Today is the final batch of group games! We start with Group G, where USA and Kuwait (incredibly) are fighting to join Italy in the next stage. Then it's Group H, where Argentina have won the group, but any of Poland, France or Saudi Arabia could join them.
Final matches of Group G
Here is the table heading into today:
Team news: USA vs. Italy
Italy were really let off the hook when they scored a late winner to beat Kuwait in their opening game. They were better in beating Hungary, and if they remain undefeated it will be mission accomplished for Luca Italia's side. With USA also needing a point, surely we're not going to see another pair of sides France-Denmark it?
The sides have contrasting injury news. USA will be without Piatti until the semi-final stages, should they get that far. Therefore, David Villa comes into the side, with Sebastian Giovinco moving to the wing. Meanwhile, Italy are relieved to learn that Pjanic will only miss this game. Hamsik comes into the team in his place, whilst Rodriguez replaces Alex Sandro, who is a yellow away from suspension.
Not only were Kuwait unlucky to lose to Italy in the final minutes, they also battered USA, missing numerous glorious chances and ending up with a 0-0 draw. There's still a small chance they can steal second spot, and that would be a genuinely incredible achievement for a side which wasn't represented at all in last year's DWC.
Kuwait name the same XI that should have beaten the USA. In an attempt to get their first point(s) in a DWC finals, Hungary make a couple of changes: Scepovic and Juhasz replace Lazovic and Vicinius.
[As it stands: ITA 7, USA 5, KUW 2, HUN 1]
KUWvHUN (8 mins): Hungary win the ball on the right, quickly play it into the channel where Bode is, and his cross is nodded home by his new strike partner Stefan Scepovic. A disaster start for Kuwait.
USAvITA (9 mins): Dybala has the game’s first chance, as he weaves away from a few defenders but places his shot over the ball from a tough angle. Soon after, Besler’s poor positioning is exposed as a ball from Hamsik finds Higuain. However, Blake produces a fine fingertip save to keep the match goalless.
KUWvHUN (21 mins): Tozser’s shot from the edge of the box is blocked, and Kuwait hare away at lightning speed. Nasser is played through, but his shot is nowhere near the goal.
USAvITA (23 mins): USA have been a bit passive thus far, but their first shot nearly brings a goal, as Giovinco bursts into the box only to be denied at the near post by Buffon.
KUWvHUN (half time): This has been a very even game, and so Kuwait will feel vindicated when they level in the 38th minute, even if it has a slice of good fortune. Medo takes aim from just outside the box. Denes Dibusz is equal to it, but he can only parry the ball onto the post and back onto himself for an own goal. There are no more chances before the break.
USAvITA (half time): The rest of this half has been very dull, and we reach the break with no more big chances. In a way, both teams will settle for this. Italy replace the booked Florenzi with Cuadrado. Italy should go 1-0 up right at the start of the half, but Higuain skews his volley wide from 8 yards out. And Italy are made to sorely regret their misses when Hamsik plays an insane backpass, putting David Villa clean through to poke it in for a USA lead!
Italy are dealt a further blow straight after as Cuadrado picks up an injury. They move to a 4-3-1-2 formation, with Icardi coming on.
KUWvHUN (56 mins): It’s a good job for the Americans that they’re winning, because Kuwait have just taken the lead! A switch to a 4-4-2, with Ali replacing Al-Ansari, precedes a fizzing low cross from Nasser to Bader Al-Motawa to fire home.
USAvITA (68 mins): Dybala lofts the ball into the American box, where Higuain meets it right in front of goal. Even he can’t miss... actually – he hits the ball straight at Blake. The Argentine striker is having a stinker. And he misses another chance soon after when Dybala’s shot is spilled into his path.
KUWvHUN (78 mins): Both teams make positive changes, so there’s a good chance of more goals here. Lanzafame has a shot parried as Hungary switch to a 4-2-3-1 formation.
USAvITA (80 mins): Higuain has been hooked for Dries Mertens, and the replacement helps Italy get level, with a fine pass to Icardi, who tucks it away with minimal fuss. The USA appeal strongly for a flag, and it appears they might have a case. But the goal stands and Italy move back into top spot.
KUWvHUN (90+4 mins): Nasser has a big chance to put Kuwait 3-1 up, but his volley is parried by Dibusz. And the Hungarian goalkeeper produces another fine save to deny Al-Motawa from snatching a second. It’s all over here, and Kuwait’s one-goal win doesn’t look like enough to send them through, unless Italy can score a late couple...
USAvITA (90+5 mins): The USA are very happy to just shut up shop to secure their qualification, and Italy aren’t too desperate to finish the group with a perfect record. So the game ends in a stalemate.
Analysis: USA 1-1 Italy
All-in-all, Italy should easily have won that game. Two individuals will take the blame – Hamsik for his suicidal back-pass, and Higuain for his horrendous display up front (this time, there was no Rojo to spare Higuain's blushes). Anyway, Italy secure top spot in the group, and generally look like a tough nut to crack.
