Thank you for joining me today on what is a glorious one outside in London. I still have a lot to consider for dinner. Enjoy the games!
For your reading pleasure, a collection of articles which fail to mention Willo Flood has left Dunfermline after one week to join Bali United. . .
The best of tie-breaks:
Being rubbish and getting out of the group, courtesy of The Knowledge:
Sid Lowe on Thomas Vermaelen:
LIVE NOW!
Mexico v Sweden with Barry Glendenning:
or South Korea v Germany with Jacob Steinberg:
Sigue el partido entre México v Suecia aquí
Updated
Teams: South Korea v Germany
South Korea: Woo Choo; Lee Yong, Yun, Hong, YG Kim; Jang, Jung, Koo; Lee Jae-Sung, Moon, Son.
Germany: Neuer; Kimmich, Süle, Hummels, Hector; Khedira, Kroos; Goretzka, Özil, Reus; Werner.
Updated
I eat that every night when I get home, to be fair. . .
@Will_Unwin dinner plan :
— krish (@vkmagus) June 27, 2018
If you have already made some predictions on who will win each match (or unwin on the other hand 🤣) how about humble pie #WorldCup
Teams: Mexico v Sweden
Mexico: Ochoa; Álvarez, Salcedo, H.Moreno, Gallardo; Guardado, H.Herrera; Layún, Vela, Lozano; Hernández.
Sweden: Olsen; Lustig, Lindelöf, Granqvist, Augustinsson; Larsson, Ekdal, Claesson, Forsberg; Berg, Toivonen.
David offers a few dinner options: “I think you want to go for burritos (because Mex will be beat Sweden) and lager (cuz Germany will beat SK).
“Meatballs and kimchi just won’t work.
“Bon appétit!”
Eiji has emailed in all the proof we need, he says: “In the spirit of the diversity of the world cup, here’s a Japanese Youtube star eating said surströmming.”
Chris has some alternative tie-break plans.
He says. . .
“England Belgium may have to be separated by drawing lots
“Drawing lots to decide anything in a sport is ridiculous
Other metrics that could be used instead of drawing lots, that would encorage better teams and play
- Earliest goal scored (this would have the added advantage of discouraging 0-0s)
- % Possession
- Youngest players
- Least number of VAR calls
- Highest number of consequtive passes before goal
- Longest shooting distance for goal
- Team members position in Golden Boot
Gustav has been back in touch: “I am in Sweden and I don’t know London well enough to get some poor bloke on a bike to deliver surströmming to the Guardian towers, but there is a shop near the Baker Street station that sells surströmming.
“If you provide me a venmo or paypal or whatever, I will pay for it + tube fare. You can also have a few quid’s worth of salty and/or sour and/or liquorice candies as a sadistic form of palate cleanser.
“Do it you coward.”
See you all down Baker Street after the match, lads.
We’ll be getting some team news from the 3pm kick-offs soon. None of the four teams have any plans to rest players in their final group matches, a format which has sustained the English media over the last few days.
Dean has emailed in to point out that Argentina are still a bit rubbish, regardless of their qualification.
He says: “What is all this fuss about Argentina scraping out of the group phase? Even Bob Dylan knows, ‘You aint goin nowhere!’”
But what wine does it go with?
@Will_Unwin by “fermented” they really mean rotten. You’re on yer own mate. Nasty stuff
— Russell ⚽️ (@Ken_Aidian) June 27, 2018
Hernan Crespo has been turned into a circus act in Russia. He seems to be aimlessly kicking a ball around a circus ring with gawping fans watching on.
Roundup roundup, it’s an Argentinian press roundup. . .
Ravi says: “You could always go in for Baked Whole Wheat Spinach Tofu Samosa. It’s a very real thing (apparently).”
I will not go for that.
Gustav asks: “Will you commit to eating surströmming?”
For the sake of others: “Surströmming is a type of fermented Baltic Sea herring.”
If you send it, I will try it live on the podcast
Let’s hope these two are on duty later today. . .
Southampton soccer man Cedric Soares is previewing Portugal’s last-16 clash with Uruguay.
Undoubtedly Uruguay has excellent players,.
It is a country that has twice been a world champion.
They have an excellent team, but we also have our weapons.
We have our qualities and we believe in ourselves.
We are preparing for this game and we will have time, during this week, to do it in the best way.”
I’ve had some feedback on what I should have for dinner...
Martin referring back to Tom’s post during lunch: “You will obviously eat tacos for the Sweden-Mexico game, and if Sweden lose, vow to never eat the mexican dish again. That’s what our Swedish Southampton legend Anders “Taco” Svensson has done.”
FLAGS!!!
BREAKING PATRIOTISM NEWS!
DOWNING STREET TO FLY THE ENGLAND FLAG FOR ALL FUTURE ENGLAND GAMES!
WHAT A TIME TO BE ALIVE!
PUMP BLUE PASSPORTS INTO MY VEINS!
