Argentine football greats and thousands of World Cup fans paid tributes Friday to Diego Maradona on the second anniversary of the football icon's death.

Mexico winger Hirving 'Chucky' Lozano said he is relishing their World Cup clash against a wounded Argentina, with the Lionel Messi-led side needing to go for broke after they suffered a shock defeat in their opening Group C match.

Argentina hope to restore their status as a tournament favourite against goal-shy Mexico in their Group C clash on Saturday where both heavyweights of Latin American football need to improve on disappointing starts to the World Cup.

Argentina will seek to save their World Cup skins in Qatar on Saturday when Lionel Messi and his teammates face Mexico in a match they cannot afford to lose.

England suffered a sobering reality check as they were outplayed for long periods by a youthful United States side in a tense 0-0 draw in their second World Cup Group B game on Friday.

Cody Gakpo scored again at the World Cup but the Netherlands missed the chance to secure a place in the last 16 on Friday as they were held to a 1-1 draw by a battling Ecuador, a result which eliminated host nation Qatar.

Thursday night was, in the words of Borat, “great success” for Brazil, and consequently the cause of gastric tribulation for at least half of Bangladesh’s adult population i.e. Argentina fans.

“A few weeks ago, I was crying, not sure if it would come,” Richarlison reminisced after scoring two goals to lift Brazil to a 2-0 win in Serbia in their 2022 World Cup opener, reminding fans of the calf injury that appeared to have shattered his dream of playing in the World Cup for Brazil.

Neymar will miss Brazil’s next World Cup game against Switzerland after he suffered ankle ligament damage in his team’s opening win against Serbia, the team doctor said on Friday.

Host nation Qatar were pushed to the brink of an early elimination from their own World Cup on Friday after a 3-1 defeat to Senegal.

Cody Gakpo scored again at the World Cup but the Netherlands missed the chance to secure a place in the last 16 on Friday as they were held to a 1-1 draw by a battling Ecuador, a result which eliminated host nation Qatar.

Based on the first of three rounds of group-stage games, it is fair to conclude that football fans have been treated to a variety of scrumptious dishes -- a platter that is expected from the Greatest Show on Earth.

Iran claimed a famous 2-0 victory over 10-man Wales on Friday as Carlos Queiroz’s men scored two goals deep into added time to keep their World Cup campaign alive.

As 32 teams compete for the World Cup in Qatar, Adidas and Nike also hope their shares can score.

A flying England will hope to follow up their goal frenzy against Iran with a similar performance against the USA in a tasty Group B clash.

Host nation Qatar were pushed to the brink of an early elimination from their own World Cup on Friday after a 3-1 defeat to Senegal.

Brazilian duo Neymar and Danilo will miss Brazil's remaining World Cup group games against Switzerland and Cameroon after sustaining injuries in Thursday's opening 2-0 victory over Serbia, the team's doctor said on Friday.

With the Netherlands and Ecuador both coming off 2-0 wins in their openers, the meeting at Khalifa International Stadium on Friday carries added significance as it could decide who takes the top-spot in Group A.

 Argentina are looking to put their shock 2-1 opening defeat by Saudi Arabia behind them as they prepare for their World Cup Group C match against Mexico on Saturday, a game they now feel they absolutely must win.

Romelu Lukaku trained on Friday ahead of Belgium's World Cup match against Morocco after missing their tournament opener in Qatar with a thigh injury.