This instalment covers the period 22 June to the 29 June [AEST], featuring the concluding matches in the Group Stage of the 2018 tournament
Match 24: Brazil vs Costa Rica [Group E]
Played at the St. Petersburg Stadium, at 10 pm, Friday 22 June [AEST]
Brazil left it late to make the breakthrough against Costa Rica but eventually triumphed 2-0, scoring goals in injury time after the completion of the regular 90 minutes. Final score: Brazil 2, Costa Rica 0.
Match 25: Nigeria vs Iceland [Group D]
This game was at the Volgolgrad Arena, played at 1 am Saturday, 23 June [AEST}.
It ended up as a disappointing result for the enthusiastic but outclassed team from Iceland – [from CBS Sports] – Nigeria moved into second place in the World Cup’s Group D after beating underdog Iceland 2-0 on Friday thanks to two goals from Ahmed Musa. The African nation struggled in the first half and was fortunate to not concede, but Musa went on the counter with Victor Moses in the second half to score the winning goal before putting the game away late, placing his team in a great spot while also giving Argentina life in their group. Final score: Nigeria 2, Iceland 0
Match 26: Serbia vs Switzerland [Group E]
Played at the Kaliningrad Stadium, at 4 am, Saturday, 23 June [AEST].
A last-minute Xherdan Shaqiri breakaway goal handed Switzerland victory as it came from behind to defeat Serbia 2-1 in Kaliningrad. The win puts Switzerland in pole position to make it out of a tough Group E that contains five-times winner Brazil but it was pushed all the way by the Serbs. Unfortunately, national politics seemed to intrude into this match – as reported on news.com – “ It was a sweet victory for Shaqiri and fellow Swiss goalscorer Granit Xhaka, who along with teammate Valon Belrami were booed relentlessly by Serbia’s fans throughout. Shaqiri, Xhaka and Belrami trace their roots to Kosovo, a former province of Serbia, a fact which had stoked tensions before the match. Final score: Switzerland 2, Serbia 1.
Match 27: Belgium vs Tunisia [Group G]
This game was played at the Spartak Stadium in Moscow, and to my view was one of the more exciting of the World Cup Games played to date, certainly from an attacking aspect, with a total of 7 goals shared by the two teams [including 3 goals within the first 17 minutes]. Romelu Lukaku and Eden Hazard both scored twice as Belgium strengthened their lead above England at the top of World Cup Group G by crushing Tunisia with a devastating attacking display. While Roberto Martinez’s side are not through to the last 16 yet, a win for England over Panama in Nizhny Novgorod on Sunday will see the Red Devils and Three Lions progress. This game also saw Belgium complete another win following on from an unbeaten record of 21 games since September 2016. AS for Lukaku, he is the first man in 32 years to have scored two goals in two World Cup matches – the last to do that was Diego Maradona!! Final score: Belgium 5, Tunisia 2
Match 28: Korea Republic vs Mexico [Group F]
This match was played at the Rostov Arena, at 1 am Sunday, 24 June [AEST]
Javier Hernandez scored his 50th international goal after Carlos Vela converted a 26th minute penalty as impressive Mexico registered their second successive win in the tournament. Son Heung-min scored in the stoppage time to reduce the lead but it was too little too late for Korea. With the win, Mexico comfortably sit on top of Group F with six points, and with their second defeat Korea are out of knockout contention.
Match 29: Germany vs Sweden [Group F]
Played at the Fisht Stadium in Sochi, this game saw Germany come from behind at half-time to win a World Cup match for the first time since 1974. Toni Kroos winning goal for Germany, came after 94 minutes & 42 seconds, the latest goal scored by Germany in World Cup history [excluding extra time].The final score: Germany 2, Sweden 1.
Match 30: England vs Panama [Group G]
Played at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, at 10 pm, Sunday, 24 June [AEST]. This game ended up a bit of a walkover, with England leading 5-0 at halftime and looking as though they would go on with the scoring
Harry Kane completed his hat-trick of goals in the 2nd half, the only English goal in that period. In the 78th minute, history was made when Felipe Baloy becomes the first ever goal-scorer for Panama in World Cup finals! But that was where it ended for Panama, as England qualified for the final 16. With this commanding win, England sent a clear message to every other team in Russia with their history-making demolition of Panama. Final scores: England 6, Panama 1.
