The primary spherical of group video games is now full

Barcelona have a report 17 gamers on the World Cup and most, however actually not all, have been in motion throughout the first spherical of video games in Qatar.

All the nations have now performed their first match of the group levels, so let’s take a look at the way it’s been going for Barcelona’s World Cup stars.

Winners

Frenkie de Jong

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The Barcelona midfielder was not at his finest towards Senegal, as he readily admitted after the sport, however nonetheless performed a vital function in an vital 2-0 win for Louis van Gaal’s facet.

De Jong performed a stunning ball by for Cody Gakpo to open the scoring with simply six minutes remaining which despatched the Dutch on their technique to a gap day victory. Davy Klaassen then went on to make the sport secure in stoppage time.

The Netherlands are seen by many because the darkish horses for this match and go on to play Ecuador subsequent. De Jong has already proven how essential he will likely be to their workforce’s probabilities however the Dutch will likely be anticipating much more from the Barca star.

Andreas Christensen

Barcelona summer time signing Andreas Christensen impressed in Denmark’s goalless draw with Tunisia. The Danes may have been disillusioned to not win however Christensen regarded sturdy in protection and precipitated issues on the different finish too.

Denmark ought to have scored when a nook was headed to the far put up by Christensen. Andreas Cornelius ought to have put it away however in some way managed to solely discover the put up as a substitute. It was actually one of many misses of the match up to now.

Christensen might but play a key function for Barcelona within the second half of the season. Ronald Araujo and Jules Kounde have each regarded somewhat fragile in 2022-23, Gerard Pique has retired, and Xavi will want some energy in depth with regards to his backline.

Ousmane Dembele

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Barcelona ahead Ousmane Dembele was within the beginning XI for France and picked up an help in a cushty win over Australia. The Socceroos did threaten an upset after they took the lead however France hit again and swatted them apart in a commanding win.

Dembele’s help got here for PSG striker Kylian Mbappe. The ahead crossed for the 23-year-old to open his account in Qatar and web a uncommon headed objective. Didier Deschamps then opted to switch Dembele on 76 minutes with the sport already within the bag.

Barca’s Spain stars

Spain put in one of the crucial spectacular performances of the primary spherical on the World Cup, thrashing Costa Rica 7-0. It was an excellent end result for Luis Enrique’s facet and an excellent evening for a bunch of Barcelona gamers.

Ferran Torres grabbed a brace, Gavi made historical past along with his objective, Pedri had pundits purring over his efficiency, and Jordi Alba impressed and picked up an help.

There was additionally a debut for Alejandro Balde and a powerful efficiency by captain Sergio Busquets on an evening the place nearly all the pieces went proper for La Roja.

Losers

Robert Lewandowski

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Barcelona’s striker has not been having the perfect time of it not too long ago. He missed a penalty towards Almeria, was despatched off towards Osasuna and has since been hit with a very harsh three-match ban.

Lewandowski then headed off to the World Cup and look set to attain his first ever objective within the competitors towards Mexico after successful a penalty. It wasn’t to be for the objective machine although as his spot-kick was saved and Poland have been held.

Poland can nonetheless qualify after all however Group C is troublesome to foretell after Saudi Arabia beat Argentina within the opener. Lewandowski will face Saudi Arabia subsequent and can hoping to lastly break his World Cup duck.

Ansu Fati

Spain’s fundamental weak spot heading into the competitors gave the impression to be the shortage of a dependable goalscorer, however La Roja swatted such worries apart by smashing seven targets previous Costa Rica and choosing up their largest ever World Cup win.

It was an excellent evening for Spain however a troublesome one for Ansu Fati. The 20-year-old didn’t play a single minute and will solely watch from the bench as Spain simply saved on scoring with out him.

The margin of victory allowed Luis Enrique to rotate his workforce in an try to preserve his gamers contemporary. Each Ferran Torres and Pedri had their ft up earlier than an hour had even been performed and extra substitutions adopted.

The margin of victory even allowed Luis Enrique at hand a senior debut to teenage defender Alejandro Balde after his late call-up however there have been no minutes in any respect for Ansu.

Raphinha

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Barcelona ahead Raphinha headed to the World Cup after a fairly combined begin to his Camp Nou profession however was in from the beginning towards Serbia for Tite’s facet.

The Selecao went on to win 2-0, with Richarlison scoring each targets, however Raphinha might and possibly ought to have discovered the again of the web.

Barcelona’s summer time signing was introduced with two good alternatives however couldn’t beat goalkeeper Vanja Milinković-Savić on both event. Raphinha may need had one other likelihood too however a implausible deal with from Strahinja Pavlovic put an finish to that.

Brazil’s huge array of attacking expertise means these misses might show pricey as we go into the match. Tite has all types of choices in assault and Raphinha will know his place will likely be underneath menace if he doesn’t ship.

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