Cote d’Ivoire 1 Norway 2

Norway survived a fantastic open second half in Dallas to advance to the round of 16 of the FIFA World Cup, shutting out Cote d’Ivoire thanks to Orjan Nyland’s incredible last-minute save. Leading at half time through a thrilling finish by Antonio Nusa, Norway’s stranglehold on the game was weakened when substitute Amad Diallo slammed home the equaliser with 20 minutes remaining. From then, this was knockout football at its best, play swinging from end to end until hitman Erling Haaland almost apologetically stubbed home the winner five minutes from time to regain the lead. It took an incredible save by the Norway goalkeeper from Diallo’s goal-bound free kick to confirm the victory, Norway advancing to play Brazil next week.

The concrete jungle of Dallas was piping hot for a midday kick off, fans making their way from the pumping Texas Live entertainment venue three hours before kick-off to the mythical AT&T Stadium in Arlington through the beaming sun to join the throng at the FIFA fan festival. The Fan Band queue stretched half a mile around the stadium, undeterred fans using the trees for shade while the rest of the festival compound grew in numbers. Inside the venue, the cold blast of air revealed a completely air-conditioned space, the temperatures ideal for fast flowing football; once the stadium had risen for the Star Spangled Banner at 11am, the entertainment could really start. Norway’s decibel count and the banks of red shirts confirmed their dominance in the stadium. While Haaland’s every move was tracked by the cameras for the big screen, the Norway fans behind the goal were busy rowing in their seats, the rest of the crowd absolutely drinking in the atmosphere.

The ref cam for the toin coss continues to be a revelation, both captains a picture of concentration, their faces splashed across the big screens suspended from the roof of this completely enclosed stadium. The teams huddled, Norway’s pack leaving behind remnants of white tape that would have sent the FIFA executives into a frenzy, and the game was in danger of running late, the referee hurrying up the two teams to make the countdown and the allotted 12pm kick off time. The teams traded half chances in the opening moments of the game, Haaland up with a header early on while Yan Diomande leapt high at the other end but couldn’t get his header on target.

The two banks of Norway fans chanted to each other, a beautiful sight, while on the field, Norway dominated possession, but Cote d’Ivoire showed promise, Diomande rising first from a tackle on the left to win a corner for his team. Nicolas Pepe showed fantastic feet on the right, both flanks the source of much joy for the African team. When Ghislain Konan stole in around the back on the left, he took aim with his right but dragged the shot into the side-netting. The Cote d’Ivoire fans high in the stadium started to make the noise. The hydration break diffused a difficult refereeing moment where Norway left the door open for a run on goal, closing it crudely in the Cote d’Ivoire half to howls from the bench. The boos ringing out weren’t only for the hydration break. Cote d’Ivoire continued to trouble the Norway defence, Diomande again the architect as the ball was hacked away from in front of goal. Pepe lifted in an exquisite cross with the outside of his left foot that no one could finish, and the Mexican wave was shut down immediately, the action on the field too exciting for such frivolity. Emmanuel Agbadou swiped wildly at a shot when the ball popped out to him from a corner, and the stadium then filled with a chant of Me-xi-co, Me-xi-co as the local fans showed their true allegiance ahead of their big game later in the evening.

Haaland finally had a sniff, a reward for his patience in a game where he was well marshalled, Alexander Sorloth clipping a cross in but there was no power on the header. Norway didn’t have to wait long, their sustained pressure allowing Nusa to cut in from the left and curl a brilliant shot around Yahia Fofana for a magical opening goal. It was nearly two soon after, Sorloth again the provider winning the header at the far post leaving Haaland free, but a combination of a mis-hit shot and the attention of a defender saw the ball squirm wide. Cote d’Ivoire had their fair share of action too, Ange-Yoan Bonny flopping to the floor too easily to con the referee, but when Nusa was booked for a foul on Guela Doue, Doue was up to meet the free kick but put the header wide. The Norway fans ended the half in full voice, this had been great entertainment, and it was a shame for the half-time whistle to pause the relentless action.

