Half of our eight groups are now fully resolved, with the top two seeds qualifying each time, with the top seed winning each group:
That could well change today, as the status of Italy and Spain is by no means assured, after early dropped points. However, they at least have their fate in their own hands; a win and they are guaranteed to go through.
Group E
We've only really had one expected result, which was Italy's win over Canada, which has eliminated the North Americans:
Group E
We've only really had one expected result, which was Italy's win over Canada, which has eliminated the North Americans:
Iraq had defied the odds and remain unbeaten. But unfortunately for them, they have to take on Italy in their final game, with a defeat making elimination very likely. Croatia just need a point against Canada. If Croatia and Iraq record the same result today, then the drawing of lots will split them - if they both lose this will be a tiebreak to decide who goes through!
Team news: Italy vs Iraq
Italy have Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Alex Sandro back available from suspension, but they have to contend with injuries to Cristiano Ronaldo and Theo Hernández, who will miss 2 and 1 games respectively. So Alex Sandro and Milinkovic-Savic come in for Hernández and Nicolo Barella, whilst Lorenzo Insigne replaces Ronaldo. Furthermore, Achraf Hakimi replaces the tired Juan Cuadrado.
Iraq go fully defensive as their three attacking midfielders drop back. Hammadi Ahmed and Humam Tariq are out, Ehsan Haddad and Lema Mabidi come in.
Team news: Italy vs Iraq
Italy have Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Alex Sandro back available from suspension, but they have to contend with injuries to Cristiano Ronaldo and Theo Hernández, who will miss 2 and 1 games respectively. So Alex Sandro and Milinkovic-Savic come in for Hernández and Nicolo Barella, whilst Lorenzo Insigne replaces Ronaldo. Furthermore, Achraf Hakimi replaces the tired Juan Cuadrado.
Iraq go fully defensive as their three attacking midfielders drop back. Hammadi Ahmed and Humam Tariq are out, Ehsan Haddad and Lema Mabidi come in.
Team news: Croatia vs Canada
Despite a misfire up front against Iraq, Croatia remain unchanged. Michael Bradley is back available, and he comes in for Lucas Cavallini as Canada move to their third formation in as many games, with Cristian Dájome coming in for Deiber Caicedo as well.
Despite a misfire up front against Iraq, Croatia remain unchanged. Michael Bradley is back available, and he comes in for Lucas Cavallini as Canada move to their third formation in as many games, with Cristian Dájome coming in for Deiber Caicedo as well.
ITAvIRQ (9 mins): Romelu Lukaku heads an early chance wide, and then gets closer with a first-time shot from the edge of the box that is tipped onto the bar by Jalal Hassan.
CROvCAN (19 mins): After a quiet start Canada have the first decent chance, as Jozy Altidore sends a header from a corner high and wide. After the goal kick Canada come again, but lose it. Luka Ivanusec bursts away from Victor Wanyama and gets into the box. Aljaz Struna produces a wonderful block, but Mislav Orsic is there to slam the follow-up home! Croatia have a foot in the next round now.
ITAvIRQ (37 mins): Italy have begun to look a bit nervy as the breakthrough has failed to materialise. Iraq get the chance to launch a counter of their own, and when Matthijs de Ligt gets out of position, Rogério can play a ball into space for Ala'a Abdul Zahra to run onto. Leonardo Bonucci and Milan Skriniar close him down, so he shoots from 30 yards, and it flies past Wojciech Szczesny! Iraq lead!!!
ITAvIRQ (45+1 mins): Italy have another good chance straight after conceding, as Bonucci heads a free kick just wide. But as we enter added time Dybala is given space to run at Iraq's defence, and unleashes a shot that flies into the top corner!
CROvCAN (half time): Canada have been the better team, but they allowed that one good chance, and Croatia still lead by a goal at the break.
ITAvIRQ (half time): There's still a bit of time at the end of the half. Iraq get a corner, Dhurgham Ismail slings it in, Bonucci can't reach it and Abdul Zahra is at the far post to turn it in! Iraq regain the lead at half time, and Italy have it all to do! With Croatia leading, this is effectively winner-takes-all.
Fabián and Dybala look absolutely knackered by the break, and so they are replaced by Luis Alberto and Ciro Immobile.
Fabián and Dybala look absolutely knackered by the break, and so they are replaced by Luis Alberto and Ciro Immobile.
CROvCAN (47 mins): Canada have a free kick on the edge of the box. Ali Adnan hits it well, but Dominik Livakovic parries it... but Wanyama is there to follow up! It's Canada's first goal this tournament, and they do deserve to be level in this game.
