The good, bad and ugly from the World Cup group stage

Danny Dichio and Brendan Dunlop discuss the final day of the group stages at the 2018 World Cup which saw Belgium show their depth against England.

With the knockout round at the FIFA World Cup set to kick off on Saturday, this is the perfect time to look back and pick out the best and worst moments from the group stage…

BEST TEAM(S)

Croatia and Uruguay: They topped their respective groups with perfect 3-0 records, and have distinguished themselves with their overall balances and professional displays in all of their games. Portugal is no doubt cursing its look after finishing second in its group, setting up a second-round date with the impenetrable Uruguayans. As for Denmark, its prize for getting out of its group is a do-or-die match against the Croats, who boast an impressive midfield core featuring Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic.

BEST PLAYER

Diego Godin, Uruguay: The tough-as-nails defender played a crucial role in Uruguay’s three wins to top Group A. Godin played every minute of all three games, quarterbacking a defence that didn’t concede a single goal. Whether it was partnering Atletico Madrid teammate Jose Gimenez in the middle of a four-man back line, or in the centre of a three-man defence, Uruguay’s captain was there to hold things together at the back. His stellar performances were shades of Fabio Cannavaro for Italy at the 2006 World Cup in Germany. Honourable mention to Croatia’s midfield maestro Modric.

BEST GAME

June 15 – Portugal 3, Spain 3 in Sochi: One of the best group stage games in recent memory, offering plenty of entertainment and drama in a six-goal thriller. And who doesn’t enjoy seeing a Cristiano Ronaldo hat trick, amirite? (Well, maybe Lionel Messi fans.) This was touted one of the marquee matches to watch in the first round, and it more than lived up to all of the pre-tournament hype.

BEST GOAL

June 26 – Nigeria 1, Argentina 2 in Saint Petersburg: Early in the first half, Argentina’s Ever Banega played a perfect long pass from the centre line over the top of Nigeria’s defence for a streaking Messi. The FC Barcelona took the ball in full stride, cushioning it with his thigh and then his left foot before hammering a powerful right-footed shot across the goal and into the back of the net. A sublime ball by Banega, and even better control and a finish by Messi to open the scoring in an eventual Argentina win.

BEST SAVE

June 16 – France 2, Australia 1 in Kazan: In the 17th minute, Australia’s Aaron Mooy delivered a free kick from the left wing into the box that deflected off teammate Trent Sainsbury. French goalkeeper Hugo Lloris reacted just in time by making a diving save to tip the ball around the post.

BIGGEST UPSET

June 17 – Germany 0, Mexico 1 in Moscow: The biggest shocker of the tournament saw Mexico strike a blow for CONCACAF pride by knocking off Germany, the World Cup holders and the overwhelming favourite coming into this competition. It was the Germans’ first World Cup defeat since dropping a 1-0 decision to Spain in the 2010 semifinals, and they become the third consecutive reigning champion who failed to win its opening match.

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BIGGEST FLOP: TEAM

Germany: Who expected the reigning World Cup champions would bow out in the group stage? A loss to modest South Korea in their final match ensured the holders crashed out of the tournament. Germany became the third consecutive reigning World Cup champion to fail to advance out of the group stage, joining Italy (in 2010) and Spain (in 2014). France also bowed out in the group stage in 2002.

BIGGEST FLOP: PLAYER

Toni Kroos, Germany: Yes, he scored that injury-time winner against Sweden that revitalized Germany’s hopes. But the Real Madrid star, rightly considered one of the best midfielders in the game today, was far from his top form throughout the tournament. He looked pedestrian at times, committed some uncharacteristically poor passes, and was routinely sloppy in possession.

BEST MOMENT

June 24 – England 6, Panama 1 in Nizhny: Down 6-0, Felipe Baloy poked the ball home off a free kick in the 78th minute to score Panama’s first-ever goal at the World Cup. You’d have thought Panama, making its tournament debut, had won the World Cup by the wild and passionate celebrations from its supporters in the stands.

BIGGEST DISGRACE

June 26 – Denmark 0, France 0 in Moscow: Les Bleus, who made a number of lineup changes and rested six starters, already clinched a spot in the knockout round, while the Danes only needed a draw. France had little interest in exerting itself, while Denmark had no appetite to open things up and go on the attack – especially as word likely filtered down to that Peru was beating Australia in the other Group C game. Both teams were rightly jeered by the fans in Moscow throughout the match, and they received another round of catcalls and boos after the final whistle.

BEST TWEET

BEST STAT

At 45 years and 161 days, Egyptian goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary became the oldest player to ever appear in a World Cup match when he started against Saudi Arabia in Volgograd on June 25. The previous record was held by Colombian goalkeeper Faryd Mondragon (43 years and three days) set in 2014.

BEST QUOTE

“We are virgins, we have been born before the due date, we are debutants. We have to celebrate what we have done here.” – Panama coach Hernan Dario Gomez, after his team’s 6-1 loss to England.

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