Day 9 Review

Brazil v Costa Rica

Prediction: 2-0 Brazil

Result: 2-0 Brazil

The game panned out exactly as expected. Brazil with 70% possession and Costa Rica holding on for dear life for 90 minutes. Costa Rica did have their chances but they were few and far between. I understand you are Costa Rica and they are Brazil, but after losing game 1, I thought Costa Rica should have shown more courage and attacked the game and put a not fully firing Brazil to the test.

Neymar denied what was a pretty clear penalty (imo) by VAR. It is indeed, these kinds of penalties that when consistently not given force players into diving and adding theatrics to their game in order to "convince" referees it is a foul. Neymar also once again was fouled more than 10x, the first player in history to be fouled more than 10x in back to back games at the World Cup.

Him crying at the end of the game seems like gamesmanship to me. For a guy that effectively "ran" PSG and got Unai Emery fired for not being able to control him; to say that he is crying because of the "pressure"  or the occasion seems false. He's done this before when he was with the Brazilian team and he will do it again. His PR guys no doubt have told him the only reason Ronaldo isn't liked is because he is perceived as arrogant so you must change your perception and you will by the end of your career be considered the GOAT.

With this win Brazil put their destiny in their own hands and knock Costa Rica out of the tournament.

Nigeria v Iceland

Prediction: 1-0 Iceland

Result: 2-0 Nigeria

Probably the worst 45 minutes of the tournament to watch in that first half. Neither side had a cutting edge to them and both were misplacing passes constantly in the midfield. Nigeria in fact did not have a single shot in the first half.

The 2nd half was much better from them, in fact it only took 4 minutes for Nigeria to score and after an extended break due to an injury, grabbed a 2nd. Iceland had some really good crosses but lacked any presence up front and never looked like converting the great service. Iceland had their chances and even missed penalty. This goes a ways to show that Iceland are great at counter attacking, but not so much when they have the ascendancy.

This result means that no one in this group is eliminated and it all comes down to the final day of games. It also means that barring an absolute demolition Croatia will be topping the group.

Serbia v Swizterland

Prediction: 1-0 Serbia

Result: 2-1 Switzerland

I couldn't have been more wrong heading into a game. I though both these teams would be very defensive but it was the opposite. Both sides came to win and within 10 minutes had 2 shot son goal each and Serbia managed a very early goal thanks to some questionable defending.


Serbia become the first team at the World Cup to score first and not get any points in a game but were robbed by questionable refereeing. What should have been a clear penalty and a clear use of VAR to overturn a poor decision fell on deaf ears and probably blind eyes. Much like Harry Kane for England, and many many others this World Cup, rugby tackles from Centre Backs seem to be legal from corners now.

With that win Switzerland make sure this group will go to the last game. Although Costa Rica are eliminated, anything could happen with the final 3 teams left.

The Picture Becomes Clearer

 Vs 

Brazil were quite poor in their last game and even though the Swiss were not particularly dangerous, they still managed to score against a brittle Brazilian defence. Neymar became the most fouled player in 20 years in a World Cup game and it showed; with the Brazilian complaining and rolling around instead of accepting the fact he is a target.

Brazil have so many stars in their team including the likes of Coutinho who did wonderful to score the goal. Brazil need to realise not everything needs to go through Neymar, this isn't PSG, don't let him dictate the show. Costa Rica were bright in patches but showed no real quality against a tough Serbian defence. It will be a completely difference test today for them, as they won't get any near the same amount of ball as last time.

I expect Brazil to show us much like France did and win this game comfortably. I don't think Costa Rica has the firepower to trouble this Brazilian midfield. 2-0 Brazil.

 Vs 

Iceland proved last game they weren't here on holidays, despite some of their players having to take holidays from their day jobs to play here. Well drilled defensively and not scared to take their chances, Iceland proved their team knocking out England at the EUROs was no fluke and with a win in this game can almost guarantee a round of 16 berth.

Nigeria were woeful in their game against Croatia. They could hardly string 2 passes together let alone get an actual attack constructed. They will need a much improved performance if they are any chance of breaking down an Iceland who denied Messi any goals. But with Croatia's demolition of Argentina, maybe Nigeria aren't that bad, maybe it is Croatia who are simply that good?

If both these teams play as they did last time, it would be a pretty boring affair. I think Iceland need to show they can attack teams and not just defend with 9 behind the ball and wait for counters. This Nigerian team are poor and Iceland will be out to prove themselves. 1-0 Iceland.

