USA, Portugal, and Group H wrap up the 2nd wave of Group Stage matches, and I'll tell you how it went down.
Group H: Belgium vs. Russia
Result: 1-0 win for Belgium
Goalscorers: 88' Divock Origi (Lille)
Bookings: 38' Denis Glushakov (Spartak Moscow), 54' Axel Witsel (Zenit), 73' Toby Alderweireld (Atletico Madrid)
Lineups
Belgium (4-2-3-1)
Thibaut Courtois (Atletico Madrid); Toby Alderweireld (Atletico Madrid), Daniel van Buyten (Bayern Munich), Vincent Kompany (Manchester City, captain), Thomas Vermaelen (Arsenal); Axel Witsel (Zenit), Marouane Fellaini (Manchester United); Dries Mertens (Napoli), Kevin de Bruyne (Wolfsburg), Eden Hazard (Chelsea); Romelu Lukaku (Everton)
Changes from last match
Vermaelen replaces Jan Vertonghen in the starting lineup despite not being 100% fit. Mousa Dembele and Nacer Chadli are left off the starting lineup for Fellaini and Mertens to reward the latter pair for their good performance against Algeria. So pretty much the Belgian Tottenham trio was moved to the bench
Subs:
Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham) 31' for Thomas Vermaelen
Divock Origi (Lille) 57' for Romelu Lukaku
Kevin Mirallas (Everton) 75' for Dries Mertens
Russia (4-1-1-3-1)
Igor Akinfeev (CSKA Moscow); Aleksei Kozlov (Dynamo Moscow), Vasili Berezutski (CSKA Moscow, captain), Sergei Ignashevich (CSKA Moscow), Dmitri Kombarov (Spartak Moscow); Denis Glushakov (Spartak Moscow); Viktor Fayzulin (Zenit); Aleksandr Samedov (Lokomotiv Moscow), Maksim Kanunnikov (Rubin Kazan), Oleg Shatov (Zenit); Aleksandr Kokorin (Dynamo Moscow)
Changes from last match
Change from 4-5-1 to a 4-1-1-3-1 formation. Andrey Yeshchenko and Yuri Zhirkov left on the bench, replaced by Kozlov and Kanunnikov respectively
Subs:
Andrey Yeshchenko (Anzhi) 62' for Aleksei Kozlov
Alan Dzagoev (CSKA Moscow) 83' for Oleg Shatov
Aleksandr Kerzhakov (Zenit) 90' for Aleksandr Samedov
Both these European teams are making their first World Cup appearance since 2002 and are both decent teams that have been looming in the shadows of bigger European giants for at least the last decade or so. But now with good managers and talented squads, they're hoping to break the mold and make a decent run this year, but so far it hasn't been pretty for either team. You look at their lineups and you think they should be scoring more goals than this. It took until 2 minutes before the end of regulation for either side to make the break through and it was another substitute goal, this time from Kenyan born Belgian Divock Origi. So far Belgium has gotten all of their goals so far at the World Cup from their substitutes. That being said, maybe they should sub in their 3 best offensive players every match and maybe they'll score more goals. Just kidding...or am I? Well either way, Belgium got their win which made Belgium the 6th team to qualify to the knockout stage following Netherlands, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, and Argentina. They'll hope for a much better performance to close out their group stage against South Korea because so far I don't think they've achieved their potential as a team, and with tougher opponents awaiting in the latter stages, they'll hope to get there as soon as possible. As for Russia, anything less than a win against Algeria will end their trip in Brazil, and we all know how much Russia expects from Fabio Capella by the salary he gets (best paid international team soccer manager on the planet by far) so I can't imagine the reaction in Russia if the 2018 hosts go out in the group stage.
