Our first two groups concluded yesterday, ultimately finishing with everybody finishing in ranking order:
Will the same happen today? Both Groups C & D have one team qualified for the knockout rounds, who will join them?
Group C
USA and Chile faced off to effectively decide who qualified a game early, and it went the way of the North Americans. An insipid 0-0 draw between Israel and Mali doesn't raise much hope that either team can steal a qualification spot today:
Group C
USA and Chile faced off to effectively decide who qualified a game early, and it went the way of the North Americans. An insipid 0-0 draw between Israel and Mali doesn't raise much hope that either team can steal a qualification spot today:
Israel have the better chance of getting through; they take on Chile, and a win would be enough to qualify unless Mali better their scoreline. For Mali, they have to beat USA by at least 2, and hope Chile don't win. Wins for Mali and Chile could see the latter take top spot in the group.
Team news: USA vs Mali
USA are without Blaise Matuidi after he collected his second yellow of the tournament last time out. Leandro González Pírez, Rodolfo Pizarro and Nicolás Figal are all a yellow away from suspension too, so they are rested. In come Romain Métanire, Gastón Giménez, Yeimar Gómez Andrade and Nicolás Lodeiro.
Mali's only change is Yacouba Doumbia replacing Mohamed Camara in central defence.
Team news: USA vs Mali
USA are without Blaise Matuidi after he collected his second yellow of the tournament last time out. Leandro González Pírez, Rodolfo Pizarro and Nicolás Figal are all a yellow away from suspension too, so they are rested. In come Romain Métanire, Gastón Giménez, Yeimar Gómez Andrade and Nicolás Lodeiro.
Mali's only change is Yacouba Doumbia replacing Mohamed Camara in central defence.
Team news: Chile vs Israel
Chile don't make any changes from the side that lost to USA, whilst Israel are forced into replacing the suspended Nikita Rukavytsya - Tjaronn Chery returning to the starting XI.
Chile don't make any changes from the side that lost to USA, whilst Israel are forced into replacing the suspended Nikita Rukavytsya - Tjaronn Chery returning to the starting XI.
CHIvISR (6 mins): Chile start well, and Israel have to be alert to block a number of chances. At the other end Eyal Golasa fires on high and wide after a quick counter attack.
CHIvISR (19 mins): There's a scare for Chile when a stray pass from Julio Barroso allowed Yonatan Cohen to run into the box, but he shoots tamely at Matías Dituro. Dituro plays it out and Guillermo Soto runs the length of the pitch to get Chile on the front foot. It's cleared but it comes back to Soto, who breaks into the box and fires a wonderful shot past Ernestas Setkus! What a goal, and breathing space for Chile!
USAvMLI (half time): No highlights in the first half here. USA have had three-quarters of possession but Mali have defended well. But they need to make an impact at the other end, which currently doesn't look like happening.
CHIvISR (half time): With the lead, Chile are a bit warier of leaving gaps for Israel to break into, and are able to manage the game and keep their single goal lead until the break.
USAvMLI (51 mins): USA have a throw-in on the left. Carlos Vela throws it to Josef Martínez, who turned and quickly fires in a cross, which Raúl Ruidíaz meets with a header that Djigui Diarra has no chance of stopping! There's the breakthrough, and it looks like it's curtains for Mali now.
CHIvISR (53 mins): Chile may be set to go through, but they may be in trouble in the next round as Barroso and Valber Huerta have yellows that rule them out of the next match, whilst Miiko Albornoz injures his knee and is replaced by José Pedro Fuenzalida. The sub nearly brings a goal immediately, as his low cross finds Fernando Zampedri, but he can't force the ball past a knot of Israeli defenders.
USAvMLI (56 mins): Issiaka Samaké nearly equalises in spectacular style with a long-range free kick just tipped behind by Andre Blake.
CHIvISR (82 mins): Israel have switched to a 4-2-3-1 with Josué in the hole to try and exploit the gap behind Chile's midfielders. They do fashion a good opening, but it's closed down and cleared as far as Fuenzalida. He drives forward, with both strikers in support. As he gets closed down he elects for a surprise early shot from 30 yards, and Setkus can't stop it! It's a stunning, stunning goal and that's the game safe for Chile now!
