UEFA Champions League preview: Manchester United, City look to rebound

By Nicholas MendolaSep 30, 2015, 9:16 AM EDT

AP Photo/Martin Meissner

This time, it’s up to Manchester to save face for London.

The script was flipped on the first day of group play in the UEFA Champions League with mixed results, as Chelsea won and Arsenal lost one day after both United and City fell.

[ MORE: Premier League woes continue in UEFA Champions League ]

The scenery is even less rosy this week, as both the Blues and Gunners were beaten on Tuesday.

Manchester United vs. Wolfsburg

If Louis Van Gaal‘s boys want to chase their goals of a UCL final appearance this year, they’ll need to start with a visit from dangerous Wolfsburg. The United of the Premier League season didn’t show up in an opening Group B loss to PSV.

Borussia Monchengladbach vs. Manchester City

This is one heck of a group, and both teams are in danger of waxing their own hopes to advance with a second-straight loss on Wednesday. The home side will like its chances against an injury-depleted Premier League club, one which also is suddenly struggling to find its PL form.

Juventus vs. Sevilla

Last year’s Europa League winners head to Italy for a match-up with the other Group D team to win its opening match. Sevilla just picked up its first win of the La Liga season this weekend. Can they grab hold of their UCL group today, facing another big name team struggling in domestic play?

Shakhtar Donetsk vs. Paris Saint-Germain

PSG has a chance to clobber Shakhtar’s hopes of the group stage, but will have to do it on the road. Reports are now claiming that Laurent Blanc needs a UCL semifinal appearance at worst to stay at the Ligue 1 power.

Elsewhere
Astana vs. Galatasaray — Noon ET
CSKA Moscow vs. PSV Eindhoven — 2:45 p.m. ET
Atletico Madrid vs. Benfica — 2:45 p.m. ET
Malmo vs. Real Madrid — 2:45 p.m. ET

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Argentina vs Mexico, live! Score, updates, live stream link, video highlights

By Nicholas MendolaNov 26, 2022, 1:30 PM EST

Lionel Messi and Argentina have to bounce back from a historic upset loss when the Albiceleste meet Mexico in the 2022 World Cup in Lusail on Saturday.

STREAM LIVE ARGENTINA vs MEXICO

Argentina blew an early lead and lost 2-1 to Saudi Arabia In Lusail on Tuesday, shocking the tournament to life and putting even more emphasis on its second match with a tricky El Tri.

Mexico, for what it’s worth, will be upset not to have taken more from a scoreless draw with Poland at Stadium 974 in Doha and will also be positive that their final match against the Saudis will be a tough one.

[ LIVE: World Cup 2022 schedule, how to watch, scores, hub ]

Here is everything you need for Argentina vs Mexico.

How to watch Argentina vs Mexico live, stream link and start time

Kick off: 2pm ET, Saturday Nov. 26
Stadium: Lusail Iconic Stadium, Lusail
TV channels en Español: Telemundo
Streaming en Español: Peacock (all 64 matches)

Key storylines, players to watch closely

It’s Messi, of course, who says he’s playing in his final World Cup, but it’s also about who’s going to step up as a difference maker for Argentina. Lautaro Martinez had a goal taken off the board for a razor-thin offside versus Saudi Arabia, while Julian Alvarez had a shot saved in his sub’s role and both Paulo Dybala and Angel Correa were unused subs in the opener.

Mexico’s midfield was excellent to start the tournament. Will Hector Herrera again join Edson Alvarez and Luis Chavez is setting the tone for Tata Martino’s team? And can El Tri find a finisher after Henry Martin and Co. failed to find the back of the goal versus Poland.

Argentina quick facts

Current FIFA world ranking: 3
World Cup titles: 2 (1978, 1986)
World Cup appearances: 17
How they qualified: Qualified automatically from CONMEBOL (2nd place)
Coach: Lionel Scaloni
Key players: Lionel Messi, Angel de Maria, Lautaro Martinez

Mexico quick facts

Current FIFA world ranking: 13
World Cup titles: 0
World Cup appearances: 16
How they qualified: Qualified automatically from CONCACAF (2nd place)
Coach: Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino
Key players: Guillermo Ochoa, Hector Herrera, Raul Jimenez

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Kylian Mbappe bags brace as France advances with win over Denmark

By Nicholas MendolaNov 26, 2022, 12:56 PM EST

France sealed a spot in the knockout rounds of the 2022 World Cup with a 2-1 win over Denmark at Stadium 974 in Doha on Saturday.

