Qatar World Cup 2022 Day 3: Saudi Arabia beat Argentina, Tunisia hold Denmark to draw

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Full-time: Mexico 0-0 Poland

No break to the deadlock at the 974 Stadium, despite the raucous atmosphere.

Ronaldo to leave Manchester United 'with immediate effect'

Cristiano Ronaldo will leave Manchester United "with immediate effect," the Premier League club said Tuesday.

The 37-year-old forward conducted an explosive interview on the eve of the World Cup, criticizing manager Erik ten Hag and the club's owners.

Last week, United said it had "initiated appropriate steps" in response to Ronaldo's comments.

"Cristiano Ronaldo is to leave Manchester United by mutual agreement, with immediate effect," the club said in a statement. "The club thanks him for his immense contribution across two spells at Old Trafford, scoring 145 goals in 346 appearances, and wishes him and his family well for the future."

Half-time: Mexico 0-0 Poland

A pretty stale first half at Stadium 974 ends goalless.

Saudi Arabia declares national holiday after win over Argentina

Saudi Arabia has declared Wednesday a national holiday after their football team's momentous win over Argentina at the World Cup in Qatar, according to state news outlet Saudi Press Agency.

The Saudi team beat the two-time World Cup champions 2-1 in a thrilling match at the Lusail Stadium this afternoon.

Ons Jabeur congratulates Tunisia on Denmark draw

Tennis star Ons Jabeur has sent well-wishes to the Tunisian football team after they managed to hold Denmark to a goalless draw this afternoon.

"Well done to the whole team," she told her compatriots via Twitter.

Full-time: Denmark 0-0 Tunisia

Tunisia have managed to hold Denmark, a team twenty places ahead of them in the official rankings, to a draw.

While we wait for the second half of Denmark v Tunisia - the story of Anis Ben Slimane, who has ties to both teams.

Though born and raised to Tunisian parents in Denmark, he plays for the Tunisian national team.

Half-time: Denmark 0-0 Tunisia

A strong first half from Tunisia, who will be disappointed not to have taken the lead.

Striker Issam Jebali had a goal disallowed midway through the half, before being denied by a great save from Danish goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel at the 45-minute mark.

Denmark v Tunisia

Tunisia number 9 Issam Jebali scores but his goal is flagged as offside.

22 minutes in, it’s still goalless at the Education Stadium.

Tunisia take aim at Danes to achieve knockout ambition

Tunisia's last five World Cup finals appearances have all ended in first-round exits but there is a real belief they can end that disappointing run in Qatar as they prepare to face Denmark in their Group D opener at Education City Stadium on Tuesday.

Coach Jalel Kadri concedes the weight of past failures hangs heavy over his side, but there is hope will can get off to a positive start against the Danes and build momentum in a difficult pool that also contains France and Australia.

"Our group will not be easy, the draw has not been kind," he told reporters on Monday. "Denmark is among the best squads in Europe. We know they have high quality in every department.

"But we will give our all. We have our strengths, but we also know our weaknesses. We are aware we will be compared to past Tunisia squads."

(Reuters)

Full-time: Argentina 1-2 Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia have scored a seismic upset against Argentina.

Before the match, the South American side were one of the favourites for the tournament, and ranked 50 places above Saudi Arabia in the world rankings.

It looked as though Saudi Arabia might be down and out after they lost their captain Salman al-Faraj to injury at the end of the first half.

But The Green Falcons were able to make an out-of-sorts Argentina pay, scoring two goals early in the second half to seize the lead.

The Saudis were able to hold on to their lead in front of an 88,000-strong crowd at the Lusail Stadium, to jubilation from their fans.

More on this story here.

Argentina 1-2 Saudi Arabia 

A second goal for Saudi Arabia in a matter of seconds sends their fans into raptures.

Salem al-Dawsari sends the underdogs into the lead.

Argentina 1-1 Saudi Arabia

48 minutes in, Saleh Alshehri scores as the Green Falcons expose some poor defending by Argentina.

Half-time: Argentina 1-0 Saudi Arabia

It’s been a more comfortable first half for Argentina than the scoreline reflects.

After he scored with an early penalty, captain Lionel Messi netted a second, only for it to be flagged as offside.

Lautaro Martinez chipped the ball into the net a few minutes later, but that goal too was ruled offside.

And at 35 minutes, Martinez scored another goal that was quickly disallowed.

In what may damage the Saudi team and fan morale, captain Salman al-Faraj came off the pitch with an injury at the very end of the first half.

Another Argentina goal, this time from Lautaro Martinez, is flagged as offside. It's still 1-0 as we approach the 30-minute mark.

22 minutes in - Messi nets a second goal but it’s flagged as offside.

Argentina 1-0 Saudi Arabia 

Lionel Messi puts away a penalty for Argentina in the 10th minute of the game.

Lionel Messi leads Argentina v Saudi Arabia in final World Cup quest

Argentina's 35-year-old captain and all-time top scorer Lionel Messi will lead his team on Tuesday to begin his last quest for an elusive World Cup trophy.

With Paulo Dybala still not recovered from injury, Lautaro Martinez and Angel Di Maria were up front with Messi in a star-studded team who are one of the favourites to win in Qatar.

Saudi Arabia coach Herve Renard kept captain and midfielder Salman Al-Faraj in the team despite a recent shoulder injury. He has been a cornerstone of Al Hilal's dominance of Asian club football in recent years.

Their team is entirely home-based, with the local league's financial clout ensuring few leading players aspire to play overseas.

(Reuters)