By Lawrence Trusida reporting, Sports Editor
The second round of FIFA 2022 group matches kick off today in Qatar with Wales and Iran squaring off in a match that started at 12 noon.
THE Focus will be on African champions, Senegal when the clock hits 3 pm Central African time as the Teranga Lions face hosts, Qatar at the Al Thumama Stadium.
Senegal and Qatar are both gunning for nothing short of victory to keep their hopes of a place in the next round alive after losing their respective opening matches.
The action continues at 6 pm with a top-of-the-table clash between Netherlands and Ecuador.
The much-hyped Anglo-American battle between England and the United States concludes the day’s action.
Meanwhile, a second-half brace by Tottenham forward Richarlison laced by a stunning overhead kick, gave tournament favourites and five-time champions, Brazil a 2-nil win over Serbia in their opening World Cup game at the Lusail Stadium last night.
The result extends Brazil’s superb record in the World Cup group stage, in which their last defeat came in 1998 against Norway when they had already secured a place in the next round.
Before that, Cristiano Ronaldo became the first man to score at five World Cups when he scored the opening goal from the penalty spot in Portugal’s 3-2 win over Ghana.
Despite the loss, Ghana became the first African nation to score at the 2022 World Cup.
Earlier on, clear-cut chances were elusive as Uruguay and South Korea met in Group H at the Education City Stadium.
In the early kick-off, Cameroon-born Switzerland striker Breel Embolo scored against his country of birth but refused to celebrate.