Half time was perfect for the neutrals in the crowd. The dance party was on, the cameras picked out the best for the big screen and the football tourists found their vantage points for selfies in front of this marvellous sporting arena. The second half started with a sustained period of pressure from Cote d’Ivoire, the referee puzzling with his insistence that the ball be placed inside the quadrant and not hanging over the edge as is now de rigeur. Doue gave us some showboating, controlling a high ball with a rabona, but his team was still losing, and the Norway fans were singing Haarland’s on fire to remind them of the fact.

Pepe had a great chance at the far post after a shot was blocked in his direction, Nyland pushing the ball away, and Bonny had another chance soon after, but there was no way through. A huge roar greeted a free kick to Norway in a dangerous position on the left; this was end to end stuff, good possession wasted by Cote d’Ivoire when Agbadou went for glory again when his teammates had been so patient in the build-up. The referee again made Diomande respot his corner for no reason, and when Haaland cleared from his own area, he was almost on the end of his own clearance, the crowd sensing the half-chance but the Cote d’Ivoire defence got away with it.

The referee was again front and centre, waiting until the last second to blow the whistle to stop play when Sorloth had won a corner for Norway, bringing more boos from the stands. Once the corner did come in, a great flick saw Torbjorn Heggem with a clear sight on goal, but he could only fire the ball towards the only player on the line and Norway had missed their big chance to wrap up the game. The hydration break interrupted the flow again, but Freed from Desire had the whole stadium on their feet, the atmosphere still simmering for this marvellously poised game.

Konan cut inside onto a deft through ball but his shot was blocked, as Cote d’Ivoire piled on the pressure. Their goal did come soon after though, Diallo playing an intricate one-two to advance into the penalty area, and he side-stepped the final challenge to smash the ball past Nyland for a wonderful equaliser. The crowd of just shy of 70,000 lapped up the action, a Norway attack breaking down and giving Cote d’Ivoire a chance to stretch their legs. Pepe appeared to have been upended in the penalty area, but the referee was uninterested. His team’s intentions were exposed when an injury in midfield saw the physios show no interest in coming on, sparking confusion and some tense words from the beleaguered referee.

Haarland had been quiet but efficient with the ball, almost anonymous, but that’s when you must watch him the most. It was a fantastic move that carved out the second Norway goal, Patrick Berg darting onto an exquisite pass to cross for the unmarked Haaland to almost miskick the ball past Fofana for one of the easiest World Cup goals he could score. The stadium erupted. The main man had scored. The reason for so many Manchester City shirts and countless blond wigs had justified his place as the best goalscorer in the world.

Haaland and Berg got in each other’s way as normal time gave way to added time, Haaland not giving up the ball to his teammate who was arguably better placed. There were seven minutes remaining. Norway simply had to hang on. Konan got into a dangerous position again, Nyland at full stretch to get his fingers to the cross to touch it away. A dramatic ending was brewing, and the two late substitutions for Cote d’Ivoire were the final roll of the dice. Tempers flared as a free kick was awarded within striking distance, but Diallo’s inch-perfect free kick was met by the fingers of Nyland who tipped the ball over the bar. It was last-chance saloon. Fofana was up for the final corner of the game; the ball was half-cleared but Norway prevented the ball coming back in and the referee ended the contest, sending the Ivorian players to the ground, lying prostrate, dead elephants.

The post-game ritual was eagerly awaited by the crowd, Martin Odegaard wading into the tribunes to retrieve the fans’ drum, and he let out the beat that saw his team and the two banks of Norway fans row their way into the round of 16, a date with Brazil set to evoke memories of the 1998 World Cup victory over the same opposition.

