Daniel Mu-knows how to Win a Match

6/13ths of the World Cup

 

 

The first meeting of Colombia and Congo DR was a meaningful match. Colombia were looking to carry the momentum of their 3-1 victory over Uzbekistan to defeat Congo DR. The Congolese were looking to build off their 1-1 draw with Portugal. Late match pressure by Congo DR would prove to be too little. The moment of the match came when Daniel Munoz scored the only goal of the match in the 76th minute. Colombia have guaranteed their advancement to the Round of 32. Congo DR sit in 3rd place with all to play for in their final match.

 

 

There were no perfect picks on the day. The performance of the day is the result of 23 points. The player of the day increased her lead at the top of the table from 3 points to 7. For the second day in a row, Praeceptor has demonstrated her superior skills.

Tomorrow begins the last matchday of the Group Stage. Groups A, B, and C will play simultaneously two matches at a time. 6 matches to map out the Round of 32, and seal elimination for teams in 4th place. The points will come hot and heavy. We are just 4 days away from the playoffs. Good Luck to All!

 

 

 

When you need a Win, Call your Best Budimir

 47/104ths of the World Cup

  

 

Panama and Croatia each suffered losses in their first matches. Both teams knew another loss would end their hopes of winning the World Cup. The two sides had never met prior to tonight. With their backs against the wall, both sides were ready for battle. Panama out shot Croatia 8 goals to 6. Croatia were on target twice, while Panama only once. Two of those shots were saved, but not Ante Budimir's 54th minute strike which would prove to be the decisive goal. Croatia's victory leaves them with 3 points, 1 point behind both England and Ghana. A win against Ghana would guarantee them a place in the Round of 32. Panama's second loss eliminates them from competition and leaves them with a final match against England to play for pride. 

 

 

When the Goals have Ghana-way it's Hard to Score

 

 23/52nds of the World Cup

 

 

England and Ghana met in 2011 and battled to a 1-1 draw. England's second half explosion to defeat Croatia 4-2 looked to be the first and second gears they would need to win a World Cup. Ghana's last minute victory over Panama set this clash to be a battle for top spot and potential advancement to the Round of 32. England pummeled Ghana's goal, while the Black Stars were more than comfortable to sit back and defend. Of a combined 21 shots only 5 found the target to be saved by Ghanaian goalkeeper Benjamin Asare. Ghana sit second behind England only on goal differential. Both teams look to move on but have to wait for their 3rd matches.

 

 

Portu-goals Galore over Uzbekistan

 45/104ths of the World Cup

 

 

Portugal and Uzbekistan have never met for a match of football. Portugal entered their second match of the World Cup coming off of a disappointing draw with DR Congo. Uzbekistan fell to Colombia by 1 goal to 3. Portugal's first match was marred with rumors that the inclusion of Cristiano Ronaldo was ruining the team. CR7 was quick to respond. He opened scoring just 6 minutes into the match. Nuno Mendes would double Portugal's lead in the 17th minute. Ronaldo would score his 2nd goal in the 39th minute to lead Portugal into the break with a 3-0 lead. Uzbekistan's second half would include two goals. One was called back for being offside, while the other was an own goal in the 60th minute thanks to Abduvohid Nematov. Rafel Leao would cap the night off with Portugal's 5th goal in the 87th minute. Portugal move to the top of Group K with 4 points. Uzbekistan sit in 4th place with 0 points on the verge of elimination.

 

 

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.