November 28, 2022 World Cup news and highlights

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after a goal against Uruguay on Monday.

Portugal punched its ticket to the knockout round of the World Cup with a 2-0 victory Monday over Uruguay in Group H.

In the 54th minute, Portugal broke the 0-0 tie. Bruno Fernandes chipped a cross into the box as Cristiano Ronaldo darted toward the goal. It initially appeared?Ronaldo might have gotten his head to the ball but it just sailed over him and into the back of the net.

Knowing the path to advance just became much harder, Uruguay began to play with more urgency. After coming on as a substitute, Maxi Gomez stung the woodwork of the goalpost to?nearly get the equalizer. Luis Suarez also had a good chance from point-blank range that hit the side netting.

In the 90th minute, the referee?awarded Portugal a penalty?after a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) check deemed that Uruguay?committed a handball in the penalty box. Fernandes stepped to the spot and put the ball coolly to the goalie’s right as he dove the other way to seal the game for Portugal.

With the win, Portugal joins France and Brazil as the only teams that have advanced so far to the Round of 16.?

Uruguay has a lot of work to do to get to the next round. It will need to beat Ghana in the final group stage match, plus get help on goal differential.?

Portugal was awarded a penalty after a video review and Bruno Fernandes scored a second goal for the team in extra time.

Portugal 2-0 Uruguay

A pitch invader runs on the field during the match between Portugal and Uruguay on Monday.

A few minutes before Bruno Fernandes opened the scoring for Portugal, a pitch invader carrying a rainbow flag brought the game to a temporary halt at the Lusail Iconic Stadium in Qatar.

The fan was wearing a Superman shirt with the words “Save Ukraine” on the front of the shirt and “Respect for Iranian Woman” on the back.

The incident happened in the 51st?minute of the game.?The FIFA global television feed avoided showing the pitch invader, but the individual could be seen running on the field trailing the flag as they were pursued by security officials.?The match official was later seen picking the flag up off the turf.?

CNN has reached out to FIFA and the Qatar tournament organizers for more information on the incident.

The rainbow flag has been a controversial one at the World Cup.

On Saturday, two German soccer fans told CNN that they were asked by security officials to remove the rainbow-colored items they were wearing as they made their way to watch the World Cup match between?France and Denmark.

Last week, American journalist?Grant Wahl?and former Wales captain Laura McAllister both said they were told by security staff to remove clothing with rainbow-colored patterns.

Wahl said he was released 25 minutes after being detained and received apologies from a FIFA representative and a senior member of the security team at the stadium.

When asked to clarify the dress code for fans, FIFA referred CNN to the tournament handbook, which states “expats and tourists are free to wear the clothing of their choice, as long as it is modest and respectful to the culture.”

After some Wales fans were also denied entry into stadiums for wearing rainbow-colored bucket hats, the Welsh Football Association said FIFA told the federation on Thursday that rainbow-colored flags and hats would be permitted at World Cup stadiums in Qatar.

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo jumps up to head the ball on Monday.

Portugal opened the scoring with a goal in the 54th minute against Uruguay.

The shot was struck by Bruno Fernandes and Christiano Ronaldo rose to head it in front of the Uruguay goal. But it was unclear whether he touched it.

At first, the score was attributed to Ronaldo although FIFA later said the scorer was Fernandes.

The second half of the match between Portugal and Uruguay is underway. The teams are tied 0-0.

Portugal's Bernardo Silva, left, fights for the ball with Uruguay's Mathias Olivera on Monday.

It’s halftime in Portugal vs. Uruguay, with no goal for either team.

Portugal dominated the first half in terms of ball possession and shots on goal. But it couldn’t seem to find a way through as Uruguay defended stoutly inside its own half.

We’ll see if Portugal’s creative players — like Bruno Fernandes, who had two assists in the World Cup opener — can unlock Uruguay in the second period.

And despite losing the possession?battle, it was Uruguay that had the best chance of the half.

In the 32nd minute and against the run of play, Uruguayan midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur made an?incredible run, driving the ball forward from his own half and weaving his way through the Portuguese defense. But Portugal’s goalie?Diogo Costa came out and managed to deny Bentancur what would have been an exceptional individual goal.

If Portugal wins, it will advance to the knockout round. Uruguay cannot advance or be eliminated today. But if Uruguay wins tonight, it only needs a draw against Ghana in the?final group match to advance.

Brazil and France are the only two teams with a spot in the Round of 16 so far.

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It is with his dedication to football, alongside his natural talent, that Rúben Dias has forged his reputation as one of the game’s best defenders, winning the Premier League twice with Manchester City and now featuring at the 2022 World Cup with Portugal.

