Final Recap: France Win Their First World Cup in 20 Years Thanks to an Attacking Outburst

The World Cup trophy and first place prize was up for grabs yesterday between France and Croatia. This was Croatia's first appearance at the World Cup final, while France hoped to win its second trophy in two decades. After Croatia dominated the first 15 minutes in terms of shots and possession, France's Antoine Griezmann earned a free kick not far from goal from a questionable foul. This resulted in a curling ball inside the box that was deflected by Croatian striker Mario Mandzukic's head, and into the top left corner of the net, giving France the lead after 18 minutes. Ten minutes, Ivan Perisic leveled the score at 1 all. Perisic got the ball at the top of the 18 yard box, got around N'Golo Kante and hit it perfectly past French keeper Hugo Lloris, into the right side netting. In the 34th minute, a corner from Griezmann led to a ball headed from Blaise Matuidi that was deflected just wide of the near post. However, that deflection was from Perisic's outstretched hand, and after VAR review, France were awarded a penalty, which Griezmann easily converted. Two minutes after halftime, Lloris tipped over Ante Rebic's tight angle shot, and Croatian keeper Danijel Subasic stopped a shot from Kylian Mbappe moments later. France got a two goal lead in the 59th when Paul Pogba set up Kylian Mbappe to put in a cross from the right. Mbappe's cross landed to Griezmann, who passed back to Pogba, and he converted his second shot after his first was blocked. Subasic was wrong-footed and unable to stop Pogba's shot through traffic. It then became 4-1 six minutes later as Mbappe shot from 25 yards out in the center of the area with plenty of space, as Subasic once again did little to attempt a save or block of the shot. With the goal, Mbappe joins Pele as the only teenagers to score in a WC final. Croatia got within two goals four minutes later when Lloris, trying to clear the ball away from a rushing Mandzukic, saw his pass blocked and redirected by the Croatian forward, the ball going into Lloris' net. Unfortunately, Croatia could not find the two goals they needed to send the game to extra time, nor did they find any more shots on target. France managed to win this World Cup with a strong depth, and an attacking style that could not be stopped besides their meaningless 0-0 group stage draw with Denmark.

French players celebrating with keeper Hugo Lloris lifting the coveted trophy

Final Match Preview and Prediction

Who: Croatia v. France
Where: Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow
When: July 15, 11 AM EST
Watch: Fox, Telemundo (TV); Fox Sports Go (Streaming)
Prediction: 2-1 France (AET): Croatia will put up a great fight in their first appearance at a WC finals match, but Les Blues will get the trophy for the second team in 20 years. France have more talent than Croatia, with most of their stars even before their prime, and have fresher legs with an extra day of rest. Croatia have played in extra time in all of their knockout games, nearly playing 400 minutes in a span of 11 days, and essentially playing an extra match than France based off the amount of time they have been on the pitch. The underdogs will be disappointed to lose this close match, but should feel proud that they have made it this far, and that they have defeated former World Cup winning teams in Argentina and England along the way.

Third Place Match Recap: England Falter Against Belgium

England and Belgium, two European teams that have under performed in recent competitions, played for a spot on the podium. Belgium got the first goal early on, in the 4th minute, when Thomas Meunier poked home a long, low cross from Nacer Chadli from the left side of the pitch. Romelu Lukaku spaced out the defense, leaving Meunier with plenty of space to score. In the 23rd minute, leading scorer Harry Kane had his shot wide of Belgium's goal, before Belgium nearly made it 2-0 12 minutes later, when Youri Tielemans' cross to Toby Alderweireld resulted in a volley just over the bar. The Three Lions would keep pressuring to find the equalizer in the second half, especially Eric Dier, whose low driven shot in the 69th minute was stopped by keeper Thibaut Courtois. 80 seconds later, Dier found himself one-on-one with Courtois, and while his chipped shot beat the keeper, Alderweireld cleared the ball off the line. Jesse Lingard set up a cross for Dier in the 73rd, but his header steered left of goal. English keeper Jordan Pickford was called into action in the 80th, diving to his right to get a hand on Meunier' side volley. Belgium would clinch third place in the 82nd when Eden Hazard got past the defense after a through-ball from Kevin De Bruyne, and cooly put it past Pickford for the Red Devils' second tally. For England, 4th place this WC marks their best finish since 1990, while Belgium have successfully achieved their best finish as a team in the World Cup.

Alderweireld (#2) clears Dier's (#4) shot off the line to prevent the potential equalizer

Third Place Match Preview and Prediction

Who: Belgium v. England
Where: Saint Petersburg Stadium, St. Petersburg
When: July 14, 10 AM EST
Watch: Fox, Telemundo (TV); Fox Sports Go (Streaming)
Prediction: 2-1 Belgium: Belgium win once again by a goal against fellow Group H opponent England. England, a team that heavily relied on set pieces to score goals, will score their lone goal off a corner. Belgium, on the other hand, have more attacking talent than The Three Lions, and will score enough to secure third place for this World Cup, which would be Belgium's best finish in the greatest sports tournament.

Semifinal #2 Recap: Croatia Comeback to Beat England To Play In Their First Ever WC Final

The last spot for the finals match was decided between the winner of Croatia and England. The latter country went up in the 5th minute from a Kieran Trippier free kick from 20 yards out, curling over the bar and into the top right corner. England would not have another shot for the rest of the game though. Minutes later after the goal, England's Harry Maguire had a header go wide of the post. In the 30th minute, Harry Kane, England's leading WC 2018 scorer, was one-on-one with Croatian keeper Danijel Subasic. After Jesse Lingard set him up, Kane's shot from a tight angle was blocked by Subasic, before his rebound hit the post, off Subasic over the crossbar, and then eventually cleared away. The whole sequence was ruled off sides. Croatia could not find an equalizer in the first half, its best chance from Ante Rebic, which was blocked by keeper Jordan Pickford. It would then take another 23 minutes after the second half started for the game to be level at 1. Sime Vrsaljko played a great cross in from the right that was poked in by Ivan Perisic, leaping over a diving Dele Alli to tie the game. Pickford had no chance at stopping Perisic's strike. Perisic would almost get a second goal three minutes later, when a giveaway left him with a shot from the left that hit the far post and out, before England could regroup and clear it out. Pickford soon saved Mario Mandzukic's attempt, but almost gave up a goal when his punch landed to Perisic, whose shot went over an empty net. England had a corner in stoppage time go wide of goal, and the match headed towards extra time. In the first extra half frame, John Stones nearly put England ahead with his header, but Vrsaljko cleared the bar off the line. At the end of the first half of extra time, Perisic set up Mandzukic with a lovely cross, but Pickford came just in time to block the sure tap-in with his legs, sending the ball over the net. Mandzukic would find the winner in the 109th minute, when a miscleared header by England set up Mandzukic one-on-one with Pickford, in which Mandzukic beat the keeper with his low strike. England had no great chances to tie it, ultimately relying on long set pieces, which resulted in nothing. Croatia have moved on to the final, where they will play France. England will play Belgium for third on Saturday.

Mandzukic (in black) runs towards the corner flag after scoring the late winner.

Semifinal #1 Recap: France Hold Out Against Belgium, Await Finals Opponent

The first spot in the World Cup final was decided today between France and Belgium. In the 15th minute, Belgium's Kevin De Bruyne intercepted the ball and set it up for Eden Hazard, whose one-timed shot went wide of the far post. Three minutes later, Blaise Matuidi of France had his long range shot saved by Belgium keeper Thibaut Courtois. Less than sixty seconds after that, Hazard curled a chance from the left side of the box that was deflected over the bar by French defender Raphael Varane. A corner in the 22nd minute fell to Toby Alderweireld from less than 15 yards out, and his blast forced French keeper Hugo Lloris into a diving stop, denying a goal bound shot aimed at the top left corner. Then, in the 39th, Kylian Mbappe played a great through-ball to Benjamin Pavard, but his shot was denied by Courtois' right knee. In the 51st minute, Antoine Griezmann's corner ball met with Samuel Umtiti's head, and the ball was placed inside the near right post, beating Courtois, and putting France up 1-0. At the 55th minute mark, Mbappe played a great through-ball again by back-heeling it Olivier Giroud, who hesitated on his shot before it was deflected by Mousa Dembele. Ten minutes later, Marouane Fellaini had his header just wide of Lloris and goal. Belgium had another great chance to tie it in the 81st when, after Hazard fell down and lost control of the ball, Axel Witsel's had a rocket of a shot aimed on frame, but Lloris dove to keep the ball out. France would look for an insurance goal in stoppage time, as Courtois would dive twice to stop Griezmann's and Corentin Tolisso's low driven shots. In the end, France prevailed, and will watch tomorrow's game to see who they will be playing for the World Cup trophy on Sunday.

Samuel Umtiti (#5) celebrates after scoring the game-winning goal.

Semifinal #2: Croatia-England Preview and Prediction

Who: Croatia v. England
Where: Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow
When: July 12, 2 PM EST
Watch: Fox, Telemundo (TV); Fox Sports Go (Streaming)
Prediction: 1-1: Croatia Wins on PKs: I believe this game will go to penalties. Croatia has had both of their knockout games head to PKs, and England won in the Round of 16 via penalty kicks. I believe one of England's "Harry's" (Kane or Maguire) will score for England, and Croatia's Ivan Perisic will equalize. In penalties, Croatia's keeper Danijel Subasic will be the team's hero once again, stopping enough shots to send his team through to the final.

Semifinal #1: France-Belgium Preview and Prediction

Who: France v. Belgium
Where: Saint Petersburg Stadium, St. Petersburg
When: July 10, 2 PM EST
Watch: Fox, Telemundo (TV); Fox Sports Go (Streaming)
Prediction: 2-2: France Wins on PKs: What a game this will be, as these teams are in the top two for most goals scored in the knockout phase (France with 6, Belgium with 5). The game will end tied at 2 after 120 minutes, and France will be more precise on PKs to send themselves into the final match. With tons of attacking players and scorers from each side, such as France's Olivier Giroud, Antoine Griezmann, Paul Pogba, Kylian Mbappe, and Belgium's Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, Eden Hazard, and Marouane Fellaini, it will be very surprising if no more than 2 goals are scored altogether in this highly anticipated match.

