Well, well, well. In both real life and in our Draft World Cup Spain were taken to penalties yesterday. Whilst the real-life side couldn't find a way through, their digital counterparts prevailed, and the 2017 DWC champions Germany are out! There will be a new champion this year. In the other game Turkey cruised through 3-0 against a disappointing Mexico side.
Today's episode brings two seriously interesting heavyweight encounters, and both grudge matches from last year. Firstly, England take on Portugal, before Italy and France meet.
England vs. Portugal
These two sides were the best performers in qualifying for last year's DWC. They eventually met at exactly this stage of the competition, and 10-man Portugal prevailed 2-1. This time round England have looked ominous, with a hugely boosted squad claiming full points in the group stage. Portugal scrapped their way here with two goalless draws, and go in as second-favourites.
England are, of course, without Kyle Walker after his daft red card against DR Congo. Despite some good performances from some players in that game, England revert back to the side that started the tournament with a thumping win against China. As well as the previously-injured Layun, Portugal are now without their two first-choice wingers, as Brahimi is injured whilst Martins is suspended. In come Acuna and Pizza. Fernandes continues as a central midfielder, as Portugal stick with their more defensive formation.
Today's episode brings two seriously interesting heavyweight encounters, and both grudge matches from last year. Firstly, England take on Portugal, before Italy and France meet.
England vs. Portugal
These two sides were the best performers in qualifying for last year's DWC. They eventually met at exactly this stage of the competition, and 10-man Portugal prevailed 2-1. This time round England have looked ominous, with a hugely boosted squad claiming full points in the group stage. Portugal scrapped their way here with two goalless draws, and go in as second-favourites.
England are, of course, without Kyle Walker after his daft red card against DR Congo. Despite some good performances from some players in that game, England revert back to the side that started the tournament with a thumping win against China. As well as the previously-injured Layun, Portugal are now without their two first-choice wingers, as Brahimi is injured whilst Martins is suspended. In come Acuna and Pizza. Fernandes continues as a central midfielder, as Portugal stick with their more defensive formation.
Living up to real-life form, Mo Salah currently has the tournament’s highest average rating (8.90). However, he misses an early sitter as Hazard’s low cross finds him at the far post, but he can only hit the woodwork from an admittedly tight angle. He hits the woodwork again soon after, albeit from a more difficult headed chance. England are having much more of the ball, but chances dry up and Portugal get through to half time all-square.
Aguero has barely got a kick thanks to Portugal’s crowding of their own box. Therefore, he is replaced by Harry Kane, who should provide a better aerial presence, although he has had a poor tournament thus far. He doesn’t really change anything – in fact, the second half flies by without a highlight and we go into extra time!
Right at the start of extra time Portugal get a corner. It’s in low to Felipe, who is somehow allowed to turn and bury it in the back of the net! Portugal, somehow, have the lead!
Right at the start of extra time Portugal get a corner. It’s in low to Felipe, who is somehow allowed to turn and bury it in the back of the net! Portugal, somehow, have the lead!
Portugal nearly add a second as a long ball over the top releases substitute Bas Dost, but his shot is high and wide. And Portugal are made to pay for that miss as England get a swift equaliser. Passing it around the Portugal box, it eventually comes to Paul Pogba, also a sub, who fizzes a low shot into the bottom corner!
Suddenly, we have an exciting match! Immediately from kick off Portugal get forwards, and Dost’s header clips the bar on its way over. That’s it for the first period of extra time.
In the second period the game enters a brief lull, until Portugal nearly retake the lead as Jonas’ cute shot is narrowly over. Straight after, Portugal are coming forward again, and Jonas this time slips it through to Dost. His shot is hard and high, and de Gea can’t keep it out! Portugal lead with just eight minutes to go...
In the second period the game enters a brief lull, until Portugal nearly retake the lead as Jonas’ cute shot is narrowly over. Straight after, Portugal are coming forward again, and Jonas this time slips it through to Dost. His shot is hard and high, and de Gea can’t keep it out! Portugal lead with just eight minutes to go...
