Things are getting super serious out in Russia — teams are now going home on the daily and England’s actually starting to find some joy in life. We’re also starting to see a lubricous amount of goals, but don’t worry, tomorrow features Uruguay and Iran.
The final matchdays for group play kick off tomorrow! Uruguay will need to beat Russia if they want to win Group A, while Saudi Arabia and Egypt will look to finally get points at this World Cup. Iran, Portugal and Spain will have the opportunity to win Group B. Portugal and Spain will both advance with a win or a draw.
We’re getting into the nitty gritty of the World Cup group stage. That means one thing: It’s time to pull out those calculators and abacuses (abaci?) and start crunching numbers for the countless World Cup knockout stage possibilities.
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.
A specter is haunting the World Cup — the specter of Liga MX club Cruz Azul.
El Tri are in great form after defeating South Korea 2-1 and they are currently at the top of the table in Group F, followed by Germany, Sweden and South Korea.
But it seems that recent good results are not only due to Mexico’s outstanding performances.
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.