SNS GroupEverything you need to know if you’re following the World Cup from home. Here’s your daily round-up of results, fixtures and memorable moments.
Sunday’s result
Group A
Qatar 0-2 Ecuador
Moment of the day
After years of build-up the tournament finally got under way and Qatar made history… as the first host nation to lose their opening game.
Ecuador were clear and deserved winners as Enner Valencia scored both goals in a 2-0 win, and could have had a hat-trick had VAR not detected a very close offside call.
Valencia now has five World Cup goals to his name, the same number as Lionel Messi and Zinedine Zidane.
Qatar were limited to just a couple of chances and struggled to lay a glove on their opponent. They face Senegal and Netherlands in their remaining group games.
Today’s fixtures and how to watch
England v Iran (1pm, BBC)
Senegal v Netherlands (4pm, STV and STV Player)
USA v Wales (7pm, STV and STV Player)
One to watch
SNS GroupThere’ll be plenty of focus on England as usual, and Louis van Gaal’s young Dutch side have been tipped as potential winners, but USA v Wales looks to be the pick of the viewing.
USA are under pressure to impress in Qatar ahead of co-hosting the tournament in four years time and the high-energy team know that three points on day one will go a long way to securing a place in the knockout stage. Celtic fans will be hoping Cameron Carter-Vickers gets a starting spot but they’re also likely to see former Parkhead forward Timothy Weah strut his stuff on the biggest stage.
For Wales, it’s a historic moment as the national team return to the World Cup for the first time since 1958. All eyes will be on talismanic captain Gareth Bale to see if he can be the difference against the group’s second seeds. Dundee United’s Dylan Levitt will be crossing his fingers that he can see fulfil his dream of playing at the finals.
Pre-match reading
“Coaching Oranje at the World Cup 2014, short of a left-back, he taught 33-year-old outside-right Dirk Kuyt the position in a fortnight.” This wonderful profile of Louis van Gaal.
“Long before the end of a painful and humbling opening night for Qatar at this World Cup, many of the country’s richest and most powerful men were speeding away from the Al Bayt stadium in their fast cars and 4x4s.” Sean Ingle reflects on Qatar’s opening night.
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