The second round of the 2021 Draft World Cup was certainly dramatic. We had two penalty shootouts featuring former champions, a goalkeeper goal and a couple of high scoring thrillers. This is how the tournament now looks:
With France and Germany surviving their shootouts, and Spain coming through, we have all our former DWC champions still in the mix. Which isn't the best news for Scotland. In the other half of the draw, England are the clear favourites to make the final, but they take on an Argentina side that reached last year's final, whilst Ukraine are the only team remaining with a 100% winning record, whilst Croatia are perhaps the dark horses.
So let's see who makes the last four!
France vs Scotland
France were frustrated by Colombia's resolute defending, but ultimately got through on penalties. Scotland, meanwhile, produced a tiny upset in beating USA with a very solid performance. They actually knocked France out of the 2020 European Championship.
Ander Herrera picked up a gash against Colombia and isn't fit for this game, and France are also without Juan Bernat who picked up his second yellow of the tournament. Leandro Paredes and Mattia de Sciglio are the replacements. Scotland themselves are missing Scott Brown through the inevitable accumulation of yellows, and replace him with Steven Davis.
So let's see who makes the last four!
France vs Scotland
France were frustrated by Colombia's resolute defending, but ultimately got through on penalties. Scotland, meanwhile, produced a tiny upset in beating USA with a very solid performance. They actually knocked France out of the 2020 European Championship.
Ander Herrera picked up a gash against Colombia and isn't fit for this game, and France are also without Juan Bernat who picked up his second yellow of the tournament. Leandro Paredes and Mattia de Sciglio are the replacements. Scotland themselves are missing Scott Brown through the inevitable accumulation of yellows, and replace him with Steven Davis.
The one thing you do when facing France is try to stop them playing behind your defence. Scotland fail at this, and a simple ball from Ángel Di Mariá has Kylian Mbappé racing through. He nearly overruns it, but before Allan McGregor can get there Mbappé is able to finish into the bottom corner!
In the 20th minute and France put together an attack as Paredes skips past Davis. But it breaks down and Ryan Christie orchestrates a counter upfield. Callum McGregor clips a ball up towards Alfredo Morelos, who beats Marquinhos to the ball and nods it into the path of Odsonne Edouard, who calmly collects the ball and bends it into the bottom corner! A lovely goal, and Scotland level!
Following the kick-off Di Mariá flashes a long-range shot just past the post. Paredes also has a go, once again after dribbling past Davis, but his shot bobbles harmlessly wide. And in the final moments before the end of the half Mbappé meets Neymar's corner, but prods his effort wide from 8 yards out.
In the 20th minute and France put together an attack as Paredes skips past Davis. But it breaks down and Ryan Christie orchestrates a counter upfield. Callum McGregor clips a ball up towards Alfredo Morelos, who beats Marquinhos to the ball and nods it into the path of Odsonne Edouard, who calmly collects the ball and bends it into the bottom corner! A lovely goal, and Scotland level!
Following the kick-off Di Mariá flashes a long-range shot just past the post. Paredes also has a go, once again after dribbling past Davis, but his shot bobbles harmlessly wide. And in the final moments before the end of the half Mbappé meets Neymar's corner, but prods his effort wide from 8 yards out.
In the 63rd minute Neymar picks the ball up 10 yards from his own box, spots a little bit of space and charges at Scotland. He gets between Callum McGregor and Christie, goes around Borna Barisic and gets to the byline 6 yards from goal. As Christopher Jullien closes him down he flicks it back to Di Mariá, and his shot beats Allan McGregor at the near post! France retake the lead thanks to the brilliance of Neymar!
Scotland have been good (but not quite good enough) in defence, at least since the first goal, but in attack they've not functioned, with too much space between midfield and attack. And France find it easy to see out the game. There are shots from range by Neymar and Mbappé that go close, but otherwise no real action, and the defending champions march on!
