DOHA: Two of the world’s most celebrated strikers, Lionel Messi of Argentina and Robert Lewandowski of Poland will make it count against each other with tickets to the round of 16 of the World Cup being hunted by both players.

Messi, 35, already scored twice for Argentina, who had gotten off to a ‘terrific’ start to the campaign this time when they suffered the shock defeat in championship history by falling to Saudi Arabia before he was a key character in helping the team overcome Mexico.

The Paris Saint Germain forward is playing in his fifth and final World Cup campaign and this is the last chance he will equal Diego Maradona’s record and lift that prestigious trophy.

“We need to stay calm to be able to face the match against Poland in a different way,” said Messi after the tremendous pressure against Mexico.

Argentina are second in Group C with three points, one behind Poland, they need to win to progress to the last 16 and stay in contention for a third World Cup title.

A draw is also sufficient for Argentina if Mexico and Saudi Arabia end their match in a draw.

Like Messi, 34-year-old Lewandowski is also the top scorer for his country and this is his last World Cup stage.

He was at his peak with Messi’s former club Barcelona and started well in Qatar.

Lewandowski missed a penalty in the opening game with Mexico before netting his first World Cup goal to help Poland beat Saudi Arabia 2-0.

“I think the older I get, the more emotional I realize it might be my last World Cup,” said the Poland captain.

DOHA: Nearly three million Qatar 2022 World Cup tickets have already been sold, with the International Football Association (FIFA) saying the theme helped boost their revenue four years ago to US$7.5 billion.

A FIFA spokesperson told AFP that 2.95 million tickets had been sold up to opening day last night.

The opening of the World Cup clearly led to a spike in fans to watch 64 matches over 29 days despite the negative publicity towards Qatar as the host.

Fans were seen lining up outside FIFA’s ticket center in Doha and some frowned at being forced to wait a long time to enter the online ticket selling platform.

The spokesperson said Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United States, Mexico, Britain, the United Arab Emirates, Argentina, France, India and Brazil were among the countries with the highest purchase of tickets.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino told during a previous hearing that the world body’s four-year revenue is expected to total RM34.3 billion by the end of the year.

The revenue achieved was US$1 billion higher than forecast four years ago.

LONDON: Harry Kane insists England are not afraid to say they can win the 2022 World Cup and believes their lackluster form of late has helped lower expectations for the team.

The squad coached by Gareth Southgate is labeled as one of the favorites to win the tournament after reaching the semi-finals of the 2018 edition and emerging as runners-up in Euro 2020 last year.

However, Kane believes The Three Lions are capable of going further in the Middle East and lifting the World Cup trophy since they last won it in 1966.

“We have to believe we can win it.

“I look back at England 10, 15 years ago and it was almost like we were afraid to say we wanted to win it. I think one of the big changes we’ve made over the last four or five years with Gareth is we’re not afraid to say it.

“But I think it’s important that we’re not afraid to say that’s the main reason we’re going there,” Kane said in an interview with Sky Sports.

However, England came to this year’s World Cup campaign with a less than encouraging performance when they failed to win any Nations Cup competition which saw them relegated to the B League.

Southgate’s men, who open their World Cup campaign against Iran on November 21, are looking for a first win in seven games after drawing three and losing three but Kane believes their poor form has helped lower expectations ahead of the Qatar clash.

“The first game is very important. It’s certainly not the best period in a long time for England. Since Gareth took over – we’ve never been through what we’re going through now.

“However, this situation can also be a good thing before a big tournament because it allows you not to get carried away, including the media,” said Kane.

LONDON: After beating Chelsea at Stamford Bridge for their 11th win in 13 games, Arsenal are back at the top of the English Premier League.

The 1-0 victory as a result of Gabriel Magalhaes’ goal saw them overtake the defending champions, Manchester City with only one game remaining before the World Cup break.

Gabriel scored the only goal of the match from Bukayo Saka’s corner kick and Arsenal managed to hold off Chelsea’s pressure throughout the remaining 30 minutes of play to collect the three points.

“We are a young team, but we showed maturity today, calm and brave to play at this level.

“It’s easy to say, but difficult to implement. I think the players were quite extraordinary today,” said Arteta.

Arsenal’s excellent start to the season saw them manage to beat three opponents from the top six in a row for the first time since 2012.

