We've had 13 rounds of madness, with teams qualified for the Nations Cup (see part 1 for an explainer) battling as far as they can manage. This is how the tournament has progressed so far:
I'm very proud of that graphic. Anyway, it means we have eight teams left to battle it out. Wales and Belgium came through Stage 6 last time, and they join the six teams that won their Division A groups: China, Argentina, Colombia, Netherlands, England and Turkey.
Of these sides, England stand out as the obvious favourite, the only one of the 'big 5' teams to qualify. However, Netherlands, China and Turkey are decidedly in the bracket just below the big teams, and will see the relatively open draw as a superb chance of gaining silverware.
The two South American sides Colombia & Argentina, as well as the two qualifiers Belgium & Wales, are probably outsiders for the tournament, but have already proven themselves to get this far.
Anyway, let's get started with the...
Quarter-finals
Excitingly, the two highest-ranked teams in the draw are pitted together: England and Netherlands. Belgium and Wales are rewarded for their qualification with ties against Argentina and Turkey respectively, leaving Colombia to take on China.
Of these sides, England stand out as the obvious favourite, the only one of the 'big 5' teams to qualify. However, Netherlands, China and Turkey are decidedly in the bracket just below the big teams, and will see the relatively open draw as a superb chance of gaining silverware.
The two South American sides Colombia & Argentina, as well as the two qualifiers Belgium & Wales, are probably outsiders for the tournament, but have already proven themselves to get this far.
Anyway, let's get started with the...
Quarter-finals
Excitingly, the two highest-ranked teams in the draw are pitted together: England and Netherlands. Belgium and Wales are rewarded for their qualification with ties against Argentina and Turkey respectively, leaving Colombia to take on China.
Argentina vs Belgium
A quiet half only had one moment of note, as Ruud Vormer hit the woodwork for Belgium. Argentina's counter-attacking style generally stifled the game, with a couple of chances for them on the break, whilst Wesley was a threat at the other end. In the 90th minute Argentina won a free kick high up the pitch, and it fell to Paolo Goltz, who tucked it into the bottom corner for a late winner!
A quiet half only had one moment of note, as Ruud Vormer hit the woodwork for Belgium. Argentina's counter-attacking style generally stifled the game, with a couple of chances for them on the break, whilst Wesley was a threat at the other end. In the 90th minute Argentina won a free kick high up the pitch, and it fell to Paolo Goltz, who tucked it into the bottom corner for a late winner!
Colombia vs China
Colombia were set up in their typical 4-4-2 shape, aiming to deny China too much space. This generally worked, although China were certainly the better side. Twice Marek Hamsik carved open the Colombian defence with through-balls, but both chances were wasted - the first by Cédric Bakambu, the second by his replacement Alexandre Pato. With parallels to the previous game, Colombia mounted a dangerous attack in the 89th minute. It came to Andrés Ricaurte, who beat Yan Junling with his shot, only to see it hit the inside of the post and stay out... but Ricaurte reached the rebound to score and put Colombia through!
Colombia were set up in their typical 4-4-2 shape, aiming to deny China too much space. This generally worked, although China were certainly the better side. Twice Marek Hamsik carved open the Colombian defence with through-balls, but both chances were wasted - the first by Cédric Bakambu, the second by his replacement Alexandre Pato. With parallels to the previous game, Colombia mounted a dangerous attack in the 89th minute. It came to Andrés Ricaurte, who beat Yan Junling with his shot, only to see it hit the inside of the post and stay out... but Ricaurte reached the rebound to score and put Colombia through!
England vs Netherlands
England were made to work hard for control of this game by Netherlands, who pressed their opponents well. But it was England who grabbed the opening goal in the 19th minute, when Kevin de Bruyne's shot was blocked into the path of Mohamed Salah to tuck it away. But the Dutch levelled 119 seconds later - and in similar fashion, as Tonny Vilhena's shot was blocked into the path of Frenkie de Jong to put into the bottom corner. England were able to grow into the game, and keep Netherlands in their own half. The pressure finally told just before the break when Eden Hazard found a pocket of space to run into and place a trademark placed finish into the bottom corner! Surprisingly, the second half was dour and had no real chances, meaning England were through!
