Szczesny denies Messi, but Argentina have Alvarez Goals

 

Poland headed into the final match for Group C at the top. They had a chance to finish anywhere from 1st to 4th. They had the difficult task of facing an Argentina side who were looking to right the ship and win the group. Poland would make some forays into the attacking third but couldn't convert. Then Argentina would win a penalty, only for Lionel Messi to have his shot save by Poland's keeper Wojcheich Szczesny. As the game wore on, Argentina dominated possession and Poland was left to chase the match. Alexis Mac Allister would score just after 2nd half kickoff. Argentina came raining down with ball possession and an onslaught of shots. Julian Alvarez would score in the 67th minute. The drama would continue, as Poland could have found themselves eliminated from the World Cup with a 3rd Argentinian goal. Luck was on their side, and they succeeded in advancing even with the poor performance. Argentina play Australia on Saturday, while Poland face the daunting task of playing France on Sunday.

 

Contestant	Result	Poland	Argentina	Prediction	P. Poland	P. Argentina	Points	Oracle	Total
Artifex	Argentina	0	2	Argentina	2	3	5	0	5
Colubris	Argentina	0	2	Argentina	1	2	5	2	7
Fortuitous	Argentina	0	2	Draw	2	2	0	2	2
Historicus	Argentina	0	2	Argentina	0	1	5	2	7
IoannesNix	Argentina	0	2	Argentina	1	3	5	0	5
Musicus	Argentina	0	2	Argentina	1	2	5	2	7
Praeceptor	Argentina	0	2	Argentina	0	2	5	5	10
ReginaApis	Argentina	0	2	Argentina	1	3	5	0	5
Scriptor	Argentina	0	2	Argentina	0	3	5	2	7

Table:

Rank	Contestant	Points	Oracle
1	Musicus	183	73
2	Colubris	163	43
3	ReginaApis	154	44
4	Historicus	148	48
5	Scriptor	136	36
6	IoannesNix	124	29
7	Artifex	119	24
8	Fortuitous	118	48
9	Praeceptor	117	47

 

Three players finished the day on 19 points. There will be no Player of the Day. 

The eliminations continue tomorrow.

Sleep well, my Crias.

The Grand Salmon Alpaca

Aldawsari, not sorry

 

 

Saudi Arabia needed a win and Poland to lose to advance. Mexico needed a win and for their goal difference to be good enough with a Poland loss to Argentina. Mexico got on the action first taking a 2-0 lead on goals by Henry Martin and Luis Chavez. Another goal would have booked them a ticket to the round of 16. Then Salem Aldawsari scored to put one back for Saudi Arabia in stoppage time. The game would end a 2-1 victory for Mexico.

Contestant	Result	K. Saudi Arabia	Mexico	Prediction	P. K. Saudi Arabia	P. Mexico	Points	Oracle	Total
Artifex	Mexico	1	2	Mexico	1	2	5	5	10
Colubris	Mexico	1	2	Mexico	0	3	5	0	5
Fortuitous	Mexico	1	2	Draw	1	1	0	2	2
Historicus	Mexico	1	2	Draw	1	1	0	2	2
IoannesNix	Mexico	1	2	Mexico	1	4	5	2	7
Musicus	Mexico	1	2	Mexico	0	2	5	2	7
Praeceptor	Mexico	1	2	Mexico	1	3	5	2	7
ReginaApis	Mexico	1	2	Mexico	0	4	5	0	5
Scriptor	Mexico	1	2	Mexico	1	2	5	5	10

 

Australian Leckie hasn't Run Out

 

Denmark were favored to make it out of this group. They came into their final match against Australia needing a win. All Australia needed was a draw and they'd pretty much be on their way to the playoffs. It was Mathew Leckie who picked up the only goal of the match to give Australia the 1-0 victory. France move on as group winners. Australia make it as the runners-up. What an exciting tournament for the Socceroos.

 

Contestant	Result	Austalia	Denmark	Prediction	P. Austalia	P. Denmark	Points	Oracle	Total
Artifex	Australia	1	0	Denmark	2	3	0	0	0
Colubris	Australia	1	0	Denmark	1	3	0	2	2
Fortuitous	Australia	1	0	Australia	2	1	5	0	5
Historicus	Australia	1	0	Denmark	0	2	0	0	0
IoannesNix	Australia	1	0	Australia	2	1	5	0	5
Musicus	Australia	1	0	Denmark	0	2	0	0	0
Praeceptor	Australia	1	0	Denmark	1	2	0	2	2
ReginaApis	Australia	1	0	Denmark	0	5	0	0	0
Scriptor	Australia	1	0	Denmark	0	2	0	0	0

Upsetting France Khazri Can

 

France knew they were through to the second round. Tunisia had a fighting chance, but they needed the result of Australia and Denmark go their way. France rested many players and didn't have their regular lineup going. Still, they should have made easy work of Tunisia. In the 58th minute Wahbi Khazri scored to give Tunisia a memorable victory in this World Cup.

Contestant	Result	Tunisia	France	Prediction	P. Tunisia	P. France	Points	Oracle	Total
Artifex	Tunisia	1	0	France	0	3	0	0	0
Colubris	Tunisia	1	0	France	1	3	0	2	2
Fortuitous	Tunisia	1	0	Tunisia	1	0	5	5	10
Historicus	Tunisia	1	0	France	0	2	0	0	0
IoannesNix	Tunisia	1	0	France	1	2	0	2	2
Musicus	Tunisia	1	0	France	0	2	0	0	0
Praeceptor	Tunisia	1	0	France	0	2	0	0	0
ReginaApis	Tunisia	1	0	France	0	1	0	0	0
Scriptor	Tunisia	1	0	France	0	3	0	0	0

Pulisic-ing out all the Stops

 

Iran came into this match needing only a draw to move to the second round. For the United States, only a win would do. This match went back and forth but the US was able to win 1-0 off of a Christian Pulisic goal in the 38th minute. The goal would be a costly one as it would injure Pulisic who needed to come off. Iran let it slip through their fingers and are going home. The US move on, but will Pulisic be healthy enough to play against the Netherlands on Saturday?

 

Contestant	Result	Iran	USA	Prediction	P. Iran	P. USA	Points	Oracle	Total
Artifex	United States	0	1	United States	0	3	5	2	7
Colubris	United States	0	1	United States	1	2	5	0	5
Fortuitous	United States	0	1	Draw	1	1	0	2	2
Historicus	United States	0	1	United States	0	2	5	2	7
IoannesNix	United States	0	1	United States	2	3	5	0	5
Musicus	United States	0	1	United States	0	1	5	5	10
Praeceptor	United States	0	1	Draw	2	2	0	0	0
ReginaApis	United States	0	1	United States	0	1	5	5	10
Scriptor	United States	0	1	Draw	1	1	0	2	2

Table:

 

Rank	Contestant	Points	Oracle
1	Musicus	169	69
2	Colubris	147	37
3	ReginaApis	144	44
4	Historicus	139	44
5	Scriptor	119	29
6	IoannesNix	105	25
7	Artifex	104	19
8	Fortuitous	99	39
9	Praeceptor	98	38

Today's Player of the Day had 3 perfect picks on his way to 35 points overall. Extending his lead at the top of the group, congratulations to:

Another four teams will be eliminated tomorrow.

Sleep Well, my Crias,

The Grand Salmon Alpaca