(England skipper Harry Kane is now the top scorer in the tournament after his hat-trick against Panama took him to five goals for the competition)
So the 2018 FIFA World Cup continued with the second round
of Group Stage games, and it begin with hosts Russia who took on Mo Salah and
Egypt in Saint Petersburg looking to build on their 5-0 win in their opening
game, whilst Egypt were looking to bounce back after their defeat to Uruguay on
Day Two.
So without further
ado, here is how the second round of Group Fixtures went:-
Group A
Russia 3 Egypt 1
Hosts Russia virtually secured their passage into the
knockout stages of the tournament after they made it two wins from two by
downing Egypt in Saint Petersburg and virtually ending the Africans
participation in the tournament as a result.
Mo Salah was in the Egyptian’s starting XI for this one after he missed
their opening game, however he was a shadow of what we all saw in the Premier
League with Liverpool and his team were not much better as the hosts had the
better of a goalless opening forty-five minutes. And the Russian’s got their noses in front
two minutes into the second half in bizarre fashion as an effort from Roman
Zobnin was turned into his own net by Ahmed Fathi, before the hosts doubled
their lead when Denis Cheryshev finished off a brilliant move when converting
Mario Fernandes’ cut-back, and it was dreamland for Russia when they made it
three thanks to Artem Dzyuba’s fine individual goal. Egypt did manage to pull a goal back when
Salah fired home a spot kick, this after VAR had overturned the referee’s
decision to award a free-kick just outside the box, but the foul was inside the
box so the correct decision was reached, but the African’s never looked like
mounting a comeback and this defeat leaves them on the brink of elimination.
Uruguay 1 Saudi Arabia
0
Luis Suarez netted on his 100th appearance for
his country as they qualified for the last sixteen of the competition by
defeating Saudi Arabia in Rostov. In a
largely poor contest the South Americans netted the all important goal midway
through the first half when Saudi keeper Mohammed Al Owais misjudged a cross
and saw Suarez volley into the unguarded net.
But the expected floodgates did not open thereafter as the Saudi’s
themselves were much improved from their horror show against Russia on the opening
day, however they were still not good enough to break down a solid if
uninspiring Uruguay outfit, and as a result go out of the tournament along with
Egypt, who also exit the competition after this result.
Here is the Group A
Table after Round Two:-
P W D L F A Pts GD
1. Russia (Q) 2 2 0 0 8 1 6 +7
2. Uruguay (Q) 2 2 0 0 2 0 6 +2
3. Egypt 2 0 0 2 1 4 0 -3
4. Saudi Arabia 2 0 0 2 0 6 0 -6
So hosts Russia and South Americans Uruguay became the first
sides through to the knockout stages, whilst Egypt and Saudi Arabia will be
going home after their final group games next week. The only thing to decide now is who goes
through as group winners, so that prize will be decided on June 25th
when Uruguay take on Russia, a draw for the host nation will be enough for them
to win the group, something unthinkable before the tournament begin, what a
story.
Group A final
fixtures:-
Monday 25th
June
Uruguay vs Russia
Saudi Arabia vs Egypt
Group B
Portugal 1 Morocco 0
Cristiano Ronaldo’s fourth minute header was enough for
Portugal to strengthen their chances of reaching the Last 16 as they defeated
Morocco, eliminating the African nation in the process. It looked as though the European Champions
would have an easy ride after Ronaldo ghosted in unmarked to head home Joao
Moutinho cross after only four minutes of the contest. Morocco though played with energy and belief,
and they missed enough chances to win the game, however they failed to net any
of these and exit the tournament having scored no goals in their two games so
far.
Iran 0 Spain 1
Spain edged out Iran to take themselves one step closer to
the knockout stages after Diego Costa netted in the 54th minute to
take victory in Kazan. The Spanish side
had 81% of the possession in a frustrating half as Iran defended well and
rebuffed anything that was thrown at them.
But nine minutes into the second half Spain took the lead in fortuitous
circumstances when a clearance ricocheted off Costa’s leg and into the net, but
the Iranian’s did all they could to level, and did have the ball in the net
when Saeid Ezatolahi’s effort beat David de Gea, however offside was then
confirmed by VAR, and the celebrating Iranian’s were left heartbroken. It meant Spain now join Portugal on four
points after two games, whilst Iran need to win their final game to keep
themselves in the tournament.