Match 31: Japan vs Senegal [Group H]
Played at the Ekaterinhburg Arena, at 1 am, Monday, 25 June [AEST]
Japan twice came from behind to draw 2-2 with Senegal in their World Cup Group H encounter on Sunday.
Goals from Senegal captain Sadio Mane and Moussa Wague were matched by strikes from Takashi Inui and Keisuke Honda for the Samurai Blues. Both teams were left still hopeful of progressing into the knockout stages of the World Cup. Having both won their opening fixtures, this meeting in Ekaterinburg was a chance for one nation to all-but seal their spot in the latter stages – but a 2-2 draw means they will have to wait for their final games to try and secure qualification from their group. Final score: Japan 2, Senegal 2.
Match 32: Poland vs Colombia [Group H]
Played at the Kazan Arena at 4 am on Monday, 24 June [AEST]
This game proved to be a crushing loss to the team from Poland, with Colombia sending them crashing in their Group H clash with a huge three-goal romp to claim the South American nation its first win in Russia. Colombian captain Radamel Falcao sunk Poland’s World Cup dreams with a goal in the 70th minute. Falcao found the net after Juan Fernando Quintero darted him a quick through-ball. And the party didn’t stop there. Juan Cuadrado found the goal in the 75th minute after a stunning pass from James Rodriguez broke through the dejected Polish defence, putting three on the board for the South Americans as the final 10 minutes loomed [news.com.au]. Final Score: Colombia 3, Poland 0..
Tuesday morning [AEST] saw the start of each group’s third matches for the respective teams, and in most of the groups, that vital 2njd spot on the group rankings was still up for grabs, none more so than Australia’s situation in Group C. The final positions in Groups A and B were decided early this morning, with the two matches in each group played at the same time – presumably to avoid collusion, contrived results, etc, although with modern media communications, I’m not sure that such an arrangement really makes much difference, with no doubt, team coaches and/or other officials keeping a close eye on the ‘other’ match.
Match 33: Uruquay vs Russia [Group A]
This game was played at the Samara Arena, at 12 am, Tuesday, 26 June {AEST].
The battle for top position, and with the home team on a high after two strong wins, one might have expected a closer outcome. Not to be! Reporting from ‘The Telegraph’ we read – ‘ If the airless sensation inside the space-age Samara Arena arose in part from the sopping evening humidity, then it also reflected the oxygen sucked with dramatic suddenness from Russia’s exuberant World Cup campaign. Having glided so serenely into the last 16, the hosts smashed head-first here into the reality of their own limitations, as a Uruguay side turbocharged by Luis Suarez put them to the sword with a ruthless flourish’ With this win, the South American team claimed top spot in the Group. Final Score: Uruquay 3, Russia 1
Match 34: Saudi Arabia vs Egypt [Group A]
Played at the Volgograd Arena, at 12 midnight, 26 June [AEST], this game was really between the two also-rans, playing for national pride only. The Middle Eastern team eventually dominated in the match to claim 3rd spot in the group rankings, although they had to wait until the closing moments. Saudi Arabia scored deep into stoppage time in both halves, with Salem Al-Dawsari’s last-gasp winner securing their first World Cup victory since a run to the last 16 in 1994.
Final score: Saudi Arabia 2, Egypt 1
Group A: Final Ranking of teams
- Uruguay: 3. 0. 0. 5-0. 9 pts
- Russia: 2. 0. 1. 8-4. 6 pts.
- Saudi Arabia: 1. 0. 2. 2-7. 3 pts
- Egypt: 0. 0. 3. 2-6. 0 pts
Match 35: Iran vs Portugal. [Group B]
Played at the Mordovia Arena, Saransk, at 4 am, Tuesday, 26 June [AEST], with the result likely to determine which of these two teams missed out on qualifying for the next round. I’d been impressed by Portugal up until this stage – while Iran had their chance to secure an historic win, however, the two teams played out a 1-1 thriller with Cristiano Ronaldo missing a penalty and Ricardo Quaresma scoring an incredible goal. But the draw was not enough for Iran, who would have to be satisfied with 3rd place in the group.
Final Score: Iran 1, Portugal 1.