Quarterfinal Recaps: England Breeze By Sweden, Croatia Overcome Hosts in PKs

The last two semi-final spots were decided yesterday from the winners of the later two quarterfinal games. First up was the match between England and Sweden. In the 29th minute, an Ashley Young cross into the box led Swedish defender Andreas Granqvist to clear out for a corner. The resulting play led to a Harry Maguire goal, headed in from Young's corner to give England the lead. Raheem Sterling broke through the Swedish defense a number of times in the first half, most notably the 45th, when his shot was blocked by Swedish keeper Robin Olsen, before his next attempt was deflected over the bar. In the 47th, Ludwig Augustinsson crossed for Marcus Berg, whose close range header was stopped by England's keeper Jordan Pickford, whose dive caused the block to prevent the potential equalizer. Jesse Lingard led to England's 2nd goal in the 59th, as Dele Alli nodded the ball to make it 2-0. Sweden almost made it 2-1 in the 62nd, but Pickford dove to make a great stop on Viktor Claesson's attempt before it was cleared away. And 10 minutes later, Pickford was called into action again, tipping over Berg's close volley. England move on to the semis with the result, eliminating Sweden.

Russia played Croatia for the final spot in the semi-finals. In the 31st, Denis Cheryshev and Artem Dzyuba played one-two to get past Croatian mid Luka Modric, and Cheryshev curled his long range blast inside the near post to give the hosts the early lead. Eight minutes later, it was 1-1 as Mario Mandzukic crossed in a ball near the goal line for Andrej Kamaric, whose header beat Russian keeper Igor Akinfeev. In the 60th minute, Akinfeev misread a cross, and Ivan Perisic attempt soon after hit the woodwork and back out into play. Entering extra time, Croatia thought they found their winner in the 101st, Domagoj Vida headed in a ball from a Luka Modric corner kick, and the headed ball got past two defenders and into the inside netting on the right, leaving Akinfeev with no chance to stop it. However, Russia leveled in the 115th, an Alan Dzagoev free kick meeting with Mario Fernandes' head, and this ball went far post and top corner to make the score tied again. In penalties, Croatian keeper Danijel Subasic stopped Fyodor Smolov's chip, as Russia went first. Marcelo Brozovic and Dzagoev converted their PKs, before Akinfeev denied Mateo Kovacic's strike. Fernandes had his blast just wide of the right post, and Modric had his attempt hit both post before going in. The next 3 penalties went in without a problem, leading Ivan Ratikic to seal the win, in which he did, fooling Akinfeev and shooting into an empty net. Croatia will play England for a spot in the finals on Wednesday.

The Croatian team celebrates as Akinfeev (left) sits in despair after failing to stop the winning kick.

Quarterfinal Recaps: France Move on, Belgium Withstand Brazilian Attack

Two of the semi-finalists were revealed for this World Cup as two of the quarterfinals were played today. The first game featured France and Uruguay. France had a chance when Kylian Mbappe headed a ball over the crossbar after his teammate Olivier Giroud set it up for him. In the 40th minute, Antoine Griezmann's long free kick was deflected into the back of the net by Raphael Varane, giving France the lead. Five minutes later, Uruguay had a long free kick of their own, in which French keeper Hugo Lloris dove to stop Martin Caceres' header, before Diego Godin blasted the rebound over the bar from just a yard out. France sealed the win in the 61st when Uruguay's keeper Fernando Muslera let the ball in his net. Griezmann's shot went directly to Muslera, but his parried attempt went behind him, falling into the net. Uruguay, without their main forward Edinson Cavani due to injury, were eliminated with 2-0 result.

In the Brazil-Belgium match, multiple close-range opportunities happened early, and frequently as well. In the 8th minute, Thiago Silva of Brazil had his header hit the near post before Belgian keeper Thibaut Courtois retrieved it. In the 13th minute, Belgium went up when a corner from Nacer Chadli redirected off Vincent Kompany before hitting Brazil's Fernandinho's arm, landing inside the net for an own goal. Kevin De Bruyne made it 2-0 in the 31st after receiving a pass from Romelu Lukaku. De Bruyne calmly put his strike into the far left post, beating Brazil's keeper Alisson. In the 37th minute, Philippe Coutinho had a curling shot stopped by a diving Courtois, who also stopped Gabriel Jesus' header minutes before that. Brazil also claimed they had two penalty shouts, only to be denied by VAR. In the 76th, substitute Renato Augusto calmly placed his header past Courtois into the net after a cross from Coutinho. Later on, Brazil nearly made it 2-2 when Coutinho, after receiving a nice back pass from Neymar, skied him attempt in the 84th. But the best chance for Brazil to tie it came in the 3rd minute of stoppage time, when Neymar's shot just outside the box was denied by a diving Courtois. Belgium held on to secure their spot in the semis, and will play France next.

Muslera's gaffe ended up with his punch landing the ball into his own net

Quarterfinal Previews and Predictions: Sweden-England and Russia-Croatia

Who: Sweden v. England
Where: Samara Arena, Samara
When: July 7, 10 AM EST
Watch: Fox, Telemundo (TV); Fox Sports Go (Streaming)
Prediction: 1-0 England: England, now the team with the best chance of reaching the final thanks to Spain's loss, will reach the semi-finals with a goal from leading scorer Harry Kane (who else?). The winning goal may come via PK, just like their lone goal against Colombia, but Sweden may force this game to extra time, and possibly penalties, if they can play very well defensively and complicate England's attacking ways.

Who: Russia v. Croatia
Where: Fisht Stadium, Sochi
When: July 7, 2 PM EST
Watch: Fox, Telemundo (TV); Fox Sports Go (Streaming)
Prediction: 2-2: Croatia win on PKs: The more intriguing match between the two games played tomorrow, this will turn out to be a great match, with tons of goals and a penalty shootout. It will ultimately come down to the goalkeepers; Who will make more stops and saves in the shootout. Alhough Russia keeper Igor Akinfeev made two saves to beat Spain in PKs, Croatia's Danijel Subasic will be the winning goalkeeper to send his team through to the final four.

Quarterfinal Previews/Predictions: Uruguay-France and Brazil-Belgium

We are now reaching the last week of the World Cup, with only 8 matches left and 7/8 of the games done. I was 5/8 on my Round of 16 predictions, wrongly picking Spain, Switzerland, and Portugal. Tomorrow's games begin the quarterfinals. Here are my previews and predictions:

Who: Uruguay v. France
Where: Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, Nizhny Novgorod
When: July 6, 10 AM EST
Watch: Telemundo, FS1 (TV); Fox Sports Go (Streaming)
Prediction: 2-1 France: France will benefit from their youthful midfielders and Uruguayan striker Edinson Cavani's injury to move on to the semi-finals. Cavani, who scored both Uruguay goals in their 2-1 Round of 16 win, is doubtful to play, as soon as he found his scoring form. Could Luis Suarez take charge and score/make enough chances to get Uruguay through? France put 4 goals against Argentina to show how good they are in attacking.

Who: Brazil v. Belgium
Where: Kazan Arena, Kazan
When: July 6, 2 PM EST
Watch: Telemundo, FS1 (TV); Fox Sports Go (Streaming)
Prediction: 2-1 Brazil (AET): This is the toughest match of the 2 to predict, but also in my opinion the more interesting one to watch. Brazil have beaten their last 3 opponents by the same scoreline (2-0), and are a reasonable candidate to win it all. Belgium, on the other hand, beat their 3 group stage opponents handily, only to avoid an embarrassing upset against Japan by scoring 3 goals in the last 25 minutes of that game. I believe Brazil will win a tight affair against Belgium, scoring another 2 goals, but they will concede a goal late.

Round of 16 Recaps: Sweden Get Lucky Against the Swiss, England Prevail in PKs

The final day of Round of 16 matches this World Cup ended with two close games. First up was the Sweden-Switzerland match. Switzerland, with only l loss in their last 25 games, were the slight favorite, and had a great chance in the opening seconds when Xherdan Shaqiri blasted a shot wide. Blerim Dzemaili had a shot that went right at Swedish keeper Robin Olsen in the 7th minute. In the 28th, a loose ball in the Swiss box landed to Marcus Berg, and Swiss keeper Yann Sommer kept out the low, bouncing ball from Berg. Before the half ended, both Switzerland and Sweden had one of their players missed a "sure" tap-in from a clever pass, both missing the frame and going well over the bar. In the 49th, Ola Toivonen of Sweden had a blast well over the bar, but Sweden would get the first goal in the 66th. Emil Forsberg's low driven shot looked to go directly to Sommer, but Switzerland defender Manuel Akanji deflected it with his foot, wrong footing Sommer, with the ball going into the left side of the net. Switzerland, who were missing two of their defenders due to yellow card accumulation, including their captain found themselves behind. Forsberg then blocked Breel Embolo's header, followed by Andreas Granqvist clearing it off the line in the 78th minute. Haris Seferovic had a header that Olsen kept out in the 91st, and soon Switzerland would themselves down a man when Michael Lang brought down Martin Olsson just outside the box on purpose to prevent a goal. On the last play of the game, Sommer blocked the ensuing free kick, and Sweden moved on.

