(An iconic moment in the final round of Group Stages saw Messi celebrating with scorer Marcus Rojo after his winner against Nigeria put Argentina through to the last sixteen, thanks to Action Images Henry Romero for the photo)
So, the final week of Group Stage fixtures were upon us, and
it would finally determine who would go through and who would be going out,
apart from obviously the ones who already achieved this fate in the second
round of group stage fixtures. Still top
spots were up for grabs in this week, so here is how those games panned out: -
Group A
Saudi Arabia 2 Egypt
1
Middle Eastern side Saudi Arabia grabbed their first win in
the World Cup since 1994 by netting a stoppage time winner against Egypt to
exit the tournament on a high. Neither
side could qualify for the knockout phase of the competition but wanted to
leave the World Cup with at least one win, and it looked like Egypt would be
that side when Mohamed Salah netted his second goal of the tournament when he
lobbed over Saudi keeper Yasser Al-Mosailem midway through the first half to
give the Africans the lead. But the end
of the half would prove controversial, as first of all Saudi Arabia were given
a penalty for a handball, which looked harsh, however 45-year-old keeper
Egyptian keeper Essam El-Hadary, who was making history for being the oldest
player to play in a world cup, made a superb save from Fahad Al Muwallad’s spot
kick. But in first half stoppage time
the Saudi’s were awarded another penalty, this after a rather long delay as the
referee checked with VAR, they deemed his decision was correct, although again
it looked debatable. But Salman Al
Faraj’s penalty found the net this time, and the sides went in level at the
break. There was far less drama in the
second period, however it looked as though the game would peter out to a score
draw, that was until four minutes into stoppage time when Salem Al Sawsari
volleyed home the winner to give Saudi Arabia a win to take home, whilst for
Egypt it’s three straight defeats and a tournament to forget.
Uruguay 3 Russia 0
Hosts Russia were given a reality check as they were brushed
aside by Uruguay in their battle for group winners spot in Samara. The hosts had had things their own way so far
in the competition but found Uruguay a step to far in this contest, and the
South Americans were soon in front when Luis Suarez drilled home a tenth minute
free-kick, before they doubled their lead midway though the half when Diego
Laxalt’s effort deflected off Denis Cheryshev and wrong-footed keeper Igor
Akifneev who could not stop the ball finding the net. And then things got worse for the Russian’s
when Igor Smolnilkov was sent off for a second yellow card 35 minutes into his
world cup debut, meaning the hosts had to play with ten men for pretty much an
hour. To be fair to the hosts they did wrestle back
some control of the game, even with ten men, however Uruguay was always in
control and saw Edison Cavani get his goal when he prodded home a rebound after
a Godin header had been saved by Akinfeev, and the South Americans therefore
advance as group winners and are yet to concede too. Russia despite the defeat also advance as
runners up.
Here is the final
Group A table: -
P W D L F A Pts GD
1. Uruguay (Q) 3 3 0 0 5 0 9 +5
2. Russia (Q) 3 2 0 1 8 4 6 +4
3. Saudi Arabia 3 1 0 2 2 7 3 -5
4. Egypt 3 0 0 3 2 6 0 -4
So, Uruguay showed their class today to see off the
Russian’s, and they go through as Group Winners and will take on Group B
runners-up Portugal in the Last Sixteen of the competition. As for Russia, they have already surpassed
many people’s expectations just to qualify for the knockout phase, and they
take on Group B winners Spain in their next game. Saudi Arabia after an awful opening game
managed to salvage some pride in their next two games, and leave with a win
too, whilst for Egypt it was a tournament to forget as they leave the
competition with no points from three games.
