicted the country would have its best showing at any World Cup in Qatar, where they will also face Brazil and Serbia in Group G.“I think that we are seeing the best Swiss national team that has ever existed,” Yakin told a news conference.“We have improved a lot and now we want to write history. We are not only here to participate. We are here to win and we want to get to the next round.”Captain Granit Xhaka, the Arsenal midfielder, was hesitant to describe the squad in the same way, saying it would not be fair to the 2018 Swiss team that was eliminated by Sweden in the round of 16.He said, however, the Swiss team now was younger than it was four years ago and maybe “a little more hungry” to go far in the tournament. Between them, the Swiss and Cameroonian teams have played at 19 World Cup finals, with Switzerland making their debut in the 1934 tournament and Cameroon in 1982.The high point for both teams has been reaching the quarter-finals, which Switzerland did in 1934, 1938 and 1958, while Cameroon’s best performance came in 1990.Although Cameroon are considered the least likely side in the group to reach the round of 16, the attacking talent of Napoli’s Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa has the potential to destabilise the Swiss.“We know that Cameroon have very good individual players who perform at a top level,” Xhaka said. “It’s a team that can be very dangerous if we let them play.”

Portugal will not be distracted by the drama surrounding captain Cristiano Ronaldo’s acrimonious departure from Manchester United, coach Fernando Santos said yesterday, a day before their World Cup Group H opener against Ghana.“This is something that has not even been discussed,” Fernando Santos told reporters. “This conversation has not come up at any moment, not even from him.”Manchester United announced on Tuesday that Ronaldo would leave the club with immediate effect, bringing to a bitter end his second spell at Old Trafford after he said in a media interview that he felt betrayed by the club.Portugal midfielder Bruno Fernandes, who plays for Manchester United, told the same news conference in Qatar that he had not discussed the situation with his now former club teammate.“I don’t feel uncomfortable. I don’t have to pick a side,” Fernandes said, adding it had been a dream to play with him in the English Premier League.“We know that nothing lasts forever. It was good while it lasted.”Santos said it was “critical” that Portugal perform better in the World Cup this year than they did in Russia in 2018 when they were beaten by Uruguay in the first knockout round, starting with today’s encounter with Ghana.He said he did not want to repeat the experience of Euro 2016 when Portugal drew all of their three group stage games, even if they then went on to win the competition. Saudi Arabia’s shock win over Argentina on Tuesday showed the risks facing the traditional powerhouse teams at the World Cup as players from smaller countries increasingly played in the world’s top leagues, Santos said.“This is not just about what happened to Argentina. This has happened to several other teams,” he said.

Japan yesterday stunned four-time World Cup winners Germany 2-1 in a thrilling FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 match at Khalifa International Stadium.Two second-half goals by super subs Ritsu Doan and Takuma Asano eight minutes apart yesterday lifted three-time Asian champions Japan to their first win in Qatar.After conceding a goal in the first half when Ilkay Gundogan – the Manchester City midfielder – converted a penalty in the 33rd minute, Japan delivered a ferocious counter attack after the break in the Group E clash.Coached by Hajime Moriyasu, Japan clicked as a unit in the second half when substitutes Doan and Asano combined in superb fashion to script a hard-fought win against a side that has played the most number of FIFA World Cup matches (112).Earlier on Tuesday, Moriyasu candidly admitted at a news conference that his players had improved their game by frequently appearing for Bundesliga sides over the years.Yesterday, Japan looked the part as they undid the global football giants.“At the end they came at us with the full power,” Moriyasu said yesterday. “In the past maybe we would have given up (in such a scenario) but the players have been playing in Germany and Europe they’ve learned so much from that, so we held on,” Moriyasu added.“United as one, we needed to hang tough until the final whistle went and we were able to grasp our opportunity,” the Japanese coach said.“We wanted to start aggressively, we wanted to dominate the game but Germany are very strong so we needed to defend persistently and take our chances,” he said.