Day 10 Review

Belgium v Tunisia

Prediction: 2-0 Belgium

Result: 5-2 Belgium

This game started like a house on fire with Belgium getting an early penalty and quickly nabbing a 2nd soon after. Within a minute of going 2-0 down Tunisia manage to grab one of their own to make the game a contest again.

The game remained open for its entirety and could have easily ended 9-4 if both teams took their clear cut chances. Its hard to judge Belgium's defence when there team seemed to be playing at a walking pace and picking forward balls at will. It seemed as though they just weren't too fussed at doing their job because they knew they would be scoring again even if they conceded. It will be a real challenge for them in their final game against England and a real test to see if Belgium indeed have what it takes to win the World Cup.

Belgium all but guarantee a round of 16 spot with such a large win whilst Tunisia will need Panama to beat England in order to stay in. Something that doesn't seem likely.

Korea v Mexico

Prediction: 2-0 Mexico

Result: 2-1 Mexico

Korea clearly learnt from their last game and realised Son was their main man, deploying him centrally as part of a front 3 instead of on the wing again. Sadly it didn't help with their defensive woes. Mexico split them apart again and again and only some poor shooting kept them from scoring. A 1-0 halftime lead from a penalty all Mexico could show for their dominance.

A very easy 2nd half for Mexico. A 90th minute strike from Son made it a little interesting but all-in-all Mexico were happy with the win and didn't feel the need to attack more. Korea generally just looked outclassed and could never really get good attacks going. They had 2 good chances but lacked quality up front and spurned them.

With 2 losses things are bleak for Korea. Mexico with 2 wins are all but confirmed for the next round.

Germany v Sweden

Prediction: 1-0 Germany

Result: 2-1 Germany

Germany again didn't look themselves. Their defence was static and slow and they had no creativity going forward. Sweden grabbing a quick first half goal didn't even give them a rise in their game. It looked for all money that they were going to be the 3rd straight defending champions to be knocked out in group stages.

2nd half Germany started showing glimpses of the the monster we know they can be. A quick equaliser to minutes into the half sparked them into attack. They looked more and more positive for the next 20 minutes until Sweden finally came back into the game and once again showed Germany's defence was not up to scratch this tournament. They created a few good breaks which eventually lead to Boateng being red carded. Kroos eventually saving the defending champions tournament with a 95th minute winner.

Germany were once again uninspiring, but seeing as their last game is against Korea they will probably make it through. Sweden would need to overcome a very competent Mexico to have any chance of qualifying through the group now. This result also means that technically, Korea are not yet knocked out.

Now or Never

 Vs 

Belgium have a comfortable win last game against Panama who never really troubled them. Although they struggled to create chances in the first half, they never looked panic'd or bothered and trusted in their system. One of the few larger nations to impress in their first game.

Tunsia did more than enough to win the game against England and with some dubious refereeing maybe should have gotten more. They were left heartbroken conceding 2 soft goals to Harry Kane. They held their own against England, but Belgium present much more threat and presence going forward then England ever will.

Tunisia really need atleast a point to make sure they don't get eliminated. Belgium can wrap up a spot in the next round with a win here which is important to do just before the England matchup. 2-0 Belgium.

 Vs 

These 2 teams had the opposite opening games last time out, Korea were uninspired, poor in attack and not so solid in defence. There only shining light was Son, but with him playing on the Wing he found it hard to drag his team to any kind of result against Sweden.

Mexico surprised everyone with their dangerous attacks and solid defence. Although Germany were poor, Mexico could have easily won the game by 2 or 3. They showed pace and control and the ability to attack and actually get shots off. Something not many teams at this tournament have shown.

Korea need a point to make sure they don't get eliminated. Mexico will be hoping to get 3 wins from this group now that they have taken care of Germany. 2-0 Mexico.

 Vs 

Germany were very poor against Mexico last game. Their defence was non-existent with Kimmich playing more like a Winger then a Wing Back. Kroos, Khedira and Ozil were also all very poor and it wouldn't surprise me to see several changes in the lineup.

Sweden were exactly as expected. Pragmatic in defence and average going forward and were gifted a goal by some poor Korean defence that lead to a penalty. Although they weren't really tested, their defence was strong enough to not allow Korea really any chance of getting back into the game.

Germany will need to step it up if they want to break down a much tougher defensive team. A failure to win here would mean that for the 3rd time in a row, the defending champions would be knocked out in group stages. If Sweden can secure atleast a point, they will like their chances of going to the next round. 1-0 Germany.

