We got our first draws of the tournament last time. The one between Australia and Costa wasn't difficult to predict, and leaves both with a bit of work to do, whilst Senegal caused more of a surprise by holding Netherlands:
Today we see the group I labelled the Group of Death get underway, but first we have Group E, full of teams hopeful of breaking new ground.
Group E
DR Congo vs Czechia
DR Congo's return to DWC football after a six-year wait is the longest thus far, tied with Norway. Their opponents Czechia had to wait until last year to make their bow. Both of these teams lost every match in their previous appearance, and Czechia didn't even manage to score. So this will see at least one of the teams off the mark belatedly, and in with a great chance of progression from a close group.
DR Congo will really threaten from out wide, as draft signings Silas and Arthur Masuaku will be flying wing backs, whilst Theo Bongonda and Yannick Bolasie are quality wingers. This is all good news for the team's focal point Romelu Lukaku, last year's Golden Boot winner. Czechia decide that the best fit for their squad is a 4-2-3-1 shape, with Soucek and Holes making up a two-Tomás midfield pivot.
DR Congo's return to DWC football after a six-year wait is the longest thus far, tied with Norway. Their opponents Czechia had to wait until last year to make their bow. Both of these teams lost every match in their previous appearance, and Czechia didn't even manage to score. So this will see at least one of the teams off the mark belatedly, and in with a great chance of progression from a close group.
DR Congo will really threaten from out wide, as draft signings Silas and Arthur Masuaku will be flying wing backs, whilst Theo Bongonda and Yannick Bolasie are quality wingers. This is all good news for the team's focal point Romelu Lukaku, last year's Golden Boot winner. Czechia decide that the best fit for their squad is a 4-2-3-1 shape, with Soucek and Holes making up a two-Tomás midfield pivot.
DR Congo invite big pressure on themselves with some poor passing out from back. Czechia send two chances off target from the edge of the box, but the third sees Lukás Haraslín slip in Patrik Schick in the box. He shoots across Simon Omossola but it hits the post and goes wide!
DR Congo build their first proper attack down the left. Masuaku cuts inside and lets fly. Lukás Masopust is across to get in the way, but instead of blocking the shot he deflects it, wrong-footing Matej Kovár and nearly sending it in - it hits the post and Czechia scramble it away. But Czechia's reprieve doesn't last for long as they get themselves too narrow, allowing Stéphane Omeonga to play in Silas down the right to blast across Kovár and score! DR Congo's gameplan pays off, now how will they manage their lead?
Speaking of gameplans, Czechia nearly level when Soucek meets Petr Sevcík's corner but his header is high. Another corner is cleared as far as Veljko Birmancevic, who plays it back to Sevcík. He runs in from wide and forces Omossola to push his fierce shot behind. But it's as good as Czechia manage. At the break they have been very slightly the better team, but trail to one good finish.
DR Congo build their first proper attack down the left. Masuaku cuts inside and lets fly. Lukás Masopust is across to get in the way, but instead of blocking the shot he deflects it, wrong-footing Matej Kovár and nearly sending it in - it hits the post and Czechia scramble it away. But Czechia's reprieve doesn't last for long as they get themselves too narrow, allowing Stéphane Omeonga to play in Silas down the right to blast across Kovár and score! DR Congo's gameplan pays off, now how will they manage their lead?
Speaking of gameplans, Czechia nearly level when Soucek meets Petr Sevcík's corner but his header is high. Another corner is cleared as far as Veljko Birmancevic, who plays it back to Sevcík. He runs in from wide and forces Omossola to push his fierce shot behind. But it's as good as Czechia manage. At the break they have been very slightly the better team, but trail to one good finish.
I can't be bothered to check the records, but I'm not sure a team has gone as many as four games without scoring their first DWC goal. But Czechia are nearly there, after another performance with uncertain forward play. They need something to happen for them.
Birmancevic heads a cross over the bar, before he is played in by a clever flick from Sevcík. It's a clear chance but Omossola gets down to deny the shot at his near post! On the hour mark Masopust gets down to the by-line, cuts it back and finds Schick mere inches from goal - it's an unmissable chance and finally Czechia are off the mark!
With Sevcík tiring, Czechia bring on Jan Kuchta as a second striker and go to a 4-2-4. It means we have two teams focusing their attacks down the wings, and four pretty lonely central midfielders. They cancel each other out, but it is the European side who look more likely to find something.