Group H: South Korea vs. Algeria
Result: 4-2 win for Algeria
Goalscorers: 26' Islam Slimani (Sporting CP), 28' Rafik Halliche (Academica), 38' Abdelmoumene Djabou (Club Africain), 50' Son Heung-Min (Bayer Leverkusen), 62' Yacine Brahimi (Granada), 72' Koo Ja-Cheol (Mainz 05)
Bookings: 54' Lee Yong (Ulsan Hyundai), 67' Madjid Bougherra (Lekhwiya), 69' Han Kook-Young (Kashiwa Reysol)
Lineups
South Korea (4-2-3-1)
Jung Sung-Ryong (Suwon Bluewings); Lee Yong (Ulsan Hyundai), Hong Jeong-Ho (Augsburg), Kim Young-Gwon (Guangzhou Evergrande), Yun Suk-Young (Queens Park Rangers); Han Kook-Young (Kashiwa Reysol), Lee Chung-Yong (Bolton Wanderers); Ki Sung-Yeung (Sunderland), Park Chu-Young (Watford), Koo Ja-Cheol (Mainz 05, captain); Son Heung-Min (Bayer Leverkusen)RChanges from last match
Change from 4-4-2 to 4-2-3-1. However it's the exact same 11 players who started against Russia just Park Chu-Young playing as a CAM instead of a striker
Subs:
Kim Shin-Wook (Ulsan Hyundai) 57' for Park Chu-Young
Lee Keun-Ho (Sangju Sangmu) 64' for Lee Chung-Yong
Ji Dong-Won (Augsburg) 78' for Han Kook-Young
Algeria (5-2-2-1)
Rais M'Bolhi (CSKA Sofia); Aissa Mandi (Reims), Carl Medjani (Valenciennes), Madjid Bougherra (Lekhwiya, captain), Rafik Halliche (Academica), Djamel Mesbah (Livorno); Yacine Brahimi (Granada), Abdelmoumene Djabou (Club Africain); Sofiane Feghouli (Valencia), Nabil Bentaleb (Tottenham); Islam Slimani (Sporting CP)
Changes from last match
Change from 4-3-2-1 to 5-2-2-1 formation (trading a midfielder for a center defender). Mehdi Mostefa, Faouzi Ghoulam, Saphir Taider, Riyad Mahrez, and El Arbi Hillel Soudani (half of the starting lineup against Belgium) were kept on the bench and Mandi, Medjani, Mesbah, Brahimi, and Djabou started with those vacancies.
Subs:
Nabil Ghilas (Porto) 73' for Abdelmoumene Djabou
Medhi Lacen (Getafe) 77' for Yacine Brahimi
Essaid Belkalem (Watford) 89' for Madjid Bougherra
Nations in Groups A-G see both Algeria and South Korea in the same group and are like "damn I wish I was in this group". But in the World Cup you always gotta be careful what you wish for because even the most unlikely teams have some bite in them. Look at South Korea and Algeria's performances in the World Cup of 2010. Algeria nearly eliminated the USA with their tough defense if it weren't for Landon Donovan's goal that every American including myself just can't mention enough (I'm sorry lol), while South Korea shockingly made it out of Group B instead of Greece or Nigeria and were only eliminated by a tough Uruguayan team in a close game. South Korea was coming off a 1-1 draw that was a point gifted to them by Igor Akinfeev, while Algeria put in a decent performance against group favorites Belgium. However by now we all know Algeria are a good defensive team, but where are they gonna get goalscorers from? Well in this historic day, four Algerians: Islam Slimani, Rafik Halliche, Abdelmoumene Djabou, and Yacine Brahimi, combined to give Algeria a big win. What does the fox say? Well the Desert Foxes say they are not gonna be dormats in this group, they're gonna take the wheel and play their game and they managed to get goals (something they usually struggle to do) and shell shock the Taegeuk Warriors. They had no idea what hit them, and they were down 3-0 by the half. They did manage to fight back and ultimately we got a 4-2 win in what was supposed to be a very boring, like 0-0 game. So Algeria rockets from bottom to second in this group while South Korea are in an awful position. It's not game over for them, but I don't see them winning against Belgium, and even then it might not be enough. Despite having a few good runs in 2002 and 2010, it looks like South Korea are about to hit a dead end.
