The World Cup is the most-watched sporting event in the world, and it’s in full swing with teams starting their second games of the group stage.
On Friday afternoon, the United States followed up its fantastic 4-1 victory over Paraguay in Los Angeles with a 2-0 win against Australia in Washington that send America to the knockout round. It was the first time since 1930 that the United States won consecutive games in the World Cup. The United States also clinched first place in Group D with a game remaining after Turkey lost to Paraguay.
But what’s going on with the rest of the World Cup? There’s plenty of important games for bettors, fans and interested viewers looking to learn more about the beautiful game. Brazil and the Netherlands were considered contenders before the tournament began, but both teams started with disappointing ties. However, they both bounced back with impressive victories in their second games.
Every couple of days, there will be a non-USA World Cup roundup recapping the tournament. This is the third installment of that series:
Where: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts
What happened: Although the Scottish fans went viral for their love and celebratory nature in Boston, the atmosphere was taken down a notch in the second minute when Morocco scored.
Ismael Saibari made a run down the right side and was played a ball close to the goal, but the shot would come from a tight angle. It didn’t matter as Salibari smashed a rocket into the top left corner for the 1-0 lead, stunning the pro-Scotland crowd.
Morocco controlled possession, created more chances, but couldn’t find that second goal to increase its advantage. Scotland failed to get a shot on goal.
Ramifications: Morocco is in second in Group C after the win with a 1-1-0 record, while Scotland dropped to third after the loss with a 1-0-1 record. Morocco still needs to play Haiti, while Scotland needs to play Brazil to finish the group stage.
Where: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
What happened: Brazil looked like a team that really needed a win, putting constant pressure on the Haitian defense. After a goal was called off because of offside, Brazil responded. Matheus Cunha helped guide the rebound of Vinícius Júnior’s shot into the back of the net in the 23rd minute for the 1-0 lead.
About 13 minutes later, Cunha found the back of the net again. This time, it was all his doing with a rocket of a shot off his left foot into the top left corner for the 2-0 lead. Vinícius Júnior made a beautiful run for the third goal, receiving the ball for a breakaway finish, slotting the ball under the keeper for a 3-0 lead in stoppage time at the end of the first half.
Haiti didn’t have many chances, and Brazil nearly had its fourth goal in the second half if it wasn’t for the crossbar and an offside call.
Ramifications: Brazil leads Group C with a 1-1-0 record thanks to goal differential, while Haiti is last at 0-2.
Where: Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara, California
What happened: Turkey needed a victory badly, but got off to a terrible start when Paraguay’s Matías Galarza scored in the second minute for the 1-0 lead. Paraguay combined a few passes before Galarza hit a fantastic strike on the ground from about 20 yards out into the lower right corner.
At the end of the first half, disaster struck for Paraguay when one of its players was given a red card after covering his mouth while talking to another player, which is not allowed. This gave Turkey a man up for the entire second half, but it couldn’t convert.
Ramifications: It was a disastrous result for Turkey, which was picked by many to win Group D, but was eliminated in the group stage with a game remaining after an 0-2 record. Paraguay is third in Group D at 1-0-1 after the win. Turkey will look for its first goal of the tournament against the United States to wrap up group play, while Paraguay will finish group play against Australia.
Where: NRG Stadium, Houston
What happened: Like Brazil, the Netherlands really needed a victory if it wanted to set itself up for a favorable draw in the knockout round, and the Dutch got it.
The Netherlands moved the ball through the midfield and down the left side, with a perfect cross to a streaking Brian Brobbey, who finished easily for the 1-0 lead in the fifth minute. Brobbey was on the receiving end of another great ball across the goal, and he got just enough on it to guide it into the lower left corner for a 2-0 lead in the 17th minute.
The Dutch continued to have success in the second half crossing the ball on the ground across goal to runners. Cody Gakpo was on the receiving end of a ball from the right side, and he easily finished for the 3-0 lead in the 47th minute. Gakpo had the fourth goal in the 54th minute when he received the ball on a counter attack and finished from relatively close range.
Anthony Elanga got Sweden on the board in the 59th minute with a breakaway finish, but Crysencio Summerville had the final goal for the Netherlands in the 89th.
Ramifications: The Netherlands moved into first in Group F with a 1-1-0 record, while Sweden is second with a 1-0-1 record. Netherlands has to play Tunisia to finish group play, while Sweden needs to play Japan.
Where: BMO Field, Toronto
What happened: It was the Ivory Coast that struck first in the 30th minute. Yan Diomande played a brilliant cross from the left side across the goal, which eventually found its way to Franck Kessié, who finished into the goal for the 1-0 lead.
Germany couldn’t find the back of the net until midway through the second half. The Ivory Coast had some chances after its first goal, but the Germans converted when a beautifully played ball deep into the 18-yard box was hammered home from close range by Deniz Undav in the 68th minute for the equalizer.
The match seemed like it was destined for a draw, but Germany found the space and the touch in stoppage time. Undav got the ball in stoppage time in the second half, turned at the top of the 18-yard box and finished in the 93rd minute for the 2-1 lead and win.
Ramifications: Germany leads Group E with a 2-0 record and the Ivory Coast is second at 1-0-1. Germany still needs to play Ecuador, while Germany will finish group play with Curaçao.
Where: GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
What happened: All ties aren’t created equally, and Ecuador must feel like it lost. Ecuador had 15 shots on goal compared to three for Curaçao. Ecuador had possession for 75% of the match, but couldn’t find the back of the net as Curaçao goalkeeper Eloy Room had 15 saves, second most in World Cup history.
Ramifications: Ecuador is third in Group E with a 0-0-1 record thanks to goal differential, while Curaçao is in fourth.
Note: The Tunisia vs. Japan game wasn’t finished when this article was completed
bkelly@durangoherald.com
