Check out the video highlights
What a game
26
Jun
2018
25
Jun
2018
World Cup Today: The final group round begins
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Yesterday’s highlights
– England qualified for the round of 16 with a 6-1 rout of Panama. Video highlights.
– Japan and Senegal played to a 2-2 draw. Video highlights.
– Colombia were electric in a 3-0 victory that eliminated Poland. Video highlights.
What to watch for today
Saudi Arabia v. Egypt | Group A
With both of these squads already eliminated, the spotlight is on how Mo Salah finishes his World Cup. Salah clearly wasn’t match fit and nervous about aggravating his shoulder injury against Russia. Now, he has been used as a political photo-op by Chechnyan leader Ramzan Kadyrov; a situation which has Salah apparently considering retiring from the national team. It’s safe to say that Salah is hoping to grab a couple goals, put the World Cup behind him, and prepare for next season.
Uruguay v. Russia | Group A
A head-to-head battle for the top spot in Group A. Russia sit in first on goal difference, meaning Uruguay must win to overtake them. The hosts have been the surprise of the tournament so far, but their performance against Uruguay will be a true marker of their quality. The likeliest scenario is one of these teams face off against Spain, while the other faces Portugal, but there is a chance that Iran could come out of Group B as well. That will be determined later on in the day, but first, Russia will want to continue their rhythm while Uruguay need to find theirs.
Iran v. Portugal | Group B
Iran enter this match with a simple scenario: win and they advance. Portugal are certainly favorites (and only need a draw to be certain to go through), but Ronaldo’s excellence has papered over the cracks so far, giving Portugal four points without a convincing team performance. However, relying on Cristiano as a match winner is a pretty difficult strategy to beat. Iran have only allowed one goal in two matches and another disciplined defensive performance would give them a good chance at ending Ronaldo’s remarkable start to the tournament.
Spain v. Morocco | Group B
Spain are on top of Group B on four points, but still need a result to guarantee they progress. A loss and an Iran win creates a potential scenario that could see them eliminated and Portugal advance as runners-up. Of course that outcome relies on two shocks, but it’s difficult to rule anything out at this World Cup. Morocco have been thoroughly entertaining, yet are already knocked out without scoring a goal. They can still have a massive impact on the tournament however, and Spain should next expect a casual victory.
24
Jun
2018
World Cup Today: England aim for six points, and an upside down Group H
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What to watch for today
England v. Panama | Group G
In their first match, Panama held off Belgium for 45 minutes, but in the end a 3-0 loss was an entirely fair result. This being their first World Cup, getting out of the group wasn’t the expectation, but they could still prove frustrating for England. Gareth Southgate cooly deflected drama that the English press had released his lineup, and will instead be focused on how to engineer a few more goals out of his side. England scraped past Tunisia in injury time, despite being the superior team throughout. A bit more incisiveness (from Rashford perhaps?) will be key. An England win would ensure they and Belgium go through.
Japan v. Senegal | Group H
Group H was the most unpredictable of them all, and here we are with Japan and Senegal sitting on three points apiece while #16 ranked Colombia and #8 ranked Poland are without. Japan were the lucky beneficiaries of an early Colombia red card, but did well to see out the result, showing more cohesion than many expected, given a recent managerial change. Senegal controlled their match against Poland, with crisp, intentional passing and a well-organized defence. It’s the least high-profile game of the day, but could give us the best matchup.
Poland v. Colombia | Group H
Poland looked lost against Senegal. While Senegal were fluid and coordinated, Poland’s Robert Lewandowski was isolated and had just a single shot on target. Of course, it’s difficult to truly gauge a team based on their first match and even moreso for Colombia, who played with 10 men for 87 minutes. James Rodriguez came off the bench against Japan, but should be ready from the start for this one. Opposite him, Polish defender Kamil Glik should return after missing the first match as well. That gives us two full-strength sides both needing a win.
