Schaisse!

Brazil - Japan 2-1

Now this looks more like a World Cup, doesn't it?

It was expected fro Brazil - Japan to be a good game, and it was. Of course, Celecao were slight favourites, but everyone knew it's not a clear cut game. Japan scoring 5 minutes before half time and going in with an advantage only enforced that. I was travelling in the beginning of the second half and only saw highlights, but Brazil's attacks in the beginning of the second half looked furious. So again, no wonder they scored. Casemiro. I'm glad for him, and he'll always be a part of our folklore now, but you have to feel for Japan. Case was knocking on the door a few minutes before, and his perfectly placed headers are merciless.

Still, Japan were at least equal to Brazil all the way to the end. Martinelli's 95th minute goal was very fortuituos, but even after, the Japanese were pushing towards the Brazilian goal and they ended the game on the front foot.

One of those games in which no team deserves to lose, but it had to be one. I have to say, I have greatly enjoyed watching this Japonese team, perhaps even more so than Brazil, and would've loved to see them play at least one more game, but the draw was unlucky. Japan go home, but they've done themselves proud!

Germany - Paraguay 1-1 (3-4 pen.)

Now, this was a bit unexpected. Understatement of the century. After having just squished through a group from 3rd with 4 points, the expectation was that Germany would have a field day. We have, however, learned, as far back as the days of Chilavert, that if there's one thing Paraguayans do well, it's defending.

Even so, their goal was magnificently well constructed, with the German defense nowhere to be found, not in the pass to the covering winger, not to mark Enciso who got a free header from the middle of the box. Again, 1-0 at half time for the underdog, and the Germans came out blazing in the second half. They did score, weird goal but they all count.

As for the cancelled goal in the extra time: always a foul! The keeper was impeded to follow the ball, and was on the ground as Tah was getting ready to pounce. Do not touch the keeper in the 6y box, I tought this much is clear.

Orlando Gill, Paraguayan hero

And then, the more the Germans attacked as the game was getting close to penalties, the more the Paraguayan keeper's confidence grew. Bit of a bad idea if you ask me.

First penalty shoot-out of the tournament, and what an eventful one it was! Germany missing the first, Paraguay blowing to chances to win, only for the first round of 5 to end 3-3. But then Tah, sends one high over the bar, and Paraguay closes it, sending Germany packing.

Great underdog story, and Paraguay did not really deserve it, but my God did they defend solid! France is up next for them, and it took 114 minutes of play and a great strike from Laurent Blanc back in 1998 to beat them, but things might be different this time around. Against Mbappe, there's no defence.

Netherlands - Morocco 1-1 (2-3 pen.)

Morocoo eliminating Netherlands, if I'm honest, I don't even know if it's that much of a surprise. Again, 2 am game with a lot on my mind and a lot on my plate, try as I might I fell asleep throughout. Woke up in time to see the Moroccan goal, such a well hit header!

But Morocco is such a solid team, it's ridiculous. They have Canada on Saturday, and they should be brushing the hosts aside easily.

Done with groups

Panama - England 0-2

Croatia - Ghana 2-1

Colombia - Portugal 0-0

Congo - Uzbekistan 3-1

Jordan - Argentina 1-3

Algeria - Austria 3-3

This is it, the last 3 groups have been settled on a fairly uneventful Saturday. England has won their group, in a blatant disregard of my prediction. I have to say, after the Croatia game I thought the streets were fairly well behaved. The Ghana game was a damp squid, but already after the Panama game vandalism on the London Underground began to seep in.

If they must beat Congo, I hope it will be a squeaky bum, penalty after 0-0 affair, and I believe England can get past either Mexico or Ecuador, but they will lose to Netherlands in the quarters.

I'm glad to see Croatia came into their senses, they finish the group second and will play Portugal. I feel like Portugal will edge it, even if only because of the extra intensity.

