Four groups have been completes, and so far there's been one surprise elimination: that of Netherlands, who paid the price for a slow start to Group D:
By contrast, France won their opening two games and are already through. Fellow top seeds Colombia are in a great position too, but both groups otherwise feature a clash that is a de facto knockout tie. Will they bring the great late drama we've so far missed from these final group games? Let's hope so!
Group E
Every match in this group has been engrossing. Unfortunately for DR Congo, they are already eliminated having lost in both matches. Meanwhile Bulgaria and Colombia look strong after drawing with each other then winning their second games:
Colombia just have to avoid a loss to DR Congo to be certain to progress, of course they would like to top the group which they would do if they better Bulgaria's result. Bulgaria's focus will just be on qualifying, as - barring a DR Congo win - their match with Czechia is a winner-takes-all affair. A draw is enough for Bulgaria, regardless of the other match.
Team news: Bulgaria vs Czechia
Tobias Heintz was outstanding off the bench for Bulgaria against DR Congo, but he is denied the chance to get a starting berth as a twisted ankle may well be the end of his tournament. Czechia make just the one change, as Petr Sevcík is replaced by the how-is-he-younger-than-me Matej Vydra.
Tobias Heintz was outstanding off the bench for Bulgaria against DR Congo, but he is denied the chance to get a starting berth as a twisted ankle may well be the end of his tournament. Czechia make just the one change, as Petr Sevcík is replaced by the how-is-he-younger-than-me Matej Vydra.
Team news: Colombia vs DR Congo
Colombia are unchanged, as indeed are DR Congo - despite their two defeats they have started both games pretty well, not conceding in the opening hour of either game.
Colombia are unchanged, as indeed are DR Congo - despite their two defeats they have started both games pretty well, not conceding in the opening hour of either game.
Kick off
BULvCZE (3 mins): Following straight from the kick-off Ivaylo Chochev splits Czechia's defence open with a terrific pass for Sebastián Villa, but he can't beat Matej Kovár with his shot. Czechia respond immediately, as Lukás Masopust floats a perfect cross over for Patrik Schick, whose header hits the outside of the post and goes wide - he was offside anyway.
COLvCOD (9 mins): Whilst qualification is very likely for Colombia, they don't want to rely on results elsewhere. And winning this group has the sizeable bonus of (almost certainly) avoiding France in the next round. Colombia dominate the opening stages, but are largely nullified by DR Congo's man-marking. But then Jhon Córdoba shows good movement to get goal-side of Atibu Radjabu, getting through on goal and whistling a low shot home! Just the start for Colombia!
BULvCZE (25 mins): Schick has another header go just over with Simon Sluga beaten, whilst Kiril Despodov stings the palms of Kovár with a powerful shot. It's been a lively start. Bulgaria get a run of corners, and from one Kovár comes out, doesn't reach it and Chochev heads into the unguarded goal! Bulgaria lead, and Czechia have it all to do already.
BULvCZE (31 mins): Despodov nearly adds an immediate second but fires wide from a good position. Bulgaria are in full flow, and when Chochev passes it up to Kwadwo Duah the striker takes a brilliant first touch, blindsiding both Czech centre backs and putting him clean through on goal. He can't follow it up with the finish though, as Kovár (partially) atones for his earlier mistake with a good save.
COLvCOD (37 mins): The defensive lapse that lead to Colombia's goal will frustrate DR Congo, because they otherwise have handled Colombia really well. They haven't done much when they have had the ball, but then Romelu Lukaku receives a pass from Yannick Bolasie with an excellent first touch, getting into the box. From the edge of the box he surprises Álvaro Montero with a lob, which floats over the keeper and nestles in the back of the net! That is a fantastic, fantastic finish! Lukaku was denied a first DR Congo goal last time by the offside flag, but there's no VAR this time and DR Congo level!
BULvCZE (45+1 mins): Masopust remains by far the most dangerous Czech player, but his pass inside to Tomás Soucek results in the West Ham player's shot being blocked. At the break Bulgaria are sitting pretty, as Czechia rue those early Schick misses.
