2018 World Cup poll

[rowan]

Portugal practically playing the opening quarter around the Iranian box. Ronaldo and Quaresma are getting mentioned every 5 seconds. The goals have got to come eventually. Btw, I used to have a Quaresma Besiktas shirt. Does he still play here??

Spain have already gone ahead 1-0 but I didn't see the goal. Remember, winner of this group gets Russia. Runner-up gets a fairly dangerous-looking Uruguay, which could be a real classic if it's Spain or Portugal.

[rowan]

Correction: Morocco have gone ahead of Spain! Just saw the replay

Well, Spain have scored this time. 1-1

Iran are starting to come into the game against Portugal now as well. They earn a freekick just outside the box...but miss. 0=0

Neither Spain nor Portugal covering themselves with glory at the moment, but Morocco are going to have a man sent off before long the way the yellow cards are being dished out. Why would they play like that when they're out of the competition regardless? Exactly what Spain didn't need...

Quaresma opens the scoring against Iran with a pearler from the edge of the box into the top left corner, just beyond the reach of the keeper. 1-0 coming up to HT. Iran need to find two goals in the second half.

Spain & Morocco still tied 1-1.

[rowan]

HT in both games. The Iberians haven't been great but Iran and Morocco are no slouches. In fact, my theory that the Europeans are further ahead of the rest than ever at this tournament has pretty much been shot down by results and performances over the past 48 hours; what, with South Americans putting up 3-0 scorelines on Eastern Europeans and now Spain and Portugal really battling against Asian and African opposition. I think Iran and Morocco were just unlucky to be in such a tough pool. They might well have qualified from one of the others - particularly group H.

2nd halves underway and more of the same. Meanwhile, if it stays like this, hypothetically-speaking, Portugal top the group and face Russia. If Spain score again they will top the group by virtue of more goals scored than Portugal. Iran will need two goals, of course.

Ronaldo just tried to milk a penalty in the box Oh wait, it's been given.! Iranians are angry and get a yellow card for protesting. Here comes Ronaldo - saved!! Justice has been served, I believe. The replay didn't show anything but a Ronaldo dive from where I'm sitting...

& Morocco just hit the post with a swerving strike against Spain. The 2010 champs really are struggling in that game. But, remember, they go through regardless the result.

Spain go close with a couple of headers in the past few minutes but can't quite put one in. Amazing that Spain and Portugal scored 3 great goals against each other in the opening round of games, and have struggled to put any away since!

[rowan]

I'm starting to think it will stay like this, in which case Portugal would top the group. In fact, Spain will do well just to hang on for a draw. Morocco are showing real tenacity, obviously out to make a point after two unlucky defeats. The African champs are a much better team than that & seem determined to prove it here. But how they've got this far without a red card is beyond me . . .

& Morocco just scored with a sweet header! A likely winner. They won't progress. Spain still go through (in 2nd place). But what a statement from the African champions. 2-1

& now Ronaldo gets a yellow. It's all going to pieces for the Iberians, though both are going to qualify...

[rowan]

Injury time drama! Iran equalize on a penalty and Spain equalize against Morocco and suddenly it's Spain going through in first place.

& then Iran just missed! Was Portugal almost knocked out of the World Cup there?

That's it, folks! I believe Spain go through top by virtue of scoring more goals than Portugal in the group, even though they have identical differentials. & what a statement by Morocco! Seconds away from victory against the 2010 champs, but a draw is their moral victory and they were never going through anyway. It's the first time in 8 games a North African team has come away without a loss at this tournament. As for Iran, they got very close to winning in the final minutes. They've really had a great tournament, despite not going through.

Spain v Russia, Portugal v Uruguay in the round of 16, if I'm not mistaken, and that was all determined in injury time of these two games.

[rowan]

Yes, the tables have come up and Spain won the group. Glad I had both games on! What a finish

Very pleased about this because I think Portugal v Uruguay will be a classic, Ronaldo v Suarez! What else do you need? & Spain did nothing today to suggest victory over the host nation is a foregone conclusion. I'll be backing Russia in that one, just to see a different team come through...

