After each matchday of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Sportsnet.ca’s World Cup Daily blog will recap the day’s events, and look ahead to the next day’s slate of games.
Here’s what happened on Tuesday, in case you missed it…
THE RESULTS
Denmark 0, France 0 in Moscow: Match report || match stats
Australia 0, Peru 2 in Sochi: Match report || match stats
Nigeria 1, Argentina 2 in Saint Petersburg: Match report || match stats
Iceland 1, Croatia 2 in Rostov: Match report || match stats
MAIN TALKING POINTS
An unlikely saviour saves Argentina
For a while there in Saint Petersburg on Tuesday, Argentina looked like it old self. Lionel Messi was in full flight and taking on opposing defenders one-on-one. The South Americans were stroking the ball around, and forcing the Nigerians to chase it. Their attack was fervent and dangerous, and it looked like they were going to pour it on. They even rode their luck at times, surviving some dreadful defending and awful giveaways (Javier Mascherano was the main culprit) to head into the halftime break with a 1-0 lead courtesy of a Messi’s goal-of-the-tournament strike in the 14th minute.
But then it all came undone, as we saw the Argentina that we witnessed through the first two matches of the group stage. Clueless at times, tactically naïve, defensively suspect. Nigeria was given a lifeline by Mascherano when he was called for pulling down a Nigerian player inside the penalty area. Victor Moses converted from the spot in the 51st minute, and we had a new ball game. Argentina was now on the verge of going home, suffering a group-round exit at the World Cup for the first time since 2002. For more than 30 minutes, Argentina tried in vain to break down a resolute Nigeria side that parked the bus, and dangerously hit out on the counter-attack. Messi was seeing less and less of the ball, and couldn’t influence the game like he did in the first half.
Argentina needed someone to step up. Critics of this Argentina team have been saying it all tournament. Messi can’t do it alone. He can’t be expected to carry the load all by himself, and be responsible for bailing Argentina out of jail. Somebody else –anybody! – had to come up big. That person proved to be one of the unlikeliest candidates. Marcos Rojo, a centre back of modest reputation, found himself unmarked inside the Nigerian box as Gabriel Mercado flew down the right wing and whipped in a cross to the penalty spot. With all the composure and technique of a ruthless striker, Rojo hit a sweet volley with the inside of his right foot that nestled in the lower right corner of the net. Argentina was saved by the unlikeliest of saviours.
France-Denmark shades of ‘Disgrace of Gijon’
Austria and West Germany shamefully conspired with one another at the 1982 World Cup in Spain, draping a blanket of controversy over the competition. Algeria looked a sure bet to go through to the knockout round after they defeated Chile on June 24 in Oviedo in their final group stage match. Austria and the Germans faced off in the final match of the group the next day in Gijon. Because FIFA did not require the final two games of the group stages to be played simultaneously, like they do now, Austria and West Germany knew that a 1-0 win for the Germans would be enough for both nations to advance to the next round.
And so, the two neighbouring countries had their arrangement and stopped playing when the Germans went 1-0 up after 10 minutes. From that point on, the game slowed down to a crawl with neither team seriously venturing forward, and they both advanced at the expense of Algeria. The Spanish spectators in the stands booed both countries unmercifully as they carried out this sporting fraud, and Algeria protested the result to FIFA the next day, but soccer’s world governing body turned a blind eye and let the injustice stand.
Denmark and France played to a 0-0 draw on Tuesday in Moscow, a game that didn’t set the paces racing. Les Bleus, who made a number of line-up changes and rested six starters, already clinched a spot in the knockout round, while the Danes only needed a draw. While this wasn’t on par with the “Disgrace of Gijon,” it was still pretty dour and dire, and brought back dark memories of that Austria-West Germany match. 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 them 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. Job done for Denmark who advanced and France who clinched first place in Group C. But shame on them for this turgid display.
[snippet id=3758859]
BEST GAME
Is there any debate? Nigeria vs. Argentina was full of suspense and drama, with the South Americans on the brink of going home early, even after Lionel Messi gave them the lead by scoring the goal of the tournament. Nigeria held them at bay, but then Marcos Rojo stepped up in Argentina’s time of need, and sent them through to the next round with his late goal.
BEST GOAL
In the 14th minute, Ever Banega played a perfect long pass over the top of Nigeria’s defence for a streaking Lionel Messi. The FC Barcelona took it 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. Hands down the goal of the tournament thus far.
