With every team in this year's Draft World Cup now having played a game, this is how things stand:
Today we are going to go through the second round of games in Groups A & B. By the end of this episode, we're likely to have some teams qualified for the knockout rounds, and some teams eliminated. But who will they be?
Group A: Colombia vs Germany
The two winning teams from the first round of games meet. Colombia were more impressive than Germany, albeit against the group's lowest-ranked side Algeria. Whoever wins here will be virtually through. In last year's DWC Germany won against Colombia 2-0.
Colombia don't change a winning side, and neither do Germany, despite some poor individual performances against Turkey.
The two winning teams from the first round of games meet. Colombia were more impressive than Germany, albeit against the group's lowest-ranked side Algeria. Whoever wins here will be virtually through. In last year's DWC Germany won against Colombia 2-0.
Colombia don't change a winning side, and neither do Germany, despite some poor individual performances against Turkey.
Colombia's first spell with the ball creates a great chances, as Matías Pisano slips it to Teó Gutiérrez, but Manuel Neuer does just enough to deflect the ball wide. Moments later Leon Bailey is dispossessed near his own goal, and Andrés Ricaurte's cross finds Sebastián Hernández, but he blazes oevr from 8 yards. It's not Bailey's day, as he picks up an injury and is replaced in the 10th minute by Serge Gnabry.
Ricaurte draws a save from Neuer with a header, as Colombia continue to have the better of Germany, but they were immediately punished for their lack of cutting edge. The ball comes to Gnabry on the edge of the box, and he plays it to Lewandowski who instinctively drills it into the near corner!
Álvaro Odriozola, Niklas Sule and Mats Hummels go close soon after, as the tide completely reverses. Lewandowski hits the post with a delightful 20 yard shot, but Colombia eventually stem the flow and the rest of the half is played with little incident. Whilst Germany's goal was entirely against the run of play, they've been much the better side since then.
Ricaurte draws a save from Neuer with a header, as Colombia continue to have the better of Germany, but they were immediately punished for their lack of cutting edge. The ball comes to Gnabry on the edge of the box, and he plays it to Lewandowski who instinctively drills it into the near corner!
Álvaro Odriozola, Niklas Sule and Mats Hummels go close soon after, as the tide completely reverses. Lewandowski hits the post with a delightful 20 yard shot, but Colombia eventually stem the flow and the rest of the half is played with little incident. Whilst Germany's goal was entirely against the run of play, they've been much the better side since then.
Early on in the second half Hummels and Sule pick up yellow cards, which means that both sides now have both CBs cautioned, which may be interesting. The first decent chance of the half comes in the 64th minute when David Alaba's powerful shot was pushed over by Wuilker Farinez.
13 minutes later Gnabry also draws a save from the 21-year old shotstopper. In the 80th minute, As Colombia consider bringing on a second striker, Odriozola breaks down the right and crosses for Lewandowski. He smartly nods it down, and Gnabry volleys it home!
Colombia do bring on a second striker, Jefferson Duque. And the switch pays off immediately! Hummels dawdles on the ball and Gutiérrez muscles in to steal it. He bears down on goal, and selflessly lays it off to Duque to tap into the empty net!
Colombia pour forward, switching to a 4-2-4, with winger Leyvin Balanta playing at LB. It's an attack down that flank that leads to the ball breaking to Gutiérrez in the 90th minute. He lets fly from the edge of the box but Neuer pushes it over. Gnabry needs the physio after the build-up to that chance, but he can continue. In fact, he's fit enough to set up Marco Reus for a half chance, one which Farinez has to push behind. It wastes more time, and soon after the game ends to seal a second nervy win for Germany.
13 minutes later Gnabry also draws a save from the 21-year old shotstopper. In the 80th minute, As Colombia consider bringing on a second striker, Odriozola breaks down the right and crosses for Lewandowski. He smartly nods it down, and Gnabry volleys it home!
Colombia do bring on a second striker, Jefferson Duque. And the switch pays off immediately! Hummels dawdles on the ball and Gutiérrez muscles in to steal it. He bears down on goal, and selflessly lays it off to Duque to tap into the empty net!
