World Football

Gareth Southgate decided to give Marcus Rashford his first start at this year's World Cup on Tuesday against Wales. The Manchester United man made the most of the opportunity.

Rashford's brace led England to a 3-0 win over Wales that clinched the top spot in Group B for the country at seven points.

They advanced alongside the United States, who moved on with five points after beating Iran 1-0.

One of Southgate's other big decisions—giving Phil Foden his first start in Qatar—also paid off as the Manchester City man scored as well.

But the day belonged to Rashford, who more than earned his plaudits from football Twitter:

Rashford's three goals at the tournament tie him atop the Golden Boot standings with France's Kylian Mbappé, the Netherland's Cody Gapko and Ecuador's Enner Valencia.

He has presented an interesting choice for Southgate, who opted to start Raheem Sterling and Bukayo Saka on the wings in the first two matches. That decision wasn't controversial in a 6-2 win over Iran—Saka notched a brace, and Sterling added a goal—but it was called into question after a scoreless draw against the United States.

It's a good problem for a manager. England has a wealth of options in the attack around Harry Kane, a fixture at the No. 9, and all offer their own benefits. Rashford, for one, offers direct running and excellent finishing, as he showed Tuesday.

Getting the equation right will be a big key for Southgate as Senegal looms in the round of 16. Rashford has made his case, but we'll find out if he locked down a starting spot.

The United States men's national team advanced to the knockout round of the 2022 FIFA World Cup with a 1-0 win over Iran on Tuesday afternoon.

Christian Pulisic's 38th-minute goal was the difference between the Americans finishing in second place in Group B and going home from Qatar.

The Americans took second behind England, who had a much more comfortable day in Qatar by winning 3-0 over Wales.

The wins by the USMNT and England confirmed the first two matches of the knockout round. The Americans take on Group A winner Netherlands on Saturday, while England and Group A runner-up Senegal square off on Sunday.

Netherlands and Senegal had similar experiences on Monday as the two teams in the same positions as them in Group B. The Dutch finished off a miserable home World Cup for Qatar with two goals, while Senegal battled to a 2-1 win over Ecuador.

Group B

1. England - 7 points

2. United States - 5

3. Iran - 3

4. Wales - 1

Tuesday Results

United States 1, Iran 0

England 3, Wales 0

The United States relied on its highest-profile player to advance into the knockout round.

Christian Pulisic connected with a Sergiño Dest cross in the 38th minute to give the Americans the three points required to advance to the round of 16.

Dest and Antonee Robinson challenged the Iranian defense down the flanks for most of the first half, but they were unable to play a perfect ball into the box until Dest's assist on Pulisic's goal.

The Americans appeared to have a second goal in the back of the net right before halftime, but Timothy Weah was ruled narrowly offside.

Iran played much better in the second half, as it had to secure at least a draw to make it out of Group B.

Iran came close on a few occasions, but none of its shots significantly challenged USMNT goalkeeper Matt Turner.

The American win set up a round-of-16 clash with the Netherlands. That will be the first of eight round-of-16 matches to be played in Qatar.

England became the fourth European nation to secure safe passage into the round of 16, and the Three Lions confirmed that UEFA had the first two group winners in Qatar.

Marcus Rashford brought the English attack to life five minutes into the second half with a stunning free-kick goal.

The Manchester United forward has three goals in Qatar. He added to his World Cup tally with a goal in the 68th minute.

Phil Foden became the sixth player to find the back of the net for England just a minute after Rashford opened the scoring. Foden knocked in a brilliant cross from the right wing off Harry Kane's boot.

England advanced to the knockout round without Kane, who is the reigning Golden Boot winner at the World Cup, finding the back of the net.

The well-rounded English attack will take on Senegal in the round of 16. The Three Lions are trying to reach the semifinals of their third straight major tournament. They finished in fourth place at the 2018 World Cup and were the runner-up at UEFA Euro 2020.

Group A

1. Netherlands - 7 points

2. Senegal - 6

3. Ecuador - 4

4. Qatar - 0

Tuesday Results

Netherlands 2, Qatar 0

Senegal 2, Ecuador 1

A three-minute stretch in the second half was the turning point in the fight for second place in Group A.