The press conference of a defeated and eliminated manager is always a tough one. Emerse Fae said that losing in the last minute after battling from the first to the last minute was difficult to take. When the game was level it could have gone either way. The French coach batted away questions about Brazil – today was all about Cote d’Ivoire – but he reflected that the result could have been different if they had scored a second goal straight away or had managed to take the game to extra time. Very much restrained and relaxed in his anguish, he had a message of thanks for all Ivorians, thanks for the support, the positive vibes, and the fans would surely know that they had tried their best to do their country proud.

Contrasting that to the emotions of winning coach Stale Stolbakken, the Norway coach was remarkably calm. He admitted to his team having trouble with crosses but he knew that the opponents would have momentum at times, as did his team. He hoped the fans were enjoying the journey, as he had not enjoyed the match, even though it passed very quickly. When asked to compare playing in the 1998 World Cup and managing in 2026 he said that playing was fun, coaching is no fun. Simple as that. When reminded of Haaland’s words citing a slim chance of beating Brazil, he was very keen to help his star striker achieve that goal. Fielding a question regarding the rowing, he had nothing to offer other than his observations – people from 2 to 100 are doing the rowing thing, and when they arrived at airports around the world, they are rowing; it is great for togetherness. Pondering his own return from dead (when suffering a heart attack as a player), Stolbakken said that we are living in a terrible world right now, but for a short time right now we can come together. Of course there had to be a question about Haaland, and he replied that no, he would not swap the world’s greatest goalscorer for anyone else right now.

The Norway fans had enjoyed the hospitality of Texas Live, a short walk from the stadium, some of them heading home suitably refreshed, a lot of them hanging around for the main event, a full house of Mexican fans expected for the evening fixture once France had dispatched Sweden. Dallas Stadium had delivered today. This had been a terrific occasion, an exciting game of football, a party for all the fans at the game, winners or losers, and the FIFA World Cup had delivered another slice of history in a magical venue. Please don’t let it end.

South Africa 0 Canada 1

Stephen Eustaquio fired Canada into the round of 16 of the FIFA World Cup with a goal in added time to break a tense and unimpressive deadlock in Los Angeles. The incredible SoFi Stadium hosted the first ever Round of 32 World Cup match, a standalone game that was definitely not meant to figure Jesse Marsch’s men. An occasion that brought boos and cheers in equal measure from the massive crowd was in truth a difficult watch, and the spectre of extra time was thankfully avoided to send the largely neutral crowd home happy.

Arriving at Tom’s Watch Bar in Inglewood, there was definitely no room at the inn, the queue for the official Canada meet, organised by The Voyageurs, snaking around the severely under-staffed venue on the outskirts of the entertainment precinct. Heading to the stadium to soak up the pre-game fan fest atmosphere was the obvious alternative, although more monstrous lines awaited those looking to add trinkets to their Fan Bands bracelets, making access quite difficult. Inside the venue, the fans setting their eyes on the playing surface and the tribunes stared with wide eyes – this stadium truly is a sight to behold, the big screens in the centre of the stadium suspended from the roof in an incredible feat of engineering. A stirring US national anthem had the quarter-filled tribunes on their feet an hour before kick-off, the two squads came out to warm up, the Canadian first eleven cutting through the South African drills to head in early ahead of this noon kick off.

There was no doubt that Canada would have the majority of the support, Mexico shirts the next most prominent in the eight-tier stadium, a smattering of yellow behind the South Africa bench moving to the music and enjoying their time on the big screens. This was peak World Cup, the stadium filling up with all manner of national and local football shirts as the booming music beckoned the start of the now exquisitely choreographed pre-game sequence. The 130 volunteers carrying the giant flags stood and waited as the decibel test confirmed the slight favouritism to the Canadians, before the teams filtered in and the scene was set for two fabulous national anthems. Whilst the stadium certainly did boast pockets of empty seats, this was still a remarkable turnout for a World Cup game not involving a host nation at home and not involving any of the world’s powerhouse teams.

