The World Cup is the most-watched sporting event in the world, and it’s in full swing with teams competing in the Round of 32.
The United States is ready to play in the Round of 32 on Wednesday against Bosnia-Herzegovina, despite a 3-2 loss to Turkey on Thursday evening. It was America’s first loss of the World Cup, although it didn’t matter much because the U.S. clinched first in Group D with its win over Australia. U.S. manager Mauricio Pochettino had plenty of substitutes playing big minutes. America could make its fourth Round of 16 appearance since 2000 with a win.
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. The Round of 32 so far has been fantastic. The first five games of the Round of 32 were decided by a goal or less, with two of the games going to penalty kicks. One of those games that went to penalty kicks was Paraguay’s stunning upset of Germany on Monday.
Every couple of days, there will be a non-USA World Cup roundup recapping the tournament. This is the sixth installment of that series.
Where: SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California
What happened: Canada may have outshot South Africa, 7-1, but both teams had big chances. Canada nearly had a header go in, but it was cleared off the goal line by a South African defender. The same with South Africa, which cleared a save by its keeper away from danger as it looked like it was going over the goal line.
The game was tied 0-0 at the half, and it took until the final minutes for Canada to go ahead. A South African defender headed a cross out of the box right to Canada’s Stephen Eustáquio, who settled the ball enough to hit the ball out of the air and into the lower left corner in stoppage time. South Africa couldn’t respond in time, and all of Canada rejoiced at the final whistle.
Ramifications: Canada moves on to the Round of 32 for the first time and will play Morocco on Saturday. South Africa was eliminated with the loss after getting out of the group stage for the first time.
Where: NRG Stadium, Houston
What happened: Japan was a big underdog in the betting markets in the lead up to the match, but that didn’t stop it from scoring first. Kaishu Sano made a brilliant run with the ball from nearly half field, sprinting down the middle before firing a shot as he fell from about 22 yards out. The shot was placed perfectly in the lower left corner for the 1-0 Japanese lead in the 29th minute. It ended up only being one of two shots Japan got on goal.
Brazil had two super close calls with headers that nearly crossed the goal line, but it wasn’t until the 56th minute that the South American country equalized. A beautiful ball was played to the far post where, Casemiro was waiting to head it home for the 1-1 tie.
The chances kept coming for Brazil after its first goal as it dominated the ball with 69% possession. Brazil passed it into the 18-yard box and found Gabriel Martinelli, who slotted the ball into the lower right corner from about 12 yards out in the 95th minute for the win.
Ramifications: Brazil advanced to the Round of 16 with the win and will face Norway on Sunday. Japan’s World Cup is over after making it out of the group stage.
Where: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts
What happened: Paraguay was a huge underdog in the betting markets, but found a way to go ahead in the 42nd minute. Paraguay combined nicely on the right wing before sending a cross into the heart of the box. Julio Enciso was there waiting and headed the ball into the ground and into the goal for the 1-0 Paraguay lead.
Germany responded after being down 1-0 at the half. A ball was played into the box and Kai Havertz got his head on it to flick the ball into the right side of the goal for the equalizer in the 54th minute.
Despite a dominant 76% possession mark, Germany couldn’t find the equalizer. It looked like it did in the 101st minute in extra time with a header at the back post, but the goal was called off due to a foul off the ball.
The game went into penalty kicks, with Germany’s first shot saved and Paraguay making its first three kicks. Germany then missed another kick down 3-2, but Paraguay missed its potential game-winning kick. Germany made its last kick to make it 3-3, but Paraguay missed another game-winning kick. But Germany couldn’t capitalize, skying the ball over the crossbar. With its third chance to win, Paraguay finally converted.
Ramifications: Paraguay advanced to face France in the Round of 16 on Saturday. Germany’s World Cup comes to a disappointing end.
Where: Estadio BBVA, Guadalupe, Mexico
What happened: This game was expected to be close and it was, with neither team scoring in the first half. The Netherlands struck first in the 72nd minute, with a great flick from a goal kick leading to a breakaway. A Dutch forward was taken down, but Cody Gakpo was ready to pick up the pieces, scoring from just inside the box for the 1-0 lead.
Morocco had the response in the 91st minute. A cross into the box was headed home by Issa Diop for the equalizer. Morocco had its chances in extra time, but couldn’t pull ahead.
The game went to penalty kicks, with five missed kicks, including three of the last four. Morocco showed composure when it mattered most, with Ismael Saibari finishing into the lower left corner for the winning penalty kick to send Morocco to the next round.
Ramifications: Morocco advanced to the Round of 16 to play Canada on Saturday. The Netherlands’ World Cup is over.
Where: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas
What happened: Norway created some good chances to keep the Ivory Coast on its heels, and Norway finally broke through in the 39th minute. Antonio Nusa got the ball on the left side of the box, took a touch inside and curled a beautiful strike into the right side of the goal for the 1-0 lead.
The Ivory Coast created multiple quality chances to start the second half before finally breaking through to tie the match in the 74th minute. Amad Diallo got the ball on the right side, dribbled through a few defenders toward goal and finished off balance from close range for a wonderful equalizer.
About 10 minutes later, Norway regained the lead. A beautiful pass was played into the box, then crossed to star forward Erling Haaland, who tapped it across the goal line for the 2-1 lead in the 86th minute. Ivory Coast had the chance to respond with a great free kick, but Norway’s keeper made the stop.
Ramifications: Norway wins a knockout game for the first time and will play Brazil on Sunday at 2 p.m. Ivory Coast’s great tournament is over.
Where: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
What happened: France kept its stellar offensive form from group play in the beginning of the game, constantly creating chances. French superstar Kylian Mbappé put one in the back of the net in the 20th minute on a breakaway, but was inches offside after review. Mbappé also hit the post on a great look from close range in the 31st minute.
Finally, in the 45th minute, Mbappé found the back of the net for the 1-0 France lead. He got the ball on the left side, cut into the box toward goal, and fired a shot around the Swedish defenders and into the right side of the net.
France increased its lead to 2-0 in the 52nd minute, moving the ball beautifully through the middle of the field until Bradley Barcola received it with a great look on goal from about 13 yards out. Barcola easily found the back of the net.
Mbappé showed why he’s one of the best players in the world, timing his run perfectly in the 73rd minute so that he got the ball behind the defense inside the box on the left side. All he had to do was finish into the right side of the net for the 3-0 lead.
Ramifications: France looks like the clear favorite to win the World Cup, as it’s 4-0 with all four wins by multiple goals. France moves on to the Round of 16 to play Paraguay. Sweden’s tournament is over.
Where: Estadio Banorte, Mexico City
What happened: Mexico seemed like it was charged up by its home crowd and got the lead in the middle of the first half. Julián Quiñones did a great job of timing his run into space around half field when the Ecuador defense was up. He ran onto a pass, cut inside the box from the left side and fired a missile into the top of the net for the 1-0 lead in the 22nd minute.
Less than 10 minutes later, Raúl Jiménez strengthened Mexico’s lead. Ecuador’s defense had a really poor turnover deep in its half and Mexico ended up with the ball. Mexico moved the ball and found Jiménez just inside the 19-yard box, who had time to settle the ball and finish into the right side of the goal for the 2-0 lead in the 31st minute.
Ecuador actually won the possession battle, but struggled to get shots on goal. Ecuador then went down a man in stoppage time when Piero Hincapié got a red card in stoppage time in the second half.
Ramifications: Mexico moved on in front of its home fans and will play the winner of England vs. the Democratic Republic of Congo in the Round of 16 in Mexico on Sunday. Ecuador’s tournament is over.
bkelly@durangoherald.com