“In our tactics, we had many options and looked at many scenarios. We knew there was a chance we could go a goal down, we planned for it, we prepared for it.”After scoring the goals, Doan and Asano celebrated their magical moment with teammates on the touchline as thousands of Japanese fans at Khalifa International Stadium rejoiced in the stands.With veterans Thomas Muller and Manuel Neuer – both appearing in their fourth World Cup editions – Germany looked set to launch their Qatar campaign on a positive note but it was not to be against a side that did not give up even after conceding a penalty in the first half.In an early sign of aggression, Bayern Munich striker Serge Gnabry charged into the Japan box but a couple of Samurai Blue defenders stayed firm to block the move in the third minute.Japan retaliated by clinching the first corner in the 5th minute but failed to make any inroads. Three minutes on, Celtic forward Daizen Maeda outpaced his marker Antonio Rudiger and deflected the ball into the net but the linesman quickly adjudged the move offside much to the dismay of the Japanese supporters. Maeda held his hands in despair knowing he had moved a fraction of a second too soon.Six minutes later, Joshua Kimmich unleashed a powerful shot a little away from the edge of the box but VbF Stuttgart defender Wataru Endo produced a sliding tackle to block the shot heading towards his goal.In the 16th minute, tall defender Rudiger jumped high over the Japanese defenders but his deflection hit the outside of the Japan net. Four minutes later, Kimmich unloaded a powerful right-footed drive that sailed past a couple of defenders but Japan ’keeper Suihchi Gonda dived to his right to deflect the ball away.Shortly afterwards Hiroki Sakai – positioned close to Neuer – could not find the elevation on a header following a cross from the deep right flank. Three minutes from the half-hour mark, striker Gnabry found Gundogan who fired a bullet that was saved by ’keeper Gonda.Soon afterwards David Raum charged into the box after clutching a loopy cross from Kimmich. Raum grabbed the ball and returned back but he was brought down by the Japanese ’keeper in his own box prompting the referee to point to the spot kick in the 31st minute.Gundogan easily converted the penalty that went to the right of Gonda who chose to dive to his left in the 33rd minute. Despite being sluggish for most part of the first half, Germany were quick to grab the lead when the opportunity arose. With momentum on their side, Niklas Sule found Kimmich with a neat short cross but the Bayern Munich defender saw his shot gobbled up by ’keeper Gonda five minutes before from the first-half whistle, Midfielder Jamal Musiala – on the edge of the Japanese box – sent his right-footed drive sailing above the crossbar in another wasted opportunity to score soon afterwards.In the dying seconds of the first half, Kai Havertz deflected the ball into the net from close range following a cross from Gnabry a few feet away. The linesman called it a goal but VAR showed Havertz had moved ahead of the Japanese backline. Just seconds later, Japanese ’keeper had deflected a bullet from Kimmich who was on the edge of the box.In their best chance to equalise, Maeda’s header – on a cross from Yuto Nagamoto – narrowly missed the goalpost to Neuer’s left. Seconds later the two teams walked off the pitch with Muller barely breaking a sweat in the entire first half.Muller, early in the second half, picked up a loose ball and charged ahead with a Japanese marker in tow. Close to the edge of the box, the German star found Gnabry on the right. Gnabry sneaked into the Japanese box following the cross from Muller but his powerful drive sailed above the crossbar. Muller wanted the ball back but Gnabry went solo. In the 50th minute Musiala – after dodging three makers in the Japan box – sent the ball above the crossbar from close range.Gundogan was unlucky in the 58th minute when his shot from the edge of the box went through a Japanese defender’s legs but the ball ricocheted off the goalpost left of ’keeper Gonda who had no chance to dive and stop the shot.Muller, who had not played a full 90 minutes since September, was benched by manager Hansi Flick in the 65th minute after a lackluster show by the German. In the 75th minute, Japan equalized.Takumi Minamino – on the edge of the German box – slipped in a cross towards Neuer who threw out his left arm and parried the ball which landed at unguarded substitute Doan’s feet. Doan quickly found the top of the net with a bullet from six yards out.Asano gave Japan the lead with a breathtaking run of about 30 yards following a free kick cross from Itakura in the 83rd minute. Asano charged into the six-yard box while being chased by Nico Schlotterbeck. With the ball to his right, Asano slipped a shot into top of the net with Neuer unable to stop the flick from close range.