Despite losing to Manchester United earlier this season, they beat Liverpool and Spurs at the Emirates Stadium and broke that record after victory at Stamford Bridge.

In 2012, The Gunners beat Spurs 5-2, Liverpool 2-1 and Manchester City 1-0.

LONDON: Arsenal need to quickly forget the 2-0 defeat in the Europa League at the hands of PSV Eindhoven as they face a busy schedule, said manager Mikel Arteta.

PSV advanced to the knockout stages of the second class European tournament thanks to goals from Joey Veerman and Luuk De Jong.

The result ended Arsenal’s 100 per cent start to Group A but they had already secured a place in the top two before the defeat.

Arteta’s side have two home games in the next seven days – against Nottingham Forest in the Premier League this Sunday and then FC Zurich in the Europa League final on Thursday.

“I’m very disappointed. It ends our streak of winning a lot of games and today is our first defeat (since the beginning of September) and we have to bounce back,” Arteta said.

Manchester United’s 3-1 win at home to Arsenal on September 3 handed them their only defeat in the Premier League so far this season.

“Congratulations to PSV – they are the better team today. We are far from the real level and we know in Europe, it is very difficult to win,” said Arteta.

“We are disappointed tonight but there is no need to regret it. We have to respond. On Sunday we have a very important game, then we will see the action against Zurich.

“We have to be better than what we showed today. We know what we’re trying to do and finish a play, the way we finish it, it’s not enough.”

LONDON: Chelsea are interested in signing Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo after the player was sidelined by manager Erik ten Hag.

Ronaldo, 37, refused to come on as a substitute at the end of Wednesday’s game against Tottenham Hotspur, and he left the pitch with the game still in progress.

As a result, Ten Hag did not field the five-time Ballond d’Or winner for the 1-1 draw at Chelsea, and ordered Ronaldo to train alone at Carrington.

The Portuguese forward’s future with the Red Devils is now back in question with speculation that the club are ready to let him go in January for free if there is no offer.

Chelsea is said to be interested in Ronaldo’s services ahead of the January transfer window. Last summer, the West London club contacted the player’s representative to discuss his transfer.

New Chelsea owner Todd Boehly reportedly wants to bring Ronaldo to Stamford Bridge, but former manager Thomas Tuchel has other plans.

Now that Tuchel has been replaced by Graham Potter, Boehly is expected to continue his desire to get in touch with Ronaldo until the end of the season before having the option to extend his contract for next season.

It is seen as the best choice for the Real Madrid and United legend who hopes for the best end to his glorious career.

MANCHESTER: Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag said he had no problem with Cristiano Ronaldo’s protest when he was sent off during the 0-0 draw against Newcastle.

Ronaldo started the game for the first time since the 4-0 thrashing by Brentford in August, but was taken off by Ten Hag with 18 minutes remaining on Sunday.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner showed his displeasure by shaking his head.

“I don’t think any player is happy to be sent off and certainly not Ronaldo. I understand that.

“As long as it’s done in a normal way, I don’t have a problem. Of course he thinks he should stay and score goals. That’s why he’s as good as he is,” said Ten Hag.

The decision to send Ronaldo off was also questioned by United fans after his replacement, Marcus Rashford, squandered a chance to win the game in stoppage time.

However, Ten Hag believe they should have taken the lead through Ronaldo’s goal early in the second half which was later disallowed.

The Portuguese striker was confident the ball was in play when Fabian Schar sent the ball past Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope.

United were also charged by the English Football Association (FA) after several of their players protested against the referee, and Ronaldo was shown a yellow card.

MANCHESTER, United Kingdom: Pep Guardiola dismissed claims that Manchester City could easily overcome Liverpool based on current form when the two teams meet tomorrow.

During Guardiola’s era with City and Jurgen Klopp leading Liverpool, both clubs became the strongest teams in English football.

Liverpool’s title triumph in 2019/20 was City’s only failure to win the league in the past five years, but twice they edged out the Reds by just one point in a fierce title chase.

However, Liverpool’s streak of two wins in eight matches in the Premier League this season has caused City to now open a 13-point gap over Klopp’s squad.

“With just two little things they couldn’t do, something that no other English team could do,” Guardiola said of Liverpool who narrowly missed out on four titles last season.