Match 36 Spain vs Morocco. [Group B]
Played at the Kaliningrad Stadium, at 4 am, Tuesday, 26 June [AEST]. Another drawn game, which could have cost Spain top position, were it not for a similar result in the corresponding group match. Reporting from The Telegraph – ‘As this match entered added time, Spain were staring into the abyss. Their ongoing participation in the 2018 World Cup had slipped out of their hands and they were reliant only on their great rivals, Portugal, continuing to frustrate Iran. Seven extraordinary minutes later and, after a back-heeled volley, a major Video Assistant Referee controversy, several scuffles and a mini pitch-invasion, they were somehow into the last 16 as Group B winners. That occurred, just when Morocco thought the points were theirs, Iago Aspas scored with a fine back-heeled flick in stoppage time as Spain ultimately made first place in the group theirs.
Final Score: Spain 2, Morocco 2.
Group B: Final Ranking of teams
- Spain: 1. 2. 0. 6-5. 5 pts
- Portugal: 1. 2. 0. 5-4. 5 pts.
- Iran: 1. 1. 1. 3-2. 4 pts
- Morocco: 0. 1. 2. 2-4. 1 pts
Match 37: Denmark vs France [Group C]
Played at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow at 12 am, Wednesday, 27 June [AEST]. Denmark fighting for the 2nd spot in this group, along with Australia, with the odds in Denmark’s favour. These two teams achieved their aim – both qualifying for the next round, not simply because of Australia’s subsequent loss, but through the somewhat mundane exercise of a 0-0 draw – as one journalist put it – “France…haven’t exactlywon over many critics either – especially in their final group game…in a game neither team seemed especially eager to play”. French coach Didlier Deschamps said after the game – “I’m not saying at the end we gave up winning the match…But we got what we wanted”. So did Denmark!
Final score: France 0, Denmark 0. .
Match 38: AUSTRALIA vs Peru [Group C]
Played at the Fisht Stadium in Sochi, at 12 am, Wednesday, 27 June [AEST], The equation from this match if Australia was to progress to the round of 16 – need both Australia and France to win, provided Australia has scored more goals than Denmark. If Denmark won, or that match was a draw – Australia would be heading home.
Michael Lynch, writing from Sochi – “A change of tactics, shape and structure, a different coach – but a similar result. Just as they did in 2010 under Dutchman Pim Verbeek and in 2014 under home-grown boss Ange Postecoglou, Australia crashed out of the World Cup at the group stage, this time under another well-credentialled Dutchman, Bert van Marwijk, with a 2-0 loss to Peru”.
As with it’s nation of supporters, the Socceroos began with a confidence, that was quickly deflated by an early goal [Peru’s first at World Cup level] early in the match [in the 18th minute]. But after half-time, we still held on to that hope – for 5 minutes anyway, at which point, a 2nd goal to Peru went into the net. Even the first appearance of national hero, Tim Cahill, and young prospective star, Daniel Arzani, could do little to change the scenario of another loss at the group stage eventuating. Watching the game in the early hours of Wednesday morning, yes, it was a disappointing outcome for an Australian supporter, although I did admire the passion and enthusiasm of the team from Peru and their 30,000 plus supporters.
In it’s three matches, Australia’s only scores came from penalty goals – we were again, when it counted, unable to score those vital field goals. Congratulations to Peru. Mind you, a win wouldn’t have helped the course, because of the mundane draw [mentioned above] between France and Denmark. Final score: Peru 2, Australia 0.
Group C: Final Ranking of teams
- France: 2. 1. 0. 3-1. 7 pts
- Denmark: 1. 2. 0. 2-1. 5 pts.
- Peru: 1. 0. 2. 2-2. 3 pts
- AUSTRALIA: 0. 1. 2. 2-5. 1 pts
Match 39: Nigeria vs Argentina [Group D]
Played at the St. Petersburg Stadium, at 4 am, Wednesday, 27 June [AEST]
Argentina went into this game, in real danger of missing out on progressing, against a young and enthusiastic African team. Despite that, as a relieved Liomel Messi said after the game – “We already knew we were going to win, we were confident that God would help us, that all would turn out well. But we did not expect the complication of the draw, of suffering so much”. That confidence went into this match, and proved to be successful in a dramatic win over Nigeria, which secure a qualifying spot for the 2014 runners-up at the expense of their opponents. Final score: Argentina 2, Nigeria 1
Match 40: Iceland vs Croatia [Group D]
Played at the Rostov Arena, at 4 am, Wednesday, 27 June [AEST].