England look completely ragged, and they can’t muster a single chance after that goal. The game finishes 2-1, and England lose at the same stage, to the same opponent, by the same scoreline as they did last year.
England were pretty terrible in extra time, as they just looked incapable of putting together a chance. Despite outweighing Portugal by 20 shots to 12 during the whole game, they actually only had 2 in the additional 30 minutes.
England were pretty terrible in extra time, as they just looked incapable of putting together a chance. Despite outweighing Portugal by 20 shots to 12 during the whole game, they actually only had 2 in the additional 30 minutes.
Italy vs. France
These two sides met in the quarter-final stage of last year's DWC. It was an ugly scrappy affair, only settled by a 30-yard thunderbolt from Ricardo Montolivo (a strike which won goal of the tournament). Italy come into this clash in better form, easing to top spot in their group, whilst France continue to flirt with elimination, only taking two point from their opening two games. But a vicious 7-0 win over Saudi Arabia helped them to progress.
Despite a terrible showing from Gonzalo Higuain, he stays up front for Italy as they make only two changes – Pjanic returns from injury in place of Hamsik, whilst Alex Sandro comes back after being rested against the USA, with Rodriguez moving to the bench. Unsurprisingly, France continue with the side that walloped Saudi Arabia in a DWC finals record win. This means Alves and Kurzawa cannot force their way back into the side.
These two sides met in the quarter-final stage of last year's DWC. It was an ugly scrappy affair, only settled by a 30-yard thunderbolt from Ricardo Montolivo (a strike which won goal of the tournament). Italy come into this clash in better form, easing to top spot in their group, whilst France continue to flirt with elimination, only taking two point from their opening two games. But a vicious 7-0 win over Saudi Arabia helped them to progress.
Despite a terrible showing from Gonzalo Higuain, he stays up front for Italy as they make only two changes – Pjanic returns from injury in place of Hamsik, whilst Alex Sandro comes back after being rested against the USA, with Rodriguez moving to the bench. Unsurprisingly, France continue with the side that walloped Saudi Arabia in a DWC finals record win. This means Alves and Kurzawa cannot force their way back into the side.
Incredibly, Pjanic only lasts 29 seconds. He collides heavily with Verratti and has to be taken off – as does Verratti. On come Hamsik and Moutinho in their stead. The first chance doesn’t come until the 20th minute, as Barzagli heads a corner over. And in fact, it’s the only real chance of the half as the two sides are currently cancelling each other out.
France foray forwards at the start of the second half, but it’s well cut out by Alex Sandro. He plays it down the flank for Higuain, who beats Sidibe and crosses it low for Paulo Dybala to fire home – Italy lead!
France kick off, and get forwards. However, Mbappe’s cross is claimed by Buffon. Italy get down the other end, and again Higuain runs down the left side of the box. Thiago Silva is there, but he trips Higuain and Italy have a penalty! Dybala takes the ball... and puts it in the bottom-left corner!
France cannot get back into the game, and the minutes fly by with Italy looking totally in control. As France begin to push players up, Italy take advantage – a low cross from the left (again) is met by Alessandro Florenzi, who catches Subasic out of position with a beautiful placed shot.
France appear resigned to defeat, which is indeed what happens to them when the final whistle goes 10 minutes later.
This game appeared very tight until the opening goal – after which, Italy were dominant. Their pass combinations below shows how tight-knit their midfield trio were, alongside the strikers and the wing-backs. I have to say that I really like how this Italy side is performing so far. Meanwhile, France always seemed to be trying to get themselves eliminated - right from their qualification run - and they’ve finally succeeded.
This game appeared very tight until the opening goal – after which, Italy were dominant. Their pass combinations below shows how tight-knit their midfield trio were, alongside the strikers and the wing-backs. I have to say that I really like how this Italy side is performing so far. Meanwhile, France always seemed to be trying to get themselves eliminated - right from their qualification run - and they’ve finally succeeded.
Tomorrow's schedule
Ukraine vs. China
Argentina vs. USA
Ukraine vs. China
Argentina vs. USA