Speaking of, Portugal - Colombia was a highly entertaining game, I'd venture to say it's the most entertaining 0-0 I remember maybe since the Champions League final in 2006, Arsenal - Barcelona. I didn't see Congo - Uzbekistan, when Uzbekistan scored first I thought we might be in for a more interesting end to this group, but the natural order was soon restored, and Congo goes forward as a well placed 3rd.

Argentina dared start without Messi, and he still scored! I thought this would be the more interesting games, but Jordan did not present serious opposition to Argentina, even without Messi. Algeria - Austria went a bit off the rails with a 3-3 draw, but how was I to know?

Canada - South Africa 0-1

The first of the knock-out games was a damp squid affair, exactly as I expected it to be. As it was slowly crawling towards the end of the 90, I prayed that one team scores so that we don't have to witness another half an hour of it. Canada did, pretty much at the death, so it saved us the pain. 

Also, only game of the day, felt a bit like a day off. Brazil - Japan (about to start) will be much more interesting of an affair.

Messi, Haaland, Mbappe (Mhm)

Senegal - Iraq 5-0

Norway - France 1-4

Uruguay - Spain 0-1

Cape Verde - Saudi Arabia 0-0

New Zealand - Belgium 1-5

Egypt - Iran 1-1

The day when Messi, Mbappe and Haaland all play is less exciting when they play each other isn't it?

Well, Haaland didn't even play. And I lowkey despise resting your best player to go as further as possible in the tournamentat the expense of the 3 points. It's basically an admission from manager Solbakken that he didn't care if they lose against France, which is akin to cheating. Not honouring the game, in any way, and the game have a tendency to punish you when you do that. So I'm now hoping Ivory Coat to beat Norway in the knockout round.

It did promise to be a very good game, Norway - France and, well, it wasn't. Treating it like a friendly certainly didn't help. Because of a chatter fella who kept me at the theatre much longer than I should have, I only saw the second half, and by then it was 3-1, and the game as good as done. Even so, a substantially weaker Norway side almost managed to pull back from 2 down against France,m or it would have if Larsen would have scored from the spot early in the second half. 3-2 with a whole half to play would've been interesting. But that was such a piss-poor, half-arsed excuse of a penalty kick that certainly doesn't justify the overinflated ticket prices the amazing Norwegian supporters paid for tickets.

France's 4-1 goal was good, but inconsequential. Them scoring 10 in the first 3 games is a much clear indication of intent, and I'm kind of ready to call France to go into the last 4.

The other game of the group, I was hoping it wouldn't, but it was a rout. Highest scoring victory from an African team ever at a World Cup, a nice peculiar little stat. Iraq would've maybe deserved better, but beyond pure football qualities, this tournament will be remembered as one marred by Islamophobia, and I fully support the Iranian captain complaining about how they've been treated in the world's only fundamentalist Christian autocracy.

In Group H, I thought - funnily enough - that Cape Verde v Saudi Arabia would be the more interesting game. Even funnier - I was right, it was the more interesting game, though not by much. Either Cape Verde or Saudi Arabia would have qualified with a win, assuming of course, Spain would beat Uruguay. Yet I'm not sure either team played for a win. More understandably for Cape Verde than Saudi Arabia, though the West Africans were the more attacking team. They deserved to win I thought, though I'm sure they'll take qualification no matter how. Saudi Arabia is a team with a long World Cup tradition, with some notable results, such as beating Germany in 1994, and have one of the strongest domestic leagues in Asia. They really should be doing better. Cape Verde is probably the biggest fairy tale at this World Cup so far. I think they lack a lot of maturity, they play like a collection of individuals rather than a team, they can't pass to save their life, and it's only so much you can rely on Vozinha. But somehow, through sheer power of will and a super-disciplined defense, they managed to get to the knock-out stages, which is a massive over-achievement. They will play Argentina, which I'm afraid will be a brutal awakening to reality, like a hammer to the face. Or, who knows, the dream might not yet be over. I know of another team who played Argentina from an underdog position in the first knock-out stage in 1994, and that worked out well.

Spain - Uruguay was a Spain win, as everyone predicted, btu it was hard to know just how drab it was gonna be as a game. Even the one goal was a weak shot that was fumbled by Muslera. He was such a legend in his prime, reaching the semi-final in 2010 and challenging for the World Cup, and now this? In the immortal words of Jamie Carragher, you have to leave football before football leaves you, and I feel like for Muslera that ship has sailed.

The whole Uruguayan team covered themselves in shameat this World Cup, unable to score against Saudi Arabia or to beat Cape Verde, and just quietly surrendering in the last chance game against Spain. I'm disappointed in Bielsa too, whose praises everyone kept singing for a while there, and I never quite understood why. Suarez and Forlan would've played better than these guys. Shame. Obviously I have sympathies for Pellistri and... yeah, even Ugarte, and Araujo looks like a decent player, so maybe the fault does lie with Bielsa?

And again, barely made it to the end of the Cape Verde game, so the 4 am was out of the question. I would've watched Egypt-Iran, and I'm surprised Egypt didn't win. Belgium are the most undeserving group winners, and annoyingly, they might even squeeze past South Korea in the knock-outs. Egypt not winning also means Iran qualifies to the detriment of Scotland. And I am sorry for Scotland, they made a good name for themselves in America, but you can't JUST beat Haiti 1-0 and hope that's enough to qualify you. They can hope that Algeria loses by two to Austria, mmm, ok, doable, but then also Croatia needs to lose to Ghana by 3. Fat chance.

Escucha me!

Ecuador - Germany 2-1

Curacao - Ivory Coast 0-2

Tunisia - Netherlands 1-3

Japan - Sweden 1-1

Turkey - USA 3-2

Paraguay - Australia 0-0

I did try and watch Curacao - Ivory Coast, hoping, but expecting a miracle. Once Ivory Coast when 2-0 up, I abandoned hope and, especially with Ecuador - Germany tied on 1 at half time, I switched to that

Plata o plombo

game. Much more exciting indeed. Germany felt a bit toohless, though it's also true that they'd won the group regardless. Ecuador did really well not to be afraid, first of all, then pushing for the goal. It was spectacular, yet bizzare. A keeper like Neuer would not let an attacker hit the ball from in front of him like than in a million attempts. This was the milionth and one, probably, and well done to Plata for snatching it. He played well throughout, I'd be surprised if we don't see him in Europe next season.

Of course, in the last 20 minutes or so Ecuador had to withstand a bit of heavy attacking, but they didn't lose their cool, stayed disciplined and somehow managed to see it through. This is a historical result for them, and I reiterate they were really unlucky to lose to Ivory Coast with that late goal. Then again, how come they didn't beat Curacao? All in all, qualification for them from the 3rd spot and they'll probably get England. Hard, but doable. TBH, Croatia would be a more difficult game.

Apparently I got this group right, but at the end of it I gained a lot more sympathy for Ecuador and Curacao who, despite finishing 4th, leave the tournament with a goal and a point, which is a really good account of themselves. Come back stronger, Curacao!

Group F went as expected. I did expect Japan to beat Sweden though, and they were the better team, though they played maybe a bit too prudent. It was a spectacular game, and Sweden's attack, with Gyokeres, Isak and Elanga is truly scary. But to this, Japan opposed imepccable discipline and relentless energy. Only two goals, but both spectacular, and again, it makes me wonder why United let Elanga go so easily, he's an insanely good attacker. Didn't watch any of the Netherlands game, but with a goal after two minutes and 2-0 in the first 10 minutes, there wasn't much history to it. Netherlands feel like a one-trick pony, with goals coming from low crosses in front of goal, and if Morocco manages to block those, they'd struggle. But Netherlands - Morocco promises to be a really good game, as does Brazil - Japan. Brazil are certainly favourites, but they should not take victory for granted. I was really impressed with Japan so far.

