Day 7 Review

Portugal v Morocco

Prediction: 2-0 Portugal

Result: 1-0 Portugal

We finally get to see Portugal take on someone who they are supposed to beat and they let us down. Like many other big nations in this World Cup they underestimate the little guy. Ronaldo scored just 3 minutes in with a diving header and most thought, he were go Portugal will pile them in; but this wasn't the case.

Morocco were lively, strong and unlucky not to get a few penalties in the first half as they peppered Portugal's goal. The 2nd half saw very much the same thing, with Morocco surprisingly taking the fight to Portugal whose only real spark once again was Ronaldo. By the stats of the game you would think Portugal were the small nation holding on for a shock win.

Morocco unlucky to lose to a late own goal last game. Unlucky to lose to an early Ronaldo goal this game. Unlucky to be the first team officially knocked out of the World Cup despite playing some of the best football in the tournament.

Uruguay v Saudi Arabia

Prediction: 4-0 Uruguay

Result: 1-0 Uruguay

One again another disappointing display by Uruguay who "got lucky" with a mistake from the Saudi keeping gifting him a tap-in. They were solid defensively but going forward have no spark from the midfield. They will certainly struggle to score against better defences if this continues.

Saudi were a completely different team. Some cynics would say it's because there was no handshake between Putin and the Saudi Prince.

4 players were dropped from the loss to Russia including the keeper and the difference in their game showed. They were much calmer on the ball and kept possession well, even their defence had better cohesion with all 5 defenders used today being from the same club. However with only a solitary striker they had a tough time creating chances only getting 8 shots on goal all game despite dominating possession.

With that loss, Saudi send themselves and Egypt home with the 2 losers to battle for pride come the final game. Whilst Uruguay set up a showdown with Russia for top spot.

Spain v Iran

Prediction: 2-0 Spain

Result: 1-0 Spain 

Iran came into the game with an obvious plan. Get a 0-0 draw. Playing with a 4-5-1, which at times looked more like a 5-5-0, Iran frustrated Spain throughout the first half who could only manage 1 shot on target. However a lucky breakthrough from a deflected clearance in the 2nd half forced Iran chase the game.

Iran did extremely well attacking Spain and thought they had an equaliser for it to only be denied by a VAR review for offside. Iran had the better chances in the 2nd half which makes you ponder the question, what if Iran attacked from the start instead of trying to defend for a 0-0 draw?

Iran will be buoyed by the fact a star studded side like Spain could not break them down and only scored from a little luck. The fact they created the better chances in the 2nd means I hope for their sake, they attack Portugal in their final game, otherwise they are going home.