“I had the chance of being in the 2018 World Cup in Russia. And I definitely felt a different perspective because it’s one thing to watch it from the outside, you know how big it is, but then to actually live it and be there, it’s just something else,” he said. “As a player, it’s probably the biggest [trophy] you can achieve. It’s unfair to put it into words, to be honest, the feeling you must have after you’ve done it.”

Dias was included in Portugal’s 2018 squad but the then 21-year-old picked up an injury and didn’t feature in any matches.

This will be his second World Cup for Portugal.

A Portugal fan cheers before the match between Portugal and Uruguay on Monday.

Portugal vs. Uruguay gets underway. If Portugal wins, it will advance to the knockout round. Uruguay cannot advance or be eliminated today.

Brazil and France are the only two teams with a spot in the Round of 16 so far.

Fans of Uruguay are seen ahead of the match on Monday.

Portugal and Uruguay are set to play at 2 p.m. ET. Here’s a look at the lineups:

Portugal

Manager: Fernando Santos

Goalkeeper: Diogo Costa

Defenders: Jo?o Cancelo, Pepe, Rúben Dias, Nuno Mendes

Midfielders: Rúben Neves, Bernardo Silva, William

Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo, Jo?o Félix, Bruno Fernandes

——————-

Uruguay

Manager: Diego Alonso

Goalkeepers: Sergio Rochet

Defenders: Sebastián Coates, José María Giménez, Diego Godín, Mathías Olivera

Midfielders: Rodrigo Bentancur, Federico Valverde, Matías Vecino

Forwards: Edinson Cavani, Darwin Nú?ez, Guillermo Varela

Brazil celebrates scoring their first goal on Monday.

It took 82 minutes, but Brazil managed to break the deadlock and defeat Switzerland 1-0.

It was Casemiro who got the goal for Brazil. Late in the second half, a ball fell to his feet in the box and the midfielder buried it.

With the win, Brazil booked its spot in the knockout round. They join France as the only squads to qualify so far for the round of 16.

Switzerland is still second in Group G with 3 points and is in a good position to advance to the next stage of the tournament as well.

Brazil's Casemiro celebrates after scoring a goal on Monday.

Midfielder Casemiro gets the opening goal for Brazil in the 82nd minute of the match. The pressure is on Switzerland to score an equalizer now as the second half approaches its end.

Brazil 1-0 Switzerland

Brazil supporters react after a goal against Switzerland was declared invalid on Monday.

OK, time to explain a rule you’re probably hearing a lot on TV during the World Cup and you might be confused as to what and how it is defined: offside.

First of all, only the team with possession of the ball in its opponent’s half of the field can be offside.?

Let’s say a player on Team A is attacking with the ball. If this player’s teammate — head, arms, body and feet included — is ahead of the ball and doesn’t have at least two of Team B’s players (including the goalkeeper) in line or in front of them when the ball is played, then this teammate is offside.

It’s kind of like conveniently camping out at the goal post, waiting to receive the ball.

Even if this teammate was not passed the ball, the fact that they were positioned this close to the goal or opposition goalkeeper ahead of time makes them offside, colloquially referred to as “still interfering with play.”

And timing is of the essence. Because when the teammate receives the ball while onside, they are then free to outrun Team B’s players, get close to the goal and score.

The exception to this rule is corner kicks, goal kicks and throw-ins.

Brazil's Vinícius Júnior scores a goal that was ruled offside.

Vinícius Júnior’s goal for Brazil was denied after a video review ruled an offside. The Sele??o remain without an entry on the scoresheet.

Brazil 0-0 Switzerland

Brazil and Switzerland compete on Monday at Stadium 974 in Doha, Qatar.

Brazil and Switzerland have kicked off the second half of their Group G match.

Brazil's Richarlison and Switzerland's Nico Elvedi challenge for the ball on Monday.

It’s all knotted up at 0-0 in Group G between Switzerland and mighty Brazil.

Both teams are coming off wins in their previous matches, but Brazil is down two key players — Neymar and Danilo. Still, Brazil started a lineup loaded with attacking talent the likes of Vinicius,?Jr. and Richarlison. But Switzerland kept The Sele??o at bay for the first 45 minutes and even got forward a few times themselves.

Brazil’s best chance came in the 26th minute when Vinicius, Jr. snuck in on the back post and received the ball from Raphinha. But the Brazilian forward couldn’t catch it cleanly and Swiss goalie?Yann Sommer kept him out.

Impressive job by Switzerland to hold the No. 1 team in the world scoreless at the half. But remember, in Brazil’s first match they also failed to score in the first 45 minutes before putting up two on Serbia in the second?period.

A winner in this match can join France in the round of 16. So far, the French are the only team to qualify for the knockout round. Canada and host country Qatar have been eliminated.

