With flags flying everywhere and people putting on football shirts, it’s a magical time. But nobody makes the most of this time like Argentina or Brazil fans. It is said often that Bengalis are a passionate lot and it certainly shows when the World Cup begins.

Argentina's and Mexico's big and boisterous fan bases were out in force on Friday as one of Latin American football's biggest rivalries spiced up the World Cup ahead of their latest clash.

Australia’s World Cup clash against Tunisia at Al Janoub Stadium on Saturday pitches a Socceroos side that have struggled to score against a team that have this year made a virtue of not conceding.

Coach Herve Renard said Saudi Arabia's shock win over Argentina at the World Cup will count for little if they fail to get out of the group stage in Qatar.

Contrasting moods will accompany Poland and Saudi Arabia into their World Cup Group C clash on Saturday, with all the pressure on the Poles after they started with a disappointing goalless draw while the Saudis shocked Argentina.

Having lost twice to Denmark recently, France will be taking nothing for granted when they look to secure their qualification for the knockout stages with a game to spare in Group D on Saturday.

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.

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.