I think it's fair to say that Day 7 in the DWC was significantly more interesting than Day 7 in the real World Cup. For a start, Spain had their shooting boots on, whilst we had late drama with Colombia's win and Brazil's ludicrous escape.
Today we will see Group D's teams play their second match. Mexico face Thailand and Netherlands take on Tunisia. And we will see Greece take on Morocco, who will hope to avoid joining their real-life counterparts in being eliminated.
Thailand vs. Mexico
Mexico were the second-best side against Netherlands, but came close to getting something from the game. They do need to get underway here though, as do Thailand after their weak defeat to Tunisia. Here is the Group D table as it stands:
Today we will see Group D's teams play their second match. Mexico face Thailand and Netherlands take on Tunisia. And we will see Greece take on Morocco, who will hope to avoid joining their real-life counterparts in being eliminated.
Thailand vs. Mexico
Mexico were the second-best side against Netherlands, but came close to getting something from the game. They do need to get underway here though, as do Thailand after their weak defeat to Tunisia. Here is the Group D table as it stands:
Two of the competition’s madder formations meet. Thailand bring in Menezes for Heberty, whilst Mexico move key man Chumacero out to his natural position on the right wing, with Carioca coming in to replace Sanchez.
Ruidiaz’s fine cross gives Gignac a glorious chance just two minutes in, but his close-range header flies over. However, this doesn’t put Mexico off, and they take the lead ten minutes later when Alejandro Chumacero hits a superb first-time volley into the bottom corner. He adds a second in the 40th minute from close-range thanks to Javier Aquino’s delightful cross. Mexico’s perfect first half is blemished when Carioca is forced off injured, with Sanchez immediately returning from his exile out of the side. Before the break there was still time for Mexico’s two wingers to combine for a third time, as Chumacero’s cross is volleyed home by Aquino. And just before the end of the half a penalty is given for obstruction by Bunmathan, and Chumacero steps up and completes his hat-trick. 4-0 at the break. Brutal.
For the second time in as many games, Thailand have to shift away from their unusual formation, going to a 4-2-3-1 with Bunmathan and Sung-Hwan as full-backs, whilst Rochela replaces Frauches. Slightly annoyingly for Thailand (since it’s too late), it works as they prevent Mexico having anything other than half-chances. And Thailand get their first World Cup (real or Draft) goal when Diego nods the ball down to Robson to lash home. And another arrives when substitute Heberty fires in from an angle after a fine pass by Menezes. With 7 minutes to go, is this game on? Well, Thailand should go to 4-3 when Heberty’s low cross finds Robson close to goal, but his shot is miraculously parried by Marchesin. Unfortunately for Thailand, a minute later Sung-Hwan trips Ruidiaz in the box, and Marcelo Diaz gratefully tucks it away to seal a surprisingly nervy 5-2 victory for Mexico.
It’s a real case of ‘what if’ for Thailand, as they really ought to have shifted to a back four earlier on. As the shot map below shows, they restricted Mexico to just four second-half shots, and the only one inside the box was Diaz’s penalty.
Netherlands vs. Tunisia
After that win for Mexico, Netherlands would qualifying automatically should they beat Tunisia here. Anything other than a Tunisian win will eliminate Thailand.
The injury that Neres picked up against Mexico has ruled him out until at least the knockout stages, so Steven Berghuis comes into an otherwise-unchanged XI. Meanwhile, Tunisia stick with the same side that beat Thailand.
After that win for Mexico, Netherlands would qualifying automatically should they beat Tunisia here. Anything other than a Tunisian win will eliminate Thailand.
The injury that Neres picked up against Mexico has ruled him out until at least the knockout stages, so Steven Berghuis comes into an otherwise-unchanged XI. Meanwhile, Tunisia stick with the same side that beat Thailand.