Iceland came into this group, with nothing to lose, lots of enthusiasm, but in the end, a lack of fire power to compete adequately in a strong group. The strongest team in the group – Croatia – continued to display the form that has seen them go through the group stage undefeated, and while Iceland had started their campaign with an unexpected draw with Argentina, thy would find Nigeria and Croatia their superiors. Afterwards, coach Heimir Hallgrimsson said “I couldn’t be more proud of the players, but we are disappointed to not go through”.
Final score: Croatia: 2, Iceland 1.
Group D: Final Ranking of teams
- Croatia: 3. 0. 0. 7-1. 9 pts
- Argentina: 1. 1. 0. 3-5. 4 pts.
- Nigeria: 1. 0. 2. 3-4. 3 pts
- Iceland: 0. 1. 2. 2-5. 1 pts
Match 41: Mexico vs Sweden [Group F]
This game played the Ekaterinburg Arena at 12 midnight, Thursday 28 June [AEST]
Both of these teams would advance to the knockout stage, despite a convincing win by the Sweden team. But for Mexico, attentions were elsewhere. As Amy Lawrence reported for the Guardian – “Devastated on the pitch, trailing 3-0 after a performance riddled with anxiety and inhibition, with the minutes ticking down on Mexico’s World Cup Javier Hernández did the only thing that mattered in the circumstances. He pelted over to the touchline and asked his bench the burning question. What the hell is the score of Germany v South Korea? At that point it was 0-0; there was still hope”. That hope would be realised. Final score Sweden 3, Mexico 0.
Match 42: South Korea vs Germany [Group F]
Played at the Kazan Arena, at 12 midnight, Thursday, 28 June [AEST].
Reporting from the Telegraph, we read of Germany’s exit from the World Cup
“Germany had progressed past the group stage of the World Cup sixteen times in a row, but booked themselves a premature exit this year after losing to South Korea in stoppage time. Kim Young-gwon sealed their fate with a 94th minute goal, which was initially disallowed as off-side but a VAR decision saw the decision overturned as the ball came off Niklas Süle. Tottenham’s Son Heung-min then added insult to injury scoring a 96th minute second Korean goal. Though South Korea do not go through to the knock-out stages, the win is the first in their history against Germany.” Final score: South Korea 2, Germany 0.
Group F: Final Ranking of teams
- Sweden: 3. 0. 0. 7-1. 9 pts
- Mexico: 1. 1. 0. 3-5. 4 pts.
- South Korea: 1. 0. 2. 3-4. 3 pts
- Germany: 0. 1. 2. 2-5. 1 pts
Match 43: Serbia vs Brazil [Group E]
Played at the Spartak Stadium, Moscow at 4am on Thursday, 28 June [AEST]. This match began at a fast pace, with Brazil, after a slow start in the tournament, proving two dominant for the Serbian team. The result ended Serbia’s hopes of qualifying from the group stage for the first time, while Brazil now head to Samara, where their last-16 tie will take place on Monday, as group winners. Final score: Brazil 2, Serbia 0
Match 44: Switzerland vs Costa Rica
Played at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, at 4 am, Thursday, 27 June [AEST].
This game ended in a draw, which was enough for Switzerland to progress to the next round, which they have achieved in four of the last five World Cups [missing out in 2010], while Costa Rica [the only team to this stage of the tournament not to have scored] failed to win any games, only the second time they had done that in World Cup appearances, although on this occasion, like Peru, they scored 2 goals in their final game, forcing a draw against the Swiss team. Final score: Switzerland 2, Costa Rica 2
Group E: Final Ranking of teams
- Brazil: 2. 1. 0. 5-1. 7 pts
- Switzerland: 1. 1. 0. 3-5. 4 pts.
