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.
Last time out, we had four thrilling ties (well, one was a terrible 0-0, but that meant it went to penalties, which are great), so hopefully today’s four matches provide the same entertainment. Let’s just get stuck into the games!
Netherlands (1st in Group B) vs. Italy (2nd in Group A)
Both these sides finished with 7 points and qualified impressively, so despite the difference in final group position, this appears to be an even match. One area where Italy will look to gain an advantage is out wide, as their wingers should find a bit of space against the Netherland’s bold 3-4-1-2 formation.
Vlaar returns in the centre of defence for the Netherlands, with Riedewald missing out, despite a good performance deputising. Meanwhile, El Ahmadi is again preferred to Ziyech. Italy bring Regini back into the fold, whilst the previously dropped Mertens is granted a way back into the team as his replacement Niang is out for a few weeks.
Last time out, we had four thrilling ties (well, one was a terrible 0-0, but that meant it went to penalties, which are great), so hopefully today’s four matches provide the same entertainment. Let’s just get stuck into the games!
Netherlands (1st in Group B) vs. Italy (2nd in Group A)
Both these sides finished with 7 points and qualified impressively, so despite the difference in final group position, this appears to be an even match. One area where Italy will look to gain an advantage is out wide, as their wingers should find a bit of space against the Netherland’s bold 3-4-1-2 formation.
Vlaar returns in the centre of defence for the Netherlands, with Riedewald missing out, despite a good performance deputising. Meanwhile, El Ahmadi is again preferred to Ziyech. Italy bring Regini back into the fold, whilst the previously dropped Mertens is granted a way back into the team as his replacement Niang is out for a few weeks.
Just 70 seconds into the match Bacca has a huge opportunity to open the scoring, as Barbosa’s cross finds him unmarked, but Zoet pulls off a fine diving save. However, other than that it is a quiet start to the match, bar a couple of Dutch yellows (including one for El Ahmadi which rules him out of the quarter-finals, should the Dutch win). In the 29th minute Kuyt floats in a cross, which Jorgensen neatly nods down to Klaassen, who really should score, but mishits his shot and it’s an easy catch for Buffon. Five minutes later Klaassen goes close again, rippling the side netting with a powerful effort. We reach half time scoreless, and this is finely poised.
Shortly after the restart, Maksimovic is penalised on the edge of the box for tripping Jorgensen. It’s Jorgensen who steps up, and his free kick hits the inside of the post and flies into the back of the net for a Dutch lead! It’s an outstanding strike, and now the Dutch have a lead to defend. With that in mind, Guardado and Kuyt are pulled back into wing back positions. This doesn’t stop them getting forwards, and Kuyt’s low cross from the by-line should be put away by de Jong, but Buffon parries and Chiriches blocks Klaassen’s follow-up. Italy have slowly faded away in this match, and so Palombo is brought off for Morrison. The Englishman has an immediate impact as he plays a superb ball over the top of a surprised Dutch defence to release Bacca, who keeps his cool to equalise. Just after we enter the final ten minutes the Netherlands have a break on, but Jorgensen’s pass is deflected backwards, and Sosa nips in ahead of Vlaar to put Bacca through, who tucks it away to turn this game on its head. Unsurprisingly, we see attacking chances for the Dutch and defensive ones for Italy, and as the minutes tick by, it appears that it’s the Italians whose changes are working. Kuyt gets into a good position in the 90th minute, but decides to shoot when a cross was a far better option, and it’s the last chance of the match as Italy hold on to book their place in the next round!
The Netherlands arguably were the better side throughout the match, but they can’t complain about the result, as two defensive lapses cost them dear. The great news for Italy, other than the result, is that Bacca is back to his deadly best, and having a prolific striker is always vital in the final stages of a tournament.
Mexico (1st in Group D) vs. France (2nd in Group C)
This is another match which is very hard to call in advance. Mexico have been the definition of solid so far, winning both their qualification group and their finals group with relative ease. France also qualified for the knockout stages with little trouble, securing qualification after two matches. However, a poor performance against Switzerland led to them being beaten to top spot in the group.