Finally, the last quarterfinal spot came down to the winner between Colombia and England. James Rodriguez, Colombia's star player, was unable to play due to injury and was forced to watch in the front row of select stadium seats. In the 16th, WC 2018 leading scorer Harry Kane had a chance for England, but his header went over the goal. After a lot of physical fouls, especially by Colombia, Juan Quintero had a long shot right at English keeper Jordan Pickford. to end the half. In the 54th, Kane won a PK for England when he got dragged down in the box by Carlos Sanchez when the ball from the corner flag came near him. Kane converted the PK to bring his WC scoring tally to six. Colombia had trouble finding an equalizer, and kept fouling England, including a foul on Jesse Lingard in their box, but there was no penalty for England. In the 87th, Radamel Falcao had a shot from far out stopped by Pickford, and then a corner came for Colombia in the 90+3 minute. There, Yerry Mina got the tying goal, heading the ball down, and while England's Kieran Trippier tried to clear it, it hit the underside of the crossbar and in. This forced extra time, where the first 15 minutes of it led to more physical play between the two teams. Colombia dictated most of these 30 additional minutes, but in the 112th, England's Danny Rose had a shot from a tough angle just go wide of frame. Six minutes later, Colombian keeper David Ospina punched out an English free kick, and the game went to penalties. There, Colombia went first and Falcao put home the initial PK. Kane tied it at 1-1 with his attempt, and Juan Cuadrado, Marcus Rashford, and Luis Muriel converted theirs. Ospina denied Jordan Henderson's shot to make it 3-2, but had a chance to tie it when Mateus Uribe hit his off the bar. Trippier made it 3-3 after 4 rounds. In the fifth round, Carlos Bacca's shot was denied by Pickford, and Eric Dier sealed England's spot in the quarters, placing the ball right under Ospina's left hand.

The English football team reacts to Bacca's missed shot.

Round of 16 Recaps: Brazil Extends Mexico's Misery, Belgium Complete Epic Comeback

Mexico looked to reach the quarterfinals for the first time since 1986 when they played Brazil today in the Round of 16. Brazil's Neymar had a shot from far out that was parried away by Mexican keeper Guillermo Ochoa in the 25th minute, after a stretch of Mexican-dictated play. In the 33rd minute, Ochoa's palms cleared away Gabriel Jesus' low curling strike. Immediately after halftime, Philippe Coutinho had his blast stopped only by Ochoa, moments before Brazil found their goal. In the 51st, a low cross from Willian found Neymar, who tapped it in from 2 yards out. In the 58th, Ochoa prevented Paulinho's attempt from going in, and then Ochoa had to tip Willian's far out strike over the crossbar. Mexico could not find an equalizer, and Brazil sealed their 2-0 win in the 88th when Roberto Firmino tapped in a low cross from Neymar. For the seventh straight World Cup, Mexico has lost in this Round, failing to make the quarterfinals.

Japan and Belgium played the later game today to determine who would play Brazil in the quarterfinals. Japan, huge underdogs, dictated the play within the first 15, creating more chances, before Belgium would do the same for the following 15 minutes. In the 35th, Takashi Inui landed a close range header right at Belgium keeper Thibaut Courtois. Inui had another shot that was deflected real close to the net by Yuya Osako, where Courtois got the ball. Japan would get the lead when Genki Haraguchi got past the Belgium defense, and he slotted one past Courtois into the far left post in the 48th. Japan would make it 2-0 when Inui's long range strike beat Courtois, going inside the right post. Two minutes before Japan's 2nd, Eden Hazard of Belgium hammered a shot, only missing the net by hitting the woodwork in the 50th minute. In the 65th, it was almost 3-0 when Haraguchi put a header wide following Hiroki Sakai's cross. Jan Vertonghen cut the deficit in the 68th to 1 when his header from a wide, acute angle on the left side of the penalty box went over Japanese keeper Eiji Kawasima and into the side netting. It would be 2-2 in the 72nd when Marauane Fellaini headed home a ball past Kawashima from a Hazard cross. In the 87th, Kawashima stopped successive headers from Nacer Chadli and Romelu Lukaku, the latter forcing a corner that led to Kawashima stopping Vertonghen's shot. In the 90th, Courtois prevented an own goal after Axel Witsel tipped a pass backwards. Courtois then parried away Keisuke Honda's free kick in the 3rd minute of stoppage time, and Belgium found the winner a minute later. Thomas Meunier played a low cross that Lukaky let through his legs, so Chadli could strike it home. That was the last play of the game, completing an epic Belgium comeback to send them through.

Chadli (red) pokes home the game-winning goal - the last touch of the game.

Round of 16 Previews: Sweden-Switzerland and Colombia-England

Who: Sweden v. Switzerland
Where: Saint Petersburg Stadium, St. Petersburg
When: July 3, 10 AM EST
Watch: Telemundo, FS1 (TV); Fox Sports Go (Streaming)
Prediction: 2-1 Switzerland (AET): This game, just like the two matches played on Sunday, could very likely go to penalties. However, I believe Switzerland have overall played better this World Cup, getting a point against Brazil and beating European rival Serbia 2-1. This match could go either way, but I am more confident that Switzerland will win this one, even after Sweden's 3-0 rout of Mexico last week.

Who: Colombia v. England
Where: Spartak Stadium, Moscow
When: July 3, 2 PM EST
Watch: Fox, Telemundo (TV); Fox Sports Go (Streaming)
Prediction: 2-2 (AET): England wins in PKs: Colombia, who may or may not have James Rodriguez play even if he is not fully fit, will lose a close match against England in penalties. Harry Kane will lead England and may score another brace tomorrow. However, the game may go in Colombia's favor should they get their star midfielder back in time for tomorrow.

Round of 16 Recaps: Russia Pull off Biggest WC Upset, Croatia Get Through in PKs

Russia pulled off what the FIFA magazine stated as "the biggest upset in World Cup history." In the 12th minute, the hosts found themselves down after an own goal. A Marco Asensio free kick was aimed for Sergio Ramos, but Russian defender Sergei Ignashevich pulled him down, and the ball went off him and in the net. In the 36th, Russian forward Aleksandr Golovin curls his shot just wide, but Russia would level 5 minutes later from a converted Artem Dzyuba PK. A Russian corner was met with Dzyuba's head, and the ball hit Gerald Pique's right hand. The ref pointed to the spot, and the game was tied. In the 45th, Russian keeper Igor Akinfeev stopped Diego Costa's header, jump-starting Akinfeev's career-changing day. Jordi Alba had a deflected shot from an Asensio cross saved by Akinfeev in the second half, before Andres Iniesta beat Akinfeev, but his shot hit the post and out. The game went to extra time, where Akinfeev staued alert, saving Asension's shot in the first 15 minutes of overtime, and then going down low to stop Rodrigo's close range blast before Dani Carvajal's rebounded was blocked. Spain had a penalty shout that ended up to be nothing as Pique fell in the box, and Rodrigo forced a diving save by Akinfeev in the 121st. In penalties, Spain went first, and it was 2-2 in penalties. Then, Akinfeev stopped Koke's shot that went left, before Golovin and Denis Cheryshev made it 4-3. Iago Aspas's shot was stopped by Akinfeev's foot in the 5th round to clinch Russia's spot in the quarterfinals.

The later game featured two European dark horses in Croatia and Denmark. Denmark went up in just 60 seconds when along throw in fell to Mathias Jorgenson, whose close range shot deflected off keeper Danijel Subasic, off the near left post, and in. Croatia equalized 3 minutes later when a awful caused by the entire Danish defense fell to Mario Mandzukic, who did not waste the close range opportunity. In the 27th, Subasic stopped Martin Braithwaite' shot, and Danish keeper Casper Schmeichel returned the favor 2 minutes with a save of his own, preventing Ivan Ratikic's shot from going in. The 72nd minute brought another shot from Denmark shot, this one from Nicolai Jorgensen that was saved. And Ante Rebic forced Schmeichel into a save 6 minutes later, when his strike outside the box reached Denmark's keeper. The game went to extra time, and when it seemed the game would reach penalties, Croatia got a PK in the 116th, a sure-to-be winner should the PK be converted. Ante Rebic got fouled by Zanka in the box after Rebic went past the keeper, but Schmeichel bailed out his teammate by stopping Luka Modric's weak PK. Modric had another shot in the 119th, but the result was insane. In penalties, Christian Eriksen and Denmark went first, and Eriksen's shot was stopped by Subasic, hitting the post as well. Milan Badelj missed him as Schmeichel played her again for Denmark keeping it 0-0 after round 1. The next two rounds had all PKs converted, before the following one had both Subasic and Schmeichel making impressive saves. In the 5th round, Jorgensen had his parried away  by Subasic, and Ivan Rakitic converted the final kick to send Croatia through in this penalty-kick filled match. The two winners will meet this Saturday.

 

Akinfeev with his game-clinching save against Spain (over on the left), and Subasic with his first PK save, against Eriksen (bottom).

Round of 16 Previews: Brazil-Mexico and Belgium-Japan

Who: Brazil v. Mexico
Where: Samara Arena, Samara
When: July 2, 10 AM EST
Watch: Fox, Telemundo (TV); Fox Sports Go (Streaming)
Prediction: 2-1 Brazil (AET): Mexico, for the seventh straight World Cup, will crash out in the Round of 16, failing once again to make the quarterfinals. Brazil has find its attacking groove with Philippe Coutinho and Neymar combining to score 3 goals so far this tournament. Mexico will keep it close, but will falter in extra time.

Who: Belgium v. Japan
Where: Rostov Arena, Rostov-on-Don
When: July 2, 2 PM EST
Watch: Fox, Telemundo (TV); Fox Sports Go (Streaming)
Prediction: 3-0 Belgium: Japan's shocking World Cup (so far), will end tomorrow after their loss to Belgium. Japan beat Group H leaders Colombia, but they were up a man for nearly the entire game. Belgium, on the other hand, has showed that they can be viewed as a potential semi-finalist, beating minnows easily, handing England a 1-0 loss, and being on the easier side of the bracket.