The well-watered pitch would play its part in the first half, players losing their footing whenever they tried to swivel quickly. Ooh Aah Canada rang out as Canada controlled the opening moments, but Maxime Crepeau was the first to make a save, his clearance leaving Tajon Buchanan racing away up the right, albeit to little effect. South Africa were calm and resolute in defence, Mbekezeli Mbokazi doing well to shield a ball out for a goal kick. Richie Laryea surged past his defender, his cross deflected over the bar as the crowd held its breath, and when Tani Oluwaseyi turned his man on the edge of the box, he slipped at the wrong moment and the chance was gone. Canada were building, Liam Millar bursting away on the left after his defence cleared up a promising South Africa attack, but his reluctance to fire the ball in first time saw the cross blocked for a corner, the referee eventually signalling a goal kick after intervention from VAR. Oluwaseyi fed star striker Jonathan David but the shot was blocked, and when Millar’s corner found David in space, his shot was poked harmlessly wide.

The crowd was restless. There were boos for the South African defence and goalkeeper Ronwen Williams in particular, playing the ball around aimlessly at the back, and Oswin Appollis revved up the crowd even more, taking his time to clear a stray ball off the field. A dangerous free kick from the left warmed up the fans, Derek Cornelius all alone to head straight at goalkeeper Williams. He should have scored. The sight of Jesse Marsch gesticulating wildly on the sideline heralded the first hydration break, booed by the entire crowd, although the cheerleader show on the enormous screens made up for the totally unnecessary break in play. It wasn’t long before the crowd was booing again, Williams happy to stand with the ball at his feet and the Canadian attackers more than happy to let him do it. Nathan Saliba’s ball retention was low, but South Africa simply gave it back to him, Oluwaseyi striking on goal, but it was easily beaten away.

The Canadian defence was resolute, Moise Bombito with a fabulous challenge to win a goal kick, but the ball was being given away far too easily for a top-tier international match between two teams with such lofty aspirations. The biggest cheer of the first half was not for Millar’s sweet turn on the left or the mad scramble that saw Bombito’s header cleared off the line by Aubrey Modiba. It was for Ted Lasso star Cristo Fernández, aka Danny Rojas, who was picked out by the roving cameras and didn’t hesitate to ham it up for the gigantic screens. The half ended with a penalty shout, and on first viewing it was warranted. Richie Laryea showed good feet and appeared to be swiped by Khuliso Mudau for a stonewall spot kick; there was though a faint touch to the ball first and the referee team waved away the vehement pleas of the Canadian players. Williams further annoyed the crowd with his unsubtle delaying tactics, and Bombito had to hold his coach Marsch back at half time as he rushed on to remonstrate with the referee.

Canada showed their intent from the first minute of the second half. Oluwaseyi tracked back to tackle Mudau in his own half, and from the next passage of play Alistair Johnston somehow kept the ball in on the right, David missed the cross and Millar sliced the shot badly wide. Ime Okon was caught in possession but got away with it. Saliba’s difficult afternoon was to continue, Maseko gifting him the ball only for the talented midfielder to give it back with a shocking pass. Mudau’s silky nutmeg was followed immediately by another, Saliba not having it and earning a yellow card. The Mexican wave started when Eustaquio was floored in a man-on-man battle with Maseko, and Cornelius was incensed at the referee for not playing on when the ball struck the official – the players were certainly wound up.  Oswin Appollis then cut in from the left and unleashed a right-foot shot that whistled past the post, Marsch becoming more animated by the minute. Substitute Niko Sigur then sliced open the South Africa defence, playing in Oluwaseyi who showed great strength to fire in a shot that Williams parried, and Mbozaki was there to clear under heavy pressure from right in front of the goal. Sigur found himself in the book, and the boos for the second hydration break turned to cheers as the Summer of ‘69 got the stadium up dancing with maximum vigour.

