Mexico V Sweden
(Synopsis in red)
Beers: Group F of Beer World Cup:
Corona need only one more win to get into the last 16, while Crocodile of Sweden has been very disappointing so far in my Beer World Cup.
V 
Corona get the victory, as once again I couldn’t really get any discernible taste at all from Crocodile. As light as Corona is, its still a relativity nice drink on a very hot summers day.
PreGame:
Mexico Beat South Korea in their last game but I was far from convinced by that performance. Lets be honest they wouldn’t have scored in the first half if it wasn’t for the penalty. They were very slow to get motoring at times, and defending with over 25 minutes to go is a bit beneath them.
Mexico got the penalty in the first half, a definite peno, don’t know what the Korean defender was doing flying in with his hands up. Nice penalty from Vela, about all he did in the game.
The thing I hate about Mexico is that they always waste so many score-able opportunities and good forward play with sloppy play or ballooning the ball over the bar. Layún did it in the first half, Lozano did it a good few times, even the usually reliable Javier Hernández kicking the ball out of the stadium. FFS lads try and keep your shots low to gravity.
R Márquez made an appearance and proceeded to have a brain freeze gifting the ball to Min, who should have done better. Corona came on and I was wondering what Porto got for their 10 million, as he barely made a forward run at all, tripping up over the ball at times. Anyway Korea pulled one back and Mexico held on, just about.
I am not so sure about Mexico now and cant see them getting to far into the tournament after this display.
Wow, what a game that was Germany V Sweden, a game of high stakes all in pressure, wow. Where do I even begin to start? Sweden were unlucky to let in the goal, had defended stoutly for most of the game, and put it up to the Germans. And fair dues to the Germans, looking dead and buried at half time, and even worse when Boateng stupidly got sent off, they somehow, somehow, managed to get a win in this game. How??????
German started off fine, stretching Sweden down both flanks, but Sweden showed they could be dangerous early on when Neuer made himself big for Berg to hit it straight at him when through. That was the big scare that should have woken the Germans up.
But it didn’t, and in the 32nd minute Toivonen was through, and somehow chipped Neuer from nearly an impossible angle, one nil to Sweden, oh heck! Claesson, later then had a great chance to make it two nil, but he was let down by a terrible first touch, on a 2 v 1 break. Tut tut.
I really couldn’t see how Germany could get back into this game. They were not playing well, had a load of passengers on the team and no leader on the pitch to drag them to victory. But luckily for them Reus was on target, in the right place at the right time, in the box to score level, just after the break.
Now surely Germany would ease to victory and get that second goal. Or so we thought, but the minutes started to tick away, and then Boateng got himself sent off for a silly reckless challenge. It was hard with 11, now it was going to be near impossible with only 10.
Gomez missed a point blank sitter, amazing really how he can call himself a striker, then Brandt hit the post with a long range effort, Robin Olsen the Swedish goalkeeper in between making a number of excellent saves. The Swedish back line were under all sorts of pressure. With only about 30 seconds of the allotted time left, Jimmy Durmaz, with the paedo like beard, gave a silly free kick away on the edge of the box. This was surely the last chance for the Germans, it was a tight enough angle but no bother for Kroos who, with a quick one two with Reus, smashed it over the wall into the net. Brilliant recovery from Germany, and they are still in this years World Cup. PHEW, my heart!
As for Sweden they will hope to bounce back today against Mexico, but I fear they wont. They already sound like a defeated team, Jimmy Durmaz, moaning to the press about death threats (on the fucking internet!) and the whole Swedish team complaining about the German celebrations. I know its modern Sweden, but man the fuck up. What a team of losers.
A more detailed review on Mexico here and on Sweden here
Looked at the first half of this game.
Mexico nearly caught out early doors, ball flying across their box and no Swede to tap it into the empty net. Warning signs early on.
But Sweden kept up the pressure and continued to hit Mexico hard from free kicks and corners. Forsberg blasting in a good free kick that Ochoa in the Mexican net did well to push over for a corner. Berg with a clever overhead that just went the wrong side of the post. Forsberg, again, blasted over with a free shot on goals when he could have got it at least on target. It was all Sweden.
