Day 10 -- Gakpo, Rushford Stars of the Day

DAY 10 Tuesday 

Watching two games at a time on two screens and channels – MTV and Jio Cinema, is going to be a tiring experience.

Kalidou Koulibaly strike sends Senegal into last 16 with win over Ecuador

Winger Ismaila Sarr kept his cool to score a first half penalty and captain Kalidou Koulibaly netted a second goal as Senegal beat Ecuador 2-1 at the Khalifa International Stadium on Tuesday to earn a place in the last 16 of the World Cup.

Sarr scored his penalty in the 44th minute having earned the spot-kick himself, but Ecuador, who needed only a draw to reach the knockout rounds, equalized through Moises Caicedo.

That joy for the South Americans lasted only three minutes though as Koulibaly restored Senegal's lead, which they were able to hold onto for the remainder for the match.

The African champions finished second in Group A with six points from their three matches, one behind winners Netherlands and two ahead of Ecuador, whose tournament held much promise but ended in bitter disappointment. 

Gakpo, De Jong help Netherlands top group with easy win over Qatar

Cody Gakpo netted his third goal in three games as the Netherlands comfortably beat World Cup hosts Qatar 2-0 at the Al Bayt Stadium on Tuesday to secure top spot in Group A and advance to the knockout stages.

The Dutch, who finished with seven points from their three group games, will be joined in the last 16 by Senegal, who knocked out Ecuador by beating them 2-1 to end up second on six points.

The Qataris had been eliminated after their 3-1 loss to Senegal and despite huge investment in state-of-the-art facilities to host the World Cup, they came up short again on the pitch.

Cody Gakpo has a bright future. The Dutch winger Cody Gakpo's World Cup performance showed his star potential after goal against Ecuador.

Marcus Rashford stars as England ease past Wales, qualify for World Cup knockout stage

Rashford enters Golden Boot race with brace

England defeated Wales 3-0 at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium on Tuesday to top Group B, setting up a round-of-16 tie next Sunday against Group A runners-up Senegal.

Sometimes a change can do good. Southgate's changes sparked England over Wales.  Southgate freshened up his England team after a lackluster showing against the United States, and he made four alterations, drafting in Rashford, Foden, Jordan Henderson and Kyle Walker.

Two goals from Marcus Rashford and a further by Phil Foden helped England secure a dominant 3-0 win over Wales on Tuesday and a place in the knockout stage of the 2022 World Cup.

English football manager  Gareth Southgate's side dominated the first half but struggled to make it count until Rashford hit a superb free kick minutes into the second half, followed seconds later by a Foden tap-in.

Southgate's side upped their tempo in the second half and immediately looked more dangerous in attack. When Foden, eager to run at defenders, won a free kick at 49 minutes, Rashford stepped up and powered a strike into the far top corner.

Rashford netted England's third goal on 68 minutes with a clean strike that went through Wales goalkeeper Danny Ward's legs to seal a comfortable victory over their home nation rivals.

Wales boss Robert Page stuck with aging stars Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey, whose places looked under threat after below-par performances in the loss to Iran. He made just three changes as Joe Allen and Daniel James were handed starting spots, while Ward replaced suspended goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey.

USA 1, Iran 0 USA 1 – US advances to knockout round

It was very simple for the United States on Tuesday against Iran in the 2022 World Cup. Win, or go home. Mission accomplished for the Americans.

Three of the four teams in Group B -- the US, England and Iran -- were still alive for two spots in the round of 16. The scenarios are straightforward. England cruised to a 3-0 win over Wales, making the Three Lions the winner of Group B. With a gritty 1-0 win over Iran, the US will also move on to the knockout stage.

The full-time whistle blows at Al Thumama Stadium, and the US have held on for a nervy, narrow 1-0 win over Iran. The Iranian bench were desperate for a penalty to be called on Carter-Vickers, but the referees again denied their claims, and that was as close as the USMNT came to conceding in this game's final moments.

The Americans will now face the Netherlands on Saturday at 12 noon India time.

That was all in four games on day 10 of FIFA WC 2022 worth commenting on.