FIFA World Cup 6/18 Recap

Monday brought a slate of three matches. Here’s what happened.

Sweden 1, South Korea 0

• Goals
  • Sweden: Granqvist (PK, 65′)
  • South Korea: N/A
• Cards
  • Sweden: Claesson (Yellow, 61′)
  • South Korea: Shin-Wook (Yellow, 13′), Hee-Chan (Yellow, 55′)

A penalty kick awarded by the video assistant referee proved to be the difference in this one. Sweden had many more opportunities than the South Koreans throughout the game, however, putting five total shots on goal, compared to none on goal from the Koreans. It was also an overall slow game, with 43 combined fouls called. It wasn’t pretty in the least bit, but Sweden escaped with a much-needed win.

Belgium 3, Panama 0

• Goals
  • Belgium: Martens (47′), Lukaku (69′), Lukaku (75′)
  • Panama: N/A
• Cards
  • Belgium: Meunier (Yellow, 14′), Vertonghen (Yellow, 59′), De Bruyne (Yellow, 88′)
  • Panama: Davis (Yellow, 18′), Bárcenas (Yellow, 45+2′), Cooper (Yellow, 49′), Murillo (Yellow, 51′), Godoy (Yellow, 57′)

This match was truly the tale of two halves. The first half felt relatively even, with both teams trading chances, and the Panamanians looked like they belonged on the same pitch as the Belgians. That all changed about a minute and a half into the second half when Martens put one in the net. It quickly spiraled out of control for Panama, and Belgium began to look more like the team that everyone knew they could be. It was a demoralizing half for Panama, while at the same time giving Belgium the momentum they need to likely win this group.

England 2, Tunisia 1

• Goals
  • England: Kane (11′), Kane (90+1′)
  • Tunisia: Sassi (PK, 35′)
• Cards
  • England: Walker (Yellow, 33′)
  • Tunisia: None

It came down to the very last few minutes, but the team that played better the entire match ended up winning it in a close one, unlike many of the previous matches in the group round. England held 60% of the possession, and outshot Tunisia 17-6. They also had five more corner kicks than Tunisia, allowing for several more set pieces. In the end, Kane was the hero for the English squad, netting his second goal of the game in stoppage time. England looks primed to move on to the bracket.

Updated Standings from These Groups

Group F

1. Sweden – 3 points (GD: 1)
2. Mexico – 3 points (GD: 1)
3. South Korea – 0 points (GD: -1)
4. Germany – 0 points (GD: -1)

Group G

1. Belgium – 3 points (GD: 3)
2. England – 3 points (GD: 1)
3. Tunisia – 0 points (GD: -1)
4. Panama – 0 points (GD: -3)

Matches for 6/19

Colombia vs. Japan – Group H

Poland vs. Senegal – Group H

Russia vs. Egypt – Group A

Please follow and like us: