This series looks at what happens when the FM17 Draft Mode is used to create a World Cup where each nation is represented by players who play in each country. For the full explanation of how this tournament will work, see our Introduction.
Incredibly, this series has covered 430 matches, and among those has been some brilliant encounters. There’s been some serious shocks and some bizarre glitches. There’s also been reassuring familiarity (namely, England’s last 16 exit). But all of this fades into the background as we focus on the 431st match of the Draft World Cup... the final!
Incredibly, this series has covered 430 matches, and among those has been some brilliant encounters. There’s been some serious shocks and some bizarre glitches. There’s also been reassuring familiarity (namely, England’s last 16 exit). But all of this fades into the background as we focus on the 431st match of the Draft World Cup... the final!
And what a match-up it is. It’s Germany, the heavy favourites who currently hold the actual World Cup, against Uruguay, football’s ultimate underdogs who won the first-ever actual World Cup, and are vying to win the first-ever Draft World Cup.
In the semi-final coverage I looked at each team’s routes thus far, so I’ll only go over what happened in the semis here. Germany faced fairytale-in-waiting Peru, and were deservedly trailing 1-0 after a poor first half. However, a change to a more aggressive formation worked wonders for Germany, and they soon levelled. They still needed to wait until extra time to finish Peru off, which they did courtesy of a hat-trick from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who couldn’t be picking a better time to be coming to form.
Meanwhile, Uruguay were (not for the first time) the underdogs when they took on Italy, whose squad was worth the full £250m value. The sides traded first-half penalties to go in 1-1 at the break. Early in the second half Nestor de la Cruz poked home, and this proved to be the winner as Italy failed to find a way back into the game.
The in-game bookies price Germany at 5/4 and Uruguay at 7/4 (draw 11/5, which I assume refers to normal time). Anyway, this is enough previewing, let’s just crack on with the final shall we?
Line-ups
I think it’s a good thing that neither team have any selection issues. And unsurprisingly, this means that both sides stick with the XIs which have got them this far. It is also unsurprising that Germany will now be using the 4-2-3-1 that was so effective against Peru, rather than the 4-4-1-1 they started the match with. Germany’s Kolodziejczak can consider himself unlucky after a 7.8 rating against Peru, but he has seen plenty of action from the bench. Meanwhile, Uruguay’s performance is made even more impressive by the fact that their entire XI are home-grown.
In the semi-final coverage I looked at each team’s routes thus far, so I’ll only go over what happened in the semis here. Germany faced fairytale-in-waiting Peru, and were deservedly trailing 1-0 after a poor first half. However, a change to a more aggressive formation worked wonders for Germany, and they soon levelled. They still needed to wait until extra time to finish Peru off, which they did courtesy of a hat-trick from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who couldn’t be picking a better time to be coming to form.
Meanwhile, Uruguay were (not for the first time) the underdogs when they took on Italy, whose squad was worth the full £250m value. The sides traded first-half penalties to go in 1-1 at the break. Early in the second half Nestor de la Cruz poked home, and this proved to be the winner as Italy failed to find a way back into the game.
The in-game bookies price Germany at 5/4 and Uruguay at 7/4 (draw 11/5, which I assume refers to normal time). Anyway, this is enough previewing, let’s just crack on with the final shall we?
Line-ups
I think it’s a good thing that neither team have any selection issues. And unsurprisingly, this means that both sides stick with the XIs which have got them this far. It is also unsurprising that Germany will now be using the 4-2-3-1 that was so effective against Peru, rather than the 4-4-1-1 they started the match with. Germany’s Kolodziejczak can consider himself unlucky after a 7.8 rating against Peru, but he has seen plenty of action from the bench. Meanwhile, Uruguay’s performance is made even more impressive by the fact that their entire XI are home-grown.
Uruguay’s early worry is that both Grossmuller and Valdez looked stressed as Thiago Uruguay passionately urged them to do this for the fans. And we’re underway!
Kick-off
Kick-off
Germany start a little more strongly, and in the 10th minute a nice ball from Kruse gives Aubameyang the game’s first chance, but his header from 15 yards out is easy for Castillo to collect. Surprisingly, this is logged as a “clear cut chance” by the game.
In the 20th minute the game sees its first card, as Nandez’s clumsy challenge on Kruse earns a yellow. Chances have been at a premium, and the next one doesn’t arrive until the half-hour mark when Fernandez is caught in possession and a quick ball leaves Germany 3 vs. 2 in attack. It’s worked to Dembele, who shoots too early and it’s an easy save for Castillo.
