I have been enjoying the parallels between the Draft World Cup and the real World Cup. One subtle one I saw yesterday was Denmark's selection dilemma of Nicolai Jorgensen versus Kasper Dolberg - the exact same one the Netherlands had here.
Speaking of Denmark, they kick off today's action with a match against DR Congo. They are part of Group E, and the other teams in that group are also in action - and it's only England against China. Today's other match sees Portugal get underway against Mali - unfortunately it's almost impossible for that to be as dramatic as Portugal's real-life World Cup opening match.
Denmark vs. DR Congo
DR Congo have done well to get here - a second DWC for many of their players after Central Africa's surprise qualification last year - but getting through this stage may be a step too far. Denmark go in as favourites, after an improved qualification campaign to last year's flop.
Denmark’s narrow formation will be tested by DR Congo’s two defensive midfielders, but the European side will hope they can create chances with support from the full backs. DR Congo will be keeping this tight, but with an eye to getting the ball upfield quickly to target man Given Singuluma, who will be able supported by Rainford Kalaba.
Speaking of Denmark, they kick off today's action with a match against DR Congo. They are part of Group E, and the other teams in that group are also in action - and it's only England against China. Today's other match sees Portugal get underway against Mali - unfortunately it's almost impossible for that to be as dramatic as Portugal's real-life World Cup opening match.
Denmark vs. DR Congo
DR Congo have done well to get here - a second DWC for many of their players after Central Africa's surprise qualification last year - but getting through this stage may be a step too far. Denmark go in as favourites, after an improved qualification campaign to last year's flop.
Denmark’s narrow formation will be tested by DR Congo’s two defensive midfielders, but the European side will hope they can create chances with support from the full backs. DR Congo will be keeping this tight, but with an eye to getting the ball upfield quickly to target man Given Singuluma, who will be able supported by Rainford Kalaba.
DR Congo start very well, and Singuluma’s header flies narrowly over the bar. However, it’s a false dawn as the match slows down terribly, and at half time there have been no other real chances.
Just as we reached the break Santander had picked up a knock, so Teemu Pukki replaces him. They also bring on Viktor Fischer to provide extra width. Denmark really should take the lead when a loose ball fell to Vavro in the box, but his volley is straight at Kidiaba. But the Danes finally do take the lead in the 77th minute when a driving run from Pukka allows him to play a low cross for Fischer to place home. It’s a cruel blow for DR Congo, who have matched their opponents well, but they very nearly equalise in stunning fashion when Awako tries a volley from 30 yards, flying over Ronnow but also over the crossbar. It’s the last hurrah for DR Congo, and Denmark claim a very nervy 1-0 victory.
I’d like to highlight the performance of DR Congo’s Nathan Sinkala, who claimed man-of-the-match after a heroic defensive display, making more tackles (shown below) than anyone else, with 15 in total.
Portugal vs. Mali
Portugal will surely always regret last year's stunning defeat to Peru, just when the tournament appeared to be their's for the taking. They have qualified strongly again this year, and will expect to get through this group, with Chile and Ukraine the other sides. Mali, meanwhile, are World Cup debutants hoping to cause an upset or two. They surprised a lot of people by qualifying ahead of Egypt.
Iker Casillas has to watch from the bench as fellow veteran Rui Patricio is selected in goal. With a large gap between the defensive midfielders and the forwards, Portugal will have to ensure they aren’t bogged down by Mali’s dense formation. A 4-1-3-2 formation should provide defensive resilience, and keeping Portugal out is likely to be Mali’s main concern.
Portugal will surely always regret last year's stunning defeat to Peru, just when the tournament appeared to be their's for the taking. They have qualified strongly again this year, and will expect to get through this group, with Chile and Ukraine the other sides. Mali, meanwhile, are World Cup debutants hoping to cause an upset or two. They surprised a lot of people by qualifying ahead of Egypt.
Iker Casillas has to watch from the bench as fellow veteran Rui Patricio is selected in goal. With a large gap between the defensive midfielders and the forwards, Portugal will have to ensure they aren’t bogged down by Mali’s dense formation. A 4-1-3-2 formation should provide defensive resilience, and keeping Portugal out is likely to be Mali’s main concern.