The public transportation continues to impress the fans with effective operations around the clock with the highly trained team while serving stadiums, airports and tourism destinations with the buses, metro, tram and taxis. The Ministry of Transport (MoT) on Wednesday tweeted that Doha Metro and trams at Lusail, Education City and Msheireb handled 2,294,604 passengers after the World Cup began. A total of 674,172 passengers were transported by both the Metro and Tram on Tuesday. On Tuesday, a total of 9,662 passengers used the Msheireb Tram and the Education City Tram while exploring Doha and visiting various spots.MoT said 3365 air movements have been recorded at both Hamad International Airport (HIA) and Doha International Airport (DIA) since the World Cup began on November 20. More than 900 air movements, according to MoT figures, were recorded at both HIA and DIA on Tuesday, the third day of the World Cup. Meanwhile, according to figures, released by Mowasalat (Karwa), 10,127 public bus trips transported 19,911 passengers on Tuesday. The operations were carried out with more than 2600 buses for transporting almost 146000 fans during the thor day of the tournament.Karwa has deployed vehicles that meet the transport needs of the fans arriving at Doha International Airport (DIA) and Hamad International Airport (HIA). Bus services to stadiums and other tourism places are available from the airports while Karaw has deployed an optimum number of taxis and limousines at the airports. Karwa on Tuesday transported fans from Saudi Arabia from Abu Samra border to Doha and Lusail Stadium where the Saudi national team faced Argentina in the first Group C match of the tournament.The company has intensified its operational preparations for the World Cup while mobilising its fleet with specialised technical teams to ensure a comfortable and smooth transportation experience for the tournament.About 4,000 buses will be operated during the tournament, of which about 3,000 are dedicated to transporting fans, including more than 800 fully electric buses that operate with zero carbon emissions.

No matter the outcome for Brazil at Qatar 2022, coach Tite will leave the post he has occupied since September 2016 when the tournament finishes. The hope for both Tite and his players is that they have seven matches left together; specifically that they reach the final in Lusail Stadium on December 18.Brazil begin their campaign at the final venue, against Serbia, today at the Lusail Stadium and have subsequent Group G encounters with Cameroon and Switzerland. Born Adenor Leonardo Bacchi, the 61-year-old Tite kicked off his impressive Selecao tenure with a 3-0 defeat of Ecuador in Quito in the qualifiers for Russia 2018. That was the first of the 57 wins the South Americans have recorded in his 76 games in charge. Title has lost only five matches during his six-year tenure.That record reveals exactly why Tite has been entrusted to oversee successive World Cup campaigns, the first Brazil coach to have that honour since Mario Zagallo tried to defend the title won in Mexico in 1970 at the German tournament four years later.So what is the secret to Tite’s success? The simple answer to that is an inherent desire to keep pushing his team for improvement, regardless of their impressive results. The pace at which Tite’s team plays is essential to that sustained development. Tite’s side like to stretch the play and probe down the flanks, giving influential attacker Neymar more space in which to roam in the middle of the pitch.Equally, the Brazilians are effective in the press, making the most of their speed and agility to harry and close opposing players, as soon as possession is conceded. The team works as one to shut down space and prevent the opposition from playing the ball forwards. They boast a rich blend of talent and a system that maximises the team’s breadth of attributes.While these factors were instrumental to their serene qualification, another crucial ingredient in this successful side is the human touch provided by the man the players call The Professor, a common nickname for coaches in Brazil.FIFA+ spoke to some of Tite’s charges, who had only praise for the outgoing coach – and are desperately keen to give their Professor a golden send-off.Fred“He’s a great coach. We all know how capable he is, I’m so honoured to have worked with him all this time and to have shared that experience with him. I have a lot of admiration for him, not just because he called me up – though I am grateful to him for having spotted me (laughs) – but because of the type of coach he is. The most important thing I’ve learned from him has to do with his human touch, the kind of person he is. He’s a lovely guy who treats everyone the same way, from the keeper to the kitman. He’s really attentive. Above all, he’s someone we love to have around because of the joy that is in him.”Bruno Guimaraes“I have a photo with him that went viral. I was in the youth teams at Audax (a small club in Sao Paulo), when he was winning a lot of things with Corinthians. So I asked him for a photo. That shows you my admiration for him as a person and as a coach. He’s a very intelligent guy and has real tactical insight and knowledge, more than a lot of coaches I’ve worked with in Europe.