USAvMLI (90+3 mins): Mali just don't have the quality to trouble USA at the back, even with their opponents' personnel changes. USA take off key players to rest them for the next round and the result is a match that certainly won't live in the memory.
Final score: USA 1-0 Mali
Player of the match: Yeimar Gómez Andrade (USA)
Final score: USA 1-0 Mali
Player of the match: Yeimar Gómez Andrade (USA)
CHIvISR (90+4 mins): Huerta nearly adds another with a header that hits the crossbar. Israel are still waiting for their first DWC goal, and they will need to qualify again if they want to manage that, as the game ends with their third blank drawn.
Final score: Chile 2-0 Israel
Player of the match: José Pedro Fuenzalida (CHI)
Final score: Chile 2-0 Israel
Player of the match: José Pedro Fuenzalida (CHI)
Post-match: USA 1-0 Mali
USA did fashion a few decent chances, but they were largely charged down by Mali, who at least did do a good job defensively, keeping Gonzalo Higuaín from barely having a kick. But they were always going to be hoping for a lucky bounce or a great finish at the other end, and nothing materialised.
USA did fashion a few decent chances, but they were largely charged down by Mali, who at least did do a good job defensively, keeping Gonzalo Higuaín from barely having a kick. But they were always going to be hoping for a lucky bounce or a great finish at the other end, and nothing materialised.
Post-match: Chile 2-0 Israel
It's fair to say Israel did not deserve to score in this game. Chile were a bit muted compared to their potential, but two outstanding goals from their wing backs sees them through with little trouble.
It's fair to say Israel did not deserve to score in this game. Chile were a bit muted compared to their potential, but two outstanding goals from their wing backs sees them through with little trouble.
That second goal for Chile consigns Israel to bottom place, but otherwise the group finishes as expected:
Group D
Scotland are already through here, and Jamaica are already out:
Scotland are already through here, and Jamaica are already out:
This leaves Argentina and UAE for the final qualification spot. It's almost certainly Argentina's. They need a point against Scotland (a win would see them take top spot). But even if they lose, UAE would need to beat Jamaica by enough to overturn a heavy goal difference deficit.
Team news: Argentina vs Scotland
After going to a 4-2-3-1 against Jamaica, Argentina return to a 4-3-3 shape with Enzo Pérez replacing Jorman Campuzano. Scotland have a slight dilemma as they have six players a yellow away from suspension, but a defeat would leave them a likely tougher next match. They make a handful of changes, with James Tavernier, Connor Goldson and Callum McGregor replaced by Jonjoe Kenny, Kristoffer Ajer and Steven Davis.
Team news: Argentina vs Scotland
After going to a 4-2-3-1 against Jamaica, Argentina return to a 4-3-3 shape with Enzo Pérez replacing Jorman Campuzano. Scotland have a slight dilemma as they have six players a yellow away from suspension, but a defeat would leave them a likely tougher next match. They make a handful of changes, with James Tavernier, Connor Goldson and Callum McGregor replaced by Jonjoe Kenny, Kristoffer Ajer and Steven Davis.
Team news: UAE vs Jamaica
UAE are without left back Yousif Jaber due to suspension, and his deputy Wanderson is out for three games after injury against Scotland. Milos Kosanovic moves across to the left back position, and Néris is brought in at centre back. Jamaica are also missing a full back to suspension, as Danny Simpson's torrid tournament ends early. Cole Dasilva comes in.
UAE are without left back Yousif Jaber due to suspension, and his deputy Wanderson is out for three games after injury against Scotland. Milos Kosanovic moves across to the left back position, and Néris is brought in at centre back. Jamaica are also missing a full back to suspension, as Danny Simpson's torrid tournament ends early. Cole Dasilva comes in.
UAEvJAM (15 mins): UAE need as many goals as they can get, but it's a pretty quiet start. Carlos Eduardo goes closest with a vicious free kick Duwayne Kerr has to push over the bar.
UAEvJAM (half time): Jamaica are doing a good job defensively, but on the stroke of half time Omar Abdulrahman plays a magical ball forward, and Tim Matavz hits it first time past Kerr to get UAE's first of the day!
ARGvSCO (half time): In their own ways, both teams will be happy with a point. And it shows, as the first half is a masterpiece of boredom. Scotland, in particular, have had just one shot and that was a speculative effort.