Final score: France 2-1 Scotland
Player of the match: Ángel Di Mariá (FRA)
Scotland have been good (but not quite good enough) in defence, at least since the first goal, but in attack they've not functioned, with too much space between midfield and attack. And France find it easy to see out the game. There are shots from range by Neymar and Mbappé that go close, but otherwise no real action, and the defending champions march on!
Final score: France 2-1 Scotland
Player of the match: Ángel Di Mariá (FRA)
France were good value for their win, and were more clinical than they were against Colombia. For Scotland, it's a second good run in a tournament this year, after a semi final spot at the European Championship, but their journey for this year ends here.
Spain vs Germany
2017: Spain 2-1 Germany. 2018: Spain p1-1 Germany. 2019: Spain 0-2 Germany. 2020: Germany 0-1 Spain. Yes, these two have met in every Draft World Cup so far. Spain may have the better record, but it's Germany who have gone on to lift the trophy twice (the 2017 match was in the group stage). I guess it was inevitable, therefore, that Germany would pull victory from the jaws of defeat against Egypt to get up this encounter.
Neither team has any new selection issues after their last game. However, there is a fair bit of tiredness. Spain replace Jesús Navas and Toni Kroos with Sergi Roberto and David Silva. Germany take out Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka and Serge Gnabry, with Benjamin Pavard, Axel Witsel and Thomas Muller.
2017: Spain 2-1 Germany. 2018: Spain p1-1 Germany. 2019: Spain 0-2 Germany. 2020: Germany 0-1 Spain. Yes, these two have met in every Draft World Cup so far. Spain may have the better record, but it's Germany who have gone on to lift the trophy twice (the 2017 match was in the group stage). I guess it was inevitable, therefore, that Germany would pull victory from the jaws of defeat against Egypt to get up this encounter.
Neither team has any new selection issues after their last game. However, there is a fair bit of tiredness. Spain replace Jesús Navas and Toni Kroos with Sergi Roberto and David Silva. Germany take out Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka and Serge Gnabry, with Benjamin Pavard, Axel Witsel and Thomas Muller.
Spain have the first chance, as Karim Benzema heads Luka Modric's free kick over from a tight angle. They have another set piece soon after. Modric's corner is cleared, but Silva picks it up and dribbles into the box, cutting it across for Antoine Griezmann. He looks certain to score, but Pavard produces a crucial block!
Frankly, both teams look dead on their feet, and it's not a good half of football. In my opinion, it's a big flaw with FMTouch. I mean, what the fuck is this shit? Look at how tired Germany's players are after playing 120 mins on a Tuesday and 45 mins on a Saturday:
Frankly, both teams look dead on their feet, and it's not a good half of football. In my opinion, it's a big flaw with FMTouch. I mean, what the fuck is this shit? Look at how tired Germany's players are after playing 120 mins on a Tuesday and 45 mins on a Saturday:
Spain, who played 30 minutes less, are in a similar way. This utter nonsense came up in the finals of some (but not all, unaccountably) of the continental championships. These are the very best athletes in the sport, FFS.
Right, rant over, let's see if the second half is any better. Modric and Leroy Sané are replaced by Kroos and Jadon Sancho respectively. After the restart we see our first injury, as Jordi Alba has to replaced by José Gaya, and Germany also switch out their left back, with Lucas Hernández coming on for David Alaba.
In the 68th minute Spain come forward, it comes to Benzema who is unnecessarily closed down by Mats Hummels. It allows Benzema to play a one-two with Griezmann and is clean through on goal, and he puts it away! Spain have been the brighter team, marginally, and they look set for victory!
It's all very easy for Spain. Silva nearly adds another in the 89th minute with a shot from the edge of the box, then at the other end Hernández is denied by Jan Oblak. It earns Germany a corner, and Manuel Neuer comes up... surely not again? Dani Olmo aims it towards his keeper, but Neuer is adjudged to have handled the ball (old habits, I guess). Oh?! And he's sent off for it?!! What? Has the game been told to send off keepers for handling the ball outside the box no matter the circumstance?? For the final minutes, Hummels goes in goal.