“I remember when I was at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics qualifying tournament and I had Atletico Madrid interested in me, though I’d already given my word to Juninho [Pernambucano], the then director of football at Lyon]. Juninho called Tite and told him I’d given my word to them and that he knew other clubs were after me. Tite came to watch one of our games. He got hold of me, hit me on the chest and said: ‘What you have here is something I honour with my life: your word. If you have your word, you’re a man.’ That made a big impression on me. He really is a man of his word. If he says he’s going to do something, he does it.”Raphinha“First of all, I want to thank him for being the first coach to give me a chance with the national team and for bringing me here to Qatar. I wouldn’t be here without him. He’s become very important for me, not just for what he passes on to me whenever I’m with A Seleção, but for what I can take away with me to my club. He’s given me a lot of confidence and the tools I need to keep those confidence levels as high as possible.”Richarlison“Tite’s like a father to us. He’s always treated us well and has created a warm and welcoming environment with the national team. He’s one of those people who gives you praise... but who’s not afraid to give you some home truths. We’ve learned a lot with him. I’m talking about being brave, smart, and tactically disciplined. Whether we like it or not, it’s his last World Cup and we’re going to do all we can for him to bow out with a smile on his face.”

Twenty years have passed since Brazil last hoisted the FIFA World Cup trophy. Most of the current team members would have been in primary school when Cafu and his men lifted the trophy in 2002, held jointly in South Korea and Japan.The closest Selecao have come in recent World Cups was when they reached the semi-finals as host nation in 2014, but they were drubbed by Germany 1-7.In Russia 2018, the five-time champions bowed out in the quarter-finals losing to Belgium, making it a long way for the South American giants.The new generation Brazil players, with 16 of them making their World Cup debut, face confident Serbia in a tough Qatar 2002 campaign opener at the Lusail Stadium today.Brazil have exited the last four World Cups early after defeats by European heavyweights – France and Zinedine Zidane in 2006, the Netherlands and Arjen Robben in 2010, Toni Kroos and Germany in 2014, and Belgium and Kevin De Bruyne in 2018.Brazil have found some of their mojo again, going unbeaten en route to Qatar, scoring 45 goals and conceding just five. As impressive as the qualifying campaign was, Brazil and coach Tite know its significance will be limited when playing the very best at the World Cup.“The pressure is natural. Brazil have the biggest history in soccer and with that legacy always comes the pressure. Pressure is inevitable,” Tite said yesterday.Tite said it is not his responsibility that Brazil have not won the tournament in 20 years.He said he can only be accountable for the last four years, his only complete cycle since Brazil lost against Belgium in the quarter-finals in Russia in 2018.“In Russia we only had two years to fix the team and I came to the rescue. Now it is different because I had the opportunity to build the team the way I wanted,” Tite said.“That’s why my feeling today is completely different than four years ago. I’m not that nervous because all the work has been done,” the 61-year-old Brazilian said.Veteran defender and captain Thiago Silva, who is playing in his fourth World Cup, said he is better prepared this time than in previous editions.“I am prepared and very motivated,” Silva said yesterday.“Sometimes you have to live through tough experiences to learn. I’m more at ease now. This is the best version of Thiago Silva and I’m in the best stage of my career,” said the 38-year-old Chelsea centre-back.Brazil is going with fit and firing Neymar, and a well-balanced squad around him.“I think Neymar is coming into this competition in great form,” said Silva.A 30-year-old Neymar arrives fresh from a fantastic start to the season with Paris Saint-Germain in which he has scored 15 goals in 20 games.