The first set of matches for all teams have now concluded.
We’ve had our first look at who’s looking impressive and who’s been
underwhelming. I will review Groups G and H in this article.
I will also preview the second set of matches for Groups C
and D.
Reviews
Group G
Match 1: Belgium
vs Panama
Belgium were on the front foot right from the kick-off,
peppering Panama’s goal throughout the first half without any reward. The
Panamanians defended well, and their goalkeeper was particularly impressive in
keeping the Europeans at bay. Courtois was hardly troubled in the first half.
Dries Mertens broke the deadlock for Belgium early in the second half, with a
superb volley over the goalkeeper and intot eh far corner. Panama had a glorious
chance to equalize a few minutes later, but Murillo, without any pressure,
could only hit his shot against Courtois. Lukaku doubled Belgium’s lead close
to the 70 minute mark with a free header from De Bruyne’s cross. He doubled his
tally just 5 minutes later, meaning that Belgium cruised through their opening
encounter and looked good doing so.
Final Score: Belgium
3 – 0 Panama
Match 2: Tunisia
vs England
England made a lightning start, taking the attack to the
Tunisians right from kick-off. Their adventure was rewarded with an early goal
from their captain Harry Kane, who pounced on the rebound after the goalkeeper
saved Stones’s header. England kept the pressure up for some after taking the
lead but their opponents started coming into the game more and more. In the 33rd
minute, Kyle Walker inexplicably elbowed Ben Youssef in the box. The referee had
no choice but no award the penalty. Ferjani Sassi made no mistake in the
conversion. Once again, the English looked to have given away their advantage
in a big tournament. However, to this team’s credit, they did not give up, and
for most of the rest of the match, the English were in command of them.
However, the second goal remained elusive. A couple of timely clearances and a
post hit later, and in injury time, harry Kane found himself open at the far
post, got on the end of a Henderson header from a corner and gave his nation
the lead. There was no coming abck for Tunisia from this sucker-punch. This was
quite different from what we’ve grown used to seeing from the English in recent
tournaments. For once, they stuck to their task till the end and got the job
done.
Final Score: Tunisia
1 – 2 England
Group H
Match 1: Colombia
vs Japan
The match started in the worst possible way for Colombia,
with Carlos Sanchez sent off in just the 4th minute, incidentally
the first red card of the tournament, for handling a goal bound shot inside the
penalty box. The resulting penalty was converted by Kagawa to give the Japanese
an unlikely lead. To their credit, despite being a man down for almost the
entire match, kept plugging away. They were rewarded when Juan Quintero
squirmed a low free kick into the near corner of the goal, shooting under the
wall instead of trying to get the ball up and under. Japan were the team in
control in the second half, although chances were few and far between. Yuya
Osako headed in from a corner in the 73rd minute and Japan were in
the lead once again. The Colombians were able to get a couple more attempts on
the Japanese goal after going behind, but in the end their efforts fell short.
This was the first time that an Asian team had beaten a South American one at
the World Cup.
Final Score: Colombia
1 – 2 Japan
Match 2: Poland
vs Senegal
Poland are the 8th ranked team in the world but
it was Senegal who started off with more intent in this game. They had a couple
of good chances in the first 20 minutes. Poland got into the game following
that but they did not threaten the Senegal goal too much. In the 37th
minute, a low drive from the edge of the Polish penalty box took a wicked
deflection from Cionek and went in. Senegal had taken a deserved lead. The
Poles started the second half better, forcing a smart save from N’Diaye from a
free-kick. Another moment of madness in the Polish defense led to them falling
further behind. Niang ran onto to a loose back-pass rounded Szczesny and
slotted into an open net. There was a touch of controversy surrounding the goal
as the Senegalese striker had just run onto the pitch with proceedings ongoing
after receiving treatment for an injury. Gregorz Krychowiak halved the deficit
in the 85th minute with a brilliant diving header, but it porved
just a consolation as Senegal held on, making them the first African team to
win a match at this World Cup.
Final Score: Poland
1 – 2 Senegal
Previews
Group C
Match 3: Denmark
vs Australia
Australia were very unlucky not to get a point from their
opener against France. They go up against Denmark, who should feel lucky to
have won the game against a better Peru side. If the Australians can repeat
their performance from the last game, we could be in for a cracker of a match.
Once again, Denmark’s hopes rest on Eriksen’s shoulders. The two will probably
cancel each other out and I’ll go for a draw in this one.
Prediction: Denmark
1 – 1 Australia
Match 4: France
vs Peru
France need to up their game when they come up against Peru
in their next match. The Peruvians looked to be in control for long parts of their
previous match, but inexperience showed and they failed to capitalize on their chances,
not least helped by Cueva’s penalty miss. Unfortunately, their task is about to
get even harder in this game. Despite France’s wobbles in the earlier game, I
do believe they will come good in this match and should have enough firepower
to see of the challenge of the Peruvians.
Prediction: France 2 – 0 Peru
Prediction: France 2 – 0 Peru
Group D
Match 3: Argentina
vs Croatia
A lot rides on this match for the mighty Argentines. They
were off the pace and off their game in the opener against Iceland. The
reliance on Lionel Messi was evident for everyone to see and that’s what brings
them down in major tournaments. The Croatians were comfortable winners in their
first game and have the tools to bother and possibly even defeat their
opponents. A loss would disaster for the Argentines, so they should be looking
to finish off their opponents early. Keep he match in the balance for too long
and the lurking insecurities will most likely come back! A really tough match
to predict as I can see the possibility of all three results with just a small
tweak of circumstances in the game. I will sit on the fence and predict a draw,
which will pile on the pressure on the former two time World Champions,
especially if Iceland get a win in the other game. Phew!
Prediction: Argentina
1 – 1 Croatia
Match 4: Nigeria
vs Iceland
Nigeria will be looking to improve from their last match.
Iceland, however, will not an easy opponent. They have shown in the Euros in
2016 and against Argentina that they are one of the hardest teams to beat in
football. Reading an article written by their captain Aron Gunnarsson recently,
it is clear that Iceland are not a team to let complacency get into their game.
They go full throttle into every match and I can see them doing the same here.
The Nigerians will need to be smart in their approach and will probably have to
have a plan B and a plan C in place to tackle the Vikings. Somehow, I get the
feeling that this match will be the first goalless affair of the tournament,
with both teams cancelling each other out.
Prediction: Nigeria
0 – 0 Iceland
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