Brazil's Vinicius Junior, right, and Switzerland's Fabian Rieder challenge for the ball on Monday.

It’s time for the third match of the day, with Brazil clashing with Switzerland.

Both teams are coming off wins in their previous matches, but Brazil is down two key players — Neymar and Danilo.

What’s at stake: The winning team will advance to the knockout round, where 16 teams compete for a spot in the quarter finals.

Time to see how this one shakes out!

Brazil and Switzerland are set to play at 11 a.m. ET. Here’s a look at the lineups:

Brazil

Manager: Tite

Goalkeepers: Alisson

Defenders: Alex Sandro, éder Milit?o, Marquinhos, Thiago Silva

Midfielders: Casemiro, Fred, Vinícius Jr., Raphinha

Forwards: Lucas Paquetá, Richarlison

——————-

Switzerland

Manager: Murat Yakin

Goalkeepers: Yann Sommer

Defenders: Manuel Akanji, Nico Elvedi, Ricardo Rodriguez, Silvan Widmer

Midfielders: Remo Freuler, Fabian Rieder, Djibril Sow, Granit Xhaka

Forwards: Breel Embolo, Reuben Vargas

Brazil's Richarlison scores a sensational goal against Serbia on November 24.

Brazil’s opening round 2-0 win over Serbia was far from pretty at times, though Tite’s iteration of the?Sele??o?is known more for its pragmatism and efficiency than its aesthetics.

As the second half wore on and Richarlison scored his and Brazil’s second to seal the victory, the players in those famous canary yellow shirts began to show flashes of the flair that?World Cup?fans have become used to seeing over the years.

But Neymar’s absence due to injury will be a huge blow, with the Paris Saint-Germain forward’s creativity so crucial to this team breaking defenses down.

Despite being just two goals away from equaling Pele’s all-time Brazil record of 77 goals, Neymar has never quite received the same adoration as the Brazilian greats of old, but victory in Qatar would go a long way toward changing that.

Switzerland goes into the game off the back of a hard-fought win over Cameroon, with Cameroon-born Breel Embolo scoring the second-half winner.

Embolo’s pace, movement and finishing will certainly be enough to give Brazil’s defense trouble, in particular in the absence of the injured Danilo, while Xherdan Shaqiri is still capable of producing an individual moment of brilliance.

New Manchester City signing Manuel Akanji has proven himself to be one of the world’s best defenders, with left-back Ricardo Rodriguez always a threat with his deliveries from crosses and set pieces.

The opening win over Cameroon will have given this Switzerland team a huge boost of confidence as it looks to qualify from one of the tournament’s most competitive groups, with the aim of reaching a first World Cup quarterfinal since 1954.

Iran's head coach Carlos Queiroz speaks a press conference on the eve of the match between Iran and the United States in Doha on November 28.

Iran coach Carlos Queiroz told a press conference on Monday that his team “have solidarity with all humanitarian causes” and that the United States is the best team in their World Cup group.

“We have solidarity with all humanitarian causes all over the world, whatever they are,” Queiroz said.

“Either if you talk about human rights, racism, kids that die in schools with shootings, we have solidarity with all those causes. But here our mission is to bring smiles to all people for at least for 90 minutes, that’s our mission,” he said.

The starting 11 who played in Iran’s first World Cup game against England on?November 21?did not sing the national anthem ahead of the kick-off as the players appeared to make a powerful statement, in what seemed to be a show of solidarity with those protesting in Iran.

The players stood silent as the Iranian national anthem played out around the Khalifa International Stadium and the match ended in a 6-2 victory for England.

As anti-government protests entered a third month back in their home country just on the other side of the Persian Gulf, speculation had been mounting about how the players would handle the situation. In recent weeks, many other athletes have spoken out in support of the demonstrators, and several sports teams had refrained from singing the anthem.

Iran’s players, though, joined in the singing of the national anthem ahead of last Friday’s World Cup match against Wales, which the team won 2-0.

Speaking about the final game of Group B, Queiroz said:?“The team that produced the best two performances in our group was without a doubt the United States.”

“They played two fantastic games, no doubt about that,” he said.

Queiroz said he had no comment when asked to explain the culture of Iranian football in response to former World Cup winner and BBC Sport pundit Jurgen Klinsmann’s critique that has put him at odds with the Iran football federation.

Iran?state media on Sunday called for the US to be kicked out of the?World Cup after the United States Soccer Federation changed Iran’s flag on its social media platforms to show support for protesters in Iran.

Ghana's Mohammed Salisu, middle, celebrates after scoring the opening goal against South Korea on Monday.

What a day of football! Ghana and Korea have just played out another thrilling World Cup game, but it is the Black Stars who come away with all three points.

