In the real World Cup, I am very very pro-Iceland - I think their story is amazing, and I'm going there for my honeymoon in a few months. So yesterday was a sad day for me, even though I also like Nigeria. With that in mind, I am more than happy to be entirely focusing on the DWC for a bit!
Yesterday England, Turkey and Greece were all confirmed into the second round, now there's a chance for Ukraine and Portugal to do the same, whilst Italy take on Hungary.
Italy vs. Hungary
Italy will have been very pleased to be up against Kuwait first, but they really got away with that - only an injury-time goal earning them the three points. Time to see if they are more convincing against a Hungary side that was easily second-best in their opening defeat to USA.
After his heroics against Kuwait, Alessandro Florenzi starts ahead of Cuadrado. The rest of the team is unchanged, but they know they’ll be under pressure to improve on their previous showing. Hungary bring in Sternberg for Stopira at left back, but don’t make any more changes as they decide not to go defensive here – they needs points on the board.
Yesterday England, Turkey and Greece were all confirmed into the second round, now there's a chance for Ukraine and Portugal to do the same, whilst Italy take on Hungary.
Italy vs. Hungary
Italy will have been very pleased to be up against Kuwait first, but they really got away with that - only an injury-time goal earning them the three points. Time to see if they are more convincing against a Hungary side that was easily second-best in their opening defeat to USA.
After his heroics against Kuwait, Alessandro Florenzi starts ahead of Cuadrado. The rest of the team is unchanged, but they know they’ll be under pressure to improve on their previous showing. Hungary bring in Sternberg for Stopira at left back, but don’t make any more changes as they decide not to go defensive here – they needs points on the board.
Pjanic tweaks his hamstring straight away, although before he Hamsik can replace him, Pjanic starts a move which ends with Florenzi’s neat cross being nodded in by Gonzalo Higuain. The Azzurri look much more confident here than against Kuwait, as Dybala nearly adds a second. Hungary fire a warning blow as Huszti clips a shot over via the crossbar, but Italy respond by going two in front as Higuain controls a high ball and plays it across the box for Paulo Dybala to finish with the easiest of tap-ins. Dybala gets his second and Italy’s third just before the break by finishing Alex Sandro’s inviting cross. Half time, and if it hadn’t been for the early injury, that would have been a perfect half for the Italians.
Given their situation, Italy allow themselves to take their foot off the pedal and see out the rest of the game. In fact, they do such a good job that the second half flies by without either side creating any chances of note, despite Hungary trying everything to get back into the game.
As well as scoring twice, Dybala was a creative force for Italy, constantly trying to push his side up into dangerous positions. A fantastic performance from the Argentine - who is inexplicably being ignored by his manager in Russia.
Ukraine vs. Mali
Ukraine got underway with a routine 3-1 win over Chile, and a win here would almost certainly see them beat last year's attempt and get them into the knockout rounds. Mali were not good as they were thumped 4-0 by Portugal.
There’s no reason for Ukraine to change their line-up, so they don’t. Mali do make a couple of switches, with Diakite and Tambe replacing Cisse and Samake.
Ukraine got underway with a routine 3-1 win over Chile, and a win here would almost certainly see them beat last year's attempt and get them into the knockout rounds. Mali were not good as they were thumped 4-0 by Portugal.
There’s no reason for Ukraine to change their line-up, so they don’t. Mali do make a couple of switches, with Diakite and Tambe replacing Cisse and Samake.
Mali’s narrow formation brought trouble on themselves out wide against Portugal, and early on it looks as if they are going to struggle there again today. They do get the game’s first big chance though, as Coulibaly races through and hits his shot straight at Pyatov. Marlos picks up a knock, but just as he is about to be replaced his corner falls to Moraes, whose volley flies in off the unfortunate Lassana Samake. But Mali aren’t down for long, as Dramane Traore’s long pass releases strike partner Mamadou Coulibaly to score with a good finish. Just after the half hour mark Ukraine retake the lead, as a Taison cross from out wide is met by a calm Bernard finish. Nine minutes later, and Coulibaly puts Mali level again... but the flag is raised as he was clearly offside when the cross came in. Just before the break Ukraine are given a penalty for a trip by Tambe. So up steps Darijo Srna, who I suspect many a FM player has had on penalty duty down the years. But this time his shot is poor – straight at Diakite who parries it to safety. Half time, and it’s 2-1 in a fascinating game.
Stepanenko, described by the game as a “tireless defensive midfielder”, is replaced by Fred for the second half because he’s tired. The new man (who will of course not be part of Ukraine's DWC squad next year, after moving to Man Utd) is heavily involved as Ukraine finally do move two in front, helping weave together a fine passing move culminating in a low Bernard cross tucked away by Junior Moraes. Coulibaly is forced off, and his replacement Idrissa Traore misses a glorious chance in the 80th minute to get Mali back into it, as he blazes his shot over the bar when one-on-one with Pyatov. It proves to be the last decent chance of the game, as Ukraine calmly see out time to move to the brink of qualification with their second win from two.
For a match as underdogs, six key passes isn’t bad. Mali’s rope-a-dope counter technique worked much better here than against Portugal, as they managed to create a few good goalscoring chances with long balls from their own half. The downside was that they couldn’t hold out at the back in the face of strong Ukrainian pressure.
Portugal vs. Chile
Ukraine's win means that Portugal will qualify with a win. It also means anything other than a Chile win will see Ukraine go through. Chile have yet to transfer quality in qualification into quality in the finals, and they are up against a team with an exceptional DWC pedigree.
Bad news for Portugal as Miguel Layun’s injury is likely to rule him out for the whole tournament. Ricardo Pereira comes in at RB, the only change they make. Chile don’t make any changes at all, despite a fairly weak performance last time out.
Ukraine's win means that Portugal will qualify with a win. It also means anything other than a Chile win will see Ukraine go through. Chile have yet to transfer quality in qualification into quality in the finals, and they are up against a team with an exceptional DWC pedigree.
Bad news for Portugal as Miguel Layun’s injury is likely to rule him out for the whole tournament. Ricardo Pereira comes in at RB, the only change they make. Chile don’t make any changes at all, despite a fairly weak performance last time out.
It takes over half an hour for the first decent chance. It falls to Mathieu, whose close-range header from a corner should have been a goal, but sailed narrowly over. In fact, it’s the only action of a very dull first half.
Well... the second half sees how boring the first one was, and decides somehow to beat it. As there was not a single highlight (key) during the entire half. So the match finishes 0-0. Normally I post a screenshot of something that happened during the half, but nothing did. So here’s a screenshot of the managers on the touchline, because I did put a lot of effort into their appearances.
The tournament’s first goalless draw does have some impact – Ukraine are now guaranteed of qualification, whilst Mali can no longer progress. Thanks to goal difference, Portugal look set to join Ukraine in the next round.
Anyway, on the right is the action zone map for the game. How exciting.
Group F standings
Anyway, on the right is the action zone map for the game. How exciting.
Group F standings
Tomorrow's schedule
USA vs. Kuwait
Saudi Arabia vs. Poland
France vs. Argentina
USA vs. Kuwait
Saudi Arabia vs. Poland
France vs. Argentina