Our opening match bore major similarities to events in Russia - the team in the A1 position (here, holders Germany) won by 5 goals, in this case against Croatia. And now they have followed that up with a 3-1 win, just as Russia have in real life. And just like Russia - this does not mean Germany have qualified for the next round yet! I am getting seriously sick of commentators, pundits etc. saying that two wins is equal to progression, or that two defeats is axiomatically equal to a defeat. I worked this out when I was in a middle school maths class!
Anyway, onto today's action! Brazil can confirm Germany's qualification, and their own, if they can also beat Croatia. Meanwhile the Group B teams play their second matches, as Spain look for an easier time against South African than they had against Trinidad & Tobago - who in turn face Colombia.
Spain vs. South Africa
Spain picked up their expected win against Trinidad & Tobago, but it wasn't anywhere near as easy as expected. South Africa, meanwhile, also got off to a winning start with a gritty 3-2 win over Colombia. As you'll hopefully have picked up, a win here doesn't confirm anyone's progression, but it will probably be enough. This is how Group B currently stands after one game each:
Anyway, onto today's action! Brazil can confirm Germany's qualification, and their own, if they can also beat Croatia. Meanwhile the Group B teams play their second matches, as Spain look for an easier time against South African than they had against Trinidad & Tobago - who in turn face Colombia.
Spain vs. South Africa
Spain picked up their expected win against Trinidad & Tobago, but it wasn't anywhere near as easy as expected. South Africa, meanwhile, also got off to a winning start with a gritty 3-2 win over Colombia. As you'll hopefully have picked up, a win here doesn't confirm anyone's progression, but it will probably be enough. This is how Group B currently stands after one game each:
After a poor game last time out, Suarez is replaced by Griezmann, who shone in his stead, with Ronaldo moving up front for Spain. South Africa stick with the same personnel, but change to a 4-4-1-1 formation as they anticipate that there will be more defending to do here.
Spain start very strongly, with Messi going close twice in the opening ten minutes. Isco is able to turn and fire a low shot in from the edge of the box, but Khune parries it. It falls to Griezmann, who is bundled over by Mphaphele, and it’s a penalty to Spain. Cristiano Ronaldo (unsurprisingly) takes the ball, and fires it into the bottom corner for a 17th-minute Spanish lead. If South Africa were kicking themselves over how they conceded, they managed much worse six minutes later, as Khune and Hlatshwayo go for the same ball and somehow contriving to tackle each other and leave the ball for Toni Kroos to roll in. Ronaldo adds a third with a fine volley from the edge of the box in the 37th minute, and 3-0 is the half-time score.
With the game appearing safe, Spain take Messi off for Gareth Bale at half time to protect him, whilst hoping Ronaldo will wrap up his hat-trick soon so he can come off, too. South Africa know they just have to limit the damage, and so replace Billiat with defensive midfielder Kekana. Five minutes into the half and Spain have another – a corner finds Pique, whose shot ricochets to Sergio Ramos to prod in. And three minutes later Ramos has another, this time the corner going straight to him 4 yards out to knock home. Bale remarkably manages to hit the crossbar twice with consecutive headers, whilst at the other end Tshabalala has a couple of long efforts test ter Stegen. But that’s it for the action, as the match finishes 5-0 and there’s no hat-trick for Ronaldo or Ramos (which is such a shame, given how likeable they both are).
Spain’s heat map is frankly terrifying. Just look at how much of the ball they had in the centre of South Africa’s half, as their creative midfielders had an absolute ball. For context, South Africa’s heat map had only one red area, and that was in their own six-yard box (and presumably related to the number of shots/crosses Khune was collecting).
Brazil vs. Croatia
If Germany were excellent in the tournament's opening fixture, Brazil were almost as good as they hammered Ghana 5-1. With two heavy victories, it feels as if a draw here would be enough for Brazil to progress, as Croatia would need to overturn a deficit of 9 goals in the final round. But with Brazil facing Germany next time, it wouldn't be impossible.
Brazil stick with Peruvian Guerrero up front, and name the same XI which thumped Ghana. Croatia ring the changes at the back, with Bartolec and Skoric replaced by Stojanovic and Benkovic.
If Germany were excellent in the tournament's opening fixture, Brazil were almost as good as they hammered Ghana 5-1. With two heavy victories, it feels as if a draw here would be enough for Brazil to progress, as Croatia would need to overturn a deficit of 9 goals in the final round. But with Brazil facing Germany next time, it wouldn't be impossible.
Brazil stick with Peruvian Guerrero up front, and name the same XI which thumped Ghana. Croatia ring the changes at the back, with Bartolec and Skoric replaced by Stojanovic and Benkovic.
