Whilst events in Russia are reasonably goal-lite, with the exception of that Spain - Portugal game, we're seeing goals raining down here at the Draft World Cup. Yesterday there were 14 across the three games, including a thrilling 5-2 win over Thailand for Mexico.
Anyway, onto today's action. Turkey can secure qualification as they face Venezuela, whilst the teams from Group E are all in action - England taking on Denmark and China facing DR Congo.
England vs. Denmark
Given the nature of the DWC, it's fair to say that teams aren't necessarily burdened with the nature of their real-life counterparts. In particular, why should the DWC England be doomed to fail like real England are, when there's only two English guys in the squad? A very fine win over China has got England into a good position. Denmark, meanwhile, struggled to victory of DR Congo, but three points is three points. Here is how the group stands:
Anyway, onto today's action. Turkey can secure qualification as they face Venezuela, whilst the teams from Group E are all in action - England taking on Denmark and China facing DR Congo.
England vs. Denmark
Given the nature of the DWC, it's fair to say that teams aren't necessarily burdened with the nature of their real-life counterparts. In particular, why should the DWC England be doomed to fail like real England are, when there's only two English guys in the squad? A very fine win over China has got England into a good position. Denmark, meanwhile, struggled to victory of DR Congo, but three points is three points. Here is how the group stands:
Unsurprisingly, England make no changes. Facing England’s mighty attack, Denmark switch to a 4-1-4-1 with Viktor Fischer (the match-winner against DR Congo) replacing Mukhtar.
Denmark’s tactics do initially frustrate England, who have over 80% possession early on. But the breakthrough arrives in the 25th minute, albeit with a stroke of fortune. Aguero is dispossessed by Tibbling, but the ball falls to Mo Salah just yards from goal to tap in. Denmark remain solid – even a low-scoring defeat isn’t bad for them – and the score is 1-0 at the break.
Denmark’s compact defence is resulting in a tough time for Aguero, so Kane is brought on in his stead. And England do get the second goal they wanted soon after the restart, coming from the unlikely boot of N’Golo Kante, whose shot from 18 yards bounces in via the crossbar. Kane and Salah both hit the woodwork as England begin to turn the screw. England get their third when the Egyptian wriggles into some space in the box and plays in substitute Paul Pogba to fire home. The game is no longer close enough for Denmark to bother risking trying to get back into the game, and they hold out to lose 3-0. It seems bad, but that is one less than China, which could potentially come into play at the end of this group.
The map (below) of Denmark’s touches shows absolutely unadventurous they were. Could they have shocked England with a bolder approach? Maybe, but we’ll never know.
Turkey vs. Venezuela
As Greece picked up their second win yesterday, Turkey doing the same would see them and Greece through, with Morocco and Venezuela out. In fact, even a draw will see Greece through and do for Morocco. Turkey looked very good in front of goal when they beat Morocco, although their opponents were unlucky to lose to Greece by the odd goal in five.
Despite contrasting results last time, both teams are sticking with an unchanged XI.
As Greece picked up their second win yesterday, Turkey doing the same would see them and Greece through, with Morocco and Venezuela out. In fact, even a draw will see Greece through and do for Morocco. Turkey looked very good in front of goal when they beat Morocco, although their opponents were unlucky to lose to Greece by the odd goal in five.
Despite contrasting results last time, both teams are sticking with an unchanged XI.
Adriano is lucky to still be in the Turkish side after a poor game against Morocco, and he gifts Venezuela an early chance by aiming a throw-in straight to Falcon, whose shot is well saved by Muslera. Venezuela have started much stronger, and they only need 7 minutes to take the lead, as Jesus Lugo plays it out wide to Angelo Pena, who chips it back for Lugo to nod in the opening goal. Turkey immediately respond by getting the ball into Venezuela’s box. But the ball is lost and a quick break results in Juan Falcon playing Lugo through, and the winger adds his second with a composed finish – just 80 seconds after his first! Turkey encourage Feghouli and Valbuena to push up, virtually playing a 4-2-4. They put big pressure on Venezuela, but thanks to two bad headers from Burak, they can’t find a goal before half time.