His first job is to take a goal kick, and Germany work it wide to Olmo. He launches a spectacular 50 yard pass into the path of Erling Haaland... and he puts it away!!! Germany have saved themselves again! WHAT IS GOING ON IN THIS MATCH?
There's still time for Spain to attack, but they fail to test Hummels as Benzema's header hits the bar. It finishes 1-1, and we're going to extra time.
Right, rant over, let's see if the second half is any better. Modric and Leroy Sané are replaced by Kroos and Jadon Sancho respectively. After the restart we see our first injury, as Jordi Alba has to replaced by José Gaya, and Germany also switch out their left back, with Lucas Hernández coming on for David Alaba.
In the 68th minute Spain come forward, it comes to Benzema who is unnecessarily closed down by Mats Hummels. It allows Benzema to play a one-two with Griezmann and is clean through on goal, and he puts it away! Spain have been the brighter team, marginally, and they look set for victory!
It's all very easy for Spain. Silva nearly adds another in the 89th minute with a shot from the edge of the box, then at the other end Hernández is denied by Jan Oblak. It earns Germany a corner, and Manuel Neuer comes up... surely not again? Dani Olmo aims it towards his keeper, but Neuer is adjudged to have handled the ball (old habits, I guess). Oh?! And he's sent off for it?!! What? Has the game been told to send off keepers for handling the ball outside the box no matter the circumstance?? For the final minutes, Hummels goes in goal.
His first job is to take a goal kick, and Germany work it wide to Olmo. He launches a spectacular 50 yard pass into the path of Erling Haaland... and he puts it away!!! Germany have saved themselves again! WHAT IS GOING ON IN THIS MATCH?
There's still time for Spain to attack, but they fail to test Hummels as Benzema's header hits the bar. It finishes 1-1, and we're going to extra time.
It means each side gets an extra substitution, and so Germany can bring on Yann Sommer for Axel Witsel and return Hummels to defence. Spain in due course replace the completely knackered Lionel Messi with Luis Suárez.
Benzema has a couple of chances but can't get past a compact German defence. In the 103rd minute Germany break and Olmo plays it to Robert Lewandowski. He holds off Casemiro and drills a low cross in. Haaland pulls towards the near post and drills his shot into the bottom corner!! The 10 men lead!
Benzema has a couple of chances but can't get past a compact German defence. In the 103rd minute Germany break and Olmo plays it to Robert Lewandowski. He holds off Casemiro and drills a low cross in. Haaland pulls towards the near post and drills his shot into the bottom corner!! The 10 men lead!
Germany withdraw Lewandowski to play on the wing, leaving Haaland on his own up front. But he doesn't really need any support, as Pavard's clearance leaves him alone with Spain's centre backs. They don't have the energy to keep up with him as he runs clear. He's one-on-one, but puts his shot wide!
In the 116th minute Spain get forward, but Olmo dispossesses Philippe Coutinho. It falls to Lewandowski, facing his own goal. He ends up dribbling towards his own goal, and his panicky clearance is straight into the path of Coutinho, who has the simplest job to roll it in and level! It's a shocker... oh Robert, what have you done?
Neither team can find a winner, and so we are going to penalties!
Suárez gets us underway... and tucks it into the bottom corner!
Lewandowski, can he make amends... yes he can! (ESP 1-1 GER)
Benzema... down the middle, and Sommer parries it!
Haaland... sends Oblak the wrong way! (1-2)
Kroos... goes for power, and it has too much for Sommer!
Aránguiz... puts his shot wide! We're back level, yet again! (2-2)
Gaya... confidently puts it away!
Sancho... a good shot, out of the reach of Oblak! (3-3)
Ramos... goes high and just beats Sommer!
Hummels, another centre back... it's a tame shot, but Oblak goes the wrong way! (4-4)
So we go to sudden death. Piqué... nicely in the bottom corner!
Olmo... puts it away! (5-5)
Coutinho... fires it in the top left corner!
