Trollheart

Day 10

Group A

Ecuador v Senegal (Result: 1-2; Ecuador eliminated )

A winner-takes-all clash, and Senegal had the first shot in the first 5 minutes but it went wide, back on the attack again in the 8th, wide again. Ecuador seemed to be having trouble keeping them out and in the 10th yet another shot. A corner in the 24th minute gave Senegal a chance but nothing came of it, until minute 41 when they got a penalty, no question about this one. Easily taken, and advantage Senegal. First real shot from Ecuador in the 48th minute, no power in it though and easily stopped. A corner in the 67th gave them their chance though and they did not squander it, drawing level with the Africans.

Two minutes later and Senegal were in front again, a powerful volley from a free kick, and they held on for the win, the result sending them through and Ecuador home.

Netherlands v Qatar (Result: 2-0)

With nothing but pride to play for, Qatar saw the Dutch take the lead (can’t tell you when, as for some reason this match only had “1st” and “2nd” shown, no times. Idiots. 1-0 to the Netherlands and off they ran, rampant until Qatar had a shot but it was easily stopped by the Dutch keeper. Netherlands had another shot but it went over the bar, offside anyway as it happened. Into the second half, and another goal for Netherlands after a point-blank save from the keeper, but he could only parry it, right into the path of the onrushing striker. Netherlands firmly in the ascendancy now, Qatar deflated and not likely to put up much of a fight. A third for the Dutch was as simple as you can get, though there was a suspicion of a handball, upheld by VAR and the ref, so the goal was chalked off.

Not that it mattered really. Netherlands were in their element now, and though Qatar tried to make a game of it they were forced back and back by the Dutch every time they attempted to break forward. The one time they did manage it, the shot was poor, but at least they got a shot in, huh? Netherlands were unable to add a third, but the win was theirs, and as expected they go through at the top of the group, while Qatar already knew they were on the way home. Hey, at least they hadn’t far to go!

Group B

Iran v USA (Result: 0-1; Iran are eliminated )

A clash of ideologies? Not here mate: this is football, leave the politics at the turnstiles please. Iran must have fancied themselves though, having turned on the style against Wales, and could qualify if they beat the USA, or drew the match, whereas the Americans had to win to stay in. Advantage Iran then, and again it’s no time stamp so I can’t tell you what time things happened (very annoying and bloody pointless but what can you do), USA with the first real attack though the keeper smothered it easily, while Iran seemed to be living on their nerves, and it was all the USA, although no sign of any goals. Shots were either wide, high or right at the keeper, perhaps showing the inexperience of a relatively young team, though they do have some Premiership players in there, so maybe that’s not an excuse.

And indeed, it was one of those Prem players who opened the scoring for the USA, Christian Pulisic latching on to a cross from the right and hammering a great header, which left him in some considerable pain. Beautiful pass to Weah and a great finish, but ruled offside. Even so, it was as if Iran were not there and USA were left with the opposition goal at their mercy. They began to play in the second half, and given they needed a win or a draw it’s kind of odd how they stood off so much and left it so late to go chasing the game. Almost scored, but it sailed past the upright. It was all Iran now though, and they pushed for the equaliser, almost getting it in the second minute of nine of extra time (I only know that because the commentator mentioned it) but Iran threw it away and it’s the USA who go through.

Wales v England (Result: 0-3; Wales are eliminated)

At least the counter was back! 1st and 2nd my aaaanyway, England had an early attempt in the 9th minute, Rashford in but denied as the keeper got there quicker. Next action was in the 30th, England again as Harry Maguire found his way through but completely wasted the shot, crossing to nobody. Foden had a shot seven minutes later but ballooned the ball over the top. Beautiful, acrobatic kick from Rashford in the 38th, but there was to be no emulation of his Man United team-mate Wayne Rooney’s goal and the ball flashed harmlessly past the post. Kane forced a corner in extra time in the first half but the keeper caught the shot, and into the second half we went, with nothing on the board yet for either team, England certainly having (sorry) the lion’s share of the play.

49 minutes and Rashford struck on his third attempt, putting England ahead. Up to now Wales had not even got out of their half, so the outcome did not seem in any way in doubt, especially when Foden scored a minute later. Lovely cross from Kane, on a plate for the Man City man. Wales finally got down the English half of the pitch in the 54th minute, but again the shot flashed wide. Wales beginning to pile on the pressure now, a good shot but parried away by Pickford, meanwhile Rashford made certain with his second and England’s third, and (according to the commentary) England’s 100th goal in the World Cup. Not finished yet though, Rashford was on the attack again, looking for his hat-trick, this time kept out by the Welsh keeper, who must have felt like a man under personal siege. And for Wales it must have been a welcome relief when the final whistle sounded. They had been very much second best to a very good England performance.

Final standings

Group A

1st: Netherlands (7 points)
2md: Senegal (6 points)
3rd: Ecuador (4 points)
4th: Qatar (0 points)

Netherlands qualify at the top of the group, Senegal also go through to the Round of Sixteen.
Ecuador are eliminated and go home, Qatar were already done before today, and they’re out too.

Group B
1st: England (7 points)
2nd: USA (5 points)
3rd: Iran (3 points)
4th: Wales (1 point)

England and the USA go through; Wales and Iran are eliminated.

Tomorrow’s matches

Group C

Poland v Argentina

Saudi Arabia v Mexico

Group D

Australia v Denmark

Tunisia v France

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