COLvCOD (45+2 mins): Córdoba has a header go over when under pressure, and we go in level. Colombia are finding this match tougher than they'd hoped.
Half time
BULvCZE (56 mins): It's not a great sign for Czechia when Schick's kick off at the start of the half misses his teammates and has to be retrieved by Kovár. And it's Bulgaria who kick on, getting regular shots away - mainly blocked - and accumulating more corners. They can't find the second goal to kill the game, but they look in complete control.
BULvCZE (69 mins): Sevcík comes on for Vydra to provide some sorely-needed creativity. And straight after coming on Schick heads a long ball down to Veljko Birmancevic who puts a pass through for Sevcík. He takes it into his stride well, but Sluga is able to get in the way of his low shot! And from the corner Bulgaria's keeper is in action again to push Soucek's header behind. Those feel like crucial saves, and so it proves because moments later Czechia's defence gets too narrow, allowing Duah to play it wide to Despodov to hare in and belt a shot across Kovár and double Bulgaria's lead! It's looking like curtains for Czechia now.
COLvCOD (70 mins): That second goal is good news for Colombia in that they will be guaranteed to qualify, but bad news in that they would need to win by three goals here to top the group. Any kind of win is looking unlikely at the moment as DR Congo continue to frustrate their opponents.
BULvCZE (74 mins): Czechia show a spark of life, and again it comes from Masopust. Picked out by Birmancevic, he drills a low cross right to Schick completely free right on the edge of the six yard box. But somehow Czechia's star striker thuds his shot straight into the post! That is an unforgivable miss, utterly unforgivable.
COLvCOD (83 mins): Mateo Cassierra is brought on to join Córdoba in attack, with José Enamorado sitting behind as Colombia alter their formation in an attempt to get through DR Congo. Enamorado gets through with a well-timed run, but Radjabu recovers to block his shot into the side netting.
BULvCZE (90+2 mins): Schick was hauled off not long after that miss, and Jan Kuchta is given his chance up front. And he takes it, as his first-time shot has too much power from Sluga, who will be disappointed to let it past him! But Czechia are denied their late consolation, as VAR finds that Kuchta was just offside.
COLvCOD (90+4 mins): DR Congo were denied a first DWC point in the dying moments against Czechia, will it happen here? Gabriel Fuentes finds space wide on the left and fires in a dangerous cross. It looks perfect for Enamorado but Moustapha Ava Dongo scrambles it away! It hits the corner flag and stays in, but Colombia can't do anything with it and DR Congo secure the draw!
BULvCZE (90+5 mins):The game ends as much of it was played, with Bulgaria happily passing it around under very little pressure.
Final scores:
Bulgaria 2 (Chochev 25', Despodov 69') Czechia 0 Player of the match: Kiril Despodov (BUL) | Colombia 1 (Córdoba 9') DR Congo 1 (Lukaku 37') Player of the match: Yimmi Chará (COL) |
That was a very accomplished performance from Bulgaria. Whilst Czechia very occasionally clicked enough in attack to create clear chances, Bulgaria ran the game and really looked an accomplished cohesive unit.
Colombia were less impressive, and future opponents will note how effectively DR Congo subdued them by shutting down their wide players. A fully deserved draw for DR Congo, who have battled gamely in this group and get a reward of sorts.
Colombia were less impressive, and future opponents will note how effectively DR Congo subdued them by shutting down their wide players. A fully deserved draw for DR Congo, who have battled gamely in this group and get a reward of sorts.
So it is Bulgaria who triumph in what proved to be quite a fun group. They have some spells of irresistable football, their prize is a first ever DWC knockout berth, and they could go further.
Group F
Ecuador gave France a little scare in their match, but otherwise it's been a fuss-free start for the 2020 & 2021 DWC champions, and they are already through. South Africa, who got further than France last year with a run to the semis, are out after losing two even matches. This leaves Ecuador and UAE almost dead level:
Ecuador's reward for keeping the score down against France is that they just need to draw with UAE; otherwise the winner will go through.