Senegal came out of that stretch on top through Kalidou Koulibaly's 70th-minute strike, which was his first-ever international goal.

Koulibaly's goal moved Senegal back into the lead after Moises Caicedo equalized for Ecuador in the 67th minute.

Caicedo's strike appeared to give Ecuador the result it needed to go through with the Netherlands, but Senegal came up huge in a must-win spot to answer the goal from the Brighton and Hove Albion player.

Senegal is through to the knockout round for the second time in national team history. The Lions of Teranga made it to the quarterfinals of the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea.

The Netherlands cruised into the knockout round as the Group A winner with a 2-0 win over Qatar.

Cody Gakpo continued to make his case as the breakout player of the tournament. as he netted his third goal of the competition in the first half.

The 23-year-old PSV Eindhoven player scored three of the five Dutch goals in the group stage. He will likely will not remain at PSV much longer after the World Cup. He was already on the radars of Europe's top clubs and his transfer value may be at its highest in January.

Qatar finished the group stage with zero points and a single goal. Qatar became the first host nation to lose all three games at the World Cup.

Wednesday Schedule

Group D: Tunisia vs. France (10 a.m. ET, FS1)

Group D: Australia vs. Denmark (10 a.m. ET, FS1)

Group C: Poland vs. Argentina (2 p.m. ET, Fox)

Group C: Saudi Arabia vs. Mexico (2 p.m. ET, FS1)

Casemiro helped send Brazil to the knockout stage with the team's 1-0 win over Switzerland, but Monday's men's World Cup match was far from easy.

The Seleção were without top scorer Neymar, who was ruled out with an ankle injury he suffered against Serbia. The result was a low-scoring battle with few quality chances.

Fans and journalists noted the team's struggles without Neymar on the pitch:

The match seemed headed toward a scoreless draw as Brazil simply could not break down the Swiss defense.

Casemiro finally changed the match in the 83rd minute with a goal off a quality pass from Rodrygo:

The score certainly caught the attention of social media:

It was enough for Brazil to get three points, bringing the team's total to six for the tournament. The squad has now clinched a spot in the knockout stage before its final group match against Cameroon.

Brazil's play still left questions about how far this team can advance if Neymar does not return to 100 percent. Brazil manager Tite must use the final group match to experiment with his deep roster of attacking options to find the best lineup for the later stages of the tournament.

Thirty of the 32 teams entered in the 2022 FIFA World Cup are still alive to advance to the knockout round.

The permutations are easier for some squads to advance to the round of 16, and only France has officially confirmed its spot in the knockout round.

Qatar and Canada are the two officially eliminated squads. That number could inflate after Monday's games in Groups G and H depending on the results in those four matches.

A handful of squads, including the United States men's national team, face win-and-in situations on their final group matchdays.

Other teams, like Germany, need wins and some help in potentially lopsided matchups to keep their World Cup hopes alive for at least a few more days.

Round of 16 Predictions

Netherlands (Group A winner) vs. United States (Group B runner-up)

Argentina (Group C winner) vs. Denmark (Group D runner-up)

Spain (Group E winner) vs. Morocco (Group F runner-up)

Brazil (Group G winner) vs. Portugal (Group H runner-up)

England (Group B winner) vs. Ecuador (Group A runner-up)

France (Group D winner) vs. Poland (Group C runner-up)

Croatia (Group F winner) vs. Germany (Group E runner-up)

Uruguay (Group H winner) vs. Switzerland (Group G runner-up)

Group A

1. Netherlands - 4 points (+2 goal differential)

2. Ecuador - 4 (+2)

3. Senegal - 3 (0)

4. Qatar - 0 (-4) - eliminated from tournament.

The Netherlands should confirm themselves as Group A winner on Tuesday with a win over Qatar.

The Dutch should outclass the host nation with ease. Qatar was eliminated from advancing to the knockout round after the second matchday. The Qataris have not had enough quality to deal with Ecuador and Senegal, and the same can be said about their matchup with the Dutch.

Most of the Group A attention Tuesday will be on Ecuador and Senegal inside the Khalifa International Stadium.

Ecuador has a one-point advantage over Senegal, and its defense could be massive in that match. La Tri conceded once in Qatar. The concession to the Dutch was the first goal allowed in eight matches for the South American side.