[rowan]

Peru open the days scoring, with a great first-touch strike from outside the box. They lead Aussie 1-0 after 18 minutes. No score between France and Denmark - which means those two go through in that order. Peru seems to be another good team that simply found its form too late in this competition, following on from Morocco yesterday.

It's all a bit tame approaching HT and I don't think Australia have the skills to come back against Peru. Denmark - France looks fairly even and the Danes might just cause an upset there; though France might just as easily win. Winner of this group will almost certainly face Nigeria or Argentina. Runner-up gets Croatia.

Unsavory end to the first half between France and Denmark. The French broke clean away and were brought down by a Danish foul from behind. It only gets a yellow (Colombia got a red in EXACTLY the same situation), and then the referee blows for halftime without even giving the freekick! So that one remains scoreless, but I think the French were becoming a little more dominant.

Peru make it 2 early in the 2nd. That's gotta be it for Aussie, even if the Danes lose. The defense was slow to react to a deflected shot and Peru were able to poke it into the net. Australia seem a little outclassed here. Not sure why Mourinho picked them to advance... Even when they get a chance, it goes straight to the keeper.

It's all over between France and Denmark - 0-0 - and they seemed a little too happy to settle for that in the end, and news would've come through of Australia's demise. That one's just finished at 2-0. Not great viewing today, and Aussie was quite disappointing in the end. Denmark to face Croatia. That'll be a good one. France could get Argentina or it might be Nigeria. There's even a slight chance it will be Iceland...

[rowan]

It can only get better from there! I think Nigeria v Argentina may produce something special. The South Americans have been handed a lifeline and I have a hunch this is the game where it'll all come together for them. Nigeria have only beaten Iceland, remember, and were a little outclassed by Croatia. So regrettably I think we could well see Argentina through - provided Iceland don't win, which would require an even bigger farce than the one we just witnessed between the French and Danes. & sadly that will be it for another African team. But let's see which Argentina side shows up today...

Nigeria - Argentina underway. A lot could ride on who scores first. Will Argentina and Messi lose heart again if they fall behind? Remember, Nigeria will go through with a draw (unless Iceland wins). Messi's first chance, gets fouled, makes the most of it. Argentina get the first shot in soon after but it's well-wide. Nigerian defense is not the tightest.

& Messi gets the opener after just 14 minutes. The writing was on the wall before the game even kicked off. The Nigerian defense is just sitting back and giving their opponents far too much time. They need to get in Argentina's faces and knock them off their game. As it stands, they're out of the tournament and Argentina are going to play France. No score in the other game.

Of course, that's the silver lining here. Argentina v France will be a great game!

[rowan]

It's Argentina showing all the urgency at present. Not surprising at the start, since they needed to win to go through, but they're continuing to dominate proceedings even a goal ahead. The Germans and Argentina just always seem to find a way through - as do Italy when they are actually playing...

Messi nearly made it two. Great save from the keeper. Argentina looking back to their best in this game. Nigeria will do well to survive till the break without conceding another goal. & then they need to seriously re-evaluate their tactics. I don't know if they're capable of much else, but they need to find a way to put more pressure on their opponents.

Well, the very best thing that could be said for Nigeria is that they have survived till HT just a goal in arrears. Could easily have been more. No score in the other game, which will be slightly troubling for Argentina, who could still miss out if Iceland wins (I know I keep saying it )

Who's the fat guy in the stands they keep showing us? He's wearing an Argentina shirt anyway...

[rowan]

I'm not expecting much different in the second half. My main hope now is Iceland don't upset the apple-cart.

Nigeria showing more urgency in the initial stages of the 2nd half, as you would expect. Remember, they only need a draw, regardless the other result. & now Nigeria have a penalty from a corner! Moses converts!! 1-1

Big question is how will the two teams respond? Argentina just need to keep doing what they've been doing. Nigeria need to keep playing with this urgency. That look much better right now. Another corner coming up for the Super Eagles. No good this time.

Croatia 1-0. That's great news for Argentina. But first up they've got to get their lead back. As it stands, Nigeria are going through...