Group B
Iran 1 Portugal 1
Portugal progressed into the knockout stages although late
drama almost saw them miss out altogether as the match ended in farcical
circumstances. Ricardo Quaresma put
Portugal ahead in stunning fashion, curling home with the outside of his boot
just before half time, and then after VAR had ruled that Cristiano Ronaldo had
been fouled inside the box, they had the chance to double their money and
probably end the contest, but Ronaldo saw his spot kick saved and Iran remained
in the tie. Another VAR review for a red
card after Ronaldo appeared to catch an opponent in the face, again very
questionable, resulted in the Portuguese star receiving a yellow card, although
I my eyes it was accidental and the Iranian player made a right meal of it
sadly. That was the end of the VAR
fiasco either, as in stoppage time and after another VAR review for a penalty
for handball, which by the way was no way handball, was overturned by the
officials and a penalty was given, which Ansarifard converted, which meant Iran
needed one more goal in the remainder of stoppage time to qualify at Portugal’s
expense. And incredibly they almost
netted again moments later, but struck into the side netting instead, as
Portugal breathed a sigh of relief, and squeezed through to the Last
Sixteen. Dramatic.
Spain 2 Morocco 2
Iago Aspas netted a stoppage time equaliser to salvage a
point for Spain against already eliminated Morocco and end up winning Group B
as a result. The North Africans may
already have been knocked out, but they wanted to leave the tournament with a
bang, and they took a shock lead after 14 minutes when a dreadful mix-up
between Andres Iniesta and Sergio Ramos allowed Khalid Boutaib to nip in and
steal the ball, run through and then slot between David de Gea’s legs. But it took the Spaniards just five minutes
to hit back when Iniesta made amends by creating the leveller, exchanging
passes with Diego Costa before getting to the byeline and cutting back for Isco
to smash home into the roof of the net.
Morocco though weren’t to be deterred, and with nine minutes left they
looked to have won it when Youssef En Nesyri, who plays in Spain for Malaga,
powered home a superb header from fellow substitute Faycal Fajr’s corner, but
their was to be more VAR drama in stoppage time as after Aspas flicked home
Dani Carvajal’s low cross, the referee initially disallowed the goal, but after
consultation with VAR overturned his decision and the goal stood, meaning the
Spanish won the Group, and denied the Moroccan’s a famous victory.
Here is the final
Group B table: -
P W D L F A Pts GD
1. Spain (Q) 3 1 2 0 6 5 5 +1
2. Portugal (Q) 3 1 2 0 5 4 5 +1
3. Iran 3 1 1 1 2 2 4 0
4. Morocco 3 0 1 2 2 4 1 -2
Well what a dramatic end to that group!!! It looked for so long as if Portugal would
win the group, however late drama at both games involving VAR changed all that,
and Spain somehow won the group ahead of their rivals from over the
border. Iran so nearly got that second
goal too which would have sent Portugal home, and Morocco were seconds away
from a famous win, but in the end the two sides who were expected to go through
did, however it was a close-run thing!!!
Spain now take on hosts Russia in the Last Sixteen whilst Portugal take
on Uruguay.
Group C
Australia 0 Peru 2
Peru recorded their first World Cup finals win for 40 years
as they ended any hopes Australia had of progression into the knockout stages
by beating them in their final game of the tournament. The Aussies knew they had to beat Peru to
stand any chance of making it through and hope the French defeated Denmark, but
the South Americans went ahead thanks to a fine volley from Andre Carrillo in
the 18th minute. The Aussies
struggled to create anything clear-cut although excellent defending from
Anderson Santamaria denied Matthew Leckie from close-range, and then the
Peruvians doubled their lead when skipper Paolo Guerrero struck home into the
far corner five minutes into the second half.
Christian Cueva also struck the post late on for Peru, but they ended up
finishing third in the group whilst the Aussies ended their campaign bottom of
the pile.
Denmark 0 France 0
The first goalless draw of the World Cup took place in
Moscow as Match 37 saw Denmark and France fail to score in their Group C
contest. The game saw little in the way
of goalmouth action withb the first shot on target not arriving until six
minutes from the break which saw Antoine Griezmann fire a tame effort at Danish
keeper Kasper Schmeichel. Denmark did
fashion the best chance of the half when French keeper Steve Mandanda just got
to the ball ahead of Christian Eriksen after a excellent low cross from Andreas
Cornelius, and their only shot on target came nine minutes into the second
period when Mandanda saved Eriksen’s free-kick.