Ghana opened the scoring against the run of play in the 24th minute after Mohammed Salisu tapped home from an indirect free kick. Ten minutes later, the Ghanaians doubled their lead, Mohammed Kudus glancing home a header.

South Korea's Kim Min-jae, left, and Ghana's Andre Ayew, right, jump to head the ball on Monday.

But Korea was not down and out. Cho Gue-sung scored two goals in the space of three minutes to draw the Taegeuk Warriors level on the hour mark from two headers. Just as the Koreans thought they could go onto win it, Kudus popped up with a second goal to win the game for the West Africans.

Ghana survived a late Korean onslaught to take the three points and leave the group wide open ahead of Portugal and Uruguay’s clash later.

The Koreans were devastated as manager Paulo Bento was sent off after the final whistle for protesting to referee Anthony Taylor. He will now miss Korea’s final match of the group against Portugal.

Fans cheer as they watch the match in Accra, Ghana, on Monday.

Mohammed Kudus, bottom left, scores Ghana's third goal against South Korea.

The drama never ends!

Just as South Korea looked like it was running away with the game, Ghana is back in front! Mohammed Kudus grabs his second of the match as the Black Stars hit back.

It’s a marauding run from left-back Gideon Mensah who crosses low. I?aki Williams takes a swing but misses the ball which rolls to Kudus who buries it.

South Korea's Cho Gue-sung scores his team's second against Ghana on Monday.

What a game!

South Korea is back in it and it is a carbon copy of the first. This time, Kim Jin-su gets to the byline and floats in a cross and Cho rises highest again to power it home.

Korea is flying!

South Korea is back in it!

This game is all about crossing and now Korea is in on the action. Substitute Lee Kang-in puts in a terrific cross from the wing and center forward Cho Gue-sung heads it home.

Game on!

South Korea's Kim Young-gwon heads the ball during the match against Ghana on Monday.

Ghana kicks off the second half with a two-goal lead.

We’ve already seen Cameroon come back from a two-goal deficit. Can South Korea replicate those heroics?

Let’s find out!

Mexican boxer Saul ‘Canelo’ álvarez has sent a warning to?Lionel Messi, who he accused of disrespecting Mexico.

“Did you see?Messi?cleaning the floor with our shirt and flag????” álvarez?tweeted, apparently referencing a video in which Messi appears to kick a Mexico shirt that is on the floor during Argentina’s celebrations in the changing room.

There is no indication that Messi kicked the shirt intentionally, instead appearing to do it accidentally as he took off his football boots.

“He better pray to God that I don’t find him!!” álvarez added in another tweet, with a series of angry emojis. “Just like I respect Argentina, he has to respect Mexico! I’m not talking about the country as a whole, just about the bulls**t that Messi pulled.”

Argentina beat Mexico 2-0 on Saturday in a tense game in Group C at the Qatar World Cup. Messi scored the opening goal, before Enzo Fernández sealed the win late on to keep Argentina’s World Cup dream alive following its?stunning opening round defeat to Saudi Arabia.

álvarez, who is widely considered one of the best pound-for-pound boxers ever after winning world championships in four weight classes, added in?one reply?to a journalist: “It’s one thing them being better than us (in football), it’s another thing to have respect.”

Read the full story:

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 15: Undisputed super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez is shown during a news conference at the KA Theatre at MGM Grand Hotel & Casino on September 15, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Alvarez will defend his titles against Gennadiy Golovkin at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 17. (Photo by Steve Marcus/Getty Images)

Related article Mexican boxer Canelo álvarez sends warning to Lionel Messi: 'He better pray to God that I don't find him'

After struggling in the opening phase, Ghana has taken command of this game.

Mohammed Salisu opened the scoring in the 24th minute with a sharp finish following a free kick that Korea did not deal with.

Golden boy Mohammed Kudus doubled the lead 10 minutes later with a glancing header from a Jordan Ayew cross.

South Korea has to change things up if it wants to keep its World Cup hopes alive.

The office of Brussels mayor Philippe Close confirmed to CNN on Monday that the parents of young World Cup rioters will be held liable for damaged infrastructure after Morocco’s win over Belgium sparked riots in the city on Sunday.

“The situation is back to normal now. We hold the parents of the young rioters accountable for what happened, they will get the bill of the destroyed infrastructure,” Close said via a statement sent from his press office.

Some background: Belgian police detained dozens of people on Sunday after?Morocco’s 2-0 World Cup win over Belgium?triggered riots in Brussels.

According to Reuters, several riots took place across the Belgian capital where dozens of soccer fans, some draped in Moroccan flags, clashed with riot police, setting a car on fire as well as electric scooters.

