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What to watch for today
After more Icelandic heroics yesterday, today gives us our first look at the tournament’s two top favorites, Brazil and Germany.
Costa Rica v. Serbia | Group E
Costa Rica made it to the quarter-finals in 2014 after topping a group that included England, Italy, and Uruguay. It’s many of the same core players this time around – Keylor Navas in goal, Bryan Ruiz and Joel Campbell in attack – but the squad’s average age is over 29 and lacks an in-form goalscorer. Yet, they only allowed 8 goals in their 10 final qualifying matches. Opposite them, Serbia have taken on dark horse status, and for good reason. Only three players created more chances in Serie A this season than left back Aleksandar Kolarov, while Aleksandar Mitrović scored 12 goals in 20 matches to drive Fulham to promotion. Add in Mourinho’s favourite destroyer Nemanja Matic, plus one of the tournament’s brightest young talents in midfielder Sergej Milinković-Savić, and Serbia could be this year’s surprise.
Germany v. Mexico | Group F
Today gives us our first look at reigning champions Germany, who have enough talent to field three competitive sides in the tournament. They face a Mexico side that is more concerned with attacking than defending, setting us up for a frenetic Sunday. El Tri will look to PSV’s Hirving Lozano, who was one of the Eredivisie’s most dangerous attackers. Add in the experience of Guillermo Ochoa, Andres Guardado, and Chicharito, and they won’t be nervous in the face of the title holders. The only unknown for Germany is how 22 year old Timo Werner will lead the line in his World Cup debut, but that’s truly nit-picking an incredible side.
Brazil v. Switzerland | Group E
Oh yes, it’s samba time. Brazil went out in humiliating fashion on their home turf four years ago, but they cruised through qualification without any of the stodginess of the prior few years. They’ve been reborn under manager Tite and bring the joga bonito you expect from Brazil. Marcelo, Neymar, Jesus, Coutinho – this is going to be fun. Switzerland on the other hand, aren’t quite known for their flair, but Xherdan Shaqiri does have a habit of hitting a couple screamers in major tournaments, so they can get you out of your seat. We won’t take sides, but we’ll all win if we get some beautiful play from Brazil and a Swiss belter.
Photos from Russia
Banned from stadiums in their home country, many Iranian women were in Russia not only for their first World Cup match, but their first official football match, period. Our friends Where Is Football captured their stories at their historic win over Morocco.