FREE FISH AND CHIPS AND A PINT OF BITTER TO BE HANDED OUT EVERY TIME HARRY KANE SCORES
BOWLER HATS FOR EVERY JOHN STONES TACKLE
A FREE SECTION OF THE WHITE CLIFFS OF DOVER FOR EVERY SIDEWAYS JORDAN HENDERSON PASS
FLAGS = SUCCESS!!! FLAGS!!!!
After work today I will be off to the market to pick up some food. What should I go for to enjoy this evening’s games with?
It’s a good job I’ve had a second coffee, as someone has emailed in a serious point:
Geoffrey says: “I think most people would agree that a manager’s job is to get the best out of the resources at his disposal.
“So why does Sampaoli insist on forcing Messi into a system that has been proven to fail? He keeps shutting down the space at Inside Right that Mess thrives on - the only time Messi has had a poor’ish period at Barca was season before last after Christmas when Luis Enrique did the same thing Sampaoli is doing now. Why? When Messi plays well he makes everyone around him look good - maybe better than they really are. So why deliberately squeeze his space? 1st half yesterday he did not and it looked good. 2nd half Nigeria squeezed that space and Sampaoli did not respond. And what on earth is Meza doing on an international pitch? Especially when he has Dybala sitting on the bench. Imagine that side with Banega, Pavon and Dybala all creating havoc in opposition defences. So why Meza? Is he Sampaoli’s son?”
I’m off to lie down.
Who are you supporting, lads?
They have now!
@Will_Unwin no one's even mentioned Kroos' goal yet....
— The Bures (@tbures) June 27, 2018
REFEREE NEWS!
England will have a reminder of their painful loss to Iceland when they face Belgium after Slovenia referee Damir Skomina was appointed for Thursday’s World Cup clash, Press Association report.
Skomina was the man in the middle for one of the Three Lions’ most embarrassing nights as Roy Hodgson’s side crashed out of Euro 2016, though they were awarded an early penalty that Wayne Rooney converted.
Skomina was also in charge of Belgium’s Euro 2016 quarter-final loss to Wales when he dished out a total of six yellow cards.
Higuaín spoke after Argentina’s late win over Nigeria, he seems like he and his team-mates were fearing death.
Jacob Steinberg has expertly sculpted the World Cup Fiver for your pleasure. . .
Michael can remember even more goals!
He emailed to say: “World Cup 2006 group stage had some classic goals, too.
“Lahm’s stunning opener against Costa Rica, Argentina’s 25 pass masterpiece, Gerrard vs Trinidad & Tobago, Joe Cole vs Sweden.”
More goals!
@Will_Unwin Also Rebic against Argentina and even Murillo yesterday - not stand out goals but some of the finishing has been very classy
— Craig (@jorgalbertz) June 27, 2018
The Russian tat sellers know their market, that’s for sure.
Another option or 12. . .
@Will_Unwin
— Frank Chibundu Agu (@FrankChibundu) June 27, 2018
Messi's goal last night,Musa's two goals against Iceland,Lingard's goal against Panama,Eriksen's goal against Australia,Kane's second goal against Tunisia,and more!
But I think it's the assists that have been even better!
An email from David. . .
Given the fact it was the host nation and the opening game and goal, Tshabalala’s was an all-time great:
Updated
Gerry asks: “Is it just me or has this World Cup had a ridiculously high amount of genuinely top quality goals? I think we’ve already had about 2 tournaments worth and the group stages haven’t even finished. Long may it continue!”
There have been some classics but surely others can compete. What do you all think?
I assume Tom’s stint was more enjoyable than my efforts. But here I am again to bring you all the buildup to the games today. Let’s hope I’ve not run out of material.
Gone for a New York Deli Pastrami from M&S FYI.
An interesting piece from Ricci Potts on Italy players, such as Paolo Maldini, Roberto Mancini, Fabio Galante, Marco Delvecchio, Alessandro Del Piero and Fabio Cannavaro (and more) taking on national service.
And with that, I’ll hand you back to Will Unwin.
Joachim Löw will keep his job as Germany manager even if the side are dumped out of the World Cup, according to the president of the German FA. Having lost their opener against Mexico and beaten Sweden thanks to a last-minute Toni Kroos freekick, the side need to better Sweden’s results against Mexico if they are to go into the last 16. But even if they don’t, Löw will remain at the helm.
“We decided in the DFB executive committee before the World Cup to offer a contract extension,” sad DFB president Reinhard Grindel. “We believe there will be a transition that will take place after the World Cup, regardless of the outcome of the tournament, and no one is better equipped to handle that than Jogi Löw.”
Grindel added: “He proved a year ago at the Confederations Cup that he can make young players into an impressive team who play outstanding football. That is still valid, as far as we are concerned.”
Big* news** from Sweden: the former Sweden international Anders ‘Taco’ Svensson has vowed to give up the favourite food that gave him his nickname if Mexico stop the Swedes from advancing to the knockout stages of the World Cup. Sitting at a table of guacamole, salsa and nachos before Sweden’s final group game against Mexico at 3pm this afternoon, which the Swedes need to win to give themselves the best chance of progressing, the 41-year-old said: “I’ve bunkered up with some Mexican grub, and it’s the last time I’ll eat it if Mexico knock Sweden out. It’s a huge sacrifice from me, so make sure you eat them [the Mexicans] up. Best of luck!”