Senegal's back line has been more open lately, as it has one clean sheet in the last seven games.

Ecuador only needs a draw to advance, and even if it wins, it will likely not match the Netherlands' goal output against Qatar.

Group B

1. England - 4 (+4)

2. Iran - 3 (-2)

3. United States - 2 (0)

4. Wales - 1 (-2)

The United States needs a win over Iran to advance out of Group B. Any other result would not allow them to leap over Iran in the standings.

The Americans played three solid halves in the first two games, and they need to have more punch in the final third to beat an Iran side that has a negative goal differential from its 6-2 loss to England.

England should beat the Welsh in a match of regional rivals. Wales will be without goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey, who was sent off late in the second half against Iran.

Wales looked the worst of the four Group B sides through two matches, and it may be hard for the Welsh to compete with the England, especially a result needed for the Three Lions to advance in first place.

England has extra motivation to finish in first place because that would allow it to avoid a round-of-16 clash with the Netherlands.

Group C

1. Poland - 4 (+2)

2. Argentina - 3 (+1)

3. Saudi Arabia - 3 (-1)

4. Mexico - 1 (-2)

The Argentina-Poland match will determine the fate of Group C.

Argentina looked relieved after beating Mexico on Saturday, and that help the Albiceleste play with more energy and less stress against Poland.

The South American side should be favored against Poland and a win gets it into the knockout round, and more importantly, it will avoid France in the round of 16.

Poland can still get through to the knockout round with a loss. A Mexico-Saudi Arabia draw allows that to happen.

Mexico will be playing for pride and an outside chance to land a spot in the round of 16. Saudi Arabia struggled to create offense against Poland after beating Argentina in its opener.

Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa will be Poland's best friend on Wednesday. If he keeps Saudi Arabia out, Mexico scores one or two goals and Poland loses by just one goal, Poland will go through on goal differential.

Group D

1. France - 6 (+4)

2. Australia - 3 (-2)

3. Denmark - 1 (-1)

4. Tunisia - 1 (-1)

France is assumed to be the Group D winner.

The reigning World Cup champion has two wins from two games, and it should beat Tunisia, even if it rotates some of its squad to stay fresh for the knockout round.

Denmark should be the favored side against Australia. The Danes resided in the same situation at UEFA Euro 2020 and won. They went on to reach the semifinals of that tournament.

Denmark needs a win to leap over Australia, while the Aussies just need a draw from that match to advance.

Tunisia is still alive, but a win over France seems very unlikely with the form that Kylian Mbappé is in. Mbappé is tied for the Golden Boot lead with three goals.

Group E

1. Spain - 4 (+7)

2. Japan - 3 (0)

3. Costa Rica - 3 (-6)

4. Germany - 1 (-1)

All four teams are still alive in Group E.

Germany needs a win over Costa Rica and a bit of help to avoid a second straight group-stage exit.

Costa Rica gained an edge on Germany with a win over Japan on Sunday, but the Ticos could still be outclassed by a roster full of Bayern Munich stars.

Spain's formula to win the group is simple. La Roja needs to beat Japan to finish in first place. A draw combined with a Germany win allows the Spanish to get into the round of 16 in first as well.

Japan beat Germany and then went into a conservative strategy against Costa Rica that cost it that result. Japan could now be on the brink of elimination given how strong Spain is playing.

Group F

1. Croatia - 4 (+3)

2. Morocco - 4 (+2)

3. Belgium - 3 (-1)

4. Canada - 0 (-4) - eliminated from tournament

Croatia and Morocco have the clear advantages going into the final day of play in Group F.

Croatia's attack woke up against Canada to put it on top of the group ahead of Morocco on goal differential.

Belgium has been one of the most disappointing teams in the tournament, and it faces an uphill climb to get out of third place since it plays Croatia.

Croatia outperformed Belgium over 180 minutes of play, and it is expected to at least get a point out of the meeting of 2018 World Cup semifinalists.

Canada's defense allowed numerous wide-open chances to Croatia, and that could once again be its downfall against Morocco. The second-place team in Group F could be the only African side in the knockout round.