Riot police are at work to clear the street during clashes with supporters on the sideline of the live broadcast of the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group F football match between Belgium and Morocco, in Brussels, on November 27, 2022. - - Belgium OUT (Photo by NICOLAS MAETERLINCK / BELGA / AFP) / Belgium OUT (Photo by NICOLAS MAETERLINCK/BELGA/AFP via Getty Images)

Related article Morocco's World Cup win against Belgium triggers riots in Brussels | CNN

Ghana's Mohammed Kudus celebrates scoring his team's second goal against South Korea on Monday.

Ghana has doubled its lead! South Korea is struggling to cope with Ghana’s aerial threat and it is another Jordan Ayew cross, this time met by Mohammed Kudus that puts the Black Stars firmly in control of the game.

After a bright start, South Korea has seriously faded and Ghana is completely on top.

Mohammed Salisu scores off the free kick from Jordan Ayew.

Against the run of play, Ghana has taken the lead!

They’ve hardly been able to get out of their own half so far, but it is the Ghanaians that take the lead. Jordan Ayew’s free kick is whipped in and isn’t cleared before Mohammed Salisu turns the ball in from six yards.

We’re underway at the Education City Stadium. Ghana and South Korea are desperate for points after disappointing results in their opening games.

That pressure earlier brought us a thrilling 6-goal draw between Cameroon and Serbia, are we in for the same again here?

Let’s find out!

Son Heung-min walks out for the warm up prior match between South Korea and Ghana at Education City Stadium on November 28.

Portugal and Uruguay might be the main fixture for the day, but Group H’s other match pits Ghana against South Korea, with both teams desperate for a win to kickstart their World Cup campaigns. In hindsight, the Koreans will perhaps be regretting showing Uruguay too much respect in their opening game, sitting back for too long in a game that was there to be won.

Star man Son Heung-min showed glimpses of his quality, but looked slightly off the pace on his return from injury, donning a protective mask to shield his fractured eye socket.

In Ghana, Korea knows it faces a team with an abundance of quality in the final third, as the match against Portugal proved. I?aki Williams and Mohammed Kudus have the individual ability to trouble any defense, while Premier League pair Mohammed Salisu and Daniel Amartey form a solid defensive base.

Both teams will feel as though the three points are there for the taking, with a draw not a particularly favorable result for either side.

South Korea

Manager: Paulo Bento

Goalkeepers: Kim Seung-gyu, Jo Hyeon-woo, Song Bum-keun

Defenders: Kim Min-jae, Kim Jin-su, Hong Chul, Kim Moon-hwan, Yoon Jong-gyu, Kim Young-gwon, Kim Tae-hwan, Kwon Kyung-won, Cho Yu-min

Midfielders: Jung Woo-young, Na Sang-ho, Paik Seung-ho, Son Jun-ho, Song Min-kyu, Kwon Chang-hoon, Son Heung-min, Lee Jae-sung (Mainz), Hwang Hee-chan, Hwang In-beom, Jeong Woo-yeong, Lee Kang-in

Forwards: Hwang Ui-jo, Cho Gue-sung

Starting XI: Kim S, Kim MH, Kim MJ, Kim YG, Kim JS, Hwang IB, Jung, Kwon CH, Jeong, Son, Cho

——————-

Ghana

Manager: Otto Addo

Goalkeepers: Manaf Nurudeen, Danlad Ibrahim, Lawrence Ati Zigi

Defenders: Denis Odoi, Tariq Lamptey, Alidu Seidu, Daniel Amartey, Joseph Aidoo, Alexander Djiku, Mohammed Salisu, Abdul-Rahman Baba, Gideon Mensah

Midfielders: Andre Ayew, Thomas Partey, Elisha Owusu, Salis Abdul Samed, Mohammed Kudus, Daniel Kofi Kyereh?

Forwards: Daniel Barnieh Afriyie, Kamal Sowah, Issahaku Abdul Fatawu, Osman Bukari, Inaki Williams, Antoine Semenyo, Jordan Ayew, Kamaldeen Sulemana

Starting XI: Ati Zigi, Lamptey, Amartey, Salisu, Mensah, Abdul Samed, Partey, Kudus, J Ayew, A Ayew, Williams

Serbia's Aleksandar Mitrovic hugging Cameroon's Gael Ondoua at the end of a World Cup classic.

Wow, what a World Cup classic we’ve just watched! Cameroon and Serbia came into the match needing to win to raise their chances of making it to the knockout stage and it just gifted us a match which is set to be replayed for years to come.

Cameroon took an early lead before Serbia scored two late goals in first-half injury time to go up 2-1 into the break. Serbia then took a 3-1 lead through Fulham forward Aleksandar Mitrovic in the 53rd minute before the Indomitable Lions clawed back to score two in three minutes to level the match at 3-3.

Both teams fought for the full three points in the last 30 minutes, but it wasn’t to be. While neither set of fans will probably be content with the result, the neutrals will remember this one for a while.

