Manifest Destiny

USA - Australia 2-0

Well, two emphatic wins have got people talking. USA has won the group (direct game is the first criteria rather than goal difference) and in fairness to them they did so in some style. A lot of things I don't like about the World Cup being held in the USA this time around (it was amazing in 1994 btw), but I've always had a soft spot for the US national team, they've always been a team with a lot of heart, if not a lot of talent. This time though, Pochettino has done something to them. They look like a solid team. The thrashing of Paraguay was completely unexpected. With Australia, I was a bit in doubt after the Aussies beat Turkey: are they a good team, or is Turkey having a really bad tournament? The latter, it seems. There wasn't much fight in the Aussies, they pretty much took it on the chin, and I don't fancy their chances agains Paraguay. Or they might draw it and qualify together, but that implies Paraguay conceeding second place, which I'm, not sure they would.

Scotland - Morocco 0-1

Alright, somehow Morocco just squeezes through. They beat Portugal 1-0 4 years ago to become the first African team to reach WC semis, but it felt against the course of the game. Same here, a fast goal, then deaf punching on both sides. The Scots should've been more courageous, trusted themselves more, and they could've won the game. And, of course, start the game more focused, don't conced after two minutes. 

I also think Scotland was robbed. The McGinn fall in the box... a case can be made that he'd lost the ball already. But the McTominay fall looked like a penalty to me. Baffled a bit as to why it hasn't been given. It can cost Scotland the tournament, and it ensures Morocco can have a chill day against Haiti. 

I'm less convinced about the demanded red card for the foul on Che Adams, but you know, together, they pile up.

Scotland should've still been more emphatic in their attacking, but it can be disheartening when you've done enough but it's not enough.

They are perfectly capable of getting something against Brazil, btu that's never an easy task. And they can qualify with 3, but the route is a lot more arduous.

Brazil - Haiti 3-0

I sleep-saw this game, but it looked a bit run-of-the-mill. I would've loved a Haiti tshirt with Touissant L'Ouverture, and of course, the Carraibean nation has doen great just by qualifying, but - with all the love in the world - they're not making much of a mark on the tournament.

Can they beat Morocco? Don't think so. Morocco are oily, I can kinda see them winning 1-0 and winning the group.

Turkey - Paraguay 0-1

The 5 am start was once more too much for me. I didn't see any of this game. Something tells me I haven't missed much. Turkey deserves to be the butt of all the Internet jokes though, they should do better than 0 points after games against Australia and Paraguay. I do not predict a happy send off for them in the last game, the way USA's been playing.

Oh, and I do not think the USA's route to the final has been prearranged. I would not have guessed they'd win this group.