Shortly after, a Bittencourt free kick is headed away by Formiliano. Castillo had come out to claim it, and is out of position when it comes back to Bittencourt, but his first-time shot doesn’t have enough on it to beat the Uruguayan goalkeeper.
Olaza picks up a yellow, and that’s half time. Germany have been the better side, but Uruguay remain resolute. Uruguay's semi-final hero de la Cruz is having a poor game, and his passing has been regularly wayward.
Meanwhile, Germany might be disappointed at the wastefulness in possession of wingers Bittencourt and Dembele, with the latter only completing 5 passes (out of 8). The times they have lost possession are shown below.
For now, neither team has elected to make a change, but we’ll see how long that lasts. 10 minutes into the half and a Uruguayan corner is headed away. It comes to Aubameyang who launches a rapid counter-attack. It comes to Dembele, who this time plays it across to where there are, incredibly, THREE unmarked Germans. Bittencourt shoots, and it thuds into the arse of Vidal and away to safety. Bloody hell...
Uruguay blink first and replace de la Cruz with Cristian Rodriguez, switching to a 4-3-3 in the process (with Fernandez moving to the right flank). Thiago Uruguay’s decision not to take off either yellow-carded player is punished almost immediately, as Olaza slides in on Dembele needless in the box, and it’s a German penalty! Uruguay (unsurprisingly) claim that it’s unfair, but the good news is that there’s no second yellow for Olaza.
Up steps German skipper Vidal... top corner, Germany lead!
Uruguay have half an hour to save this final, and their first change is to replace Olaza with the experienced Fucile. Ramirez goes on a powerful run, getting beyond Jedvaj, but his shot from a tight angle is held by Horn.
Kruse has been pretty quiet, and he is replaced by Ignjovski as Germany switch to a more defensive 4-3-3. In the 76th minute Formiliano’s clearance goes to Kerem, who gives it to Dembele, and the (former) Dortmund winger’s cross finds Bittencourt at the far post, who keeps his composure and puts Germany two ahead! Is that the tournament sealed?
Uruguay take Grossmuller off for Gaston Rodriguez and go for a 4-2-4 formation. Inevitably, this leaves gaps and Vidal has a chance to finish things when Aubameyang plays him through, but his shot is tame.
Germany look to close the game down as Kolodziejczak replaces Kerem. It appears to work, as we go into added time with no more chances. But in the 92nd minute a cross is lobbed into the Uruguayan box and Ignjovski clatters Fernandez, and it’s a Uruguayan penalty!
Cristian Rodriguez places the ball down, and blasts it home! Game on?
Nope, as only about 10 seconds of play are played before the final whistle goes, and GERMANY ARE THE DRAFT WORLD CUP CHAMPIONS!
Unfortunately, the game’s draft mode doesn’t include a trophy presentation, so here’s a clip of them walking off calmly as if it was a reserve team match.
Unfortunately, the game’s draft mode doesn’t include a trophy presentation, so here’s a clip of them walking off calmly as if it was a reserve team match.
Hanna Deutschland’s squad was highlighted early on as one which looked dangerous. They may have lost to Spain, but generally they’ve been difficult to beat, and they add the Draft World Cup to the actual World Cup on Angela Merkel’s mantelpiece (which is where I assume it resides).
The final was pretty cagey, as most recent World Cup finals have been, but Germany always looked more dangerous, and their flying wingers Dembele and Bittencourt ultimately proved the difference after a slow start. It’s Dembele who claims man of the match, thanks to his positive play being the key difference. Below is his pass map (yellow = key).
The final was pretty cagey, as most recent World Cup finals have been, but Germany always looked more dangerous, and their flying wingers Dembele and Bittencourt ultimately proved the difference after a slow start. It’s Dembele who claims man of the match, thanks to his positive play being the key difference. Below is his pass map (yellow = key).
Meanwhile, trophy-lifting captain Vidal has the kind of game you’d expect of a box-to-box midfielder, with a good pass rate, a few shots and a strong defensive game. Below are his interceptions and tackles, the best for any non-defender in the match.
Meanwhile, Uruguay’s troubles can be shown by the combined touch map for strikers Ramirez and Fernandez, who had a combined 5 touches inside the German box (shooting right-to-left).
Anyway, what a tournament it’s been! And with Football Manager 18 being released TODAY, I’ll be looking at doing a new version of the Draft World Cup, aimed to coincide with the actual World Cup in Russia next summer. If you’ve enjoyed this series, please share it on social media where you can, as these things are so much more fun if there’s people interacting and reacting to events.
Next time
We’ll review the FM17 Draft World Cup, and outline plans for the FM18 edition!
Next time
We’ll review the FM17 Draft World Cup, and outline plans for the FM18 edition!