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 14: Republic of Tunisia v England

The fact that England is just called England was very surprise, not Kingdom or anything, just England.

Tunisia (The Eagles of Carthage) were somewhat of a mainstay in the World Cup for a while, qualifying for '98, '02 and '06. They have made it to the World Cup 4 times and have never left empty handed, always gaining at least 1 point in the group.

The majority of Tunisia's midfield play in the French League; led by Wahbi Khazri they are fairly competent players with the ability to pass the ball well and create chances, even against tough defences. They proved this in their warmup games, only losing 1-0 to Spain and drawing 2-2 with Portugal.

Although I am sure many people would not be able to point to Tunisia on a map, they are not a country to overlook on the pitch.

England (The Three Lions). In all honesty, probably one of their worst squads in recent times, the English national team always suffer from a domestic league that is "too good". Even Spain and Germany have players that play abroad to pick up different experiences and bring their knowledge back the to squad. The entire English team play only in the Premier League with only 5 of their 23 players coming from outside the "big 6".

Since the last World Cup, England have discovered the talents of Vardy and Harry Kane to boost their go forward, although this didn't help them at the Euros where they were knocked out by Iceland. Last World Cup they ended bottom of their group only picking up 1 point. Despite their squad being full of quality players every year, they always fail to deliver on the international stage.

With all the keepers on their squad being untested and unproven at international level, it will be interesting to see how England fair.

Tunsia v England. Seems like an easy choice, but I don't think it will be as straight forward as people think. England have a history of failing in major competitions and have not won their first game of a major tournament since the 2006 World Cup. 1-1.