* May not be big
** May not be news
I am off to find caffeine and an early lunch - Tom Bryant will bring his wizardry to the party for a little while.
Thomas Hitzlsperger spoke about the feeling of elation he enjoyed after Kroos scored against Sweden, which he hopes is a catalyst for improvement. . .
The Guardian’s very own Nick Ames has just sent me a text to say he is reading the blog today in Russia - he can’t have much to do. I asked him for some top quality World Cup content to throw in here but he has nothing, so I’ve been forced to drag this entry out of his text message.
Javier Hernandez is pretty happy to be in pole position in Mexico’s World Cup group, but they will not be taking anything for granted against Sweden.
“We have six points but never in our minds did we think this was going to be an easy group,” Hernandez told a pre-match press conference.
“We still haven’t qualified but who would have said we would have had six points by now in this group? I try to look at things very positively.”
Dele Alli was back in training today with the rest of the England squad as they prepare to face Belgium.
And here is Trent Alexander-Arnold celebrating beating Jordan Henderson in s sprint.
Alternatively, if quizzes are more your thing. . .
Martin Belam takes us through the weird and wonderful world of tie-break rulings. . .
One would hope not. . .
@Will_Unwin The '98 version of "Three Lions" starts with the comemntator saying "Gareth Southgate, now all of England is with you". Then he goes on missing that famous penalty in the semifinal v. Germany. Will he listen to that version in case of a quarter final against Germany?
— Thomas Romano (@Thomas95Romano) June 27, 2018
WORLD CUP KNOWLEDGE!!!!
Jogi Löw will be keeping touch with the score between Mexico and Sweden to avoid having Niall Quinn running out of the changing rooms to tell Steve Lomas to stop taking the ball into the corner.
“I am not one who plays through the different scenarios. Of course, I will be informed about the score between Mexico and Sweden in order to react if necessary, but we have to create clarity with our own result,” Löw told a press conference.
“We have to win if possible with two goals difference. It’s up to our own performance and we have to do everything we can to do it on our own.”
Can they?
@Will_Unwin Re: celebrations - can the Swedes get over it finally? The coaching team apologized, Bierhoff apologized, the DFB apologized (in the same night). The fact their behaviour during the game wasn't a glowing example of fair play seems to get conveniently forgotten.
— Lindan (@Cthuloid) June 27, 2018
South Korea are really up for their tiny, tiny chance of making it through. . .
“We have a one per cent chance, a small hope and we will try to find the opportunity to have a wonderful end to the World Cup,” said coach Shin Tae-yong.
Tottenham midfielder Son Heung-min is up for it, too. He said: “Germany is a lot stronger team than we are, but we have to have the mindset that we can do it.”
South Korea have not caused any shocks so far but they did come up with one of the greatest. . .
Sweden coach Janne Andersen is not too happy with Germany’s celebrations after Toni Kroos’s winner, which saw a little pushing and shoving, still as he prepares to face Mexico.
During his press conference, he spouted:
If I hadn’t responded there I would have been absolutely dead emotionally.
That was scornful. They were taunting us. It had nothing to do with football. On the pitch, there’s emotions, feelings, but unsportsmanlike behaviour against your opponents, that’s not okay.”
Good news! Every England player trained today, so now it’s up to Southgate to decide who to rest ahead of the Battle For Second! Will Alli return to the side? Will Rose start? Will Pope be given a run? So many questions...
Marina Hyde is liking this new England team who aren’t embarrassing the nation...
Kári has avoided too many relationship issues despite Scandinavian rivalry...
He notes: “I’m Icelandic and my girlfriend is Finnish. Mostly it’s easy since the countries are good at different sports so we rarely meet with anything on the line.
“However we were in the same World Cup qualifying group this time around. Iceland beat Finland at home, Finland beat Iceland at home to put qualification at risk, but then Finland drew with Croatia, ensuring that Iceland could qualify as group winners. So that
was just about perfect and everyone was happy.”
Updated
Costa Rica are out of the World Cup but have another 90 minutes to show they can compete, having earned zero points so far in the tournament.
Coach Óscar Ramírez has been criticised for his management, so he decided to come out fighting in his final press conference.
“People who know me know I’m not going to give up,” he said. “Some people have hinted that but I’m not going to go away.
“I’ve done my best and I can sleep very well because I know we have done everything we could. Saying I’m a coward or not brave enough, that’s not something I’m going to accept. If they attack me or my family, I’m going to show that there’s a tiger inside of me.”
I watched it in a Dublin hostel on a stag, so no divorces there...
@Will_Unwin
— krish (@vkmagus) June 27, 2018
The 2016 Euro saw a colleague of mine almost divorcing her husband during thr Romania France match
Aleks Kolarov, as I call him, has done one of those Player Tribune articles where he explains how he taught himself to take a vicious free-kick as a kid in Serbia...