ITAvIRQ (57 mins): Italy look shellshocked by the goal before half time. And it's even worse now as Ismail puts in another good cross, and Abdul Zahra is left alone (how? He's basically playing on his own up front and Italy have three centre backs?) and heads in another for Iraq! It's 3-1!
ITAvIRQ (71 mins): Bonucci misses another good chance, and Italy make their final change - again it's enforced by tiredness, as Lukaku makes way for Zlatan Ibrahimovic. And they finally pull one back when Hakimi drills a low shot from an angle past Hassan!
CROvCAN (84 mins): This match is a little less dramatic. Bruno Petkovic heads one over, but generally Croatia seem content with a draw that would see them through rather than push to win the group. But with six minutes to go Canada work a free kick to create space for sub Caicedo on the right, his low cross finds Altidore and his shot deflects off Rasmus Lauritsen and goes in! Canada lead!
ITAvIRQ (85 mins): Ibrahimovic plays a good pass through to give Immobile a sight of goal, but he's forced wide. He plays it to Hakimi who fires a clever ball across to Alex Sandro, but his first-time shot is blocked. It comes out to Alberto and he rockets a volley in via the woodwork! It's a stunning goal and Italy level! They just need one more! And because of Canada's lead, it would be Croatia who drop out if they get it.
ITAvIRQ (90+4 mins): Italy huff and puff, but Iraq hold firm! It finishes level and the lowest-ranked team in DWC history are through to the knockout stages! WHAT?!!
Final score: Italy 3-3 Iraq
Player of the match: Ala'a Abdul Zahra (IRQ)
Final score: Italy 3-3 Iraq
Player of the match: Ala'a Abdul Zahra (IRQ)
CROvCAN (90+5 mins): Can Croatia join them? Yes, in short. Canada are happy to record a win, Croatia are happy to survive.
Final score: Croatia 1-2 Canada
Player of the match: Jozy Altidore (CAN)
Final score: Croatia 1-2 Canada
Player of the match: Jozy Altidore (CAN)
Post-match: Italy 3-3 Iraq
Italy did win the xG battle, but not by enough to say they were in any way hard done by. Ala'a Abdul Zahra was inspired, and his goals meant his side avoided defeat despite three wonderful Italian goals. Basically, this is probably the best match in DWC history.
Italy did win the xG battle, but not by enough to say they were in any way hard done by. Ala'a Abdul Zahra was inspired, and his goals meant his side avoided defeat despite three wonderful Italian goals. Basically, this is probably the best match in DWC history.
Post-match: Croatia vs Canada
In a way, this match sums up Croatia's group stage, as they started well and coasted from there. Nice for Canada to show what they can do.
In a way, this match sums up Croatia's group stage, as they started well and coasted from there. Nice for Canada to show what they can do.
That was utter batshit. The outcome is that Italy fail to make the knockout rounds for the first time - and are the first 'big six' team to fall in the group stage. And Iraq - Iraq - win the group!
Group F
Spain were lucky to draw with Japan in their opener, although as both sides recorded wins in their next games - against New Zealand and Denmark respectively - they currently occupy the top two spots:
Spain were lucky to draw with Japan in their opener, although as both sides recorded wins in their next games - against New Zealand and Denmark respectively - they currently occupy the top two spots:
If Spain beat Denmark then both they and Japan will go through regardless of the result. A draw and Denmark would need New Zealand to beat Japan to have a chance of going through. A Danish win and it would be Spain who miss out unless Japan lose by the same margin. Got all that?
Team news: Spain vs Denmark
Lionel Messi is only fit enough for the bench, so Antoine Griezmann stays on the right wing. Spain do take out who players who haven't played at their best yet, as Sergio Busquets and David Silva come out, with Casemiro and Toni Kroos coming in. Denmark make no changes.
Team news: Spain vs Denmark
Lionel Messi is only fit enough for the bench, so Antoine Griezmann stays on the right wing. Spain do take out who players who haven't played at their best yet, as Sergio Busquets and David Silva come out, with Casemiro and Toni Kroos coming in. Denmark make no changes.
Team news: Japan vs New Zealand
Japan are forced into two changes, as Ryota Oshima and Shogo Taniguchi are both suspended after the Denmark game - Oshima for a red, Taniguchi for accumulation of yellows. Luan moves alongside Andrés Iniesta, with Hayao Kawabe and Ezequiel coming in. New Zealand also have their own suspension issue, as Luke DeVere is unavailable, so Te Atawhai Hudson-Wihongi comes in.
