This World Cup keeps coming up with the goods. The underdogs
continue to hold their own against the favourites, making for spectacular
viewing for the neutrals. I’ve held the firm belief for some time now that the
gap between teams in international football is shrinking, and so far, there has
been ample proof of the same.
In this article, I will review the first set of matches for
Groups E and F. I will also preview the Matchday 2 fixtures for Groups A and B,
to be played over the next two days. Reviews for final two groups’ Matchday 1
outings will be published tomorrow.
Reviews
Group E
Match 1: Costa
Rica vs Serbia
The Costa Ricans were coming into the tournament with decent
form. For their opponents, the focus was on the midfield pairing of Matic and
more so perhaps on Milinkovic-Savic, to see if they could run the game. The
Central Americans started better, with Giancarlo Gonzalez skying an open header
from a corner. Serbia’s best chance of the half came from their man of the
moment Milinkovic-Savic whose audacious overhead kick was too close to the
Costa Rican goalkeeper and was saved. The Serbians were the better team in the
first half but had nothing to show for it. The Serbians kept control in the
second half but openings were few and far between. They had a glorious
opportunity in the 50th minute, as Mitrovic ran free behind their
opponents’ defence but couldn’t beat the goalkeeper 1 on 1. It needed a
stunning 70th minute free-kick from Alexander Kolarov to break the
deadlock and give the Serbs a deserved lead. They had further chances to score
but wasted them. It didn’t matter as they ran out winners by the odd goal.
Final Score: Costa
Rica 0 – 1 Serbia
Match 2: Brazil vs
Switzerland
Brazil started off playing silky smooth football, with their
forward line of Neymar, Gabriel Jesus and Coutinho just behind linking up well.
Paulinho had the best chance early on but his sliced effort from inside the six
yard box was deflected out for a corner by Sommer’s outstretched arm. In the 20th
minute, Coutinho picked up a defensive clearance at the edge of the Swiss
penalty box and curled in a trademark finish into the far-post, with the
goalkeeper having no chance. It was a goal we’ve seen so many times before from
the Brazilian ace. Brazil kept control for the rest of the half but Switzerland
dogged in their defense, and kept the South Americans out without many problems.
In the 50th minute, Steven Zuber got on the end of a Shaqiri corner,
and headed past Alisson. There was a push on Miranda just before the header but
it was a weak effort from the Brazilian defender to stand his ground. Having
said that, in most other occasions, such a push would probably have resulted in
a foul against the attacker. Unsurprisingly, Brazil went on the offensive for
the rest of the game, but were hugely wasteful in front of goal. The fluidity
of the first half was gone. Gabriel Jesus had a match to forget, making no
significant contribution up front. The introduction of Firmino livened things
up, but it remains a mystery why he was given less than 10 minutes to make an
impact. Switzerland, for their part, didn’t just sit back and defend, and tried
to make their own counter-attacks. Their pace was a little slow in the build-up
which meant the Brazilian defense more often than not got back into position
before trouble arose. Neymar headed a late chance straight at Sommer, followed
soon after by Firmino, who did the same. Miranda had the best chance to win it
late on, his half-volley from 20 yards bouncing just wide of the Swiss goal.
That’s how it remained and another tournament favourite had not got the result
they were looking for.
Group F
Match 1: Germany
vs Mexico
The World champions were the favourites to take full points
from this game. The Mexicans started the game on the front foot, regularly
troubling the German defense with their speed. They exploited the space on both
German wings, left by the marauding Kimmich and Plattenhardt. Layun and Lozano
were ever-willing runners, with Hernandez doing incredible well in holding up
play and distributing to the wide players. The Germans looked rusty, carrying
some of the bad form from the pre-tournament friendlies into this game. And
their sluggishness was punished just past the half-hour mark. Javier Hernandez
set up Lozano on the left, after a neat interchange of passes in midfield, a
part of a lightning counter-attack. The 22 year old, dubbed as the next star of
his nation, dribbled Ozil with ease, and slot past Neuer at the near-post. It
is said the goal caused an earthquake in Mexico City, as the fans celebrated,
and one could the joy on the Mexican faces on the field. Toni Kroos hit the bar
from a free-kick a few minutes later but there was no way to goal for the
Germans in the first half. Unsurprisingly, the Germans came out all guns
blazing in the second half. Surprisingly, Mexico too kept up their
counter-attacks, getting behind the German defense on a couple of occasions, as
the latter pushed bodies forward. With a little more composure, Mexico could
easily have been two or three goals up in this match. Germany kept getting
closer and closer to scoring themselves but the breakthrough failed to
materialize. Kimmich’s acrobatic overhead landed on top of the goal and a late
half-volley from substitute Brandt brushed the post and went out. It was not to
be for the defending champions as a fourth defending champion in five World
Cups suffered defeat in their opening group game. The Mexicans were in tears at
the end of the match, highlighting just how important this win was for the
country.