23
Jun
2018
World Cup Today: The pressure is on for Germany
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What to watch for today
Belgium v. Tunisia | Group G
Belgium put in a flawless second half performance in their first match against a resolute Panama side, with three second half goals giving them a 3-0 win that has them topping Group G. And while Tunisia nearly got a point from their opener against England, they managed just one shot on target. A loss would send them out, and a draw likely won’t be enough, so they’ll need to find a way to create more chances. Fakhreddine Ben Youssef will again need to be influential – he earned Tunisia’s penalty which was nearly good enough for a point – as manager Nabil Maaloul has admitted they’ll need to be more attacking this time.
South Korea v. Mexico | Group F
Coming off their historic victory over the world champions, Mexico now need to focus on getting another three points from Group F’s bottom side, South Korea. A win could confirm their place in the round of 16, should Germany lose or draw to Sweden. South Korea didn’t manage a single shot on target against Sweden, while Mexico got another superb performance from keeper Guillermo Ochoa to shut out Germany. Mexico could get exposed on the break, where South Korea’s Heung-Min Son excels.
Germany v. Sweden | Group F
Germany were shocked in their first match, as they lost 1-0 to a Mexico side that were the better team throughout. Die Mannschaft looked bereft of ideas going forward, and will need to show more dynamism to break down a tough Sweden defense. Sweden shut out Italy over two legs in a playoff to qualify, so pressure won’t be the worry, it’s where goals will come from. A lack of clear cut chances kept the scoreline tight against South Korea and Sweden will need to be more efficient in possession to get a result against Germany.
Mexico fans on the march. For more scenes from Russia, follow FotMob on Instagram.
23
Jun
2018
Admiral Poll 4
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22
Jun
2018
World Cup Today: Brazil need a win and Iceland return
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What to watch for today
Brazil v. Costa Rica | Group E
When Coutinho scored that beauty against Switzerland, you thought Brazil were going to roll, didn’t you? Instead, they managed only a point from the match and now face another squad that isn’t shy about dismissing aesthetics in favor of defensive solidity. After losing 1-0 to Serbia however, Costa Rica need to get a result out of this game if they hope to match their 2014 World Cup run to the quarterfinals. Neymar is fit to play for this crucial match, after an injury in training earlier this week.
Nigeria v. Iceland | Group D
When asked about his expectations for Friday’s match against Nigeria, Iceland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson’s answer was direct: “We expect to win.” Should they win, Nigeria would be eliminated, while Iceland would be in strong position to make it to the knockout rounds ahead of Argentina. Nigeria never really found any sharpness in attack in their 2-0 loss to Croatia, and must look to pull Iceland’s defenders out of position in a way that Argentina could not. With survival on the line, Nigeria look set to shuffle their lineup, with Jon Obi Mikel perhaps being moved further back in midfield to introduce more creativity up top.
Serbia v. Switzerland | Group E
Serbia sit atop Group E after an Aleksandar Kolarov free kick gave them a 1-0 victory over Costa Rica. Much-hyped midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic showed bursts of creativity and cleverness that will come in handy against a Swiss side that held Brazil to a 1-1 draw. A point against Brazil was likely all that Switzerland hoped for coming into the tournament, with wins against Serbia and Costa Rica in their plans for reaching the knockout rounds. After managing just a pair of shots on goal in their first match, they’ll need to be a bit more aggressive to ensure their plan comes to fruition.
22
Jun
2018
Admiral Poll 3
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21
Jun
2018
World Cup Today: Argentina look for three points, France face tough test
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What to watch for today
Yesterday saw the favored team in each match squeak by 1-0. Expect matches to be close again today.
Denmark v. Australia | Group C
Denmark were lucky to escape their first match against Peru with a win, while Australia were unlucky to come away from a solid performance against France with nothing. A Denmark win, and France win against Peru, would ensure they are the two teams to go through to the knockouts. With that, you’d expect Australia to be a bit more aggressive going forward. They’ve shown they can be a difficult squad to break down, but with just a single shot on goal in the match against France, expect winger Matthew Leckie to have a bigger influence in this match.
