The group stage of this year's Draft World Cup built to a thrilling crescendo, with several groups decided by late goals, misses or VAR calls. The big shock is Thailand making it through at the expense of a woeful Italy. Egypt were the other lower-ranked team to make it through.
But the particularly interesting thing about the group stage is that only half of them were won by the top seeds. That means that the draw for the knockout stages features a few clashes between some heavyweight teams:
We'll cover four of these second round matches today, four next time. And we're starting with the most exciting tie of the lot!
Germany vs France
It's a clash between two teams that account for 80% of DWC titles won, with Germany winning in 2017 and 2019, and France winning in 2020 and 2021. They met in that 2019 final, with Germany winning an epic contest 4-3. They then met in the 2021 European Championship final, with France winning 4-1. That is part of a run of four consecutive major titles for France, as they are clearly the dominant side right now. But they were shaky in the group stage, drawing with Colombia and Japan, whilst Germany blew away all they faced.
After mass changes for their dead rubber final group game, Germany go back to the team which started the tournament. France also revert to their XI that started (and failed to win) their opening two games, which means Marquinhos replaces Ángel Di María. There are four players in the French side who faced Germany in the 2019 final: Marquinhos, Marco Verratti, Neymar and Kylian Mbappé. And three of Germany's team that day are playing here: Manuel Neuer, Joshua Kimmich and Robert Lewandowski.
Germany vs France
It's a clash between two teams that account for 80% of DWC titles won, with Germany winning in 2017 and 2019, and France winning in 2020 and 2021. They met in that 2019 final, with Germany winning an epic contest 4-3. They then met in the 2021 European Championship final, with France winning 4-1. That is part of a run of four consecutive major titles for France, as they are clearly the dominant side right now. But they were shaky in the group stage, drawing with Colombia and Japan, whilst Germany blew away all they faced.
After mass changes for their dead rubber final group game, Germany go back to the team which started the tournament. France also revert to their XI that started (and failed to win) their opening two games, which means Marquinhos replaces Ángel Di María. There are four players in the French side who faced Germany in the 2019 final: Marquinhos, Marco Verratti, Neymar and Kylian Mbappé. And three of Germany's team that day are playing here: Manuel Neuer, Joshua Kimmich and Robert Lewandowski.
It's a slightly disjointed start, as neither team can successfully find their forwards. Erling Haaland looked to be in but was offside, and at the other end Mbappé was able to wriggle away from Lucas Hernández but was shepherded out wide and fired off target.
The first chance of any real note comes in the 33rd minute, when Verratti cuts out a pass towards Haaland. He then clips a pass over Hernández, into the path of Mbappé who beats Dayot Upamecano to it. However, his first-time shot is straight at Neuer who deflects it behind.
A few minutes later and Haaland does exactly the same when Kimmich's fine early cross finds him in behind the French defence. France clear but Hernández recovers it. Ilkay Gundogan curls a pass down the left channel. Haaland looks third-favourite to get to it, with both Sergio Ramos and Keylor Navas running towards it. But Haaland has just that extra speed, gets there first and has the wherewithal to pass it sideways to Lewandowski, who fires into the unguarded goal to put Germany ahead! That has to go down as a terrible mistake by Navas!
France kick off, and another incredible Verratti pass lands at the feet of Neymar in the German box. He passes it across to Mbappé, who is being closed down by Upamecano. He gets a shot away, and it hits the bottom of the post and goes in! An immediate reply, and we're getting the match we'd hoped for now!
Germany nearly copy France and score immediately, but Thomas Muller's header is held by Navas. No matter, as just three minutes later Germany have a corner, Kimmich crosses it in and Haaland rises highest to nod Germany back ahead! Amazingly, there's no more goals in the 180 seconds before half time.
The first chance of any real note comes in the 33rd minute, when Verratti cuts out a pass towards Haaland. He then clips a pass over Hernández, into the path of Mbappé who beats Dayot Upamecano to it. However, his first-time shot is straight at Neuer who deflects it behind.
A few minutes later and Haaland does exactly the same when Kimmich's fine early cross finds him in behind the French defence. France clear but Hernández recovers it. Ilkay Gundogan curls a pass down the left channel. Haaland looks third-favourite to get to it, with both Sergio Ramos and Keylor Navas running towards it. But Haaland has just that extra speed, gets there first and has the wherewithal to pass it sideways to Lewandowski, who fires into the unguarded goal to put Germany ahead! That has to go down as a terrible mistake by Navas!
