Day 3 Review

France v Australia

Prediction: 4-0 France

Result: 2-1 France

France almost scored within the first minute then it was downhill from there. Pogba was invisible for the majority of the game and Greizmann was wasteful. France seemed to play at a slow pace and one that will not trouble the bigger teams. They also defended very poorly and unless they increase their intensity 10-fold, they won't be making it too deep into the tournament.

Australia were defensively strong but not completely solid. They gave up big chances but scrambled well and clearly had the plan to stack the centre of the field and let France have the wings. Moments of brilliance from Kante setup the first goal (penalty), Pogba got lucky with a deflected shot for the winner.

Mile Jedinak extends his record to 15/15 penalties converted.

A point from Australia would have made them favourites to get out of the group. However with a France win, regardless of scoreline, the results and points are going as expected.

VAR proved that its not 100%, although it was 99% a penalty against Australia, one camera angle showed that Risdon touched the ball before the foul was committed which should cast doubt over the decision.

Argentina v Iceland

Prediction: 4-1 Argentina

Result: 1-1

Argentina were woeful; much like Uruguay it seemed they turned up expecting Iceland to roll over and not need to try. Very little movement from their forward players and only glimpses of brilliance from Messi. That being said, Iceland defended stoutly and were extremely dangerous on the break; mainly because Argentina's defence was shockingly awful.

It was clear Messi wanted to put his mark on the game, taking the penalty and free-kick, just like Ronaldo, but unlike him, Messi missed them both. This performance is very reminiscent of Argentina from 2014 where they performed poorly in groups but ended up with 9 points and making it all the way to the final.

With this result, surely Iceland have to become favourites to go through in 2nd place. Impressing on both attack and defence, Iceland are definitely making their first world cup ever one to remember.

Peru v Denmark

Prediction: 0-0

Result: 1-0 Denmark

Peru started the game like a team possessed, attacking with a fervor that would have you think this game would be filled with goals. Denmark defended strong but were almost lost going forward. Peru man-marked Eriksen which left Denmark leaderless and without a plan B if Eriksen wasn't bossing the game.

Peruvian Manager reaction to Cueva's penalty miss

A late missed penalty in the first half seemed to have drained Peru as they started the second half awfully. The first 15 minutes they were poor going forward and very loose at the back which gave Eriksen time and space which eventually led to a Danish goal. Peru became a different beast when Guerrerro came off the bench however Farfan missed several clear cut chances to equalise and let the game slip away.

With this win, Denmark only need to beat Australia in the next match to all but guarantee progression. Peru will now have to hope for a result against France to have any chance.

Croatia v Nigeria

Prediction: 2-2

Result: 2-0 Croatia

Both teams were fairly evenly matched in a back and forth contest that never created any real chances in the first half. Both sides passed the ball around their backlines to keep possession which is how most the 1st half was played. However when they did get forward Croatia were by far the more creative.

Nigeria unlucky to score an own-goal in the first half which should have forced them to play more open in the 2nd; but if thats how Nigeria play chasing a game, they are really lacking any attacking flair. A Game decided by an own goal and a penalty, I can't see either of these teams breaking down Iceland let alone holding Argentina.

Croatia take the drivers seat in the group with 3 points, however with Argentina up next they could certainly lose their momentum if they were to lose and Nigeria unlock Iceland. Unlikely though if Nigeria play like they did today.