World Cup 2018 Day 6 Recap – Japan surprises, Russia Cruises
June 19, 2018 | Posted in Publishing | By Anonymous
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2018 World Cup action continued in Russia on June 19, 2018, with the conclusion of the first round of Group Stage matches and Japan and Senegal taking an astonishing lead in Group H. Japan defeated Colombia 2-1, aided by a red card given to Colombian Carlos Sanchez, dismissing him from the game, and giving Japan a player advantage for 80 minutes. Senegal defeated Group H favorite Poland 2-1 with the difference coming on a controversial goal in the 60th minute. Host Russia faced Egypt where all eyes were on Mohamed Salah’s return from injury. The Liverpool forward, who separated his shoulder in the UEFA Champions League final against Real Madrid just three weeks ago, was unable to will his team to victory, despite his penalty shot goal in the 72nd minute, as Egypt fell 3-1. Egypt has all been eliminated from the competition, while Russia took control of Group A [VIDEO] with six points and a ridiculous plus-seven goal differential in the standings.
Colombia reeling after unexpected defeat
Colombia, ranked 16th in the world, are a favorite to emerge from Group H and appear in the Knockout Stage. Japan, ranked 61st in the world, took a 1-0 lead in the 6th minute after Sanchez’ dismissal for his handball and Shinji Kagawa netted the ensuing penalty shot. Sanchez’s red card was the first of the 2018 World Cup and while the Colombians were able to equalize in the 39th minute on Juan Quintero’s free-kick, placed brilliantly underneath the defenders’ feet as they jumped, Colombia’s one-player disadvantage proved too much to overcome. Japan would secure the 2-1 victory on Yuya Osako’s goal in the 73rd minute after dominating stretches of the game with the one player advantage.
Poland flounders against Senegal
Poland is ranked eighth in the world, features prolific Bundesliga scorer Robert Lewandowski, and are the favorites in Group H. Senegal, playing in their first World Cup since 2002, opened the scoring in the 37th minute when Idrissa Gueye’s shot caromed off Poland defender Thiago Cionek and into the net for an own goal. It was the third own goal of the tournament and sunk Poland just like Morocco was sent to disappointing defeat earlier in the week on an own goal. Senegal would improve the lead 2-0 controversially when M’Baye Niang looked ready to leave the game for a substitute and instead sprinted toward the goal, won a 50/50 ball, and banged the shot home easily for Senegal’s second score of the game. Poland would score in the 86th minute on Grzegorz Krychowiak’s diving header at the back post, cutting Senegal’s lead to 2-1, but an equalizer wouldn’t occur the last ten minutes. Japan’s surprise win over Colombia rivals Mexico’s 1-0 win [VIDEO] over defending champion Germany as the first week’s top storyline. Senegal and Japan lead Group H with three points and a plus-one goal differential with action continuing in the group June 24, 2018, at 11 AM EST.
2018 World Cup Day 3 Recap
June 16, 2018 | Posted in Publishing | By Anonymous
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Day three of the 2018 World Cup saw action in Group C and Group D and featured an emotional day of firsts. Iceland, the 2016 European Championship darling, made their first ever appearance in a World Cup, scored their first ever goal, and tied Argentina 1-1. In the early game, the new Virtual Replay Assistant factored in both goals for France as they defeated Australia 2-1. Peru, making their first appearance in the tournament in 36 years, lost to Denmark 1-0 and missed on several key chances. In the final game of the day, Croatia defeated Nigeria 2-0. Upon the completion of Day 3, France and Denmark lead Group C with three points each while Croatia grabs the lead in the Group of the Death with three points with Iceland and Argentina each earning a single point.
Iceland could be darlings of the 2018 World Cup
Fresh off their quarter-final 2016 Euro appearance, where they famously defeated England 2-1, Iceland was delighted to gain a tantalizing point in Group D in a game where Lionel Messi missed several key chances, including a penalty shot saved beautifully by Icelandic keeper Hannes Halldórsson in the 64th minute. Sergio Agüero opened the scoring in the 19th minute for Argentina with Iceland quickly equalizing in the 23rd minute on Alfred Finnbogason’s goal. Argentina would dominate possession, 78 percent to 22 percent, with 27 shots on goal to Iceland’s 8, yet was only able to draw a single point in the standings. Messi’s miss on the penalty kick cost his team two points in the standings and crucial goal differential and demonstrates Iceland can play with the best in the world. Cristiano Ronaldo’s hat trick the day before, including a made penalty kick, gives him the early advantage in who’s the best debates.
Peru makes for emotional day in Group C
Peru, appearing in the World Cup for the first time since 1982, finished fifth in South America qualifying and won an inter-continental playoff against New Zealand on a 2-0 aggregate to secure the 32nd and last spot in the 2018 World Cup tournament. Peru was aggressive with key chances, including a penalty shot in the 45th minute of the first half, the second penalty of the day awarded after video review. “He stood ready to become a Soccer God in Peru”, according the announcer of the game, yet Cuevas’ shot sailed poorly, and harmlessly, over the net. Denmark would spoil Peru’s return to the world stage 1-0 on Yussuf Poulsen’s goal in the 60th minute and join France atop the leader board in Group C.
Croatia aided by own goal against Nigeria
The final game of the day, from Group D, saw Croatia defeat Nigeria 2-0. Nigeria was the first team to qualify for the 2018 World Cup while Croatia, with their La Liga midfield consisting of Luka Modric, Ivan Rakitc, and Mateo Kovack, help make Group D difficult to navigate. Croatia took a 1-0 first half lead when Juventus forward Mario Mandzukic’s header toward the goal bounced ever so slightly off Nigerian defender Oghenekaro Enebo’s leg and into the net for an own goal. It was the second own goal of the tournament in three days, after Iran defeated Morocco 1-0 yesterday on Aziz Bouhaddouz’s own goal. Croatia would add another goal on Luka Modric’s penalty kick, awarded in conjunction with a yellow card, in the 71st minute. Croatia grabs the early lead in Group D with three points and plus-two goal differential and are aided greatly by group favorite Argentina drawing only a point from Iceland. Group C and Group D continue action in Russia on June 21, 2018, at 8 AM EST.