Colombia pour forward, switching to a 4-2-4, with winger Leyvin Balanta playing at LB. It's an attack down that flank that leads to the ball breaking to Gutiérrez in the 90th minute. He lets fly from the edge of the box but Neuer pushes it over. Gnabry needs the physio after the build-up to that chance, but he can continue. In fact, he's fit enough to set up Marco Reus for a half chance, one which Farinez has to push behind. It wastes more time, and soon after the game ends to seal a second nervy win for Germany.
Final score: Colombia 1-2 Germany
Player of the match: Serge Gnabry
Group A: Algeria vs Turkey
A clash of cresents and stars. After opening-day defeats points are needed here. Particularly for Algeria, for whom a defeat would confirm their elimination. If Algeria fail to win, then Germany are confirmed as through.
Algeria's only change is to swap RB Abderrahmane Hachoud out for Rabie Meftag. Changing to a 4-3-3 gave Turkey an extra dimension against Germany, and so Garry Rodrigues and Edin Visca replace Kevin-Prince Boateng and Mohamed Elneny.
Player of the match: Serge Gnabry
Group A: Algeria vs Turkey
A clash of cresents and stars. After opening-day defeats points are needed here. Particularly for Algeria, for whom a defeat would confirm their elimination. If Algeria fail to win, then Germany are confirmed as through.
Algeria's only change is to swap RB Abderrahmane Hachoud out for Rabie Meftag. Changing to a 4-3-3 gave Turkey an extra dimension against Germany, and so Garry Rodrigues and Edin Visca replace Kevin-Prince Boateng and Mohamed Elneny.
The wingers combine early, Visca cutting inside and playing it to Rodrigues, who shoots over. But in the 26th minute Rodrigues picks up a knock. With no other wings in Turkey's squad, he stays on for now.
Algeria are happy to defend, whilst Turkey are a bit rusty going forward, which leads to a dire half of football. Turkey do fashion a chance in added time, Visca heading over from Gael Clichy's cross. It's level at the break, despite Turkey dominating with 65% possession.
Algeria are happy to defend, whilst Turkey are a bit rusty going forward, which leads to a dire half of football. Turkey do fashion a chance in added time, Visca heading over from Gael Clichy's cross. It's level at the break, despite Turkey dominating with 65% possession.
Turkey do withdraw Rodrigues at the break, with Lukas Podolski coming on. They nearly start the half in perfect fashion, as Víctor Ruiz's header from a corner is cleared off the line by Meftah.
It's a false dawn as the second half is otherwise as dull as the first. Turkey replace Luiz Gustavo with Max Kruse, and he picks the lock in the 77th minute with a wonderful pass to play in Visca, but Sofiane Khedairia makes the save.
The game ticks into four minutes of added time. Junior Caicara steals into space on the right, and fires in a hopeful cross. He finds Podolski, now moved up front alongside Radamel Falcao, who guides his header beyond Khedairia and dramatically win it for Turkey!
Whilst Algeria show a bit of life as they try to get level, they can't find an equaliser and the final whistle confirms their elimination and Germany's progression!
It's a false dawn as the second half is otherwise as dull as the first. Turkey replace Luiz Gustavo with Max Kruse, and he picks the lock in the 77th minute with a wonderful pass to play in Visca, but Sofiane Khedairia makes the save.
The game ticks into four minutes of added time. Junior Caicara steals into space on the right, and fires in a hopeful cross. He finds Podolski, now moved up front alongside Radamel Falcao, who guides his header beyond Khedairia and dramatically win it for Turkey!
Whilst Algeria show a bit of life as they try to get level, they can't find an equaliser and the final whistle confirms their elimination and Germany's progression!
Final score: Algeria 0-1 Turkey
Player of the match: Lukas Podolski
Player of the match: Lukas Podolski
Group B: Switzerland vs Portugal
As in Group A, the two winners from the last round of games meet up here. These two have met three times before, with Portugal winning twice and the other one a draw.
Switzerland have no reason to make any changes, so they don't. There's relief for Portugal as André Almeida is fit to play after coming off injured against South Korea. As a result, they can also name an unchanged XI.
As in Group A, the two winners from the last round of games meet up here. These two have met three times before, with Portugal winning twice and the other one a draw.
Switzerland have no reason to make any changes, so they don't. There's relief for Portugal as André Almeida is fit to play after coming off injured against South Korea. As a result, they can also name an unchanged XI.