France kick off, and another incredible Verratti pass lands at the feet of Neymar in the German box. He passes it across to Mbappé, who is being closed down by Upamecano. He gets a shot away, and it hits the bottom of the post and goes in! An immediate reply, and we're getting the match we'd hoped for now!
Germany nearly copy France and score immediately, but Thomas Muller's header is held by Navas. No matter, as just three minutes later Germany have a corner, Kimmich crosses it in and Haaland rises highest to nod Germany back ahead! Amazingly, there's no more goals in the 180 seconds before half time.
France start the half looking to get level quickly. Nuno Mendes draws one good save from Neuer, before a Messi free kick brings another. At the other end Germany nearly sucker-punch France with another corner, but Upamecano's header hits the bar with Navas well beaten.
It's France's turn to hit the woodwork, Mbappé again hitting the bottom of the left-hand post, but this time it bounces to safety. Alphonso Davies picks it up and scampers upfield, evaded a couple of French challenges. He then plays a brilliant ball in for Haaland, who is through on goal but his shot is well saved by Navas! That would have been the undisputed assist of the tournament!
In the 64th minute France have a free kick inside the D. It's the perfect spot for Lionel Messi, but he can't get it over the wall. It bounces back to him, he picks out Neymar with a nice pass and the Brazilian tucks it away! We're level again!
The teams go at each other again. Mbappé has a close-range shot denied by a great Hernández block, whilst Gundogan fires over from Muller's knock-down. But there's a spell of quiet, as we head towards the final minutes of the ninety.
Germany get a corner. Haaland and Upamecano take up their positions at the near post. France prepare to stop them. Serge Gnabry crosses it in, Haaland gets to it and he scores! France knew about the threat, but there was nothing they could do the stop it! Has he won it?
He has indeed, as France's attempts to push on and create pressure come to naught! What a match!
It's France's turn to hit the woodwork, Mbappé again hitting the bottom of the left-hand post, but this time it bounces to safety. Alphonso Davies picks it up and scampers upfield, evaded a couple of French challenges. He then plays a brilliant ball in for Haaland, who is through on goal but his shot is well saved by Navas! That would have been the undisputed assist of the tournament!
In the 64th minute France have a free kick inside the D. It's the perfect spot for Lionel Messi, but he can't get it over the wall. It bounces back to him, he picks out Neymar with a nice pass and the Brazilian tucks it away! We're level again!
The teams go at each other again. Mbappé has a close-range shot denied by a great Hernández block, whilst Gundogan fires over from Muller's knock-down. But there's a spell of quiet, as we head towards the final minutes of the ninety.
Germany get a corner. Haaland and Upamecano take up their positions at the near post. France prepare to stop them. Serge Gnabry crosses it in, Haaland gets to it and he scores! France knew about the threat, but there was nothing they could do the stop it! Has he won it?
He has indeed, as France's attempts to push on and create pressure come to naught! What a match!
Final score: Germany 3-2 France
Player of the match: Erling Haaland (GER)
That match lived up to expectation! An enjoyable mix of styles as well - Germany really putting everything into servicing that front two, whilst France looked to dominate possession, with Messi aiding the midfield trio, which easily outnumbered Germany's midfield. It meant Germany went through spells where their passing went off the boil, but they were able to create enough for Haaland to almost single-handedly win the match.
Player of the match: Erling Haaland (GER)
That match lived up to expectation! An enjoyable mix of styles as well - Germany really putting everything into servicing that front two, whilst France looked to dominate possession, with Messi aiding the midfield trio, which easily outnumbered Germany's midfield. It meant Germany went through spells where their passing went off the boil, but they were able to create enough for Haaland to almost single-handedly win the match.
Colombia vs USA
So the defending champions are out, who will take over their mantle? These two are outsiders, but it's not inconceivable that they could go all the way. They had very different group stages; Colombia were watertight in defence, holding France to a 0-0 draw and only conceding right at the end of their win over Japan. USA, meanwhile, somehow only lost 3-0 to a rampant Germany, but then scored 9 goals of their own in beating Syria and South Africa.
Colombia are without both Juan Pablo Vargas and Giovanni Moreno due to accumulation of yellow cards. Julián Quinónes and Andrés Ricaurte are like-for-like replacements. Similarly, USA’s only change is suspension-forced, with Jesús Murillo replacing Aaron Tinnerholm.