Mexico name the same XI which played all three group games. After rotating for the match against Switzerland, France unsurprisingly revert to the side which won their opening two matches.
Mexico (1st in Group D) vs. France (2nd in Group C)
This is another match which is very hard to call in advance. Mexico have been the definition of solid so far, winning both their qualification group and their finals group with relative ease. France also qualified for the knockout stages with little trouble, securing qualification after two matches. However, a poor performance against Switzerland led to them being beaten to top spot in the group.
Mexico name the same XI which played all three group games. After rotating for the match against Switzerland, France unsurprisingly revert to the side which won their opening two matches.
The first notable chance falls to France, as Payet wriggles free on the edge of the box, but powers his shot at Marchesin, whilst Cavani goes close soon after. France face a small set-back when Kurzawa is forced off in the 10th minute, with Lima coming on. Gignac has a sight of goal after great work by Lozano, but he shoots straight at Costil, missing an opportunity to show Ligue 1 what it’s missing. In the 31st minute Gignac slips in Aquino, but Costil blocks the shot behind. We reach half time scoreless, and the match very evenly balanced thus far. It feels like the first goal is especially important here.
In the 55th minute, a long ball into the channel by Lozano finds Gignac, who plays it across the box where Aquino has sneaked in unmarked. His first-time shot should probably be kept out by Costil, but it isn’t and Mexico get that all-important opening goal. It should be 1-1 within a couple of minutes, when Falcao’s low cross finds Cavani inside the six-yard box, but somehow he manages to find Marchesin with his shot. However, he immediately makes amends when Goltz misses a routine header and Cavani is able to surge towards goal, placing the ball into the bottom corner. Gignac and Rodolfo Pizarro both go close to restoring the Mexican lead with long-range shots flying narrowly wide. In the 82nd minute Aquino gets space down the right flank, and his cross is straight onto the bonce of Gignac, but the header cannons off the angle and is cleared away to safety. With just three minutes to go, Lima slings in a cross from out wide. It should be an easy claim for Marchesin, but as he leaps for it with Cavani, both miss the ball and it flies in! Mexico look for a foul to be given for Cavani’s involvement, but none is forthcoming, and it appears France have fluked their way into the quarter-finals! A look at the replay suggests that Mexico may well have been screwed over, but it’s not like the graphics are perfect for such analysis. Mexico sacrifice Guido Pizarro for Peralta, as they go for broke with a 4-2-4 formation, whilst France bring Rabiot off for Alou Diarra. Straight from the kick-off Mexico get the ball up to Gignac, but he places his shot wide from the edge of the box. In the final seconds sub Gargano takes aim from 30 yards out, but his shot is held by Costil, and France has secured a hugely controversial win!
The picture above suggests that Marchesin has been tripped. This looks set to go down as the Draft World Cup’s equivalent of the Hand of God. The Trip of God? That sounds like a movie where God goes to Marbella or something – I’d totally watch that. Anyway, it’s a huge shame that a very evenly-contested battle was separated by a stroke of huge fortune, but it has been, and France will wonder if luck is on their side now.
Greece (1st in Group F) vs. Spain (2nd in Group E)
In theory, Spain should be favourites, at least if you didn’t know how the teams got here. But Spain gambled by picking Messi and Ronaldo and having to scrimp on the rest of the squad. The result was a disappointing loss to Bulgaria, but impressive wins against Germany and Yorkshire have restored them to contender status. Meanwhile, Greece qualified for the tournament and from the group stage very efficiently, securing both with no trouble at all. If Greece’s solid defence can contain Messi and Ronaldo, they will fancy their chances of taking the win here.
Greece rested three players who were a yellow away from suspension – Canas, Martins and Fortounis, and so they return as the side reverts to the one which saw off Norway, as Brown continues ahead of the now-fit Berg. The only change made by Spain is bringing dos Santos back from suspension, where he replaces Partey, who himself is now suspended.