Round of 16 Recaps: France Beat Argentina in 7 Goal Thriller, Uruguay Outplay Portugal

Argentina played France in the first Round of 16 game this World Cup. Antoine Griezmann had a shot early on for France that banged off the crossbar, but France would get their first goal in the 13th minute. Kylian Mbappe was dragged down in the box by Marcus Rojo, and Griezmann buried the PK to give France the lead. Later in the half, France and Argentina had PK shouts when France's Olivier Giroud went down and for Argentina, Lionel Messi was pulled down. In the 41st, Angel Di Maria leveled it when his strike from 30 yards out hit the top right corner, giving keeper Hugo Lloris no chance. After the half, Di Maria immediately won an attacking free kick. It fell to Messi on a short pass, whose shot was redirected by Gabriel Mercado, passing Lloris and giving Argentina the lead in the 48th. Less than 10 minutes later, Benjamin Pavard hit a volley from the edge of the 18 yard box, hitting the far left corner to tie the game at 2. Mbappe soon found a ball to him after a deflected Paul Pogba shot, and he five-holed Argentine keeper Franco Armani for France's 3rd goal in the 64th. Mbappe got a brace when he scored 4 minutes later, after latching onto a beautiful through-ball by Giroud, and he beat Armani one-on-one. Argentina would get within a goal in stoppage time, when Sergio Aguero heading home a cross from Messi. But their last chance ended with a shot off target, a Di Maria touch from an Aguero cross deflected wide.

France, with its 4-3 win, would play the winner of the Portugal-Uruguay game (played today as well) in the quarterfinals. Uruguay drew first blood, scoring in the 7th minute when Edinson Cavani headed in a long cross from Luis Suarez into the near post, giving Uruguay a 1-0 lead. This came a minute after Uruguay's keeper Fernando Muslera controlled Cristiano Ronaldo's shot from far out. Uruguay got a free kick nearly 20 minutes later, and Suarez almost made it 2-0 when his low free kick from 25 yards out was stopping by a diving Rui Patricio, Portugal's keeper. In the 55th, Portugal's Adrien Silva had a shot deflected off target for a corner, and Pepe headed home the resulting corner from the middle of the six yard box. Cavani reclaimed the lead for Uruguay when he first timed a pass from Rodrigo Bentancur, the shot curling past Patricio into the far post. In the minutes of stoppage time, Portugal's shots came to nothing as they were off target, before Muslera claimed the final long cross, sealing Portugal's fate. Uruguay will now play Friday against France.

Cavani (in blue) blasts home his header past Patricio (in yellow) for the Uruguay's first goal

Round of 16: Spain-Russia and Croatia-Denmark Predictions

Who: Spain v. Russia
Where: Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow
When: July 1, 10 AM EST
Watch: Fox, Telemundo (TV); Fox Sports Go (Streaming)
Prediction: 2-0 Spain: The hosts' World Cup journey comes to an end in the Round of 16 against Spain. Spain have way too much talent, and, as Russia saw against Uruguay, they should be able to beat Russia by a comfortable margin without too much. The game may end with a 2 goal loss for Russia, but Spain could make it a big rout if they have great finishing.

Who: Croatia v. Denmark
Where: Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, Nizhny Novgorod
When: July 1, 2 PM EST
Watch: Fox, Telemundo (TV); Fox Sports Go (Streaming)
Prediction: 3-1 Croatia: Croatia have a better midfield and attack than that of Denmark's, and will move on to the quarterfinals to (most likely) play Spain. Croatia's midfield is led by Luka Modric; Denmark doesn't have any players as recognizable as Modric. Should Denmark play great defensively, the 3-1 scoreline could finish in extra time.

Round of 16: France-Argentina and Portugal-Uruguay Previews

Who: France v. Argentina
Where: Kazan Arena, Kazan
When: June 30, 10 AM EST
Watch: Fox, Telemundo (TV); Fox Sports Go (Streaming)
Prediction: 2-1 France: Lionel Messi's dream of winning the World Cup this time ends tomorrow with a loss to France. France have much more depth and with a great, young, creative, attackers and midfielders, they will eventually break through the Argentine defense to score some goals. Should Argentina win, we may see Messi play Cristiano Ronaldo for the first time in the World Cup.

Who: Portugal v. Uruguay
Where: Fisht Stadium, Sochi
When: June 30, 2 PM EST
Watch: Fox, Telemundo (TV); Fox Sports Go (Streaming)
Prediction: 2-2 (AET) - Portugal wins on PKs: Two teams that struggles with lower opposition meet each other for a spot in the quarterfinals. Uruguay played poorly until thrashing Russia 3-0 for the top spot, while Portugal have depended on Cristiano Ronaldo to get them through (it worked). I believe will finish some of their chances, and it will come down to penalties, where Portugal have the slight advantage.

Antoine Griezmann (#7), Kylian Mbappe (#10), and Olivier Giroud (#9) should be creating multiple chances tomorrow and beat Argentina and their frail defense.

Review of My Picks and Predictions

It's now time to reflect on how well I predicted each group stage match, along with which teams I predicted to move on to the Round of 16.
Group A
Predicted Uruguay and Egypt (Result: Uruguay and Russia) to Advance, Predicted 5 Wins and 1 Draw (Result: 6 Wins)
I thoroughly expected Egypt to pull out a draw against Uruguay, and they nearly did without Mo Salah. Russia blew me away with their first two wins before losing to Uruguay, which I predicted. I am also shocked Saudi Arabia played so poorly against Russia before playing well in their last two games. Egypt looked terrible as soon as they lost to Uruguay.

Group B
Predicted Spain and Portugal (Result: Spain and Portugal), Predicted 4 Wins and 2 Draws (Result: 3 Wins and 3 Draws)
This was the most accurate group I predicted. Spain and Portugal tied for the top spot (Spain was 1st, like I predicted), and the only thing I got wrong was Morocco losing to Iran (instead of tying). I'm kind of shocked Spain and Portugal only managed one win.

Group C
Predicted France and Peru (Result: France and Denmark), Predicted 5 Wins and 1 Draw (Result: 4 Wins and 2 Draws)
Really surprised Peru had trouble scoring, which in turn landed them in 3rd place. France struggled but did take the top spot. Denmark impressed me, but I don't see them as a good dark horse pick. Australia played well expect in their finale loss to Peru.

Group D
Predicted Argentina and Iceland (Result: Croatia and Argentina), Predicted 3 Wins and 3 Draws (Result: 5 Wins and 1 Draw)
The toughest group to predict led to one of the most surprising turnout of results. I expected a plethora of draws; there was just one. Iceland got just one point, and Croatia thoroughly surprised me. I did expect Argentina to beat Nigeria to get them through, and that sure did happen.

Group E
Predicted Brazil and Costa Rica (Result: Brazil and Switzerland), Predicted 4 Wins and 2 Draws (Result: 4 Wins and 2 Draws)
I really thought there would be a three way fight for second, but Costa Rica were eliminated early. Brazil found their stride in their last two games, and Switzerland have great talent to be a team to not sleep on. Serbia were truly where they fit, the 3rd best team.

Group F
Predicted Germany and Mexico (Result: Sweden and Mexico), Predicted  6 Wins (Result: 6 Wins)
Oh, how the mighty have fallen! Germany let the World Cup winner curse live on, eliminated in the Group Stage. Sweden played really well against Mexico, who looked promising until that loss. South Korea will be happy with the huge upset they pulled off against Germany.

Group G
Predicted England and Belgium (Result: Belgium and England), Predicted 5 Wins and 1 Draw (Result: 6 Wins)
Just like Group B, the two favorites finished in the top. Belgium and England played really well, with a sweet curling ball by Belgium deciding the top spot. Tunisia played way better than Panama, scoring more and nearly getting a point against England, while Panama will want to regret their World Cup debut.

Group H
Predicted Poland and Colombia (Result: Colombia and Japan), Predicted 4 Wins and 2 Draws (Result: 5 Wins and 1 Draw)
Poland goes down as the biggest disappointment, failing to get a point until their last (meaningless) game. Colombia overcame a loss (due to being down a man for over 90 minutes) to Japan by winning their last two and the top spot, while Japan back in based off better discipline than Senegal, a trendy pick to move on.

Overall Results: 10 out of 16 teams correctly picked, I picked 36 Wins/Losses and 12 Draws (Actual: 39 Wins/Losses and 9 Draws)
Overall, about average, with more than half my teams accurately picked. I was almost close to the actual results by just being 3 wins off. This should be a very interesting Round of 16 to pick.

Day 15 Recaps: Colombia Top Group, Japan Back Into Next Round, Belgium Finishes Ahead of England

The last Group H were played simultaneously. One match was Japan-Poland, Japan needing either a point or a Colombia win or tie in the other game. Japanese coach Akira Nishino took a huge risk by benching 6 of his regular starters. Japan lacked their usual attacking flair and the best chance in the opening half came from Poland, when Kamil Grosicki's shot was stopped by a diving Eiji Kawashima, Japan's keeper. In the 59th minute, Poland's Raful Kurzawa had a free kick that Jan Bednarek struck home from close range to give Poland their first lead of the tournament. In the 81st, Japan nearly scored on themselves, with Kawashima blocking a deflection from a low cross. Japan then passed the ball around freely to waste the time off, hoping a narrow loss coupled with a win in the other game would send them through.

As the Japan-Poland went on, Senegal and Colombia played against each other, both needing at least a point to go through. In the 10th minute, Juan Quintero had a free kick stopped by a sprawling Khadim N'Diaye, the keeper of Senegal. Sadio Mane fell down in the box to cause a PK in the 17th, only for VAR to reverse the call. Colombian superstar James Rodriguez then got hurt a half hour in, and had to get subbed off. Colombia got their breakthrough in the 74th, when Yerry Mina's header from a corner went in near post. Senegal, needing to get a point to move on to send Japan to 3rd place, couldn't find any chances to land in the net. With Senegal and Japan both tied with 4 points each and level in all the six main tiebreakers, Japan advanced based off fair play points, with Japan earning two fewer yellow cards than Senegal. Colombia won Group H with the 1-0 result.

