Here we are! It's the opening day of the World Cup in Russia, which means it's the opening day of the Draft World Cup here! We'll be having no fancy-dan opening ceremony, thank you very much.
Tradition dictates that the hosts kick the tournament off. However, the DWC has no hosts - so we put reigning champions Germany in the opening group, and today we'll be following their opening match. Let's just get on with it!
Tradition dictates that the hosts kick the tournament off. However, the DWC has no hosts - so we put reigning champions Germany in the opening group, and today we'll be following their opening match. Let's just get on with it!
Germany vs. Croatia
With the other two teams in Group A, Brazil and Ghana, kicking off tomorrow, this is the chance for both sides here to take an early lead in the group. Germany are indisputably favourites, although Croatia looked smooth in qualifying ahead of Greece and Scotland.
Germany go with an attacking side, with nearly every player looking to get forwards in a high-tempo, high-pressing, heavy metal XI. Croatia are also playing with the intention of pouring players forward on the break, and it’ll be interesting to see if their bold 4-2-3-1 – matching Germany’s – will pay dividends.
With the other two teams in Group A, Brazil and Ghana, kicking off tomorrow, this is the chance for both sides here to take an early lead in the group. Germany are indisputably favourites, although Croatia looked smooth in qualifying ahead of Greece and Scotland.
Germany go with an attacking side, with nearly every player looking to get forwards in a high-tempo, high-pressing, heavy metal XI. Croatia are also playing with the intention of pouring players forward on the break, and it’ll be interesting to see if their bold 4-2-3-1 – matching Germany’s – will pay dividends.
Just before the match starts, I’d like to point out the beautiful attention to detail I’ve put into recreating every team’s latest (at time of writing – spoiler: not the same day as publication!) kit.
Anyway, the 2018 Draft World Cup is underway! And the defending champions need under 10 minutes to get off the mark as Robert Lewandowski finds a pocket of space and fires the ball in via the underside of the crossbar. However, they are pegged back immediately as a loose ball from Hummels is latched onto by Tomasov, and a quick ball puts Hilal Soudani in to fire low beyond Neuer. That wasn’t in the script. Germany are the stronger side though, and they re-take the lead in the 28th minute through a rapid counter-attack, leading to Arjen Robben’s low cross presenting Marcus Reus with an unmissable close-range chance. Shortly after, Mats Hummels atones for the earlier error by heading in a corner, as Germany open up some daylight. Croatia kick off, give the ball away tamely and are immediately three behind as Robben crosses once again for Reus to score. That’s a hat-trick of assists for the Dutch winger. Half time, and after a shaky start the defending champions have well and truly arrived.
Germany continue where they left off, Lewandowski getting his second by heading in Reus’ chipped cross just five minutes into the half. The Pole had been left unmarked, and Croatia continue to shoot themselves in the foot when Gorgon pushes Lewandowski over in the box. Lewandowski steps up, and gets this year’s first DWC hat-trick with a simple shot down the middle. And that’s it – a comprehensive 6-1 demolition job by Germany.
As the sides’ shot map shows, Germany were clinical, only having 16 shots to earn 6 goals, whilst Croatia’s four efforts sums up how non-threatening they were.
Tomorrow's schedule
Ghana vs. Brazil
South Africa vs. Colombia
Spain vs. Trinidad & Tobago
Ghana vs. Brazil
South Africa vs. Colombia
Spain vs. Trinidad & Tobago