Pavard... belts it wide, and it's all over!!!
Final score: Spain 2-2 Germany (Spain win 6-5 on penalties)
Player of the match: Erling Haaland (GER)
What a bloody thrilling match. I really feel for Germany, after the farcical tiredness they had (Spain's wasn't as acute), followed by the ludicrous red card and stirring comeback. But Spain were the better side before the game went crazy, and they record a second penalty victory over Germany.
In the 116th minute Spain get forward, but Olmo dispossesses Philippe Coutinho. It falls to Lewandowski, facing his own goal. He ends up dribbling towards his own goal, and his panicky clearance is straight into the path of Coutinho, who has the simplest job to roll it in and level! It's a shocker... oh Robert, what have you done?
Neither team can find a winner, and so we are going to penalties!
Suárez gets us underway... and tucks it into the bottom corner!
Lewandowski, can he make amends... yes he can! (ESP 1-1 GER)
Benzema... down the middle, and Sommer parries it!
Haaland... sends Oblak the wrong way! (1-2)
Kroos... goes for power, and it has too much for Sommer!
Aránguiz... puts his shot wide! We're back level, yet again! (2-2)
Gaya... confidently puts it away!
Sancho... a good shot, out of the reach of Oblak! (3-3)
Ramos... goes high and just beats Sommer!
Hummels, another centre back... it's a tame shot, but Oblak goes the wrong way! (4-4)
So we go to sudden death. Piqué... nicely in the bottom corner!
Olmo... puts it away! (5-5)
Coutinho... fires it in the top left corner!
Pavard... belts it wide, and it's all over!!!
Final score: Spain 2-2 Germany (Spain win 6-5 on penalties)
Player of the match: Erling Haaland (GER)
What a bloody thrilling match. I really feel for Germany, after the farcical tiredness they had (Spain's wasn't as acute), followed by the ludicrous red card and stirring comeback. But Spain were the better side before the game went crazy, and they record a second penalty victory over Germany.
England vs Argentina
A real-life rivalry, the DWC world has been a bit short of clashes between these two sides. Both sides recorded big wins in the last round, and seem in good shape.
England have Harry Kane fully fit, but he can't displace Sergio Aguero after the latter's hat trick against Belgium. Sadio Mané went off injured in that game, and will miss this game - he would be fit for the semis should England win. Son Heung-Min comes in. Argentina are without Paulo Díaz and Lucas Romero through suspension, and so David Abraham and Jorman Campuzano come in.
A real-life rivalry, the DWC world has been a bit short of clashes between these two sides. Both sides recorded big wins in the last round, and seem in good shape.
England have Harry Kane fully fit, but he can't displace Sergio Aguero after the latter's hat trick against Belgium. Sadio Mané went off injured in that game, and will miss this game - he would be fit for the semis should England win. Son Heung-Min comes in. Argentina are without Paulo Díaz and Lucas Romero through suspension, and so David Abraham and Jorman Campuzano come in.
England have a couple of early chances that are blocked by an organised Argentine defence. In the 22nd minute an Argentina attack breaks down. Son clears it with a simple ball down the left for Aguero to run onto. He's isolated, but somehow Abraham allows Aguero to get goalside of him, and he races into the box and fires a powerful shot past Franco Armani to give England the lead!
It is otherwise a half of few other clear chances.
It is otherwise a half of few other clear chances.
Argentina have their first shot of the match in the 78th minute. Unsurprisingly, England aren't that bothered about pressing the issue themselves when they are under such little threat.
As the clock ticks over to 90 minutes England attack down the right, Trent Alexander-Arnold feeding it to Mo Salah. He cuts inside and gets it to Aguero, who wriggles away from Ezequiel Garay and drills a shot into the bottom corner! A nice way to seal the win!
Final score: England 2-0 Argentina
Player of the match: Sergio Aguero (ENG)
As the clock ticks over to 90 minutes England attack down the right, Trent Alexander-Arnold feeding it to Mo Salah. He cuts inside and gets it to Aguero, who wriggles away from Ezequiel Garay and drills a shot into the bottom corner! A nice way to seal the win!