With Group H done, the final 16 was set, as both Belgium and England qualified in Group G, fighting for the top spot in their match. Youri Tielsman of Belgium had a shot from 25 yards out pushed away by English keeper Jordan Pickford, and in the 10th minute Gary Cahill cleared the ball off the line after Michy Batshuayi poked out a loose ball out of Pickford's grasp. Then, in the 27th, Trent Alexandar-Arthur cleared the ball off the line from Marouane Fellaini's shot following a Belgium corner. In the 50th, Belgium finally broke through, as Adnan Januzaj curled a ball around forward Danny Rose, hitting the top-far corner to give Belgium the lone goal. The best chance for England came when Marcus Rashford had an one-on-one encounter with Thibaut Courtois, whose shot was deflected wide by Courtois in the 66th. Dries Mertens had a go at it from far, but Pickford dove to block the ball. All in all, Belgium clinched first and will play Japan. England will play England next.

Panama and Tunisia hoped to end their World Cup campaign on a high note. In the 19th minute, Tunisia's Yassine Meriah's header forced a diving save by Panama's keeper Jaime Penedo. Panama would open the scoring in the 33rd, when a long shot by Jose Luis Rodriguez deflected off Tunisian centerback Meriah, fooling keeper Aymen Mathlouthi, who went the wrong way. Tunisia nearly equalized at the half's end, when Wahbi Khazri's shot was blocked by Penedo, and defender Roman Torres cleared it before the ball could be tapped in. Tunisia did knot the score at 1 in the 51st, when Fakhreddine Ben Youssef tapped in a low cross from Khazri. 2 minutes later, Youssef nearly got a brace when one-on-one with Penedo, who stopped the shot with his foot. Khazri would tap in Tunisia's 2nd goal in the 66th when Oussama Haddadi set him up with a low cross. Panama could find another goal, and left their first World Cup without a point.

Batshuayi celebrated his team's goal by hitting the ball off the post, which in turn hit his face. 

Day 14 Recaps: Germany Eliminated, Mexico Exposed But Through, Brazil First, Swiss Second in Group E

Mexico, who won their first two group games, needed a point to secure first place and looked to do so against Sweden, a team that needed a win and help to go through. In the 5th minute, Sweden had a chance when Emil Forsberg had a free kick curled at goal, only for Mexican keeper Guillermo Ochoa to punch it into the air and over the bar. Marcus Berg kept the pressure on, when his bicycle kick went just wide of frame. Berg had another shot later on in the half, only for Ochoa to stop it and force a corner. After a couple of chances missed by Mexico's attackers, Sweden got the lead in the 50th. Viktor Claesson flicked a low cross for Ludwig Augustinsson to slam it past Ochoa from close range. 10 minutes later, Berg collided with Hector Moreno in the box, and Andreas Granqvist made it 2-0 Sweden. It would become a rout when a long throw-in by Isaac Thelin hit Edson Alvarez, going into the net to make it 3-0. Sweden, with the win, clinched first, while Mexico waited for the other Group F result to see if they would make it through.

Meanwhile, Germany hoped to make the next round by simply beating South Korea. In the 19th, Korea nearly got the opening goal, when German keeper Manuel Neuer fumbled the ball after a free kick by Jung Woo-Young, only for Neuer to punch it out of play before a Korean player could tap it in. In the 47th, Germany's Leon Goretzka had a header that was saved by a diving keeper in Cho Hyun-woo, putting one hand on the ball to keep it out. As word got out that Sweden was winning, Germany needed to find a late winner, but to no avail for the next 40 minutes. Then, in stoppage time, Korea ended Germany's hopes, when a corner kick ball bounced to an open Kim Young-gwon, who hit it over Neuer. Initially ruled offsides, the call was reversed and Korea had the lead. In the 96th, Son Heung-Min hit the ball into an empty net to make it 2-0 when Neuer went into the attacking half, hoping to find an equalizer. With the result, Mexico advances, clinching the Group F runner-up spot. Germany, after winning the last World Cup, are eliminated.

The Group E matches were played later in the day, as Brazil-Serbia and Switzerland-Costa Rica. Serbia, needing a win to move on, played Brazil, who needed a win to clinch first. In the 25th, Neymar had tested Serbian keeper Vladimir Stojkovic with a strike, but Stojkovic easily parried it away. Philippe Coutinho hit a beautiful over-the-top ball to Paulinho in the 36th minute, and Paulinho chipped it over Stojkovic to give Brazil the lead. Neymar had another chance in the 57th, only for Stojkovic to make a fine reaction to prevent the game from being 2-0 Brazil. In the 61st, Serbia had a chance from Alexsandar Mitrovic that was cleared off the line before keeper Alisson got hold of the ball. Mitrovic had a great one-on-one chance with Alisson later on, but his strike was straight at the keeper. Thiago Silva sealed Brazil's win in the 68th, his header at the near post landing inside the goal. Brazil eliminated Serbia and clinched first place with the 2-0 result.

Costa Rica, already eliminated, looked to get at least a point from this World Cup, and they played with pride against Round of 16 bound Switzerland. Costa Rica sure put on a show in the first half, forcing Swiss keeper Yann Sommer into making great diving saves (at least 3 diving saves), along with a shot that banged off the crossbar. However, Costa Rica conceded the opening goal in the 31st minute, when Breel Embolo's header landed for Blerim Dzemaili to strike past keeper Keylor Navas. Kendall Watson's header from a corner in the 56th knotted the score at 1 apiece, though Switzerland retook the lead in the 88th when Josip Drmic's close range blast made it 2-1. A late penalty in the box allowed Costa Rica to end the game with a point, and they did. In the 3rd minute of stoppage time, Bryan Ruiz's PK hit the crossbar and off Sommer's head, in which his dive led to his own goal, as the ball rebounded into the net. This is now the 8th own goal of the World Cup, a new record.With the draw, Switzerland finished second in Group E.

Mesut Ozil (#10), Joshua Kimmich (#18), and Germany were all left with disappointment after South Korea's late winner, which sealed their group stage exit.

 

Final Group Stage Matches: Groups G and H

Group G
What's at Stake
England: Clinched spot; Clinch first with win/tie
Belgium: Clinched spot; Clinch first with win
Tunisia: Eliminated
Panama: Eliminated

Who: England v. Belgium
Where: Kaliningrad Stadium, Kaliningrad
When: June 28, 2 PM EST
Watch: Fox, Telemundo (TV); Fox Sports Go (Streaming)
Prediction: 3-2 Belgium: After both of these squads easily defeating their two lesser group stage opponents, it's time to see who's more talented between these two clubs. I believe Belgium has a better attacking side than England, and will win based off of their better finishing. This game could end in a shootout, with the leading World Cup 2018 scorer Harry Kane (5 goals) showcasing England and Romelu Lukaku of Belgium with 4 goals of his own.

Who: Tunisia v. Panama
Where: Mordovia Arena, Saransk
When: June 25, 2 PM EST
Watch: NBC Universo, FS1 (TV); Fox Sports Go (Streaming)
Prediction: 2-0 Tunisia: This is another tough match up to predict, since both teams easily lost their previous two games and that both are also eliminated. I predict Tunisia will win, in part that they showed more fight against England and Belgium than Panama did, as Tunisia scored three times compared to Panama's lone goal, and lost by closer margins (1 and 3) than Panama (5 and 3).

Group H
What's at Stake
Japan: Clinch spot with win OR tie/loss AND Senegal loss; Clinch first with win; Eliminated with tie AND Senegal tie OR loss AND Senegal tie
Senegal: Clinch spot with win OR tie; Clinch first with win AND Japan tie/loss OR tie AND Japan loss; Eliminated with loss
Colombia: Clinch spot with win OR tie AND Japan loss; Clinch first with win AND Japan tie/loss; Eliminated with tie AND Japan win/tie OR loss
Poland: Eliminated

Who: Senegal v. Colombia
Where: Samara Arena, Samara
When: June 28, 10 AM EST
Watch: Fox, Telemundo (TV); Fox Sports Go (Streaming)
Prediction: 2-2 Draw: An overall enticing match up between a popular underdog pick and a skillful, effective, counter-attack squad. This game will end in a draw, forcing Colombians to look up at the result of the Japan-Poland, hoping it's enough to get them through.

Who: Japan v. Poland
Where: Volgograd Arena, Volgograd
When: June 28, 10 AM EST
Watch: NBC Universo, FS1 (TV); Fox Sports Go (Streaming)
Prediction: 2-1 Poland: Will Poland find a goal this World Cup, or will they not even try in this match given that they are eliminated? I think they will find a goal, since Japan's defense and goalkeeping is shaky (at best), but Japan will beat another squad initially viewed as a dark horse contender in Poland. Japan and Senegal, the two teams in Group H that were commonly predicted that would finish 3rd and 4th, will both move on.

Day 13 Recaps: France-Denmark Draw, Go Through; Argentina Get Much-Needed Breakthrough

Groups C and D played their final matches today. Denmark-France and Peru-Australia were the Group C matches, and Denmark-France played to the first 0-0 draw this World Cup. Both chances were playing for points, and both will be content with a point, securing their spots with France first and Denmark second. Both teams never challeneged the opposing side and goalkeeper, with shots and headers off target. In the 55th, a free kick by Demark's Christian Eriksen's free kick bounced off keeper Steve Mandanda, only for him to recover before Denmark attackers could pounce. Mandanda nearly gave another scoring chance when he fumbled Eriksen's shot, only to recover in time. Olivier Giroud was France's best attackers with some of his shots forcing Denmark keeper Kasper Schmeichel to make some saves. French sub Nabil Fekir had some chances, a long distance shot stopped, and one chance hitting the side netting.

Since Denmark got a point. the Australia-Peru game became meaningless. Paolo Guerrero sent a long cross to Andre Carrillo, whose first time volley reached the far post, beating Australian keeper Mat Ryan to give Peru the lead in the 18th minute. In the 36th, Australian Mathew Leckie had his close range shot blocked by a wall of Australian players. Guerrero made it more difficult for Australia to tally points when he scored in the 50th. His shot from 8 yards out deflected off Mile Jedinak, beating Ryan to the far right post. Tim Cahill had a close range shot blocked following a corner, and Peru got its first World Cup win in 40 years.