Pena had picked up a cut to his head before the break, so he is replaced by Cure, who is instructed to sit a bit deeper and help contain Turkey. Adriano has been even worse than against Morocco, and so is replaced by Clichy (again). It’s Turkey’s second sub which makes the difference, though, as Giuliano (on for Burak as Turkey move to a 4-2-3-1) flicks a cross on to Alvaro Negredo to volley home. Venezuela have been looking nervous this half, and the equaliser feels inevitable when it arrives. A quick Turkish break finishes with the ball with Mathieu Valbuena, who expertly fires it into the top corner. 16 minutes for someone to find a winner! Lugo has a half-chance, but his shot from just inside the box is easily held by Muslera. Soon after Castro (on for Falcon) has a shot fly narrowly wide, before Negredo’s volley wallops into the crossbar and flies over. In added time Kucka is given acres of space outside the Venezuelan box, and plays it in to Negredo, who calmly slots it beyond Buenanos for the winner! It’s a horrible gut-punch for Venezuela, but they really brought that on themselves with a terrible second half collapse. Replays do suggest that Venezuela’s appeals for offside were justified, and Turkey can consider themselves incredibly lucky to win that match.
The win confirms both Turkey and Greece’s progression from a group that threatened to be very difficult. Giuliano can claim a lot of credit for Turkey’s comeback, with assists for their first two goals. The first of which, for some reason, isn’t shown on his pass map below.
Group D standings
DR Congo vs. China
England's expected win means that both of these sides will be aiming to catch Denmark. A win for China and DR Congo will be eliminated, as China face Denmark in the final round of games.
DR Congo make a couple of chances, with Kimwaki and Cedrick replaced by Kasereka and Traore – the latter moving back to LM to provide additional cover. China give their mad 3-2-1-4-0 formation one more shot. Their only change is Yannick Carrasco in for Lavezzi.
England's expected win means that both of these sides will be aiming to catch Denmark. A win for China and DR Congo will be eliminated, as China face Denmark in the final round of games.
DR Congo make a couple of chances, with Kimwaki and Cedrick replaced by Kasereka and Traore – the latter moving back to LM to provide additional cover. China give their mad 3-2-1-4-0 formation one more shot. Their only change is Yannick Carrasco in for Lavezzi.
As the early stage of the match flies by with no moments of note, it begins to look bad for the mad striker-less formation. But then it comes together in a moment of clarity that makes the whole effort seem worthwhile. Ramires to Oscar to Witsel to Carrasco, who turns Issama and rolls it across to Oscar to neatly place it into the bottom corner for a delightful goal. However, China can’t recreate that magic, and in the 38th minute the scores are levelled thanks to a perfect cross by Traore, headed home by Rainford Kalaba. In added time a Chinese corner is hit into a crowded box by Mbia. It comes back to him and he plays it to Oscar who finishes well – but the flag is up and we enter the interval all-square.
Zahavi moves up front to provide China with a focal point. It has little impact, as with later substitutions, as the second half flies by with virtually nothing of note happening. With four minutes to go China are building from the back when Kasereka intercepts the ball. However, he is too slow to get the ball under control and Ezequiel Lavezzi – on as a sub – nips in, steals the ball and finishes well to give China a late (and barely-deserved) win!
The winner confirms poor DR Congo’s elimination, as well as England’s progression. It also sets things up brilliantly for the final-round match between China and Denmark, with the winner progressing to the second round. As for this match, the map below shows China’s passes received in the attacking half. There are very few in the DR Congo box, showing how congested things get with four attacking midfielders. It will be fascinating to see what tactics China go with against the Danes.
Group E standings
Tomorrow's schedule
Italy vs. Hungary
Ukraine vs. Mali
Portugal vs. Chile
Italy vs. Hungary
Ukraine vs. Mali
Portugal vs. Chile