Who could have predicted Cameroon’s impressive second-half comeback? None other than?former Ivory Coast international Didier?Drogba, who tweeted: “45 min to reverse the score, let the magic happen!!!!!!”

Let’s see if the Indomitable Lions can carry on like this and claw back a victory.

Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting scores on the counter to equalize.

Wow! Vincent Aboubakar goes down the right and provides a perfect pass to Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting on the left, who finishes past Vanja Milinkovic-Savic to equalize!

What. A. Game!!!

Cameroon’s Vincent Aboubakar gets the goal after the video assistant referee (VAR) checks and gives it!

3-2! Game back on!

Cameroon’s misery continues as Serbia’s Aleksandar Mitrovic finishes a beautiful play to make it 3-1.

We head into the second half after two late goals in close succession took Serbia to a 2-1 lead.

Riot police working to clear the street during clashes with supporters on the sideline of the live broadcast of the World Cup match between Belgium and Morocco, in Brussels on November 27.

Belgian police detained dozens of people on Sunday after Morocco’s 2-0 World Cup win over Belgium triggered riots in Brussels.

Morocco won its first World Cup match since 1998 – and its third ever – securing a sensational 2-0 victory over world No. 2 Belgium to ensure that it can still qualify for the knockout stage for the second time in its history.

The Atlas Lions were roared on by raucous support inside the stadium as they overcame a disallowed goal on the stroke of halftime to score two glorious strikes in the second half.

In a statement to CNN, Brussels police said, “At around 3:22 pm, dozens of masked persons sought a confrontation with the security services, jeopardizing public safety.”

According to Reuters, several riots took place across the Belgian capital where dozens of soccer fans, some draped in Moroccan flags, clashed with riot police, setting a car on fire as well as electric scooters.

“It was immediately decided to proceed to a police intervention, with the use of a water cannon and tear gas,” the Brussels police said.

“Calm returned around 7 p.m. and preventive patrols are still present in the sectors concerned,” the statement concluded.

Cameroon’s fans are certainly brightening up the Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah.

Chanting, dancing and smiling, the Indomitable Lions’ contingent is making the nation proud and bringing a shade of Yaoundé to Qatar despite their team losing to Serbia at half-time.

As we head into the second half with Serbia leading 2-1, will Cameroon be able to bring it back and give the fans something to celebrate?

Cameroon fans are bringing the color to the match against Serbia at the Al Janoub Stadium on November 28.

This Indomitable Lion supporter certainly is bringing the flair to the day's affair.

Cameroon fans enjoy the pre-match atmosphere at the Al Janoub Stadium.

Sergej Milinkovic-Savic celebrates scoring Serbia's second goal at the Al Janoub Stadium.

Cameroon was on its way to ending its eight-match World Cup losing streak, but it all turned late in the half.

After a lot of Serbian control in the early going, against the run of play, Cameroon scored off a corner and gained a second wind.

But just minutes to half-time, Serbia’s Strahinja Pavlovic scored his team’s first goal with a fantastic header. And to make things worse for the Indomitable Lions, Serbia’s Sergej Milinkovic-Savic shot from outside the box and scored the team’s second goal minutes later to take the wind out of their sails.

We head into the break with Serbia leading 2-1.

With just minutes to half-time, Serbia’s Sergej Milinkovic-Savic shoots from outside the box and scores the team’s second goal!

Serbia's defender #02 Strahinja Pavlovic scores his team's first goal during the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group G football match between Cameroon and Serbia at the Al-Janoub Stadium on November 28.

Serbia strikes back with an equalizer from Strahinja Pavlovic! What a header!

Jean-Charles Castelletto scores during FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group G match between Cameroon and Serbia at Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah, Qatar on November 28.

Cameroon scores its first goal! The ball is swung in from a corner and it is deflected to the far post by a Cameroonian attacker and it drops to Jean-Charles Castelletto, who snuck in from the back of play to make it 1-0!

Game on!

Serbia's midfielder #14 Andrija Zivkovic fights for the ball with Cameroon's defender #25 Nouhou Tolo during the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group G football match between Cameroon and Serbia at the Al-Janoub Stadium in Al-Wakrah on November 28

And we’re off at the Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah!

Cameroon and Serbia have kicked off with both in desperate need of points to have any chance of progressing through to the knockout stage.

Iran?state media called for the US to be kicked out of the?2022 World Cup?after the United States Soccer Federation changed Iran’s flag on its social media platforms to show support for protesters in Iran.

What happened? US Soccer had temporarily displayed Iran’s national flag on its official Twitter, Instagram and Facebook accounts without the emblem of the Islamic Republic. A now-deleted graphic of the Group B standings posted on Saturday displayed the Iranian flag only bearing its green, white and red colors.

