FIFA World Cup 2018: Brazil face a mammoth encounter against Belgium after their victories in the Round of 16

Neymar lights up the World Cup stage

He scores one and creates Brazil's second

Brazil face a mammoth clash against Belguim tonight

Brazil Vs Mexico

Neymar 51'

Firmino 88'

Match Highlights

Brazil took a step closer on their Road to the Final of the FIFA World Cup as their star player Neymar scored once and created a brilliant second to end their South American rivals Mexico's campaign.

Brazil was undefeated so far in their WC campaign after topping Group E, whereas Mexico had finished runners-up in Group F, ahead of champions Germany.

This South American encounter began in favor of Mexico who dominated the first half, but Brazil sprung into life in the second-half. Neymar's clever backheel, presented Willian with space to run as he drove in a ball which was tucked home by Neymar to hand Brazil the advantage.

Thereon, it was all Brazil as a fierce attack once again led by Neymar saw him play the perfect pass behind the Mexican defense for substitute Roberto Firmino to tap-in Brazil's ticket into the quarter-finals.

Conclusion:

Brazil's recent performances have made them among the favorites to reach the finals and win the competition. Their next test is a fierce encounter against another side who are favorites to win the competition; Belguim who earned a dramatic qualification spot by beating Japan.

One of their influential midfielder Casemiro will be suspended for that game but they have an equally good replacement in Fernandinho, who hands down was the best holding midfielder in the Premier League last season.

Mexican fans will be immensely proud of the performance and heart their players showed this campaign. Even though they are leaving at the same stage they have been exiting since 1994, that victory over current and soon to be former champions Germany will live in the hearts of every Mexican player and fan for a very long time. 

FIFA World Cup 2018: Spain suffer a shocking exit at the hands of the hosts Russia

Russia witnesses a memorable day

The hosts secure a penalty shoot-out victory

Russia has now progressed into the quarter-finals

Spain's exit has set the footballing world by storm

Spain Vs Russia

Ignashevich 12' (OG)

Dzyuba 41' (P)

Match Highlights

Russia win on penalties

(3-4)

Iniesta ✔️

Smolov ✔️

Pique ✔️

Ignashevich ✔️

Koke ✖️

Golovin ✔️

Ramos ✔️

Cheryshev ✔️

Iago Aspas  ✖️

"Russia has beaten Spain and qualify for the quarter-finals," this statement will stay with the Russian players and fans for many years to come after the hosts pulled a shock upset by beating the 2010 Champions. 

Heading into this game, Spain who had stumbled their way into the last-16 was still the likeliest team to win but the hosts pulled off the biggest upset in the competition so far. 

Spain sprung into the lead after a tight tussle in the box with Sergio Ramos saw the ball flick last off Sergei Ignashevich's heel who also became the oldest own goal scorer ever in a World Cup campaign. 

This strike was canceled out in the 41st minute as Gerard Pique's alleged handball in the box awarded Russia a spot-kick which was calmly converted by Artem Dzyuba.

Russia did their best to keep the scoreline at 1-1 as their hero Igor Akinfeev made nearly 12 saves throughout the game, taking it for a penalty shoot-out. 

Penalty Shoot-out

Spain's Andreas Iniesta was the first player to take and successfully convert his spot-kick, which was then followed by Russia's Smolov.

Pique took the next Spanish penalty and successfully converted it as did his Russian counterpart Ignashevich.

The game's first decisive moment arrived as Koke's penalty was saved by Akinfeev and Russia's Aleksandr Golovin successfully converted his spot-kick, sending the Russian fans into overdrive.

The 4th set saw Ramos successfully convert his spot-kick, but Russia's Denis Cheryshev scored and handed match-point to his side.

Finally, the telling blow arrived as Iago Aspas' spot-kick was convincingly saved by the legs of Akinfeev and the next moments will live in the hearts of all the Russians for a very long time.

Final Conclusion

Russia did know the coming into this game, it will be very difficult to pull up a victory but they did come with a plan and also with the belief that they can overcome this major obsatcle. One of the biggest motivation of the game was the home crowd who were behind their nation from the getgo.

This was Spain's first ever penalty shootout since nearly a 48-year span and for this particular shootout, they were second best to Russia.

It was a mixed World Cup campaign with the sudden sacking of the now Real Madrid coach Julen Lopeteugi a day before the competition began and the appointment of Fernando Hierro.

An inexperienced and young Spanish side heading into this competition failed to make the type of impact they intended to, but the future of Spanish football is bright.

