So Far So Good Qatar 2022

THE OPENING ROUND OF CLASHES HAS BEEN POSITIVE

All the 32 sides have now played one game in the Qatar World Cup.

While the noise around the hosting has been justified, it is still nice to get into the games and feel the excitement of a World Cup once more.

Travelling fans are doing their best - many are stoking the atmosphere in what are normally rather empty arenas. One hopes the host nation can improve and stop half the stadium walking out early as they apparently did in the opener against Ecuador.

In kicking-off, Qatar showed the host's weaknesses but Brazil, the tournament favourites, made a pleasing coda, complete with Richarlison's nod to the Selecao's tradition of flair.

The two standout results were the shocks - Japan beating Germany and one of the biggest of all time - Saudi Arabia beating Argentina. More of these and it will be another Japan/Korea 2002.

The noblest defeat - Canada losing to the much-fancied Belgium despite bravely taking the game to them.

France (4), England (6) and Spain (7) had goleadas but there was a baffling number of 0-0 draws (4) while the goals flowed elsewhere e.g. Portugal v Ghana.

Many impressed - Mexico, Morocco and Uruguay for instance, without scoring.

The latest FIFA referee instructions seem to be prolonging the injury time and awarding more penalties but refereeing and VAR are showing the same inconsistency they do in the Premier League.

Best comeback - Wales' second half against the USA.

Goal of the first round - Richarlison's second for Brazil or Salem Al-Dawsari's Saudi winner against Argentina. Best celebration - Switzerland's Breel Embolo's stoical reaction after netting against his birth country - the act of a true gentleman.

Here's to the next round of matches.