Mali start with great vigour, although Portugal go closest earlier on as Jeremy Mathieu’s header from a corner bounces off the top of the crossbar. Portugal are struggling to create chances, but they are growing into the game and they open the scoring in the 36th minute when Gelson Martins’ cross is met by Vincent Aboubakar for a very easy finish. Felipe has the ball in the net soon after, but it was clearly from an offside position and the halftime score is 1-0.
Portugal add a second ten minutes into the half when a deep cross from Alex Telles finds Gelson to volley home. However, Portugal soon have their own worries as Layun is forced off injured. A third goal for Portugal arrives, and it’s very similar to the first – Telles’ low cross met by Gelson at the back post. Fernandes slips Aboubakar through, but as he’s planning to shoot he is tripped by Boubacar Kone. Surprisingly, no card for the Malian defender, and surprisingly there’s no goal either as Mathieu takes the penalty and hits it straight at Diakite. No matter, a fourth is soon found through William Carvalho’s powerful shot from outside the box, and that’s that – a comfortable win for Portugal.
Mali were happy to have efforts at goal, but they were from such a range that Patricio was never tested. Portugal meanwhile were able to force several chances within a few yards of goal, notably the first three goals.
England vs. China
England were shaky in last year's DWC and it wasn't a huge surprise when Portugal knocked them out. This year they are hugely boosted by a lack of a squad value limit, and should be aiming for the semi-finals at least. They face a China side that actually got further into last year's competition - the quarter-finals - where they pushed eventual champions Germany hard, in a match settled by a sole defensive error.
England are going with the 4-2-3-1 formation that has become the standard for teams in this competition. Kante is preferred to Pogba in midfield as England are slightly wary against the side that is likely to pose the biggest challenge. China, meanwhile, are going with their batshit 3-3-4-0 formation. Pato is on the bench should the Chinese decide to bring on a proper striker.
England were shaky in last year's DWC and it wasn't a huge surprise when Portugal knocked them out. This year they are hugely boosted by a lack of a squad value limit, and should be aiming for the semi-finals at least. They face a China side that actually got further into last year's competition - the quarter-finals - where they pushed eventual champions Germany hard, in a match settled by a sole defensive error.
England are going with the 4-2-3-1 formation that has become the standard for teams in this competition. Kante is preferred to Pogba in midfield as England are slightly wary against the side that is likely to pose the biggest challenge. China, meanwhile, are going with their batshit 3-3-4-0 formation. Pato is on the bench should the Chinese decide to bring on a proper striker.
We’ve seen an unnaturally high (*cough cough SI*) number of early goals, and this match is no exception as Mo Salah rolls Fonte and squares for a very easy finish for Aguero. Virgil van Dijk has the ball in the net eight minutes later, but the flag is raised after Aguero’s shot had deflected to him. A second arrives in the 25th minute when Aguero is given the space to control Eden Hazard’s cross and poke beyond Yunling. China improve though, and keep England at bay – at least for a while. Specifically, until Salah’s high cross gives Hazard the easiest of tap-ins. And insult is added to injury when Hazard slides in Aguero to complete a first-half hat-trick.
The narrowness of China’s formation is plain to see, and Dongmei Zhongguo addresses this at half time by bringing on Urso for Oscar, and moving to a 4-3-3-0 formation. She is nearly rewarded with an immediate goal, as Zahavi’s fine pass puts Lavezzi through, but the shot is way too high. Three minutes later and Zahavi plays Lavezzi through again, and this time the shot is at least 6 yards wide. Lavezzi is swiftly replaced by Carrasco. It’s a much quieter half, as China compete well with England – belatedly – and there are no more goals in the second half, 4-0 the final score.
Below are England’s crossing maps for the first half (L) and second half (R). Whilst China’s switch to a back four didn’t stop England getting the ball in from out wide, it did clearly prevent them from finding a teammate from those positions. It’s just a shame the change wasn’t made earlier.
Group E standings
Tomorrow's schedule
Chile vs. Ukraine
Italy vs. Kuwait
Hungary vs. USA
Chile vs. Ukraine
Italy vs. Kuwait
Hungary vs. USA