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Apoorv Dwivedi
International Football week has begun and a few ripples have been felt across the globe. With the FIFA World Cup 2022 around the corner, some big football powerhouses are battling it out to confirm their trip to Qatar this winters.
Europe
Europe is no stranger to upsets in the past. This time it was Italy which had to face the brunt of an upset.
North Macedonia sent Italy packing with a solitary goal in stoppage time. They will meet Portugal which beat Tunisia to reach the next round.
Veteran winger Gareth Bale scored a brace from the free kick and scored another goal to give Wales a 2-0 victory over Austria. Sweden on the other hand over came an injury ridden Czech republic to reach the next stage.
Sweden will meet Poland which got a bye because of Russian team getting suspended in light of the attack on Ukraine.
Africa
Unlike Europe where a knockout format is followed. In Africa 10 teams are competing in Two-legged matches to qualify in the third round.
AFCON champions Senegal suffered a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Egypt in the first leg. Ghana and Nigeria settled for a goalless draw.
Tunisia overcame Mali 1-0 in a memorable victory for the small African Nation. Sissako first conceded an own goal and then got himself a red card in the first half. A blow Mali couldn’t recover from.
Democratic republic of Congo and Morocco settled for a 1-1 draw.
Algeria, which had a slump in form during African Cup of Nations scored a clinical 1-0 victory over Cameroon.
Asia
In Asia, Hueng Min Son inspired South Korea has qualified for the World Cup. They have been joined by their neighbour Japan. Iran and Saudi Arabia have already qualified for the event.
The fourth round of qualifications will see UAE and Australia locking horns in an inter-confederation playoff on 7th of June.
South America
Uruguay beat Peru 1-0 to qualify while Argentina rout Venezuela 3-0. Argentina has already qualified for the world cup.
Brazil on the other hand gave Chile a rough night as the 2002 world champions defeated Chile 4-0. Vinicus Jr. Scored his first international goal for Brazil.
Columbia beat Bolivia 3-0 and Paraguay handed a 3-1 defeat to Ecuador.
North America
In North America things are tricky as only Canada is assured of a qualification through inter-confederation playoff match while Jamaica, Honduras and El Salvador have been eliminated.
United States and Mexico are poised to join Canada if they win their respective matches to qualify. While there’s a neck to neck battle between Costa Rica and Panama for a fourth place finish.
FIFA World Cup 2022 will be played in Qatar from November 21st to December 18th.