So the defending champions are out, who will take over their mantle? These two are outsiders, but it's not inconceivable that they could go all the way. They had very different group stages; Colombia were watertight in defence, holding France to a 0-0 draw and only conceding right at the end of their win over Japan. USA, meanwhile, somehow only lost 3-0 to a rampant Germany, but then scored 9 goals of their own in beating Syria and South Africa.
Colombia are without both Juan Pablo Vargas and Giovanni Moreno due to accumulation of yellow cards. Julián Quinónes and Andrés Ricaurte are like-for-like replacements. Similarly, USA’s only change is suspension-forced, with Jesús Murillo replacing Aaron Tinnerholm.
With Colombia the masters of defence, it is unsurprisingly a quiet start. But in the 10th minute a high cross towards Josef Martínez misses everyone, which the referee decides is because Felipe Román pushed the USA forward! And VAR agrees, so Martínez has the chance to open the scoring... he goes to his right, but it's at a nice height for Sebastián Veira and Colombia's keeper pushes it away! What a chance for USA to force their opponents to chase the game!
It remains USA on the front foot, as Colombia are struggling to properly shut up shop. In the 25th minute Xherdan Shaqiri curls in a free kick, Yeimar Gómez Andrade meets it with a header down, and his defensive partner Rafael Czichos turns it in! Now Colombia need to change tack.
Quinónes has a header of his own from a free kick held by Kristijan Kahlina, but that's all Colombia muster before the interval.
It remains USA on the front foot, as Colombia are struggling to properly shut up shop. In the 25th minute Xherdan Shaqiri curls in a free kick, Yeimar Gómez Andrade meets it with a header down, and his defensive partner Rafael Czichos turns it in! Now Colombia need to change tack.
Quinónes has a header of his own from a free kick held by Kristijan Kahlina, but that's all Colombia muster before the interval.
There are just no highlights for the first half hour of the second half.
Colombia's main man, Luis Díaz, has been kept extremely quiet by USA's back-up right back, but then in the 77th minute he makes just the right run to get onto a precise Ricuarte through ball. As Czichos comes out to cover Díaz surprises everyone with a chip over Kahlina. The USA keeper is getting nowhere near it, but it nestles on the top of the goal! A moment of real quality, but for Colombia it's been too fleeting today.
USA have their own spectacular effort go close, as Gonzalo Higuaín picks up a goal kick after a missed header by Quinónes, and launches an effort from 30 yards that Viera gets his fingertips to. The corner is cleared, but Murillo beats Díaz to the loose ball and plays it back to the taker, Carlos Vela. He all the space in the world to fire a ball right across the corridor of uncertainty, and in an attempt to stop sub Douglas Costa from scoring, it is turned into his own net by Marlon Piedrahita! That will seal it!
And indeed it is, Colombia's complete lack of attacking threat continues for the final minutes, and USA make it through their second DWC quarter final!
Colombia's main man, Luis Díaz, has been kept extremely quiet by USA's back-up right back, but then in the 77th minute he makes just the right run to get onto a precise Ricuarte through ball. As Czichos comes out to cover Díaz surprises everyone with a chip over Kahlina. The USA keeper is getting nowhere near it, but it nestles on the top of the goal! A moment of real quality, but for Colombia it's been too fleeting today.
USA have their own spectacular effort go close, as Gonzalo Higuaín picks up a goal kick after a missed header by Quinónes, and launches an effort from 30 yards that Viera gets his fingertips to. The corner is cleared, but Murillo beats Díaz to the loose ball and plays it back to the taker, Carlos Vela. He all the space in the world to fire a ball right across the corridor of uncertainty, and in an attempt to stop sub Douglas Costa from scoring, it is turned into his own net by Marlon Piedrahita! That will seal it!
And indeed it is, Colombia's complete lack of attacking threat continues for the final minutes, and USA make it through their second DWC quarter final!
Final score: Colombia 0-1 USA
Player of the match: Rafael Czichos (USA)
A poor match, in all honesty. You take out the penalty, and USA's xG total is approximately the same as Colombia's. But the breaks went their way, and, er, them's the breaks. A shame for Colombia, whose excellent group showing had set the stage for a run in the knockout rounds.
Player of the match: Rafael Czichos (USA)
A poor match, in all honesty. You take out the penalty, and USA's xG total is approximately the same as Colombia's. But the breaks went their way, and, er, them's the breaks. A shame for Colombia, whose excellent group showing had set the stage for a run in the knockout rounds.
