The shock of all shocks took place last night as Germany
were eliminated from the World Cup after losing their final group game to South
Korea. This World Cup keeps churning out incredible stories every day. This is
probably the best Group Stage I’ve ever seen, and this is the sixth World Cup
that I have followed!
I wrap up all the storied form Groups E and F, also checking
in on the performance of the other big team on show yesterday, Brazil. I will
wrap up this article with the Previews for Groups G and H.
Reviews
Group E
Match 5: Serbia
vs Brazil
The heavyweights needed at least a point from this game to
ensure qualification. Serbia had shown to be a solid outfit in their previous
matches, and only a second half slump against Switzerland sees them in a
must-win situation in this game. Brazil were the much better team in the first
half, cutting open the Serbian defense on a number of occasions. It took 36
minutes but their persistence was rewarded when a perfect Coutinho through ball
found Pualinho who dinked the bouncing ball over the goalkeeper. Serbia started
the second half better and made Alisson work on the hour mark. Rukavina’s cross
was palmed away but into a dangerous area by Alisson, but Mitrovic could only
head the rebound straight at Thiago Silva with the goalkeeper out of position.
Alisson recovered to grab the rebound off his own defender. And it was Silva
who seasled the result in favour of Brazil a few minutes later, rising highest
at the near post to head in a Neymar corner. Neymar did find time to fall
comically in the match, performing and multiple lateral twist in the process.
Some things never change! Brazil were through and Serbia were eliminated.
Final Score: Serbia
0 – 2 Brazil
Match 6: Switzerland
vs Costa Rica
Switzerland needed to win to have a chance of topping the
group, but only a draw would suffice to qualify irrespective of the other result.
If Serbia lost, they wouldn’t even need that! They nearly went behind in the 6th
minute when Borges found himself unmarked in the box. His header was
fantastically saved at full stretch by Sommer. And the Costa Rican onslaught
continued with Colindres hitting the bar from the left wing, with Sommer off
his line. It would’ve been one of the goals of the tournament had it gone in.
Switzerland made their opponents pay just after half-time when Dzemaili smashed
home from close range unchallenged, after a header down by Embolo. Costa Rica
finally got the goal they deserved in the 56th minute via a header
from Kendall Watson, Joel Campbell’s delivery from the corner provided the
assist. Costa Rica took control of the match going ahead, but it was their
opponents who had the next chance in the 78th minute. Drmic saw his
excellent header come back off the bar. Drmic would score 10 minutes later, as
he got onto the end of a low Zakaria cross and slotted into the bottom corner.
Costa Rica did not give up however and were awarded a penalty in the third
minute of injury time. Bryan Ruiz’s penalty hit the bar but the ball ricocheted
off Sommer’s back and into the net. The scores were tied and there was barely
time to get going again and 2-2 is how it ended. Switzerland were through to
the Knockouts as the second placed team in the group.
Group F
Match 5: Mexico
vs Sweden
All eyes were on Sweden to see if they could keep the pressure
up on Germany in the battle for the qualification from the group. The Mexicans
themselves were not assured of a place in the next round yet, but only needed a
point to progress. Mexico had a glorious chance to take the lead in the 17th
minute, but Layun put his effort wide of the post from just inside the penalty
box. Sweden themselves nearly converted from a corner but Ochoa saved
excellently to keep the scores level. The Swedes came alive in the second half
and ripped Mexico to shreds. They took the in the 50th minute as
Augustinsson volleyed home after Claesson had sliced his initial shot. Sweden
were awarded a penalty just after the hour mark. Captain Granqvist stepped up
once again and doubled his country’s lead. Mexico were now in trouble in terms
of goal difference as Sweden just gone past them. A one goal win for Germany in
the other game would be enough. Things went from bad to worse for the Mexicans
as Alvarez’s attempted clearance from a long throw-in rebounded back off his
standing leg and into his own net. Sweden had secured their path to the next
round but it was a nervy wait for Mexico to find out the result from the other
match. After having played so well in their opening two games, the possibility of
the latter’s elimination was still quite high.
