Another crackerjack of a day. With two places confirmed for the next stage, there were six teams fighting for the remaining two spots resulting in a breathtaking final day of the Group stage. There was both elation and anguish on display as the matches culminated deep into the Arab night.
South Korea vs Portugal : Group H ( 2-1 )
An absolutely driven South Korea clashed with an already qualified Portugal at the Education City Stadium as a beautiful evening dawned in the horizon. Portugal scored early in the 5th minute through Ricardo Horta, playing his first match. Korea responded with a series of moves and eventually in the 27th minute Kim Young- gwon equalised through a goal mouth crowd from a corner kick.
Both teams were locked in a good battle in the second half and though the Koreans tried hard they never came close to scoring and the match was meandering towards a draw. But the Koreans persisted and in stoppage time Son Heung-min with a brilliant run and a superb deft pass set up Hwang Hee-chan who put the ball away to give Korea the lead and the match. There was nothing much to choose between the two teams, just that South Korea wanted a win desperately and so hard they tried. The much fancied Portugal were beaten ( I had cautioned the Portugese in my earlier post ).
South Korea Rejoice
Uruguay vs Ghana : Group H ( 2-0 )
The Al-Janoub Stadium played host to Uruguay and Ghana in a must win game for both teams. Uruguay had yet to score a goal in the tournament and appeared a bit toothless in both their earlier games. Ghana on the other hand have been playing good football with flashes of brilliance on few occasions. However Uruguay saved their best for the last and Ghana who had already scored 4 goals coming into the match appeared a bit jaded.
The match had a moment which changed its course when captain Andre Ayew missed a penalty for Ghana very early in the first half. The horrors of 2010 had arrived to torment the Ghanians ( they had missed a penalty in the Quarter Final against Uruguay in 2010 and went on to lose the match on penalties ). The penalty kick was a feeble attempt from a nervy Ayew. The West Africans never really recovered from that miss.
Uruguay buoyed by Rochet’s save scored twice shortly afterwards. Giorgian de Arrascaeta scoring in the 26th and the 32nd minute to virtually take the game past Ghana. The already hurting Ghanians just could not turn the tide in their favour. The South Americans tried hard to score and went on a real rampage in stoppage time looking for that elusive goal to give them a positive goal difference over South Korea. It was too little too late for them. The goal never came and South Korea deservingly got through to the round of 16 ( having scored more goals than Uruguay ). Ghana had only themselves to blame, they were slow and did not have enough in the tank. The missed penalty added to their woes. However they did give a good account of themselves and will go out with pride. Uruguay came agonising close to move ahead but to be fair they were below par and were a bit blunt when it came to scoring. With Luis Suarez, Godin and Cavani over the hill now, the team needs to rebuild for the future.
Serbia vs Switzerland : Group G ( 2-3 )
It was a must win game for both teams as such at the Stadium 974 ( featured image ). The Swiss have been consistent in the tournament and have a proven strong midfield and defence with their striker Embolo always lurking to score. The Serbs have had their moments but have not been able to capitalise. They had let their 3-1 lead slip away against Cameroon the other day.
Shaqiri on Target
The Swiss started with intent and a lovely strike from the old warhorse and the tireless Xherdan Shaqiri in the 20th minute just opened up the game. The Serbs responded with their mercurial Mitrovic scoring a textbook header 6 minutes later and then Dusan Vlahovic striking in the 35th minute to give Serbia the lead. But the slugfest was on at a good pace and the Swiss equalised through their ever poaching Embolo infront of the goal. At half time it was 2-2 .
Just 3 minutes into the second half, a brilliant move from the Swiss saw a ruthless finish from Remo Freuler. The shot was extremely well placed giving the keeper no chance. Switzerland were ahead again. The counter punches continued but the Swiss held on. Things got heated up in the end with Xhaka the Swiss captain getting a warning. But the Swiss eventually prevailed and deservedly so.
The Serbs who had an unblemished qualification campaign had to bow out. They scored five goals which spoke of their goal scoring prowess but gave away 8 in the process. Their defence did not match up to their own standards.
Brazil vs Cameroon : Group G ( 0-1 )
The Lusail Stadium witnessed the last game of the Group Stage and one of the best games of the Tournament when Cameroon challenged Brazil for a piece of history. The Brazilians made several changes from their previous line ups with Gabriel Jesus, Martinelli and Antony starting the game. Ederson also replaced Alisson Becker in goal.
Martinelli in particular was superb with his speed and skill and overall the Brazilians dominated thoroughly, but were denied every time, particularly by a glittering display of exceptional Goalkeeping by Devis Epassy for Cameroon. He was like an impregnable wall and held the Brazilians at bay. In the entire match Brazil made 21 shots and 7 on goal and held 65% of the possession. Such was their domination playing some flamboyant football at times. However there was quite a drama waiting to unfold right at the end.
In stoppage time, the ever dangerous Vincent Aboubakar making a run to the Brazilian Box on a long pass from the deep, scored with a scintillating header. Two touches and the ball was inside the Brazilian goal. The header had such power and precision that Ederson hardly had a chance to react. It was a goal to remember. Cameroon were ahead. The Cameroon supporters were going insane and in the melee Vincent Aboubakar removed his shirt, got his second yellow card of the day resulting in a Red card and had to leave the field.
Cameroon held on for a few more minutes. The Brazilians were beaten ( a wake up call ) and Cameroon became the only African nation to do so in the 90 year old history of the World Cup. Cameroon bowed out of the tournament but showed how good they were and left with an admirable piece of history. Brazil and Switzerland went ahead to the next round and in this way the Group Stage ended at the Lusail Stadium.
It has been an exceptional World Cup so far. No team looks that dominating any more. The English side comes close to it but they too had a tough time against the USA. Most of the 48 matches played so far were keenly fought. The VAR too played its role to get everything right. Some brilliant goals and some stupendous saves and a lot is waiting to happen as we head into the knockouts. Lets have a look at the draw.
Netherlands vs USA
Argentina vs Australia
France vs Poland
England vs Senegal
Japan vs Croatia
Brazil vs South Korea
Morocco vs Spain
Portugal vs Switzerland
Enjoy the reviews @ rizkhan.in on the World Cup as the knockouts kick in.
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