[rowan]

All Nigeria for the past 10 minutes...but now Argentina are totally dominant again, and another goal has got to come - surely. No change in the other game. Nigeria look tired, in fact. When they do break away there's no support. Argentina continue to apply all the pressure and play the game in Nigeria's half.

THen out of nowhere Nigeria gets a shot in front. Just over the top. Argentina's hearts must've been in their mouths. That would have made it very difficult. Still too much silly play on the ball from the Super Eagles, however. They just keep giving it away, time and again.

Ref going to the video replay. Could be another penalty for Nigeria. Replay shows a clear hand ball by the Argentina defender. But the ref says no! Nigeria protesting, but he's not going to change his mind.

1-1 in the other game! This is going down to the wire. Plenty of time remaining...

Argentina miss from in front now!

[rowan]

Gracious me, Nigeria nearly score there! 5 minutes left. Still 1-1 in both games.

But it's Argentina who put one away a few minutes from time. Back from the dead again. To be fair, they deserved it. 2-1.

Just a few minutes plus injury time for either Nigeria - or Iceland - to find a goal that will knock Argentina out...

[rowan]

So late drama again tonight!

But Croatia score in the other game. 2-1. That's Iceland out. & Nigeria showing nothing at the moment. They're out on their feet.

4 minutes injury time. Come on, Nigeria!!

Now Argentina killing the clock. Sweden take notice. This is how it's done!
Even Messi gets a yellow for time-wasting. The fat guy in the crowd will be so proud

1 final chance for Nigeria but nothing doing. 2-1 it finishes. Argies face France.

[rowan]

Ref going to the video replay. Could be another penalty for Nigeria. Replay shows a clear hand ball by the Argentina defender. But the ref says no! Nigeria protesting, but he's not going to change his mind.

My comment here has been backed up by the match reports, with one headline in the US news calling it the New Hand of God! Wouldn't go that far, as it didn't appear deliberate, but the refereeing doesn't seem to be very consistent at this tournament. I also commented yesterday afternoon that Denmark only got a yellow for exactly the same offense which saw Colombia receive a red card in the opening minutes of their clash with Japan. Not only that, the ref didn't even award the freekick because halftime was up. Surely you take the freekick first. Anyway, Nigeria can have no complaints really. They were the second best team on the pitch last night.

[rowan]

Sweden and Korea making all the play in today's early games but no score after 26 minutes. Maybe Korea can do Mexico a massive favor because the Scandinavians are looking very sharp and went close on more than one occasion earlier on...

[rowan]

Mexico just got a massive let-off. Clear hand ball in the box, ref goes to the video and decides it's not. Just like the Argie incident yesterday. What are these refs missing when they look at the replays? They'll be scrapped for the next tournament at this rate...

Sweden, nonetheless, are having an earlier time than the Germans, who are only now starting to dominate their encounter with Korea are a few early scares...

HT no goals, which sees Mexico and Germany through, in that order I think, but there's still the second half to come. Swedes look particularly ominous. Germans not so much...

[rowan]

1-0 Sweden. Had to come. This is turning into a very disappointing tournament, as the non-European teams fall like flies. Sweden are outclassing Mexico, and it seems like the Central Americans' best chance now is Korea hanging on against Germany. That one remains 0-0.

Penalty Sweden. Quite clear. Tackle from behind in the box. No video replay required. 2-0. Adios, Mexico. You don't deserve to progress.
But it's still 0-0 in the other game. & a yellow against Korea for diving in the box. Seems a bit harsh. He was barged off his feet. No penalty. But no yellow either...

The Korean attack is really good at setting things up, but totally inept at finish off. They are getting a plethora of opportunities against the Germans. But you know where this is headed . . . late goal Germany and Mexico out

Sweden 3-0. I was watching the other game because Mexico are getting thumped. They wouldn't have made much impact in the round of 16 anyway. I just sensed that when Germany scored their injury-time winner against Sweden in basically the last play of the game that it was going to knock Mexico out. 0-0 in the other game but plenty of time remaining. Koreans still giving an exhibition of diabolical finishing.