- Serbia: 1. 0. 2. 3-4. 3 pts
- Costa Rica: 0. 1. 2. 2-5. 1 pts
Match 45: Japan vs Poland [Group H]
Played at the Volgograd Arena at 12 midnight, Friday 29 June [AEST]. I think this game was somewhat typical of other games in these final rounds of group matches – as reported in the Guardian newspaper – “On a sweltering evening full of twists and turns Japan scrambled into the knockout stage of the World Cup in rather undignified fashion, courtesy of a goal scored 400 miles away in Samara by Colombia’s Yerry Mina and by virtue of the fact they accrued two yellow cards fewer than Senegal. That is how tight the margins were in Group H, where Japan and Senegal finished with identical records: level on points, goal difference and goals scored. Japan accumulated four bookings compared with Senegal’s six and that – Fifa’s fair-play rule – ended up being the deciding factor that also contributed to a bizarre finish to the match. Aware of the scoreline in Samara and under instructions from their manager, Japan played a game of keep-ball inside their half, in effect running down the clock with no intention of trying to score, despite being behind. Japan knew that unless they had a couple of players booked, or Senegal could score an equaliser, or Poland could score again, they were through to the last 16 for only the third time in their history”. Final score: Poland 1, Japan 0;
Match 46: Senegal vs Colombia [Group H]
Played at the Samara Arena, at midnight, Friday 29 June [AEST]. Reporting for the BBC, we read that ‘Yerry Mina’s second-half header sent Colombia into a last-16 tie with England at the World Cup at the expense of Senegal, who lost out to Japan having received more yellow cards. Senegal spent the final 20 minutes pushing for an equaliser which would have sent the African side through – Aliou Cisse’s side were level with Japan in terms of points and goal difference, but crucially not yellow cards. Colombia had to win to be sure of their progress but with Poland beating Japan 1-0 in Volgograd, African representation at the World Cup was ended as Senegal failed to secure the point they needed’ This kind of scenario was also repeated in at least one of the Group G matches. Final score: Colombia 1, Senegal 0.
Group H: Final Ranking of teams
- Colombia: 2. 0. 1. 5-2. 6 pts
- Japan: 1. 1. 1. 4-4. 4 pts.
- Senegal: 1. 1. 1 4-4. 4 pts
- Poland: 1. 0. 2. 2-5. 3 pts
Match 47: Panama vs Tunisia [Group G]
Played at the Mordovia Arena, Saransk, at 4 am, Friday 29 June [AEST]. After their big loss to Belgium, Tunisia ended their World Cup campaign with a win over Panama which would finish the Group stage with 0 points from their three games.. Tunisia would finish third in the group. While neither team could make the next round, this would be the more entertaining of the four overnight matches, with national pride being dominant. Final score: Tunisia 2, Panama 1.
Match 48: England vs Belgium [Group G]
Played at Kaliningrad Stadium, at 4am , Friday, 29 June [AEST]. With both these teams fairly confident of qualifying, in some eyes this match was another almost ‘non-event’ – with the score 0-0 at halftime, Belgium hit early in the 2nd half [51st minute] to score the only goal of the match, and retain top position in the group. From the BBC report of the game – ‘Gareth Southgate made eight changes from England’s win against Panama, while opposite number Roberto Martinez made nine alterations – proving victory was not exactly the top priority as the tournament moves towards the knockout phase. That was illustrated by a largely mediocre, lifeless encounter in Kaliningrad that was settled by Januzaj’s goal six minutes after the break….’,
Group G: Final Ranking of teams
- Belgian: 3. 0. 0. 9-2. 9 pts
- England: 2. 0. 1. 8-3. 6 pts.
- Tunisia: 1. 0. 2 5-8. 3 pts
- Panama: 0. 0. 3. 2-5. 0 pts
So that concluded the Group stage of the Tournament – all 48 matches played over 8 groups.
The Round of 16 follows over Saturday to Tuesday, Moscow time, and those 8 matches will be as follows, with times indicated at Australian Eastern Standard Time [AEST].-
- France versus Argentina [12am Sunday, 1 July];
- Uruguay versus Portugal [4am, Sunday, 1 July];
- Spain versus Russia [12am, Monday 2 July];
- Croatia versus Denmark [4am, Monday 2 July];
- Brazil versus Mexico [12am, Tuesday, 3 July]’
- Belgium versus Japan [4am, Tuesday, 3 July];
- Sweden versus Switzerland, [12am, Wednesday, 4 July]; and,
- Colombia versus England [4am, Wednesday, 4 July].
I have highlighted my predicted winners.
To be continued…..
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