Team news: South Africa vs France
It just hasn't worked out so far for South Africa's main draft player Lyle Foster, and he is displaced by Matías Esquivel. Rivaldo Coetzee comes in for Edson Castillo. France make nine changes, with just Lucas Hernández and Raphael Varane making a third start of the competition.
It just hasn't worked out so far for South Africa's main draft player Lyle Foster, and he is displaced by Matías Esquivel. Rivaldo Coetzee comes in for Edson Castillo. France make nine changes, with just Lucas Hernández and Raphael Varane making a third start of the competition.
Team news: UAE vs Ecuador
Despite being the side here who won their last game, it is Ecuador who make changes. Out go Jhojan Julio and the Caicedos Romario & Felipe, and in come Mateo Carabajal, Alexander Alvarado and - deservedly, after a goal off the bench in each game so far - Francisco Fydriszewski.
Despite being the side here who won their last game, it is Ecuador who make changes. Out go Jhojan Julio and the Caicedos Romario & Felipe, and in come Mateo Carabajal, Alexander Alvarado and - deservedly, after a goal off the bench in each game so far - Francisco Fydriszewski.
Kick off
RSAvFRA (4 mins): As France's adapt to a new-look side South Africa nearly take immediate advantage. Khuliso Mudau does brilliantly down the right, zipping in a low cross straight to Esquivel, but he contrives to fire his shot straight at Brice Samba.
UAEvECU (5 mins): Khaled Al-Dhanhani plays a ball into the box for Iuri Medeiros, who is brought down by Moisés Caicedo and UAE have a penalty straight away! A terrible start for Ecuador, can Miralem Pjanic convert? He goes to his left... Moisés Ramírez dives the wrong way and UAE have the lead they need!
UAEvECU (16 mins): Alexander Alvarado dribbles inside and unleashes a powerful shot. It takes a massive deflection off Bogdan Planic but somehow Khalid Eisa reacts to push it behind! That is a stunning save!
RSAvFRA (21 mins): It's been a great start from South Africa, who have had a couple of good chances from corners blocked, whilst Peter Shalulile belies his 172cm height with a strong header over the bar. But with a certain degree of inevitability, when France get a corner it's played to Martin Terrier on the edge of the box and his low shot somehow goes all the way through the crowd of players in the box and in! That sums up South Africa's DWC this year, to be honest.
RSAvFRA (30 mins): There's another decent sight of goal for South Africa, but again the effort - from Marcelo Allende this time - is blocked. South Africa are able to press France more than they usually would, because there's no Kylian Mbappé to exploit the high line they're using. But there is Randal Kolo Muani (pace, acceleration: 17), and he is able to run onto a simple ball over the top from Terrier and fire past Ronwen Williams to double France's lead!
RSAvFRA (36 mins): Samba has impressed on his DWC debut, but unfortunately he is forced off injured, which at least means France's third-choice keeper Lucas Perri gets some minutes.
UAEvECU (45+2 mins): Pjanic's penalty and Alvarado's deflected effort are the only two shots of an otherwise dour half. UAE hold a narrow advantage, and have looked much smoother in midfield, but Ecuador just need one goal.
RSAvFRA (45+3 mins): South Africa's early start has faded away in the face of France's two goals.
Half time
RSAvFRA (46 mins): It feels like France could just sneeze and score a goal right now. Alexandr Golovin cuts inside, has a shot from the edge of the box deflect off Rushine De Reuck and hit the post, sitting up perfectly for Vitinha to score into the empty goal. Ouch.
UAEvECU (66 mins): Both teams made changes at the break. UAE took off the cautioned Al-Dhanhani, whilst Ecuador brought off Ezequiel Piovi for Romario Caicedo as they change to a 3-4-1-2. It doesn't liven up the match though, although there is the odd blocked effort.
RSAvFRA (68 mins): The scoreline is fine for France, but they have suffered their second injury of the match as Manuel Ugarte is forced off.