Later, the Group D matches were being played. Croatia, already through, played a desperate Iceland squad. Croatia, only needing a point to guarantee first, beat Iceland 2-1 on a 90th minute strike from Ivan Perisic. In the 40th minute, Alfred Finnbogason had his shot just wide of the near post. Milan Badelj had a strike in the 51st bang the crossbar, only to score two minutes later. His volley in the 53rd beat keeper Hannes por Halldorsson and gave Croatia the lead. Iceland's Sverrir Ingason forced a diving save from keeper Lovre Kalinic, and then Ingason followed that up with a header that hit the crossbar. Iceland would get a PK after a handball from Croatia, and Gylfi Sigurdsson blasted the ensuing kick into the top of the net in the 76th to give Iceland life. But a defensive giveaway in the 90th minute destroyed their hopes, resulting in a Perisic goal and a 2-1 loss.

With Iceland losing, the winner of Nigeria-Argentina would go through, a tie the Super Eagles (aka Nigeria) advance. In the 14th minute, Lionel Messi finally opened his WC 2018 scoring account, after controlling an over-the-top ball from Ever Banega, and his strike beating Nigerian keeper Francis Uzoho to the far post. On a close range free kick just outside the box, Messi's curling shot was saved by Uzoho's fingertips, hitting the post and going out. In the 50th, the Super Eagles leveled it by a PK. Javier Mascherano brought down Leon Balogun, causing the foul and Victor Moses converted the PK to make the score 1-1. Nigeria had chances to seal the game with a potential second goal, but their best chance was a claim at another PK, when Marcus Rojo handled the ball. The call was not there, and Rojo converted his volley from a Gabriel Mercado cross. The result sends Argentina through and Nigeria is now eliminated.

Rojo (#16), Sergio Aguero (#19), and Argentina were celebrating after Rojo's game-winner

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Final Group Stage Matches: Groups E and F Previews

Group E
What's at Stake
Brazil: Clinch spot with win/tie OR Switzerland loss; Clinch first with win OR tie AND Switzerland loss/tie; Eliminated with loss AND Switzerland win/tie
Switzerland: Clinch spot with win OR tie OR Brazil win; Clinch first with win AND Brazil loss/tie; Eliminated with loss AND Serbia win/tie
Serbia: Clinch spot with win OR tie AND Switzerland loss; Clinch first with win AND Switzerland loss/tie; Eliminated with loss OR tie AND Switzerland win/tie
Costa Rica: Eliminated

Who: Serbia v. Brazil
Where: Spartak Stadium, Moscow
When: June 27, 2 PM EST
Watch: Fox, Telemundo (TV); Fox Sports Go (Streaming)
Prediction: 2-1 Brazil: Brazil will push for the win to guarantee first place in the group. Serbia's dreams of moving on will come to an end. Will Brazil score a late winner just like last game against Costa Rica. If Brazil get first, a potential Round of 16 matchup between Germany and Brazil could happen.

Who: Switzerland v. Costa Rica
Where: Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, Nizhny Novgorod
When: June 27, 10 2 PM EST
Watch: NBC Universo, FS1 (TV); Fox Sports Go (Streaming)
Prediction: 1-0 Switzerland: Should Denmark will by more goals, or win by a bigger deficit than Brazil, Denmark would get the top spot. Costa Rica will play their hearts out, but they will leave the World Cup without a point, despite their strong goalkeeper Keylor Navas.

Group F
What's at Stake
Mexico: Clinch spot with win/tie OR Germany loss/tie; Clinch first with win/tie; Eliminated with loss AND Germany win
Germany: Clinch spot with win OR tie AND Sweden loss/tie OR loss by 1 AND Sweden loss; Clinch first with win AND Mexico loss; Eliminated with tie AND Sweden win OR loss by 2+ goals AND Sweden loss OR loss AND Sweden win/tie
Sweden: Clinch spot with win OR tie AND Germany loss; Clinch first with win AND Germany loss/tie; Eliminated with loss OR tie AND Germany win/tie
South Korea: Clinch spot with win AND Sweden loss; Eliminated with Sweden win/tie OR tie OR loss

Who: Mexico v. Sweden
Where: Ekaterinburg Arena, Ekaterinburg
When: June 27, 10 AM EST
Watch: Fox, Telemundo (TV); Fox Sports Go (Streaming)
Prediction: 2-1 Mexico: Mexico will finish perfect and will not risk a tie with the possibility of being eliminated, even though they have won two games so far. Sweden does not have the power or talent that Mexico has, and it will show.

Who: South Korea v. Germany
Where: Kazan Arena, Kazan
When: June 27, 10 AM EST
Watch: NBC Universo, FS1 (TV); Fox Sports Go (Streaming)
Prediction: 3-0 Germany: Germany will finally show us their 2014 World Cup selves, the team that easily defeated inferior opposition and converting on their many attacking chances. South Korea, though still alive entering this game, will quickly see the hopes extinguished by Germany.

Day 12 Recaps: Uruguay Top Group A, Spain 1st, Portugal 2nd as Both Squads Draw

The final matches between the teams of Groups A and B were played. Group A had one match between two match battling for first, the other match for last place. Russia-Uruguay was the former, as Russia hoped to become one of a few hosts to finish both first and undefeated in the group stage. Uruguay took the lead in the 10th minute when Luis Suarez's low free kick from 20 yards out got past keeper Igor Akinfeev and into the far post. This came a minute after Rodrigo Bentancur was fouled just outside the box. Denis Cheryshev, Russia's leading scorer, had a chance soon after parried away by keeper Fernando Muslera, but he would contribute an own goal in the 23rd. A shot from Diego Laxalt redirected off Cheryshev's leg and went just inside the near post for the second goal. Bentancur nearly made it 3-0 when his close range shot was denied by Akinfeev, and things soon got worse when Igor Smolnikov got sent off in the 36th, a span of two yellows in 10 minutes. His second yellow was a harsh sliding tackle on Laxalt. In the second half, Cristian Rodriguez looked to make it 3-nil, however, his shot was blocked by Akinfeev. A 90th minute tally made the 3-0 score final, when Cavani tapped in the ball after Akinfeev made a diving stop on Diego Godin's header.

Saudi Arabia and Egypt faced off in the other Group A teams, both squads winless. After a long, over-the-top ball from Abdallah El Said, Mo Salah needed only two touches before chipping the ball over Saudi keeper Yasser Al-Mosailem in the 22nd minute for a 1-0 Egypt lead. Salah nearly had a second moments later from a similar play, only this chip went well wide. After Saudi Arabia forced a PK from a handball, Essam El-Hadary, Egypt's keeper, kept out the resulting penalty kick from Fahad Al-Muwallad by pushing it onto the bar in the 42nd minute. Saudi Arabia got another PK in the 45th, and Salman Al-Faraj converted, sending El-Hadary the wrong way. In the 4th minute of second half stoppage time, Salem Al-Daweri one-timed from the right side of six yard box, hitting far corner to give Saudi Arabia the full three points

Over in Group B, Spain played eliminated Morocco. Spain, hoping to claim first and only needing a win and nothing else to do so, fell behind in the 14th minute behind a terrible pass from Andres Iniesta led to Khalid Boutaib stealing the ball to be one-on-one with keeper David De Gea. Boutaib put the ball between De Gea's legs for the 1-0 lead. Spain equalized five minutes later when Isco struck home a close-range shot following a low end-line pass from Iniesta. Boutaib nearly got a second before half, but De Gea blocked it with his chest. A shot that caromed off the crossbar from Nordin Amrabat almost made it 2-1 for Morocco, but they got their goal in the 81st when Youssef En-Nesyri headed it home from a corner. This came minutes a shot from Isco was cleared off the line from Moroccon defender Romain Saiss. Spain got their equalizer, group clinching goal when Iago Aspas scored via flick in the 90th following a Dani Carvajal cross, originally ruled no goal for off-sides. The goal stood, and Spain won Group B.

During that game, Portugal played Iran. Portugal's star Cristiano Ronaldo had a eventful day, causing a PK, having his penalty kick stopped, getting a yellow, and putting shots on target, though all of his attempts were saved by keeper Alireza Beiranvard. On the other half of the field, Rui Patricio, Portugal's keeper, saved Saeid Ezatolahi's header. Ricardo Quaresma scored for Portugal in the 45th; his shot on the outside of his right foot curling into the far post. After the half, Ronaldo's penalty kick was saved, and Iran had a penalty shout when Cedric brought down Sardar Azmoun. In the 90th, Cedric handled a ball following an Iran header, forcing a PK. Karim Ansarifard buried the PK to give Iran chance of moving on. However, Mehdi Taremi's close range strike went just wide of the post, and the game ended 1-1.

Had Taremi's (white) shot gone in inside of wide left, Portugal would have been eliminated and Iran would have moved on.

Final Group Stage Matches: Groups C and D Previews

Group C
What's at Stake
France: Clinched spot; Clinch first with win/tie
Denmark: Clinch spot with win/tie OR Australia loss/tie; Clinch first with win; Eliminated with loss and Australia win
Australia: Clinch spot with win AND Denmark loss; Eliminated with loss/tie OR Denmark win/tie
Peru: Eliminated

Who: Australia v. Peru
Where: Fisht Stadium, Sochi
When: June 26, 10 AM EST
Watch: Fox, NBC Universo (TV); Fox Sports Go (Streaming)
Prediction: 2-1 Australia: Australia will be pushing for the win, since it's do-or-die, and will ultimately get the three points needed. Peru have not scored yet in the World Cup but may find one late, which could potentially be difference making for Australia if they do end up tied on points with Denmark.

Who: Denmark v. France
Where: Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow
When: June 26, 10 AM EST
Watch: Telemundo, FS1 (TV); Fox Sports Go (Streaming)
Prediction: 1-1 France: Can Denmark manage to get a point to clinch a spot, or will France look for a perfect undefeated record in group play? My answer to both questions is yes, and Denmark will be able to go through thanks to a set piece goal.

