Matchday 6 of the 2022 FIFA World Cup was a combative one, with every game hotly contested with each of the opening three games decided by a single goal.
Match 17
Wales v Iran
Iran have secured a late 2-0 victory over Group B rivals Wales thanks to last-gasp goals from Roozbeh Cheshmi and Ramin Rezaeian.
Carlos Queiroz’s side was good value for all three points, with Wales far off the pace for much of the contest.
Both the woodwork and goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey did their best to deny Iran a first-half opener, but the Welsh shotshopper found himself sent off after a nasty collision with Mehdi Taremi.
Iran pressed their advantage and Cheshmi could not to be stopped in the eighth minute of injury time.
The 29-year-old’s long-range strike forced the Europeans to push forward in search of an equaliser, and Rezaeian duly took advantage at the death.
Such a performance will give Iran confidence ahead of their final group game against the USA.
Match 18
Qatar v Senegal
Qatar are the first team to be eliminated from the World Cup after they were beaten 3-1 by Senegal in Al Thumama.
Goals to Boulaye Dia and Famara Diedhiou either side of half-time helped silence the Qatari faithful, but Mohammed Muntari’s impressive header ensured they had something to cheer in the final 10 minutes.
Muntari’s consolation was the hosts’ first-ever goal at the finals but that was as good as it got, with Bamba Dieng securing Senegal’s third in the shadow of full-time.
Qatar’s elimination comes ahead of their final game against the Netherlands, while Senegal will face Ecuador in a match that is certain to excite.
Match 19
Netherlands v Ecuador
The Netherlands and Ecuador’s search for a knockout berth will go down to their final group game after both sides produced an exciting 1-1 draw on Saturday (AEDT).
Cody Gakpo fired the Oranje to an early lead in Doha, but that only encouraged their South American counterparts.
Pervis Estupinan thought he had equalised on the stroke of half-time but it was quickly ruled out after the referee spotted an obstruction of goalkeeper Andries Noppert’s view.
Ecuador’s resolve didn’t waver after the restart, and, four minutes in, Enner Valencia brought them level.
Gustavo Alfaro's side pressed on in search of a winner following Valencia’s tap-in, though Gonzalo Plata’s strike off the bar was as close as they got.
Match 20
England v USA
It was a quiet opening half for both sides, both teams creating good attacks without fashioning a decisive opening.
Christian Pulisic was at the heart of the early chances for USA, rattling the crossbar with a searing strike before going close from a contested header soon after.
USA pushed hard in the second half, winning several corners as they pressured England, with Harry Maguire making a number of key headers to deny chances.
England came back in the final stages to create some chances for Marcus Rashford and Harry Kane, but both were taken poorly and the final result finished 0-0, with both teams still weel in the fight to qualify to the Round of 16.