A minute in the second half and there's finally a good chance. Lucas Romero opens up Scotland's defence beautifully with a pass between Borna Barisic and Christopher Jullien, into the path of Cristian Pavón, but his shot goes across the face of goal and wide.
A minute in the second half and there's finally a good chance. Lucas Romero opens up Scotland's defence beautifully with a pass between Borna Barisic and Christopher Jullien, into the path of Cristian Pavón, but his shot goes across the face of goal and wide.
UAEvJAM (49 mins): It's a great start to the second half for UAE, as Carlos Eduardo is left unmarked 25 yards from goal and curls a shot into the bottom corner!
ARGvSCO (49 mins): Those two goals from UAE turn the heat up on Argentina a little bit. They keep up the pressure at the start of the second half, and Scotland are completely failing to get their strikers involved. And it brings reward for Argentina when Jullien clumsily knocks Silvio Romero over, just inside the box - penalty! It looked contentious to me... Centre back Ezequiel Garay is the man to take it... and puts it away to give Argentina the lead!
ARGvSCO (56 mins): Silvio Romero should get on the scoresheet when Pavón's corner goes all thr way through to him at the far post, but he manages to shoot straight into the arms of Allan McGregor.
UAEvJAM (70 mins): Dasilva hooks the ball away just when UAE sub Wilson Eduardo looks set to tap it in. Not that it matters, as in the next attack Dicoy Williams is adjudged to have pushed Matavz, and UAE have a penalty. Carlos Eduardo... sticks it in the bottom corner for his side's third and his second.
ARGvSCO (84 mins): Scotland have changed to a 3-4-1-2 formation as they try and find an equaliser, but it just leaves them open on the break. Argentina mount an attack and Agustín Palavecino hits it just over. Two minutes later, and Odsonne Edouard lines up a free kick from the same range as the goal he scored against England, that won DWC Goal of the Tournament two years ago. It's a good effort, but it curls slightly too much and goes wide.
UAEvJAM (90+3 mins): With Argentina where they are, there's not much to play for here. Both sides end up looking knackered, and in the end it's another poor defeat for Jamaica.
Final score: UAE 3-0 Jamaica
Player of the match: Carlos Eduardo (UAE)
Final score: UAE 3-0 Jamaica
Player of the match: Carlos Eduardo (UAE)
ARGvSCO (90+4 mins): Palavecino misses another half-chance from the edge of the box, but it doesn't matter as a few minutes later the final whistle confirms the win for Argentina!
Final score: Argentina 1-0 Scotland
Player of the match: Ezequiel Garay (ARG)
Final score: Argentina 1-0 Scotland
Player of the match: Ezequiel Garay (ARG)
Post-match: Argentina 1-0 Scotland
Scotland may quibble about a pretty soft penalty, but they should really be focusing on an absolutely atrocious attacking display. Not a good sign going into the knockout stages. Argentina have shaken off a weak performance against UAE to deservedly win this group.
Scotland may quibble about a pretty soft penalty, but they should really be focusing on an absolutely atrocious attacking display. Not a good sign going into the knockout stages. Argentina have shaken off a weak performance against UAE to deservedly win this group.
Post-match: UAE 3-0 Jamaica
Jamaica never solved how to get a supply line up to Daniel Sturridge up front. And they just looked a little lost in this tournament. For UAE, it was all about the defeat to Scotland. Had they even managed a draw in that, they would have qualified for the next round.
Jamaica never solved how to get a supply line up to Daniel Sturridge up front. And they just looked a little lost in this tournament. For UAE, it was all about the defeat to Scotland. Had they even managed a draw in that, they would have qualified for the next round.
Here is the final Group D table:
So with two more groups gone, we have two more ties confirmed for the second round: USA vs Scotland and Argentina vs Chile. Both look pretty well-matched, and all four teams have showed their abilities in this tournament.
We conclude Groups E & F next time. Italy and Spain look pretty likely to go through, but it's not certain. And certainly, there's a chance either or both won't win their groups, which could have a big impact on the knockout bracket.
We conclude Groups E & F next time. Italy and Spain look pretty likely to go through, but it's not certain. And certainly, there's a chance either or both won't win their groups, which could have a big impact on the knockout bracket.