Canada were on the attack from the restart, but Aubrey Modiba blazed over when he could have done better. Promise David had a first chance with a low shot that was just past the post, and Jonathan David had a shot saved from point blank range. Were Canada going to pay for not taking their chances? There were ironic boos as Canada went back to Crepeau and the football was starting to get ragged, passes going astray. Appollis fired one in from distance, but he was guilty of holding onto the ball too long, showing all the skills with no output. The clock ticked over the 90 minutes with the crowd booing Williams, who stood with his foot on the ball once more as if to say ‘come and get it!’.

What was to follow was the stuff of dreams for Canada. The lively Johnston darted down the right to cross – the steadfast South Africa defence half cleared, the ball falling to captain Eustaquio in space. His awareness to chest the ball and unleash a controlled shot low past Williams was outstanding and he raced away to be mobbed by his teammates, an emotional moment for a player who wears his heart on his sleeve for his country. Fans were dropping to their knees in relief, but there were still two minutes to play, Crepeau leaping high to claim a dangerous cross and with that the final whistle sounded, and Canada had pulled off a heist that looked so unlikely five minutes earlier.

The audio from the huddle was played through the stadium, Marsch was lauding his players and saluting a moment in history for the country. The South Africa players had peeled themselves off the grass and were beginning to accept their fate. In the press conference that followed, coach Hugo Broos lamented the lack of power and speed compared to their opponents today; they had lost a lot of duels, and the speed of decision-making was also under question. He did express his satisfaction at the World Cup campaign, the first time they have qualified in 34 years and despite the disappointment of defeat, he was very proud of his team. His country’s media was interested in his future, the experienced coach having already mentioned that it would be his last world cup, but with AFCON qualifiers just around the corner, he was happy to be involved in the conversation. His lasting legacy will be the turnaround in mentality of his squad – once resorting to stopping training sessions in his first year with South Africa to tell his players that it was their job to perform. The future is bright for South African football with such a young group of players.

Jesse Marsh spoke of a strong and disciplined performance. Whilst there was no mention of the numerous giveaways and scruffy football that we had all witnessed, he was happy that his team didn’t lose patience, especially when the opponents’ goalkeeper was standing with the ball at his feet. There was special mention for goalscorer Eustaquio, a fabulous human being who had recently lost his parents and was the ideal person to experience such a moment. Despite Marsch being an American, he underlined his affinity with Canada. “I am American, proud to be so. The ideals and characteristics of Canadians fit me very well,” he said. “Americans can be boisterous, loud and arrogant – that fits me well too.” He was not going to be pulled into helping the USA defeat Bosnia – that was not his job – but he knew that playing a modern giant like Morrocco or an established giant like Holland would be a big task. They would continue with aggression and speed; it’s essentially a free hit in the round of 16.

All eyes will be on the Netherlands vs Morrocco fixture tomorrow, the winners advancing to Houston in the round of 16 to face Canada. Just how far can this team go? On today’s showing, ‘no further’ would be an educated guess. However, this is a host nation at the World Cup, and as we’ve seen in World Cups gone by, that factor can produce unexpected and magical moments. Get ready for the rest of the round of 32. This was the first of many. Drama and thrills guaranteed!

Canada 6 Qatar 0

Vancouver’s unbelievable FIFA summer continued on Thursday with the host nation Canada welcoming previous hosts Qatar to BC Place for a crucial second pool game. The home team were already two goals up through Cyle Larin and Jonathan David when Homam Ahmed was sent off, ending the game as a contest; David’s second goal made the scoreline realistic at half time. A nasty injury to Ismael Kone dampened the joyous celebrations for a short while, Qatar further reduced in personnel, Assim Madibo dismissed for the leg-breaking foul, and from then it was simply a question of how many. Further goals from Nathan Saliba, a disastrous own goal from Mohammed Manai and the hat-trick clincher for David gave the scoreline a polish, and the stadium was bouncing as the players lapped the field at the conclusion of the action. This had been the perfect World Cup matchday for the hosts.