Portugal vs Egypt
Fighting for the right to play Germany, we have Portugal and Egypt. For Portugal, they haven't really put in any thrilling performances but progressed from a tricky group serenely - which is more than Italy managed! It was less easy for Egypt, who ground out a win over Peru, setting them up for a showdown with Belgium. A late goal conceded looked to have ended their dream, only for a 98th-minute equaliser to return Egypt to the stage they reached last year. A year ago they nearly beat Germany, who needed a Neuer equaliser to get to penalties, which the Germans duly won.
Portugal seem to have settled on their 5-2-1-2 formation, having started the tournament with a 5-2-3. However, they do make one change; Mateus Uribe in for Julian Weigl. Egypt are without Tarek Hamed, who is suspended, so the hero of their match against Belgium Percy Tau comes in, with Abdallah El Saeed dropping into midfield.
Fighting for the right to play Germany, we have Portugal and Egypt. For Portugal, they haven't really put in any thrilling performances but progressed from a tricky group serenely - which is more than Italy managed! It was less easy for Egypt, who ground out a win over Peru, setting them up for a showdown with Belgium. A late goal conceded looked to have ended their dream, only for a 98th-minute equaliser to return Egypt to the stage they reached last year. A year ago they nearly beat Germany, who needed a Neuer equaliser to get to penalties, which the Germans duly won.
Portugal seem to have settled on their 5-2-1-2 formation, having started the tournament with a 5-2-3. However, they do make one change; Mateus Uribe in for Julian Weigl. Egypt are without Tarek Hamed, who is suspended, so the hero of their match against Belgium Percy Tau comes in, with Abdallah El Saeed dropping into midfield.
It's an almost-identical start to the previous match, as an Uribe cross misses everyone only for the referee to see a push on Cristiano Ronaldo - Portugal penalty! Ronaldo takes... and buries it in the top corner! A great penalty, and a disastrous start for Egypt.
You might wonder why Mahmoud El Wensh chose to give Ronaldo a shove. Well, that's answered just two minutes later when Uribe floats in a cross from deep, no-one fouls Ronaldo and the legendary striker is there to head it in at the far post! Two goals in the opening 12 minutes!
It's fair to say that Uribe has taken his chance to show he should be starting, and in the 34th minute Pablo Sarabia's free kick finds Uribe unmarked at the far post to head in Portugal's third! It's all just so easy!
If there is to be an Egyptian revival, they could do with a goal before half time, and one arrives! El Saeed plays in a deep free kick and Amr El Soleya guides a header past Antonio Adán to give his team a little hope!
So, it's 3-1 at the interval. Egypt have only managed one shot other than the goal, but it's enough to keep Portugal on their toes.
You might wonder why Mahmoud El Wensh chose to give Ronaldo a shove. Well, that's answered just two minutes later when Uribe floats in a cross from deep, no-one fouls Ronaldo and the legendary striker is there to head it in at the far post! Two goals in the opening 12 minutes!
It's fair to say that Uribe has taken his chance to show he should be starting, and in the 34th minute Pablo Sarabia's free kick finds Uribe unmarked at the far post to head in Portugal's third! It's all just so easy!
If there is to be an Egyptian revival, they could do with a goal before half time, and one arrives! El Saeed plays in a deep free kick and Amr El Soleya guides a header past Antonio Adán to give his team a little hope!
So, it's 3-1 at the interval. Egypt have only managed one shot other than the goal, but it's enough to keep Portugal on their toes.
The last thing Egypt need is to concede early, and they just avoid it as a(nother) Ronaldo header hits the top of the bar with Mohamed El Shenawy nowhere. El Shenawy plays the goal kick upfield and Mohamed Sherif lays it off to Tau. He returns the favour, and Sherif looks through on goal. As Adán comes out Sherif plays it back to Ramadan Sobhi, who again returns it to Sherif, and he bends it around Adán for a remarkable goal, Egypt are very much back in it!
Portugal are a bit stunned after those two goals either side of half time. Ronaldo has another go for his hat trick but his shot is tame and straight at El Shenawy. But then Portugal get the break they need to reassert control on the match, as Aymen Ashraf needlessly holds onto Pedro Porro and picks up a second yellow! Egypt are still a goal down, and now they're a man down. Tau has to make way for replacement left back Ali Maaloul.
And then just after the hour mark, it's yet another headed goal for Portugal. Sarabia again with a free kick, and Sebastián Coates meets it to make it 4-2!
Sherif has a chance for a quick reply as Ahmed Elmohamady's low cross finds him in acres of space, but his shot is too close to Adán who parries. Substitute Achraf Bencharki also has a shot saved by Portugal's keeper, as Egypt show what fighters they are.