However, Spain's 2010 hero Andreas Iniesta has announced his international retirement and for some of the senior players such as Pique, Ramos, and Pepe Reina, it maybe their last ever World Cup.

FIFA World Cup 2018: Uruguay's Edinson Cavani knocks out Portugal to seal a quarter-final place

Edinson Cavani: Uruguay's "Man of the Moment"

His spectacular brace sends Portugal home

Uruguay  now await the "magnificent" France in the quarter-finals

Uruguay Vs Portugal

Cavani 7', 62'

Pepe 55'

Match Highlights

Edinson Cavani put in the best performance of his career scoring a brace which led Uruguay sealing qualification into the quarter-finals and also ending Portugal's WC campaign.

With both sides starting with their strongest line-ups, Uruguay grabbed the early advantage as Luis Suarez played a delicious cross from the left wing onto Cavani's head, and the PSG striker's header had the right amount of power and accuracy thumping Uruguay into the lead.

Cristiano Ronaldo rallied his side as they pushed in for the equalizer but the Uruguay defense who hadn't conceded a goal in the competition so far kept them at bay in the first half.

But, in the second-half, Portugal got the breakthrough in the 55th minute as an unmarked Pepe rose high to head in the equalizer. 

Cavani's spectacular second

Portugal's dominance lasted for a mere 5-6 minutes as Uruguay launched a devastating counter-attack which led to Cavani taking a first-time curling shot; spectacular from every angle, and bring the advantage back to his side.

Uruguay's night was going perfectly in every way but an injury to their goal-hero Cavani saw him limp off and he was also helped off the field by Ronaldo, making the stadium rise and applaud from all ends for the kind gesture.

But, Ronaldo who could have played his last ever World Cup couldn't save his side as Uruguay marched on with a tough challenge now awaiting against France who sent Ronaldo's compatriot Lionel Messi and Argentina home with a 4-3 defeat.

Final Conclusion:

Uruguay showed heart in yet another game in their World Cup campaign and so far, they are the only team to win all their four games.

They perhaps have one of the best center back partnerships in Europe at the moment with Diego Godin and Jose Gimenez, partnering at club as well as international level. Even though their all-around team isn't with the most recognized players in the world, they are giving it their all every single time they wear the Uruguay colors.

They also have the World Cup's fiercest strike-pair of Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani; if both players stay fit, they will make it to the finals and perhaps even win the competition.

For Portugal, this World Cup may have been the last one for most of their players including Pepe, Jose Fonte, Joao Moutinho and notably, their captain Cristiano Ronaldo.

They do have a bright future awaiting ahead with their young crop of players who are capable of winning trophies in the future. It's sad to see both Ronaldo and Messi head out of the competition on the same day but Its Football and we all have to accept it.

FIFA World Cup 2018: France end Argentina's World Cup campaign with a thrilling 4-3 victory

France and Argentina lit-up the World Cup stage

Kylian Mbappe announces himself at the grandest stage

Angel Di Maria & Benjamin Pavard score brilliant long-range strikes

Messi's team puts up a fighting performance

France Vs Argentina

Griezmann 13' (P)

Pavard 57'

Mbappe 64', 68'

 Di Maria 41'

Mercado 48'

 Aguero 90+3'

Match Highlights

Kylian Mbappe scored twice in a four-minute span as his final decisive goal as France beat Argentina to progress into the quarter-finals.

Argentina who was heading into this game after their dramatic qualification victory over Nigeria saw their manager Jorge Sampaoli who has been making "weird" changes to his starting line-up make yet another twist. 

This time, a 4-3-3 formation saw Lionel Messi lead the attack as the No.9, with Gonzalo Higuain and Sergio Aguero only named as substitutes, keeping the Argentinian captain isolated up front.

Mbappe was the first to test the Argentinian defense as he made a driving run from inside his half, beating almost 6 Argentina players which led to Marcos Rojo making a clumsy foul in the box. The resulting penalty was converted by Antoine Griezmann, giving his side the lead.

Argentina was finding it difficult to create chances but a moment of magic by Angel Di Maria saw him unleash a spectacular 30-yard long-range curler bringing his side right back into the game.

Di Maria's spectacular strike

By the start of the 2nd half, Argentina had Rojo substituted for Fazio which proved to be decisive for the remainder of the game. 

But a determined Argentinian side shockingly took the lead as Messi's brilliant shot on the turn deflected off Gabriel Mercado sending the Argentina players and fans into overdrive.

With a view of protecting their lead, Argentina's team failed to take control of the game as Benjamin Pavard scored the "goal of his life" with a first-time volley from the edge of the box.