England were made to work hard for control of this game by Netherlands, who pressed their opponents well. But it was England who grabbed the opening goal in the 19th minute, when Kevin de Bruyne's shot was blocked into the path of Mohamed Salah to tuck it away. But the Dutch levelled 119 seconds later - and in similar fashion, as Tonny Vilhena's shot was blocked into the path of Frenkie de Jong to put into the bottom corner. England were able to grow into the game, and keep Netherlands in their own half. The pressure finally told just before the break when Eden Hazard found a pocket of space to run into and place a trademark placed finish into the bottom corner! Surprisingly, the second half was dour and had no real chances, meaning England were through!
Turkey vs Wales
Wales started with great intensity, really pushing Turkey's aging squad hard, and they got an immediate reward when Harry Arter fired home from the edge of the box in the 5th minute! Wales kept it up, and were two up not long after, as Arter's free kick was headered in by Mike van der Hoorn. Turkey were really up against it, so what they needed was a moment of inspiration. Instead, they got Mariano lunging into a crazy two-footed tackle and seeing red. Turkey were clearly gone now, and a shove in the box by Younes Belhanda gave Wales a penalty. Arter continued his fine game by putting it away, for a 3-0 lead within 18 minutes! The game fizzled out after that, with 10-man Turkey never looking like coming back. They eventually tired and allowed Wales to add further garnish with two late strikes - Arter setting up Leroy Fer for a powerful finish, before Arter completed the perfect performance with a second penalty to notch an unlikely hat-trick. 5-0, and humiliation for Turkey. What a statement of intent from Wales though!
Wales started with great intensity, really pushing Turkey's aging squad hard, and they got an immediate reward when Harry Arter fired home from the edge of the box in the 5th minute! Wales kept it up, and were two up not long after, as Arter's free kick was headered in by Mike van der Hoorn. Turkey were really up against it, so what they needed was a moment of inspiration. Instead, they got Mariano lunging into a crazy two-footed tackle and seeing red. Turkey were clearly gone now, and a shove in the box by Younes Belhanda gave Wales a penalty. Arter continued his fine game by putting it away, for a 3-0 lead within 18 minutes! The game fizzled out after that, with 10-man Turkey never looking like coming back. They eventually tired and allowed Wales to add further garnish with two late strikes - Arter setting up Leroy Fer for a powerful finish, before Arter completed the perfect performance with a second penalty to notch an unlikely hat-trick. 5-0, and humiliation for Turkey. What a statement of intent from Wales though!
Semi-finals
So we have two South Americans and two British teams in the semis. Will they be drawn together? Nope. There's a Patagonian showdown as Argentina take on Wales, whilst Colombia will want revenge for their penalty loss in the real World Cup last year as they face England.
Of the teams left in, only England have semi-final experience - from their loss against Germany in this year's DWC. Getting to a final would certainly be virgin territory for any of these sides, so who will step up?
So we have two South Americans and two British teams in the semis. Will they be drawn together? Nope. There's a Patagonian showdown as Argentina take on Wales, whilst Colombia will want revenge for their penalty loss in the real World Cup last year as they face England.
Of the teams left in, only England have semi-final experience - from their loss against Germany in this year's DWC. Getting to a final would certainly be virgin territory for any of these sides, so who will step up?
Argentina vs Wales
A slower start by Wales this time, and in fact it's Argentina who get an early goal as Connor Roberts tripped Darío Benedetto, allowing Goltz to step up and put the penalty away. But just a few minutes later Goltz turns to villain as he pushes Kenneth Zohore in the box. Arter is the taker, and he continues his fine tournament with another penalty! The game settled down from there, with few chances either way. The game took a huge turn in the 61st minute when Josh Murphy attempted a shot from outside the box. The shot cannoned into Wílmar Barrios and settled in the bottom corner! Once again, Wales' momentum helped them extend their lead, as three minutes later Zohore headed in to make it 3-1. And despite a late Argentina rally, that's the way it stayed - Wales become the first team to make a Nations Cup final!