In the 84th minute DR Congo work their way upfield with a good move switching the ball from the right to left. Masuaku cuts inside and plays an inch-perfect chip over the defence for Ilombe Mboyo - on for Lukaku - who lashes at it first time, beats Kovár but not the post! So close to a potential winner, although the flag was up anyhoo.
A few minutes later and Czechia have the ball on the left. Sub Matej Vydra fizzes a low ball into the box, straight to Kuchta. It looks like he has the space to turn and get a shot away, but he chooses to lay it back to Masopust. It proves to be the right decision as the right back lets fly and beats Omossola for a wonderful goal! Czechia have turned it around, now can they hold on?
DR Congo are now without their main striker and in the end Czechia see it through to full time very comfortably.
Birmancevic heads a cross over the bar, before he is played in by a clever flick from Sevcík. It's a clear chance but Omossola gets down to deny the shot at his near post! On the hour mark Masopust gets down to the by-line, cuts it back and finds Schick mere inches from goal - it's an unmissable chance and finally Czechia are off the mark!
With Sevcík tiring, Czechia bring on Jan Kuchta as a second striker and go to a 4-2-4. It means we have two teams focusing their attacks down the wings, and four pretty lonely central midfielders. They cancel each other out, but it is the European side who look more likely to find something.
In the 84th minute DR Congo work their way upfield with a good move switching the ball from the right to left. Masuaku cuts inside and plays an inch-perfect chip over the defence for Ilombe Mboyo - on for Lukaku - who lashes at it first time, beats Kovár but not the post! So close to a potential winner, although the flag was up anyhoo.
A few minutes later and Czechia have the ball on the left. Sub Matej Vydra fizzes a low ball into the box, straight to Kuchta. It looks like he has the space to turn and get a shot away, but he chooses to lay it back to Masopust. It proves to be the right decision as the right back lets fly and beats Omossola for a wonderful goal! Czechia have turned it around, now can they hold on?
DR Congo are now without their main striker and in the end Czechia see it through to full time very comfortably.
Final score:
DR Congo 1 (Silas 13')
Czechia 2 (Schick 60', Masopust 89')
Player of the match: Lukás Masopust (CZE)
Quite a few teams have played with one defensive full back and one asked to play almost as an extra winger. By and large, none of the attacking full backs have made a real impact this tournament so far, but Masopust produced two moments of brilliance to drag his team to their first DWC points. It's a big shame for DR Congo who were coping well defensively in the first half.
DR Congo 1 (Silas 13')
Czechia 2 (Schick 60', Masopust 89')
Player of the match: Lukás Masopust (CZE)
Quite a few teams have played with one defensive full back and one asked to play almost as an extra winger. By and large, none of the attacking full backs have made a real impact this tournament so far, but Masopust produced two moments of brilliance to drag his team to their first DWC points. It's a big shame for DR Congo who were coping well defensively in the first half.
Colombia vs Bulgaria
This could well be quite an open group, and a good start will be vital. Colombia in particular will be very keen to prove why they are the top-ranked team in this group. Topping this group is likely to give them the best chance of getting to a first DWC quarter final too.
Juan Cuadrado and Gabriel Fuentes will be very attacking wing backs, meaning Wílmar Barrios and Jefferson Lerma need to sit back and cover the gaps. This is specifically why Lerma was Colombia's third draft pick, which is joined-up thinking that doesn't particularly apply to Bulgaria. Their draft pick Kiril Despodov will line up slightly out of position up front as Bulgaria don't want to leave out fellow wingers Sebastián Villa and Bernard Tekpetey. What it does mean is that they should have a mobile and fluid attack.
This could well be quite an open group, and a good start will be vital. Colombia in particular will be very keen to prove why they are the top-ranked team in this group. Topping this group is likely to give them the best chance of getting to a first DWC quarter final too.
Juan Cuadrado and Gabriel Fuentes will be very attacking wing backs, meaning Wílmar Barrios and Jefferson Lerma need to sit back and cover the gaps. This is specifically why Lerma was Colombia's third draft pick, which is joined-up thinking that doesn't particularly apply to Bulgaria. Their draft pick Kiril Despodov will line up slightly out of position up front as Bulgaria don't want to leave out fellow wingers Sebastián Villa and Bernard Tekpetey. What it does mean is that they should have a mobile and fluid attack.
