Egypt Cut like a Saber while Iran are Sharp as Rezaeian, or New Zealand yet Same Old Story

 33/52nds of the World Cup

 

 

Egypt and Iran entered the last day of Group Play 1st and 2nd in Group G. Their final standings were open to anywhere from 1st to 4th depending on their play in this match, and the result of New Zealand and Belgium. Mahmoud Saber would give Egypt the lead in the 5th minute. Ramin Rezaeian would tie the match just 9 minutes later. The two sides would battle for the remainder of the match but fail to find another decisive goal. It all would come down to the other match in the group.

 

  

 

New Zealand and Belgium entered their final match in 4th and 3rd place respectively. For New Zealand to have any chance of advancing past the Group Stage for the first time in their history they needed a win. For Belgium to escape the disappointment of being eliminated in the Group Stage, they would need a win. New Zealand would valiantly defend for about 30 minutes as Leandro Trossard would open the scoring in the 28th minute for Belgium. He would follow that up after the break with a goal in the 50th minute. Kevin DeBruyne would extend Belgium's lead to 3-0 with a strike in the 66th minute. Elijah Just would put a goal on the board for New Zealand in the 84th minute, a small consolation. Romelu Lukaku would make it 4-1 in the 86th minute. Alexis Saelemaekers would put a cap on Belgium's run in the Group Stage with a 5th goal in the 4th minute of 2nd Half Stoppage Time. The victory moved Belgium into 1st place on Goal Differential. They await to see which 3rd place team they will face. Egypt fall into 2nd place and will face Australia. Iran finish 3rd and await their fate as to whether they will advance or be eliminated. New Zealand, yet again, are going home after 3 matches.

 

 

There were 4 perfect picks on the day, but only one of the Contestants who opted correctly in Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia's scoreless draw would benefit the most. With 39 points on the day, and a jump from 4th place to 3rd, for the second straight day kudos to Historicus. May your meteoric climb continue.

One final day left before the first 16 teams are all eliminated and the full playoff bracket is known. Group J, K, and L commence play at 5:00 pm, 7:30 pm, and 10:00 pm. Good Luck to all before the playoffs begin. Stay tuned for an update on scoring moving forward as there are more ways to earn points. 

 

 

Uruguay Cannot-bbio World Cup Champions, or Cape Verde Practice for a Portrait as They really like to Draw

8/13ths of the World Cup

 

 

Group H left a lot to be determined. Spain came into the final match of the group stage in first place with 4 points. Uruguay sat in 2nd with 2 points after 2 draws, and edging out Cape Verde on goal differential. They needed a win to have a shot at advancing, and hope that the Cape Verde versus Saudi Arabia match went in their favor. They would play well holding Spain to a single goal by Alex Baena in the 42nd minute. Eager to score, Agustin Canobbio earned a straight red card in the 4th minute of stoppage time giving Spain an extra man in the closing moments. Spain's victory left them in 1st place. They await the runners-up of Group J. Uruguay's fate would be sealed by the other match of the group.

 

  

 

Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia entered their final matches with 2 and 1 points respectively. Both knew they would need a win to have their best shot at a playoff appearance. Cape Verde could also advance with a draw or a win, and a loss by Uruguay. The World Cup debutantes from Africa haven't been able to defeat an opponent. Their scoreless draw with Spain turned goalkeeper Vizinho into a star. Their 2-2 draw with Uruguay showed they could do more than just defend. Both sides would be disappointed with a 0-0 draw, but for Cape Verde it would be enough to give them 3 points and finish second in the group. Saudi Arabia finish on 2 points in last place. Uruguay finish on 2 points, but a better goal difference in 3rd place. Unfortunately, they aren't among the 8 best 3rd place teams, and are shockingly going home. Cape Verde have the monumental task of facing the defending Champions and Lionel Messi in the Round of 32. A big match for a proud team that have made history. 

 

 

Un, Deux, Dembele, or The Senegalese Ndiaye to Remember

 31/52nds of the World Cup

  

  

Norway and France entered their final match day each having advanced to the Round of 32. All to be sorted for them is who would finish 1st and 2nd. Enter Ousmane Dembele. Goals in the 7th, 20th, and 32nd minutes earned Ousmane a hattrick and France the lead going into the half. Thelo Aasgaard's 21st minute goal briefly gave Norway some life when they trailed 1-2. Desire Doue's 4th goal for France wasn't needed, but showed the difference in class between the two sides. France await the 3rd place team they will face in the playoffs, while Norway knows they will meet Cote d'Ioire. 

 

     

 

  

Senegal and Iraq entered their final match on 0 points each. For any shot at advancing to the Round of 32, one team would have to win. For those sleeping on Senegal, they showed why they deserve to move forward in the tournament. Goals from Habib Diarra, Ismala Sarr, a brace by Pape Gueye, and Iliman Ndiaye's 5 goal for Senegal saw them roar into 3rd place. They were assisted by the extra man they received when Rebin Sulaka was shown a red card in the 13th minute for Iraq. Senegal move on but await to see who their opponent will be. Iraq make another early exit in the World Cup.