“It’s the same team, the same manager, things like this can happen. We’ll get through it. We’re trying to avoid a difficult period, but we’ll get through it. It’s part of the normalcy of this tournament.

“The players are aware of it because over the last few years, we’ve been fighting in all the competitions and all the titles. It’s very close and we’re only slightly better in the Premier League, but it doesn’t change my view of them.”

Erling Haaland’s presence at City seems to make it an impossible challenge to wrest the title from Guardiola’s squad.

Haaland has scored 20 goals in 12 competitive appearances, including 15 goals in just nine Premier League appearances.

And the Norwegian forward will be fresher for the trip to Anfield after Guardiola left him on the bench as City drew 0-0 at FC Copenhagen in midweek as they progressed to the last 16 of the Champions League.

Arsenal are at the top of the league again after a brilliant performance against Liverpool.

Arsenal host Liverpool. And this is the first time in several seasons that Arsenal are considered favorites to win over Liverpool.

Arsenal will certainly be looking to continue their excellent form this season after their impressive win in the North London Derby.

Just 47 seconds after kick-off, Liverpool were behind through a goal by Gabriel Martinelli who received the ball behind Trent Alexander Arnold.

It was due to William Saliba winning the ball from the ground and triggering an immediate counter attack.

Both teams then played a very open game.

Liverpool asked for a penalty after the ball hit Gabriel Maghalhaes but the referee and VAR did not give it.

Liverpool then faced a worrying moment when Trent Alexander Arnold appeared to be in pain after Martinelli accidentally stepped on his foot. Liverpool are dealing with a long injury list.

However, the player was able to continue playing as usual after receiving treatment.

In the 26th minute, Darwin Nunez tested Aaron Ramsdale for the first time with a powerful shot from the right.

A minute later, Gabriel Jesus made a dangerous dribble from the left and tried to beat Alisson from a difficult angle but failed.

In the 30th minute, William Saliba almost hit the ball into his own goal when trying to make a low pass to Luis Diaz. But Aaron Ramsdale acted brilliantly and nimbly deflected the ball.

Liverpool dominated the match over 60% but did not create so many golden chances.

In the 34th minute, Liverpool finally got an equalizer after they played their best phase in the last 10 minutes. Luis Diaz passed a low ball to Darwin Nunez who continued to push the ball in.

Before the referee blew the half-time whistle, Arsenal were back in front. This time through Bukayo Saka who completed Gabriel Martinelli’s pass in injury time.

Continuing the second half, Arsenal started more dominantly.

Martin Odegaard had a golden opportunity from inside the penalty box but he squandered the opportunity with a weak shot straight at Alisson.

Shortly after, Liverpool once again equalized through – who else but – Roberto Firmino’s excellent reputation against Arsenal.

Firmino received Jota’s pass and then slid the ball past Ramsdale. Making him the first Liverpool player to score 10 goals against Arsenal.

Arsenal then appeared more aggressively attacking and playing in Liverpool’s area.

In the 72nd minute, Ibrahim Konate blocked Xhaka’s ball that crossed Alisson in front of the goal line.

Shortly after, Arsenal were awarded a penalty kick after the referee felt Thiago had kicked Gabriel Jesus from behind.

Saka calmly saved the penalty in the 76th minute.

End of the match Arsenal 3 Liverpool 2. Arsenal at the top of the league overtook Manchester City again.

LONDON: Erling Haaland averaged better than one goal per game in his first 100 appearances in Europe’s top leagues.

The player created glory in the Premier League when he scored 14 goals in just eight league games.

And statistics after 100 games in Europe’s top leagues leave stars like Kylian Mbappe, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi far behind.

Haaland scored 103 goals in 100 league appearances with Borussia Dortmund and City.

It is more than double Mbappe’s 48 goals in 100 Ligue 1 games.

Two more legends namely Messi and Ronaldo are further back.

Messi scored 41 times in 100 La Liga games for Barcelona while Ronaldo only found the net 16 times in 100 European premier league games.

Sky Sports pundits Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville put together a list of striker goals including Luis Suarez, Harry Kane and Alan Shearer for comparison.

Suarez scored 59 goals in 100 appearances in Europe which looks great, but he is far behind Haaland.

Kane found the net 45 times but surprisingly Shearer managed just 20 times in the same period before scoring 260 goals in 441 Premier League games in total.