Pavard's monster volley

For the next 10 minutes, it was the Kylian Mbappe show! The PSG striker's two-quickfire goals in four minutes put France in the driving seat. Both strikes were clinical as ever; the first was a sweeping shot past the goalkeeper and the second was a crisp sweep concluding a ruthless France counter attack.

Mbappe Goal No.1

Mbappe Goal No.2

Knowing that their World Cup season was on the verge of ending, Argentina began digging deep and tried to create chances, which led Messi put in a delicious cross for substitute Sergio Aguero to head in his side's third, but France held their lead, thus earning a quarter-final place.

DID FRANCE DESERVE THE WIN?

Before the game began, on paper the French began as the firm favorites to win the game as their side looked the more of the "balanced team" in every position compared to their opponents.

With Messi, Argentina did have one of the fiercest counter-attacking teams in the competition but defensively, they weren't even close to any of the other sides. 

Although France was the better team on the night, they did unleash their attack. But conceding three goals are big alerts to their defensive issues. If they are sorted, their sound defense and their ruthless attack would be enough to win the competition, hands down.

WHAT'S NEXT FOR ARGENTINA?

Although the game ended in defeat, this was Argentina's best performance of their World Cup campaign and they are exiting the competition with their heads held high. 

The first question has to be raised on the Argentina manager Jorge Sampaoli and the changes he kept making throughout the tournament. The first major call came even before the competition began by leaving out 29-goal striker Mauro Icardi out of his team.

Keeping players like Aguero and Higuain on the bench didn't work out at all. 

Messi's best position is on the Right Wing, the whole world knows that but Sampaoli rarely played him there.

Another 22-goal striker Paulo Dybala was also used sparingly throughout the tournament. Although he is the future of Argentinian football, he should have been given more opportunities.

The manager also played unknown talents including Cristian Pavon and Maximiliano Meza who did impress but weren't yet ready for the challenge every single game.

The team does need change and a managerial change by bringing in a person with a new philosophy will surely help. A future possible managerial candidate has to be Argentinian and current Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino.

As for Lionel Messi, the "great" Lionel Messi, there are strong rumors that he will retire from international football but he shouldn't hang up his boots just yet. He still has a lot left in the tank and should stay with the team for at least another year and target winning the Copa America 2019, and who knows in 4-years time, Messi might still be playing for Argentina in the 2022 World Cup.

FIFA World Cup 2018: Group F (Results)

The Germans are Out!!!

The defending champions suffer a humiliating exit

Sweden win Group F

Mexico qualify as runner-up

Korea Republic eliminated, but take down the mighty Germans

FIFA World Cup 2018: Group E (Results)

Brazil fails to win their first game against Switzerland

Costa Rica fall to a stunning free-kick by the Serbian captain

Group E



Matchday 1

Brazil Vs Switzerland

P. Coutinho 20'
Zuber 50'

Match Highlights

Match Report

Brazil failed to win their opening game in the FIFA World Cup for the first time since 1978 after Switzerland held them to a brilliant draw.

Brazil dominanted for a large portion of the first half and found the breakthrough after Barcelona midfielder Philippe Coutinho's perfect long range curler.

Philippe Coutinho's wonder goal

In the second half, it was Switzerland who was the dominant of the two sides and fought hard to get the equilizer through Steven Zuber, heading from a corner.

Brazilian's big guns Neymar, Gabriel Jesus, Willian failed to make a big impact throughout the game and now need to focus on their upcoming game against Costa Rica tonight.

Switzerland's point against Brazil will prove to be vital in deciding qualification to the last-16, but they have an eqaully tough fixture against Group leaders Serbia tonight.

Costa Rica Vs Serbia

Kolarov 56'

Serbia began their World Cup campaign with a flying start against Costa Rica to move top of Group E, ahead of Brazil.

The sole goal was a spectacular one scored by the Serbian captain Aleksandar Kolarov. His 25-yard free-kick found the perfect bend to beat the Costa Rican keeper Keylor Navas.

Aleksandar Kolarov's sublime free-kick

Serbia was the dominant side throught the game as Costa Rica sparingly imposed an offensive threat. Serbia face Switzerland tonight and a win for them would guarantee a place into the last-16. Costa Rica's World Cup hopes could end if they lose to Brazil.

FIFA World Cup 2018: Group C (Results)

France finish top of Group C

Denmark qualify as runner-up

Peru clinch their first win of the campaign

Australia finish bottom without a win

MORE: "Here's how it's going on in Group A..." 

MORE: "Here's how it's going on in Group B..."

