The group are concluded, finishing with a bang as France put 7 unanswered goals past poor Saudi Arabia. This completes the line-up for the knockout rounds, this is how the draw looks:
Because this year we removed a limit on each squad's value, I strongly expected the tournament to get to the semis with four of the 'big five' (Spain, England, Germany, Italy, France) competing for glory. But Brazil's shock win over Germany and a French mini-collapse means that two of our semi-finalists will be a surprise. One of Brazil, South Africa, Netherlands and Greece will be in the semis, as will one of Ukraine, China, Argentina and USA. I guess in this case there's a bit of a parallel with the real World Cup, where one of Sweden, Switzerland, Colombia or England will make the semis.
Today we follow the two matches in the top-left corner of the draw above, as Netherlands take on Greece and Brazil face South Africa.
Netherlands vs. Greece
Both of these sides may have failed to qualify for Russia, but they are well-established sides in DWC-land, and in fact both entered this tournament as top seeds. Greece, however, never convinced and a tame defeat to Turkey in their final group game sees them second-favourite here against a Dutch side full of confidence after a 4-0 win over Thailand.
The only real selection question for the Netherlands was whether Kasper Dolberg’s hat-trick against Thailand would earn him a start here, and the answer is no. Nicolai Jorgensen starts, although Dolberg will be a very good option from the bench. Greece are missing Engels, who will be out of action until after the semi-finals. This means Bruna Viana gets another chance to claim the a spot in the team, after an uncertain display against Turkey. Emenike’s performances see him dropped for Luciano, whilst Mantalos and Marin edge out Fortounis in the attacking roles. Vieirinha is fit again, and replaces Matos at right back.
Today we follow the two matches in the top-left corner of the draw above, as Netherlands take on Greece and Brazil face South Africa.
Netherlands vs. Greece
Both of these sides may have failed to qualify for Russia, but they are well-established sides in DWC-land, and in fact both entered this tournament as top seeds. Greece, however, never convinced and a tame defeat to Turkey in their final group game sees them second-favourite here against a Dutch side full of confidence after a 4-0 win over Thailand.
The only real selection question for the Netherlands was whether Kasper Dolberg’s hat-trick against Thailand would earn him a start here, and the answer is no. Nicolai Jorgensen starts, although Dolberg will be a very good option from the bench. Greece are missing Engels, who will be out of action until after the semi-finals. This means Bruna Viana gets another chance to claim the a spot in the team, after an uncertain display against Turkey. Emenike’s performances see him dropped for Luciano, whilst Mantalos and Marin edge out Fortounis in the attacking roles. Vieirinha is fit again, and replaces Matos at right back.
So, we’re underway in the second round! In the 11th minute a free kick is played out to Tonny Vilhena, and his shot pings around the Greek box before rolling into the net. It touched Hirving Lozano last... but the flag is up as the Mexican winger was offside when Vilhena shot. Greece respond and Simoes nearly nets with a first-time shot from 25 yards. The Dutch are much better with the ball, but chances either way dry up and we reach the interval with no goals.
Greece suffer an early blow when their key man Odjidja-Ofoe picks up a knock. He plays on for now. The Dutch finally click into gear, and a quickfire passing move results in Hakim Ziyech sliding Jorgensen through. The striker has had a tough game, and he whacks his shot the wrong side of the post. He has another big chance a few minutes later when Chygrynskyi’s clearance hits Lozano and flies to Jorgensen. Again, he can’t score as Proto makes a key block, and soon after Jorgensen is replaced by Dolberg. It takes the teenager just five minutes to add to his goals against Thailand, as Greece fail to clear the ball, allowing Berghuis to slide it across the box for an easy tap-in. Now Greece have to come out of their defensive shell, and Matos is brought on for Odjidja-Ofoe, allowing Vieirinha to play in his natural position on the wing.
