The messages started long beforeLiverpool‘sClub World Cupsemi -final victory overMonterreykicked off inDoha, around 4, miles away on board a Qatar Airways plane de -icing its wings on the tarmac of Manchester Airport.
First, there was an advert for the next World Cup, serving up nonsensical soundbites like ‘Let’s Unstoppable’ and ‘Let’s Yeah’ as soon as you made a selection from the entertainment system.
Another prominent commercial featured Neymar promoting QNB Bank, while David Beckham posted about – checks notes – making bread in Doha on Instagram.
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Then there was an interview with Xavi – Spain and Barcelona legend-turned-manager of Doha-based Al Sadd – which was the focal point of the in-flight magazine.
“Qatar does not underestimate the privilege World Cup Qatar ™ represents and it has been carefully planning for the opening day ever since it was awarded this tournament, ”he said, copyright and all, apparently.
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“Everything has been organized with so much care.”
That last line jars at Khalifa International Stadium, where the neon lights, ear-piercing PA system and over-the-top dazzle can be a distraction from the dark truth.
There was no care when Zac Cox died here in January after falling 44 meters when a catwalk he was helping to install collapsed, his lever hoist equipment failing.
The coroner at the inquest to the – – year-old’s death, Veronica Hamilton-Deeley, described the conditions the Briton had to work under as “chaotic, unprofessional, unthinking and downright dangerous”.
This semi-final could have been played at the Education City Stadium, but the venue was deemed not match ready and also carries its own tales of disregard for those toiling to deliver facilities for the showpiece.
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Naby Keita put Liverpool ahead following a sublime reverse pass from Mohamed Salah (Getty Images)
Rupchandra Rumba, operating as a scaffolder at the ground for two months, died while gasping for breath in a slum-like labor camp.
As with hundreds of other migrant workers who die in Qatar annually, the – year-old’s passing was put down to “acute cardio respiratory failure due to natural causes” .
Such deaths are not investigated and authorities do not usually carry out postmortem examinations. The most important messaging, then, is not from the flashy ads or advocacy from A-listers pocketing mega money and grandiose hospitality to be Team Qatar, but the unsaid.
Liverpool have supported calls for thorough investigations into all unexplained deaths, but nonetheless got on with the job at hand in Doha as they beat Monterrey 2-1 to take a step closer to becoming world champions.
Mohamed Salah was indisputably the main attraction on Wednesday night in the mammoth multi-purpose stadium. He contributed to the game’s first decisive moment, dividing Monterrey’s defense with a superb reverse pass behind Cesar Montes and Nicolas Sanchez, that Naby Keita collected and converted with a first-time finish.
Three minutes later, Liverpool failed to fully clear a free-kick and switched off on the second stage, with man-of-the-match Alisson making a save from Jesus Gallardo only for Rogelio Funes Mori to hit home the rebound.
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Rogelio Funes Mori pulled his side level (AFP via Getty Images)
Marcelo Barovero was quick to dart off his line and deny Keita from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s stellar slicing ball, ending ending a first half that was more labored than luminary.
Liverpool were fragile at the back, unsurprisingly so as they were down to their fourth-choice center-back in Joe Gomez, who was partnered by midfielder Jordan Henderson.
Virgil van Dijk was missing through illness, while Joel Matip [knee] and Dejan Lovren [hamstring] will return in the New Year.
Injuries are hitting at a crucial juncture for the Premier League leaders, who looked jaded as Monterrey crafted the better openings in the second half.
The encounter as a whole was sleepy, with the entertainment painfully being supplied by a ‘half-time show’ in which an MC repeatedly screamed at the audience to turn on the lights of their phone while Coldplay’s Sky Full of Stars played in the background.
There was a forced Mexican wave, too, completely ignored by the section of Monterrey fans that wonderfully bounced, clapped and chanted for the wholeety of the match.
There was finally a moment to quicken the pulse and thankfully avert extra time on 180 minutes.
Roberto Firmino, recently introduced into the action, produced a neat finish after Salah’s tenacity kept the play alive and Trent Alexander-Arnold threaded a clever ball through to him, sending Liverpool into Saturday’s final against Flamengo.
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