“His preparation this time has been different. In 2014 he got injured just as he was playing so well, and in 2018 he came into the tournament in a different way because he had a serious injury so hadn’t played much. This time is different and he has not been injured. Neymar is a lot better prepared.”Talking about Brazil’s players that have never played a World Cup match, Silva said: Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo have already shown they can handle high-stakes pressure for their clubs. Both were key members of the Real Madrid team that won this year’s UEFA Champions League title by beating Liverpool 1-0 in Paris. They will help Neymar because they can divide up the responsibility and create space for him. The mixture of experience and youth is very important,” the 38-year-old Chelsea centre-back said. The favourites Brazil can’t underestimate Serbia, who boast a rich vein of form in its third appearance at the global showpiece as an independent nation after debuting in South Africa in 2010.A well-knit Serbia finished their qualifying campaign by beating Portugal away and topping their group and played six UEFA Nations League matches this year and won four of them.“It will be a tough game. An extremely difficult game. But the game starts 0-0. And we are not afraid of anyone in the world. Not even of Brazil,” said Serbia coach Dragan Stojkovic, who was appointed in February last year to succeed Ljubisa Tumbakovic after Serbia failed to qualify for Euro 2020, yesterday.Serbia’s winger Filip Kostic is in danger of missing the match due to a thigh injury.“We already have 99% of the line-up in mind. But what I can say is that there is still a big question mark over Kostic,” Stojkovic said. The Juventus player has only done running practice in Qatar so far.

Former Asian champions Japan Wednesday produced a stunning upset by beating four-time World Cup winners Germany 2-1 while European giants Spain hit Costa Rica for seven goals in a one-sided match at Al Thumama Stadium.Trailing by a goal at the end of the first half, a resilient Japan picked up the pieces in dramatic fashion late in the second half when substitutes Ritsu Doan and Takuma Asano found the net only eight minutes apart in their Group E clash under lights at the iconic Khalifa International Stadium (KIS).A day before their opening FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 match against Germany, Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu candidly admitted that his players have improved their game looking at German players. A total of eight players in the current squad appear for Bundesliga clubs.After making five substitutes in their high-paced game against Germany, a delighted Moriyasu once again underlined the presence of his players in Germany."We have seven players in the Bundesliga and one in the German second division, but we have many more playing in big leagues in Europe and that has played a big part in our development," Moriyasu said after the intense clash played in front of 42,608 fans at KIS."Germany are a great team but I have to say our players stayed calm and patient for most part of the match," he added.Moriyasu said playing with aggression got them to rally after conceding a goal in the first half scored by Ilkay Gundogan (penalty, 33rd minute)."We wanted to start playing aggressively, we wanted to dominate the game. But Germany are very strong so we needed to defend persistently and take our chances," Moriyasu said.Appearing at a World Cup for the seventh successive time, Japan clearly looked the part Wednesday."It's a big surprise. We saw the Saudi victory over Argentina - the Asian countries are reaching the global standard," Moriyasu said.Wednesday's loss in the opening clash was a repeat of Russia 2018 when Germany - as defending champions - went down to Mexico before losing to South Korea on way to getting knocked at the first stage.Goalkeeper Shuchi Gonda who fought gallantly under the Japan crossbar said his team was inspired by Saudi Arabia's stunning win over Argentina on Tuesday."We knew that like Saudi Arabia, if they didn't score any more goals and we kept going until the end, we would get our chances," Gonda said. "Even if I concede one, my job is to make sure I don't concede any more and give us a chance of turning it around," he added.Big win for SpainAlso Wednesday, Spain - the 2010 World Cup winners - kept the scorers busy as Dani Olmo (11), Asensio (21), Ferran Torres (31-pen and 54), Gavi (74), Carlos Soler (90), Alvaro Morata (90+2) scored almost at will against hapless Costa Rica.It was Spain's biggest ever World Cup victory surpassing their 6-1 victory over Bulgaria in 1998. Coached by Luis Enqriue, Spain now take on Germany on Nov 27 at Al Bayt Stadium followed by a game against Japan on Dec 1 at the same venue."Our objective is to continuously dominate the play, and for that you have to have the ball," coach Enrique told TVE after the match. "Your opponent gets tired and can't get into it, our pressing was exceptional and the 16 players we used were superb - although we still have room to improve."Croatia-Morocco draw, Belgium winIn the day's other match, Croatia and Morocco played a goalless draw at Al Thumama Stadium while Belgium edged past Canada 1-0 at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium.