It's a very cagey start. But Colombia create the game's first clear chance in the 19th minute when the overlapping Gabriel Fuentes' low cross finds striker Jhon Córdoba four yards from goal. He can't get clear contact on it, and Simon Sluga is able to get enough on the shot to deflect it behind! Fuentes produces another good cross from the corner, it's met by Bernardo and his shot hits the underside of the bar and is cleared! Bulgaria somehow escape unscathed from that passage of play.
The rest of the half sees very little action, and at half time we are goalless.
The rest of the half sees very little action, and at half time we are goalless.
Bulgaria may have kept their higher-ranked opponents largely quiet, but they have had just one poor shot in the first half. At the break Tekpetey comes off for striker Michael Estrada, with Despodov moving to the right wing.
Not content with being Colombia's best creator, Fuentes breaks into the box and has a drive saved by Sluga. In the 57th minute Fuentes tries another corner, which this time is cleared. Despodov is beaten to it on the edge of the box by Córdoba, who lays it off to Yimmi Chará. He shoots first time into a crowd of players, it takes at least one deflection and gets past the wrong-footed Sluga!
Confidence boosted, Chará has a dribble into the box and his shot is again deflected, but this time it takes the pace out of the shot and Sluga holds. At the other end Bulgaria manage a rare foray. Despodov is found in space on the right, and his low cross goes all the way across to Villa. He gets a good shot away but Álvaro Montero produces an even better save! Villa has an effort following the corner that Juan Cuadrado deflects behind.
Bulgaria suddenly seemed much more energised than their opponents, and Estrada looks to have a golden chance from Aslak Witry's low cross, but Bernardo is able to put him off enough that the shot is devoid of power and easily claimed by Montero.
With five minutes to go Bulgaria have a corner, swung in by Despodov. Juan Pablo Vargas heads it away, but the referee blows for a shove by Lerma! The VAR check obviously confirms that it's a penalty (please write in if you have ever seen a penalty awarded overturned for reasons other than it being outside the box), and so it falls to Villa - a Colombian, no less - to haul Bulgaria level. We have a 100% penalty record this tournament... and we still do, as Montero is emphatically sent the wrong way! It's all square, and everything is to play for!
As nearly every Colombian player appears wound up, Bulgaria keep their foot on the gas. Jakub Piotrowski plays it up to sub Kwadwo Duah, who neatly flicks it into the path of Estrada. This time there's no Bernardo to smother the shot, but there is Montero and he makes another fine stop! Suddenly, Colombia are clinging on!
Right at the very end of stoppage time Bulgaria are given a free kick 30 yards out. It's down to replacement Tobias Heintz. He connects well, but it flicks the outside of the wall, goes behind and that's full time!
Not content with being Colombia's best creator, Fuentes breaks into the box and has a drive saved by Sluga. In the 57th minute Fuentes tries another corner, which this time is cleared. Despodov is beaten to it on the edge of the box by Córdoba, who lays it off to Yimmi Chará. He shoots first time into a crowd of players, it takes at least one deflection and gets past the wrong-footed Sluga!
Confidence boosted, Chará has a dribble into the box and his shot is again deflected, but this time it takes the pace out of the shot and Sluga holds. At the other end Bulgaria manage a rare foray. Despodov is found in space on the right, and his low cross goes all the way across to Villa. He gets a good shot away but Álvaro Montero produces an even better save! Villa has an effort following the corner that Juan Cuadrado deflects behind.
Bulgaria suddenly seemed much more energised than their opponents, and Estrada looks to have a golden chance from Aslak Witry's low cross, but Bernardo is able to put him off enough that the shot is devoid of power and easily claimed by Montero.
With five minutes to go Bulgaria have a corner, swung in by Despodov. Juan Pablo Vargas heads it away, but the referee blows for a shove by Lerma! The VAR check obviously confirms that it's a penalty (please write in if you have ever seen a penalty awarded overturned for reasons other than it being outside the box), and so it falls to Villa - a Colombian, no less - to haul Bulgaria level. We have a 100% penalty record this tournament... and we still do, as Montero is emphatically sent the wrong way! It's all square, and everything is to play for!