Final Score: Mexico
0 – 3 Sweden
Match 6: South Korea
vs Germany
Germany had to better or equal Sweden’s result and they
would qualify. South Korea themselves were still in with a small chance of
going, but would need to win this match and Sweden would need to lose to
Mexico, and then goal differences would come in. Germany had the first shaky
moment of the game when Neuer dropped a seemingly harmless free-kick in front
of his goal, but recovered just in time to punch it away before Son could
pounce. Son had another chance five minutes later but blasted well wide from
about 12 yards. Hummels displayed neat foot-work to get a shot away after a
corner but it was smothered by South Korean goalkeeper Jo Hyun-Woo. Much like
their last matches, Germany dominated possession but failed to break down their
opponents. Goretzka had a point blank header saved by Jo at the start of the
second half. And the near-misses kept coming for the Germans who could not seem
to find the target from their attempts. On another day, Mats Hummels could’ve
bagged a hat-trick from the number of headers he sent off target from in and
around the six yard box. As it is with such occasions, Germany’s misses were
punished severely, and they went behind in injury time from a corner, Kim
putting the ball into the net. Offside was the originally the decision from the
linesman, but it was overruled by VAR which clearly showed that the last touch had
come off Kroos and not a Korean player, so it could not be offside. Germany
were heading out. This was confirmed, if any more was needed as an advanced
Neuer was dispossessed in the Korean half. Ju Se-Jong launched a long ball
which Son ran onto, and with no defender in sight, scored the easiest goal of the
tournament. VAR was once again referred for offside but the goal stood. The world
champions were bowing out and this result meant that they ended up last in
their group! This was also the first time they had been beaten by an Asian
opponent at the World Cup. Football truly is amazing!
Final Score: South
Korea 2 – 0 Germany
Previews
Group G
Match 5: England
vs Belgium
With the qualifiers from this group already decided, and
both these teams having done so, the question now remains as to who will top
the group. However, given events in other groups, the runner-up of the group
will have an easier passage in the Knockouts. Will it really become a game of ‘After
you”? Both teams are likely to make changes and perhaps our best hope of seeing
a competitive fixture is for those coming into the team to make a claim for
themselves going ahead. Lukaku will be a big miss for Belgium, but will England
be brave enough to try to want to win the group? I’m on the fence for this and
predict a dull affair and a draw. A draw would mean both teams would be locked
on same points, same goal difference and same goal scored, and even on
head-to-head. The decision would then go to fair play with whoever has collected
the fewer number of cards coming out on top. England currently have two while
Belgium trail here with three. Hopefully, this will not be the deciding factor
and my prediction will be proved wrong.
Prediction: England
0 – 0 Belgium
Match 6: Panama
vs Tunisia
Panama rejoiced scoring a goal against England and they’ll
hope to add to their tally in this match for pride. On paper, Tunisia should be
too strong for the minnows, but as we’ve seen repeatedly in this tournament,
football is not played on paper. However, the North African nation should win,
Panama have to overcome suspensions too. Tunisia have fared decently in the
tournament but the competition has just been too strong. I predict them to bow
out with a win.
Prediction: Panama
0 – 2 Tunisia
Group H
Match 5: Japan vs
Poland
Poland have surprisingly been eliminated but they will want
to exit the tournament on a high. This could prove bad news for Japan who are
very much in the hunt to qualify. The Japanese need a point to qualify,
whatever be the result of the other match. They can lose and yet still go
through if Colombia lose. If Colombia win or draw, it will come down to goal
difference, provided Japan themselves lose. The Japanese have showed incredible
fighting spirit in the tournament, exhibited brightly in their last game against
Senegal where they came back from a goal down twice to draw. Poland have been
extremely disappointing, losing both their games when they were arguably the favourites
to qualify from this group. Their quest at some redemption might be bad news
for Japan, and I’m predicting them to win this.
Prediction: Japan
1 – 3 Poland
Match 6: Senegal
vs Colombia
Whoever wins this game qualifies, no questions. Colombia
need at least a draw to have a chance. Senegal need just a point to confirm
qualification. This match has the potential to become one of the matches of the
tournament so far. Both teams have shown attacking intent and have scored
goals. Colombia came back well from losing to Japan in their first game, by
defeating and knocking out Poland in their last match. Senegal did the same to Poland,
and had twice taken the lead against Japan before settling for a draw. A very
difficult match to call, I can’t help but get the feeling that the momentum is
with Colombia from their last game. James Rodriguez back in the side was a huge
boost for them in the last game, and he could prove vital once again. I will
predict a narrow win for the South Americans, but both teams will qualify regardless,
Senegal by goal difference over Japan.
Prediction: Senegal
1 – 2 Colombia
No comments:
Post a Comment