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Day 11

Group C

Poland v Argentina (Result: 0-2; Poland make it through on superior goal difference to Mexico )

One of the big ones. Would Argentina (i.e., Messi) turn on the style, or would they be boring and pedestrian? Messi had a good shot on 10 minutes but saved, then again on 16 but the shot went over the top and two more shots (not all of these were from Messi) in the 28th, one from the right and one from the left, but neither ended up in the back of the net. A corner in the 32nd minute, and so far Poland hadn’t had a sniff. Argentina were getting closer and they must have had something like eight shots - proper shots, any of which could have resulted in a goal - by the time we got to the end of the half, even a penalty from that man saved by the Polish keeper.

It seemed unlikely though that Poland could keep soaking up this sort of pressure, and half time must have come as a relief to them. Second half then saw Argentina just up the pressure, and it couldn’t be long before they scored. And it wasn’t. I always think it’s funny to hear a name like McAllister in an Argentinian team, but it was him who scored in the first minute of the second half. Poland finally had a shot - well, a free - and nearly scored, to certainly my surprise anyway, as they hadn’t seemed to be even in the match up to then. McAllister almost added a second in the 60th, stealing the limelight from Messi, but it was Alvarez who scored their second, in the 67th minute, and really, that was the end of any threat from Poland, not that there had been any.

Messi missed a golden opportunity to score a third in the 70th, but it would only have been the icing on a very flamboyant cake, as the outcome was never in doubt from the time the second goal had been scored.

Saudi Arabia v Mexico (Result:1-2; both eliminated )

Originally looking like they could be the dark horses of the World Cup, Saudi Arabia failed to score against Poland so they had to go for it here. Back to the annoying 1st and 2nd thing, so no way to tell you when things happened, but a free for the Saudis in the first half gave them a great chance to make a real impression. Unfortunately they proved unequal to the task and it flew over the top of the net. Mexico had a go but the Saudi defence was equal to it, and when they did get a shot in, as so many times in these games and in the tournament, straight at the keeper. It must be said though that Mexico had more shots on goal and more attacks than the Saudis.

In the second half, a long shot nearly deceived the Saudi keeper, would have been a great goal, and Mexico again in the ascendancy. Their pressure finally told when they scored from a corner, back of the heel and into the net. Advantage Mexico. And even more so when Chavez scored a free from at least 30 yards out. A third should have sealed it but was offside. Still, there was little chance this game was going to end any other way than a victory for Mexico, Chavez nearly duplicating his performance from another free, this time the keeper caught it. A third again NOT scored, as it was ruled offside again. Late drama then when Saudi Arabia got one back, dealing a hammer blow to Mexico’s hopes, which must have been heartbreaking, especially considering how poor Saudi Arabia were.

Group D

Australia v Denmark (Result: 1-0; Denmark eliminated)

Another of the winner-takes-all matches, as both Denmark and Australia bid to go through to the next stage. Denmark have a better pedigree with World Cups of course, but as we’ve already seen, you can take nothing for granted in football, especially international football. Denmark were, as expected, on the attack early, in the 6th minute in fact, and could have scored, but a long shot in the 10th was better, still not resulting in a goal despite poor defence from the Aussies. They began to wake up, defensively at least, in the 20th and managed to keep Denmark out, then a minute later charging up the field to rocket in a nice attempt, but straight at the keeper, and again as the 40th minute rolled up. Still, it was Denmark who came closest at the end of the half.

The Socceroos began to play in the second half and on 60 minutes they had squeezed one in to take the lead, and take them closer to qualification. Can’t quite say it was against the run of play, but it certainly seemed to come out of nowhere. Now the pressure was on, and they kept Denmark in their own half for another ten minutes, until they thought they had a penalty, but on checking the offside flag was raised, so no penalty. Even so, Denmark were now on the hunt for an equaliser, and certainly turned the screw on Australia but they couldn’t do it and Australia go through on a single goal. Well done lads. You'd wonder though at the comments made by their manager after the match. Asked how they would celebrate their historic victory, he replied “No celebrations, no emotion; sleep, no social media”. What a fun guy! But then, he believes that’s how they got to where they are so I guess. Won’t be popular with the team though!

Tunisia v France (Result: 1-0; Tunisia eliminated )

Who would bet against the mighty France? Not me, that’s for sure. Tunisia looked to have a hell of a job to even get anything out of the match, and without a single goal in the tournament that seemed to be too big an ask, even with Mbappe not in the team. Wait, what? Yeah, that’s what the guy said. Bollocks. We’re off with no times again, just that bloody 1st and 2nd. Why the hell do they do that? Certainly makes my job harder. Free kick for Tunisia and it looked like a huge boost for the Africans, but no: offside. What a pity: it really was a great strike. But offside is offside. A claim for a penalty turned down, free kick offside - it didn’t look as if the footballing gods were with Tunisia tonight.

Mind you, France weren’t walking all over them either. I only saw one actual shot in the first half and it went well wide. It seemed to be all down the French half, and Tunisia had another good shot but it was right at the goalie. Second half saw Tunisia ask for another penalty but it was waved away. Again. Shot right across the face of goal and up, very close but finally Tunisia got their - let’s be honest here - absolutely deserved goal. France had been poor, perhaps complacent as they were going through anyway, but where was their pride? As the current world champions, and contrary to previous performances in this tournament, they really were not at the races. Mbappe coming on changed things and certainly had some shots, but it was Griezman who scored in the dying seconds to draw the match. Suppose that’s what world champions do… oh, hold on here. Is he offside? Sacre bleu! C’est impossible mais.. Oui! The goal was marked off, and Tunisia went on to a very deserved win. Who woulda thunk it?

Unfortunately, thanks to Australia’s heroics against Denmark, the goal was not enough to save them and they go out with Denmark.

Group C

1st: Argentina (6 points)
2nd: Poland (4 points)
3rd: Mexico (4 points)
4th: Saudi Arabia (3 points)

Argentina go through as expected; Poland manages to scrape through on superior goal difference while Mexico just lose out, thanks to that last-gasp goal from Saudi Arabia, who also go out.

Group D

1st: France (6 points)
2nd: Australia (6 points)
3rd: Tunisia (4 points)
4th: Denmark (1 point)

France and Australia progress; Denmark and Tunisia are eliminated

Tomorrow’s matches

Group E

Costa Rica v Germany

Japan v Spain

Group F

Croatia v Belgium

Canada v Morocco

Already set for the Round of Sixteen by virtue of qualifying top of their groups:

Argentina v Australia

England v Senegal

France v Poland

Netherlands v USA

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