Argentina Win a Lautaro Matches, or How to Eliminate Iran

 9/13ths of the World Cup

  

 

Argentina prepared to face Jordan having already advanced to the Round of 32. Jordan knew they were eliminated, but hoped to have an all-time showing against the defending champions. Giovani Lo Celso opened up scoring in the 19th minute to give Argentina the lead. Nizar Al-Rashdan would try to clear the ball from the box with a high boot that struck Marcos Senesi in the head. Lautaro Martinez would convert the penalty kick to the right of Yazeed Abulaila to give Argentina a 2-0 lead. In the second half Mousa Altamari would score to bring Jordan within 1 goal of tying. Second half super-sub Lionel Messi would enter the match to put Jordan to bed by scoring a 3rd Argentinian goal in the 80th minute. Argentina move on perfectly to face Cape Verde. Jordan go home with memories of their first ever World Cup.

 

  

 

The final Group Stage match to be completed was Algeria and Austria. What a match it was. Both teams entered on 3 points with Austria in 2nd place on Goal Differential. Both teams would advance with a draw or a win. If either team lost, Iran would qualify as the last 3rd place team to advance. The scoring would begin in the 28th minute where Marko Arnautovic would give Austria a 1-0 lead. Rafik Belghali would tie the match in the 45th minute. The second half would only need 10 minutes to pick up the action. Marcel Sabitzer would give Austria their second lead with a 55th minute goal. Just 5 minutes later, Riyad Mahrez would score to draw Algeria level for the second time. As the match approached it's final moments, both sides seemed resolved to kick the ball around and waste time. That's when Algeria caught Austria sleeping in the 3rd minute of 2nd half stoppage time and Riyad Mahrez scored his second goal to give his side the lead. For the moment, Algeria sat in 2nd place dropping Austria to 3rd and helping Iran advance. From kick off Austria attacked and were able to score a header from Sasa Kalajdzic as time expired to tie the game and put Austria in 2nd place. Algeria would finish 3rd, but with a better performance over 3 matches to eliminate Iran. Austria will face off with Spain. Algeria will meet Switzerland. What a Group Stage it was!

 

 

There were 3 perfect picks today. Yet, none of them had the best performance of the day. Picking up 4 points to sit in 2nd place by only 12 points, congratulations to Musicus! What a way to finish off the Group Stage!

   

Tomorrow begins the Round of 32. Canada and South Africa will lock horns in a winner take all matchup at 3pm. Can Canada move on as Co-hosts? Can South Africa right the wrongs of their tournament in 2010? How many points can you pick up? Stay tuned for an update on playoff scoring to come in the morning. 

 

 

 

Ronaldo-n't Score a Goal, or DR Congo is IN

 

35/52nds of the World Cup

  

 

Colombia prepared to face Portugal knowing that they had advanced to the Round of 32. The only question for them was if they would finish 1st or 2nd. Portugal entered knowing they needed at least a draw to secure 2nd place, or win and move into 1st. A loss would leave the result of their future to the match between DR Congo and Uzbekistan. A full 90 minutes and a Cristiano Ronaldo who came into form against Uzbekistan both proved to be fruitless. The two sides battle to a scoreless draw. Enough to send Colombia through as the Group Winners to face a yet to be determined 3rd place team. Portugal limp their way into the Round of 32 where they will face tough competition in Croatia. 

 

   

 

DR Congo found themselves in 3rd place with 1 point. They were in the precarious position of possibly moving into 2nd place with a victory and a Portugal loss, or crashing out in 4th place with a loss to Uzbekistan. For their opponents, only a victory would give them hope of playing on. Uzbekistan would open scoring with a 10th minute goal by Eldor Shomurodov. They would take that lead into the half, and come out in the 2nd continuing to frustrate the Congolese strikers. The game would change in the 68th minute. Yoana Wisse would be taken down in the box by Abdukodir Khusanov to award DR Congo a penalty attempt. Wissa would step up and shoot the ball to Abduvohid Nematov's left to tie the match. The door would open for DR Congo to capitalize. Fiston Mayele would give the Africans a lead in the 78th minute. Yoana Wissa would pick up a brace having put the nail in Uzbekistan's coffin with a goal in the 1st minute of second half stoppage time. DR Congo advance in their first attempt at the World Cup to face England. Uzbekistan make plans to travel home having fought hard for their nation in its first ever World Cup.

 

  

England-ing at the Top, or Vlas(d)ic Effort to Win

17/26ths of the World Cup

 

 

Panama's World Cup dream was crushed after two straight losses. England's victory and draw meant they could finish anywhere from 1st to 3rd. They needed a win to control their own fate. Panama battled for pride and with passion keeping their sheet clean in the first half. England's resolve took over after the break as Jude Bellingham scored in the 62nd minute. Harry Kane doubled the lead 5 minutes later as England coasted to a victory. They were sure to finish top 2 depending on the result of Croatia and Ghana.

 

 

 

Croatia entered the final match day of Group L on 3 points with a potential spot in the Round of 32 as a 3rd place team. They could improve their chances of moving on by defeating 2nd place Ghana and moving ahead. Petar Sucic opened the scoring in the 31st minute to give Croatia the 1-0. That score would take us to the break where both teams deliberated how to make a difference in the second half. Derrik Luckassen would score to tie the match in the 73rd minute. The battle would go back and forth for 10 minutes before Nikola Vlasic would score the game winning goal. England finish 1st in the group and await to see which 3rd place team they will play. Croatia are Runners-up and will face the Runners-up of Group K in the Round of 32. Ghana will move on as a 3rd place team, but await to see who they face in the next round.

 

 

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.