The change “was a one-time graphic,” US Soccer told CNN. “We have the main flag on our website and other places.” The emblem is?currently back on the flag?on US Soccer’s social media channels.

Here’s some background: Iran is appearing at this World Cup under the shadow of domestic turmoil. The Islamic Republic has been gripped by a wave of anti-government protests sparked by the death of?Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish Iranian woman detained by the morality police in September allegedly for not wearing her hijab properly. The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Chief, Volker Turk, has said that the country is in a “full-fledged human rights crisis” as authorities clamp down on anti-regime dissidents.

Iran state media reported Sunday that the United States should be immediately kicked out of the tournament and suspended for 10 games for a “distorted image” of the country’s flag.

“By posting a distorted image of the flag of the Islamic Republic of #Iran on its official account, the #US football team breached the @FIFAcom charter, for which a 10-game suspension is the appropriate penalty,” Iran state-aligned Tasnim news agency wrote on Twitter on Sunday. “Team #USA should be kicked out of the #WorldCup2022.”

A spokesperson for the State Department told CNN it did not coordinate with US Soccer in the sporting body’s decision to change Iran’s flag on its social media accounts to show support for protesters in Iran.

“We look forward to a peaceful and competitive match on the field. The United States continues to find ways to support the Iranian people in the face of state-sponsored violence against women and a brutal crackdown against peaceful protestors,” the State Department told CNN.

What do players think? US defender Walker Zimmerman said that the team are firm believers in women’s rights.

“We didn’t know anything about the posts, but we are supporters of women’s rights, we always have been,” he said.

“We’re focused a lot on Tuesday and the sporting side as well… but at the same time, we’re firm believers in women’s rights and support them.

“And we know that it’s a lot of difficulties and a lot of heartbreak and in a very disturbing time,” he added.

“We can’t speak for them and their message. We know that they’re all emotional,” Zimmerman said. “They’re all going through things right now, they’re human. Again, we empathize with that human emotion and completely feel for them.”

Iran and the US play each other on Tuesday in a crucial Group B match. It is a must-win tie for the US if it is to progress to the knockout stages.

Haris Seferovic (Switzerland) and Nicolas N'Koulou (Cameroon) battle for the ball during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group G match between Switzerland and Cameroon at Al Janoub Stadium on November 24, in Al Wakrah, Qatar.

Cameroon will be looking to end its eight match World Cup losing streak in today’s game against Serbia.

The Indomitable Lions’ last win was in 2002, where they took a 1-0 victory over Saudi Arabia.

“We’ve got work to do and there are still six points up for grabs,”?defender Nicolas Nkoulou?said following his team’s 1-0 opening match loss to Switzerland.

“We’re going to take on board what happened during this game and come back all guns blazing for the remaining matches,” he added.

Coach Rigobert Song – who was part of the team’s 2002 squad – agreed. “The second game’s where we’re going to come into our own, I reckon,” he said, adding that his players “will show a different side to themselves.”

Cameroon

Manager: Rigobert Song

Goalkeepers: Simon Ngapandouetnbu, Devis Epassy, Andre Onana

Defenders: Nicolas Nkoulou, Enzo Ebosse, Nouhou Tolo, Olivier Mbaizo, Collins Fai, Jean-Charles Castelletto, Christopher Wooh

Midfielders: Gael Ondoa, Samuel Oum Gouet, Pierre Kunde, Martin Hongla, Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, Olivier Ntcham

Forwards: Georges-Kevin Nkoudou, Vincent Aboubakar, Bryan Mbeumo, Jean-Pierre Nsame, Karl Toko Ekambi, Moumi Ngamaleu, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, Christian Bassogog, Souaibou Marou, Jerome Ngom

Starting XI: Epassy, Fai, Castelletto, Nkoulou, Tolo, Anguissa, Kunde, Hongla, Mbeumo, Maxim Choupo-Moting, Ekambi

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Serbia

Manager: Dragan Stojkovi?

Goalkeepers: Predrag Rajkovi?, Marko Dmitrovi?, Vanja Milinkovi? Savi?

Defenders: Nikola Milenkovi?, Stefan Mitrovi?, Strahinja Pavlovi?, Milo? Veljkovi?, Filip Mladenovi?, Sr?an Babi?, Strahinja Erakovi?

Midfielders: Nemanja Gudelj, Sergej Milinkovi? Savi?, Sa?a Luki?, Marko Gruji?, Filip Kosti?, Uro? Ra?i?, Nemanja Maksimovi?, Ivan Ili?, Andrija ?ivkovi?, Darko Lazovi?