Group D
What's at Stake
Croatia: Clinched a spot; Clinch first with win/tie or Nigeria loss/tie/win by 3 goals or less
Nigeria: Clinch spot with win OR tie and Iceland loss/tie; Clinch first with win by 4+ goals AND Croatia loss; Eliminated with loss
Iceland: Clinch spot with win by 2+ goals AND Nigeria tie OR win AND Argentina win by 1 goal; Eliminated with loss/tie OR win by 1 goal AND Nigeria tie OR win AND Argentina win by 2+ goals
Argentina: Clinch spot with win AND Iceland loss/tie OR win by more goals than Iceland does; Eliminated with loss/tie OR Iceland win by more goals/same amount of goals

 Who: Nigeria v. Argentina
Where: Saint Petersburg Stadium, St. Petersburg
When: June 26, 2 PM EST
Watch: Fox, Telemundo (TV); Fox Sports Go (Streaming)
Prediction: 2-1 Argentina: Call me crazy, but this is the my UPSET pick of the whole group stage: an unorganized Argentine squad coming together to get to the next round by finally winning. This team headed into its final qualification game for the World Cup 8 months ago on the brink of missing it when Lionel Messi scored a hat trick to send them though. I do believe Messi can finally break his slump, along with a bit of luck coming their way

Who: Croatia v. Iceland
Where: Rostov Arena, Rostov-on-Don
When: June 26, 2 PM EST
Watch: NBC Universo, FS1 (TV); Fox Sports Go (Streaming)
Prediction: 2-0 Croatia: This Croatian squad will not just go for a tie to get first, but will win to end with a perfect 9 points from group play. This team is better than Nigeria, and we all saw how Nigeria dictated the game against Iceland in the last 45 minutes. Iceland have been a tricky team to beat in international play against certain football powerhouses, but they have also regularly been exposed by squads after getting surprise points.

Day 11 Recaps: England Thrash Panama, Japan and Senegal Stay in First, Poland Crash Out

The final day in the tournament with a triple-header of matches, today brought us the last of the second round of the group stage matches. Panama-England kicked things off, and it was a delight for the viewers who love seeing goals. England provided 6 of the 7 goals of the game, the first coming in the 8th minute when John Stones headed it past Panama keeper Jaime Penedo straight from a corner. England got another goal in the 22nd from Harry Kane's converted PK. The PK was caused by Panama defender Fidel Escobar, who pushed down Jesse Lingard in the box two minutes earlier. Lingard got his goal when he curled the ball into the top, far right corner after a brilliant return ball from Raheem Sterling in the 36th. Four minutes leader, Stones headed in another close range ball after Penedo made a great block from Sterling's header. In the first minute of added time in the opening half, Kane forced another PK by being fouled in the box, and got his second from the converted PK. Kane got his hat-trick in the 62nd, when Ruben Loftus-Cheek's shot deflected off Kane's heel, fooling Penedo, putting him wrong-footed while the ball rolled into the right side of the net. Felipe Baloy got the lone goal for Panama in the 78th, when his head met the ball from a Ricardo Avila's free kick, by getting the ball over English keeper Jordan Pickford. England and Belgium are now moving on and are tied for first. Panama and Tunisia are eliminated.

Japan and Senegal, two teams that were surprisingly in the top half of Group H, faced off next. Sadio Mane gave Senegal the lead in the 11th minute, when, after a failed clearance, Youssouf Sabaly's shot was blocked by keeper Eiji Kawashima, only for the rebound to bounce off Mane's knee and into the net. Japan tied it up in the 34th, when Yuto Nagatomo left it for Takashi Inui, after getting to a chipped through-ball, and Inui coolly curled it past Senegal's Khadim N'Diaye into the low, far-right corner. In the second half, Japan's Yuya Osako missed a chance for an easy tap-in, and then Inui blasted a shot that hit the top of the crossbar. Seconds later, it was 2-1 Senegal when Moussa Wague blazed a shot into the top netting following a low cross from Sabaly. Japan equalized seven minutes later when Inui cut a ball to Keisuke Honda, who tapped it in to an empty net after N'Diaye failed to clear. The 2-2 result keeps both teams tied in first place.

Poland and Colombia desperately needed a win and three points to have a chance of moving on to the next round. In the 37th minute, Juan Cuadrado's low close-range cross was blocked out by Poland's keeper Wojciech Szczesny. Three minutes later, Juan Quintero whipped a cross inside the box that Yerry Mina headed in, beating Szczesny to the ball. Poland tried to get Robert Lewandowski chances in the box with long chances, but to no luck, unfortunately. In the 58th, Lewandowski had a chance, but his final touch was lacking, and keeper David Ospina covered the ball. Colombia would give Poland a 2 goal deficit in the 70th when Quintero threaded a pass between two defenders to Radamel Falcao, who shot close range with accuracy into the net. Colombia would make the game a rout when Cuadrado found himself one-on-one, after brilliant through-ball from James Rodriguez, and he got it past Szczesny in the 75th. Colombia are now in third, one point behind Japan and Senegal. Poland, with the loss, are eliminated.

Poland headed into the World Cup ranked as one of the top ten teams, failed to score a goal in the first two goals and were ultimately eliminated after today's loss

Final Group Stage Matches: Group A and Group B Previews

Group A
What's at Stake
Russia: Clinched spot, Clinch first with win/tie
Uruguay: Clinched spot, Clinch first with win
Egypt: Eliminated
Saudi Arabia: Eliminated

Who: Russia v. Uruguay
Where: Samara Arena, Samara
When: June 25, 10 AM EST
Watch: Fox, Telemundo (TV); Fox Sports Go (Streaming)
Prediction: 2-1 Russia: Russia will become one of a first hosts to win all of their group stage matches with a close win over Uruguay. They have shockingly beaten their opponents, but also easily beating them by multiple goals. Uruguay could get a draw, but Russia will still end up in first.

Who: Egypt v. Saudi Arabia
Where: Volgograd Arena, Volgograd
When: June 25, 10 AM EST
Watch: NBC Universo, FS1 (TV); Fox Sports Go (Streaming)
Prediction: 3-1 Egypt: Will Egypt finally score a goal in the World Cup not from the penalty spot. I think so, with Egypt easily finding chances past the inept Saudi defense. Saudi Arabia will look for any consolation, including getting a goal of their own.

Group B 
What's at Stake
Spain: Clinch spot unless they lose by 2+ goals AND Iran-Portugal tie OR Portugal loses by a lesser margin than Spain does; Clinch first with win OR tie AND Portugal loss or tie
Portugal: Clinch spot with win/tie OR Spain loses by a bigger margin; Clinch first with win AND Spain loss/tie OR tie AND Spain loss; Eliminated with loss
Iran: Clinch spot with win OR tie AND Spain loses by 2+ goals; Clinch first with win AND Spain win/tie; Eliminated with loss or tie AND Spain win/tie/loss by 1
Morocco: Eliminated

Who: Spain v. Morocco
Where: Kaliningrad Stadium, Kaliningrad
When: June 25, 2 PM EST
Watch: NBC Universo, FS1 (TV); Fox Sports Go (Streaming)
Prediction: 2-0 Spain: Spain will get an easy win, and with it first place in the group. Morocco has nothing to play for but pride, and will leave the World Cup goalless. Morocco's best chance for points is leaving Spain off the scoreboard.

Who: Iran v. Portugal
Where: Mordovia Arena, Saransk
When: June 25, 2 PM EST
Watch: Fox, Telemundo (TV); Fox Sports Go (Streaming)
Prediction: 1-0 Portugal: A score pretty familiar with Portugal, who won nearly all of their EURO 2016 games by this scoreline, will move on with Spain to the next round. Credit Iran for not giving up against Spain and Portugal, two European powerhouses.

Day 10 Recaps: Belgium Go Full-Throttle, Mexico Ekes Out Win, Germany Get a Must-Need 3 Points

One of the last days to bring us 3 matches, today brought us Belgium-Tunisia, Mexico-South Korea, and Germany-Sweden. Belgium-Tunisia was the first game, and was a Group G matchup. Eden Hazard gave Belgium the lead in the 6th minute via PK, after he was fouled on the right side of the box. Romelu Lukaku doubled the lead, after he coolly placed the ball into the far right corner past Tunisian keeper Farouk Ben Mustapha in the 16th minute. Tunisia made it 2-1 two minutes later when a Dylan Bronn header from a free kick past over keeper Thibaut Courtois' head. Belgium kept pressuring in the first half to regain the two goal lead, and they did in stoppage time when Lukaku chipped a ball beautifully over Mustapha. Hazard would get his second in the 51st when he controlled a Toby Alderweireld chip exquisitely, ran around a rushing Mustapha, and poked the ball into an empty net. Michy Batshuayi made it 5 for Belgium by striking a cross from Youri Tielemans close range in the 90th. It ended 5-2 when Wahbi Khazri scored on the last play of the game.

Mexico looked to secure first place today against South Korea with a win and some help from Sweden. They took the lead early on in the 26th through a converted Carlos Vela PK, after Korean defender Jang Hyun-Soo's outstretched hand made contact with the ball. Hirving Lozano, who scored the game winner for Mexico against Germany, was a thorn in South Korea's side all game, as he provided the game-winning assist for Mexico in the 66th. After remarkable moves in the box, Lozano passed to Javier Hernandez, who put the ball in the net to make it 2-0. South Korea had a chance when they had a header that forced Mexican keeper Guillermo Ochoa to tip the ball over. They would make it 2-1 in second half stoppage time, thanks to Son Heung-min's rocket of a shot, but Mexico stayed perfect by holding out.