Every time I lined up a free kick, my goal was to get my neighbours to lean over the fence and yell at me.
That’s how I knew I really hit it well.
So over and over again … big run-up, left foot, nice, dipping free kick. Bang.
Back to Vermaelen and his English wife...
Have you ever had relationship rivalries and had to make a choice? I once forced Mrs Live Blogger to Steaua Bucharest versus Manchester City due to her family allegiances being in Romania. She did get to see one of the early Guardiola games and a trip to Romania, so everyone was a winner, apart from Gigi Becali.
The World Cup is still going on but I found out Hamilton Academicals started their pre-season on Monday. Additionally there were Champions League games last night, as teams for Gibraltar and San Marino started their path to Madrid.
Sid Lowe, Thomas Vermaelen and the Belgian’s English wife...
Pick Baz’s latest World Cup Daily reading...
I can't read rap anymore. It's too filthy. Tomorrow's end of World Cup Football Daily read .... @maxrushden
— Barry Glendenning (@bglendenning) June 27, 2018
Updated
Ben has emailed in his upset at the lack of action on the Nigeria bench last night...
He pens: “As a fan of both Nigerian and English heritage I have been all over the place at this world cup already.
“Nigeria came so close to qualification last night but you could see that Argentina goal coming. Gernot Rohr enflamed my Championship/Football Manager senses by not making any use of his substitutions. One of my bugbears of football management is watching a team trying to close out a game and the manager not bringing on some fresh players until the last few minutes.
“Nigeria made one enforced substitution at half time, then no other changes until there was only 2 minutes left of normal time. By that point the game was lost. Argentina had already brought on new fresh legs. Fair enough, Nigeria didn’t have Sergio Aguero to bring off the bench but you could bring off an attackers and put someone on to watch for runs from central defence.
“Ugh… You see managers see all over the world do this, is there some plan that I am not seeing?”
After a few Swiss players were warned and fined for their celebrations during the win over Serbia in a game infused with political tension, midfielder Valon Behrami says the team will not repeat their eagle signs.
Behrami said:
Of course, we are happy nobody is suspended.
It is something that goes a little deeper and we should spend a little more time...and it’s not appropriate to spend it now because we have to think about the main thing, which is playing football.
It won’t happen in the future because it won’t be a special game like this. It’s not something that we have in mind that is going to happen. Maybe it will happen in their clubs but not in the World Cup.
This is a case closed. It’s not the time to talk about that now.”
One to bookmark...
The earlier mentioned Paul MacInnes on Three Lions has been fully endorsed by David Baddiel himself...
It's in vogue again, says @PaulMac. https://t.co/sa2VKJIJhP
— David Baddiel (@Baddiel) June 27, 2018
#Scenes
The scenes in Buenos Aires as #Arg kept their #WorldCup dream alive pic.twitter.com/7f9lcHtlaA
— Guardian sport (@guardian_sport) June 27, 2018
The major exit from the World Cup yesterday was the loss of Peru’s fans. They have been magnificent throughout and fully merited witness their team defeat Australia.
Maybe they can reappear in the knockout stages to support someone else.
Was Marcos Rojo’s right-footed volley the finest moment of his career? I assumed he didn’t really have a use for that leg, apart from standing, prior to swooping into the box and sending Argentina into the knockout stages.
GOALS! GOALS! GOALS!
Switzerland against Costa Rica could be one for the ages later. Well, for the 90 minutes that it takes place. Costa Rica are the only team yet to score in the tournament, so they have something to play for, as they do not want to be remembered as being somehow worse than Panama.
The Swiss might not require any points from the game, if Brazil defeat Serbia but they will be looking to ensure progression without help from elsewhere, as the lads have plenty more celebrations to show off.
Some lovely transfer rumours here for you, including many a man at the World Cup...
Yeah, this Brazil team are not the best and Neymar has spent the campaign playing 40 testimonial matches...
@Will_Unwin @richardmorrisuk While this is not a vintage Brazil, I don't think their problems are in the holding midfield role, where Casemiro and Fernandinho are both excellent players playing for giant European clubs. The likes of Fred (and Fabinho) might not be quite as good
— Dara O'Reilly (@Dara_bhur_gCara) June 27, 2018
Some World Cup footballer contract news...
For some added joy, he is Gary Cahill feeling zen...
Danny Rose was questioned by 5Live about whether Harry Kane had changed since being given the captaincy...*spoiler: he hasn’t*
“No, he’s the same person. Obviously I see him every day at my club and I get to see how he works, how hard he works. How he eats, the preparation for matches.
“If we ever have a problem, a question, we go to Harry and he’s the first one who will want to go and solve any of the players’ issues.
“One day when he did his ankle towards the end of the season, I gave him a lift home from training and on the way back we spoke about just how he is and how he’s got his mindset.
“It’s scary how hungry he is and it’s going to be very exciting to see the records he’s going to break, not only in this competition but in the Premier League and for his country.