A day trip from Seattle, the 2.5-hour drive across the border was made with eager anticipation of a classic World Cup encounter. This was a battle between two teams desperate to make an impression on Group B and this would be an opportunity to see if Canada had the same appetite and enthusiasm for the World Cup as Turkiye and Australia had displayed in Vancouver on Saturday. Downtown was serene and relaxed as Canadian fans consumed the earlier game in the bars of Granville Street; further down the road, next to Science World and the big football, was where the action was happening. The local football ultras were assembling for a march, and with songs, smokies and plenty of animation, they set off for the stadium, emulating the scenes from match day one at this wonderful venue.

Having watched Switzerland brush Bosnia and Herzegovina aside in the earlier match, Canada knew they had to win, and the 92dB to 149dB cheers from the respective fans told the story of who the crowd were backing this afternoon. The Qatar national anthem was applauded, but the Canada national song, with French and English options, was tear-jerking, definitely a moment to puff out the chest and enjoy the patriotism on display. Football legend Christine Sinclair presented the currency for the toin coss to great applause, and she was to be cheered every time she appeared on the screen. The crowd was at full volume, the countdown took us into a manic first minute where Qatar’s Akram Afif gave us a splendid dummy and a cross from the left just evaded two Qatar players, an instant goal denied. The game was still in its first minute when Jonathan David should have controlled in space, but failed to do so, and the first ten minutes already had a penalty shout and a fine save by Mahmoud Abunada at the near post from David’s volley.

Ooh aah Canada rung around the magnificent stadium. A stray pass from the Canadian defence went straight to Qatar coach Julen Lopetegui, dressed in black and prowling the sideline; maybe a different choice of shirt was warranted. Derek Cornelius was booked, and the resulting free kick wasted by Qatar, but their fans were upbeat, the Viking clap rippling through their small pocket of fans decked in all white robes.

The opening goal saw Cyle Larin pounce when David thumped in a shot, Abunada spilling the shot with only Canadians around him, and there was a massive roar from the crowd to announce his name as the first goalscorer. The first signs that things were not going Qatar’s way was when Yusuf Abdurisag was penalised for a non-foul, and when Boualem Khoukhi was down with a head knock, he left his team a player short. The referee was displeased with the coaching going on at the stoppage, and the crowd responded with a well-timed Mexican wave. There were boos for the hydration break; after all we’d just had a break for the injured player and momentum was totally shot to bits now. We didn’t have to wait long though for another goal, Tajon Buchanan with the shot that sat up for David to volley home brilliantly for 2-0. Canada were hustling, giving Qatar no time in defence; it was upbeat and energetic, much like the crowd.

The game changed complexion just after the half hour, Buchanan crumbling conveniently under the slightest challenge from Homam Ahmed. Penalty and yellow card said the referee, ‘no’ said the Qatar players, free-kick and red card said VAR and Jesse Marsch’s dancing on the sideline looked a little silly now. The hustling continued, Canada able to press in pairs to win the ball with the man advantage. Buchanan stretched to get a shot on goal but it was hacked off the line, David turned and shot but it was deflected over, this was already a duck shoot, the Qatar fans doing their best to stay engaged. The six minutes of added time gave us a header across goal from Buchanan that was cleared from underneath the bar, before a carbon copy saw Abunada save brilliantly only for David to bundle the ball home. It was one-way traffic, Alistair Johnston firing in a shot that was pushed away and Qatar simply couldn’t get out of their half. The scoreline was generous to them at 3-0, and the crowd was certainly baying for more.

The second half started as an attack vs defence drill. The Qatar players were camped in their penalty area, the Canada players were stroking the ball around but failing to penetrate. Just after a check for a possible penalty was waved away, we had the big talking point of the game. There seemed to be little in a challenge by Assim Madibo on Ismael Kone, but the referee was quick to book the Qatar player. Suddenly the stretcher was on the field, the Canada players were a little frantic and they were surrounding their stricken teammate. The Qatari player was looking shocked, players and staff were getting heated on the sideline. The fans, in the meantime, had no idea what was happening. No replays, no explanation when the yellow card was upgraded to a red, and only the sight of Kone waving to the crowd in true Evel Kneivel style suggested that he was hiding something very serious.