France v. Peru | Group C
Peru were rampant against Denmark, but a missed penalty, great goalkeeping from Kasper Schmiechel, and poor luck saw them come away with nothing. They played some of the most exciting football of the tournament so far and will have no reason to be shy against France with survival on the line. France only just managed to beat Australia and could benefit from a more open-ended match with a bit more space to operate in. Expect goals in this one.
Argentina v. Croatia | Group D
Argentina were held to a draw against a swarming Iceland side that barely gave Messi an inch to operate. He did miss what could have been a winning penalty however, and will need to take his chances against a Croatia side that dispatched Nigeria 2-0. But, that scoreline was a bit flattering, and their well-stocked midfield will need to create more clear-cut chances to get three points against Argentina.
20
Jun
2018
World Cup Today: Ronaldo returns and Spain face group leaders Iran
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What to watch for today
Every team has now played their first match at the World Cup and there have been no shortage of surprises. As the second round starts, we’ll begin to know who is miraculously going through to the knockout rounds – and who is disastrously going out.
Portugal v. Morocco | Group B
Ronaldo’s heroics single-handedly gave Portugal a result against Spain that set them up well to get out of the group. Morocco’s late loss to Iran will force them to open up and take a few more chances than maybe they’d like to, especially with Ronaldo waiting to counter. Ajax attacker Hakim Ziyech will be Morocco’s main threat as they look for their first goal of the tournament. Morocco will be looking to repeat history; the only previous meeting between these two sides was also in the group stage as Morocco beat Portugal 3-1 in the 1986 World Cup.
Uruguay v. Saudi Arabia | Group A
Uruguay benefited from a late winner against Egypt in their first match, although wasted multiple chances before they finally got their goal. With Saudi Arabia conceding five against Russia, you fear that a more lethal Uruguay this time around could hand Saudi Arabia another lopsided loss. The decision for Saudi Arabia manager Juan Antonio Pizzi is whether he again sets his team up to attack or if they instead patiently defend and wait for their chance.
Iran v. Spain | Group B
Iran are the group leaders after the first round of matches, and any result against Spain would be historic. With three points in hand, they can afford to sit deep and wait for opportunities. That puts the onus on Spain to tiki-taka with purpose and open up an Iranian defense expertly organized by former longtime Manchester United assistant and Real Madrid boss Carlos Queiroz.
19
Jun
2018
World Cup Today: The final group kicks off and Salah looks set to return
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What to watch for today
Colombia v. Japan | Group H
Group H may be the most unpredictable in the tournament. Four nations from four continents that could realistically finish in any order. Japan is probably the weakest of the four, but it wouldn’t be a shock were they to get the results to make it to the knockout round. The unknown is whether manager Akira Nishino, who only took the reins in April, has been able to organize the squad to his liking, or simply create more confusion. Colombia striker Radamel Falcao will make his World Cup debut and James Rodriguez should recover from a muscle injury to at least make an appearance.
Poland v. Senegal | Group H
Poland qualified confidently with Robert Lewandowski scoring 16 goals in 10 matches to lead Europe. Much of the core of the squad will look familiar from recent tournaments, although 24 year old Napoli midfielder Piotr Zieliński is an emerging name to keep an eye on. His club teammate Kalidou Koulibaly will anchor Senegal’s defence, with Saido Mané leading the attack alongside Monaco’s Keita Balde with Idrissa Gueye providing support. Senegal will be bolstered by Poland’s best defender Kamil Glik likely missing out, after injuring himself attempting a bicycle kick in training.
Russia v. Egypt | Group A
It’s less than a week into the World Cup and already we could have our first nation qualify for the knockout rounds. A win for Russia would likely be enough to get out of Group A. Mo Salah looks set to feature for Egypt who must get a result after their late heartbreak against Uruguay. Russia will be content to force Egypt to create something from possession, which could prove frustrating for the Pharoahs, who would much rather counterattack.