“I feel very lucky to share a changing room with him, share the pitch with him and he deserves everything that he gets - all the plaudits, all the goals, assists, the armbands at Tottenham and here. Long may it continue.”
Paul Pogba spoke after yesterday’s draw with Denmark. He moaned about the French support due them booing the worst World Cup match in history.
For a man who plays for Mourinho’s United, you’d think he’d be used to fans complaining about aesthetics.
Pogba said:
I don’t know if the boos only came from the French fans. People wanted more spectacle. Our objective was to finish top of the group. It should be the objective of everyone.
I don’t know what people expect, that we win 10-0 or 5-0. The most important was the qualification, we did it. We need everyone with us. Our fans are the 12th man. We need fans, not spectators
Updated
Caption competition (for legal reasons, I would like to make clear there are no prizes)...
Kevin writes in to add some serious pressure to the live blog. Can I handle it? Probably not.
He pens: “I’m in an army camp in Singapore right now and your live commentary is about my only access to news about the World Cup, so please make it good! You’re doing OK so far.
“On another note, chuffed that Argentina made it through last night, though feeling empathy for Nigeria. Expecting to see more from Messi in the rest of the competition based on that spanking goal, starting with... Oh no... France...”
Rather foolishly, Jordan Pickford wants to start proving his worth, having not made a save in the World Cup so far, something Joe Hart can only dream of.
Stuart Taylor hasn’t made a save for years but he is still having a glorious time as a professional footballer.
Pickford said: “I haven’t made a save yet but that means the other 10 players are doing their jobs,” said the Everton man.
“It was a bit disappointing not to get the clean sheet against Panama the other night...as goalkeepers and defenders, as a full team, we definitely want to keep clean sheets. The further we go in the tournament, clean sheets win games and that’s our mentality.
“As long as I’m communicating and staying in the game my concentration is always going to be there. We do about 600 saves in a training week, just for that one save on a matchday. That’s why you’ve got to be in the game at all times.”
I think I need more coffee...
Any Sweden win takes them through.
— Paul Collyer (@dobssi) June 27, 2018
( As the South Korea results would be discarded from the equation )
— Paul Collyer (@dobssi) June 27, 2018
A big day of mathematics at the World Cup...
Edan asks: “So, if Sweden win 1-0 and have a man sent off, Germany win 1-0 with three yellow cards and England lose to Belgium, does that mean we should have a second referendum?”
Bad news for Jamie Vardy...
If I was going for a pseudonym, I would have gone for something more exciting!
@Will_Unwin
— krish (@vkmagus) June 27, 2018
If Sweden beats Mexico 1-0 and Germany beats South Korea 1-0, then all three will be on 6 points and 3-2 goal difference and 3 goals for
Maybe the first one to be decided on yellow cards and red cards 😊
And is unwin your real surname ?
David Penny writes: “Well if the match on the BBC last night taught us anything, it’s that even if you’ve played at international level, 2 out of 3 footballers can’t even interpret the basic rules of the game. Hold the phone! John Obi Mikel’s just joined in!”
A little update on Diego Maradona - the former Argentina international says he’s fine after his medical treatment.
He said:
I want to tell everyone that I am fine, that I am not, neither was I interned.
In the halftime of the game against Nigeria, my neck hurt a lot... I was checked by a doctor and he recommended me to go home before the second half, but I wanted to stay because we were risking it all. How could I leave? I send a kiss to everyone, thanks for the support!
Updated
Richard has been in touch via the social media (Twitter)...
He has brought us many things to ponder...
@Will_Unwin 2 things. Should we pondering Mourinhos judgement in spending squiilions on a player who can’t get into a fairly average (by their standards) Brazil team? And...
— Richard Morris (@richardmorrisuk) June 27, 2018
@Will_Unwin more talk please of how if Brazil come second in their group and Germany top theirs, we avoid them in the quarters should we squeak past the last 16 having walloped Belgium tomorrow
— Richard Morris (@richardmorrisuk) June 27, 2018
I think Serbia versus Brazil will be the game of the day. The Serbia team look dangerous when at their best and they will not be afraid to give Neymar a welcome they usually reserve for Albanians.
Brazil have struggled to find the high note in Russia, struggling through against Costa Rica thanks to some late interventions from Coutinho and Neymar. If Serbia get it right on the night then it will be an intriguing watch.
Amy Lawrence has looked at the Mexico team and their dreams of going through...
Some potential fun to be had in the World Cup today, as it is not completely unimaginable that Mexico, Germany and Sweden could all end up with six points after their final group games later.
Sweden have the ability to defeat Mexico who might be a touch tired after their early exertions in the tournament, so far, while Germany should see off South Korea. Then we get into the fun and games of head-to-head, goals for and against and who has the biggest car.
I, for one, hope it all comes down to this.
For every victor there must be a loser and Nigeria were the unfortunate victims last night in Russia. Their centre-back, and friend of the show, Will Troost-Ekong expressed his emotions via Twitter early this morning.