As nearly every Colombian player appears wound up, Bulgaria keep their foot on the gas. Jakub Piotrowski plays it up to sub Kwadwo Duah, who neatly flicks it into the path of Estrada. This time there's no Bernardo to smother the shot, but there is Montero and he makes another fine stop! Suddenly, Colombia are clinging on!
Right at the very end of stoppage time Bulgaria are given a free kick 30 yards out. It's down to replacement Tobias Heintz. He connects well, but it flicks the outside of the wall, goes behind and that's full time!
Final score:
Colombia 1 (Chará 57')
Bulgaria 1 (Villa (p) 86')
Player of the match: Sebastián Villa (BUL)
First of all, I have never seen an xG chart like the one before. It perfectly encapsulates the match, in that Colombia should have scored in the first half, but eventually found a way through. Bulgaria offered zilch - at 75 minutes they had literally just had one shot - until they were utterly rampant and ought to have won. A mad game.
Colombia 1 (Chará 57')
Bulgaria 1 (Villa (p) 86')
Player of the match: Sebastián Villa (BUL)
First of all, I have never seen an xG chart like the one before. It perfectly encapsulates the match, in that Colombia should have scored in the first half, but eventually found a way through. Bulgaria offered zilch - at 75 minutes they had literally just had one shot - until they were utterly rampant and ought to have won. A mad game.
This could be an extremely tight group. Just that one Masopust worldie separates the lot of them. From the evidence of today, it's hard to see the remaining matches being much different.
Group F
UAE vs South Africa
I flagged this as the Group of Death when previewing the tournament, and this exemplifies that. South Africa are the higher-ranked team, having got all the way to the semis of last year's DWC. But UAE have a squad with several well-known names, and will see qualification from this group as very attainable.
UAE's strength is definitely in their neat midfield trio: Allan behind Miralem Pjanic and Fernando. They will hope they and the others can create good-quality chances for poacher Paco Alcácer up front. Speaking of strikers, the drafting of Burnley's Lyle Foster forces South Africa's long-standing frontman Peter Shalulile into a left wing position, with Percy Tau completing a new-look front trio.
I flagged this as the Group of Death when previewing the tournament, and this exemplifies that. South Africa are the higher-ranked team, having got all the way to the semis of last year's DWC. But UAE have a squad with several well-known names, and will see qualification from this group as very attainable.
UAE's strength is definitely in their neat midfield trio: Allan behind Miralem Pjanic and Fernando. They will hope they and the others can create good-quality chances for poacher Paco Alcácer up front. Speaking of strikers, the drafting of Burnley's Lyle Foster forces South Africa's long-standing frontman Peter Shalulile into a left wing position, with Percy Tau completing a new-look front trio.
Two minutes in, UAE work the ball on the left. A one-two between Fede Cartabia and Karim Rekik leaves the former in the box. South Africa are disorganised and Cartabia is given plenty of space to power his shot past Ronwen Williams for a quick early goal!
It's a very rocky start for South Africa, as their positive intent is undercut by how smoothly UAE are keeping the ball. And it becomes 2-0 before we even reach 10 minutes! Khaled Al-Dhanhani plays a simple ball down the line for Iuri Medeiros, South Africa's defence is again sluggish to respond and Medeiros is able to crack a powerful shot across Williams! What a start for UAE!
South Africa do begin to force turnovers higher up the pitch, and one leads to a shot from Khuliso Mudau that deflects off Alexis Pérez and nearly finds the top corner. The corner that follows also sees a goal as Philippe Sandler's downwards header is very well held by Khalid Eisa on the goal line. At half time UAE are sitting pretty, even if they haven't done much since that early flurry.
It's a very rocky start for South Africa, as their positive intent is undercut by how smoothly UAE are keeping the ball. And it becomes 2-0 before we even reach 10 minutes! Khaled Al-Dhanhani plays a simple ball down the line for Iuri Medeiros, South Africa's defence is again sluggish to respond and Medeiros is able to crack a powerful shot across Williams! What a start for UAE!
South Africa do begin to force turnovers higher up the pitch, and one leads to a shot from Khuliso Mudau that deflects off Alexis Pérez and nearly finds the top corner. The corner that follows also sees a goal as Philippe Sandler's downwards header is very well held by Khalid Eisa on the goal line. At half time UAE are sitting pretty, even if they haven't done much since that early flurry.