Group G: United States vs. Portugal
Result: 2-2 draw
Goalscorers: 5' Nani (Manchester United), 64' Jermaine Jones (Besiktas), 81' Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders), 90+5' Silvestre Varela (Porto)
Bookings: 75' Jermaine Jones
Lineups
USA (4-2-3-1)
Tim Howard (Everton); Fabian Johnson (Hoffenheim), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City), Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), DaMarcus Beasley (Puebla); Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Jermaine Jones (Besiktas); Alejandro Bedoya (Nantes), Michael Bradley (Toronto FC), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City); Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders, captain)
Changes from last match
Change from 4-3-1-2 to 4-2-3-1, likely because of the absense of Jozy Altidore. With Altidore injured, Graham Zusi takes the opening in the starting 11.
Subs:
DeAndre Yedlin (Seattle Sounders) 72' for Alejandro Bedoya
Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes) 87' for Clint Dempsey
Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy) 90+1' for Graham Zusi
Portugal (4-5-1)
Beto (Sevilla); Joao Pereira (Valencia), Ricardo Costa (Valencia), Bruno Alves (Fenerbahce), Andre Almeida (Benfica); Miguel Veloso (Dynamo Kyiv), Joao Moutinho (Monaco), Raul Meireles (Fenerbahce), Nani (Manchester United), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid, captain); Helder Postiga (Lazio)
Changes from last match
Pepe was suspended from his red card against Germany and Fabio Coentrao, Hugo Almeida, and Rui Patricio were injured, which put Beto, Costa, and the other Almeida to find their way to the starting 11.
Subs:
Eder (Braga) 16' for Helder Postiga
William Carvalho (Sporting CP) 46' for Andre Almeida
Silvestre Varela (Porto) 69' for Raul Meireles
USA were hopeful, Portugal were desperate, but both sets of fans believed in their teams and wanted to see them get out of this difficult group. Both of them struggled with a few injuries, Jozy Altidore sidelined for the USA but Clint Dempsey and Matt Besler recovered from their injuries against Ghana (though Matt Besler continued to have similar issues in this match but stayed in the whole 90 minutes), while Ronaldo and Bruno Alves struggled with injuries but made it to this match, which wasn't the case for Rui Patricio, Fabio Coentrao, or Hugo Almeida. And of course Pepe's red card keeps him out of this match. USA needed a win to confirm passage to the Round of 16 but a draw could be helpful too, but Portugal realistically needed a win to stay alive but wouldn't be out with a draw either. In USA's opening match they got off to a fast start scoring against Ghana which was the reverse of 2010 when England, Slovenia, and Ghana scored early against them. Well the ghosts of South Africa found their way to Manaus and Nani scored for Portugal from the 5th minute for a nightmare start for the Stars and Stripes. And Geoff Cameron's crappy clearance acted as an assist to Nani. USA went straight to work putting pressure on Portugal and got a lot of good chances, including Michael Bradley who had a dream of a chance but was cleared off the line by Ricardo Costa. He may have been filling in for Pepe but this experience CB was just as formidable of an opponent, and Portugal's backup goalie Beto, UEFA Europa League winner with Sevilla, was no slouch either. Of course Tim Howard had to make a few big saves as well, but when doesn't he have to? USA are a good team but they make mistakes...a few too many IMO. But USA did well to come back with goals from Jermaine Jones and Clint Dempsey. They definitely earned it and were play great, all they had to do was play it smart and way for time to run out. Unfortunately we got a lot of stoppage time and in the very last minute of it, substitute Silvestre Varela broke American hearts and rebuilt Portuguese ones with a goal to tie up what was an exhilarating match! And who else to set up Varela's goal than the one and only Cristiano Ronaldo, who otherwise had a below par performance, but all it takes is one moment for a player like Ronaldo to lift his team, just like his rival Lionel Messi, who only needed 1 moment to beat Iran. The good news is USA are masters of their own destiny and if they get a point against Germany they'll go through. Minus the errors (like Michael Bradley being unable to clear the ball which lead the Portugal's second goal), a performance like this one could be enough to USA to draw against Germany. Portugal however are not out but they're a ways from getting in as well. Do they have what it takes to beat a feisty Ghanian team? That is the question.
Up next!
