World Cup Talking Points: Scotland in Their First Tournament for 28 Years, Senegal Hit Five, Belgium Back

[AlexaBliss]

The Friday World Cup session produced several significant talking points beyond France's demolition of Norway and Cape Verde's historic qualification. Senegal hammered Iraq 5-0 to keep their knockout hopes alive, with the victory coming against a ten-man Iraq side after a red card. Senegal now wait to see if their tally is enough to qualify as one of the eight best third-placed teams. The margin of victory, and the goal difference it created, was clearly calculated with that possibility in mind. It was a comprehensive performance from a Senegal side that had been beaten by both France and Norway.

Belgium finally arrived at the tournament they were expected to dominate. After a 1-1 draw against Egypt and a 0-0 against Iran, they thrashed New Zealand 5-1 with Leandro Trossard scoring twice and Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Saelemaekers adding further goals. Belgium top Group G with five points and will now face a third-placed team from another group in the round of 32. The performance was a reminder of what Belgium's ageing golden generation can still do when they are motivated, though three games in it remains unclear whether they can sustain it into the knockouts.

Scotland made their first World Cup appearance for 28 years, ending a drought that stretched back to France 1998. Their results against Brazil and Paraguay confirmed the gulf between making a tournament and competing at the highest level, but the significance to Scottish football and Scottish culture of simply being there after nearly three decades away should not be underestimated. Their fans have arrived in enormous numbers and with the good humour the Tartan Army is famous for.

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