In the sixth minute Hakim Ziyech plays a lovely blind pass to the onrushing Lozano, who slams it away. However, the flag is raised and the goal doesn’t count. Netherlands continue to look ominous in attack, with beautiful movement exploiting Tunisia’s lack of defence-minded players. It’s credit to the Dutch that when they score in the 19th minute, it feels overdue. It’s a lovely goal as well, as Ziyech takes aim from 20 yards out and drills a low shot into the bottom corner. El Ahmadi hits the post soon after, before Berghuis doubles the score in farcical fashion – Konate’s clearance hitting the shins of Jorgensen and flying across the box to give Berghuis an easy finish. Captain Joel Veltman adds a third when a corner falls to him in the box, and the half-time score is 3-0.
Tunisia haven’t been overly attacking, with their wingers pulled back into midfield early-on, so it’s difficult to know how they can stop the rot. They elect to move to a stodgy 4-1-4-1, with Darragi replaced by Aouadhi. The result is that Tunisia get their first shot of the game 23 seconds into the half, but Ben-Hatira’s effort is rushed and wide. Lozano has been much poorer than against his native Mexico, so he is substituted. And it’s his replacement, Mimoun Mahi, who adds a fourth in the 83rd minute as he nods in Berghuis’ floated cross. It’s the only action of a dull second half, as the Dutch secure qualification at the earliest possible attempt, whilst Thailand’s debut World Cup adventure ends prematurely.
The map of key passes below gives an idea of how dangerous the Dutch were in attack. Several quality passes into the box, resulting in an early deluge on the Thai goal.
Group C standings
Greece vs. Morocco
Greece somehow came through to claim all the points against Venezuela, with every point appearing crucial in what should be a tight group. Morocco's loss to Turkey sees them go bottom, but there's a long way to go yet.
Greece somehow came through to claim all the points against Venezuela, with every point appearing crucial in what should be a tight group. Morocco's loss to Turkey sees them go bottom, but there's a long way to go yet.
Vieirinha and Marin came through for Greece with goals from the bench against Venezuela, but with no formation change there’s only space for Vieirinha, who comes in for Matos at right back. Morocco are hit with the news that playmaker Salhi is ruled out for at least the group stage with a groin strain. He is replaced by Salaheddine Saidi, as Morocco move to a 4-3-3. They also bring in Nahiri and Jbira in for full-backs Nii Adjei and Lagrou.
Emenike picks up an early knock and is taken off for Luciano. Now, Saidi has been brought in as a defensive change for Salhi, but it’s the new man who gets the opening goal with an instinctive shot following some penalty area pinball from a corner. Xandra Hellas’ assistant tells her that Proto has possibly broken his finger, but the goalkeeper doesn’t appear injured – or even with a worsened condition – so she ignores the scaremongering fool. Greece once again struggle with a corner, but this time they don’t concede as El Kaoutari lashes his shot well over the crossbar. Morocco have been by far the better team this half, and are denied a second as Hafidi’s header clips the crossbar as it goes over.
Greece bring on Marin for Fortounis at the interval, and the substitute makes a mockery of the decision not to start him as he immediately gets the equaliser – prodding in Lopes’ inviting low cross. Greece’s third sub is made on the hour mark as Matos is brought on for Mauricio, allowing Vieirinha to move onto the wing. But immediately after, Marin picks up a knock; luckily, he is able to play on. Greece are so much stronger this half, and with four minutes to go deal a cruel blow as Andre Simoes tucks away a loose ball in the box (much like Saidi’s opener) to put Greece 2-1 up. There are four minutes of added time, and as the clock ticks to 94:00 Morocco sling in a free kick. It’s cleared... but the whistle has gone for a penalty! Simoes goes from hero to villain with a push on Saidi! Mounir Obbadi is the brave, brave player to step up. Deep breath... it’s straight at Proto! The keeper parries, and the final whistle condemns Morocco to a galling defeat.
Oh my... Morocco must be devastated! Their second half performance was poor, as the team grew nervous and passive. Their map of touches made in the half shows how utterly few times they had the ball anywhere near the Greek goal. In fact, their only touch in the box was the ill-fated penalty.
Tomorrow's schedule
England vs. Denmark
Turkey vs. Venezuela
DR Congo vs. China
England vs. Denmark
Turkey vs. Venezuela
DR Congo vs. China