Amazingly it's still 0-0 in the other encounter. Germany have 2 mins plus injury time to pull this out of the fire. & they probably will! Koreans again get the ball down there and just do a stupid never-going-to-come-off pass...followed up by one of the worst shots ever. Now they have a goal disallowed for offside! They thought they'd won!! Germany with 4 minutes to win it and go through...

Sensational! The ref awarded the goal after checking the replay. Germany need 2 goals in 3 minutes. The mexican fans just went wild in the other match. Obviously they heard the news...

2-0 Korea! What a monstrous upset. The Asians don't even have anything to play.

[rowan]

It's all over. Sweden & Mexico through in that order. Auf Wiedersehen Germany!

[rowan]

So we're back live and Brazil, needing to avoid defeat, make all the early play against Serbia. Neymar's first shot hit his own player, the second went straight to the keeper. Brazil playing with confidence, but what's that based on? 2 late goals against Costa Rica. Now Serbia starting to make some inroads. The other game, incidentally, won't matter unless both Costa Rica and Serbia win, then it will game down to goal differentials, etc, between Brazil and Switzerland.

May be a bit of a cliche worthy of the other Cringeworthy thread, but I think whoever scores first here will almost certainly go on to win the game (or at least draw in Brazil's case). Right now it seems that could occur at either end. Serbia were slow at the start but are right in it now.

Neymar almost scores from close range, angled shot, keeper saves. This might be about the best of seen him play at the tournament, but he's got to find the mark. Brazil looking good at this stage anyway. It can be a dangerous thing, only needing a draw, because the other team is always that touch more desperate. We've seen Nigeria and Mexico lose in these circumstances, tho the Central Americans got a miraculous reprieve.

Half an hour gone. Brazil with plenty of shots but the final touch just isn't there. Serbia have been quiet for a while. & then they get a chance and waste it.

[rowan]

Brazil open the scoring on 35 minutes. Little pop over the keeper. Nicely done. Just as I was criticizing their finishing. Keep creating chances, the goals have gotta come. 1-0. Swiss lead by the same score in the other encounter. So be careful, Brazil!

[rowan]

An absolute plethora of chances for Brazil. They lead 1-0 at HT, as do Switzerland against Costa Rica. So far it looks like Brazil back to their best, totally outclassing a worthy opponent. But only one goal to show for it. Serbia need to win, of course, so that's as good as a 2-goal lead. Still, after what we saw earlier today, let's take nothing for granted...

A blizzard of shots by Serbia, including a couple of very close calls. But it's still 1-0. Brazil need to wake up. Costa Rica have drawn level in the other encounter, not that it really matters. Wow, they Serbian shots keep coming. Headed straight to the keeper that time. Brazil wisely make a tactical substitution. They are under immense pressure right now...

& after all that Neymar appears to have sealed it with a superb header from a corner at the other end. 2-0. Serbia have to find 3 goals now. There's still time and they've been threatening. But I think that might be a little too much to ask. As it stands, Brazil will face Mexico and the Swiss get Sweden.

Brazil have got the ball on a string, almost taunting their opponents now. Times ticking away and the Serbs are looking demoralized, understandably. 12 minutes plus injury time remaining. 1-1 in the other game. Hope Costa Rica hang on for the draw and take something away from this competition.

2-0 Brazil. 2-2 in the other game with a very late equalizer from CR. Brazil will indeed face Mexico, Swiss v Swedes.

[rowan]

After a very nervous - and aggressive - start from the Senegalese, they get a penalty on their first real foray into the Colombian box after 15 minutes. Colombia had actually been playing the better football, but no doubt about the penalty. Can the Senegalese make it count? But the ref checks the video replay and inexplicably overrules a penalty he's already awarded. What a sham! Most of the times I've seen the refs go to the replay they've got it wrong - after getting it right the first time.

If Senegal fail to progress it will be the first time no African team has done so since 1982, I believe, and that absurdly overruled penalty appears to have left them looking more out of sorts than they were before. But they're getting a few shots in now; not good ones, but shots nonetheless. This is evenly poised so far, coming up to the half hour mark - as is the other encounter between Japan and Poland.