Final Score: Germany
0 – 1 Mexico
Match 2: Sweden
vs South Korea
Perhaps the weirdest build-up to a World Cup match ever. The
South Koreans accused Sweden of spying on their training, and the latter
accepted and apologized for the same. The weirdness was brought by the Korean
manager when he said that they had switched the players’ training kits to
confuse the Swedes, as he believes that ’Westerners’ are unable to distinguish
between Asian faces!
The match was stop-and-go from the beginning, with neither
side able to get the offensive. Sweden had a glorious opportunity saved by the Korean
goalkeeper on the 20 minute mark, Cho Hyun-Woo keeping out Berg’s shot from six
yards. Ten minutes later, and more desperate defending kept Berg out once
again. The swedes were very much with the upper hand. Korea’s had to wait till
the start of the second half for their first real chance, Koo heading wide from
10 yards. After a couple of more
attempts, Sweden finally got the breakthrough in the form a penalty decision,
once again with the help of VAR. Kim Min Woo brought down Claesson with a mistimed
challenge. Captain Andreas Granqvist stepped up and converted from the spot.
Sweden kept control of the match after this with South Korea getting one chance
with nearly the last kick of the game. Hwang headed wide from a central
position, which would’ve beaten the keeper had it been on target. Sweden joined
Mexico at the top of the group.
Final Score: Sweden
1 – 0 South Korea
Previews
Group A
Match 3: Russia
vs Egypt
The hosts come into this match on a high, having registered
a five goal victory in their opening. Egypt, on the other hand, will be looking
to recover from the late defeat by Uruguay. The latter’s talisman, Mohamed
Salah looks likely to start this game, and that could prove to be the catalyst
they need. However, the hosts will have the full backing of the home support and
it remains to be seen if their opponents can overcome that hurdle. The
tournament has been hoping to see a fit and firing Salah, who’s coming off a
dream season with Liverpool. Just how fit is he remains a question, and you can
be sure the Russians will be looking to exploit the chinks in his armour. Or the
hosts, Aleksandr Golovin and Denis Cheryshev were the stars in the last match
and should be influential once again. If Salah does play, I can see Egypt
scoring and holding the Russians to a draw, and that’s the result I’m going
with in this match.
Prediction: Russia
1 – 1 Egypt
Match 4: Uruguay
vs Saudi Arabia
The Saudis were woeful in their first match, looking both
mentally and physically tired. The Uruguayans and especially their forward line
of Suarez and Cavani will be licking their in anticipation of coming up against
that defense. I can’t see beyond a Uruguay win for this match, them being far
superior in every department. If the performances are repeated from the
respective first outings, Saudi Arabia will be in trouble of facing another
humiliation.
Prediction: Uruguay
3 – 0 Saudi Arabia
Group B
Match 3: Portugal
vs Morocco
Morocco were unfortunate to end up on the losing side in
their first match, that too via a 95th winner, that too by way of an
own goal! They were the better team throughout. With their next two matches
against Portugal and Spain, their World Cup looks to be an uphill struggle now.
Portugal should have enough fire-power to do the business in this match, and
with Cristiano Ronaldo in red hot form, they could once again come up with
multiple goals. Morocco will need to be extremely solid as a unit and hope to
catch out Portugal’s defensive weaknesses, which do exist and Spain showed that
they can be exploited. However, even if they concede, which I don’t think they
will, Portugal should outscore their opponents easily and secure the win.
Prediction: Portugal
2 – 0 Morocco
Match 4: Iran vs
Spain
Spain were undone by the master-class from Portugal’s stalwart
Ronaldo, and perhaps just about deserved the win in their opening game. The
midfield trio of Iniesta, Silva and Isco were at their fluid best throughout.
Diego Costa has shown good form too, scoring two goals. I fear for Iran in this
match, especially with the way they played in their first game. Spain should
roll them aside and continue their juggernaut. There is a possibility of silly
score-line in this game but the Spanish might make that much of an effort. A
no-contest for me.
Prediction: Iran
0 – 3 Spain
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