Croatia get the game’s first corner, and whilst Brazil defend it, they fail to get back into shape, allowing a quick ball from Elez back into the box to find an unmarked Hilal Soudani to smash Croatia into the lead! Ribeiro and Gavranovic both go close soon after, as this game sets itself up to be a great game. Brazil slowly begin to put pressure on Croatia, but they shoot themselves in the foot as they lose the ball cheaply in midfield, allowing Croatia to break rapidly, culminating in Mario Gavranovic slotting home to put his side two up. Half time, and this current scoreline sees Croatia become the new favourite to finish second in this group.
Gavranovic has hurt his groin, so he is replaced by Doumbia as Croatia move to a 4-3-3. That second goal seems to have took the wind out of Brazil’s sails, as Croatia start the half much stronger. In the 64th minute Croatia have a free kick in Brazil’s half. It’s cleared, and Brazilian sub Scarpa leads a rapid break which ends up with the ball falling to Arthur in the box, who keeps his cool to pull it back to 2-1 – game on! They can’t push on though, as the game becomes a war of attrition. Towards the end a clash leaves both Soudani and Barbosa limping, but all subs have been made. Two of these subs, Diego and Dudu, combine to break into the Croatian box. However, this is shut down by (another sub) Bartolec, who promptly blasts the ball off his teammate Lecjaks’ face and into his own goal! Brazil have secured a potentially massive 2-2 draw in the most ridiculous fashion!
What. A. Game. Croatia avoid elimination, but that’s little consolation as they have a huge goal difference to overcome in the final round of games. The result means that reigning champions Germany become the first side qualified for the second round, whilst the competition’s lowest-ranked team Ghana become the first side to be eliminated.
The map below shows Brazil’s successful attacking half passes after getting their first goal – they really struggled to create much in Croatia’s box, and as such can breathe a huge sigh of relief after one of the most ludicrous endings to a game you could ever wish to see.
The map below shows Brazil’s successful attacking half passes after getting their first goal – they really struggled to create much in Croatia’s box, and as such can breathe a huge sigh of relief after one of the most ludicrous endings to a game you could ever wish to see.
Group A standings
Colombia vs. Trinidad & Tobago
The extent of Spain's impressive win over South Africa has opened the door for these teams - should they win they will go into 2nd on goal difference. Colombia have a great chance to make amends for a bad first result, but will have noticed how hard Spain found Trinidad & Tobago to break down. Anything other than a Colombian win and Spain will progress to the next round.
After the disappointing result against South Africa, Colombia resist making big changes, with the only one being former Hammer Armero coming in at left back for Valencia. Trinidad & Tobago performed very well with their 4-1-4-1 formation against Spain, but need points on the board and so move to a 4-3-3.
The extent of Spain's impressive win over South Africa has opened the door for these teams - should they win they will go into 2nd on goal difference. Colombia have a great chance to make amends for a bad first result, but will have noticed how hard Spain found Trinidad & Tobago to break down. Anything other than a Colombian win and Spain will progress to the next round.
After the disappointing result against South Africa, Colombia resist making big changes, with the only one being former Hammer Armero coming in at left back for Valencia. Trinidad & Tobago performed very well with their 4-1-4-1 formation against Spain, but need points on the board and so move to a 4-3-3.
Three minutes in and Marshall’s flicked header from a corner finds his defensive partner inches from goal, but Reid’s header cannons off the woodwork and away to safety. The rest of the half is dour, with Colombia seeing much more of the ball, but creating few chances. Trinidad & Tobago force one at the end of the half, a quick break-away resulting in a fine cross by Winchester to Cummings, but the shot is tame and easily held by Vargas.
The match continues with little incident, prompting both teams to begin to push more for a goal, as a draw does little to suit either team. Moreno replaces Gutierrez for Colombia, and has the half’s best chance as he runs onto a long ball, but his shot is well parried by Phillip. Just before that long ball, Kenwyne Jones had come off badly from an aerial challenge, and has to be replaced – a hammer-blow to Trinidad & Tobago. However, Colombia continue to struggle. In added time a loose pass by sub Villaroel is intercepted, and Colombia break. Their two subs combine perfectly, as Cristian Martinez Borja breaks into the box and squares for Dayro Moreno to smash in from close range! For the second time in two games Trindad & Tobago have performed valiantly but been cruelly denied at the last.
That late goal also denies Spain their qualification for the next round (for now). Anyway, given that Cherelle Trinidad’s instructions were for her side to get the ball out wide and cross it in, she will be livid that they only attempted four open-play crosses.
Group B standings
Tomorrow's schedule
Thailand vs. Mexico
Netherlands vs. Tunisia
Greece vs. Morocco
Thailand vs. Mexico
Netherlands vs. Tunisia
Greece vs. Morocco