Switzerland start confidently, putting together a spell of possession that ends with Jean-Pierre Nsamé heading over. Nsamé has another good chance in the 12th minute, thanks to a fine early pass from Nicolas Ngamaleu, but Agustín Marchesín makes the save. Ngamaleu himself gets through thanks to a fine pass from Luca Zuffi, but he can only find the side-netting.
Once again, Portugal find themselves out-played by a lower-ranked opposition. But they survive a Miralem Sulejmani free kick late in the half to get in level at the interval.
Once again, Portugal find themselves out-played by a lower-ranked opposition. But they survive a Miralem Sulejmani free kick late in the half to get in level at the interval.
It's not been that Switzerland have dominated Portugal, it's just that their shots have been from slightly clearer chances. As Switzerland seem to tighten up in attack, it leads to a very dull second half. Portuguese sub Jesús Corona has a half-chance with a header, but it's straight at Jonas Omlin. That's in the 70th minute, which sums up this game so far.
And that's it. There's no other highlight in the half. Neither team had much motivation to go for it. Switzerland stay top of the table on goal difference, and both teams just need to avoid defeat in their final game to qualify.
And that's it. There's no other highlight in the half. Neither team had much motivation to go for it. Switzerland stay top of the table on goal difference, and both teams just need to avoid defeat in their final game to qualify.
Final score: Switzerland 0-0 Portugal
Player of the match: Frederik Sorensen
Group B: Bolivia vs South Korea
That result means whoever loses here will be eliminated. A draw keeps both alive, although Bolivia really need a win. South Korea were much more impressive in defeat than Bolivia were, and so go into this as favourites. Both sides were part of the Intercontinental play-off, with a win apiece when the met.
Bolivia stick with their 5-1-2-2 formation, although José Salgredo replaces Juninho. Kim Seung-Dae was responsible for several missed South Korean chances against Portugal, and so Adam Taggart comes in to start.
Player of the match: Frederik Sorensen
Group B: Bolivia vs South Korea
That result means whoever loses here will be eliminated. A draw keeps both alive, although Bolivia really need a win. South Korea were much more impressive in defeat than Bolivia were, and so go into this as favourites. Both sides were part of the Intercontinental play-off, with a win apiece when the met.
Bolivia stick with their 5-1-2-2 formation, although José Salgredo replaces Juninho. Kim Seung-Dae was responsible for several missed South Korean chances against Portugal, and so Adam Taggart comes in to start.
South Korea start on the front foot, and in the 4th minute they get the ball out wide high up the pitch. Hong Chul's cross is fired at Taggart, who smartly nods it down for Yeom Ki-Hoon to shoot - Carlos Lampe gets something on it, but not enough to stop it going in! After 90 minutes of finding every way to miss against Portugal, South Korea score with their first shot here!
Bolivia once again can't establish any form of attacking pressure, and find themselves penned back. Chul has an effort of his own pushed behind by Lampe in the 18th minute. At the other end Diego Bejarano's wide effort from range is Bolivia's best effort. There's more bad news for them as Jorge Pereyra Díaz is forced off in the 27th minute. Rafael Silva comes on.
Ki-Hoon curls a free kick wide, and it's the last effort of the half. South Korea need a win by any means (goal difference is unlikely to come into the equation now), and they have that lead, whilst Bolivia look utterly toothless.
Bolivia once again can't establish any form of attacking pressure, and find themselves penned back. Chul has an effort of his own pushed behind by Lampe in the 18th minute. At the other end Diego Bejarano's wide effort from range is Bolivia's best effort. There's more bad news for them as Jorge Pereyra Díaz is forced off in the 27th minute. Rafael Silva comes on.
Ki-Hoon curls a free kick wide, and it's the last effort of the half. South Korea need a win by any means (goal difference is unlikely to come into the equation now), and they have that lead, whilst Bolivia look utterly toothless.
With Rafael Silva more of a winger, Bolivia replace Alejandro Meleán with Esteban Orfano and go to a 5-2-3 shape. Whilst South Korea don't make any changes, they are forced to replace the injured Cesinha 4 minutes into the half. They take the opportunity to switch to a 4-3-3 with Yoon Bit-Garam coming on.
In the 52nd minute South Korea get a cross in from the same position that lead to their opening goal. Ki Sung-Yeung's cross wasn't as good however, and should be cleared by Bolivia. But Marco Torsiglieri can't get the ball cleared, Negueba nicks in and his shot beats Lampe for a South Korea's second!