Final score: England 2-0 Argentina
Player of the match: Sergio Aguero (ENG)
Well, at least that dull-as-dishwater match served as a chance to catch our breath after the previous game. Argentina go out without a wimper, whilst England march on. Aguero goes joint top as tournament top goalscorer, with all five goals coming in the knockout rounds.
Croatia vs Ukraine
With three of DWC football's big teams in the semis - in fact, three teams with two trophies each to their names - this match will provide the underdogs of the last four. Both sides recorded an upset in the group stage, as Croatia beat Italy and Ukraine beat Germany.
Croatia lose Luka Ivanusec to suspension, but they do have Kévin Théophile-Catherine, Ivan Strinic and Lovro Majer returning. Igor Silva and Josko Gvardiol miss out. Ukraine are also without players due to suspension, namely Sergiy Kryvtsov and Taras Stepanenko. Mykola Matvienko and Vladlen Yurchenko are the replacements.
With three of DWC football's big teams in the semis - in fact, three teams with two trophies each to their names - this match will provide the underdogs of the last four. Both sides recorded an upset in the group stage, as Croatia beat Italy and Ukraine beat Germany.
Croatia lose Luka Ivanusec to suspension, but they do have Kévin Théophile-Catherine, Ivan Strinic and Lovro Majer returning. Igor Silva and Josko Gvardiol miss out. Ukraine are also without players due to suspension, namely Sergiy Kryvtsov and Taras Stepanenko. Mykola Matvienko and Vladlen Yurchenko are the replacements.
We see our first shot in the 18th minute, a harmless one from Yurchenko that goes wide. Four minutes later and Ukraine go forward. Maycon's clever pass out wide to Ismaily gives the left back tons of space. He has time to pick out Junior Moraes with his cross, and he guides his header past Dominik Livakovic for the opening goal!
As with the game before, that one goal is the only real highlight in a quiet first half.
As with the game before, that one goal is the only real highlight in a quiet first half.
Ukraine are playing much better than Croatia, even if it isn't translating into good chances. They do fashion a chance thanks to Yurchenko's pass to Taison, but the winger hits his shot well over the bar.
Croatia replace Stjepan Loncar with Kristijan Lovric, with Majer moving into midfield. It nearly works, as Lovric gets on the end of Majer's far-post cross, but his header flies over from 4 yards out! At the other end, Marlos' looping header has Livakovic worried, but it sails just wide.
Despite Croatia bringing on Ivan Santini as a target man in an attacking 4-2-4, they can't fashion any more chances, and Ukraine hold on to progress!
Final score: Croatia 0-1 Ukraine
Player of the match: Ismaily (UKR)
Croatia replace Stjepan Loncar with Kristijan Lovric, with Majer moving into midfield. It nearly works, as Lovric gets on the end of Majer's far-post cross, but his header flies over from 4 yards out! At the other end, Marlos' looping header has Livakovic worried, but it sails just wide.
Despite Croatia bringing on Ivan Santini as a target man in an attacking 4-2-4, they can't fashion any more chances, and Ukraine hold on to progress!
Final score: Croatia 0-1 Ukraine
Player of the match: Ismaily (UKR)
A grinding victory for Ukraine, and their fifth win out of five this tournament. All the chances in this game came from crosses, and it was ultimately the difference in heading skills of Moraes and Lovric that made the difference.
For the first time in DWC history, all four semi-finalists are European sides:
We had three games where the sides trailing just couldn't trouble their opponents and faded to defeat in a forgettable fashion. But that was more than made up for by the madness of the Spain - Germany game.
Next time, in a break with DWC tradition, we will cover both semi finals in one update. Will it be a third final in a row for France, and can Ukraine keep their sensational journey going?
Next time, in a break with DWC tradition, we will cover both semi finals in one update. Will it be a third final in a row for France, and can Ukraine keep their sensational journey going?