And then group D, I didn't stay awake to watch much of Tukey - USA, but I did wake up in the 85th minute at 2-2. I appreciated how positive the game was, and Turkey managing to score in the very last minute, 90+7, but to what end? Where was this fighting spirit so far? They might well be the only team in 4th place with 3 points, while watching Australia and Paraguay qualify after what I imagine was a drab 0-0. Certainly one of the disappointments of the tournament Turkey, I saw then as group winners, but can you blame me?

Looking forward to Norway - France tonight, a case of unstoppable force hitting the unmovable object, Senegal - Iraq will be hard fougt, but Senegal will get it, I'll be rooting for Cape Verde, they can totally beat Saudi Arabia and qualify from second place, which will be amazing. Even a draw might be enough, as Spain will beat Uruguay.

And I'll probably not stay awake for group G at 4 am, but Egypt and Belgium will go through.

Czeched out

Switzerland - Canada 2-1

Bosnia - Qatar 3-1

Morocco - Haiti 4-2

Scotland - Brazil 0-3

Czechia - Mexico 0-3

South Africa - South Korea 0-1

I watched bits of every game, I think there must more people who are trying to figure out how this 6 games in a day malarkey works.

We've had 4 in a day in the previous world cups, but with two hours breaks one could have watched some games on catch up, and some would not matter. But 6 games does feel excessive, and it also feel like we should start being selective. Because otherwise, don't get me wrong, I've always been a fan of an expanded World Cup format. I'd make it 200 teams if it was me, but obviously you do need to fit all of the games in a month, and can't go much higher tham 8-9 games in a month for the winning team. It's 7 at the moment.

How many points, Patrick?

Let's take the groups in alphabetical order then: Group A brings the biggest disappointment and the biggest surprise. I'm happy for Mexico to have won all 3 of their games, and they'll be formidable opponent for whoever they'll play in the knockouts. As it stands it looks like it's Scotland, which would be ironic, but Scotland keeps falling down in the 3rd placed teams league. However, massively disappointed with Czechia. To have only won one point from this group is a crime. I thought they'd win it. Not sure what happened, they have some great players, and are certainly a better team than South Africa, but sometimes it's not enough. Sometimes you have to get down and dirty, and the case might be that the Czechs thought that being favourites is enough. Well, it's not.

South Africa beating South Korea is a massive surprise. I was really impressed with South Korea when they beat Czech Republic, and the game against Mexico, even though lost, was a hard fought one that could've easily gone their way. South Africa, on the other side, had a really poor showing in the first game, then stole a point from Czechia. Them beating South Korea is a mix of lcuk, and the Koreans maybe taking the foot off the pedal a little bit.

Group B was pretty clear, and that's because Qatar was useless. Baffling they managed to get a point, really, and from Switzerland nonetheless. Switzerland is the strongest team in the group and have done well to win it. Canada played ok, and they get South Africa in the knock-outs, so they might go one more, but they're a mediocre team really. They only finished second becasue Bosnia was disappointing. But because of Qatar, even they had 3 points in the bag, and the draw against Canada will be enough to see them through.

And Group C... oh, Scotland! Of course Brazil was always gonna be a tough game, but you can't let them walk all over you! Vini's goals were opportunistic rather than well constructed, but Scotaldn played with fear, attacking very little and having a pretty permeable defense. With 2-0 at half time, nothing spectacular was gonna happen, and I'm only sorry I didn't watch Morocco - Haiti, 2-2 at the end of the first half. I switched at half time, and Morocco took full control of it.

In terms of early predictions, I only got one out of three right so far, but no matter. It's a good World Cup, bar the organisation. Looking forward to Japan - Sweden now. Money's on Japan.

Good morning Ronaldo!

