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England fans react to Harry Kane miss
Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Robert Lewandowski and others were in action on Saturday as part of a star-studded line-up as the second round of 2022 World Cup group-stage fixtures continued. Argentina faced Mexico in Group C and France battled Denmark in Group D among the four games on offer throughout another exciting day of football in Qatar.
Argentina managed to avoid being dumped out of the World Cup following a 2-0 win over Mexico, with that man Lionel Messi scoring a beautiful opener to get them on their way. Meanwhile, France saw off Denmark 2-1 to become the first team to confirm their place in the knockout stages of the competition.
And there were also wins for Australia and Poland as both sides kept their dreams of glory alive.
Saturday's World Cup results...
Tunisia 0-1 Australia (BBC)
Poland 2-0 Saudi Arabia (ITV)
France 2-1 Denmark (ITV)
Argentina 2-0 Mexico (ITV)
Here's how Saturday unfolded...
Argentina face a do-or-die clash vs Mexico (Image: Getty)
Argentina and Mexico supporters have been caught up in scuffles around the Lusail Iconic Stadium in Qatar.
The fans have already come to blows prior to the match getting underway in the run up.
And tempers boiled over in the stands between the sets of supporters once again, after ugly scenes breaking out on the streets of Qatar in midweek. Images showed those seated near one another were letting emotions get the better of them as they came to blows.
Mexico, in their green and white kit, get us underway. This could be an absolute thriller, and the atmosphere is arguably the best of the tournament so far.
There is a fantastic atmosphere inside the Lusail Iconic Stadium, with these two sets of fans more than capable of making plenty of noise.
What an encounter this should be. Can Lionel Messi sprinkle a bit of magic over the occasion? Or will he be left facing a humilating early exit from his last-ever World Cup?
20 minutes until we get underway.
Lionel Messi will be desperate to play a big role tonight (Image: Getty)
The equation is simple for Argentina tonight. If they lose, they are OUT of the World Cup, and will return to South America in disgrace following big pre-tournament hopes.
Manager Lionel Scaloni has made a total of FIVE changes from the side that lost 2-1 to Saudi Arabia earlier this week, and he will desperately hoping for a better showing from his side. Here are the teams in full:
ARGENTINA XI: Martínez; Montiel, Otamendi, Lisandro Martínez, Acuña; De Paul, Rodríguez, Mac Allister; Messi; Di Maria, Lautaro Martínez.
That's that! France have qualified for the knockout stages, thanks to their star man Mbappe, who was brilliant in the second half and scored a wonderful brace.
Denmark will have an uphill battle to go through now, and know anything less than a win against Australia next week will see them crash out.
An entertaining game in the end. Now on to the mouthwatering Argentina vs Mexico...
France have shaded it, but it remains 0-0 at half-time.
Not a huge amount of clear cut chances, but Mbappe and Dembele have looked particularly dangerous for the French when they've accelerated at full pace.
Kylian Mbappe is absolutely electric. He appeared to have the run on Andreas Christensen prior to being brought down by the Barcelona star, who is shown a yellow card.
A let-off for Denmark, who have defended diligently to this point.
Liverpool icon Graeme Souness has dismissed France's chances of retaining their World Cup trophy ahead of their group stage clash with Denmark, despite Les Bleus' impressive opening game win over Australia. The ITV pundit has insisted that Gareth Southgate would not be "frightened" of the current crop of French players, aside from Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappe.
“They [Denmark] are going into the game full of confidence, they have beaten them twice in the last six months," Souness told ITV. "There will be no inferiority complex, they will fancy themselves.
"I know they are the current world champions but when I look at them on paper, I know you can look at teams on paper and think they are going to win every game they play, but I look at that French team and if I was Gareth Southgate I am not frightened of that French team."
Qatari locals living around the Al Thumama Stadium took time to hand out free meals to supporters who had been at the hosts' game against Senegal on Friday.
Senegal ran out 3-1 winners, dumping Qatar out of their own World Cup, but locals showed their class after full-time to make sure those present felt welcome.
Great to see!
Dozens of Qatari locals living around the Al Thumama Stadium offered food to fans who attended the Senegal-Qatar game.
England fans forced to 'strip naked' by Qatari police
Two England fans were allegedly forced to 'strip naked' after being denied entry into a World Cup stadium for wearing crusader outfits.
The attire is considered offensive in Qatar and FIFA has claimed the duo were removed from the Khalifa International Stadium for being disrespectful to Muslims.
However, one of the supporters has shared his side of events, including being subjected to 'ritual humiliation', and it makes chilling reading.
Virgil van Dijk has fired back at Netherlands icon Marco van Basten after criticism over his role in Friday's 1-1 draw against Ecuador.
Van Basten slammed Van Dijk for failing to prevent Enner Valencia's equaliser and questioned his leadership skills.
However, the Liverpool star has bitten back, accusing him of always producing negative views...
He responded: "I don't think he is ever positive, so what am I supposed to do with it? It's easy to talk from the studio. Me failing as a captain? What do you want me to do with that info? I am always upfront. I lead the team the best way possible."
Roy Keane was just as unimpressed about the display and result at the Al Bayt Stadium.
The Irishman labelled England 'terrible' and joined Neville in admitting his confusion about why Phil Foden didn't come off the bench.
He told ITV: "We were surprised watching [that Foden did not come on].
"Gareth will have his reasons, he is the manager, he knows the players better than anybody, but we were all watching the game thinking Foden, and you would fully expect Foden to come on with the options.
"And the subs that did come on did not really have an impact. I know they did well the other day, but England did look leggy and one-paced, short of ideas.
"Even set pieces, you never felt they had a goal in their locker from that. So a terrible performance."
England failed to impress on Friday as they drew 0-0 against the USA at the World Cup.
After full-time, Gary Neville labelled the performance 'poor' and expressed his disappointment that England couldn't secure progression from Group B at the first time of asking.
He told ITV: "It was poor. We're all disappointed as we wanted a lot more from England. The clean sheet is a positive, and Harry Maguire headed a lot of balls away in the second half.
"Sometimes, our midfield just didn't click tonight. We looked tired at times and I didn't think we connected in midfield combinations. Their midfield was far better. I was disappointed not to see Foden."
Part of the controversy surrounding Qatar hosting the 2022 World Cup is the country's attitude and laws about homosexuality.
And there have been reports at the start of the tournament of fans and reporters being denied entry into stadiums due to donning rainbow colours in solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community.
Earlier this week, FIFA confirmed that rainbow flags will no longer be prohibited at World Cup games and assured fans that Qatari officials had assured them that they accept the stance.
However, BBC sports correspondent Natalie Pirks has tweeted, claiming that a member of camera staff was turned away because they were wearing a rainbow watch...
Welcome to another day of Express Sport's live World Cup coverage, with plenty of action to get our teeth into on this fine Saturday.
Stay tuned for regular updates throughout the day...
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