A slower start by Wales this time, and in fact it's Argentina who get an early goal as Connor Roberts tripped Darío Benedetto, allowing Goltz to step up and put the penalty away. But just a few minutes later Goltz turns to villain as he pushes Kenneth Zohore in the box. Arter is the taker, and he continues his fine tournament with another penalty! The game settled down from there, with few chances either way. The game took a huge turn in the 61st minute when Josh Murphy attempted a shot from outside the box. The shot cannoned into Wílmar Barrios and settled in the bottom corner! Once again, Wales' momentum helped them extend their lead, as three minutes later Zohore headed in to make it 3-1. And despite a late Argentina rally, that's the way it stayed - Wales become the first team to make a Nations Cup final!
Colombia vs England
Fielding a 4-1-4-1 formation, Colombia's gameplan was clearly to contain England for as long as possible. That turned out to be 8 minutes, when David Silva's free kick was nodded down by Virgil van Dijk for Jan Vertonghen to poke home! Colombia did keep England out well for the rest of the half, only to hit the self-destruct button straight after the break, as Juan Guillermo Domínguez committed a professional foul and earned a red for himself and a penalty for England. Harry Kane's penalty wasn't the best, but Carlos Bejarano couldn't keep it out and it was 2-0. With 10 men Colombia's hopes were pretty much over, and the rest of the game became an attack vs defence exercise. It was soon 3 when Kane's header fell kindly for Salah to score, and Kane got a second himself later on with a looping header.
Fielding a 4-1-4-1 formation, Colombia's gameplan was clearly to contain England for as long as possible. That turned out to be 8 minutes, when David Silva's free kick was nodded down by Virgil van Dijk for Jan Vertonghen to poke home! Colombia did keep England out well for the rest of the half, only to hit the self-destruct button straight after the break, as Juan Guillermo Domínguez committed a professional foul and earned a red for himself and a penalty for England. Harry Kane's penalty wasn't the best, but Carlos Bejarano couldn't keep it out and it was 2-0. With 10 men Colombia's hopes were pretty much over, and the rest of the game became an attack vs defence exercise. It was soon 3 when Kane's header fell kindly for Salah to score, and Kane got a second himself later on with a looping header.
Final: Wales vs England
So... the final of the inaugural Nations Cup is between two local rivals, Wales and England! What a heroic effort from Wales, who have won four matches to get this far, and completely outplaying two Division A group winners.
England, meanwhile, started in the quarter-finals, and have generally looked in control without running riot (until Colombia went down to 10 men).
All logic dictates that England will go on to claim the trophy. Basically, it's a team made up with players from Man City, Liverpool, Spurs and Chelsea against a side with Cardiff and Swansea players. But this tournament has been highly unpredictable, and Wales just seem to have hit on a winning formula.
Unsurprisingly, Wales make no changes to their line-up. England make one changes, and it's to bring in N'Golo Kanté in for David Silva.
So... the final of the inaugural Nations Cup is between two local rivals, Wales and England! What a heroic effort from Wales, who have won four matches to get this far, and completely outplaying two Division A group winners.
England, meanwhile, started in the quarter-finals, and have generally looked in control without running riot (until Colombia went down to 10 men).
All logic dictates that England will go on to claim the trophy. Basically, it's a team made up with players from Man City, Liverpool, Spurs and Chelsea against a side with Cardiff and Swansea players. But this tournament has been highly unpredictable, and Wales just seem to have hit on a winning formula.
Unsurprisingly, Wales make no changes to their line-up. England make one changes, and it's to bring in N'Golo Kanté in for David Silva.
Wales cannot get on the ball early on, and commit a few fouls in trying to retrieve it. One of these proves fatal, as de Bruyne swings in the free kick, van Dijk nods it on and Kanté is there at the far post to score 5 minutes into his first start!