Here is the Group B
Table after Round Two:-
P W D L F A Pts GD
1. Portugal 2 1 1 0 4 3 4 +1
2. Spain 2 1 1 0 4 3 4 +1
3. Iran 2 1 0 1 1 1 3 0
4. Morocco 2 0 0 2 0 2 0 -2
So narrow wins for both Portugal and Spain see them edge
closer to the Last 16. However Iran can
still qualify if they beat Portugal in their last game, which after today’s
performances isn’t that unfeasible. You
would expect Spain to beat now eliminated Morocco so it’s probably down to Iran
and Portugal for that other place in the Last 16. And with top spot to play for too it proves
to be an exciting end to this group!!!
Group B final
fixtures:-
Monday 25th
June
Spain vs Morocco
Iran vs Portugal
Group C
Denmark 1 Australia 1
Aussie skipper Mile Jedinak netted a penalty for the third
successive World Cup game as the
Socceroos picked up their first point of the 2018 competition in an
entertaining draw with Denmark. The
Danes, who knew a win would see them qualify for the knockout-stages, began
well and took the lead after just seven minutes when Christian Eriksen produced
a super finish after a lay off by Nicolai Jorgensen, and the Danes looked
comfortable. But the Aussies fought
their way back into the contest, and seven minutes before half time were
awarded a penalty after VAR had looked at it and adjudged that Yussuf Poulsen
had handled inside the box, and the Denmark full back was also booked, meaning
he would miss the final group game. And
Jedinak stepped up to calmly slot home the spot kick to bring the Aussies
level, and see the Danes concede their first goal in five and a half
games. Aaron Mooy went close for the
Aussies after the break whilst Denmark’s Pione Sisto curled one wide for the
Scandinavian’s, however neither side could find that all important winner and
it ended all square.
France 1 Peru 0
Kylian Mbappe became the youngest ever player to score at a
World Cup for France as they defeated Peru in Ekaterinburg to progress through
to the knockout-stages of the tournament.
After a period of French dominance, the Peruvians were punished for
sloppy play when they lost the ball and allowed Oliver Giroud in on goal, and
his deflected effort fell into the path of Mbappe who tapped home from inside
the six yard box. Peru, who knew they
had to avoid defeat to stay in contention for the Last Sixteen, had the upper
hand after the break, and came close to levelling when Pedro Aquino saw a super
effort cannon off the bar. But they
could not find a way through as France managed to see the game out to record
another three points, and it meant Peru exited the competition after two
defeats from two.
Here is the Group C
Table after Round Two:-
P W D L F A Pts GD
1. France (Q) 2 2 0 0 3 1 6 +2
2. Denmark 2 1 1 0 2 1 4 +1
3. Australia 2 0 1 1 2 3 1 -1
4. Peru 2 0 0 2 0 2 0 -2
So France are into the next stage, whilst a point for
Denmark in their final game will also see them through to the Last
Sixteen. Australia can still qualify if
they beat Peru and see Denmark lose and also see at least a two goal swing on
the final round of matches. Denmark
themselves can still win the group if they beat France in their final game, so
plenty riding on both games still. As
for Peru, they are out of the tournament and will be just playing for pride in
their final group game.
Here are Group C’s
final fixtures:-
Tuesday 26th
June
Australia vs Peru
Denmark vs France
Group D
Argentina 0 Croatia 3
Croatia qualified for the knockout-stages in style by
humiliating a poor Argentina side in Nizjnij Novgorod. After a goalless forty-five minutes the Croats
took the lead eight minutes into the second period when keeper Willy Caballaro
attempted to chip over Ante Rebic but got it all wrong and instead lobbed into
up to him and the Croatia attacker volleyed first time back past the
embarrassed keeper and into the net. The
South Americans were pretty poor throughout and Lionel Messi cut a lonely
figure, although he was involved in the Argentina’s closest chance to scoring
when he saw an effort blocked on the line by Danijel Subasic. It was a dogged defensive display from the
European’s though and they sealed their win when Luka Modric curled a wonderful
effort beyond Caballero, before putting the gloss on the performance when Ivan
Rakitic rolled home their third, and left Argentina on the brink of elimination.