The second half goes to plan for UAE, who control possession and take the sting out of South Africa. Cartabia draws a decent save from Williams following a corner routine, and from the next corner Pjanic finds Pérez who heads down and in! Complete control for UAE now, and already South Africa's hopes in this group are looking grim.
South Africa replace Foster, who has struggled to get into the game, with Themba Zwane, moving Shalulile into his usual centre forward position. And it has an immediate impact when Teboho Mokoena intercepts a pass high up the pitch, dances into the box and finds Shalulile with his low cross, who tucks the finish home!
Tau forces Eisa into action, but UAE are able to stem their opponent's chances. And eventually time runs out on South Africa, who may have had the momentum in the final 20 minutes of the game, but didn't seriously look like getting back in this match.
South Africa replace Foster, who has struggled to get into the game, with Themba Zwane, moving Shalulile into his usual centre forward position. And it has an immediate impact when Teboho Mokoena intercepts a pass high up the pitch, dances into the box and finds Shalulile with his low cross, who tucks the finish home!
Tau forces Eisa into action, but UAE are able to stem their opponent's chances. And eventually time runs out on South Africa, who may have had the momentum in the final 20 minutes of the game, but didn't seriously look like getting back in this match.
Final score:
UAE 3 (Cartabia 2', Medeiros 9', Pérez 62')
South Africa 1 (Shalulile 71')
Player of the match: Alexis Pérez (UAE)
The xG chart below shows that the match wasn't as one-sided as the scoring pattern suggests, but South Africa only have themselves to blame for their lax defending for the two opening goals. UAE won't care, and this could be a huge result in a potentially tight race for qualification.
UAE 3 (Cartabia 2', Medeiros 9', Pérez 62')
South Africa 1 (Shalulile 71')
Player of the match: Alexis Pérez (UAE)
The xG chart below shows that the match wasn't as one-sided as the scoring pattern suggests, but South Africa only have themselves to blame for their lax defending for the two opening goals. UAE won't care, and this could be a huge result in a potentially tight race for qualification.
Ecuador vs France
This group could be a real test for France. They have lost some star names and have been hit by the limit on players from one club. They should have enough to comfortably win this group, but won't be able to take any game for granted. For Ecuador this is quite the first DWC match, but in a way it means there's less pressure.
Three Caicedos, Ecuador? That's insane... surprisingly, former Man City striker Felipe is (a) only 34 and (b) selected for his mobility compared to traditional target man Francisco Fydriszewski. France eschew the 4-3-3 shape they've used for a long time for a 4-2-3-1, as it allows more of their skillful attacking players to play. They are counterbalanced by conservative choices in defence.
This group could be a real test for France. They have lost some star names and have been hit by the limit on players from one club. They should have enough to comfortably win this group, but won't be able to take any game for granted. For Ecuador this is quite the first DWC match, but in a way it means there's less pressure.
Three Caicedos, Ecuador? That's insane... surprisingly, former Man City striker Felipe is (a) only 34 and (b) selected for his mobility compared to traditional target man Francisco Fydriszewski. France eschew the 4-3-3 shape they've used for a long time for a 4-2-3-1, as it allows more of their skillful attacking players to play. They are counterbalanced by conservative choices in defence.
Moisés Ramírez is in action early on, tipping Marco Asensio's free kick behind and saving Milan Skriniar's header from the corner. And in the 17th minute has is on hand to produce a brilliant reaction stop to Asensio's close-range effort from Ousmane Dembélé's low cross. At the other end Junior Sornoza has an effort held by Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Midway through the half Asensio has another free kick, this time a bit further out. This time he passes it to Kylian Mbappé 25 yards from goal. He hits it first time, and the ball rifles through a crowd of players and into the bottom corner! What a brilliant strike, and France lead!
It's a fairly relentless half for poor old Ramírez, as he is drawn into action thanks to long shots from Marquinhos and Dembélé, and another corner header from Skriniar. Asensio is at the heart of everything for France, but Ramírez continues to frustrate him, with two further saves. Kingsley Coman thuds a long shot off the crossbar, and somehow Ecuador get to half time only one goal behind.