With Peru winning in the other game, both sides knew they were through
unless something dramatic happened there, so the game rather petered out into a
fairly low-key draw, bringing jeers and whistles/boos from the crowd at the
final whistle. However, neither side
were bothered about that as they qualified for the knockout phase with little
alarm.
Here is the final
Group C table: -
P W D L F A Pts GD
1. France (Q) 3 2 1 0 3 1 7 +2
2. Denmark (Q) 3 1 2 0 2 1 5 +1
3. Peru 3 1 0 2 2 2 3 0
4. Australia 3 0 1 2 2 5 1 -3
So, France are through as Group winners and take on Argentina
who were runners up in Group D in the Last Sixteen. Denmark go through as runners up and will
take on Group D winners Croatia in the next phase. Neither were particularly at 100% in the
group stages but they won’t really care about that and now will no doubt
continue to build up their performances in the knockout stage. Peru go home with a win to their name, which
meant so much to them no doubt, whilst the Aussies although gritty and
determined, lacked real potency up front and that didn’t help their cause and
they go home without a win to their name.
Group D
Iceland 1 Croatia 2
Ivan Persic’s late goal saw Croatia go through to the
knockout phase as group winners, and at the same time ended Iceland’s
participation in the tournament. The
Nordic nation knew a win could see them qualify for the last sixteen and saw
Alfred Finnbogason and Birkir Bjarnason both go close before the break, but the
Croats then took the lead after the interval when Milan Badelj slammed home the
opener, meaning Iceland needed at least two goals to have any chance. They therefore were forced to chase the game
and hit the bar though a Sverrir Ingason header but then won a penalty after a
Dejan Lovren handball, and Gylfi Sigurdsson, who missed a spot kick against
Nigeria, slammed this one home and Iceland believed again. And late on and knowing Argentina were
winning against Nigeria, a goal for the Icelandic’s would be enough to qualify,
however their attacks became less frequent and Croatia took more control and
then as the clock ticked into the 90th minute Persic fired across
the keeper to win it and end Iceland’s hopes.
Nigeria 1 Argentina 2
Marcos Rojo netted a brilliant 86th minute winner
to send Argentina into the Last Sixteen by the skin of their teeth, and at the
same time knock Nigeria out of the tournament in heartbraking fashion. Lionel Messi, who has been under immense
pressure in this tournament, looked back to his old self in the opening forty-five
minutes, and it was he who opened the scoring in brilliant fashion, running
onto a pass from Ever Banega, controlling it stone dead with his thigh, then
took it onto his left foot to draw it away from Kenneth Omeruo, before
producing an emphatic finish with his right foot. He could have had a second goal too but saw a
free-kick tipped brilliantly onto the post by Nigeria keeper Francis
Uzoho. However, the South Americans
failed to carry on their good first half showing, and six minutes into the
second period Javier Mascherano gave away a penalty, which Victor Moses duly
converted, and it meant Nigeria were going through. It looked as if an aging Argentinian side
were fading as Nigeria fancied a second goal, but this did not come, and with
time running out and the South American’s knowing a goal could take them
through, and with four minutes left Rojo surged into the box to place Gabriel
Mercado’s cross into the bottom corner and send Argentina into the next phase
of the competition. What drama indeed!!!
Here is the final
Group D table: -
P W D L F A Pts
GD
1. Croatia (Q) 3 3 0 0 7 1 9 +6
2. Argentina (Q) 3 1 1 1 3 5 4 -2
3. Nigeria 3 1 0 2 3 4 3 -1
4. Iceland 3 0 1 2 2 5 1 -3
So, another dramatic finish to a group sees Argentina join
Croatia in the Round of 16. How the
Argentinian’s managed to squeeze through is anyone’s guess, but they are into
the last sixteen and live to fight another day.