The the first controversy of the game. It appeared that Javier Hernández handled in his own box, at least thats what it looked like to me. But not top the referee who had to refer it to VAR and still made the wrong decision. In my opinion it should have been a peno.
Berg had a point blank shot superbly saved by Ochoa, brilliant save to tip over the bar. At the end of the first half Sweden were miles and away the better team. And so that proved as they only went and got three goals in the second half, wow!!
Must say that their defence is the best I have seen in this years World Cup, very tall and difficult to break down. In particular, Granqvist in the centre of the defence has caught my eye with some great performances in the 3 games so far. Take a bow Sweden, well done today.
Music to get you in the mood
Alejandra Guzmán – Mi Peor Error (Primera Fila) (Mexico) V Europe – The Final Countdown
And then the fucking imbecile of a manager takes off Agüero to further make Messi’s life harder. Bringing on Higuaín (did he even touch the ball?) is neither here not there, take off a fucking midfielder ffs!!!! 
Nigeria can be very disjointed at times, and terrible to watch on occasion, but when they click boy do they click. Its really all about confidence. They also got some half decent players. Moses is such an awkward player, at times he can be an ass taking potshots from all angles, but other times like today he was opening up the space on the wing and doing so much running at the Icelandic defence, that he had a huge effect on the game. Then you got Musa, who did very little in the first half, but was extraordinary in the second. Two absolutely brilliant goals, one taken from a quick break, again on the counter, he flicked it up and banged in into the bag of the net, every schoolboys dream, brilliant. The other, running with amazing speed, beating the defence and the goalie at will, back of the net. Brilliant.
Imagine my shock when I see that Mascherano was playing. I literally had just wrote on my notes WTF, when sure enough he made two errors. He headed out for a corner when no one was near him, then with the resulting corner he pulled down a Nigerian forward. Ok that was a bit harsh that decision, but what was he doing anyway. I would like to know what Jorge Sampaoli sees in him? He is useless, gives the ball away too cheaply and can’t defend. I also might add why the manager would only introduce Aguero with about 12 minutes left in the clock, and start with the donkey Higuain, who cant shoot straight for shit. Tsk, tsk. 
I also notice no players went to congratulate Jorge Sampaoli as the goal went in, he looked like a lemming on his own, billy no mates. Says a lot. 
Croatia knew exactly how to exploit the narrow shape of Argentina in their last game, by pining it along the wings and spraying it left to right and vice a versa. It also helped that the, Argentinean goalkeeper, Caballero, his brain went away without leave, gifting Rebic a free strike, which he took superbly. After that Argentina were always playing catch up. Croatia had so many more chances, and sure enough another goal came for Croatia, and what a goal it was. Modric creating space for himself to curl a lovely ball into the corner of the net, top class stuff. Rakitic, who had a good game overall, apart from his playacting, then hit the post, but got another chance to get on the score sheet, minutes later, when he had an easy conversion from a square ball to simply place it into the net. Argentina were dead and buried, from Croatia with love, thank you very much, 3-0.
Nigeria can be very disjointed at times, and terrible to watch on occasion, but when they click boy do they click. Its really all about confidence. They absolutely took apart Iceland. Moses was opening up the space on the wing and doing so much running at the Icelandic defence, that he had a huge effect on the game. Then you got Musa, who did very little in the first half, but was extraordinary in the second. Two absolutely brilliant goals, one taken from a quick break, again on the counter, he flicked it up and banged in into the bag of the net, every schoolboys dream, brilliant. The other, running with amazing speed, beating the defence and the goalie at will, back of the net. Brilliant. Iceland were ran ragged. 
Could feel the tension in the game, Iceland needed a win to get to the last 16, so they started the game with a lot of tempo, knowing they had a small chance what with Croatia making 8 changes to their first team, albeit they still had the magician Modric on the field. 