Hard to describe in words how that felt. It was an emotional rollercoaster. We gave everything against Argentina last night. I’m grateful and proud to have represented Nigeria and all Nigerians at this World Cup. But most of all I am humbled and thank God for bringing me this far pic.twitter.com/JpUnuvmpTb
— William Troost-Ekong (@WTroostEkong) June 27, 2018
Beating Tunisia and Panama has proven that football is certainly coming home, so Paul MacInnes has written about the original song.
It was very generous of Richard to say I have a plan.
Instead what I do have is a bottle of water and plenty of anecdotes about my parents being inexplicably in St Petersburg last night despite neither caring about football in any way, shape or form.
Alas, that’s it from me, Richard Parkin. Thanks again for your correspondence - it feels an increasingly learned football family we have here on the Guardian liveblog; there’s something very comforting about that.
Will Unwin is our man with the plan to usher in today’s big four clashes, and as discussed, aren’t there some tasty morsels in store once more. So sneak out from work to load up on snacks; or book the conference room with the projector screen at the far end of the office. Essentially, channel your inner Mascherano, and do whatever it takes to get through.
And speaking of those of you from England awaking as we speak, here’s a cheeky good news story.
Being a trouble-averse so-and-so I’m not really sure of the risk v reward trade off on that front, so as always - if pain persists, please consult your travel specialist. I don’t know that “the Guardian told me too” will stand up as an excuse at the border, by the way. Especially after we hammered Poland yesterday on the blog.
Good news also in that captain Harry Kane appears raring and champing at the bit for the Group G showdown with Belgium.
But remember. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. (#ichichfch)
I am a little intrigued by the situation in Group F; it’s almost assumed as a fait accompli that Germany are in the box seat to progress compared with Sweden given their marginal advantage, courtesy head-to-head record.
But South Korea have proved a tough, disciplined side to break down in the past, and with the lottery that appears to be VAR (I’ve attempted dear reader to go one day without banging on about it, I promise!) the false comfort of a one-goal margin can swiftly disappear, as we’ve already seen ample example.
Will Mexico look to rest or rotate, thus handing Sweden perhaps the marginally easier opponent; or is it just assumed that without their captain South Korea will be meat-and-drink for the champions?
Of course, if the East Asians can upset Germany by what is it, one or more, and the Swedes fall to Mexico, then neither European nations will find themselves in the reckoning!
The permutations are leaving me frazzled; I’ll let you fresher-brained northern hemisphere folk work those out for me!
Updated
Mexico have undoubtedly been one of the surprise packages of Russia 2018 - not perhaps to those that know them - but indeed their shock 1-0 win over Germany did set the scene for some of the high drama we’ve seen in recent days.
With six points already, you’d expect to find the Concacaf winners home and dry, but such are the machinations of Group F, they’re mathematically at least not yet there.
Their clash against Sweden could yet produce some very interesting ramifications for the tournament; and if that’s the fixture today that you’re most intrigued by, perhaps our old friends World Cup Football Daily might be the best place for you, featuring Swedish football expert Olof Lundh:
Speaking of the exotically-haired one, a fun fact emerging out of Argentina’s game yesterday was the scoring of goal number 100, across the tournament.
Pretty decent pedigree in this department across recent tourneys.
Players to score Goal 100 of a #WorldCup
— FIFA World Cup 🏆 (@FIFAWorldCup) June 26, 2018
2010: @andresiniesta8
2014: @neymarjr
2018: @TeamMessi
Not a bad collection of players 😎 pic.twitter.com/4cqSvG6pui
A subject of less speculation will be Brazil’s line-up for their crunch match against Serbia, with coach Tité already intimating he’ll rely on an unchanged lineup.
Tite confirms the lineup to face Serbia tomorrow, there is no changes. pic.twitter.com/vCUBRS2G5c
— Brazil Football 🇧🇷 (@BrazilEdition) June 26, 2018
The 1993 Campeonato Gaúcho (Segunda Divisão) winner and now Brazil coach has been at pains to take the attention off his stuttering star Neymar, seemingly in contrast to the player himself who’s taken considerable efforts to ensure it’s always on him.
There’s been “excessive responsibility [on Neymar] in terms of success”, says Tité.
Good thing Philippe Coutinho appears up for it at least, then.
So how should Germany approach this one?
Commenter Sooda Bondai has his preferred XI:
Neuer
Kimmich, Sule, Hummels, Hector
Gundogan, Kroos, Goretzka
Werner, Gomez,Reus
Some plucky omissions there, although I for one haven’t been overly amazed by what I’ve seen from Thomas Müller this tournament; especially for a player who’s finished in the top two goalscorers at the last two World Cups.
Will we see widespread restings; some rotations; or perhaps just one or two changes to try some combinations?
As discussed (see earlier) with a possible Germany-Brazil round of 16 encounter lurking, the score 7-1 necessarily rears its head.
For Cesc_12 however it may not be the usual suspects on the end of it, next time:
These defenders should stop acting like midfielders and start defending. I have a feeling Germany will be picked apart (Brazil 7-1 style ) once they face a big team.