Greece (1st in Group F) vs. Spain (2nd in Group E)
In theory, Spain should be favourites, at least if you didn’t know how the teams got here. But Spain gambled by picking Messi and Ronaldo and having to scrimp on the rest of the squad. The result was a disappointing loss to Bulgaria, but impressive wins against Germany and Yorkshire have restored them to contender status. Meanwhile, Greece qualified for the tournament and from the group stage very efficiently, securing both with no trouble at all. If Greece’s solid defence can contain Messi and Ronaldo, they will fancy their chances of taking the win here.
Greece rested three players who were a yellow away from suspension – Canas, Martins and Fortounis, and so they return as the side reverts to the one which saw off Norway, as Brown continues ahead of the now-fit Berg. The only change made by Spain is bringing dos Santos back from suspension, where he replaces Partey, who himself is now suspended.
Spain start the brighter, but they have little to show but a few optimistic long efforts. It’s not until the 36th minute when the first notable chance comes by, as a Greek free kick comes to Canas, but his header is too weak and easily held by Lux. This starts a spell before the break where both teams come out of their shells a little more. Negredo has a header easily held, whilst Ideye hits a long shot over the bar. We reach the break scoreless. Whilst Spain’s wingers haven’t had much influence yet, Greece have also left Ideye totally isolated.
Stylish Greek moves result in chances for Fortounis and Ideye, but neither can score. Chygrynskyi has been the best player on the pitch thus far, but he is forced off with an “upper body injury”, as Crespo comes on, whilst Canas picks up a yellow which would rule him out of the quarter-finals. In the 71st minute Spain’s defence opens up, and Ideye plays the overlapping Mantalos in, and he calmly finishes to put Greece into the lead. This, so far, has been a performance very evocative of the Greek performances in Euro 2004. Will they hold on for a trademark 1-0 win? As Spain look for a winner Greece play it forward, Ideye runs onto it but his shot is tipped over by Kapino. Both Ronaldo and Negredo have been poor so far, and the latter is substituted for Jordan so that Ronaldo can move into the striker’s role. Spain had three shots in the opening 15 minutes, but have only added one since then as they appear bereft of ideas. Messi shows his first real flash of genius, turning away from Cambiasso on the corner of the box and powering a shot at goal, but Kapino is able to deflect it to safety. Immediately after, a Manquillo cross finds Messi near the corner of the 6-yard box, who is able to wriggle away, but his shot is once again saved. As Messi has another long shot deflected just wide by Moledo, it’s clear that the Barcelona magician has taken matters into his own hands. However, it appears his teammates appear to be doing little to support him, and Spain can’t create any more chances before the final whistle.
That was no fluke, as Greece had 13 shots to Spain’s 7. The Ronaldo-Messi experiment has never really worked for Spain, and they depart with the clear message that they will need a more all-round squad next time round. If Greece can continue with that level of defensive solidity, they could continue far into this tournament.
Uruguay (1st in Group H) vs. USA (2nd in Group G)
Uruguay have been the Draft World Cup’s giant-killers. In qualification they beat Brazil twice, which ultimately cost the 5-time (real) World Cup champions qualification. In the tournament group stage Uruguay beat both China and Russia to finish top. Their opponents here, the USA, have been thrilling but unpredictable. On paper, the USA has the stronger squad, but they also appear exactly the kind of team Uruguay are adept at picking off on the break.
Grossmuller, who has featured as a sub in every game so far for Uruguay, gets his first start as Costa is injured, whilst Silva returns at right back. Howard and Villa have been poor thus far for the USA, and so they are replaced by Robles and dos Santos respectively. Meanwhile, Ridgewell and Bradley return, replacing Torres and Alonso.