Group C

France who needed just a point to clinch top spot in Group C got a goalless draw against Denmark to complete their Group Stage fixtures. They now face Argentina in the Round of 16, a fixture that is fitting to be a clash for the final.

Denmark who also needed a point to confirm qualification did just that as they secured a brilliant draw against France. They now face the competition's underdogs Croatia on Sunday, who finished top of Group D with a 100% win record.

Peru who's fate had been confirmed after two narrow defeats, got their first points of the campaign claiming victory against Australia who finished bottom without a win.

Matchday 3

Denmark Vs France

France and Denmark who need a point to finish top of Group C and qualify for the last-16 respectively played out the first goalless draw of the competition sealing their fate.

France rested most of their players and started with a side who failed to score against Denmark who knew that a point would be enough, irrespective of results elsewhere.

Their next test awaits in the Round of 16 as the two face important fixtures against Argentina and Croatia and hope to show their attacking prowesses along with sound defending.

Matchday 2

France Vs Peru

Mbappe 34'


Match Highlights

France clinched a spot in the last-16 of the FIFA World Cup with a narrow victory over Peru who were eliminated after putting in a resilient performance.

It was Kylian Mbappe, this tournament's youngest player who broke the deadlock in the 34th-minute taping-in Olivier Giroud's deflected shot. 

But, with a passionate fan support, Peru started taking upper hand of the game and got their chances in the second half through Jefferson Farfan, Andre Carrillo and the best one coming through Pedro Aquino who's shot hit the crossbar.

Despite all their efforts, Peru couldn't find that elusive equalizer that could've kept them in the competition. As for France, despite their qualification, their narrow wins don't yet justify them as title favorites.  

Denmark Vs Australia

Eriksen 7'

Jedinak 38' (P) 

Match Highlights

Christian Eriksen's fine strike in the opening minutes was canceled out by Mile Jedinak's spot kick through another VAR decision, as Denmark and Australia shared the points.

The Tottenham playmaker was on-hand to give his side the early lead after superbly volleying home Nicolai Jorgensen's lay-off.

Christian Eriksen goal

Australia fought back just before the half-time after the ball struck Poulsen inadvertently on the arm and the VAR call for handing the penalty was tucked home by Jedinak; his and Australia's second goal of the tournament.

Denmark isn't yet guaranteed a place into the last-16 with a showdown game against France coming up in the next round. A win will guarantee them qualification irrespective of elsewhere results. 

Australia faces Peru as a must-win game in Matchday 3. An Australian victory with a relatively larger goal difference along with a Denmark defeat will confirm a qualification place for the "Socceroos."

Matchday 1

France Vs Australia

Griezmann 58' (P)
Behich 80' (OG)

Jedinak 62' (P)


Match Highlights

France began their 2018 FIFA World Cup campaign edging Australia 2-1 as the first World Cup goal was scored in history with the help of VAR.

Without any goals in the first half, that decision was made in the 58th minute after Australian Josh Risdon brought down Antoine Griezmann and the Atletico Madrid striker went on to score the resulting penalty.

Australia responded in next to no time as Aaron Mooy's free-kick was handled by Samuel Umtiti and Mile Jedinak scored the penalty to bring his side on level terms.

But, France kept pushing men forward with Paul Pogba at the heart of the attack saw his eventual shot deflected off full-back Behich, striking the crossbar and just edging ahead of the goal line to score the winner.

This game had the very first VAR goal allowed, the use of goal-line technology and despite having 3 goals in the game, none of the players managed to score for the own teams from open play.

Another victory for France in their next game against Peru can all but guarantee them a place into the knockout stages. Australia was disheartened in the manner that they lost and another loss against Denmark can confirm their elimination from the World Cup.

Peru Vs Denmark

Poulsen 59'

Match Highlights

Denmark moved level on 3 points with France in Group C after earning a hard-fought victory against Peru who had missed a penalty earlier.

The South American side was given the spot-kick after consultation with the video assistant referee, only for Christian Cueva who was brought down, saw his shot fired over the crossbar.

This proved to be a costly miss after Denmark unleashed a counter-attack through their talisman Christian Eriksen who released Yussuf Poulsen; the player who had given away the penalty as he went on to fire home the winner.

This means that Denmark can now qualify for the knockout stages with a victory over Australia in the next round. But, Peru has to win their next game against France or else they will be eliminated.

FIFA World Cup 2018: Group D (Results)

Group D is now the "Group of Death"

Argentina suffers a humiliating defeat against Croatia

Their qualification hopes are still alive, following Iceland's loss

Group D

Group D has seen potential favorites Argentina's hopes of qualifying take a drastic turn especially after that humiliating defeat to Croatia, which guaranteed the latter qualification into the last-16.

