This 2022 edition of the World Cup has been astonishing so far. What are the latest updates? Who are the top players in the competition? Wintop keeps you up to date with its daily news!
The United States beats Iran to advance in the World Cup
The U.S. took care of the situation on Tuesday, beating Iran 1-0 on a goal by Christian Pulisic later in the first half to qualify for the World Cup’s round of 16.
With the victory, the undefeated U.S. (1-0-2) came second in its group behind England and will now play with group A leader the Netherlands on Saturday. Iran, meanwhile, departs the World Cup before the knockout rounds for the sixth time in as many appearances.
But the Iranians posed a challenge for the Americans, fighting until the final second of regulation time to keep the American victory in doubt until the last whistle. In a frantic finish, the U.S. missed two excellent Iranian scoring chances to advance to the round of 16.
The only score the U.S. required coming in the 38th minute, when Pulisic took a half-step on Iranian defender Majid Hosseini and Ramin Rezaeian, permitting him to convert a head crossing from Sergio Dest into the goal from inside the six-yard box.
Senegal defeats Ecuador 2-1 to progress to the last 16
Senegal’s hero was Kalidou Koulibaly, who scored the winning goal to give his team a 2-1 victory against Ecuador and 2nd in Group A.
Senegal defeated Ecuador by a slim margin courtesy of a goal from Kalidou Koulibaly, sealing their spot in the FIFA World Cup Round of 16. Senegal took the lead unexpectedly in the first half courtesy of Ismail Sarr’s penalty.
Ecuador just needed a point to advance in the round of 16, and Moises Caicedo scored from a corner. The celebration was short-lived, as Kalidou Koulibaly surged to score the winning goal two minutes later. The Senegal captain ended the match with style!
Christian Pulisic hospitalized during the World Cup USA win over Iran
Christian Pulisic’s goal defeated Iran, allowing its team to qualify for the knockout stages of the World Cup. The United States will play the Netherlands on Saturday.
In the 38th minute, Christian Pulisic scored right before colliding with Iranian goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand. Pulisic remained unconscious on the floor for a few minutes and started progressively standing up and leaving the pitch with his medics.
The game continued with the U.S. deciding not to substitute Pulisic. He got back into the game a few minutes later, continuing to play for the entirety of the first half, but he left the field for the second.
New technologies at the Qatar World Cup
The 2018 World Cup in Russia saw the first use of “Video Assistant Referee” (VAR). The semi-automated offside technology allows reviewing things like offsides, goals, and fouls. FIFA approved the technology for the 2022 Qatar World Cup edition.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced: “The whole technology will help make football more accurate and precise. At FIFA World Cup in 2018, FIFA took the brave step to use VAR technology on the world’s biggest stage, and it has proven to be an undisputable success.”
FIFA has already improved the efficiency of VAR with the assistance of Adidas and many other partners and companies working on artificial intelligence.
The Artificial Intelligence Ball
This year’s World Cup ball, called “Al Rihla”, is an astounding piece of technology. The technology called Ball Technology will transmit information from inside the ball, such as ball speed and angle, and sends data 500 times per second to the VAR referee at all times.
Sensors inside the ball instantly relay the data to referees outside the field in seconds. This new artificial intelligence ball is supposed to have a positive impact on football allowing faster and more accurate decisions.
More tests are going to be done during the tournament. Only time will tell the benefits of the new system. To be continued!
