After a couple of days off in a congested winter World Cup, the action returns today with the first two quarter-finals.
Qatar 2022 is nearing its business end, and two of the tournament’s biggest pre-tournament favourites are in action on Friday in the form of a dancing Brazil side and the Lionel Messi-inspired Argentina.
They each face a stern task to secure a semi-final place against tough European opposition – here’s how to watch today’s World Cup games.
What World Cup games are on TV today?
Friday’s first World Cup quarter-final is Croatia vs Brazil, which kicks off at 3pm (UK time – Qatar is three hours ahead) at Education City in Doha.
It is being broadcast live on BBC One, with coverage starting at 2.30pm, with Mark Chapamn presenting.
Commentary comes from Guy Mowbray and Jermaine Jenas, with Alex Scott, Jurgen Klinsmann and Micah Richards providing studio analysis.
This is followed by The Netherlands vs Argentina, which kicks off at 7pm at the Lusail Stadium.
Again, this match is being shown live on BBC One, with Gary Lineker hosting the build-up from 6.30pm.
Jonathan Pearce and Martin Keown will be commentating on that clash, with analysis from Rio Ferdinand, Alan Shearer and Pablo Zabaleta.
Can I watch live on BBC iPlayer?
As per the TV licensing website, you need to pay for a TV licence in order to watch BBC iPlayer, and this applies for “live, catch up or on demand”, with “any device and provider you use”.
It adds: “Don’t forget, you still need a TV licence to watch live on any channel, TV service or streaming service.” This means that you also need one to watch live World Cup action on the ITVX (formerly ITV Hub) service.
However, you do not need a TV licence to watch non-BBC programmes on online catch-up services, so you will still be allowed to watch ITV’s World Cup highlights (but not BBC) after they are broadcast.
A TV licence costs £159 a year for both homes and businesses, and covers any TV sets, laptops, tablets, phones and other devices that can receive a TV signal in a single property.
You can check if you need to purchase one on the TV licensing website here, and can buy your licence via the link here.
More on World Cup 2022
What time Brazil vs Croatia kicks off today, and how to watch the World Cup quarter-final live09 December, 2022
£14 pints, £43 lunch and a ban on kettles - on board Qatar's half-empty World Cup cruise ships09 December, 2022
With all eyes on Messi, Man City's Julian Alvarez is quietly emerging as Argentina's danger man09 December, 2022What are the other World Cup quarter-final fixtures?
The full list of quarter-final fixtures is as follows:
Friday 9 December
- Croatia v Brazil, Education City Stadium, Al Rayyan (3pm – BBC One)
- Netherlands v Argentina, Lusail Iconic Stadium, Lusail (7pm – BBC One)
Saturday 10 December
- Morocco vs Portugal, Al Thumama Stadium, Doha (3pm – ITV)
- England v France, Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor (7pm – ITV)
What can you expect from today’s World Cup games?
It promises to be an intriguing pair of quarter-final clashes, as two of the tournament’s South American favourites face stern tests from European opposition.
Brazil caught the eye with their comprehensive win over South Korea, celebrating each of their four first-half goals with exuberant or, if you are Roy Keane, disrespectful dancing.
Their coach, Tite, has promised to keep the dance moves coming, with the Brazilians making it clear they will not hold back despite the criticism.
Tite, who got involved with the celebrations himself from pitchside, said: “It’s part of the Brazilian culture. It’s not about disrespecting our opponents. It’s just who we are.”
His sentiments were echoed by in-form forward VinÃcius Júnior: “The goal is the most important moment in soccer, not only for those who score them but for the entire country.
“We still have many celebrations left, and hopefully we can keep scoring and dancing like this until the final.”
However, they will have to get past a tough Croatia side that is led by Luka Modric, and trying to return to the World Cup final four years after falling short of the title against France.
The captain was praised by his Real Madrid teammate VinÃcius in the build-up to the fixture, and responded in kind: “It’s very nice to hear Vini compliment me. He is a great guy and we have a very strong relationship.”
Modric added: “We have a difficult task to try to stop him. If I can give my teammates a tip or two on how to neutralize him and on how to make his job more difficult, of course I’ll do it.”
The Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic was less enthusiastic about Brazil’s dancing celebrations, saying: “They have their own way, they celebrate how they know, they are demonstrating their character and tradition.
“It is their right. Does that mean it is respectful or disrespectful to the opponent? I can’t say. I would not like to see my players celebrate like that but they are a different culture and they like to dance.”
Despite losing their first World Cup match 2-1 to Saudi Arabia in one of the tournament’s biggest-ever shocks, Argentina have done enough to still be in with a chance of a third trophy.
They are favourites against the Netherlands, but their opponents have won memorable World Cup victories against them in the past, with a 4-0 demolition in 1974 and Dennis Bergkamp’s stunning goal winning the 1998 quarter-final.
Memphis Depay said ahead of today’s clash: “(Bergkamp’s goal) was an amazing moment for the country, and what a goal. This game will be decided by moments. We believe we can catch a moment and go through.”
His manager, Louis Van Gaal, added: “Football is no longer being played as it was in 1998 or 1974 or whatever.
“Then it was an open game which it no longer is. Football has evolved but it is always possible, as Memphis has said, to have decisive moments that you remember years later, like Bergkamp’s goal.”
Argentina are facing the pressure of trying to provide a fitting swansong to Messi’s international career, in what is surely his last World Cup.
Manager Lionel Scaloni said: “Of course there is anxiety, we want the game to start right now. After five or six days we are eager to play but we are calm. I know the team will break their backs as they have done in the previous games.
“Sometimes we have played well, sometimes not, but we have always faced our opponents. That’s what our people value the most.
“We know we will give it all on the pitch. Sometimes football can be beautiful. Sometimes football can be cruel.”
Additional reporting from agencies
from Football - inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/3GxcE40
Post a Comment