Portugal - Uzbekistan 5-0

England - Ghana 0-0

Panama - Croatia 0-1

Columbia - DR Congo 1-0

Ronaldo is awake. Two goals in a half, a brilliant shot 5 minutes in, and the second half was all about him getting the hattrick. Which he didn't, but him showing joy at Rafael Leao's goal is a solid sign of maturity. He also let someone else hit a free kick... honestly, he's growing.

Ronaldo now has 8 goals at World Cup finals, half of Messi's. It would be quite a turn if he'd close in, but I don't quite see it.

I am sorry for Uzbekistan, I doubt they'll get anything from the Congo game, but their game was better than the numbers are saying. And I'm sorry for Cannavaro, how frustrated he must be watching teams rip through his defending! Oh well... Congo will go hard after the 3 points, so they can qualify along with Colombia and Portugal.

Columbia - Congo was a pretty even game, but also pretty boring. I guess both of them knew victory secures second place. Potentially first in Colombia's case, but that is a red line I think Ronaldo will not stand for.

England - Ghana was also pretty dull, a reality check Alan Shearer dubbed it, but I think this is it. This is England, as they say. They've done well to beat Croatia so decisively, and Panama is easy prey, but England don't look on par with Germany or France.

I'm a bit disappointed with Croatia too. They did get the 3 points from Panama, but onlyu after a dull 1-0. Croatia - Ghana is gonna be a tough game, certainly a more interesting watch than England - Panama.

6 games from today on, but one can only watch 3. And the step down from 4 to 3 already feels like the World Cup starts fading. But not yet. Not yet. Not all the stories have been written yet, good memes are still to come. 

Games to watch today: Switzerland - Canada, Bosnia will beat Qatar; I'll be cheering for Scotland against Brazil, and Czechia - Mexico, with the Czechs fighting for survival.

A day without football

Argentina - Austria 2-0

France - Iraq 3-0

Norway - Senegal 3-2

Jordan - Algeria 1-2

Yesterday was almost a non-World Cup day. Life took over and, as much as I wanted to see the games, I couldn't quite make it work. 

Caught the last bit of Argentina - Austria, in time to see Messi's second goal. I was hoping it would be a more interesting game, but 2-0 tells a story of Argentinian domination and Austria showing their limits. The big story is, of course, Messi's brace which takes him to 5 for the tournament and 18 in all WC tournaments, beating Klose's record by 2, and there'll be a few more to come, for sure.

Reading some of the United groups only confirms that the way things are going, the Messi v Ronaldo debate will be over with this tournament. I'm still hopeful Portugal can win it, but the setup of the teams, and the roles Messi and Ronaldo play in their respective teams kind of makes that redundant.

I did watch the first half of France - Iraq, another Mbappe bomb, Kylian is goign strong and probably wants to avenge the final he lost unfairly 4 years ago. And to be honest, if it's not Portugal, I'd rather it be France. So far, Argentina, France and Germany stood out, but still too early to call the winner.

At the half time of the France game, it was all systems fail for me. As well as for Lincoln Fields in Philadelphia, I hear second half was postponed by more than an hour. I was in dreamland by then, and I have to confess, it's pretty good getting a good night's sleep.

That's not to say I don't regret not watching Norway - Senegal, it was bound to be a good game, and it sound like it was, 5 goals and small margins. Senegal were really unlucky and in any other group they'd have more than 0 points after two games. They can still qualify with a high scoring win against Iraq which will make me sorry about Iraq, but it is all for the cause of the underdogs.

And Jordan - Algeria... yeah, I would've struggled with it at the best of times. As it was, there was only the faintest glimmer of hope that I can watch it but no, didn't happen. Probably the least glamorous fixture at this World Cup, however Algeria can really pull one out of the hat if they beat Austria. Comforting to know that even the draw qualifies them. And Austria... is really possible. I'll watch that with interest, because Argentina - Jordan is gonna be a butchering.