 Vs 

Switzerland showed their defensive fortitude last game only being broken by a Coutinho stunner. However they were extremely poor going forward and only scored due to a lack of intensity from set pieces by the Brazilian defence.

Serbia to showed how strong they are at the back by keeping a clean sheet but were never really troubled by a poor Nigeria. They also showed that always sporadic, they can create chances going forward.

This game has all the marking to be this World Cups first ever 0-0. However I think Serbia will be hungry to get the 3 points and guarantee a spot in the next round before they have to take on Brazil. 1-0 Serbia.

Day 4 Review

Costa Rica v Serbia

Prediction: 1-0 Costa Rica

Result: 1-0 Serbia

Costa Rica played like a mix of Egypt and Peru. Ran out of the blocks with multiple good attacking raids but as Serbia started to hold the ball and keep possession at the back Costa Rica's enthusiasm started to die down. With star player Joel Campbell on the bench due to fitness issues, Costa Rica seemed not quite themselves up front.

Serbia were solid like most the European teams have been. Holding their positions, maintaining possession at the back and attacking only when the opportunity is good. Serbia were struggling to break Costa Rica down, only breaking the deadlock thanks to an amazing free-kick by Kolarov.

Serbia will be ecstatic with this position knowing a win in their next game will all but guarantee they go through. Costa still have some chance but need other results to go their way.

Germany v Mexico

Prediction: 2-0 Germany

Result: 1-0 Mexico

Germany become the 3rd defending champion in the past 4 cups to lose their opening match. A poor stat, which if the trend follows, means Germany won't make it out of groups.
Germany had an incredible 25 shots but only 9 on target and most of them were very tame. They were extremely poor defensively, even before conceding it looked as though they were playing a 1-5-3 formation with Boateng the only defender who actually stayed back.

Mexico were amazing and deserve full credit. Despite the somewhat shambolic defence, Mexico were lethal and could have easily won this game 4-0 had Chicharito been a more cool in front of goal.

With South Korea and Sweden to come, you can definitely see Mexico topping this group now. Germany need to start Reus over Ozil if they want more enthusiasm from the midfield.

Brazil v Switzerland

Prediction: 2-0 Brazil

Result: 1-1

Switzerland came in with a very obvious game plan; double-team Neymar. The problem with that is Brazil have many stars they if left alone will hurt you, as Coutinho showed. Other than the very first minute of the game, the Swiss never really troubled the Brazilian goal.

Neymar became the most fouled player in a WC game since 1998 (10 fouls)

The passes from the Swiss players were very loose and poor when going forward. Worryingly for Brazil, when they were asked questions in the back they were found wanting. The equaliser for Swiss from a corner where literally no Brazilian jumped to try and head the ball.

Brazil will have to shore up their defence if they are to continue through this group as Costa Rica and Serbia are much better than the Swiss going forward. Swiss have the opposite problem, as if they they don't improve offensively, they won't be able to score against teams that are well drilled defensively.

Game 9: Republic of Costa Rica v Republic of Serbia

Two teams who need to get off to a winning start if they are any hope of getting out of the group.

Costa Rica (The Ticos) are a very good side who managed to pull of some amazing results last world cup. This would have been this countries 5th world cup in a row had they not lost to Uruguay in the play-off in 2010.
Last world cup this team were the surprise packet, topping a group that contained England, Italy and Uruguay. Led by the then 21 year old, Arsenal striker Joel Campbell, Costa Rica played good attacking football and never let the bigger teams get comfortable on the ball. They did not technically lose any game at the last world cup, having been knocked out by Netherlands by penalty shootout in the quarter final.

Their form of late hasn't been great with warm-up losses to both Belgium and England, but this team can not be counted out. They will be hoping to have a repeat of last world cup where everyone thought they would leave the tournament on 0 points.

Serbia (The Eagles) are the lowest ranked European nation to qualify for the World Cup (not including the Hosts). This Serbian team is relatively new having only been formed in 2007 after Montenegro declared its Independence. Led by their captain, Manchester United's Nemanja Matic, Serbia are a tough opponent.

Similar to many other smaller European nations, Serbia base their results on good formation and work ethic; defending well and capitalising on their chances. They very much have the "russian" vibe about them, as a team they don't excel at anything in particular, but are solid and gritty and able to surprise teams with a bit of quality from the midfield.

Serbia's last 2 world cup appearances ended with them finishing bottom of their group and exiting early.

Both teams will be out to grab all the points on offer with Brazil and Switzerland in the group, they will see each other as the "easier" game. I think Costa Rica will have too much to prove. 1-0 Costa Rica.