Indeed with Kimmich employed as perhaps the world’s first right back/No10 and Jerome Boateng already pushing the self-destruct button for Germany, it’s not been the most emphatic of defensive showings thus far from the four-time champions. Even the normally-unflappable Hummels was crucially at fault for Mexico’s winner.
One more consideration for the be-T-shirted “Trainer” to ponder. And for South Korea’s Shin Tae-yong to perhaps exploit.
That well-oiled machine that is Die Mannschaft has of course picked up a fair handful of grit in its engine thus far in Russia; if a shock loss against Mexico wasn’t a sufficient warning that not all cylinders are firing, then needing 94 minutes to break to resolve of the sturdy Swedes certainly was.
For those that like your more cerebral match dissections, Jonathan Wilson offers a fascinating insight into the dilemmas facing Germany’s coach Joachim Löw:
But my pick of the analysis this week goes to that scamp David “all cylinders, all the time” Squires who managed to thread two of my personal favourite things into one terrific cartoon, aimless trips to Scandinavian furniture emporiums and slow-moving Nordic noir to explain Germany’s last outing (and some other games):
But! That was then, and now is now now! And so to four more enthralling encounters today as we find out who will emerge from Groups E & F.
Walter Hesse has chimed in in what might become known as “the cabbage derby”:
Tonight: Kimchi 0 - Sauerkraut 3
Indeed, it does appear a tough ask for South Korea, who are staring at their 8th group stage exit in ten World Cup appearances; not aided by injury to their captain Ki Sung-yeung.
I’ve referred in recent days to Nate Silver’s FiveThirtyEight and their statistical wonkery, which has deduced that Sth Korea have a 1% chance of progressing today. That said, they gave Iceland an 8% chance, and that was by no mean a certainty not to happen at some moments. Australia’s 14% chance was positively charitable given how Peru then played; so the bottom line for supporters of the Taegeuk Warriors is: where’s the a chance, there’s hope.
What also to say about Iceland, and their remarkable fans, who gave us football’s endearing antidote to the Mexican Wave, the Viking Clap.
I dare you to watch this video from Iceland’s return from Euro 2016 and not positively wee your pantaloons just a tiny bit.
That. Crowd. Wide. Shot.
And as if powered by Thor and striving for Valhalla, didn’t they give it absolutely everything against Croatia:
It was a full-hearted effort, and we salute you, departing Iceland.
Especially in contrast to that other overnight all-European affair, “the Moscow midweek kickaround”, “the Luzhniki lie-down”.
France and Denmark’s gentleman’s agreement produced Russia 2018’s first 0-0, and what a tepid, insipid affair it was.
Statistics can be overstated, but the following gives you a pretty cast iron idea that there wasn’t too much intent to chase a win in this one:
Passmaps & xGplot for Denmark against France. #passmap #xGplot #autotweet pic.twitter.com/PsLSUMch6N
— 11tegen11 (@11tegen11) June 26, 2018
Both coaches may have taken the opportunity to rest players, having through their combined actions effectively secured progression.
Unlucky for fans who shelled out hard dollars to watch that one, a rare blip on an otherwise all-action tournament thus far.
Australian fans, better than most, can appreciate what this result meant to Peru and its much-loved armada of travelling supporters.
Having waited 32 years between their first appearance in 1974 and their first win in 2006, only the most one-eyed of Socceroos supporters would begrudge their Peruvians counterparts. Last at a World Cup in 1982, many have waited a lifetime to see their beloved La Blanquirroja in action, and after a 40 year wait, they’ve once again won a World Cup game.
Indeed, they were one of the more popular travelling groups at Russia 2018, as many have attested, with their colour, noise and general joyfulness:
Really sad that tonight’s game for Peru will be their last at this World Cup. After a 36 year wait their fans were here in force and their support has been one of the stories of the tournament for me. This was them partying hard in Ekaterinburg before the France game pic.twitter.com/TMf8GDB958
— Ross Fletcher (@RossFletcher1) June 26, 2018
That is, of course, all except for this guy:
Exceptional shithousery from the Peru fan here: pic.twitter.com/RkyDWBsM2X
— David Squires (@squires_david) June 26, 2018
Boo-urns.
For pragmatic Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk, the campaign was a disappointment, but by no means a disaster.
“Not a success but also not a failure,” was his verdict. “I think everyone saw that we got a lot of compliments for the way we play, only you don’t win games with compliments.”
And then of course, there was Tim Cahill.
What more can you say about the guy? Australia’s all-time leader goalscorer, who came on for a record-equaling fourth World Cup appearance (joining Matildas greats Cheryl Salisbury and Melissa Barbieri), and came a blocked shot within joining an incredibly elite group of players to have scored at four World Cups. To underline just how special that achievement is, in the last 48 hours we’ve seen players like Luis Suárez and Lionel Messi join him in scoring at three.
His absence will be keenly felt in coming years for a team that in fairness has struggled not just at this tournament, but in truth for years, to find routes to goal from open play that aren’t The Golden Forehead.
