Host nation Qatar were pushed to the brink of an early elimination from their own World Cup on Friday after a 3-1 defeat to Senegal.

Cody Gakpo scored again at the World Cup but the Netherlands missed the chance to secure a place in the last 16 on Friday as they were held to a 1-1 draw by a battling Ecuador, a result which eliminated host nation Qatar.

Based on the first of three rounds of group-stage games, it is fair to conclude that football fans have been treated to a variety of scrumptious dishes -- a platter that is expected from the Greatest Show on Earth.

Iran claimed a famous 2-0 victory over 10-man Wales on Friday as Carlos Queiroz’s men scored two goals deep into added time to keep their World Cup campaign alive.

Thursday night was, in the words of Borat, “great success” for Brazil, and consequently the cause of gastric tribulation for at least half of Bangladesh’s adult population i.e. Argentina fans.

A flying England will hope to follow up their goal frenzy against Iran with a similar performance against the USA in a tasty Group B clash.

Host nation Qatar were pushed to the brink of an early elimination from their own World Cup on Friday after a 3-1 defeat to Senegal.

Brazilian duo Neymar and Danilo will miss Brazil's remaining World Cup group games against Switzerland and Cameroon after sustaining injuries in Thursday's opening 2-0 victory over Serbia, the team's doctor said on Friday.

With the Netherlands and Ecuador both coming off 2-0 wins in their openers, the meeting at Khalifa International Stadium on Friday carries added significance as it could decide who takes the top-spot in Group A.

Romelu Lukaku trained on Friday ahead of Belgium's World Cup match against Morocco after missing their tournament opener in Qatar with a thigh injury.

Senegal manager Aliou Cisse swaps Jakobs in for the injured Cheikhou Kouyate and Pape Abou Cisse is replaced by Famara Diedhiou, while Qatar boss Felix Sanchez makes three changes from the side that lost 2-0 to Ecuador.

Iran scored twice after the eighth minute of stoppage time to snatch a stunning 2-0 win over Wales that breathed new life into their World Cup campaign and left their opponents flat on their backs and facing a make-or-break decider against England.

Brazil’s 2-0 win over Serbia in their opening World Cup game in Qatar was marred by an injury to Neymar.

Wales rescued a 1-1 draw against USA in their opening match courtesy of a late penalty converted by their talisman Gareth Bale, who netted his 41st international goal, and the forward will be counted on again versus Iran in what amounts to a must-win game for both sides.

Senegal star Sadio Mane is with his team at the World Cup in spirit if not in body after being ruled out with injury, captain Kalidou Koulibaly said Thursday.

Qatar want to prove they can compete at the highest level and emulate the Arab teams’ performance this World Cup when they face Senegal in their second Group A World Cup fixture at the Al Thumama Stadium in Al Khor on Friday.

Netherlands will be bidding to make it two wins from their opening two World Cup matches but Ecuador promised to ‘run the Dutch hard’ when the two sides meet in their Group A encounter at the Khalifa International Stadium on Friday.

Wales head into their Group B fixture against Iran at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium on Friday aware that victory could help them take a pivotal step towards qualification for the World Cup knockout stages.

Off the back of an emphatic victory in their opening 2022 World Cup fixture against Iran, England will endeavour to better their World Cup records against the USA at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor on Friday, boosting the Three Lions’ hopes of securing top spot in Group B in the process.

Football legend Pele gave Brazil a virtual pre-match pep talk Thursday as the national team prepared to make their World Cup debut, telling them: "Bring this trophy home."