Hard-line Iranian media sought to blame the defeat on the unrest that has gripped the Islamic Republic since the Sept. 16 death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in the custody of the country's morality police. Iranian newspapers turned to the familiar tactic of accusing foreign enemies, including the United States, Britain and Israel, of stirring up protests to throw the national team off its game.

“Iran - 2; England, Israel, Saudi and traitors - 6,” read the headline in hard-line daily Kayhan. The newspaper, whose editor-in-chief is appointed by Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said Iran’s rout came after “weeks of unfair and unprecedented psychological warfare against the team ... from domestic and foreign-based traitors." It added that a “political media current” has sought to “damage the spirit of Iran’s team by attacking them.”

Iran fans in the stands on Monday chanted Amini’s name, held signs and wore T-shirts with protest slogans and booed during the national anthem. Many fans appeared conflicted over whether to even support their national team against the backdrop of security forces’ violent crackdown on demonstrations. At least 419 people have been killed since the protests erupted, according to the watchdog Human Rights Activists in Iran. As the game unfolded on Monday, Iranian security forces unleashed heavy gunfire against protesters in a Kurdish town in the country’s west.

Another hard-line daily, Vatanemrooz, reported that protesters in Iran celebrated their country’s humiliating defeat in the streets, bursting into cheers in coffee shops when England scored goals and honking car horns with joy after the game. Footage from central Tehran spread online showing motorbike drivers honking and chanting “Six!” in reference England’s six goals against Iran. Authorities shut down a coffee shop in the northeastern city of Mashhad for announcing it was rooting for England.

Iran media blames humiliating World Cup loss on protests (msn.com)

Argentina vs. Saudi Arabia

5 a.m. ET Tuesday, FS1

Saudi Arabia could be the worst team in the tournament and it’ll be a significant surprise if it doesn’t finish last in Group C. The juice is heavily weighted to the over — three goals or more is at -165 — but the value on Argentina to win just isn’t there. We like the chances of three or more goals in this one.

https://sports.yahoo.com/world-cup-2022-scores-updates-lionel-messi-makes-debut-as-argentina-faces-saudi-arabia-012918219.html

Ecuador fans chant 'we want beer' while Qatar's leave opening loss early

https://www.espn.com/soccer/fifa-world-cup/story/4807743/ecuador-fans-chant-we-want-beer-qatars-leave-opener-early