Day 5 Review

Sweden v Korea

Prediction: 1-0 Sweden

Result: 1-0 Sweden

By far the easiest game to call prematch and it went exactly according to plan. Neither team really carving the other apart. Sweden had the better possession but weren't really creating too much, creating only 3-4 chances the entire match. Korea created probably 2.

Koreas goalkeeper did his part with 2 massive saves, but their defence seemed to be able to handle Swedens lack of attack pretty well. A game that was lacking attacking flair and quality from both sides; separated only by a VAR penalty.

With Germany and Mexico coming up for both these teams, it's hard to see either of them getting out of the group honestly. Germany were poor but can be better and Mexico were excellent. May be a case of these being the only points on offer for both these sides.

Belgium v Panama

Prediction: 5-0 Belgium

Result: 3-0 Belgium

Belgium started the game like most other "powerhouses" this World Cup, not up to scratch. Poor passing and chance conversion saw them go into the break 0-0. Panama surprisingly held their own defensively even against the might of Hazard and Lukaku.

The deadlock was only broken by a piece of brilliance Mertens. An unsaveable volley over the keeper. Panama decided instead of shutting up shop and not conceding more, brought on 2 attacking players off the bench to chase the game which left them open and Lukaku hit them twice on the counter.

Not convincing but did more than enough to win comfortably. A solid start to the tournament and hopefully will improve off this performance. Panama did well to hang in the game as long as they did. Might be able to hold England out as England don't have the creative power Belgium do and they defended well.

England v Tunisia

Prediction: 1-1

Result: 2-1 England

England were surprisingly good in their first half, closing down Tunisia and very energetic on attack. The game should have been over after 30 minutes with England having 3-4 very easy clear cut chances that they weren't efficient with; only scoring 1. Tunisia got a somewhat soft penalty to equalise which sucked the ind out of England's sails.

The 2nd half was completely different. England were slow and methodical rather then energetic with their pressing defence allowing Tunisia more of the ball.
Tunisia however were very poor with their passes often wasting long periods of possession with poor forward balls. They were very dangerous from set-pieces but also very vulnerable from set-pieces with both their goals conceded from corners.

England very lucky to get the win with a very poor 2nd half performance. This group is all but decided now with the "expected" results coming to fruition.

Game 12: Kingdom of Sweden v Republic of Korea

The 3rd Asia v Europe matchup to start the 1st week of the finals. 2-0 to Europe so far, can Korea buck the trend?

Sweden (The Blue-Yellow) are at the World Cup for the first time since 2006 and this time they are without Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Sweden have never been much more than making up the numbers in major competitions in recent years. Not having made the past 2 world cups and not making it out of the group stage in the EUROS the past 3 tournaments.

FIFA world ranking flatter them with a 24th rank. Seb Larsson of Hull City and Emil Forsberg from RB Leipzig are their star players. Sweden seem to perform very well against smaller nations, however when going up against tough opposition they have a very hard time breaking the deadlock. 

Sweden made it through to the World Cup by beating the Netherlands to 2nd spot on goal difference. They lost to France, Netherlands and Bulgaria but it was their 4-0 defeat of Belarus and 8-0 over Luxembourg that got them the goal difference they needed to qualify for a playoff spot; where they beat Italy 1-0 over 2 legs.

South Korea (Taegeuk Warriors) have also been heavy hitters in Asia, but this is arguably their worst generation of players for a while. They used to boast many Premier League and Bundesliga stars like Park Ji-Sung and others. Now they majority of their players play in the K-League with only Ki Sung-Yueng (Swansea) and Son Heung-min (Tottenham) players of note overseas.

Korea have been to every world cup since 1986 but have only managed to get out of the group twice in 8 attempts. They did so in 2002 when they co-hosted the World Cup making it all the way to the Semi-final, but as I said, this new generation of players are but a shadow of their former glory. Still strong in Asian standards, Korea made it to the semi-final of 4 of the past 5 Asian Cups, losing the final in the last tournament to Australia in extra time.

Now ranked 57th int he world, lower rank only then fellow Asian teams Saudi Arabia, Japan and Hosts Russia. Korea struggled to break down teams in Asia who showed resilient defence only scoring 11 goals in 10 games and conceding 10. They ended qualifying in 2nd behind Iran, barely beating out Syria for the final spot.

Sweden have looked good defensively and had to beat Italy to get to the World Cup. Korea struggle to score and struggle to keep clean sheets. This honestly looks like it could be one of the more boring games. Sweden 1-0.