Uruguay (1st in Group H) vs. USA (2nd in Group G)
Uruguay have been the Draft World Cup’s giant-killers. In qualification they beat Brazil twice, which ultimately cost the 5-time (real) World Cup champions qualification. In the tournament group stage Uruguay beat both China and Russia to finish top. Their opponents here, the USA, have been thrilling but unpredictable. On paper, the USA has the stronger squad, but they also appear exactly the kind of team Uruguay are adept at picking off on the break.
Grossmuller, who has featured as a sub in every game so far for Uruguay, gets his first start as Costa is injured, whilst Silva returns at right back. Howard and Villa have been poor thus far for the USA, and so they are replaced by Robles and dos Santos respectively. Meanwhile, Ridgewell and Bradley return, replacing Torres and Alonso.
Uruguay have had great success catching teams on the break, but they are the ones caught out in the second minute as dos Santos breaks the offside trap. However, Castillo stays upright and pushes the tame shot behind. A minute later, Blanco has the ball near the corner. He is allowed to get his cross in, where he finds Kaka, whose shot has too much on it for Castillo, and the USA take the lead. They don’t let up, as dos Santos shots narrowly wide in the 6th minute. However, in the 8th minute Besler and Ridgewell get caught out by a header from Nandez, allowing Fernandez to run in. He still has a lot to do, but his shot from just inside the box arrows into the bottom corner to level matters. Following the restart Uruguay win the ball and Fernandez has a chance to double his tally, but his shot from a tight angle hits the post, and Grossmuller hits the rebound over. Two minutes later Nandez sprints to the by-line, and his low cross is met by Ramirez, who can’t miss. It’s 2-1 and we’ve not even a third of the way into the first half. Each side continues to fire shots away at a rapid rate, a key one falling to de la Cruz in the 20th minute, who drags his shot wide when a pass would have led to a certain goal. However, Uruguay don’t need to wait long for their third, as three minutes later Ramirez finds Fernandez in acres of space in the USA box, and he lashes beyond Robles. There follows a quiet period of the match, but on the brink of half time Grossmuller lofts a ball into the box, and Ramirez volleys home to give his side a hugely impressive 4-1 half time lead.
Frankly, this has been one of the most impressive performances from anyone at this tournament thus far. The USA need to do something to make itself great again (sorry), and so they try and play with more intensity, whilst bringing Villa on for Giovinco. Villa has an immediate impact, playing dos Santos in, but his shot is wayward. A misdirected glory pass from Bradley leads to Uruguay having a 5 on 3 break, but Ramirez chooses to shot rather than cross and it goes wide. Dempsey is brought on for dos Santos, and he has a shot from the edge of the box go narrowly wide, which is an improvement on dos Santos’ shots which had been going well wide. A USA corner isn’t cleared well, and it’s worked back in towards Kaka, whose shot is well beaten away by Castillo. Uruguay respond by getting the ball up to sub Rodriguez, whose shot is also saved. In the 76th minute Rodriguez has a shot go narrowly over the bar, as it becomes clear the USA are running out of time. They eventually get a goal back in the 83rd minute, through the same combination as their first, as Kaka meets Blanco’s cross with a neat low finish. Uruguay take off Fernandez (despite the game hating players on a hat-trick being subbed) for Fucile as they switch to a 4-1-4-1, trying to shut the game down. Sub Donovan has a powerful shot blocked by Castillo, as does Villa, but they can’t get another goal as £108m Uruguay knock out yet another side worth the maximum amount.
Uruguay go marching on. They may have been muted in the second half, but they were so lethal in the first that it didn’t matter. They won the first ever World Cup in 1930, can they win the first ever Draft World Cup? The USA, meanwhile, may have had plenty of talented midfielders and forwards, but they were always a risk defensively and ultimately paid the price.
Draw
Draw
Next time
Each side is now just three matches away from glory, and soon we’ll be down to four sides, as next time we see how all the quarter-finals pan out!
Each side is now just three matches away from glory, and soon we’ll be down to four sides, as next time we see how all the quarter-finals pan out!