We expected Denmark to come out in the second half and normal service would resume, but instead it was all Australia and they were unlucky on a few occasions not to snatch a winning goal. What they lacked in skill they more than made up for it in spirit and tenace. Leckie for Australia was simply outstanding, all over the pitch, left and right, and such a workhorse. He might not be the most technically gifted player but boy does he work his socks off for the team, great performance. 
For Peru, I have a lot of love for the way they tried in the French game but in the end, after two games for them, it was all fruitless. If they can’t score a goal against such muck then you are not good enough to be under the top table, dont mind sitting at the table. Harsh but true.
Peru fans though, never let up all game, and were noisy throughout, a real credit to their nation, and definitely one of the top fan groups at this years World Cup. 
All started perfectly for the Danes, with Eriksen blasting in a lovely executed volley early on, and it look like there would be a hiding for the Aussies. Denmark were playing some decent passing football, Sisto was better, Schöne was impressive and they had a few chances to increase their lead. N Jørgensen heading wide when it might have looked easier to score. All looked well. 
Deschamps had Pavard still on the starting 11, which tells you a lot about their squad strength. and he was still shit against Peru, albeit less so as Mbappé had to track back and do the forwards runs Pavard should have done. You could argue that was a good solution to an obvious problem, perhaps, but it means there is a gap in midfield. 
Only real highlights were when, stand in goalie, Mandanda saved well from an Eriksen effort, and Griezmann setting up Giroud to balloon 40 foot over the bar. And that was about it. Fucking boring.
Morocco had Portugal on the ropes in their last game but didn’t have the knock out punch required to get a result in this game. Shocked after an early initial goal by Ronaldo, they were unlucky.
The Iran V Spain game for me was a fascinating duel between the classy Spanish team up against the resolute defending of the Iranians. For a long time I really couldn’t see how the usually patient Spanish build up was going to break down such a solid defensive line. Where was the goal going to come from?
Diego Costa got the lucky goal, scoring off a rebound that hit his knee, don’t think he even knew too much about it. Not much the goalkeeper could do about it.
And then a shock, Boutaïb capitalized on a sloppy error by Ramos, was free and took his chance brilliantly to slot home past De Gea, one nil to Morocco. Wow didnt expect that!
Second half En-Nesyri scored with a bullit of a header to put Morocco ahead again, but just before the end Spain equalized when Iago Aspas slotted home in what looked like an offside position. VAR called in again, and the goal stood much to the chagrin of the Morocco team. Game ended a draw, but Morocco might find they were unlucky in this World Cup, in a tough group. If they were in another group they might have got to the last 16. Spain up against Russia next, should get to the last eight. 
Goals will be the objective today for Portugal, knowing that this is what is needed to come top of the group. Step forward Ronaldo so to do the business. Sure Iran are still in it, but with a well placed free kick, they soon wont be in it. 
Morocco had a few chances where they could have scored an equaliser. Benatia was unlucky with a fine header, while Rui Patrício, the Portuguese GLK pulled off an amazing save to deny Belhanda, and then Benatia in the end with another free header that probably he should have did better with. They should have at least got one goal for all their effort, but that’s the marking of a good team, all chances no goal, Portugal one chance, one goal. That’s the difference!
Not only that but at times Iran broke out of their defensive lock to attack Spain as well. Ansarifard had what the whole watching public thought was a goal, close but unfortunately for Iran it was the side netting. Oh so close. Then there was that goal, but so unlucky to be stroked off due to a very close offside, bad luck that VAR is unflappable!
Ronnie was fouled in the box, initially didn’t look like a penalty and I dont think Ronaldo protested that much either, but then the ref changed his mind, and had got VAR to recheck it. And sure enough it was a penalty. Looking at the slow-mo I guess there could be an argument that the defender clipped Ronaldo. Either way the big oaf missed it or to put it more correctly it was well saved by Iran goalkeeper Ali Beiranvand
Then we had one of the big incidents of the night. Ronaldo’s hand brushed Pouraliganji’s chest and the poor soul nearly had a heart attack. I never knew Ronnie had ninja like strength, amazing. I thought the referee did very well, considering the pressure from the crowd and the Iran bench. He gave a yellow and should have given one to Pouraliganji for playacting, bloody clown. There is a reason why Iran dont play rugby.