Kylian Mbappe’s 61st-minute goal was answered by Andreas Christensen, but the French wizard completed his brace in the 86th minute to score his 14th goal in his last 12 matches for France.

STREAM LIVE FRANCE vs DENMARK

Antoine Griezmann assisted Mbappe’s late winner as France’s bid to become the third team to repeat as World Cup champions continues to look strong ahead of a group stage finale with Tunisia on Wednesday.

[ LIVE: World Cup 2022 schedule, how to watch, scores, hub ]

For Denmark, it will need to beat Australia after the Socceroos toppled Tunisia earlier Saturday and hope that Tunisia doesn’t surprise the already-through French as goal differential could come into play.

Mbappe puts pair of dents in Denmark’s durable defense

The reigning World Cup champions are no stranger to scoring boatloads of goals — ask Australia — but even the removal of Denmark’s captain didn’t change how strong the Danes defending has been in Qatar.

It was Galatasaray’s Victor Nelsson, not Simon Kjaer, who joined Andreas Christensen and Joachim Andersen in stifling Les Bleus this time, and goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel was there when needed with three saves and six recoveries.

But Mbappe.

The French center forward made the most of good service from Theo Hernandez on the first goal and an impeccable pass from Antoine Griezmann on the second as Denmark pushed France all the way.

Still, France took 20 of the game’s 28 shots and won the xG battle 2.35 to 0.61. Rivals will hope that the set piece goal is a way to beat the champs but France was otherwise solid again in its bid to win a second-straight World Cup.

Kylian Mbappe goal video: Come the hour (mark), come the man

🚀 G⚽️⚽️⚽️L de Francia 🇫🇷

🫡 Kylian Mbappé rompió el cero para marcar su segundo gol en esta #FIFAWorldCup.

🔥 Ojito a la jugada de Theo Hernandez #FRA 1-0 #DEN #ElMundialLoEsTodo #FRAvsDEN pic.twitter.com/eyoZlrIb1Y

— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) November 26, 2022

Andreas Christensen goal video: Set piece equalizer for Danes

😱 ¡ESTO SE PUSO EMOCIONANTE!

💥 Ojito al remate de cabeza de Andreas Christensen para empatar el partido.#FRA 1-1 #DEN #ElMundialLoEsTodo #FRAvsDEN pic.twitter.com/SUvNLCDQQy

— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) November 26, 2022

Kylian Mbappe goal video: Griezmann’s sweet service seals win

🚀 G⚽️⚽️⚽️L de Francia 🇫🇷

😍 ¡Doblete de Kylian Mbappé!

🔥 Ojito a lo que hizo Griezmann #FRA 2-1 #DEN #ElMundialLoEsTodo #FRAvsDEN pic.twitter.com/RsrtgZDylh

— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) November 26, 2022

How to watch France vs Denmark live, stream link and start time

Kick off: 11am ET, Saturday Nov. 26
Stadium: Stadium 974, Doha
TV channels en Español: Telemundo
Streaming en Español: Peacock (all 64 matches)

Key storylines, players to watch closely

Denmark’s defenders were ready for Tunisia but its midfield could not dictate the pace and its forwards were nearly non-existent. To say France presents a bigger challenge for Andreas Skov Olsen, Kasper Dollberg, or whoever else Denmark puts in attack is an understatement.

France, meanwhile, allowed an early goal to the Socceroos before turning on the style for most of the remainder of the patch. Antoine Griezmann looks especially lively for Les Bleus after contract issues limited his minutes for Atletico Madrid earlier this season.

France quick facts

Current FIFA world ranking: 4
World Cup titles: 2 (1998, 2018)
World Cup appearances: 15
How they qualified: Qualified automatically from UEFA (Won Group D)
Coach: Didier Deschamps
Key players: Hugo Lloris, Paul Pogba, Karim Benzema

The Tricolore 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙚-𝙪𝙥 to face Denmark 👊
Kick-off at 5pm CET

🇫🇷🇩🇰 | #FRADEN | #FiersdetreBleus pic.twitter.com/tEPYZkxYFK

— French Team ⭐⭐ (@FrenchTeam) November 26, 2022

Denmark quick facts

Current FIFA world ranking: 10
World Cup titles: 0
World Cup appearances: 5
How they qualified: Qualified automatically from UEFA (Won Group F)
Coach: Kasper Hjulmand
Key players: Kasper Schmeichel, Simon Kjaer, Christian Eriksen

Surprising lineup from Hjulmand! 👀#ForDanmark #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/hn0DKClB70

— Danish Football (@DanishFTBL) November 26, 2022

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World Cup tables – Group stage standings in full

By Joe Prince-WrightNov 26, 2022, 12:40 PM EST

The World Cup tables are shaping up to be very intriguing viewing as the group stage unfolds in Qatar.

