DOHA: Two of the world’s most celebrated strikers, Lionel Messi of Argentina and Robert Lewandowski of Poland will make it count against each other with tickets to the round of 16 of the World Cup being hunted by both players.

Messi, 35, already scored twice for Argentina, who had gotten off to a ‘terrific’ start to the campaign this time when they suffered the shock defeat in championship history by falling to Saudi Arabia before he was a key character in helping the team overcome Mexico.

The Paris Saint Germain forward is playing in his fifth and final World Cup campaign and this is the last chance he will equal Diego Maradona’s record and lift that prestigious trophy.

“We need to stay calm to be able to face the match against Poland in a different way,” said Messi after the tremendous pressure against Mexico.

Argentina are second in Group C with three points, one behind Poland, they need to win to progress to the last 16 and stay in contention for a third World Cup title.

A draw is also sufficient for Argentina if Mexico and Saudi Arabia end their match in a draw.

Like Messi, 34-year-old Lewandowski is also the top scorer for his country and this is his last World Cup stage.

He was at his peak with Messi’s former club Barcelona and started well in Qatar.

Lewandowski missed a penalty in the opening game with Mexico before netting his first World Cup goal to help Poland beat Saudi Arabia 2-0.

“I think the older I get, the more emotional I realize it might be my last World Cup,” said the Poland captain.

DOHA: Nearly three million Qatar 2022 World Cup tickets have already been sold, with the International Football Association (FIFA) saying the theme helped boost their revenue four years ago to US$7.5 billion.

A FIFA spokesperson told AFP that 2.95 million tickets had been sold up to opening day last night.

The opening of the World Cup clearly led to a spike in fans to watch 64 matches over 29 days despite the negative publicity towards Qatar as the host.

Fans were seen lining up outside FIFA’s ticket center in Doha and some frowned at being forced to wait a long time to enter the online ticket selling platform.

The spokesperson said Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United States, Mexico, Britain, the United Arab Emirates, Argentina, France, India and Brazil were among the countries with the highest purchase of tickets.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino told during a previous hearing that the world body’s four-year revenue is expected to total RM34.3 billion by the end of the year.

The revenue achieved was US$1 billion higher than forecast four years ago.

LONDON: Harry Kane insists England are not afraid to say they can win the 2022 World Cup and believes their lackluster form of late has helped lower expectations for the team.

The squad coached by Gareth Southgate is labeled as one of the favorites to win the tournament after reaching the semi-finals of the 2018 edition and emerging as runners-up in Euro 2020 last year.

However, Kane believes The Three Lions are capable of going further in the Middle East and lifting the World Cup trophy since they last won it in 1966.

“We have to believe we can win it.

“I look back at England 10, 15 years ago and it was almost like we were afraid to say we wanted to win it. I think one of the big changes we’ve made over the last four or five years with Gareth is we’re not afraid to say it.

“But I think it’s important that we’re not afraid to say that’s the main reason we’re going there,” Kane said in an interview with Sky Sports.

However, England came to this year’s World Cup campaign with a less than encouraging performance when they failed to win any Nations Cup competition which saw them relegated to the B League.

Southgate’s men, who open their World Cup campaign against Iran on November 21, are looking for a first win in seven games after drawing three and losing three but Kane believes their poor form has helped lower expectations ahead of the Qatar clash.

“The first game is very important. It’s certainly not the best period in a long time for England. Since Gareth took over – we’ve never been through what we’re going through now.

“However, this situation can also be a good thing before a big tournament because it allows you not to get carried away, including the media,” said Kane.

LONDON: After beating Chelsea at Stamford Bridge for their 11th win in 13 games, Arsenal are back at the top of the English Premier League.

The 1-0 victory as a result of Gabriel Magalhaes’ goal saw them overtake the defending champions, Manchester City with only one game remaining before the World Cup break.

Gabriel scored the only goal of the match from Bukayo Saka’s corner kick and Arsenal managed to hold off Chelsea’s pressure throughout the remaining 30 minutes of play to collect the three points.

“We are a young team, but we showed maturity today, calm and brave to play at this level.

“It’s easy to say, but difficult to implement. I think the players were quite extraordinary today,” said Arteta.

Arsenal’s excellent start to the season saw them manage to beat three opponents from the top six in a row for the first time since 2012.

Despite losing to Manchester United earlier this season, they beat Liverpool and Spurs at the Emirates Stadium and broke that record after victory at Stamford Bridge.

In 2012, The Gunners beat Spurs 5-2, Liverpool 2-1 and Manchester City 1-0.