Matchday 2 of the FIFA World Cup 2018 has been over but still many groups are wide open with a few teams qualified for the next round and a few teams are already eliminated. The 2018 FIFA World Cup’s eight groups are shaping up nicely as we head into the final round of group games.
Group A
Host Russia faced Egypt in their second group game on the back of thumping 5-0 win over Saudi Arabia and registered another convincing win here by defeating Egypt 3-1 courtesy of own goal from Ahmad Fathy and goals from Cheryshev and Dzyuba. Although Mo Salah scored a consolation goal for Egypt it was not enough as they crashed out of group stages. In other group game, Luis Suarez leads the way for Uruguay as he scored the only goal in 1-0 win over Saudi Arabia.
What’s next?
The two qualifiers are already known, with Russia and Uruguay both having six points from two games. They meet each other tonight to decide who gets the top spot, with Uruguay need a win to finish top due to the hosts’ superior goal difference.
Stats
- Russia’s haul of eight goals in their opening two World Cup games is the joint-highest for a host nation, level with Italy in 1934.
- Saudi Arabia has now failed to win any of their previous 12 World Cup matches (D2 L10), failing to score in nine of those games.
- Luis Suarez has become the first Uruguayan player to score in three different editions of the World Cup (2010, 2014 & 2018).
Qualified : Russia, Uruguay
Eliminated : Egypt, Saudi Arabia
Group B
Cristiano Ronaldo has continued his fine form in the tournament as he scored the only goal of the game against Morocco. In the other match of the group Spain see off resilience of Iran to win a 1-0 games thanks to Diego Costa goal.
What’s next?
Spain and Portugal need a point in their last group stage match to confirm their qualifications for the round of 16. However, Iran would knock Portugal out if they win.
Stats
- After scoring 13 successive goals from open play at the World Cup, three of Portugal’s four goals at 2018 have been from set-piece situations.
- Diego Costa scored with each of his first three shots on target at World Cup tournaments for Spain.
- Iran failed to attempt a single shot on target in this match – the first time that they have failed to do so in a World Cup game (14 games overall).
Qualified : None
Eliminated : Morocco
Group C
Denmark and Australia shared a point in a 1-1 draw where Eriksen scored a beautiful goal canceled out by a Jedinak penalty. France strengthened their pursuit to finish top of the group by winning against Peru. Goal by Mbbape also means that he has become youngest goalscorer in France history at a major tournament.
What’s next?
France has already qualified and only need to avoid defeat against Denmark to win the group. A draw would be enough for Denmark to progress; if they lose, then a win for Australia against Peru – who have already been eliminated – would see them leapfrogged into third place.
Stats
- French captain Hugo Lloris is the 7th player to reach 100 caps with France – keeping a clean sheet in this match.
- Peru is winless in their last eight World Cup matches (D2 L6), scoring just two goals in this run.
- Jedinak’s penalty for Australia ended a run of nine hours and 31 minutes without conceding at international level for Schmeichel (571 minutes).
Qualified : France
Eliminated : Peru
Group D
Argentina were humiliated by Croatia in their second group game by 3-0. Croatian midfielders dominated the match as Modric scored a brilliant curler around past the Caballero. Argentinean hopes were relieved when Nigeria courtesy of Musa two goals beat Iceland. Group is wide open with Croatia already qualified and any teams out of Argentina, Iceland and Nigeria can qualify.
What’s next?
Nigeria will definitely qualify if they beat Argentina; if they draw, they will still go through provided Iceland do not beat Croatia or win by more than a two-goal margin. If Iceland and Argentina both win, it would come down to goal difference, with Argentina needing to win by at least one more goal than Iceland to overhaul them. A draw is no good for either of them.
Stats
- This was Croatia’s first victory in five attempts against South American nations at the World Cup.
- This was Argentina’s heaviest defeat in the first round group stages of a World Cup tournament since losing 1-6 to Czechoslovakia in 1958.
- All six of Nigeria’s wins at the World Cup have come against European opposition, and they have kept a clean sheet in five of those six victories.
Qualified : Croatia
Eliminated : None
Group E
Brazil won 2-0 against Costa Rica and put them out of competition thanks to two injury-time goals. In another fascinating group stage match, Switzerland beat Serbia 2-1 after conceding first.
What’s next?
The only thing certain in Group E is that Costa Rica is out. Brazil will go through if they avoid defeat against Serbia; similarly, if Switzerland beat or draw with Costa Rica, they will go through. Serbia will go through if they beat Brazil, In that event, Brazil would only be saved if Switzerland lost to Costa Rica and there wasn’t a big goal swing against them.
Stats
- Brazil’s second goal was timed at 96:49 – the latest recorded 90th-minute goal in a World Cup match since 1966.
- Switzerland’s 2-1 victory over Serbia is the first game at the 2018 World Cup to see a side win from a losing position.
Qualified : None
Eliminated : Costa Rica
Group F
Defending champions Germany produced a hard-fought victory against Sweden as they struck late with a Toni Kroos freekick in a 2-1 win and keep their hopes alive. In other game, Mexico defeated South Korea 2-1.
What’s next?
The group is quite open. Germany will qualify if they beat South Korea and Sweden do not beat Mexico by a bigger margin. Sweden will qualify if they beat Mexico and Germany fail to beat South Korea, or if they win by a bigger margin than Joachim Low’s side. Most improbably, South Korea could qualify if they beat Germany by three goals, and Sweden loses.
Stats
- Sweden has lost a World Cup group stage match for the first time since June 1990, when they lost to Costa Rica – this defeat ends a run of 10 group games unbeaten.
- Germany came from behind at half-time to win a World Cup match for the first time since 1974 – which was also against Sweden (0-1 at HT, won 4-2).
Qualified : Mexico
Eliminated : None
Group G
Belgium and England with a convincing win over Tunisia and Panama respectively as their talismanic strikers Romelu Lukaku scored 2 and Harry Kane scored a hattrick to make sure both teams are proceeding to next round.
What’s next?
Belgium and England play each other and whoever wins finishes first and if the match ends in a draw then it will come to disciplinary record because both sides have scored the same amount of goals and also conceded the same amount. Tunisia and Panama are out.
Stats
- Only in 1966 (11) have England scored more goals in a single World Cup tournament than they have in 2018 (8, same as 1954 and 1990).
- Lukaku has scored 17 goals in his last 11 matches for Belgium.
Qualified : Belgium, England
Eliminated : Panama, Tunisia
Group H
Japan fought a 2-2 draw with Senegal after falling two times behind in the match. In last match of the round 2 Colombia defeated Poland easily as they cast out a 3-0 win.
What’s next?
The winner of Colombia vs Senegal is guaranteed a place in the last 16, while a draw will be enough for each if Japan loses to Poland. If Japan and Senegal both win, who tops the group will be decided on goal difference and then goals scored. Poland is already out.
Stats
- Keisuke Honda is now the top-scoring Asian player in World Cup history, netting four goals in nine total appearances in the competition.
- Poland is the first European nation to be eliminated from the 2018 World Cup.
Qualified : Senegal
Eliminated : Poland
With the Matchday 3 to begin from Monday i.e. 25th of June, it will be interesting to see which teams move forward to the Round of 16 in the upcoming week.
Beyond Minute 90 