In the 83rd minute Portugal are able to get upfield, and Nuno Santos, wide on the left, hangs up a cross. Despite it falling around the 6-yard line neither El Shenawy or his defenders can get to it, but Ronaldo can, and he has his hat trick!
Portugal shut up shop and there's little the 10 men of Egypt can do about it. Coming into this game I expected a low-scoring, hard-fought tie between two grafting teams, but in the end we had seven goals!
Portugal are a bit stunned after those two goals either side of half time. Ronaldo has another go for his hat trick but his shot is tame and straight at El Shenawy. But then Portugal get the break they need to reassert control on the match, as Aymen Ashraf needlessly holds onto Pedro Porro and picks up a second yellow! Egypt are still a goal down, and now they're a man down. Tau has to make way for replacement left back Ali Maaloul.
And then just after the hour mark, it's yet another headed goal for Portugal. Sarabia again with a free kick, and Sebastián Coates meets it to make it 4-2!
Sherif has a chance for a quick reply as Ahmed Elmohamady's low cross finds him in acres of space, but his shot is too close to Adán who parries. Substitute Achraf Bencharki also has a shot saved by Portugal's keeper, as Egypt show what fighters they are.
In the 83rd minute Portugal are able to get upfield, and Nuno Santos, wide on the left, hangs up a cross. Despite it falling around the 6-yard line neither El Shenawy or his defenders can get to it, but Ronaldo can, and he has his hat trick!
Portugal shut up shop and there's little the 10 men of Egypt can do about it. Coming into this game I expected a low-scoring, hard-fought tie between two grafting teams, but in the end we had seven goals!
Final score: Portugal 5-2 Egypt
Player of the match: Cristiano Ronaldo (POR)
Of the seven goals, five were headers. It comes up regularly on this site - the match engine for Versus Mode clearly overpromotes headers as a method of scoring. But that's just the way it is, even if it sucks a bit. Anyway, if you're in a world where heading is important, then it's useful to have Ronaldo on your team, and he was arguably the difference today. Egypt once again put in a gutsy performance, but their journey ends here. As for Portugal, it's their first DWC quarter final since 2018!
Player of the match: Cristiano Ronaldo (POR)
Of the seven goals, five were headers. It comes up regularly on this site - the match engine for Versus Mode clearly overpromotes headers as a method of scoring. But that's just the way it is, even if it sucks a bit. Anyway, if you're in a world where heading is important, then it's useful to have Ronaldo on your team, and he was arguably the difference today. Egypt once again put in a gutsy performance, but their journey ends here. As for Portugal, it's their first DWC quarter final since 2018!
England vs Thailand
Our final game today is the one that, on paper, is the most predictable. But then it's not played on paper, it's simulated on a falling-apart laptop. Anyway, England come into this after three fuss-free group games. The extent to which England were untroubled can be shown by the fact that only two goalkeepers are yet to concede a goal having played in this year's DWC - Alisson and Ederson. Meanwhile Thailand rode their luck to beat Tunisia, lost to Portugal but then bounced back to beat Italy to qualify for the knockout rounds for the first time.
After resting most of the first-choice XI against Peru, England bring them back for this match. Astonishingly, Thailand don’t change the team which beat Italy.
Our final game today is the one that, on paper, is the most predictable. But then it's not played on paper, it's simulated on a falling-apart laptop. Anyway, England come into this after three fuss-free group games. The extent to which England were untroubled can be shown by the fact that only two goalkeepers are yet to concede a goal having played in this year's DWC - Alisson and Ederson. Meanwhile Thailand rode their luck to beat Tunisia, lost to Portugal but then bounced back to beat Italy to qualify for the knockout rounds for the first time.
After resting most of the first-choice XI against Peru, England bring them back for this match. Astonishingly, Thailand don’t change the team which beat Italy.
The first chance comes in the 8th minute, Kevin de Bruyne finds Trent Alexander-Arnold, whose clever first-time pass is into the path of Mo Salah, and the Egyptian pokes it past Michael Falkesgaard at his near post for an early England lead!
De Bruyne nearly doubles the lead with a sumptuous free kick, but whilst he beats Falkesgaard he doesn't beat the upright, and it bounces clear. He has another chance from a Sadio Mané cross, but de Bruyne's shot is wayward.
England just keep coming, and in the 21st minute de Bruyne picks out Salah in the box, who squares it across to Mané to slide in England's second! Easy as you like.
