FC Barcelona’s end to 2022 was soured by referee Mateu Lahoz who awarded a quite bizarre penalty to Espanyol late on which handed them an equaliser. The 1-1 draw means Real Madrid end the year top of the table. The Blaugrana went into the match under pressure following Real Madrid’s 2-0 win over Real Valladolid the night before, and knew they needed a victory to reclaim top spot.
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Lionel Messi’s World Cup dream lives on after Argentina edged out the Netherlands on penalties after a hugely dramatic quarter-final at Lusail Stadium. Messi looked to have inspired Argentina into a last-four meeting with Brazil’s conquerors Croatia when he set up Nahuel Molina’s opener 10 minutes before the break and then added the second from the penalty spot in the 73rd minute after Denzel Dumfries fouled Marcos Acuna.
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The United States won their World Cup grudge match against Iran as Christian Pulisic scored the winner to set up a last-16 tie with the Netherlands. The Chelsea forward turned AC Milan defender Sergino Dest’s header over the line seven minutes before half-time.
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Host nation Qatar have crashed out of the World Cup after they slumped to a 3-1 defeat by Senegal at the Al Thumama Stadium on Friday, despite Mohammed Muntari netting a first-ever World Cup finals goal for the Qataris. The Netherlands’ draw against Ecuador, who beat Qatar in the tournament’s opening game, later on Friday confirmed that the Qataris become the first side mathematically eliminated.
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France finished top of Group F thanks to a Karim Benzema brace however two Cristiano Ronaldo penalties saw the game end in a draw. The result means France will face Switzerland in the next round while Portugal will face Belgium.
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