[ LIVE: Watch World Cup en Espanol en Peacock ]

With teams now scrambling to be in the top two in order to reach the last 16, goal difference will make a big difference and it is going to be very tight and tense over the next few days.

If you need a reminder on the tiebreakers for the group stage, here is everything which will help you work out the two teams who will make it through and the two who will go home from reach group.

[ LIVE: World Cup 2022 schedule, how to watch, scores, hub ]

Below are the World Cup tables from all eight groups, as fans across the globe will be glue to these standings as they try to figure out the permutations needed for their team to make it through.

Monday, November 28: Portugal vs Uruguay – Lusail Iconic Stadium, Lusail – 2pm
Monday, November 28: South Korea vs Ghana – Education City Stadium, Al Rayyan – 8am
Friday, December 2: South Korea vs Portugal – Education City Stadium, Al Rayyan – 10am
Friday, December 2: Ghana vs Uruguay – Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah – 10am

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Iran vs USA: How to watch live, USMNT stream link, team news

By Nicholas MendolaNov 26, 2022, 12:38 PM EST

The United States men’s national team seeks a return to the knockout rounds and that’ll only come with a win over Iran at 2pm ET Saturday inside Al Thumama Stadium in Al Khor.

STREAM LIVE IRAN vs USA

It doesn’t matter what Wales does vs England at Ahmed bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan because England already has four points and a draw would give Iran four as well.

The Yanks’ two draws mandate a win-or-go-home mentality on Saturday and there are multiple generations worth of redemption up for grabs after the USMNT was felled by Iran at the 1998 World Cup and failed to qualify for the 2018 tourney in Russia.

[ LIVE: World Cup 2022 schedule, how to watch, scores, hub ]

How can Gregg Berhalter unlock the USMNT attack to get the goal or goals he’ll need to reach a date with Group B’s winner or runner-up?

Here is everything you need for Iran vs USA.

How to watch Iran vs USA live, stream link and start time

Kick off: 2pm ET, Tuesday Nov. 29
Stadium: Al Thumama Stadium, Al Khor
TV channels en Español: Telemundo
Streaming en Español: Peacock (all 64 matches)

Key storylines, players to watch closely

For Iran, it’s about riding the momentum of a huge win after finding inspiration in a huge loss. There’s an ocean’s worth of difference in emotion between the 6-2 tournament-opening loss to England in Al Rayyan and the 2-0 triumph over Wales In the same city. Can Mehdi Taremi or Sardar Azmoun succeed where Harry Kane and Raheem Sterling could not and break down the USMNT defense for a goal?

Meanwhile, the Yanks may still be lamenting a 1-1 draw with Wales as much as they are celebrating a strong performance that kept them unbeaten against England at the World Cup after a scoreless draw with Gareth Southgate’s men In Al Khor. Gregg Berhalter has to find a way to unlock the USMNT’s final-third woes when they hit Al Khor on Tuesday.

Iran quick facts

Current FIFA world ranking: 20
World Cup titles: 0
World Cup appearances: 5
How they qualified: Qualified automatically from AFC (Won Group A)
Coach: Dragan Skocic
Key players: Ehsan Hajsafi, Sardar Azmoun, Mehdi Taremi

USA quick facts

Current FIFA world ranking: 16
World Cup titles: 0
World Cup appearances: 9
How they qualified: Qualified automatically from CONCACAF (3rd place)
Coach: Gregg Berhalter
Key players: Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Tyler Adams

Follow @NicholasMendola

2022 World Cup

How to watch Argentina vs Mexico live, stream link and start time

Key storylines, players to watch closely

Argentina quick facts

Mexico quick facts

2022 World Cup

Mbappe puts pair of dents in Denmark’s durable defense

Kylian Mbappe goal video: Come the hour (mark), come the man

Andreas Christensen goal video: Set piece equalizer for Danes

Kylian Mbappe goal video: Griezmann’s sweet service seals win

How to watch France vs Denmark live, stream link and start time

Key storylines, players to watch closely

France quick facts

Denmark quick facts

Latest World Cup news

Group A | Group B | Group C | Group D | Group E | Group F | Group G | Group H

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Group C table

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Group E table

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Group F table

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Group G table

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Group H table

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2022 World Cup

How to watch Iran vs USA live, stream link and start time

Key storylines, players to watch closely

Iran quick facts

USA quick facts