They will take on the French so that proves to be a mouth-watering
prospect, whilst the perfect Croatian’s will take on Denmark, another good
contest is expected their too. Spare a
thought for Nigeria, who came within four or so minutes of progressing
themselves and dumping Argentina out, whilst Iceland gave it their all too
against Croatia, but sadly for them came up short. That defeat to Nigeria ultimately gave them
too much to do in their final game.
Group E
Serbia 0 Brazil 2
Brazil are through the last sixteen as group winners after
they saw off a tough Serbia side thanks to goals from Paulinho and Thiago
Silva, eliminating their opponents as a result.
The South Americans knew a point would be enough to qualify but they
looked sharp and up for getting a positive result and took a deserved lead when
Paulinho ran onto a pass from Philippe Coutinho and sent a deft lob beyond the
keeper. Serbia knew they had to win to
stand any chance of progression, and they had a fifteen-minute spell after half
time where they put the Brazilian defence under immense pressure, sadly for
them though they could not find that all important breakthrough. But once Silva thundered home a header from a
Neymar corner, the favourites for the competition regained a measure of
composure and could have added further goals, but in the end they did enough to
progress safely into the next phase.
Switzerland 2 Costa
Rica 2
The Swiss qualified for the last sixteen as runners up in
Group E after they drew a dramatic contest with Costa Rica. Switzerland needed just a point from their
final game to confirm their passage into the next round, whilst Costa Rica were
already out of the tournament, however it was the Central American side who had
the better chances early on, however it was the Swiss who found the
breakthrough when Blerim Dzemaili to lead at half time, but ten minutes into
the second half Kendall Waston headed Los Ticos level. With the Brazilian’s winning the Swiss knew
even a defeat would see them through, however they grabbed what they thought
was the winner in the 88th minute when substitute Josip Drmic
netted, however the game would end in bizarre fashion when firstly Costa Rica
were awarded a spot kick, only to see it overturned due to an offside, but
moments later Joel Campbell was brought down inside the box for another
penalty, and this one saw Bryan Ruiz hit his effort off the underside of the
bar, come off keeper Yann Sommer’s head, and end up in the net for an own
goal. Despite the bizarre ending it is
the Swiss who progress whilst Costa Rica go home with a point at least.
Here is the final
Group E table: -
P W D L F A Pts GD
1. Brazil (Q) 3 2 1 0 5 1 7 +4
2. Switzerland (Q) 3 1 2 0 5 4 5 +1
3. Serbia 3 1 0 2 2 4 3 -2
4. Costa Rica 3 0 1 2 2 5 1 -3
So, Brazil are safely through to the last sixteen, whilst
Switzerland join them too. Serbia will
look to the Switzerland game where they led comfortably before losing that one
late on as the major reason they are now going home after three games. And Costa Rica will be disappointed to be
going home with just a point, especially after their heroics four years ago in
Brazil, however goals were a problem for them, apart from the last game, which
was too late anyway. Brazil now face
Mexico in the next round, whilst the Swiss take on Sweden.
Group F
Mexico 0 Sweden 3
The Swedes propelled themselves into the knockout stages of
the World Cup as Group winners after another dramatic final day in a Group saw
them defeat Mexico in what was a very handsome victory indeed. Mexico came into this one knowing just a
point would see them top the group, where as Sweden knew they had to better
Germany’s result against South Korea to progress into the last sixteen. A goalless first half meant it was as you
were in the group, but it all changed dramatically in the second period as
Sweden grabbed the lead five minutes into it when Ludwig Augustinsson fired
home after Viktor Claesson had totally mis-hit an effort into his path, and
then they doubled their lead twelve minutes later when Andreas Granqvist
smashed home his second penalty of the tournament after Hector Moreno had
tripped Marcus Berg inside the box. Mexico
pressed hard for a reply, knowing a German goal could knock them out of the
tournament, however they were punished again when Edson Alvarez turned an
attempted clearance into his own net, and the Swedes had a three-goal cushion
and were cruising through as group winners.