Keeper Thibaut Courtois showed his class as Belgium made the most of Canada's woeful finishing to win their opening World Cup Group F game 1-0 thanks to a Michy Batshuayi goal on Wednesday.Courtois saved Alphonso Davies's weak early penalty and made a couple of other good saves as Canada pushed for their first goal at a World Cup on their return to the tournament for the first time since 1986.Belgium, without injured striker Romelu Lukaku, went ahead on the stroke of halftime courtesy of Batshuayi's half-volley from Toby Aldeweireld's long pass.Roberto Martinez's side, third at the 2018 World Cup, regained their composure after the break and held on to move top of the group on three points, two ahead of Croatia and Morocco who drew 0-0.

Vlogging and picture-taking with supporters of different participating teams at a tournament like the FIFA World Cup have become a universal language for many football fans.The opening of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 on November 20 saw many residents and visitors enthusiastically joining supporters of opposing teams in revelries and other activities taking place at various locations in Doha.Just outside the Sports City metro station yesterday before the Japan v Germany match, supporters of both teams – clad in unique traditional and attractive costumes – enjoyed taking pictures together.“Everyone understands what it means when a stranger hands you his or her phone, joins your group for a picture... no need for words, and it feels great to see such as a lovely atmosphere,” said Lydia, a Filipino expatriate, who along with his family, supports the Japanese football team.Indian expatriate Arun echoed a similar view saying that such gesture only proves that sport, football in particular, builds a strong connection between people who speak different languages.While he supports the German football team, he only has nice words for the Japanese people, saying: “I love the people from Japan, they are very neat, respectful, and friendly.”His compatriot, Jerin Johny, also a German team supporter, share the same view as well, citing the Japanese people positive traits such as punctuality, cleanliness and courteousness – traits that other nationalities can learn from.This was highlighted in a viral video showing Japanese fans cleaning the Al Bayt Stadium after the tournament’s opening and first match between Qatar and Ecuador.“Japan, one of the best cleanest countries I ever seen and they are very down to earth, very polite,” Johny added.Miyu from Japan who spent time for picture-taking with both Japanese and German supporters lauded the organising of the World Cup in Qatar, citing an efficient transportation system.She said: “people are very kind, the metro is very good, Arabic food is tasty, and the tournament is well organised.”Another Japanese national, Taka, along with a group of friends, also took time for videos and picture-taking with supporters – families and bachelors – who were roaming around the venue.Asked about Qatar’s infrastructures, he said he was overwhelmed and described the stadiums as “incredible, fashionable and amazing”.He plans to visit some museums and tourist spots in Qatar.Some German supporters, with German flags painted on their faces, were also seen cheering for Japan, chanting some familiar Japanese words such as konichiwa and arigatou gozaimasu.