A valiant effort from Kuwait, who very nearly secured a shock second-round place. Nasser was key in their win, setting up the winning goal and generally being a good creative force (his pass map is below). However, he also missed key chances. However, as USA got a point, even a 10-goal win wouldn’t have sent Kuwait through.
If most of the other groups have run along the lines of expectation, no such thing has happened in Group H (much like the real Group H then). This is how things stand going into the tantalising final matches:
Pre-match: Saudi Arabia vs. France
Saudi Arabia were miserable in their heavy defeat to Argentina, but recovered exceptionally and should have beaten Poland. France meanwhile are in full crisis mode after a chaotic defeat to Argentina. If this was real life there'd probably have been some sort of coup.
Amaal Saudi sticks with the same XI that nearly overcame Poland. It’s been a bad tournament so far for France, and they suffer another blow as Thomas Lemar is ruled out of the tournament. This means Nabil Fekir gets his first start of this year’s DWC, whilst France also change both full-backs – Alves and Kurzawa making way for Sidibe and Yuri.
A good win against Saudi Arabia would have had Poland in a commanding position going into this game. As it is, they have to beat an Argentina side full of confidence after holding out against Neymar and co. This said, Poland also avoided defeat to France, so this could be very close.
Eduardo da Silva’s late goal to rescue a draw against Saudi Arabia earns him a start for Poland ahead of Gytkjar. Wolski has had a miserably tournament, so he is replaced by Carlitos. Argentina are missing Belluschi thanks to his red card against France, whilst Fabra has picked up two yellows in two games – not a bad game for both to have to miss. Mas and Gonzalez are their replacements, whilst Gomez and Marcone replace Moreira and Gago as both are a yellow away from suspension.
[As it stands: ARG 7, POL 3, FRA 2, KSA 2]
KSAvFRA (2 mins): Well, that’s the nerves settled. France’s first foray forwards brings the opening goal. Neymar surges at Saudi Arabia and plays it through to Edinson Cavani, who fires it beyond Al-Habsi.
POLvARG (12 mins): Poland have a corner, but Argentina are able to clear it. As the South Americans break, Pavon looks up and sees a box completely devoid of Polish defenders, but with numerous Argentines waiting to tap it in. So he crosses it to Gonzalo Martinez, who does the honours.
KSAvFRA (12 mins): Unless Poland can turn things round, this potentially-exciting group may peter out into a damn squib. That’s because France have doubled their lead, Mbappe bursting down the flank and squaring for Cavani to tap-in.
POLvARG (half time): No further damage is done to Poland’s chances by the rampant Argentines, but a comeback feels highly unlikely. Carlitos is carrying a knock and is replaced by Gytkjar, with Eduardo moving into the hole.
KSAvFRA (half time): No more goals here. It’s just so easy for France, who are undoubtedly helped out by Saudi Arabia’s slim chance of qualification resting on a win, encouraging them to play in a positive manner. From kick-off France relentlessly grind their way forwards, and add a fourth 31 seconds into the half when Yuri’s cross is nodded home by Kylian Mbappe.
POLvARG (67 mins): Poland hit the ball forwards, and Gytkjar is able to bring it under control. He chips it to the far post, and Slawomir Peszko is there to nod it in! Can Poland stun Argentina (and France) with two more goals?
POLvARG (87 mins): Argentina have begun to take players off to save them for the second round, and two of the subs combine as Lisandro Lopez plays Carlos Tevez through. However, he can’t seal the win as Kuciak produces what may yet be a crucial stop.
KSAvFRA (90+2 mins): A perfect day’s work for France, who play out a comprehensive 7-0 win, and now just need to wait to see whether Argentina can hold on.
POLvARG (90+5 mins): Argentina have kept the ball wonderfully, and they unleash a fine passing move that culminates in Tevez being through on goal. Again, Kuciak reaches the shot, but he can’t stop it flying into the back of the net for the goal that, a couple of minutes later, confirms Poland’s elimination.
Analysis: Saudi Arabia 0-7 France
Ouch. France get through to the next round, where they will face Italy in a repeat of last year’s quarter-final. Here it was all about Edinson Cavani, who picked up a 10.0 match rating for his five goals. The combined distance from goal of his five efforts must be fairly close to the distance from goal Montelivo’s strike was when Italy knocked France out last year.
I don’t think many people would have highlighted Argentina as a potential winner of this year’s Draft World Cup, but that was a complete performance to seal a perfect run in the group stage. They’ll face the USA in the next round, and the way the draw looks must be very interesting for Argentina. Lucas Pratto had an odd game. At times he was a touch isolated, and in fact he only played 13 passes all game. But with three of those being key passes, it shows the quality he provides when he is involved.
Netherlands vs. Greece
Brazil vs. South Africa