Carlos Vela missed a close-range header as Mexico did at least try and
improve their goal difference, however they had a nervous wait to see how the
German’s got on, but it was good news for the Mexican’s as the German’s shock
defeat meant Mexico go through as runners up.
South Korea 2 Germany
0
Defending champions Germany, one of the favourites for the
tournament before the World Cup kicked off, are out at the Group Stages for the
first time in 80 years after they suffered a shock defeat to South Korea in
Kazan. Both sides could still qualify
although for the Koreans to progress it was going to take a lot for that to
happen, whilst the Germans knew a win would take them through to the knockout
stages, but a rather dire opening forty-five minutes followed although with the
other game goalless it meant Germany were still in the runners up spot. After the break and with the Swedes netting
three goals in the other game, Germany knew they had to score, but they could
not find that all illusive goal and will regret how wasteful they were. South Korea’s keeper Cho Hyeon-woo made a
fine one handed save from Leon Goretzka’s header and Timo Werner volleyed wide,
whilst Mats Hummels headed over the top from six yards out. The Korean’s weren’t without their moments
too, but in the second minute of stoppage time they saw Kim Young-gwon finish
from close range, only to see it ruled out for offside, but VAR intervened and
the decision was reversed, meaning the Germans needed two goals in the
remaining seven minutes of stoppage time.
But in the 96th minute and with everyone up, including keeper
Manuel Neuer, who was for some reason playing around with the ball twenty or so
yards out, lost the ball to Ju Se-jong who then pinged a long ball towards the
German goal and saw Son Heung-min run onto it and tap into the empty net, and
confirm Germany’s exit from the competition, thus giving the South Korean’s a
major scalp before they head home too.
Here is the final
Group F table: -
P W D L F A Pts GD
1. Sweden (Q) 3 2 0 1 5 2 6 +3
2. Mexico (Q) 3 2 0 1 3 4 6 -1
3. South Korea 3 1 0 2 3 3 3 0
4. Germany 3 1 0 2 2 4 3 -2
So how about that eh?
The German’s finish bottom of Group F, unthinkable pre-tournament. However, a poor show in their three games has
seen them suffer the consequences, and thanks to Sweden’s marvellous
performance today it means they end up group winners whilst Mexico breathe a
sigh of relief after the Germans lost to South Korea. An incredible end to another group, this
world cup just keeps on giving doesn’t it.
Sweden will now take on Switzerland in the last sixteen whilst Mexico
face Brazil.
Group G
England 0 Belgium 1
This was billed as a titanic group decider, however it
turned out to be a rather disappointing spectacle, as with both sides already
through to the last sixteen, and with the runners up arguably having a easier
route to the semi-finals, both sides played pretty much their second XI’s in
this one in the game where both sides wouldn’t have been disappointed to
lose. Belgium were the side who carved out the best
openings during the game, and six minutes into the second half took the lead in
spectacular fashion when Adnan Januzaj cut inside and curled a brilliant effort
beyond Jordan Pickford. England’s best
chance came when Marcus Rashford was put through in the clear, however his
effort was tipped wide by Thibout Courtois, and it meant that Belgium would go
through as group winners and England as runners up.
Panama 1 Tunisia 2
Tunisia came from behind to defeat Panama to exit the world
cup with at least a win, after a second half strike from Wahbi Khazri settled
this contest. Both sides were playing
for pride as they had both lost their opening two games so had already been knocked
out of the tournament, and Panama were chasing their first ever world cup win
so it still meant a lot to the players in this contest. And in the 33rd minute Panama were
dreaming of that elusive win when Jose Luis Rodriguez saw his effort deflect
off Yassine Meriah for an own goal, the 50th in world cup history,
to lead at half time. But six minutes
into the second half Tunisia levelled when Fakhreddine Ben Youssef tapped home
Khazri’s low cross, before Khazri turned goal scorer in the 66th
minute, firing home Oussama Haddadi’s cross, meaning the Tunisian’s left with some
pride intact and Panama left empty handed, although for them just to be at a
world cup was an achievement in itself.
