sport news Fezzes, a Mexican wave, an inflatable camel: How Matt Barlow got to FOUR World ... trends now

sport news Fezzes, a Mexican wave, an inflatable camel: How Matt Barlow got to FOUR World ... trends now
sport news Fezzes, a Mexican wave, an inflatable camel: How Matt Barlow got to FOUR World ... trends now

sport news Fezzes, a Mexican wave, an inflatable camel: How Matt Barlow got to FOUR World ... trends now

Lionel Messi was in a fix. Time was running out and I was making a dash for the exits, striding for the Metro with a Kenny Rogers tune in my head, suddenly doubting the wisdom of this idea. This was not a fine time to leave the Lusail. 

Not with a monumental upset brewing but it seemed important to beat the traffic. That would be the only way to pull off the Qatar quadruple, a complete immersion in this strangest of World Cup tournaments by touching the four points of Doha's compass in one day.

From Lusail in the north at 1pm, to Al Wakra down south at 10pm, via Education City in the west, and Stadium 974 in the east, featuring fezzes, face paint and an inflatable camel.

Sportsmail's Matt Barlow (right) made it to four World Cup games in one day on Tuesday - below is his report on exactly how he made it to the four compass points of Qatari capital Doha

Sportsmail's Matt Barlow (right) made it to four World Cup games in one day on Tuesday - below is his report on exactly how he made it to the four compass points of Qatari capital Doha

Underdogs Saudi Arabia (above) stunned Argentina with a 2-1 win in the first game of the day

Underdogs Saudi Arabia (above) stunned Argentina with a 2-1 win in the first game of the day

It did feel rather ominous when an email landed as Argentina came up against the Semi Automated Offside technology with directions of where to go if my ticket for Denmark against Tunisia did not download on the FIFA ticketing App.

At half-time, a couple of hours from kick-off, I checked. Sure enough, the ticket had not downloaded, and was still failing to download. Instead, another message suggested I check the internet connection. The internet connection was fine.

So were Argentina, one up and all over the Saudis. By the time I made an early split, they were in a hole and gripped by panic, performing a very reasonable impression of England against Iceland in Euro 2016.

All they knew had drained from their brains, replaced by fear and the dawning realisation that this was the World Cup when they were supposed to be delivering football's greatest prize for football's greatest player.

It is not all over but they have work to do and this will be filed away with North Korea 1966 and other incredible World Cup results. For Argentina, it is a hurtin' that won't heal. Yes, I searched the lyrics.

For the Saudis, the biggest day in their footballing history. Outside, pre-match, they were full of bravado. They were going to win they insisted. A couple of hours later, they were whipping off their head-dresses and twirling them around their heads as the Metro sped towards Education City.

With all the usual caveats regarding cost and conditions of the workforce, the Doha Metro has been a shining star of this World Cup. It is quick and slick, and it runs until 3am.

The Doha Metro used to ferry fans around is quick and slick - it's a shining star of the World Cup

The Doha Metro used to ferry fans around is quick and slick - it's a shining star of the World Cup

In the early hours of Monday, returning from the opening game at the distant Al Bayt Stadium there were seven tirelessly polite young volunteers pointing their giant sponge fingers to move three weary journalists down the platform a few yards.

Tunisia and Denmark was a sea of red but I lost two croissants, a bottle of sun cream and a pen to the security team. Unsure whether this is down to a contravention of FIFA's strict sponsorship rules. 

They are peeling labels from bottles if they do not contain the World Cup's official drinks but there is no evidence of official French pastries. The chicken shawarma went down a treat, though, even if it meant buying a VISA gift card, because they do not accept any other credit cards.

All a bit of a faff but worth it to witness the latest chapter of the Christian Eriksen fairytale.

His cardiac arrest in

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