It's a game response from Wales, who begin to battle England well in midfield, and even force a couple of half-chances. England find chances for themselves harder to come by, with their best chance of the rest of the half coming when Harry Kane takes a long pass down brilliantly, but he flashes his shot wide from a difficult angle.
At the start of the second half Wales earn a throw-in high up in England's half. They work it to Victor Camarasa to swing in a cross. Kyle Walker heads it away, and van Dijk is there to clear. Except he doesn't, he tries a suicidal back-pass to Alisson and Murphy gets to it first to make it 1-1!
At the start of the second half Wales earn a throw-in high up in England's half. They work it to Victor Camarasa to swing in a cross. Kyle Walker heads it away, and van Dijk is there to clear. Except he doesn't, he tries a suicidal back-pass to Alisson and Murphy gets to it first to make it 1-1!
Well, well, well. Who expected that? England respond by upping their tempo. Wales bring on Nathaniel Mendez-Laing for Wayne Routledge. On the hour mark Salah fires in a vicious cross, and Hazard beats Roberts in the air. Neil Etheridge makes a good stop, but it's straight back to Hazard to put England back in front!
Further changes are made - Aron Gunnarsson and David Silva replace Fer and de Bruyne. England are forced into another change as Hazard picks up a knock, Raheem Sterling coming on.
England's defence has been comfortable all game - that one major error aside - and Wales can't put them under any pressure. In the 90th minute Salah bursts through the Welsh defence, but is blocked on the edge of the box by Greg Cunningham. The referee comes over and deems him to be the last man, so it's a red card!
That should be that, although there's six minutes of added time. In the second of those Mendez-Laing brings the ball forward all the way to the edge of the English box. He fires in a low cross towards Zohore, but van Dijk redeems himself with a fantastic block. But the ball comes back to substitute Bobby Decordova-Reid... and he hits the post! What a chance!
In the final moments Salah pulls his hamstring, but can just about stay on. He has the wherewithal to play a blinding pass through to Kanté, whose shot is batted away by Etheridge, but it's the last action of the game and ENGLAND ARE THE NATIONS CUP CHAMPIONS!
That was a really good final, and Wales did themselves proud. England, meanwhile, were favourites once all their rivals lost out in the league stage, but they still have to convert that into a first trophy win. Eden Hazard is the hero again, just as he appears to be on the brink of a move to Spain.
England's defence has been comfortable all game - that one major error aside - and Wales can't put them under any pressure. In the 90th minute Salah bursts through the Welsh defence, but is blocked on the edge of the box by Greg Cunningham. The referee comes over and deems him to be the last man, so it's a red card!
That should be that, although there's six minutes of added time. In the second of those Mendez-Laing brings the ball forward all the way to the edge of the English box. He fires in a low cross towards Zohore, but van Dijk redeems himself with a fantastic block. But the ball comes back to substitute Bobby Decordova-Reid... and he hits the post! What a chance!
In the final moments Salah pulls his hamstring, but can just about stay on. He has the wherewithal to play a blinding pass through to Kanté, whose shot is batted away by Etheridge, but it's the last action of the game and ENGLAND ARE THE NATIONS CUP CHAMPIONS!
That was a really good final, and Wales did themselves proud. England, meanwhile, were favourites once all their rivals lost out in the league stage, but they still have to convert that into a first trophy win. Eden Hazard is the hero again, just as he appears to be on the brink of a move to Spain.
So that's everything from this year's DWC! We had the main tournament itself, won by Germany of course, and now this bit of fun to round off the season.
Next year will be different, we're expecting a child in the summer and I'm not going to make any promises about how much time I can put into the next DWC campaign! I'm sure I'll get something together, but who knows? I hope you've enjoyed this year's adventure, do please share on social media if you have.
Next year will be different, we're expecting a child in the summer and I'm not going to make any promises about how much time I can put into the next DWC campaign! I'm sure I'll get something together, but who knows? I hope you've enjoyed this year's adventure, do please share on social media if you have.