Uruguay tames the Russian Bear 3:0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MTC-V9wrUU&feature=onebox
Russia came into the match full of confidence with 2 wins, 6 points, a place in the round of 16 and an 8:1 goal difference. But it became obvious from the start that beating the “little guys” like Egypt and Saudi Arabia will be a ticket out of the round of 16. Uruguay demonstrated superiority in all parts of the field. A clever, right out of the training manual and perfectly executed free kick from Suarez opened the gate. With Cavani finally scoring after 2 indifferent performances. As evidenced by other scores today do not count Russia out with its home court advantage. The match was pretty-well over when Russia was reduced to 10 men in the 35th minute.
Spain saved by the VAR to tie Morocco 2:2 on 2 come from behind goals
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dn0av6s4B8Y&feature=onebox
Sergio Ramos was guilty of a lazy give away to allow Morocco a go ahead by a goal early (14) in the match. The dominating Tiki Taka Spanish retaliated within less than 5 minutes to draw even and seemed to be coasting toward an easy win. With that first Morocco goal, David de Gea considered the best goalkeeper in the world was beaten by every shot on goal in the first 3 games and was yet to make a save. Iniesta the magician took over the game and conducted the Spanish orchestra to the sound of the Flamengo. Not even Brazil play a more beautiful game than Spain. Keep your eyes on Iniesta. It’ll be a while before you see another one like him now that he retires to play in Japan. Out of nowhere a rocket like strike by Morocco hit the cross bar to start the second half. While Spain was passing the ball around in a slow somewhat arrogant manner, Morocco produced more opportunities from far lesser possession owing to their speed energy and commitment. The Spaniards were shocked when on 81 minutes Morocco went ahead on an excellent well-deserved goal and it appeared that Spain will be defeated by a much lesser opponent. VAR deprived Morocco of a historic win when it overrode the referee’s decision to disallow a last-minute Spanish goal for an apparent offside. In the end Morocco walked away proud, Spain was saved by the VAR and because of a Portugal – Iran tie ended up at the top of the group.
Portugal concedes at the death for an unimpressive 1:1 tie with Iran
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPmez9niVbI&feature=onebox
Portugal were coasting toward an unimpressive win over Iran when in the dying seconds Iran equalized with a well-deserved goal. The second of the tournament and both in the 94th minute. Portugal went ahead on the stroke of half-time with a screamer by Quaresma in his first cap for Portugal, It looked as if Portugal were going on a tear when Ronaldo stepped for a penalty kick minutes into the second half – but missed. This was the 19th penalty kick in the tournament the most since 1966 Except for the 20th which came in the last minute and was almost a miss but nestled into the net to give Iran a more than respectable result 1:1. Ronaldo will have to do much better if Portugal, second in their group has a chance to advance from the round of 16.
In a friendly Middle East war Saudi Arabia (2) beats neighbor Egypt (1)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfQ8q0DUaT0&feature=onebox
In a battle of neighbors in the Middle East Saudi Arabia won their first World Cup win since 1994 when the beat Belgium. The game was closing with a 1:1 tie when at the last kick of the game Saudi Arabia scored the winning goal. Unfortunately, El Hadary the Egyptian goalkeeper at 45 the oldest player to play in a World Cup will retire without a win or a tie. Mo Saleh scored a classic one for him but that is all Egypt could take away from the match. Frankly with the advanced publicity we expected Egypt to do better and even possibly to advance from the group but not to be.
June 26, 2018
Predictable outcome. No harm no foul in first scoreless tie France 0 Denmark 0
The trouble with the 3rd game in the group is that teams whose destiny has already been decided either to advance or to board the flight home are at best playing for pride or just going through the motions France who were assured a first-place finish fielded a B team leaving Mbappe, Lloris and Pogba on the bench. Denmark needed a tie to advance and did little to threaten the French goal as evidenced by the measly shots on goal. In the last 10-15 minutes Denmark were slowing the game down if the only ambition to defend their goal. All told a pedestrian match with little action or invention.
Peru (2) playing for pride send the Aussies (0) back for a long ride home
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syWaekVKhdE&feature=onebox
An early first goal by Peru dashed the Australians faint hopes of advancing. By contrast Peru’s surprising qualification for the World Cup (over the better Chile that stayed home) was fully justified with a superior effort and spirit. Peru scored two inventive and unstoppable goals for their only win and returns home with its pride maintained. Australia’s soccer is still modelled after the dated British kick and run style which did not work well against the speedy Peruvians. Nice to see Tim Cahil, Australia all time great enter the game to conclude his international career.
Argentina (2) dodges the bullet in the last ten minutes to advance over Nigeria (1)
The big question before the start of this match was who is going to step up in support of Messi or will he be left as a lone wolf with the entire Argentinian burden on his shoulders. During the playing of the anthems one had a feeling by looking at the faces of the Nigerian players that we may be in for a shock result. Not so in the first half. Messi scored like he can only score on his first shot on goal, he also missed by inches a free kick that hit the post and threaded the needle for a Higuaín one on one with the Nigerian 19 years old goalkeeper. Messi clearly came to play but so did most of the Argentinian players especially Di Maria. Argentina dominated but Nigeria has at least two good chances. Hopefully Sampaoli is going to call on Dybala to continue the Argentinian pressure and score a second goal. What a drama in the second half. This is what football is all about. An unnecessary penalty call for Nigeria of a routine infraction away from the ball was about to kick Argentina out of the World Cup. For a while it looked like Argentina lost their nerve and where not going to score. Justice prevailed a beautiful volley from Rojo sealed the deal. Argentina is through but its prospects going forward are still in doubt.
Croatia (2) win 3rd in a row over courageous Iceland (1)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12h6GtEj0r0&feature=onebox
Once again Percic came through for Croatia with the winning goal in the 90th minute the 3rd goal for him in this competition. With maximum points from 3 matches Croatia as we suggested from their first match on is a serious contender for who know? The cup? Iceland did what they do best hard knocking football, spirited and tireless but it wasn’t enough. The fact that well over 20 penalty kicks have been awarded with only half of the matches played is more than a coincidence. The introduction of the VAR is psychologically taking a lot of discretion away from the on-field referee. Yes, there is a lot of pushing and shoving going on, on corners and free-kick(s) but this is ridiculous. The one-on-one marking of course is the cause but awarding penalties for each infraction is not the answer either. Penalty kicks should be called when the infraction prevented the “victim” from scoring.
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