Midway through the half Asensio has another free kick, this time a bit further out. This time he passes it to Kylian Mbappé 25 yards from goal. He hits it first time, and the ball rifles through a crowd of players and into the bottom corner! What a brilliant strike, and France lead!
It's a fairly relentless half for poor old Ramírez, as he is drawn into action thanks to long shots from Marquinhos and Dembélé, and another corner header from Skriniar. Asensio is at the heart of everything for France, but Ramírez continues to frustrate him, with two further saves. Kingsley Coman thuds a long shot off the crossbar, and somehow Ecuador get to half time only one goal behind.
The carded Christian Noboa is taken off at half time, giving Ecuador the chance to move to a 3-4-3 shape in an effort to deny France as much space as they have afforded so far, whilst still giving their exciting full backs the chance to roam.
Much was made of Football Manager's new set piece creator, but in my opinion it's exactly the same mechanics, but with a wizard that means it's harder to fine-tune any details. As a result, defending teams are often leaving a player free on the edge of the box at a corner. And it results in France finally getting their second goal - Asensio picks out Dembélé who rifles a shot into the far corner! It's quite similar to Mbappé's goal, if less spectacular as it wasn't a first-time shot.
After a frustrating match so far for Felipe Caicedo, it's nice that he is given some company as Fydriszewski comes on for a 3-4-1-2 formation. And Caicedo has Ecuador's best effort thus far with a curling effort from the edge of the box that forces Donnarumma into a flying stop. Ecuador also go close at the other end when a Coman shot hits both Romario Caicedo and Carlos Rodríguez on its way to hitting the post.
In the 79th minute Ezequiel Piovi curls a long pass into the channel for Felipe Caicedo to run onto. He doesn't waste any time in firing in a cross, where Fydriszewski is waiting to head it in! It's now 2-1, could this be a nervy finish for France?
They certainly can't kill off the game, but similarly Ecuador can't get the ball in the final third to give themselves a chance of a late sucker punch. It finishes with France narrow victors.
Much was made of Football Manager's new set piece creator, but in my opinion it's exactly the same mechanics, but with a wizard that means it's harder to fine-tune any details. As a result, defending teams are often leaving a player free on the edge of the box at a corner. And it results in France finally getting their second goal - Asensio picks out Dembélé who rifles a shot into the far corner! It's quite similar to Mbappé's goal, if less spectacular as it wasn't a first-time shot.
After a frustrating match so far for Felipe Caicedo, it's nice that he is given some company as Fydriszewski comes on for a 3-4-1-2 formation. And Caicedo has Ecuador's best effort thus far with a curling effort from the edge of the box that forces Donnarumma into a flying stop. Ecuador also go close at the other end when a Coman shot hits both Romario Caicedo and Carlos Rodríguez on its way to hitting the post.
In the 79th minute Ezequiel Piovi curls a long pass into the channel for Felipe Caicedo to run onto. He doesn't waste any time in firing in a cross, where Fydriszewski is waiting to head it in! It's now 2-1, could this be a nervy finish for France?
They certainly can't kill off the game, but similarly Ecuador can't get the ball in the final third to give themselves a chance of a late sucker punch. It finishes with France narrow victors.
Final score:
Ecuador 1 (Fydriszewski 79')
France 2 (Mbappé 26', Dembélé 53')
Player of the match: Ousmane Dembélé (FRA)
Really, it was a dominant performance from France, even if it didn't go fully smoothly. They will be pretty happy with how their set-up worked, with their front four getting plenty of shots away, whilst the rest of the team were efficient in winning the ball back and supplying the forwards.
Ecuador 1 (Fydriszewski 79')
France 2 (Mbappé 26', Dembélé 53')
Player of the match: Ousmane Dembélé (FRA)
Really, it was a dominant performance from France, even if it didn't go fully smoothly. They will be pretty happy with how their set-up worked, with their front four getting plenty of shots away, whilst the rest of the team were efficient in winning the ball back and supplying the forwards.
It's UAE who lead the way, but in the scheme of things a 1-goal loss to France really isn't a bad outcome for Ecuador, it may just help them if this group comes down to goal difference.
We've seen some really interesting games today, with every match seeing a team go behind before fighting back, with varying degrees of success.
Our final two groups are in action next time, with a ton of star names on show!
Our final two groups are in action next time, with a ton of star names on show!