It's time to introduce yet another new tournament to DWC-land!
This is the Confederations Cup, which sees the winners of the other DWC tournaments go head-to-head for a bit of extra pride. The sides that qualify are:
They are placed into two groups of 4 ordered by their world rankings, which are: Spain (1), France (2), England (4), Brazil (7), USA (10), Saudi Arabia (20), Nigeria (28), Australia (44). And these are the groups:
This is the Confederations Cup, which sees the winners of the other DWC tournaments go head-to-head for a bit of extra pride. The sides that qualify are:
- The 2020 Draft World Cup champions: France
- The winners of the 2020 continental championships: Nigeria (Africa), Saudi Arabia (Asia), Spain (Europe), USA (North America), Australia (Oceania), Brazil (South America)
- The 2019 Nations Cup champions: England
They are placed into two groups of 4 ordered by their world rankings, which are: Spain (1), France (2), England (4), Brazil (7), USA (10), Saudi Arabia (20), Nigeria (28), Australia (44). And these are the groups:
The top two from each group progress to the semi finals. Today we cover Group A, so it's a swift return to action for the DWC champions France. They will of course be expected to go through, but it could be a tight battle to join them between Brazil and USA. Brazil will be favourites after a 2-0 win when the sides met in the DWC. Meanwhile, Australia are the rank outsiders in this tournament, and will be going in with no real expectations.
So, let's begin!
Brazil vs Australia
Australia set their stall out early on to defend deep and see if they could frustrate Brazil. However, they struggled with their opponents, and the opening goal came in the 31st minute when winger Bruno Henrique's shot was parried by Daniel Lopar into the path of Everton for an easy tap-in.
He doubled his tally immediately after half time when Gustavo Scarpa's free kick found him at the far post. A simple opening win for Brazil was wrapped up in stoppage time when Dani Alves' free kick was flicked on by Bruno Henrique (the CM) and finished by Bruno Henrique (the LW).
Final score: Brazil 3-0 Australia
Player of the match: Everton
So, let's begin!
Brazil vs Australia
Australia set their stall out early on to defend deep and see if they could frustrate Brazil. However, they struggled with their opponents, and the opening goal came in the 31st minute when winger Bruno Henrique's shot was parried by Daniel Lopar into the path of Everton for an easy tap-in.
He doubled his tally immediately after half time when Gustavo Scarpa's free kick found him at the far post. A simple opening win for Brazil was wrapped up in stoppage time when Dani Alves' free kick was flicked on by Bruno Henrique (the CM) and finished by Bruno Henrique (the LW).
Final score: Brazil 3-0 Australia
Player of the match: Everton
USA vs France
France started on the front foot, as one would expect, and they opened the scoring in a similar way to Brazil - Kylian Mbappé's powerful shot is parried by Pedro Gallese to fellow winger Neymar to tap in.
France couldn't push on, as they struggled to create further chances. And they were made to pay in the 81st minute when a Gonzalo Martínez's cross evaded Marquinhos and found Nani at the far post, and he ruthlessly volleyed USA level. France couldn't find a winner, meaning the DWC champions start with a slightly disappointing draw.
Final score: USA 1-1 France
Player of the match: Marco Verratti
France started on the front foot, as one would expect, and they opened the scoring in a similar way to Brazil - Kylian Mbappé's powerful shot is parried by Pedro Gallese to fellow winger Neymar to tap in.
France couldn't push on, as they struggled to create further chances. And they were made to pay in the 81st minute when a Gonzalo Martínez's cross evaded Marquinhos and found Nani at the far post, and he ruthlessly volleyed USA level. France couldn't find a winner, meaning the DWC champions start with a slightly disappointing draw.
Final score: USA 1-1 France
Player of the match: Marco Verratti
Australia vs USA
Can USA back up their point against Brazil with a win here? If they do so, Australia's journey is over. Their deep defence does a good job of keeping the Americans out, but just before half time a fierce cross by Gonzalo Martínez pings around the Aussie box before Josef Martínez lays it off to Carlos Vela for an easy tap-in.
Australia fail to switch it up and attack in the second half, and they are left defending trying to prevent another. And they eventually fail as Diego Castro clatters Vela in the box, and Diego Valeri puts away the penalty.
Final score: Australia 0-2 USA
Player of the match: Diego Valeri
Can USA back up their point against Brazil with a win here? If they do so, Australia's journey is over. Their deep defence does a good job of keeping the Americans out, but just before half time a fierce cross by Gonzalo Martínez pings around the Aussie box before Josef Martínez lays it off to Carlos Vela for an easy tap-in.
Australia fail to switch it up and attack in the second half, and they are left defending trying to prevent another. And they eventually fail as Diego Castro clatters Vela in the box, and Diego Valeri puts away the penalty.