So, eleven plays nine. We’ve seen it before. It’s often not easy for the advantaged team to find a way through a locked door, but the crowd were baying for more. “We want four!” The entertainment level had diminished, now it was just a case of how many goals and Qatar sacrificed their danger man Afif to preserve him ahead of the final group stage game. Canada’s Ali Ahmed was taken out at the knee, Ahmed Fathy lucky to escape further sanction. Nathan Saliba’s clever free kick made it four; he was handed Kone’s shirt to lift to the crowd, a gesture showing the togetherness in this blossoming Canada squad. “We want five…” came the shout.

The wave went around the stadium again and again. The fans were lapping it up. Mr Brightside had the whole stadium dancing, Jesse Marsch revved up the crowd to greet the substitutions, the occasion was more than just the football. Canada toiled but were found wanting, Qatar’s Mohammed Manai slicing a shot from Jacob Shaffelurg into his own net to set the capacity 53,497 crowd off again. “We want six…” Canada still couldn’t beat the first man at the near post from their series of corners, and there was a huge cheer for Canada goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau when he finally touched the ball. That cheer intensified when Christine Sinclair was shown again on the big screens, not realising that she was onscreen.

Canada’s urgency picked up in added time, the shouts for six were answered when Saliba fired in a shot that was controlled by David, and the finish completed his hat trick. “We want seven…” went the crowd, urging Crepeau to shoot when he ventured upfield. The crowd were already on their feet at the final whistle, there were flashpoints between the players, and some haymakers being thrown. When it finally died down, Canada took a knee in a circle to hear from their coach as the crowd sung and danced, the Qatar players heading to their bank of fans to commiserate with them. Freed from Desire filled the stadium with song and dance again as Marsch punched the air, acting as though his team had already won the whole damned thing.

He explained afterward why he was in such high spirits – this was a watershed moment for Canadian football – everyone will remember this game, the aim of changing this sport and creating an identity for the national team is high on his agenda, and he spoke with the elegant confidence of a match-winning coach. Kone was already in hospital preparing for surgery, his family with him, Madibo had already been into the dressing room to apologise. He also explained that he heard the snap when Kone broke his leg, and despite the celebrations from outside in the stadium precinct as he spoke, he expressed his love for his players.

“Kone was waving to the crowd, making everyone feel at ease; that was a statement about the player and it showed the special character of the group. He wanted us to finish the job.”

The disagreement with Lopetegui at the end was not something he wanted to discuss. He also didn’t understand why the Qatari staff were so aggrieved and angry after the second sending off. The squad had a family barbecue tomorrow, so they would take stock and begin preparations for the Switzerland encounter after that.

Julen Lopetegui wished Kone the best when asked about it in the first question of his press conference. The player did not mean it. It was an accident. The Qatar media were less sympathetic and wanted answers. Whilst he did lament the loss of two key players for the final group game against Bosnia and Herzegovina, he was not going to dwell on the events and decisions of tonight. When asked if his players had the spirit to win the final game, he reminded the media that this was the first time the country had ever qualified for the World Cup, and that the fans had enjoyed the good times against Switzerland to go with the bad times tonight. The Qatari media pursued him after the conclusion of the press conference, but he was off after a quick handshake and a smile, a difficult week ahead of him.

So, what had we learned today? We saw Qatar hassled and they couldn’t cope; we saw a borderline penalty decision that was unpopular with everyone, especially when it resulted in only a free kick and a red card instead of a yellow; play on may have been a better option. We saw the Qatar defence battle with nine players and we saw Canada struggle to work out how to break them down. It should and could have been double digits by 5pm, but the Asian team escaped the ignominy of a record-breaking thumping. This was all about Canada though, and for their fans and the whole population of this hockey-crazy nation, their heads were turned, hopefully forever.