 

 

Turkiye Kaan win a Match, or A Paraguay of Scoreless Teams, Fr-Australia-ting

 15/26ths of the World Cup

  

  

The United States entered their final Group Stage match knowing they would finish top of the Group and face Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32. Turkiye knew they were heading home tomorrow, but needed to prove they could have played better. Auston Trusty would give the US a lead in the 3rd minute. Arda Guler would tie the match in the 10th minute for Turkiye. Baris Alper Yilmaz would score in the 31st minute to give Turkiye the lead. The US would scramble to draw the match in the 49th minute via Sebastian  Berhalter. Turkiye would find a way to secure 3 points when Kaan Ayhan would score in the 8th minute of stoppage time. The US lose momentum as they head to the Round of 32 for a battle with the tag team of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Turkiye leave with 3 points, too little too late.

 

  

 

Paraguay were looking for a victory to guarantee a 2nd place finish and sure spot in the Round of 32. Australia knew they needed at least a draw to advance in 2nd place. The two teams would play to a scoreless draw. That would be enough to secure Australia as Runners-up. They will face the Runners-up of Group G.

 

 

 We saw 6 perfect picks across all players today. The performance of the day saw two perfect picks as Cote d'Ivoire defeated Curacao 2-0, and Ecuador winning against Germany 2-1. With a total of 34 points moving up from 5th to 4th, 3 cheers for Historicus.

 

 6 more matches played in tandem two at a time. Groups G, H, and I finalize their positions. The playoffs are approaching for opportunities at even more points. Details to come.

 

 

What a Dutch van Hecke of a Victory, or Sweden Elanga their Trip to the World Cup

29/52nds of the World Cup

  

 

Tunisia entered today's match knowing they were eliminated from becoming World Champions. Netherlands came into the day knowing that they could finish anywhere from Group Winners to 3rd depending on their performance and the results of Japan and Sweden. Tunisia would open up scoring via an Own Goal by Ellyes Skhiri in the 3rd minute to give Netherlands the lead. Just 4 minutes later, Brian Brobbey would double the Dutch lead with a proper goal for his nation. The nail in the coffin for Tunisia's only win at the World Cup came in the 62nd minute when Jan Paul van Hecke would score the 3rd for Netherlands. The Dutch win Group F and will Play Morocco in the Round of 32. Tunisia had back home wishing they could have done more for their nation.

 

   

 

Japan entered Thursday knowing they could finish anywhere from 1st to 3rd. They had everything to play for. Sweden also found themselves in a position to finish possible 1st to 3rd. They would need at least need a draw to finish with a 3rd place spot guaranteed to advance. Japan would strike first in the 56th minute taking a lead, but needing more goals to move ahead of Netherlands on goal differential. Sweden would retaliate quickly tying the match in the 62nd minute via Anthony Elanga. The draw would see Japan finish 2nd in the group with a date with Brazil in the Round of 32. Sweden qualify for the Round of 32 as one of the 8 best 3rd place teams. They await their fate in the playoffs hoping to keep their improbable tournament going.

 

 

Cote d'Ivoire put the Pepe in their Step, or Ecuador Gonzalo way to the Round of 32

7/13ths of the World Cup

  

 

Curacao entered the last match day of the Group Stage in 4th place looking at a ticket home. A victory over Cote d'Ivoire, and an Ecuadorian loss to Germany would see Curacao finish 2nd and head to the Round of 32. Cote d'Ivoire entered in 2nd place needing at least a draw to maintain their position. A loss and an Ecuadorian victory would see them drop to 4th. Enter Ivorian Nicolas Pepe. A goal on either side of halftime would be enough to push Cote d'Ivoire past the Group Stage for the first time ever. Goals in the 7th and 64th minutes will be how Curacao's World Cup Journey ends. An exciting story for the Caribbean Island nation with a bitter ending.

 

 

 

Ecuador started the day in 3rd place with 1 point. A loss could see them finish in 4th depending on Curacao's effort against Cote d'Ivoire. A win and a Cote d'Ivoire loss, along with a better goal differential could see them move into 2nd. For Germany, their future was never in doubt. Regardless of the result here, Germany have advanced as the winners of Group E. This match was all about keeping the momentum going into the playoffs. That momentum would show as Leroy Sane would score in the 2nd minute to give Germany a 1-0 lead. Ecuador, whose performance has been poor by their standards, quickly found the leveling goal in the 9th minute thanks to Nilson Angulo. Ecuador would prove to be the better team on the day when Gonzalo Plata scored in the 77th minute. Germany's 6 points see them fail to go perfect as they finish Group E Winners. They await to see which 3rd place team they will face in the Round of 32. Cote d'Ivoire qualify as the Group Runners-up and await the Runners-up of Group I. Ecuador have advanced to the Playoffs in the 3rd place position, and await to see where they wind up in the brackets. Curacao cut short their tournament, but will have memories to share with their family.