Joao Cancelo has a vicious shot from range tipped over by Falkesgaard, and from the corner Rúben Dias heads over. De Bruyne hits the woodwork again with a free kick, as the shots keep piling up. The third goal eventually(?) comes, and it's from the same route as the first. De Bruyne out wide to Alexander-Arnold, who slides it into the path of Salah to finish! There's a VAR check this time... and Salah was offside! It was exceptionally tight, but no goal. So at the break, England still lead by two.
De Bruyne nearly doubles the lead with a sumptuous free kick, but whilst he beats Falkesgaard he doesn't beat the upright, and it bounces clear. He has another chance from a Sadio Mané cross, but de Bruyne's shot is wayward.
England just keep coming, and in the 21st minute de Bruyne picks out Salah in the box, who squares it across to Mané to slide in England's second! Easy as you like.
Joao Cancelo has a vicious shot from range tipped over by Falkesgaard, and from the corner Rúben Dias heads over. De Bruyne hits the woodwork again with a free kick, as the shots keep piling up. The third goal eventually(?) comes, and it's from the same route as the first. De Bruyne out wide to Alexander-Arnold, who slides it into the path of Salah to finish! There's a VAR check this time... and Salah was offside! It was exceptionally tight, but no goal. So at the break, England still lead by two.
Fabinho is taken off to prevent a yellow card-related suspension, with Bernado Silva coming on. It's an attacking change, so not necessarily good news for Thailand.
Salah has the ball in the net again two minutes into the half, as he heads home de Bruyne's free kick! Again, the defenders appeal for offside, and again VAR disallows it!
Another de Bruyne free kick causes carnage, as Dias heads it against the woodwork and Virgil van Dijk puts the rebound away! This time the flag immediately goes up, but this time VAR sides with England and rules both centre backs onside! Finally, England have their third!
Despite Thailand bringing Vander on for Heberty and fielding him deeper, Alexander-Arnold continues to find plenty of space, and a 62nd-minute cross finds Mané to head in his second!
Cancelo nearly catches Falkesgaard with a 30-yard strike over the Thailand keeper's head, but it hits off the face of the bar, and a vicious long shot from Salah ends up in the side netting. De Bruyne has run the show without scoring, but that eventually changes when N'Golo Kanté's brilliant ball leaves him one-on-one, and he dinks it over Falkesgaard for a fifth England goal!
Thailand eventually get their first shot, right at the end of the game, with a 35-yard Vander shot that is immediately blocked. And so it ends, an utterly comprehensive win for England.
Salah has the ball in the net again two minutes into the half, as he heads home de Bruyne's free kick! Again, the defenders appeal for offside, and again VAR disallows it!
Another de Bruyne free kick causes carnage, as Dias heads it against the woodwork and Virgil van Dijk puts the rebound away! This time the flag immediately goes up, but this time VAR sides with England and rules both centre backs onside! Finally, England have their third!
Despite Thailand bringing Vander on for Heberty and fielding him deeper, Alexander-Arnold continues to find plenty of space, and a 62nd-minute cross finds Mané to head in his second!
Cancelo nearly catches Falkesgaard with a 30-yard strike over the Thailand keeper's head, but it hits off the face of the bar, and a vicious long shot from Salah ends up in the side netting. De Bruyne has run the show without scoring, but that eventually changes when N'Golo Kanté's brilliant ball leaves him one-on-one, and he dinks it over Falkesgaard for a fifth England goal!
Thailand eventually get their first shot, right at the end of the game, with a 35-yard Vander shot that is immediately blocked. And so it ends, an utterly comprehensive win for England.
Final score: England 5-0 Thailand
Player of the match: Kevin de Bruyne (ENG)
To be clear, this is what should happen when a Premier League XI plays an XI representing the Thai League 1. But then Italy couldn't beat Thailand, so you just never know. Anyway England march on.
Player of the match: Kevin de Bruyne (ENG)
To be clear, this is what should happen when a Premier League XI plays an XI representing the Thai League 1. But then Italy couldn't beat Thailand, so you just never know. Anyway England march on.
So the four teams that won today will play in the next round - Germany will take on Portugal, and USA will face England. Before today, Germany and England have been the two most impressive teams, and that remains the case after two very different wins for the two. Portugal and USA also recorded good wins, and remain in position to upset the favourites next time.
We finish the second round next time, to see who else makes the quarter finals.
We finish the second round next time, to see who else makes the quarter finals.