The group stage is almost over!
We wrap up Groups G & H today, although as Germany and Ukraine are guaranteed passage through in Group H, there are only two unknowns in the next round. So, without further ado...
Group G
This group has no team officially through, and no team officially out:
Group G
This group has no team officially through, and no team officially out:
However, things are looking rosy for the group's bottom seeds, Egypt. Anything less than a four-goal defeat to Austria will be enough to see them guaranteed to be through. Conversely, Serbia need a three-goal win and a favour from Egypt to somehow progress. Most likely, today is a shootout between Brazil and Austria, with the European side needing to better their rival's result to make it through.
Team news: Brazil vs Serbia
After a smooth performance against Austria, Brazil keep an unchanged side. Serbia are without the injured Diego Falcinelli, so Bojan moves up front and Sasa Zdjelar comes in to bolster the midfield. They also make some changes in defence, with Milan Gajic and Milos Degenek coming in for Marko Gobeljic and Macky Bagnack.
Team news: Brazil vs Serbia
After a smooth performance against Austria, Brazil keep an unchanged side. Serbia are without the injured Diego Falcinelli, so Bojan moves up front and Sasa Zdjelar comes in to bolster the midfield. They also make some changes in defence, with Milan Gajic and Milos Degenek coming in for Marko Gobeljic and Macky Bagnack.
Team news: Austria vs Egypt
Austria have one enforced change, as Maximilian Wober is suspended, so Gernot Trauner comes in. They otherwise don't make a change despite a porous defence so far this tournament. Egypt's Omar Gaber is carrying a knock, so Ahmed Fathy comes in. Ali Maaloul has earned a starting spot at left back instead of Mohamed Abdel Shafy, and they also rest Amr El Soleya in favour of Saleh Gomaa.
Austria have one enforced change, as Maximilian Wober is suspended, so Gernot Trauner comes in. They otherwise don't make a change despite a porous defence so far this tournament. Egypt's Omar Gaber is carrying a knock, so Ahmed Fathy comes in. Ali Maaloul has earned a starting spot at left back instead of Mohamed Abdel Shafy, and they also rest Amr El Soleya in favour of Saleh Gomaa.
BRAvSRB (14 mins): Bojan is operating as a false nine, and he neatly drops into the space between Brazil's midfield and defence to receive Sékou Sanogo's pass. He plays a good one-two with Filippo Falco and has a sight of goal, and curls it into the bottom corner! A great goal from the former Barcelona and Stoke man!
AUTvEGY (half time): Despite Austria potentially needing a three-goal swing, depending on whether Brazil turn things around, they have allowed Egypt to slow the game down. It's not been a thriller, with a handful of shots to Austria and one good chance for Gomaa that was smothered.
BRAvSRB (half time): This has been a pretty dour affair, and at the moment Bojan's goal is the only one.
BRAvSRB (61 mins): Brazil's array of attacking talents have constructed nothing, so it's not surprising their first decent chance comes from a simple set piece. Ignacio Fernández's free kick is met by Geromel, but his header cannons off the bar. Fernández is able to put it in again, and again finds Geromel, who heads over!
AUTvEGY (66 mins): Zlatko Junuzovic scoops one just over the bar from the edge of the box. It's the first highlight of a poor game. Egypt can rescue Brazil by taking the lead, whilst Austria will find themselves in real trouble should Brazil equalise.
BRAvSRB (75 mins): Brazil have another free kick in a promising area, but it's cleared and Serbian substitute Takumi Asano goes on a long run, but ultimately he can't beat Weverton.
AUTvEGY (90+4 mins): The game ends scoreless. A small mercy is that due to the way FM shows highlights, terrible games like this go by quicker. Anyway, it confirms Egypt are through top of the group, but will Austria join them? They need Serbia to hold out...
Final score: Austria 0-0 Egypt
Player of the match: Hossam Ashour (EGY)
Final score: Austria 0-0 Egypt
Player of the match: Hossam Ashour (EGY)
BRAvSRB (90+4 mins): I don't really understand why Brazil, now going all-out attacking, have basically failed to muster a single good chance, at least from open play. But they haven't, and Serbia's resolute defending earns them a consolation win, and send Brazil packing!
Final score: Brazil 0-1 Serbia
Player of the match: Bojan (SRB)
Final score: Brazil 0-1 Serbia
Player of the match: Bojan (SRB)
Post-match: Brazil 0-1 Serbia
A very even game, defined by one moment of quality from Bojan. A ignominious exit for Brazil, and egg on my face after I tipped them at the start of the tournament to go far.
A very even game, defined by one moment of quality from Bojan. A ignominious exit for Brazil, and egg on my face after I tipped them at the start of the tournament to go far.
Post-match: Austria 0-0 Egypt
Austria did enough to go through, but they didn't know that as they were failing to create a single decent chance against Egypt.
Austria did enough to go through, but they didn't know that as they were failing to create a single decent chance against Egypt.
After 21 goals in the first four matches, two games bringing one goal - and little else - has the result that Egypt join Iraq in being a 4th-ranked team to win their group, and Brazil join Italy in being a top seed dumped out. In my defence, I did tip Egypt to qualify from this group!
Group H
So the 16 sides in the knockouts are confirmed, but one thing to be resolved is who wins our final group!
So the 16 sides in the knockouts are confirmed, but one thing to be resolved is who wins our final group!