Group A and B Finales
Netherlands vs. Chile (fight for the right to win Group B)
Australia vs. Spain (go out with a bang)
Cameroon vs. Brazil (hosts win the game, win the group)
Croatia vs. Mexico (Croatia must win, Mexico must not lose)
Remember, each group's final games will be played concurrently so you either will be flipping channels or you have to pick which game to watch. My picks are Netherlands vs. Chile and Croatia vs. Mexico but it's really up to you what you want to do.
Both Australia and Spain are heading home after this game, but it'd be a real kick in the pants for Spain to even draw against Australia. Everyone loves an underdog so I think a lot of neutrals will be backing Australia. For Spain though, this could be a fond fair well to their LOYAL fans, you know, the ones that are still proud to support Spain even though they won't come out as winners of this tournament. But Spain will have to be at their best, and it's been anything but their best so far. They've hit rock bottom, and this game could either keep them there a little while longer or be the beginning of a new path and a new generation, maybe.
However much more at stake here for Netherlands vs. Chile. Assuming Brazil are Group A winners, it's normally always ideal to come out as group winners. And this is too close to call. Both Netherlands and Chile play football/soccer we love to watch so it should be a great game!
Nothing has come easy for the Brazilians so far. They won Croatia among a bit of controversy that you probably don't need me to repeat if you've been paying attention to this tournament so far, and they drew against Mexico. Sure Cameroon are the weakest team in this group, but they've got nothing to lose. They'd love to head home with a draw or dare I say a win to remember this tournament by after a couple of matches I'm sure the Indomitable (well, so far very domitable) Lions they'd want to forget if they can, but the way things have gone so far for these two teams, anything less than a Brazil win would be a shocker. Will the hosts overcome Cameroon and get the home fans pumped, or will Cameroon stun them?
For Croatia, it's a must win game. A 4-0 win against Cameroon, albeit a weak team that were reduced to 10 men for most of the match, will surely give them confidence, and they are a force to be reckoned with, especially with Bayern Munich star Mario Mandzukic who has a keen eye for scoring goals, but Mexico are also full of confidence coming off a pretty commendable performance against the hosts. Mexico just need a point but will likely go for a win to give them the best chance of not just qualifying for the next round but also maybe winning the group, which is possible. Another game to look forward to.
32 games of this FIFA World Cup have gone by! We're at the halfway point! I've divided the 32 nations into 4 groups: already through, already eliminated, close to going through, and not as close. Here we go!
Already through
Argentina
Belgium
Chile
Colombia
Costa Rica
Netherlands
Eliminated
Australia
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Cameroon
England
Spain
Closest to going through
Brazil (win or draw against Cameroon)
Mexico (win or draw against Croatia)
Cote D'Ivoire (win or draw against Greece, assuming Colombia must beat Japan)
Italy (beat or draw against Uruguay)
France (win or draw against Ecuador)
Switzerland (beat Honduras)
Nigeria (assuming Iran can't beat Bosnia and Herzegovina, they should be fine but a draw against Argentina works)
Germany (beat or draw against USA)
USA (beat or draw against Germany)
Algeria (draw against Russia, assuming South Korea can't beat Belgium)
With most work to do to progress
Croatia (beat Mexico)
Greece (beat Cote D'Ivoire and hopefully Japan can't beat Colombia)
Uruguay (beat Italy)
Ecuador (beat France and hopefully Switzerland can't beat Honduras, or tie with the same result in Switzerland/Honduras)
Honduras (beat Switzerland, hope France beats Ecuador, and have a better goal difference than both Ecuador and Switzerland)
Iran (beat Bosnia-Herzegovina, hope Argentina beats Nigeria, have a better goal difference than Nigeria)
Ghana (beat Portugal, hope Germany beats USA or vice versa, have a better goal difference than loser)
Portugal (beat Ghana, hope Germany or USA wins and have a better goal difference than loser)
South Korea (beat Belgium, hope Algeria can't beat Russia, have a better goal difference than either Algeria or Russia)
Russia (beat Algeria, hope South Korea can't beat Belgium, but even if they do, have a better goal difference than South Korea if necessary)
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