Forwards: Du?an Tadi?, Aleksandar Mitrovi?, Luka Jovi?, Du?an Vlahovi?, Filip ?uri?i?, Nemanja Radonji?

Starting XI: Milinkovi? Savi?, Milenkovi?, Veljkovi?, Pavlovi?, ?ivkovi?, Luki?, Maksimovi?, Kosti?, Tadi?, Milinkovi? Savi?, Mitrovi?

Spain's Nico Williams in action with?Germany's Leon Goretzka at the Al Bayt Stadium, in Al Khor, Qatar, on - November 27.

Saturday’s marquee matchup?ended in a 1-1 tie?between Germany and Spain, the former World Cup winners.

The two entered the game in very different positions, with Spain atop the Group E standings after a 7-0 drubbing of Costa Rica. Meanwhile, Germany was at the bottom of the standings and trying to bounce back from a shock loss to Japan.

Even with the draw, Spain remains well in control of its fate with four points, alone atop the group.

Germany still has life with one point, but has work to do in its next match against Costa Rica, and will need some outcomes to break its way.

Match recap:

After a scoreless first half, Germany came out pressing as they fought for their World Cup lives.

Spain?had?trouble?getting out of its own half in the early minutes of the second period. In the 49th minute, Germany earned a free kick in a dangerous spot but wasted the opportunity. In the 55th minute, a costly turnover forced Spanish goalie Unai Simón into an outstretched save on?a Joshua?Kimmich shot.

Coming off the bench, álvaro Morata became?the difference-maker for La Roja.

In the 62nd minute, the 30-year-old Spanish striker found the back of the net to break the?deadlock and give Spain the?1-0 lead.

Germany?made a valiant effort to get the goal back. In the 70th minute, Jamal Musiala had a great chance to equalize for Germany from point break range. But Simon stood tall to make the block and keep the Germans out.

Finally, 20 minutes after Spain took the lead, Germany broke through. In the 82nd minute, Niclas Füllkrug beat Simon and squared the match late.

No one scored in the little time remaining despite a few promising chances, and the two teams ended in a deadlock.

Canadian players applaud after Croatia won the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group F football match between Croatia and Canada at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha on November 27.

Croatia avoided joining the list of defeated favorites on Sunday, beating Canada 4-1 to record its first win in Qatar.

The 2018 World Cup finalist had to come from a goal behind after Alphonso Davies scored in 68 seconds – the fastest goal at the tournament so far – to give Canada the lead.

But Croatia hit back with goals from Andrej Kramaric and Marko Livaja before halftime.

Kramaric got his second goal of the game 20 minutes from time. Lovro Majer added the fourth in injury time to secure Croatia’s win.

Canada exits the World Cup with two defeats in two matches, joining host country Qatar as the second team eliminated.

Keysher Fuller of Costa Rica celebrates after scoring their team's first goal during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group E match between Japan and Costa Rica at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium on November 27.

It was a day of big upsets at the?World Cup?as?Belgium?and?Japan?both succumbed to shock defeats against Morocco and Costa Rica, respectively.

Morocco won its first World Cup match since 1998 – and its third ever – securing a sensational 2-0 victory over heavyweight Belgium. That ensured that it can still qualify for the knockout stage for the second time in its history.

The Atlas Lions were roared on by raucous support inside the stadium as they overcame a disallowed goal on the stroke of halftime to score two glorious strikes in the second half.

First, Abdelhamid Sabiri curled in a perfectly-weighted free kick from the left-hand wing, bamboozling Thibaut Courtois. Then Zakaria Aboukhlal sealed his side’s famous win.

Costa Rica bounces back

Earlier in the day, Costa Rica shocked Japan with a 1-0 win, thanks to an 81st minute goal from Keysher Fuller. That kept its hopes of qualifying for the?World Cup?knockout stages alive with a crucial three points.

Japan, fresh from a surprise victory over?Germany?that has given them a real chance of reaching the knockout stages, could not find a foothold in the game. That was despite Costa Rica still licking its wounds from a chastening 7-0 defeat against Spain.

It was a cagey, underwhelming opening first 45 minutes, marked by untidy passing from both sides. Neither could muster a single shot on target.

Then, against the run of play, Costa Rica capitalized on a mistake on the edge of the box. Fuller rifled the ball into the top corner of the net, past the outstretched hand of Shuichi Gonda, for his side’s first shot on target and first goal of the tournament.

It silenced the Samurai Blue fans for the first time, whose current of singing and drums had swept around the stadium for much of the game. It buoyed the Costa Rican support, as their own chants of “Oe Oe Ticos!” grew louder.

With just nine minutes of regular time remaining, Japan saw its hopes of sealing a spot in the knockout stages slip away. A chance late with the ball ricocheting around the box was marshalled by Navas, and Costa Rica held on for the win.