Final score: Australia 0-2 USA
Player of the match: Diego Valeri
France vs Brazil
A defeat wouldn't be fatal for either team, but it would leave them in third going into the final round of games. Brazil could qualify now with a win. This was a much more entertaining affair, with both sides intent on attacking. The breakthrough came in the 38th minute, and it went to the defending DWC champions as Neymar smashes home Leyvin Kurzawa's pass.
Hernanes nearly restores parity at the start of the second period, but his fearsome volley ricochets off the crossbar, and Gabriel Barbosa can't convert the rebound. It's the high point of a dull second half, and France hold on for a win that sees them in a strong position going into the final match.
Final score: France 1-0 Brazil
Player of the match: Neymar
A defeat wouldn't be fatal for either team, but it would leave them in third going into the final round of games. Brazil could qualify now with a win. This was a much more entertaining affair, with both sides intent on attacking. The breakthrough came in the 38th minute, and it went to the defending DWC champions as Neymar smashes home Leyvin Kurzawa's pass.
Hernanes nearly restores parity at the start of the second period, but his fearsome volley ricochets off the crossbar, and Gabriel Barbosa can't convert the rebound. It's the high point of a dull second half, and France hold on for a win that sees them in a strong position going into the final match.
Final score: France 1-0 Brazil
Player of the match: Neymar
This is the table:
France will qualify if they avoid defeat to bottom side Australia, and even a defeat would be enough if USA beat Brazil. Assuming France go through, then it's effectively down to Brazil & USA, with the former needing a win and the latter a draw.
Australia vs France
Any hopes of a shock were quickly vanishes when France scored three goals in 9 first half minutes. All three came from headed finishes from right-wing crosses, the first to Alexandr Golovin and the other two to Neymar. And history repeated itself yet again when Mauro Icardi - on his first start - headed in Youcef Atal's cross for a 4-0 half time scoreline.
The second half was quieter, as France just added one more goal. You can guess, it was a header, and this time it was Thiago Silva who got the goal, from Neymar's free kick.
Final score: Australia 0-5 France
Player of the match: Neymar
Australia vs France
Any hopes of a shock were quickly vanishes when France scored three goals in 9 first half minutes. All three came from headed finishes from right-wing crosses, the first to Alexandr Golovin and the other two to Neymar. And history repeated itself yet again when Mauro Icardi - on his first start - headed in Youcef Atal's cross for a 4-0 half time scoreline.
The second half was quieter, as France just added one more goal. You can guess, it was a header, and this time it was Thiago Silva who got the goal, from Neymar's free kick.
Final score: Australia 0-5 France
Player of the match: Neymar
Brazil vs USA
Brazil didn't select a centre back on their bench, and were left to rue it when Geromel picked up an injury on the stroke of half time. This became a full-blown crisis in the 57th minute when their other centre back Gil picked up a red card for a professional foul. However, it denied Gonzalo Martínez a one-on-one chance, and with USA unable to convert the free kick it might be a sacrifice worth making...
It appeared so, as in the 75th minute a USA's own poor discipline resulted in Brazil being awarded a penalty. Gabriel Barbosa had a lot of pressure on him as he stepped up... and put it away! And late on Brazil made certain when Bruno Henrique (LW) headed in Gabriel Barbosa's cross.
Final score: Brazil 2-0 USA
Player of the match: Bruno Henrique
Brazil didn't select a centre back on their bench, and were left to rue it when Geromel picked up an injury on the stroke of half time. This became a full-blown crisis in the 57th minute when their other centre back Gil picked up a red card for a professional foul. However, it denied Gonzalo Martínez a one-on-one chance, and with USA unable to convert the free kick it might be a sacrifice worth making...
It appeared so, as in the 75th minute a USA's own poor discipline resulted in Brazil being awarded a penalty. Gabriel Barbosa had a lot of pressure on him as he stepped up... and put it away! And late on Brazil made certain when Bruno Henrique (LW) headed in Gabriel Barbosa's cross.
Final score: Brazil 2-0 USA
Player of the match: Bruno Henrique
Here's confirmation of the final table:
It's not a glorious outing for Oceanic Championship winners Australia, whilst it's a shame to see USA go out after their plucky performance against France. Despite that slip-up, the tournament favourites top the group.
Next time we'll see if Spain and England can live up to expectations and join France and Brazil in the next stage. But Saudi Arabia and Nigeria are handy, can they cause an upset somewhere?
Next time we'll see if Spain and England can live up to expectations and join France and Brazil in the next stage. But Saudi Arabia and Nigeria are handy, can they cause an upset somewhere?