Group stage play wrapped up today ( 6/28/18) in Russia and we saw some more madness! So without further ado, let's dive into today's action!
GROUP H:
JAPAN 0 POLAND 1 :
COLUMBIA 1 SENAGAL 0
It was basically two games in one, with both games going at the same speed most of the time.
Poland came into today already eliminated from knockout stage contention, at 0-2, but still had a chance to dash Japan's hopes of making the last 16 with a win. Meanwhile , all Senegal needed was a point to make it through , while Columbia needed a win, no more , no less. At halftime , both games were scoreless at 0-0.
But in the second half , the madness began , in the 6oth minute, Jan Bedernak right footed a shot in front of the net pas the Japanese goalie for a 1-0 Poland lead! Japan was on life support and were hoping for a Columbia goal. Well, 14 minutes later , they got their wish as Yerry Miana headed one into the net, and Columbia had a 1-0 lead!! the games would finish at 1-0, and Columbia was moving on to the last 16! However, the question remained , "Who gets the Wild card ?" " Japan or Senegal?" both teams had equal points , goals differential , goals scored ... But there was one difference , fair play points , that is goals in fair play meaning corner kick and penalty shot goals are excluded from this category, and well on the last tiebreaker , Japan is moving through to the last 16!!!
GROUP G
PANAMA 1 TUNIASIA 2
BELGIUM 1 ENGLAND 0
The only game that really mattered , in this group today was the Belgium vs England game as both teams had already clinched their spots in the last 16, but were battling for first place in the group.
Meanwhile , Tunisia and Panama were looking to end their World Cup on a high note , and after jumping out to an early 1-0 lead on an own goal, Panama squandered the lead in the second half as Tunisia rallied to win 2-1 , and end their World Cup at 1-2.
Meanwhile, in a defensive battle , Belgium was able to win the group by defeating England 1-0 on an Adanan Najuzaj goal from the top of the key in the 51st minute! with that, the round 16 is officially set !
HERE ARE THE MATCHUPS: WITH THE DATES OF THE GAMES.
URUGUAY VS PORTUGAL : JUNE 30TH
FRANCE VS ARGENTINA : JUNE 3OTH
BRAZIL VS MEXICO : JULY 2ND
BELGIUM VS JAPAN JULY 2ND
SPAIN VS RUSSIA JULY 1ST
CROATIA VS DENMARK : JULY 1ST
SWEDEN VS SWITZERLAND : JULY 3RD
COLUMBIA VS ENGLAND : JULY 3RD
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