The 'FIFA Qatar 2022 for All: Sharing the Joy of Refugees and Displaced Persons' initiative launched by Qatar has been praised by governmental and local authorities in many countries where Qatar Charity (QC) is supervising its implementation in co-operation with its partners.The initiative, launched in conjunction with the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, aims to share the joy with refugees and the displaced inside the camps and allow them to watch the matches and enjoy the various World Cup activities in the camps of six countries: Jordan, Bangladesh, Sudan, Somalia, (northern) Syria and Kenya.* SomaliaIn the Shbilli camp, the largest camp for the displaced in Somalia, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Sports and Youth in Najal region, Saeed Hassan, shared with the displaced the joy of inaugurating the fans' area. On the sidelines of his participation, he said: "We came here to share the joy of the displaced and refugees watching the World Cup, and I hope that this event will be a starting point for social cohesion and cohesion among the camp's residents, adding that holding this great event in Qatar is a source of pride for Muslims and Arabs."Abdul Karim Adam Hussein, Social Affairs officer at the Municipality of Jarowi, said: "This event contributes to improving the psychological state of thedrought-affected displaced people in the local community, and enhancing social care for them throughout the event, which lasts an entire month."* Syrian interiorIn northern Syria, fans' areas in Al-Kaiba camp in the Al-Rai area had a remarkable presence of the displaced, with the participation of the Turkish Disaster and Emergency Management co-ordinator (AFAD) in the city of Al-Rai, Niazi Demir, who expressed his thanks to Qatar and QC for this initiative.He said, "This tent has a great impact, as more than 2,000 people live in the camp, who are unable to participate or hold any social event. Thanks to Qatar, and this tent, this camp has become a special place to watch the events of the 2022 World Cup and enjoy watching its matches."* BangladeshIn the Bhasan Char camp, more than 6,000 Rohingya refugees, in addition to orphaned children sponsored by Qatar Charity in Bangladesh, enjoyed watching the 2022 FIFA World Cup matches. The opening ceremony of the fans’ area in Bhasan Char camp was attended by many camp officials who expressed gratitude to Qatar and QC.Tariq al-Islam, a government official in the camp, said in his opening speech: “The effort of Qatar Charity and other organisations is commendable, and I hope the refugees will enjoy the event.”* Darfur. SudanIn Darfur, the fan zones were inaugurated in a sporting and cultural atmosphere with the participation of the displaced from camps (Abu Shouk, Zamzam and Abuja), in the presence of the Minister of Youth and Sports and several government officials in Darfur.Tajuddin Ibrahim al-Taher, commissioner for Voluntary Return and Resettlement in the Darfur states, thanked Qatar for this initiative and described the establishment of areas for fans as a brilliant gesture by the organisers, and it will have a great impact on displaced and citizens of North Darfur.In addition to Qatar Charity, several entities - the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Qatar Fund for Development, Qatar Red Crescent Society, Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy, and beIN Sports - are participating in the organisation of the 'FIFA Qatar 2022 for All: Sharing the Joy of Refugees and Displaced' initiative.

Spain thrashed Costa Rica 7-0 on Wednesday, their biggest ever winning margin at a World Cup, helped by two goals by Ferran Torres and strikes by five other players to send a resounding message to the rest of the teams in Qatar.Spain were mindful of the shock defeats suffered by Argentina and Group E rivals Germany against lower opposition in their opening matches and they tormented Costa Rica from the start, going 3-0 up after little more than 30 minutes.Dani Olmo got the goals flowing in the 11th minute when he exchanged passes with Gavi and chipped Costa Rica goalkeeper Keylor Navas. Ten minutes later, Marco Asensio timed a run into the box perfectly to connect powerfully with a Jordi Alba cross.Torres stroked home his penalty in the 31st minute and the Barcelona winger claimed his second in the 54th when he took advantage of hesitant defending. Gavi, the youngest player to represent Spain at a World Cup, struck with a perfectly hit volley in the 74th minute before substitutes Carlos Soler and Alvaro Morata rounded off a totally one-sided encounter.