Group G

1. Brazil - 3 (+2)

2. Switzerland - 3 (+1)

3. Cameroon - 0 (-1)

4. Serbia - 0 (-2)

Group G is one of two groups with two matches left to play.

Brazil should be fine without Neymar because Richarlison is in some of the best form of any player on the international level. Richarlison scored twice in the opener against Serbia.

The Selecao take on Switzerland on Monday for first place in the group. That could allow Serbia or Cameroon to sneak into second place with a victory in their contest Monday.

Serbia sits at the biggest disadvantage because it conceded twice against Brazil. The European side could make up that gap with a win over Cameroon before it faces Switzerland in the group finale.

Brazil looked like the strongest squad in the first set of matches, and it is the favorite to win Group G until proved otherwise.

Group H

1. Portugal - 3 (+1)

2. Uruguay - 1 (0)

3. South Korea - 1 (0)

4. Ghana - 0 (-1)

Portugal and Uruguay find themselves in the same situation in Group H as Brazil and Switzerland in Group G.

They are perceived as the top two teams in Group H and either side can gain separation on top of the group Monday.

Portugal scored three goals, but it also conceded on two occasions to Ghana. Uruguay had the stronger defensive performance with a clean sheet in a scoreless draw versus South Korea.

Uruguay's defense could hold up against Cristiano Ronaldo and Co. and its attack, led by Darwin Núñez and Luis Suárez, could take advantage of a Portuguese defense that was opened up in the second half by Ghana.

Manchester United are open to a loan move for Chelsea forward Christian Pulisic during the January transfer window, according to Mark Ogden of ESPN.

The club could look to strengthen its attack after parting ways with Cristiano Ronaldo last week.

Newcastle United and Arsenal have also reportedly been made aware of Pulisic's availability when the window opens. Per Ogden, the United States international is hoping to find a new club after seeing limited playing time with Chelsea this season.

Pulisic has appeared in 13 of Chelsea's 14 Premier League matches this season, but he's made only three starts and ranks 16th on the team in minutes. He has one goal and one assist in league play this year, adding one assist in four Champions League appearances.

The 24-year-old had been seeking a move away from the club during the summer window, but Chelsea were "reluctant to sanction a move" for the forward after losing several other attacking options, per James Olley of ESPN.

There would still be a fight for playing time at Manchester United alongside Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Antony, but Pulisic could get a fresh start with a new location after an up-and-down career with Chelsea.

Newcastle United also have quality wing options in Allan Saint-Maximin and the red-hot Miguel Almirón, although Pulisic could rotate in for a squad that is surprisingly in third place in the Premier League table.

First-place Arsenal could also use more help offensively as it tries to compete for a championship.

Despite Pulisic's slow start to the year, he's proved himself in the past with six league goals in 22 appearances (13 starts) last season. He scored nine EPL goals with four assists in 2019-20 before helping Chelsea win the Champions League title in 2021.

Brazil manager Tite said both Neymar and Danilo will return from injuries suffered in the opening World Cup match against Serbia.

"I believe that Neymar and Danilo will play the World Cup," Tite told reporters, per Tom Hamilton of ESPN. "I believe in that. Medically, clinically, they can talk more about the stages of the treatment. [But] I have no place to talk. I trust that we will be able to use both of them."

Neymar suffered an ankle injury in Thursday's 2-0 victory, coming off in the 80th minute. He has been ruled out for the upcoming match against Switzerland on Monday and will reportedly miss the final group-stage match against Cameroon, per Hamilton.

The forward is undergoing 24-hour physiotherapy to help heal the injury.

There is a chance Neymar can return in time for the knockout stages, but Brazil will have to make a run without arguably its most important player.

The 30-year-old carried the squad through qualifying, scoring eight goals with eight assists in 10 matches as Brazil finished on top of the CONMEBOL table. No one else was responsible for more than six goals during qualifying.

The Paris Saint-Germain star has showcased his form during the Ligue 1 season with 11 goals and nine assists for the first-place club.

Brazil has no shortage of attacking options, with Vinícius Júnior, Richarlison, Raphinha, Gabriel Jesus and more proven players on the roster. These forwards could provide enough goals to help advance through the group stage.

However, the team likely needs Neymar back on the pitch to reach its goal of a World Cup title.