In the 80th minute the ball finds Luciano just inside the box following a corner, he catches his first-time shot perfectly, and the ball flies into the top corner! But once again, the assistant referee has flagged it (correctly) for offside and the Greeks are denied. In added time a ball is played over the top of the Netherlands defence, and Greek substitute Emmanuel Emenike (on for Marin) races through. It’s the perfect chance to prove the manager wrong, but he skews his shot well wide, and it proves to be Greece’s last big chance as they slip out to a deserving Dutch side.
The map of key passes, shown below, demonstrates how much more creative Netherlands were than Greece. Xandra Hellas has always followed the lead of the 2004 Greek side, and they have always historically struggled after going behind.
Brazil vs. South Africa
Towards the end of their game with Croatia, Brazil seemed in a world of trouble as they struggled to get level. However, a frankly ridiculous own goal saved the Selecao, and they ended up winning their group with a shock win over 10-man Germany - condemning their opponents to a very tasty clash with Spain. South Africa, meanwhile, did the damage in their first match as they pipped Colombia in an exciting game. A defeat to Spain felt inevitable, but they secured progression by seeing off Trinidad & Tobago. South Africa have equalled last year's DWC performance, but they may well sense a chance to go even further this year.
Diego Barbosa is still injured, so Kannemann stays in the Brazil side, meaning they field the same XI that shocked Germany. South Africa also stick with the side that last played for them, as Coetzee continues in defence. They do go back to their more adventurous 4-2-3-1 formation.
Towards the end of their game with Croatia, Brazil seemed in a world of trouble as they struggled to get level. However, a frankly ridiculous own goal saved the Selecao, and they ended up winning their group with a shock win over 10-man Germany - condemning their opponents to a very tasty clash with Spain. South Africa, meanwhile, did the damage in their first match as they pipped Colombia in an exciting game. A defeat to Spain felt inevitable, but they secured progression by seeing off Trinidad & Tobago. South Africa have equalled last year's DWC performance, but they may well sense a chance to go even further this year.
Diego Barbosa is still injured, so Kannemann stays in the Brazil side, meaning they field the same XI that shocked Germany. South Africa also stick with the side that last played for them, as Coetzee continues in defence. They do go back to their more adventurous 4-2-3-1 formation.
It’s a cagey start, as both teams appear a bit nervy. Mathoho has a shot well-saved by Vanderlei but soon after it’s Brazil who take the lead. Hlatshwayo is playing as a defensive full-back, but he is still caught out by a fine pass behind him by Lucas Lima, into the path of Luan who runs through and buries it from a tight angle.
Almost immediately, it’s 2-0. South Africa invite pressure on themselves with poor passing, and a deflection in the box sets it up for Petros, with Khune out of position – and the shot is excellent, cannoning in via the underside of the crossbar. Half time, and Brazil are looking good for their lead.
South Africa really need a quick start, but instead their chances are almost immediately ended at the start of the second half as Geromel heads a corner home for Brazil’s third. Just after the hour mark South Africa even go down to 10 men as Kekana picks up a second yellow for a needless trip on Lucas Lima. South Africa have basically had no chances since the early part of the match. Their first for a while results in Billiat hitting a low shot narrowly wide, but Brazil continue to dominate. They are able to take off players to protect them for the next round, and even add another when Everton Ribeiro fires home from Arthur’s fine pass. It doesn’t stop there – Luan adds number five with a tap-in from a rebound, completing a comprehensive win for Brazil.
South Africa’s miserable exit ends African interest in the DWC at the last 16 stage for the second year in a row - which is still better than the African sides have done in Russia! They struggled very badly here, and the sheer number of mistakes they made (below) meant they never had a chance against a fluent and exciting Brazil side. As for Brazil, this was a real warning cry to the remaining sides in the competition – this might be their first DWC, but they are looking like real contenders. Their clash against Netherlands in the quarter-finals will be an entertaining feast of football.
Tomorrow's schedule
Spain vs. Germany
Turkey vs. Mexico
Spain vs. Germany
Turkey vs. Mexico