BEST SAVE
In the 34th minute, Lionel Messi lined up behind the ball and delivered a curling free kick from 20 yards out that seemed destined for the upper right corner. Nigerian goalkeeper Francis Uzoho managed to just get a finger on it to tip it off the post and out of danger.
BEST MOMENT
THE GAME WITHIN THE GAME
This will give you an idea of how committed – or not, in this case – both France and Denmark were to trying to attack in the first half:
2 – Denmark and France 's average position in the 1st half of their opposition. Strategies. pic.twitter.com/X9pybWMHSv
— OptaJean (@OptaJean) June 26, 2018
BEST TWEET
BEST QUOTE
“This triumph is for our people and for Jefferson [Farfan]. We showed that Peru can play as equal to anyone.” – Peru captain Paolo Guerrero, on his teammate who missed Tuesday’s match against Australia through injury.
SIX PACK OF STATS
• André Carillo’s goal gave Peru the lead in a World Cup game for the first time since 1978 vs. Iran, which was also the country’s last win in the tournament.
• Didier Deschamps took charge of his 79th game as France manager on Tuesday, equaling the record held by Raymond Domenech.
• France and Denmark played to the first 0-0 draw of this World Cup. The 36 previous matches in Russia featured at least one goal.
• Lionel Messi is the first player to score a World Cup goal in his teens, 20s, and 30s.
• Two of Marcos Rojo’s three international goals for Argentina have come against Nigeria – he also scored against them at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
• Croatia has won three consecutive World Cup games for the first time in its history.
Stats courtesy of Opta
THREE STARS
1) Ever Banega, Argentina: Played a massive game in the Argentine midfield – he assisted on Lionel Messi’s goal, created several other scoring chances, and helped out defensively.
2) Marcos Rojo, Argentina: Scored the game-winner late in regulation time that rescued Argentina from an early exit, and sent them through to the knockout round.
3) André Carillo, Peru: Was lively down the right side of Peru’s attack, and scored a wonderful goal to help pace the South Americans to their first World Cup win in 40 years.
LOOKING AHEAD TO WEDNESDAY
Group F: South Korea vs. Germany in Kazan (10:00 a.m. ET) – The Germans are riding high after that last-second win over Sweden courtesy of Toni Kross’ dramatic goal in injury time. Instead of sitting on one point and needing help to move on, the Germans control their fate and can advance with a win (and possibly a draw, depending on the result of the other game in the group). Winless South Korea is still alive, but they need a win and help elsewhere in order to move on.
Group F: Mexico vs. Sweden in Yekaterinburg (10:00 a.m. ET) – The Mexicans top the group and control their fate, needing only a draw in order to advance. Even if they lose, they could still go through, so long as Germany doesn’t win its match. The Swedes and Germans are tied for second place in three points – if Sweden manages to out-point Germany, they’ll move on.
Group E: Serbia vs. Brazil in Moscow (2:00 p.m. ET) – Brazil only needs a draw to advance to the knockout round. A win would ensure they finish first in the group. A draw might be enough for the Serbs if Switzerland loses its match, but chances are they’ll need a win in order to move on. A loss would eliminate the Serbs.
Group E: Switzerland vs. Costa Rica in Nizhny (2:00 p.m. ET) – The Swiss control their fate as they only need a draw in order to qualify for the knockout round. A draw might be enough for them, so long as Serbia loses. A Swiss loss could lead to them being eliminated if Serbia wins. Costa Rica has already been eliminated.
ELSEWHERE ON THE WEB
John Leicester of The Associated Press wrote this column on the use of VAR at the World Cup. He’s not a fan:
As must have been the case with the first glimmers of electric lights in the 19th century, video assistant referees benefited from an initial “Wow! The technology works!” buzz when they first plugged themselves in at this World Cup. Many observers were quickly won over, like wide-eyed kids switching on new gizmos. But the VAR system’s pernicious impact is apparent, too. Instead of the referees’ uniform the screen-watchers theatrically wear as they scrutinize the action and replays in FIFA’s self-important “VAR Room” (sounds like “War Room,” get it?), they should wear aprons. Because their introduction is dirtying fundamental charms of the game that long managed perfectly well without them.
[relatedlinks]