Kieran Pender had more from Van Marwijk in Sochi:
“Against France, in football we were at least equal; against Denmark, in football we were even better. Today I have the same feeling. But in all three of the games we couldn’t really make the difference in goals.”
It’s a simple game, football.
It was the end of the Russia 2018 journey for two more nations last night, the plucky Iceland on their first ever World Cup adventure, and Australia’s Socceroos, and given perhaps there’s a few more of them awake right now, let’s start with Australia.
Nick Ames took in the action from Sochi:
And amid the twitter hysteria (NATIONAL INQUEST NOW), John Davidson offered a more sombre assessment of where perhaps the 43rd ranked nation are at, especially faced with three sides at tournament’s draw considered in the world’s top 12.
And like the tremendously courageous Iran before them, you can’t help but feel shattered for Nigeria; who under Bordeaux legend Gernot Rohr had galvanised into a formidable team unit, and outside of the desire perhaps to see Messi continue at this tournament, might have been the sentimental favourite of many a neutral.
No two sides have met more at World Cups then Nigeria and Argentina. If life’s guarantees are death, taxes and Germany making the semis, then for West African fans going out to Argentina must feel equally a fait accompli. Five times they met at the World Cup, five times they’ve lost to Argentina. Perhaps none as heartbreaking as this one.
If you somehow missed any of that match, here’s Sid Lowe’s report from St Petersburg:
And let’s not forget that before Rojo’s remarkable redemption strike, the Argentine centre half could have broken the hearts of his nation with an incongruous handball, off his own head, that in keeping with VARs scattershot approach to ball-to-hand incidents in the box this World Cup could have very, very possibly been given.
That was very much the opinion of Nigeria’s crestfallen captain, Jon Obi Mikel. “I don’t understand how that was not a penalty: it was a clear handball,” he said post-game. “It was worse than the one that Portugal were given yesterday.”
Messi for his part, admitted to the tremendous strain he and his fellow Argentines were under; as he so eloquently put: “I don’t remember having ever suffered so much.”
Sid Lowe again with the post-match wash up:
And one fan lived ever ball in the manner perhaps in which he’s lived his entire incredible life. Kicking every ball, feeling every feeling - riding the complete rollercoaster: the one, the only, Diego Maradona.
90 minutes in the life of Diego Maradona. #NGAARG pic.twitter.com/tvSH8iEkWD
— 🐝 (@Beardamendi) June 26, 2018
At times he wasn’t his best, it has to be said, and there was genuine concern at full-time for one of the true maestros of the game.
Here’s wishing the legend from Lánus a full recuperation.
So. Where to even start with Group D!
We’ve not wanted for excitement in Russia 2018, but these two final games were something else. At one stage this topsy-turvy pool almost boasted the following:
Iceland lose to Nigeria; Nigeria lose to Argentina; Argentina lose to Croatia; Croatia loses to Iceland. Football, eh?
And if I’ve got these back-of-envelope calculations correct, it went a little like this:
1-14min: Nigeria are going through; 14-51min: Argentina are going through; 51-86min: Nigeria are going through; 86-93min: Argentina are going through.
And that doesn’t even factor in Iceland fighting away in the background, being from 0-53 min and 76-90 min just a goal away from sending either of the above sides out.
No wonder La Albiceleste and Super Eagles fans were going through the ringer!
Updated
Preamble
Cometh the 86th, cometh the man.
No, not that man. Or even that other man. Or that man who was involved in the alleged palace coup on Sampaoli. Or that new man who started in goal. Or that man who plays for Juventus.
Of all Argentina’s storied stars it was perhaps the most unlikely of heroes who emerged to resolve one of the most unpredictable of plotlines; escape from Group D.
If Scandinavia gave us A-ha, South America gave us Ro-jo. And after being unceremoniously dropped after #Icelandgate, it was the unfancied central defender, on his weaker foot, who rescued perhaps the proudest nation of all from World Cup ignominy.
What absolute scenes.
And so having seen one of the stuttering “big favourites” sneak through, today we turn to two more great under-performers; will there be a scare or two in store for Germany or Brazil? And then equally as important perhaps; how will Groups E & F resolve - and even if the heavyweights get through, will it be only to set up a mouth-watering round of 16 rematch of the Mineiraço of four years ago?
Seven of the eight teams remain in contention (no matter how slender South Korea’s chances are) so we should be set for four more compelling clashes, in a tournament that’s thus far delivered in spades. Here’s how it will unfold today.
Day 14 schedule:
3pm BST/5pm MSK/midnight AEST: South Korea v Germany, Kazan
3pm BST/5pm MSK/midnight AEST: Mexico v Sweden, Yekaterinburg
7pm BST/9pm MSK/4am Thursday AEST: Switzerland v Costa Rica, Nizhny Novgorod
7pm BST/9pm MSK/4am Thursday AEST: Serbia v Brazil, Moscow
As always do enrich the lives of your fellow readers by chiming in, via email (richard.parkin.casual@theguardian.com) or twitter (@rrjparkin), or simply below the line. Your thoughts, feelings and premonitions are especially important to us, on this shared journey we call football-futebol-fußball.