An injury time goal conceded against Nigeria meant Ukraine slipped below Germany heading into this final game. It means that they need to beat the 2017 & 2019 DWC champions if they are to top the group. Although given the unusual placement of Group G, that is not necessarily that important. Meanwhile, Nigeria and Thailand will just be playing for pride.
Team news: Germany vs Ukraine
With no selection issues at all, Germany do make a few changes to give some unused players a run out. In come Alphonso Davies, Niklas Sule, Corentin Tolisso, Jadon Sancho and Erling Haaland. Ukraine take out Sergiy Kryvtsov and Taras Stepanenko, who are a yellow away from suspension, with Mykola Matvienko and Vladlen Yurchenko coming in.
Team news: Germany vs Ukraine
With no selection issues at all, Germany do make a few changes to give some unused players a run out. In come Alphonso Davies, Niklas Sule, Corentin Tolisso, Jadon Sancho and Erling Haaland. Ukraine take out Sergiy Kryvtsov and Taras Stepanenko, who are a yellow away from suspension, with Mykola Matvienko and Vladlen Yurchenko coming in.
Team news: Nigeria vs Thailand
Nigeria's Fegor Ogude is suspended, and is replaced by Uche Oguchi. Thailand don't make any changes.
Nigeria's Fegor Ogude is suspended, and is replaced by Uche Oguchi. Thailand don't make any changes.
GERvUKR (11 mins): A wonderful passing move from Germany culminates in a spectacular 40-yard raking ball from Tolisso to put Serge Gnabry in behind, but Mykyta Shevchenko is able to block the shot behind. A few minutes later Ismaily draws a save from Manuel Neuer after a fine run.
GERvUKR (21 mins): Germany go even closer to opening the scoring, as Sancho heads Dani Olmo's pinpoint cross against the post, with Shevchenko completely wrong-footed.
NGAvTHA (half time): There were five shots in that half and none were remarkable. Bleurgh.
GERvUKR (half time): Shevchenko produces a really good save to deny a powerful effort from Gnabry. It's been an entertaining match, but we are still waiting for the first goal.
NGAvTHA (49 mins): Something happened! A good run from Vander ends with a rocket of a shot that Theophilius Afelokhai tips over.
GERvUKR (52 mins): Germany build up from the back stylishly, and Haaland plays it to Olmo on the edge of the box. He curls a shot which beats Shevchenko, but not the post! Olmo wins the ball from the goal kick, heading to Gnabry who puts Haaland through. He goes for the lob, and it drifts just wide!
NGAvTHA (67 mins): Lukman Haruna bowls Diogo over on the edge of the box. He's on a yellow, but the referee is lenient and doesn't punish him further. Heberty, however, is not lenient, as he bends the free kick into the top corner! We finally have a goal in this group!
GERvUKR (74 mins): Ukraine have dropped off a little in this game, but they have a chance when a German free kick is caught by Shevchenko. His quick ball is into Junior Moraes, who lays it off to Yurchenko and he has acres of space to play substitute Benjamin Verbic through. He's one-on-one, and he too goes for the lob... it's past Neuer and it floats into the back of the net! Ukraine lead!
NGAvTHA (83 mins): Despite Nigeria going to a 4-3-3 with three strikers, they don't threaten Thailand. But eventually they get their chance when a counter leaves their front three against Thailand's two centre backs. Ahmed Musa waits and plays it across to Ikechukwu Uche, but he tamely hits it at Michael Falkesgaard.
GERvUKR (90+4 mins): Germany don't seem that interested in pressing for the win. With substitutions to protect tiring legs the priority, Ukraine are able to hold out for a really good win that sees them win the group.
Final score: Germany 0-1 Ukraine
Player of the match: Mykyta Shevchenko (UKR)
Final score: Germany 0-1 Ukraine
Player of the match: Mykyta Shevchenko (UKR)
NGAvTHA (90+4 mins): Ajibade Omolade goes close with a fizzing shot from the edge of the box, but it goes wide and it's Nigeria's last decent effort on goal. It's Thailand who take something from this dead rubber to end the group stage.
Final score: Nigeria 0-1 Thailand
Player of the match: Heberty (THA)
Final score: Nigeria 0-1 Thailand
Player of the match: Heberty (THA)
Post-match: Germany 0-1 Ukraine
A pretty even game, and it just came down to Verbic holding his nerve and a few German shots narrowly missing. Of course, Germany would expect to do better in such a game, but with key players rested they won't lose too much sleep over this.
A pretty even game, and it just came down to Verbic holding his nerve and a few German shots narrowly missing. Of course, Germany would expect to do better in such a game, but with key players rested they won't lose too much sleep over this.
Post-match: Nigeria 0-1 Thailand
Another dull game that could have gone either way. As with the other game, the winning goal was at least a thing of beauty.
Another dull game that could have gone either way. As with the other game, the winning goal was at least a thing of beauty.
So this is how our final group finishes:
Just three goals from our four games today. Given some of the mad scorelines we have seen so far, it's not the end of the world if there are some normal football results!
The sides qualified today play each other in the next round. Like Iraq last time, Egypt are unlucky in that they win the group yet get the tougher draw, as they will take on Germany. Ukraine will face Austria.
Next time out we stand the knockout rounds, with the first half of the second round!
The sides qualified today play each other in the next round. Like Iraq last time, Egypt are unlucky in that they win the group yet get the tougher draw, as they will take on Germany. Ukraine will face Austria.
Next time out we stand the knockout rounds, with the first half of the second round!