Nigeria 2 Iceland 0
Ahmed Musa netted a brace as Nigeria defeated Iceland in
Volgograd to leave Group D interestingly poised. The first half saw Iceland have the better
chances as the super eagles failed to register a shot at goal, but their was no
warning of what was to come from the Africans as they flew out of the blocks a
different side second half and three minutes into it the Africans took the lead
when Musa half volleyed home brilliantly after controlling a cross from Victor
Moses, and after the Leicester City player had struck the bar, he grabbed his
second of the game and doubled Nigeria’s lead when he outpaced his marker
before rounding keeper Hannes Thor Halldorsson and composing himself before
firing beyond two defenders on the line.
Iceland did have the chance to make the last ten or so minutes when they
were awarded a penalty after VAR correctly adjudged that a foul had been
committed inside the area, however Gylfi Sigurdsson fired his penalty over the
bar, summing up the Icelandic’s day. It
means they will have to beat Croatia in their final game to stand any chance of
progression to the knock out stages.
Here is the Group D
Table after Round Two:-
P W D L F A Pts GD
1. Croatia (Q) 2 2 0 0 5 0 6 +5
2. Nigeria 2 1 0 1 2 2 3 0
3. Iceland 2 0 1 1 1 3 1 -2
4. Argentina 2 0 1 1 1 4 1 -3
With Croatia already qualified it’s now between Nigeria,
Iceland and Argentina for the qualification spot in Group D. A Nigeria win sees them qualify however is
Argentina defeat Nigeria then they could still sneak through if Iceland fail to
beat Croatia. It certainly makes the
Nigeria vs Argentina game rather interesting lets just say, however it’s a hard
one to call, and with all sides still in with a shout, its most certainly game
on in the final round of matches in this Group.
Here are the final
fixtures in Group D:-
Tuesday 26th
June
Iceland vs Croatia
Nigeria vs Argentina
Group E
Brazil 2 Costa Rica 0
Favourites Brazil left it late to finally see of Costa Rica
after stoppage time strikes from Phillippe Coutinho and Neymar saw them to all
three points in Saint Petersburg. A
rather drab first period, which ended goalless, made way for a second half
where the Brazilian’s knocked on the door but just couldn’t break it down, and
then came a big moment when Neymar went down in the box and a penalty was
given, but on replay and after VAR and the referee had looked back at the
incident, the decision was overturned.
Brazil became more and more frustrated and it looked as if they would
draw their second game in succession, however in the 91st minute
Coutinho poked home a Roberto Firmino knock down to see the South American’s
finally take the lead, and then in the 97th minute Neymar tapped
home a Douglas Costa cross to seal the points and put themselves on four points
after two games. For Costa Rica it’s all
but over for them now after defeat here.
Serbia 1 Switzerland
2
Second half strikes from Granit Xhaka and Xherdan Shaqiri
saw the Swiss come from behind to take a huge stride towards the knockout stages
after downing the Serbs in Kaliningrad.
The Serbian’s knew a win would take them through to the Last Sixteen and
they began well and took a fifth minute lead when Alexsandar Mitrovic headed
home from close range, and they were the better side in the opening forty-five
minutes and could have been further ahead as the Swiss were struggling to
contain them. Switzerland knew they
needed to find a goal to stay in the tournament and they came out much better
in the second period and soon levelled in spectacular style when Xhaka smashed
home a brilliant effort after Shaqiri had seen an effort blocked, and then with
the Swiss on the front foot Shaqiri struck the outside of the post as Serbia
were struggling to regain the control they had in the opening forty-five
minutes. The game then took on an end to
end feel as both sides looked to find the all-important winner, and then in the
90th minute it was the Swiss who pounced as a breakout from a Serbia
attack saw Shaqiri sent through and he showed great composure to slot beyond
Stojkovic and win the game for his country, sending them level on points with
Brazil at the top of the Group and just a point from qualification. Serbia will most likely have to win their
last game to progress.
Here is the Group E
Table after Round Two:-
P W D L F A Pts GD
1. Brazil 2 1 1 0 3 1 4 +2
2. Switzerland 2 1 1 0 3 2 4 +1
3. Serbia 2 1 0 1 2 2 3 0
4. Costa Rica 2 0 0 2 0 3 0 -3
Late drama in both of the second round of games has seen the
table take on a rather different look.
