Costa Rica lost two tough matches to start the 2018 World Cup. The 2014 quarterfinalist was a few moments away from earning two draws but instead took two losses. But the Switzerland vs Costa Rica match finished 2-2, giving Los Ticos a deserved point from their stay in Russia, even if it came thanks to an odd own goal.
El Tri fans will likely not want to watch the Mexico vs Sweden highlights from Wednesday’s World Cup Group F finale. The 3-0 defeat for the Concacaf side had few redeeming qualities for fans of Mexico. But hey, South Korea stunned Germany and El Tri advanced anyway, so who cares, right?
Mexico started the match out with the right attitude, not sitting back but not pushing too far forward. But that changed in the second half, when Sweden took the lead with three goals in 24 minutes.
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.
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.
On paper Belgium vs Tunisia was a mismatch. On the pitch, Belgium vs Tunisia was a mismatch.
Romelu Lukaku and Eden Hazard scored two goals apiece as the Red Devils routed the Eagles of Carthage 5-2 in Group G action Saturday at the World Cup.
It was a match neither team could afford to lose in Group E and it appeared to be heading toward a draw in the closing minutes. Then Xherdan Shaqiri made one game-changing run and the next thing you know he’s peeling his shirt off with a 2-1 win for Switzerland vs Serbia.
It turns out, Nigeria is more than just a pretty uniform. They’ve got Ahmed Musa.
After looking inept in a loss to Croatia to open the World Cup, the Super Eagles were flying against Iceland. Ahmed Musa scored two goals in a 2-0 win on Friday, succeeding where Lionel Messi and Argentina failed, but at the same time giving hope to La Albiceleste that they can advance through the group stage.
The United States is not in the 2018 World Cup and Costa Rica just showed the world why. No matter how skilled a team is (or isn’t), it is extremely difficult to beat a Concacaf side like Costa Rica, Panama or Honduras. But a stoppage-time Philippe Coutinho goal vs Costa Rica was just enough to get Brazil a vital three points with a 2-0 win and knock Los Ticos out of the tournament on Friday in Russia.