2022 world cup group b - Historical Football Kits

FIFA World Cup 2022 Group B

fifa world cup 2022 poster On paper England were clear favourites in this group with Wales or the United States expected to take the second qualifying spot. Along with several captains of European sides, Gareth Bale and Harry Kane stated their intention to wear One Love rainbow arm bands during the tournament to express support for the LGBT+ community. FIFA, anxious to avoid any offence to their hosts, announced that their own arm bands would be compulsory and anyone wearing non-regulation bands would face "sporting sanctions".

The violent suppression of protests in Iran following the killing of 22-year old Mahsa Amini by religious police meant that Iran's matches were likely to be a focus for further protest against the Iranian regime and so it proved with both the players and the Iranian spectators courting retaliation at home with displays of brave defiance.

2022 Index

2018 Tournament | World Cup Index

England

Iran

England 6 Iran 2

Khalifa International Stadium, Al Rayyan
21 November

A confident England side were rampant against a spirited but ultimately outclassed Iran team. Nevertheless, the Iranians scored two goals. The first came in the 65th minute from Taremi and the second from a VAR awarded penalty in the 13th minute of added time.

Before the kick-off the Iranian players remained mute during their national anthem which was booed by supporters.

United States

Wales

United States 1 Wales 1

Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan
21 November

In the first half Wales were all at sea and the United States completely dominated the game, deserving to go in at helf-time with a 1-0 lead, calmly slipped home by Weah after Pulisic evaded three Welsh defenders. In the second half Wales played with more authority largely due to the introduction of Keiffer Moore. With ten minutes to go Gareth Bale was clattered in the box and Wales' talisman calmly converted the penalty.

Wales

Iran

Wales 0 Iran 2

Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan
25 November

This was a very different Iran team to the one that England hammered four days previously. They played with aggression and speed in the counter-attack and Wales struggled to contain them. In the second half Iran got stronger while Wales too often squandered possession. In the 61st minute Iran hit the right and left posts before forcing a save from Hennessey. In the 86th minute Henessey came rushing out of his area to intercept a bouncing long ball only to poleaxe Teremi, for which he was sent off. With Wales hanging on by their fingernails for a draw, Rouzbeh Chezni broke the deadlock in the 8th minute of added time and Amin Rezaeian made it 2-0 three minutes later.

England

United States

England 0 United States 0

Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor
25 November

A lacklustre England team could count themselves lucky to have finished the match with a point. The poise and confidence in possession we saw in the Euros was gone and their pressing game was too slow to be effective. The United States on the other hand looked absolutely solid in defence, harried their opponents relentlessly when not in possession and attacked with speed and vigour. On this showing, predictions that England might win the tournament looked well wide of the mark.

Wales

England

Wales 0 England 3

Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan
29 November

Wales had only a slender chance of progressing and their game plan was to sit back and try to hit England on the break. Their opponents, however, were in no mood to cooperate and in the 50th minute Marcus Rashford scored from a superb long-range free kick. A minute later Kane stole the ball from Ben Davies as he tried to play out of defence and without looking up, sent a low cross to the far post where Foden had the simplest of finishes. Rashford scored his second in the 68th minute, lashing the ball between the Welsh 'keepers' legs before he had the chance to react.

Iran

United States

Iran 0 United States 1

Al Thumama Stadium, Doha
29 November

The Americans' star player, Christian Pulisic, tapped the ball home for what would prove to be the decisive goal (38") but in the process collided with the Iranian goalkeeper and had to go off. The United States contained their opponents for the rest of the game with relative ease.