Japan are forced into two changes, as Ryota Oshima and Shogo Taniguchi are both suspended after the Denmark game - Oshima for a red, Taniguchi for accumulation of yellows. Luan moves alongside Andrés Iniesta, with Hayao Kawabe and Ezequiel coming in. New Zealand also have their own suspension issue, as Luke DeVere is unavailable, so Te Atawhai Hudson-Wihongi comes in.
JPNvNZL (20 mins): It's all Japan, as New Zealand just sit back and watch their opponents pass it around. The opening goal nearly comes when Thomas Vermaelen belts a volley from a free kick against the crossbar.
ESPvDEN (21 mins): Denmark are playing well, defending solidly and breaking well. But one chance collapses and Eden Hazard launches a counter with a remarkable diagonal run from near his own box all the way to the far byline. It eventually comes to Jordi Alba, who gets a sight of goal, but can't beat Karl-Johan Johnsson from a tight angle.
ESPvDEN (28 mins): That run was the highlight of Hazard's game, as he is forced off by injury. Which means Messi makes his return to the side earlier than expected. In the same incident, Nicolai Boilesen has a gashed leg, but he carries on for now.
JPNvNZL (32 mins): Iniesta plays it to Chanathip Songkrasin wide on the left. He surges past Tim Payne, then around Hudson-Wihongi and blasts a powerful shot that Stefan Marinovic can't stop! It's a wonderful goal and Japan look set to go through to the next round.
ESPvDEN (39 mins): A dribble inside from Messi creates space for a ball out to Jesús Navas, and Griezmann meets the cross and the ball bobbles in! A big goal for both Spain and Japan!
ESPvDEN (half time): Still just the one goal here at the break. Denmark do now take off Boilesen for Casper Hojer.
JPNvNZL (half time): It may only be 1-0, but Japan could barely be in more control here. Their opponents have had two shots totalling 0.04xG, which sums it up.
ESPvDEN (75 mins): Denmark have offered very little, but they get a huge chance when Navas gets caught under a high ball, allowing Frank Onyeka to nod it wide to Viktor Fischer. He's completely clear one-on-one, but blasts it wide! Oh, what a chance!
JPNvNZL (75 mins): Japan take off Iniesta to protect him for the next round, and his replacement Léo Silva hits one just over the bar. From the resulting goal kick Japan come again, and Songkrasin dribbles past Cameron Devlin and curls it into the bottom corner! That's an even better goal, his fourth of the tournament, and Japan would need two big turnarounds to be in trouble now! It also means they go above Spain on goals scored.
ESPvDEN (87 mins): Denmark are beginning to put a bit of pressure on Spain, and they get another big chance when Peter Ankersen's wonderful cross finds Fischer at the far post. He makes a brilliant connection, but Jan Oblak makes an even better save!
JPNvNZL (90 mins): Songkrasin has a chance to complete a hat trick when Gotoku Sakai's glorious ball over the top puts him through and he calmly strokes it past Marinovic! A virtuoso performance from the Thai winger, and that should secure top spot for Japan!
ESPvDEN (90+3 mins): It could all have been so different if Fischer's two chances have been converted. But as it is, Spain avoid the same fate as Italy, and go through.
Final score: Spain 1-0 Denmark
Player of the match: Jan Oblak (ESP)
Final score: Spain 1-0 Denmark
Player of the match: Jan Oblak (ESP)
JPNvNZL (90+4 mins): Full time, and a lovely performance from Japan.
Final score: Japan 3-0 New Zealand
Player of the match: Chanathip Songkrasin (JPN)
Final score: Japan 3-0 New Zealand
Player of the match: Chanathip Songkrasin (JPN)
Post-match: Spain 1-0 Denmark
A dull match, decided by a lucky bounce in the box, basically. With the goal coming early on, Spain never felt the need to get out of second gear. Denmark gave it their all, but ultimately fell short.
A dull match, decided by a lucky bounce in the box, basically. With the goal coming early on, Spain never felt the need to get out of second gear. Denmark gave it their all, but ultimately fell short.
Post-match: Japan 3-0 New Zealand
I hated watching that New Zealand performance. They join Israel and Jamaica in failing to score on their DWC debut, unlike Japan!
I hated watching that New Zealand performance. They join Israel and Jamaica in failing to score on their DWC debut, unlike Japan!
Here is the final table:
So after the elimination of Israel, UAE and Thailand, Iraq and Japan have done Asia proud by both winning extremely tough groups. That Group E finale... I'm still recovering from it. The cruel thing for Iraq is that they will take on Spain in the next round, whilst Japan will face Croatia.
We just have two groups to complete now, and only two places unclaimed - we'll see who makes it next time!
We just have two groups to complete now, and only two places unclaimed - we'll see who makes it next time!