Japan keeper just saved one on the line against the general run of play, and goal-line technology shows the refs call was right that time, tho it was a matter of millimeters. Senegalese, meanwhile, are getting the lion's share of chances against Colombia, but they seem a bit clueless when it comes to actually putting the ball into the net.

HT both games goalless. If it stays like this they will toss a coin to decide which of Japan or Senegal goes through in first place Pretty sure that's still the rule for two teams with absolutely identical records, though I don't know when it last came into play. Won't really matter either. Who would you rather face - England or Belgium? It's not going to stay like this, however. Too many chances in the first halves of both games.

Poland 1-0. So Senegal have a cushion. Not sure what would happen if Senegal lost 1-0 now. Who would follow Colombia through? Again, it might come down to a toss of the coin. Japan need to hope Senegal don't lose now. But Senegal just took a really diabolical freekick! Still no score.

Colombia score in the 73rd minute from a corner. 1-0. Senegal made a sub as they were lining it up which I think was really stupid. They weren't remotely organized on defense. Right now Colombia are through and Japan and Senegal dead equal. But there's 20 mins to play. Senegal almost replied immediately but it's not their day.

So many chances for Senegal but they can't capitalize. Hugely frustrating game for them. They must've taken twice as many shots but very few of them have been good ones. Still 1-0 in the other game. Looks like we might have another sensational finish, as a goal in either game can change everything. I don't think the Senegalese are very happy with this ref either - and for good reason.

Injury time now: If there's to be a late goal I think Colombia will get it. They still look hungry, Senegal look nervous, and Poland don't look too interested in extending their lead over Japan. Maybe I'm missing something. Will Japan go through if it stays like this? They and Poland just seem to be messing around right now. Yes, there must be a rule I don't know about. Japan are just walking around the field at this point, like they know they're through. Meanwhile the Senegalese coach is hysterical on the sidelines, like he knows it's all over...

FT 1-0 - in both games.

Yes, the commentator is saying Senegal are out. Colombia top the group, that's for sure. Senegalese look devastated. There'll be some questions asked about the refereeing at this tournament, as Nigeria also had a crucial penalty disallowed after the ref looked at the video replay and overruled it (wrongly, according to the press - who dubbed it the new Hand of God).

[rowan]

I've gone for France. Not my preference. That would be Brazil back-to-their-best. Biggest hope is that an African team can make the semis for the first time - ideally Senegal. But I don't think that's too likely either.

I'd say we're headed for a France-Brazil semi and the winner of that should win the cup. But Uruguay and Belgium cannot be discounted. The former are a very efficient unit firing on all cylinders at this tournament, while Belgium are a supremely talented side that may well upset the 5-time champions if they get it together on the night.

On the other side of the draw are England and a bunch of teams who must now be eyeing a place in the final for the first time in their history with fairly realistic aspirations. Colombia is the only non-European team on that side of the draw. Correction: Sweden, like England, played in their own final in 58, but lost to Pele's Brazil.

Tonight's games are too close to pick and I'd be surprised if at least one of them doesn't go to penalties.

The poll's still open, btw...

[rowan]

As has been pointed out on another thread, we now know that this tournament is not going to produce a new semi-finalist, although I believe Russia's only previous appearance was a 4th-place finish in 1966 - as the USSR. So here's to hoping they make it at their own tournament. England and Sweden are two nations which have only played in the semis twice and final once - the latter when they hosted the event. England is the only former winner remaining on their side of the draw, of course. Croatia finished 3rd on debut in 98 but is not considered the successor team to Yugoslavia (that would be Serbia) which reached the semis of one or two of the early World Cups.

[rowan]

Lot of people talking up Brazil as favorite right now. Not sure why. Most of what goals they have scored have come very late in the game. Their defense looks pretty organized though. For me France have played the best football, but then Portugal, Denmark and even Germany looked very sharp earlier in the tournament when the opposition suited their style.

If Brazil do win it, hypothetically speaking, it will be only the second time a non-European team has won it outside the Americas - after Pele led Brazil to victory in Sweden 60 years ago...