The last match today was Germany-Sweden. Germany, in dire need of three points, had a chance when a Julian Draxler close-range shot in the 5th minute was cleared off the line by a Swedish defender. Sweden's Marcus Berg found himself one-on-one with German keeper Manuel Neuer in the 13th, but Berg fell down in the box, no call at all, and Neuer scooped up the ball. Sweden would get a goal in the 32nd when Ola Toivonen brilliantly chipped a ball over Neuer. Germany, befuddled at half that they were trailing, equalizd in the 48th when Marco Reus finished off a low cross from Mario Gomez. Thomas Muller nearly made it two in three minutes, when his header just missed the target. Germany would get a setback, when Jerome Boateng got two yellows in 11 minutes to send Germany down a man. Neuer soon made a great punch out in the 83rd to keep it 1-1, followed by Swede keeper Robin Olson to do the same in the 88th to prevent Neus from scoring his second. Julian Brandt struck the woodwork in the 92nd, before Toni Kroos gave Germany the goal they needed in the 95th. Kroos curled it perfectly in the top right corner from a free kick, leaving no chance for Olson. Germany are now tied for second with Sweden, and 3 points behind Mexico.

Kroos' (white, #8) free kick that gave Germany the win

Day 11 Previews

Who: England v. Panama
Where: Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, Nizhny Novgorod
When: June 24, 8 AM EST
Watch: Telemundo, FS1 (TV); Fox Sports Go (Streaming)
Prediction: 2-0 England: England will once again struggle to put away their chances, but will still win and easily beat Panama. Just like against Tunisia, they will dominate in terms of possession and scoring chances. This will make Panama eliminated, and make Belgium and England fight for first place in the next match.

Who: Japan v. Senegal
Where: Ekaterinburg Arena, Ekaterinburg
When: June 24, 11 AM EST
Watch: Fox, Telemundo (TV); Fox Sports Go (Streaming)
Prediction: 2-1 Senegal: This match truly is tough to predict what will happen. Both teams came off huge, surprising wins against Colombia and Poland, the group favorites. I believe Senegal will win based off their great counter-attacks, and the fact that Japan won just because Colombia was down a man for nearly the entire game. The game could go either way, to be honest.

Who: Poland v. Colombia
Where: Kazan Arena, Kazan Arena
When: June 24, 2 PM EST
Watch: Fox, Telemundo (TV); Fox Sports Go (Streaming)
Prediction: 1-1 Tie: These two Group H teams, both desperate for three points, will draw against each other. If this ends up in a draw, both teams would need to find their final group stage game to have any chance of moving on. I truly don't know which group favorite will miss out on the Round of 16, though both could not move on if there is no winner in this match.

Harry Kane (red) will hope to continue his scoring ways against Panama

Day 9 Recaps: Brazil Gets Crucial Win, Nigeria Find the Net, Swiss Complete Comeback

Group E finished the second round of their matches today, along with a Group D matchup between Nigeria and Iceland. First up was Brazil-Costa Rica. In the 25th minute, Brazil thought they scored when Gabriel Jesus found the back of the net, only for offsides to deny him the goal. Philippe Coutinho then chipped a ball to Neymar, only for Costa Rica keeper Keylor Navas to get to the ball first. In the 40th, Navas stopped Marcelo's low shot, and both teams entered the half scoreless. In the 49th, Gabriel Jesus headed the ball close, only for the crossbar to help keep the Brazilians scoreless. Seconds later, Coutinho's close range shot was deflected just wide for a corner, which ultimately led to a Neymar tap in denied by Navas, who tipped it over the bar. Neymar then curled a shot just wide in the 73rd, and had a penalty shout denied in the 79th after he embellished a foul in the box. Casemiro shot straight at Navas in the 89th, but Brazil would find the net twice in stoppage time to make Costa Rica eliminated. The first was a close range Coutinho strike from a Roberto Firmino header, and the latter goal came on the last play of the game. Neymar got the second on a tap-in via a Douglas Costa cross.

Iceland-Nigeria brought an intriguing match up as the winner would move into second place. Nigeria had NO shots at all in the first half, and Iceland's only shots on goal in the opening half were straight at keeper Francis Uzoho. Nigeria would then out shoot Iceland overall by having 16 shots and 4 of them on target. Victor Moses and Ahmed Musa gave the Super Eagles the lead in the 49th minute, when Moses' cross was control superbly by Musa, whose close range blast went into the top netting, beating Iceland keeper Hannes por Halldorsson. Halldorsson would soon have tip out a long strike by Wilfred Ndidi. Musa had a shot bang the crossbar, but he scored his second in the 75th by rounding the Icelandic defense and Halldorsson, before shooting into an empty net. Iceland had a PK in the 87th, but Gylfi Sigurdsson hit his shot well over the bar. Nigeria's 2-0 win puts them in 2nd, 2 points above Iceland and Argentina.

The last match was a stellar comeback from the Swiss, who beat Serbia 2-1. Serbia went up in the 5th when Alexsandar Mitrovic headed a Dusan Tadic cross past keeper Yann Sommer. Just before the half, Serbia nearly got a second from a corner, when Dusko Tosic's point blank header deflected off his teammate and went out of play. Granit Xhaka got the equalizer in the 52nd, when Xherdan Shaqiri's blocked shot fell to Xhaka, whose curling shot got out of reach of Serbia keeper Vladimir Stojkovic. Shaqiri had a curling shot from the right side of the box clip the crossbar minutes later, and Serbia had a cry for a PK when Mitrovic was pulled down by multiple Swiss defenders during a cross. Stojkovic stopped a long-range blast from Breel Embolo in the 82nd, but Shaqiri would get one past Stojkovic in the 90th. Shaqiri got behind the Serbia defense in his OWN half, leaving a one-on-one with Stojkovic, who couldn't save Shaqiri's low driven shot. Switzerland are now tied with Brazil for first, as Switzerland need to beat Brazil to move on. Costa Rica are now eliminated with the result.

Musa's (green, #7) first goal came from this powerful close range strike

Day 10 Previews

Who: Belgium v. Tunisia
Where: Spartak Stadium, Moscow
When: June 23, 8 AM EST
Watch: Fox, Telemundo (TV); Fox Sports Go (Streaming)
Prediction: 2-0 Belgium: Belgium, once again, perform as expected by beating the underdogs of their roup handily. The loss will make Tunisia eliminated, while this multi-goal win will almost assuredly give Belgium the Group G winners, barring England routing Panama by 4 or 5 goals.

Who: Korea Republic v. Mexico
Where: Eostov Arena, Rostov-on-Don
When: June 23, 11 AM EST
Watch: Fox, Telemundo (TV); Fox Sports Go (Streaming)
Prediction: 3-0 Mexico: Mexico, fresh off an 1-0 upset over Germany that makes Mexico control their own destiny for first place in the group, will easily beat South Korea. Korea could not find a way to score against Sweden, and it won't be any easier to score against El Tri tomorrow. Mexico will enter the final group stage game on the verge of first place being clinched.

Who: Germany v. Sweden
Where: Fisht Stadium, Sochi
When: June 23, 2 PM EST
Watch: Fox, Telemundo (TV); Fox Sports Go (Streaming)
Prediction: 2-0 Germany: Could Germany be this World Cup's 2014 Spain, the defending champs that then failed to make it out of the group stage the next World Cup? I don't believe so, as the group Spain were in had tougher teams, while Germany now play underdogs Sweden and South Korea next.Expect Germany to struggle in finishing chances, but ultimately getting a few goals to boost their Goal Differential.

Don't expect for it to happen, but Germany may be eliminated tomorrow with a loss and such unfortunate group results.

Day 8 Recaps: Denmark, Australia Draw; France Qualify by Eliminating Peru; Argentina Embarrassed

Another slate of three group stage matches were played today in Russia. The first match, Denmark v. Australia, brought us a draw, with close chances for a winner. Denmark scored first in the 7th minute, when Nicolai Jorgenson made a lay-off to Christian Eriksen in the box, who blasted it into the top of the netting past keeper Mat Ryan for a 1-0 lead. In the 21st minute, Ryan parried away Pione Sisto's strike, preceding the 38th minute equaliser. In the 35th, Denmark's Yussuy Poulson used his hand to block Mathew Leckie's header in the box, and Mile Jedinak converted the ensuing PK. Denmark's keeper Kasper Schmeichel then had an eventful second half, blocking and saving shots to prevent Australia from scoring a second. He stopped shots by Daniel Arzani and Leckie to help preserve Denmark's point, keeping Denmark in top half of the group.

Next up was the other Group C match, Peru v. France. Peru needed a win/tie to stay in the tournament, France a win to qualify to the next round. Early in the game, France's Olivier Giroud had a scorching strike stopped by Peru keeper Pedro Gallese. In the 30th minute, Christian Cueva's shot was blocked by French keeper Hugo Lloris. The breakthrough for France would come four minutes later, when Giroud's strike deflected past Gallese, and 19 year old Kylian Mbappe tapped it in, becoming the youngest Frenchman to score at the World Cup. Lucas Hernandez nearly double the lead, but Gallese stopped it. Peru would struggle in the second half to find a goal, the only chance in the 88th minute from a Paolo Guerrero free kick stopped by Lloris. France is now in first with the 1-0 win, as Peru is now eliminated.

The final match was played between Croatia and Argentina. Argentina, looking for a better performance after a disappointing 1-1 draw with Iceland, had a huge chance missed in the 30th minute when Enzo Perez missed an open net following a defensive gaffe by Croatia. Lionel missed a ball earlier to tap into the net in the 7th minute. Croatia's Mario Mandzukic missed a close range header in the 32nd, and then Croatia dominated the game. The breakthrough would come in the 53rd, when Argentine keeper Willy Caballero gave the ball over to a rushing Ante Rebic, who slammed it home. This came seconds after Sergio Aguero forced a save out of Croatian keeper Danijel Subasic. In the 68th, a cross from Gonzalo Higuain fell to Maximiliano Meza, whose shot was saved by Subasic, and then blocked Messi's point-blank tap in. Luka Modric doubled the lead for Croatia when his 20 yard shot beat Caballero's outstretched right hand. Croatia would embarrass Argentina with a third in stoppage time, when Ivan Ratikic tapped it in past a exhausted Argentine defense. This puts Croatia into the next round, while Argentina need to win next match to have any chances to move on.

Messi (white, #10) in disbelief as Croatia celebrate after their 3rd goal.