Brazil netted two stoppage time goals to top the group on goal
difference, whilst for the Swiss they were thankful to a come from behind win
against Serbia to suddenly put themselves only a point away from progression. Serbia, who were through at half time, will
now most likely need to beat Brazil in their final game to progress, which
would knock the Brazilian’s out if the Swiss get a win against Costa Rica, who
are now eliminated. Brazil just need a
point to go through but there are many things that can happen so should be
another exciting round of group fixtures.
Here are the final
Group E fixtures:-
Wednesday 27th
June
Serbia vs Brazil
Switzerland vs Costa Rica
Group F
South Korea 1 Mexico
2
Javier Hernandez netted his 50th international
goal to help Mexico defeat South Korea and take a giant stride towards the Last
Sixteen. They took the lead in the 26th
minute when they were awarded a penalty for a handball by Jang Hyun-soo, and
Carlos Vela stepped up to convert the spot kick, and they dominated possession
thereafter against a lacklustre Korea side.
They managed to double their advantage too when a thrilling counter
attack saw Hernandez add a neat finish to Hirving Lozano’s surging run, and
although Son Heung-min’s stoppage time blockbuster gave them brief hope, South
Korea now need to beat the German’s to stand any chance of progression.
Germany 2 Sweden 1
Toni Kroos netted a stoppage time free-kick to give Germany
a dramatic win against Sweden and salvage their world cup campaign as a
result. Germany knew defeat to Sweden
would see them eliminated from the tournament and when Ola Toivonen put the
Swede’s ahead with a deft lob to lead at the break, the Scandinavian’s were on
their way to the Last Sixteen, but the holders took just three minutes of the
second half to level when Marco Reus prodded home and the champions dominated
the majority of the half, but then suffered a set-back when Jerome Boateng was
sent off with eight minutes remaining for a second booking. The Germans still knew a draw would leave
things out of their hands, but in the 95th minute Kroos stepped up
to smash a wonderful free kick into the top corner, and it means all four teams
can still qualify for the knockout phase of the competition.
Here is the Group F
Table after Round Two:-
P W D L F A Pts GD
1. Mexico 2 2 0 0 3 1 6 +2
2. Sweden 2 1 0 1 2 2 3 0
3. Germany 2 1 0 1 2 2 3 0
4. South Korea 2 0 0 2 1 3 0 -2
So after today’s results all four can still qualify for the
knockout stages. Mexico just need a
point against Sweden to make the Last Sixteen, whereas the other three sides
need to win their final games realistically to make the next phase of the
competition. Sweden could make it with a
draw if South Korea defeat Germany, but can you see the German’s losing their
last game to the Korean’s, I think not, so Sweden need the win, as do Mexico as
if Sweden and Germany both win, their will be a three-way tie at the top,
meaning goal difference would come into it.
So many things could happen so makes the final round of fixtures
intriguing.
Here are the final
Group F fixtures:-
Wednesday 27th
June
South Korea vs Germany
Mexico vs Sweden
Group G
Belgium 5 Tunisia 2
Romelu Lukaku and Eden Hazard both scored twice as Belgium
thrashed Tunisia to make it two wins from two in Group G. The Belgian’s attacked from the off and led
after five minutes when Hazard was fouled by Syam Ben Youssef and he picked
himself up to net the spot kick, and then it got worse for the Tunisian’s when
Ali Maaloul miscontrolled on the half way line allowing Dries Mertens to nip in
and send Lukaku clear, and the attacker produced a low finish to double the
Belgian’s lead. Tunisia knew they needed
a win to get their campaign back on track and got themselves back into the
contest when Dylan Bronn converted a Wahbi Khazri free kick, but they could not
cope with their opponents attacking threat, and Lukaku restored his sides two
goal cushion with a dinked finish just before half time. Hazard then added another after the break
when racing onto a Toby Alderweireld pass before rounding the keeper to fire
home, and then substitute Michy Batshuayi added a fifth when converting a Youri
Tieleman cross. Khazri did sweep home a
Hamdi Nagguez cross to grab a consolation for the Tunisian’s, however they were
well beaten and are now on the brink of elimination.
England 6 Panama 1
Harry Kane became only the third England player to net a
hat-trick at a World Cup finals as he helped his side thrash Panama to progress
into the last sixteen of the competition.
John Stones nodded home the opener before Kane emphatically converted a penalty
to double the Three Lions advantage, and then Jesse Lingard curled home a
wonderful third to put England firmly in control of this contest. Stones nodded home his second of the game five
minutes before the break after the keeper had parried the ball straight to him,
and then in first half stoppage time Kane emphatically converted another penalty
to send his side into the break five goals up.
Kane then completed his hat-trick just past the hour mark when a Ruben
Loftus-Cheek effort deflected in off him, however Panama were much more
competitive in the second period and found their first ever World Cup finals
goal when Felipe Baloy diverted a cross into the corner of the net. But despite this the Central American’s are
now out of the competition.
Here is the Group G
Table after Round Two:-
P W D L F A Pts GD
1. England (Q) 2 2 0 0 8 2 6 +6
2. Belgium (Q) 2 2 0 0 8 2 6 +6
3. Tunisia 2 0 0 2 3 7 0 -4
4. Panama 2 0 0 2 1 9 0 -8
So as expected England and Belgium are both through from
Group G, with the only thing to decide now is who grabs top spot. That will of course be decided on Thursday evening
when England and Belgium collide, proves to be an epic battle that, although if
the sides draw not entirely sure what happens then?? Anyway lets hope England
win and all will be sorted then, however it’s going to be one hell of a test
against a top Belgian outfit.
Here are the final
Group G matches:-
Thursday 28th
June
Panama vs Tunisia
England vs Belgium
Group H
Japan 2 Senegal 2
The Japanese twice came from behind to earn a draw against
Senegal in an entertaining Group H clash in Ekaterinburg. The Africans dominated the early exchanges
and took the lead when Japanese keeper Eiji Kawashima punched an attempted clearance
onto Sadio Mane’s knee and saw the ball go past him into the corner of the net,
but the Asian side fought they way back into the contest and levelled before
half time when Takashi Inui curled home a lovely effort into the bottom
corner. The Japanese then dominated for
a time in the second period, missing chances to go in front, including one
where Yuya Osako struck the crossbar, but it was the Africans who retook the
lead through Moussa Wague, drilling home from an angle. But Japan fought back again and claimed a
deserved point when substitute Keisuke Honda levelled the contest up once
again, prodding home after the keeper had made an error, and it means that both
sides will be in prime position going into the final group games.
Poland 0 Colombia 3
Columbia got themselves right back into the World Cup after
they saw off a poor Poland side in Kazan to set up an intriguing last day in Group
H. Yerry Mina nodded the South Americans
into the lead just before half time, getting ahead of keeper Szczesny to head
home a James Rodriguez cross, and they doubled their lead twenty minutes from
time when Radamel Falcao netted his first World Cup goal, running onto a
sublime pass before finishing brilliantly with the outside of his left foot and
see them well on the way to the three points.
And then shortly after a brilliant pass from Rodriguez saw Juan Cuadrado
in behind and he raced clear of the Poland backline before slotting home to
seal the Colombian’s victory. Poland’s
Robert Lewandowski struggled with the lack of service provided to him, and although
he did go close on a couple of occasions, his Poland team are eliminated after
just two games of this World Cup, something nobody could of predicted prior to
the tournament.
Here is the Group H
Table after Round Two:-
P W D L F A Pts GD
1. Japan 2 1 1 0 4 3 4 +1
2. Senegal 2 1 1 0 4 3 4 +1
3. Colombia 2 1 0 1 4 2 3 +2
4. Poland 2 0 0 2 1 5 0 -4
So Poland are out after two games, unbelievable considering
I had them down to win the group, but it’s been an unpredictable world cup so
far. Japan play them in the final round
of matches knowing a draw will confirm their last sixteen appearance, which
will be one hell of an achievement for the Asians. The other two, Senegal and Colombia, meet in
the final game of the group stages, with the winner guaranteed a last sixteen
berth, although Senegal can still qualify with a point. It means the South Americans have to go for
it, so proves to be an entertaining encounter at the Cosmos Arena in Samara.
Here are the final
Group H fixtures:-
Thursday 28th
June
Japan vs Poland
Senegal vs Colombia
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