Algeria fail to Score 24 Goals, but still Go 1 Over Jordan

 11/26ths of the World Cup

  

 

Jordan looked to continue their World Cup debut coming off their 1-3 loss to Austria by grabbing a win against Algeria. The Fennecs themselves took a 0-3 loss to Lionel Messi and Argentina. In three previous meetings of one friendly match, and two meetings in the Arab Cup, the two sides had split a win each and drawn the third match. The main goal, not to lose and be eliminated from the World Cup. Jordan would take advantage of their best opportunity to score in the 36th minute thanks to Nizar Alrashdan's strike. He's the first Jordanian to score a goal at the World Cup. Kudos to him. Jordan would take their 1-0 lead into halftime. Algeria came out in the second half looking to better their fortune. They would level the match in the 69th minute through Nadhir Benbouali. They would follow that up with the game winning goal in the 82nd minute via Amine Gouiri. Jordan find themselves eliminated from the World Cup with one match to go. Algeria have all to fight for in their showdown with Austria. 

 

 

There were four perfect picks on the day. Two came from one player picking France over Iraq 3-0 and Algeria to defeat Jordan 2-1. Her 32 points on the day are the single most points anyone has picked up in one 24 hour period since the start of the World Cup. Moving up from 3rd place to 1st, congratulations Praeceptor!

 

 

Groups K and L will complete their second of three group stage matches on Tuesday. After that, it all comes down to the final matchday for those teams that have not already be eliminated. 44 teams remain with a chance to be World Champions. 43 eliminations to go. 11 match days until we crown our TSzAL World Cup Champion. Good Luck to All!

 

 

Erling Goalland in the Second Half

 43/104ths of the World Cup

 

 

Norway and Senegal's only meeting coming into today's match was a friendly in March of 2006. Norway walked off the pitch 2-1 victors that day, and hoped to match or better that result. Senegal knew they needed maximum points to have a best chance at making the round 32. Senegal would find themselves chasing this match, but they were well up for it. Marcus Holmgren Pedersen would begin the scoring in the 43rd minute to go up 1-0 for Norway. Erling Haaland would then net a goal in the 48th minute to double the lead. Ismaila Saar would put one back for Senegal in the 53rd minute. Erling Haaland would strike a brace to give Norway the 3-1 lead. Senegal made things interesting thanks to Ismaila Saar's second goal at the 3rd minute of second half stoppage time. Norway would hold on and book their automatic spot into the Round of 31. Senegal have a final match against Iraq hoping to win by enough goals to claim a best 3rd place spot. 

 

 

Mbappe and Weaving towards Lionel Messi

 21/52nds of the World Cup

 

 

France continue their journey to reach their 3rd straight World Cup Final, and win their 2nd trophy in 3 attempts. Kylian Mbappe has some extra interests in this tournament. He trails only Ronaldo, Miroslav Klose, and Lionel Messi for number of World Cup Goals. France's 3-1 victory over Norway left them feeling pretty well on easy street. Their opponents Iraq looked to shake off the rust of a 1-4 loss to Norway. Unfortunately for the Lions of Mesopotamia, they wouldn't have what it takes to bother France. Instead,Kylian Mbappe would start both halves of the match with a goal on either side, in the 14th and 54th minutes. Ousmane Dembele with tally on a 3rd goal to give France the victory and build on their superior goal differential. The victory assures France a spot in the Round of 32, leaving Iraq last in the group with 0 points. Iraq potentially can move on to the next round, but will need a big victory over Senegal to have a shot at one of the 8 best 3rd place teams. Kylian Mbappe now sits two goals behind Lionel Messi for the career record in World Cup Goals.

 

 

Argentina's Messi Penalty Miss, followed by a new Record

 41/104ths of the World Cup

 

 

 

On the 40th anniversary of Diego Maradona's Hand of God, Lionel Messi had two goals. The first was to lead Argentina to the Round of 32. The second was to score a goal and break the record for most career goals scored in a career. In his path to both of those goals stood Austria. The two sides were each coming off victories in their opening matches, and looked to gain maximum points. Lionel Messi had his first opportunity in the 9th minute when Argentina were awarded a penalty. A stutter-step and a shot wide right left the whole world stunned as Messi was thought to surely score. The lit a fire in Lionel, and he put away two chances to seal the deal. The first came in the 38th minute, and the second at the end of the match in the 5th minute of stoppage time. Argentina pick up 3 more points and advance to the Round of 32. Messi sits with 2 more goals than any other player scored across all World Cups. Austria sit in 2nd with their destiny in their hands.

 

 

New Zealand was Surman to Win, and then Egypt scored Tres-zeguet

 5/13ths of the World Cup

  

 

New Zealand's 1-1 draw with Iran was just enough to keep them apace with all their opponenets in Group G. Egypt were sure they would defeat Belgium until an own goal left their match a 1-1 draw. This was the fourth meeting between the two sides, with the only match that New Zealand walked away with anything was their first meeting in a 1999 friendly that finished 1-1. New Zealand were looking to make some of their own history. Unfortunately, Finn Surman would put New  Zealand up 1-0 in the first half which gave false hope to the OFC champions. Egypt came out in the second half with vengeance. Mostafa Zico tied the match in the 58th minute. Mohamed Salah would give the fans more to cheer about with his 67th minute strike to take the lead. The nail in the coffin would come courtesy of Trzeguet would would put Egypt up 3-1 for good. Egypt move to the top of the table while New Zealand found themselves in fourth. Both teams with everything to play for as no one has advanced or been eliminated.

 

 

Today's performance could have gone to the only player with a hattrick of picks in the Uruguay and Cape Verde draw. More impressive was the pick of Belgium and Iran drawing when everyone else had Belgium winning. These 5 points helped to amass 17 on the day. Congratulations Historicus.

 

Tomorrow Groups I and J play their middle matches of the Group Stage. Good luck to all contestants. One very tired Grand Salmon Alpaca is signing off.

 

 

 

Vozinha finally Beaten, but Cape Verde have His Back

 39/104ths of the World Cup

  

 

Uruguay had to chase their match against Saudi Arabia back to earn a 1-1 draw. Cape Verde held Spain to a scoreless draw thanks to their keeper Vozinha. The two sides met for the first time at this World Cup, both with dreams of advancing deeper into the championship.Kevin Pina would give Cape Verde the lead when he struck the first Cape Verdean goal at a World Cup. Maxi Araujo would tie the match for Uruguay at the 44th minute mark. Agustin Canobbio would give Uruguay their first lead of this tournament with a goal in the 6th minute of first half stoppage time. Helio Varela would save Cape Verde with is 61st minute equalizer. Both teams would find themselves on 2 points after their second match. Uruguay must survive against Spain during their last match, while Cape Verde look to knock off Saudi Arabia for a match in the Round of 32.