However, Argentina was given some hope after Nigeria managed to win against Iceland which has now set a showdown encounter for Matchday 3.

If Argentina win their game against Nigeria and Iceland fails to win their game against Croatia, then Argentina will progress as the runners-up.

If Nigeria is victorious against Argentina which is very much likely to happen, then they will progress.

If Iceland manages to win against Croatia and they score more goals than Argentina and Nigeria, then they will progress.

Basically, the teams who are still fighting for the 2nd place have to win and hope that the teams above as well as below them fail to do the same.

Matchday 2

Argentina Vs Croatia

Rebic 53'
Modric 80'
Rakitic 90'

Match Highlights

World Cup favorites Argentina suffered a shocking and humiliating defeat as Croatia defeated them with a convincing 3-0 scoreline to confirm their place into the last-16 and become the second side to register consecutive clean sheets.

The Argentinian manager had made a host amount of changes to his side and his formation which saw Enzo Perez of all people get the role in central midfield.

With no goals in the first half, Argentina goalkeeper Willy Caballero made the most telling contribution of the game after his horrendous flicked clearance fell right into the path of Ante Rebic who volleyed Croatia to the lead.

Ante Rebic's first-time volley

None of the Argentinian players were convincing on the night, their players were defending shambolically and the forwards were getting the right service as the overall contribution from the players was terrible.

This led Croatia to take control of the game and the captain Luka Modric struck a majestic shot which was perfect enough to beat the goalkeeper and all but confirm Argentina's demise.

Luka Modric's spectacular strike

The killer blow was handed in the 90th minute when Argentina who had committed many men forward face counter-attack from Croatia and as the Argentinian defense that literally stood still in the box allowed Ivan Rakitic to comfortably walk the ball in to conclude the game.

Nigeria Vs Iceland

Musa 49', 75'

Match Highlights

Nigeria claimed an emphatic 2-0 victory over Iceland to blow second place in Group D wide open for an intriguing Matchday 3.

Ahmed Musa who started for the first time this tournament handed his side the lead in the 49th minute through a superb volley and later doubled the lead by brilliantly rounding off the Iceland goalkeeper.

Iceland was handed a lifeline through a penalty after a VAR review, but Gylfi Sigurdsson fired over as his side failed to capitalize on elsewhere results.

This also meant joy for the Argentina camp who's world cup qualification hopes still remained intact, but in the fashion that they are playing will find it very tough to beat Nigeria who also remains in the race.

Matchday 1

Argentina Vs Iceland

Aguero 19'

Finnbogason 23'

Match Highlights

Lionel Messi and Argentina were held to a 1-1 draw against the debuting Iceland after the Argentinian captain missed the game's decisive penalty kick.

Argentina who started the game as favorites to win the competition got off to the perfect start through Man City striker Sergio Aguero scoring a superb goal to put his side ahead.

But Iceland who scuffed a brilliant early chance through Birkir Bjarnason found a way back just 4 minutes later through Alfred Finnbogason who scored his nation's first ever World Cup goal.

Iceland did frustrate Argentina for a large part of the game but they did get one clear-cut chance through that very Lionel Messi penalty which was saved by Hannes Halldorsson. 

Iceland who was the smallest ever nation in history to participate in the World Cup was truly deserving of the result and face Nigeria next.

Messi's penalty miss

Lionel Messi's penalty miss doesn't mean the end of the world. Even though Argentina couldn't secure a win, they are still in the competition and with Croatia coming up next, they will hope that they can get the job done this time.

As for Messi, even though he is now 4 goals behind his rival Cristiano Ronaldo in the competition, he will put this result behind him and will make it essential that he delivers in his next game. 

Croatia Vs Nigeria

Scorer(s)

Etebo (OG) 32'

Modric (P) 71'

Match Highlights

Croatia took full advantage of Argentina's downfall and got off to the perfect start in Group D, with a 2-0 victory over Nigeria to ensure they move top of the group.

With the Croatian attack pressurizing the Nigerian defense, Etebo who is English club Stoke City's newest summer acquisition turned the ball into his own net.

Real Madrid's playmaker and Croatia captain Luka Modric scored a 71' minute penalty after Mario Mandzukic had been fouled to cap off a fine victory.

This victory has taken Croatia top of Group D with 3 points with a vital game against Argentina coming up. Nigeria is facing elimination if they lose their next game against Iceland.