Here is the final table
for Group G: -
P W D L F A Pts GD
1. Belgium (Q) 3 3 0 0 9 2 9 +7
2. England (Q) 3 2 0 1 8 3 6 +5
3. Tunisia 3 1 0 2 5 8 3 -3
4. Panama 3 0 0 3 2 11 0 -9
So, it’s Belgium who end up top of the group after their narrow
win over England, and they will now take on Japan in the round of sixteen,
whilst England take on the exciting Colombian team in Moscow in their next
game. Tunisia as said above leave with
some dignity in tact after they came from behind to defeat Panama to finish above
them in the standings, whilst although Panama leave Russia with three defeats
and eleven goals conceded, they did manage two, including that goal against
England, which they will never ever forget.
Just for them to qualify for the finals was a terrific achievement in itself,
just a shame they could grab that elusive first win.
Group H
Japan 0 Poland 1
The Japanese are through to the final sixteen despite losing
their final group game to Poland courtesy of receiving fewer yellow cards than
Senegal, who finished level with them. In a poor contest the only goal of the game
came just before the hour when Jan Bednarek volleyed home a Rafal Kurzawa
free-kick, and with Colombia beating Senegal in the other game Japan knew they
were through having received two fewer yellow cards. It led to a rather farcical end to the game
where both sides just passed the ball between them and had no intention of
attacking at all, with even Japan substitute Makoto Hasebe, who came on with eight
minutes remaining, making a ‘card’ gesture to his team-mates to make it clear
they were through as it stood. Had
Poland scored again or Senegal levelled, then the Japanese would have gone out,
but the results stayed as they were and Japan progressed. Poland as we all know were already out of the
competition.
Senegal 0 Colombia 1
Yerry Mina netted a 74th minute header to send
Colombia through to the next round of the competition, and it also saw Senegal
exit the competition in cruel circumstances.
The Senegalese thought they had won a 16th minute penalty after
a tackle by Davinson Sanchez on Sadio Mane, however on review with VAR the decision
was that the ball had been taken first before the player, so no penalty was
awarded. Senegal were still going
through with Japan but when Poland netted in the 59th minute in
their game Senegal and Colombia were the ones heading through. But Senegal then fell behind with just over
fifteen minutes remaining when Mina headed home, and it meant as things stood
Japan were above Senegal because they had received less bookings. And sadly, for the Africans the situation didn’t
change and they went out, whilst Colombia go through as group winners.
Here is the final Group
H table: -
P W D L F A Pts GD
1. Colombia (Q) 3 2 0 1 5 2 6 +3
2. Japan (Q) 3 1 1 1 4 4 4 0
3. Senegal 3 1 1 1 4 4 4 0
4. Poland 3 1 0 2 2 5 3 -3
So, a rather farcical end to what had been a rather exciting
and unpredictable group, but in the end it’s Colombia and Japan who progress. However, the talking point going forward is
how the Japanese went about their day, making six changes prior to kick off,
and then expecting Colombia to beat Senegal to confirm their passage on least
amount of bookings as it turned out.
Senegal will feel gutted on how they have exited the tournament and the
rule of least number of cards deciding group placings is absurd quite frankly. Although some may argue how else can you
decide it? Well surely something like the
number of cards, which is basically the opinion of a referee, isn’t the way
forward surely? It is a shame such an
exciting group had to end this way. Anyway,
it all means that Colombia now take on England in the last sixteen whilst the
Japanese play Belgium for a place in the Quarter Finals.
So that concludes the
Group Stages, here are your Last Sixteen ties: -
Saturday 30th
June
France vs Argentina
Uruguay vs Portugal
Sunday 1st
July
Spain vs Russia
Croatia vs Denmark
Monday 2nd
July
Brazil vs Mexico
Belgium vs Japan
Tuesday 3rd
July
Sweden vs Switzerland
Colombia vs England
Ill be back with a blog on the last sixteen once that has
been completed. This is where the tournament
really begins!!!
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