From the kick-off Bolivia get it to Sagredo. His cross is blocked, but it falls to Raúl Castro and his rising shot finds the roof of the net! Bolivia are back in it!
In the 62nd minute Bolivia surge forward again. Rafael Silva cuts inside and floats in a cross, and Carlos Saucedo head it in! But before the celebrations can begin the flag is up, and the goal is chalked off - Saucedo was indeed sigificantly offside.
Just as the game entered its final 15 minutes the ball found its way to Orfano on the right. He crosses early, and finds Castro making a late run. He has the momentum for his header, and the pace on the shot beats Yoon Bo-Sang and goes in! He's brought Bolivia level!
It's now all Bolivia, as they find themselves on the attack straight away. Orfano gets into the box and drives to the byline before floating in a cross. It's headed clear, but only as far as Castro. He heads it to Rafael Silva, who volleys it from an improbable angle - but he connects perfectly and the ball pings against the far post and in! What. A. Turnaround!
So now it's on South Korea to get back into the game and save their hide. In the 83rd minute they have a free kick 35 yards out. Lee Yong floats it in, and Kim Min-Hyuk peels off at the far post to guide the cross in! So now, in case you've lost count, it's 3-3!
Fast forward 5 minutes, and it's South Korea who find themselves pushing for a winner. Sung-Yeung takes out Bolivia's defence with a lofted pass to Negueba who puts in a low cross where substitute Seung-Dae is waiting to put it away! Goodness me! Seung-Dae has redeemed himself after the Portugal game, and how!
There's six minutes of added time, and Bolivia go with a 4-3-3 formation with flying wing backs, but it has little effect as South Korea's defence finally shows some fortitude. They hold out for the win, eliminating Bolivia in the most preposterous way possible.
In the 52nd minute South Korea get a cross in from the same position that lead to their opening goal. Ki Sung-Yeung's cross wasn't as good however, and should be cleared by Bolivia. But Marco Torsiglieri can't get the ball cleared, Negueba nicks in and his shot beats Lampe for a South Korea's second!
From the kick-off Bolivia get it to Sagredo. His cross is blocked, but it falls to Raúl Castro and his rising shot finds the roof of the net! Bolivia are back in it!
In the 62nd minute Bolivia surge forward again. Rafael Silva cuts inside and floats in a cross, and Carlos Saucedo head it in! But before the celebrations can begin the flag is up, and the goal is chalked off - Saucedo was indeed sigificantly offside.
Just as the game entered its final 15 minutes the ball found its way to Orfano on the right. He crosses early, and finds Castro making a late run. He has the momentum for his header, and the pace on the shot beats Yoon Bo-Sang and goes in! He's brought Bolivia level!
It's now all Bolivia, as they find themselves on the attack straight away. Orfano gets into the box and drives to the byline before floating in a cross. It's headed clear, but only as far as Castro. He heads it to Rafael Silva, who volleys it from an improbable angle - but he connects perfectly and the ball pings against the far post and in! What. A. Turnaround!
So now it's on South Korea to get back into the game and save their hide. In the 83rd minute they have a free kick 35 yards out. Lee Yong floats it in, and Kim Min-Hyuk peels off at the far post to guide the cross in! So now, in case you've lost count, it's 3-3!
Fast forward 5 minutes, and it's South Korea who find themselves pushing for a winner. Sung-Yeung takes out Bolivia's defence with a lofted pass to Negueba who puts in a low cross where substitute Seung-Dae is waiting to put it away! Goodness me! Seung-Dae has redeemed himself after the Portugal game, and how!
There's six minutes of added time, and Bolivia go with a 4-3-3 formation with flying wing backs, but it has little effect as South Korea's defence finally shows some fortitude. They hold out for the win, eliminating Bolivia in the most preposterous way possible.
Final score: Bolivia 3-4 South Korea
Player of the match: Raúl Castro
Player of the match: Raúl Castro
Both groups look set to go to the wire. In Group A Colombia and Turkey effectively face a play-off to decide who joins Germany in the next round, whilst in Group B it will come down to the match between Switzerland and South Korea. Whilst Portugal aren't mathematically through, they are virtually there.
Next time we see how the second matches go in Groups C & D. The main focus will be on Spain, who are now a defeat away from elimination after their opening defeat.
Next time we see how the second matches go in Groups C & D. The main focus will be on Spain, who are now a defeat away from elimination after their opening defeat.