UAEvECU (80 mins): Ecuador try the 3-4-1-2 they used against France. There it was a defensive ploy to limit the damage, but here it is to get an extra striker - Felipe Caicedo - into the box whilst inviting Pervis Estupinán further forward. They earn a corner, swung in by Junior Sornoza but headed away by Allan. Ricardo Adé heads it back into the mix, it falls to Felipe Caicedo and he buries his volley! Ecuador have done it! They are level and UAE are the ones who need to find something now!
UAEvECU (90+2 mins): Inevtiably, UAE go more attacking, bringing on Andrés Iniesta in a 4-2-3-1 with flying full backs. And Ecuador bring on more defensive reenforcements. One of those is Leonai Souza, who replaces Sornoza. But this move backfires, as Souza has no out-ball and gives the ball away with a poor pass. UAE sub Erik intercepts it, plays it to Pjanic who calmly switches it wide to Medeiros in acres of space. This is the big moment... he shoots low, beats Ramírez and has surely won it for UAE!!! But was he onside? I genuinely couldn't tell in the moment... VAR looks... he's onside! Medeiros is a lucky boy in all honesty, as he was in so much space there was no reason at all to be anywhere near offside.
RSAvFRA (90+5 mins): South Africa have more chances, with a Percy Tau shot saved, Themba Zwane's follow-up blocked and Khama Billiat firing high and wide. But they don't get the goal their play has deserved. Somehow, France have recorded a comprehensive win.
UAEvECU (90+6 mins): Aptly, the game ends with a Souza pass cut out by Erik. UAE get through the door just as it was closing in the style of Indiana Jones!
Final scores:
South Africa 0 France 3 (Terrier 21', Kolo Muani 30', Vitinha 46') Player of the match: Martin Terrier (FRA) | UAE 2 (Pjanic (p) 5', Medeiros 90+3') Ecuador 1 (Caicedo 80') Player of the match: Miralem Pjanic (UAE) |
Having been handed a spot kick to get in position to qualify, UAE had hoped to just see it through by denying Ecuador the ball. They were undone at a set piece, and looked to be paying the price for their goal shyness. But they capitalised on Ecuador's defensive indiscipline at the death and are somehow through. It's heartbreaking for Ecuador, who really battled in every match they played in their first DWC.
South Africa had slightly less xG than Ecuador when the two met, but in their other two games they out-performed their opponents. Yet they somehow end up with zero points and a thoroughly disappointing bottom spot after the high of last year. France won't care, but they will be annoyed at their injuries; at least they justified their heavy rotation for this fixture.
South Africa had slightly less xG than Ecuador when the two met, but in their other two games they out-performed their opponents. Yet they somehow end up with zero points and a thoroughly disappointing bottom spot after the high of last year. France won't care, but they will be annoyed at their injuries; at least they justified their heavy rotation for this fixture.
UAE emulate Venezuela last year in qualifying from a group they were bottom seeds for, whilst Ecuador fall agonisingly short in their DWC debut. I called this the group of death at the start of the tournament, and the close competition between the bottom three teams justifies that.
UAE qualifying also means that we avoid having a year with no Asian teams in the knockout stages for the first time since 2021. They will play Bulgaria in each side's first ever DWC knockout tie. The two top seeds from today's groups - Colombia and France - will face each other. They met at the last 16 stage in 2021. France were in the middle of their spell of dominance but were taken all the way to penalties by Colombia, who will need a similar display of resilience this year.
The group stage wraps up next time, and we've got some humdingers. In Group G Spain may have already topped the group, but Lionel Messi's Argentina need to go up a gear if they are to avoid elimination. Speaking of caprine footballers, Cristiano Ronaldo's Saudi side are facing the ultimate showdown with Brazil.
The group stage wraps up next time, and we've got some humdingers. In Group G Spain may have already topped the group, but Lionel Messi's Argentina need to go up a gear if they are to avoid elimination. Speaking of caprine footballers, Cristiano Ronaldo's Saudi side are facing the ultimate showdown with Brazil.