Since the turn of the century it’s happened without fail: every World Cup, three nations that began the tournament ranked in FIFA’s top 20 have been unceremoniously dumped out at the group stage.
After registering somewhat surprising victories over Colombia and Poland on matchday one in Group H, Japan and Senegal played to a thrilling 2-2 draw in Yekaterinburg on Sunday. Sadio Mane opened the scoring for Senegal early in the first half, only for Takashi Inui to equalize 23 minutes later.
Lionel Messi celebrated his 31st birthday today with some light training at Argentina’s camp in Bronnitsy, Russia. The camp has been the subject of wild speculation and remarkable rumors over the last couple days with stories spreading regarding an Argentina player revolt staged in the early hours of Friday morning.
England’s putting on a finishing clinic versus Panama to begin Sunday’s World Cup group play. John Stones sent a precise downward header beyond Jaime Penedo to open the scoring, Harry Kane added England’s second with an emphatic penalty and Jesse Lingard added the third with one of the best goals of the tournament so far. A second from Stones and another Kane penalty has England up 5-0 at the half.
Here’s the opener from Stones.
Seven goals between Belgium and Tunisia. Another si se puede performance from El Tri. The most lit match of the tournament so far. Day 10 had it all. I never want this to end.
Group H had a surprising start with the two favorites (Colombia and Poland) picking up losses in their first matches. Now the two face a can't-lose match against one on Sunday another while Senegal and Japan will look to build off of their results and get a foot in knockout stage. England will also look to not do any "English" things when it faces off with Panama.
Toni Kroos had an awful game for 90 minutes. But holy hell did he come through when his team needed him most. The Kroos goal vs Sweden saved Germany from near certain elimination, shooting from an impossible angle to give Die Mannschaft a 2-1 victory on Saturday.
The riff on “Seven Nation Army” is good, but it’s not so good that it should set the barometer for stadium energy levels at every major international tournament for the rest of time.
Worse noise blaring at the World Cup: Vuvuzelas since 2010 or Seven Nation Army since 2006?
— Travis Yoesting (@TravisYoesting) June 21, 2018
If Miguel Layun manages to bury any of his six total shots over in Russia, he’s one of the stories of the World Cup. Of course Chucky Lozano has been excellent. Of course Carlos Vela has taken his game to a level that even the most ardent of Vela supporters couldn’t have anticipated. Of course Andres Guardado is a wizened midfield wizard.
Group of Death? Watching the Mexico vs South Korea highlights you quickly realize the only ones dying are those going up against El Tri.
Placed in a difficult group with Germany, Sweden and South Korea, arguably the toughest in the World Cup, many thought Mexico would have a difficult time advancing to the Round of 16. After a 2-1 victory over South Korea on Saturday, El Tri is all but through to the knockout rounds and on the way to possibly winning Group F.