It promised to be a scintillating day for Football with Messi and Lewandowski locking horns, with Saudi Arabia and Australia on the verge of history and with France expected to get some more match practice before the knockouts. However, the day ended gain with some going over the moon and some sinking into despair. Lets have a look on Day 11.
Australia vs Denmark : Group D ( 1-0 )
The Al- Janoub stadium was the venue for this crucial Group D encounter. The Australians have been a surprise package of the World Cup showing lots of character both in attack and defence while the Danes have been a bit off colour and had yet to score a goal in the World Cup so far.
Denmark, who had a great run in the Euro Championships last year, started in a terrific note and completely dominated Australia in the first 30 minutes of the game. The gave absolutely everything in that period, but just could not score. The Australians, tenacious in defence were patient and absorbed the pressure but did mot concede. The first half ended with the tide turning a bit as the Danes went out of ideas. Probably being unable to score in that period had a demoralising effect on the Danes.
Socceroos make History
It was time for Socceroos to press ahead and they did so in style. Mathew Leckie provided the breakthrough in the 60th minute on a brilliant counter attack. He did it all by himself really. Collecting a pass in midfield, he sped away, dribbled to move clear of the defender and shot a superb left footer giving no chance to Kasper Schmeichel. The Socceroos were ahead. The Danes were deflated and though they did try it appeared as if they had accepted their fate. The Australians were deserving winners and Qualified for the round of 16. The Danes unfortunately did not have a good World Cup and did not impress either.
Tunisia vs France : Groud D ( 1-0 )
France made 9 changes to their starting line up and decided to rest their stars having already qualified for the next stage, when they clashed with Tunisia at the Education City Stadium. Tunisia were absolutely brilliant as if on a mission and completely dominated the match. The second string French side so to say were found wanting at times. Wahbi Khazri played the game of his life and was nothing short of spectacular on the field.
Eventually Tunisia’s persistence paid off when Khazri scored in the 58th minute, a historic moment for the Tunisians. Didier Deschamps then made the changes and had Mbappe, Dembele and Griezmann on the field and in the dying seconds of the match Griezmann scored leaving the Tunisians in agony. However as fate would have it, the goal was disallowed and Tunisia rejoiced again. They pulled of one of their famous victories but still had to go home as the Socceroos won. A bitter sweet moment for the Africans, however they played some exciting football and departed with their heads held high.
Argentina vs Poland : Group C ( 2-0 )
Stadium 974 played host to another knock out game for Argentina as they squared up against a tough Polish side. The match was billed to be a Messi vs Lewandowski clash, but as it turned out it was much more than that. It was the relentless South Americans against the battling East Europeans.
Julian Alvarez with a splendid strike
Messi’s men had laid seige on the Polish Goal right from the start and they did not let go their stranglehold right through the match. Messi came close to scoring and in a dramatic play of events was awarded a penalty. However his stinging left footer was brilliantly saved by Szczesny. It was the save of the tournament so far in my opinion. However the Argentinians just shrugged it off and a minute after half time went deservedly ahead by a lovely Alexis Mc Allister strike. The shackles had been broken and then in the 67th minute a powerful strike by Julian Alvarez decisively turned the match in Argentina’s favour. The Poles were stuck in their half for most of the time and did not have a single shot on target against a good 12 from Argentina. However their tough defensive play contained the scoreline which could have been even worse.
A terrific game for the a South Americans and their strength of character has to be praised after their demoralising defeat to the Saudis. They have topped their table and would be playing Australia in the round of 16.
Saudi Arabia vs Mexico : Group C ( 1-2 )
The Saudis had their fate in their hands while the Mexicans had some more complications to bear, when both the teams took the turf at the magnificently lit Lusail Stadium. A cracker of a game was on the cards as so it unfolded. Mexicans played the kind of football they are known for and how much so the Saudis tried, they could not match the absolutely driven Mexicans. The Saudis appeared a bit jaded too. Their last two games had taken a lot out of them both physically and emotionally. Indeed there were a step behind.
In a goal mouth scramble, Henry Martin scored in the 47th minute for Mexico to break the deadlock and then 5 minutes later, Luis Chavez produced the free kick of the Tournament ( due respect to Marcus Rashford, this one was better ). An absolute stunner of a strike which the hapless Al Owais ( who has been top notch ) could do nothing with. Mexico were ahead 2-0 and with brightened chances of going through. However what eventually transpired was nothing short of heartbreak and despair for the Mexicans.
The Saudis did defend stoically though and denied the Mexicans several times. They also caught them in the offside trap twice in the latter stages of the game. The Mexicans were still breathing but in their attempt to pump in some more goals they left their fort and Saudia Arabia through their captain Aldawsari scored in stoppage time. With that one goal Mexico were eliminated as Poland qualified on a better goal difference. Saudis run in the Tournament ended with the loss, but they showed how good they are and have certainly lots of positives to take home. Mexicans on the other started very slowly and eventually it was too little too late for them. Poland will now play France in the round of 16.
Another humdinger of a Day. Some joyous moments and a few heartbreaks and some pitched battles fought. This is the beauty of this Game. You can just not have enough of it.
The Day 12 has lots at stake as well particularly for the beleaguered Belgians as they take on Croatia, Morocco would be eyeing history as they take on Canada in Group F. In Group E , its a do or die for Germany against Costa Rica and Japan take on Spain in a must win game for the Samurais too.
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