A tense game overall but I dont like this VAR, complicates things too much. Portugal were playing Russia one minute then Uruguay the next and in the end nearly went out altogether. They will have it tough against Uruguay for sure, while I wont be sad to see Iran go, didn’t like the vuvuzelas, and they were very cynical in the way they played the game. We have enough of those kind of teams already in the competition (Spain and Portugal are two that comes to mind!). Bye. bye
With a vastly superior goal difference Russia only need the draw and that is what I feel they will get against a Uruguay team that has so far flattered to deceive. Russia will go for it, but Uruguay might be strong enough in attack to respond themselves with a few goals. 
This all shows that Uruguay have no midfield. If you are getting played of the park by Saudi Arabia then you have serious problems as a team, and no World Cup trophy will be heading your way, for sure! Too much space and a lot of gaps appeared in the centre of the pitch, I began to wonder if Uruguay had any midfield at all.
Didn’t have to wait too long in the second half for a goal as it came after a very sloppy display of goal keeping by El-Shenawy who choose not to catch a simple ball and the resulting clearance made its way back into the box and off the defender Fathy for a pathetic own goal. Two more goals came, Cheryshev, scored a well deserved second from a great assist by Fernandes, and Dzyuba, the man mountain scored a typical centre forward effort bringing the ball brilliantly down on his chest and then rifling it home bottom corner, class stuff.
Only got to see the first half of this game. From what I saw Uruguay were well on top without having to break too much of a sweat. Stanislav Cherchesov changed most of his team, while Uruguay went with much of the same team they had in the first two games. 
If there will be goals and if, as I expect, Egypt will be scoring those goals then there is only one man to do that for them and that’s Mo. He usually gets his chances at the minimum on target and against a poor SA goalie that only means one thing: goals. 
Expecting Uruguay to push on from the goal and score more, the opposite happened, it was Saudi Arabia that began to play the better football, with Bahebri having two great chances at a goal, one a sweet long range effort well saved by Muslera, the other a simple tap in at the far post ballooned over the bar when he should have hit the target. Unlucky.
Egypt got one back from a penalty (good call ref) from Salah, but by then the game was over, and with it their tournament. Egypt were simply not good enough, with or without Mo.
Just got to see the second half of this game as I started off with the other game first. Salah got off the mark in the first half, while the Saudis had two penalties, scoring one from Al Faraj, while Fahad Al-Muwallad missed the other one. Well I say miss but in reality it was a great one handed save from El Hadary, the Egyptian goalkeeper, a sprightly young lad at 45! 
Egypt simply never used enough of Salah, never playing him in, not even passing to him at times, it really looks like Salah and his team mates dont get on at all. Ungrateful bastards, do they think they would even be there if it wasn’t for Mo?
Senegal did drop the tempo a bit in the second half, but Poland didn’t react at all. And after Senegal poxed another goal from a comedy goal they kind of gave up. The goal was a mix up between midfielder Krychowiak who booted an aimless back pass towards his goalkeeper Szczesny, who wasn’t expecting it and came off his line to intercept, but he missed it and Niang got the bounce and scored into an empty net to make it two nil.
Colombia: In the Colombia V Japan match, I knew Japan would score goals, but I never guessed they would come out as victors. Excellent win, and fully deserved as they totally had Colombia in their pockets all through the second half. Well done Japan.
Cuadrado was surprisingly taking off by José Pékerman after half an hour, which was kind of strange but I did say in my preview he is a donut of a manager, so what gives. They could have done with him in the second half as Colombia had no pace by then.
causing all sorts of problems on both wings, Barrios working hard as a defensive midfielder, while James Rod was doing his thing in the centre of the park. It was all Colombia and Poland had nothing to stop them.