All the Scores: From the Opening Match to the Final in Russia

This man is crazy

 

You've got just two African teams advancing not three. You should correct your review. Also I will post my scores when World Cup comes around.

 

Half time too?

 

Is this really a prediction? I view it as more just wishful thinking, or in other words, you wouldn't put money on it as you know in your heart of hearts it's unrealistic.

 

It was a good and thorough read. Thanks. I wouldn't put Iran vs Russia in a game tho. I think everything would be done to make the Russians win a game between those two teams. The countries are partners on the international scene no? Russians are the hosts. You would have to be a deferential visitor

 

Found my own crystal ball while cleaning my basement, so here goes nothing.



Comment: The Russians get an early goal in the opening game, which is followed by a looong period of footballing dullness. Towards the very end of the game, they get a second one in a counter-attack. With a recently-injured Salah on the field, Uruguay prove too strong for the Pharaos. Héctor Cúper's defensive tactics prove fatal in the second round, as Egypt draw nil-nil with the hosts. Meanwhile, Uruguay easily beat Saudi Arabia.

In the third and final group stage round, played simultaneously, both Nández's & Salah's goals gives hope to the Egyptians of making it to the knockout stage. They badly need a second goal. Trézéguet hits the post at one point, which denies him the honour of becoming the 2nd player in WC history with that name to score against Saudi Arabia. Now that's a stat worth sharing!

However, their hopes are dashed by a dubious penalty call in the 71st minute. Russia advances with minimal effort along with Uruguay, a team that hasn't been properly tested yet.

I'll post the rest in the morning, as it's past midnight here and I'm tired.

 

Comment: In what is deemded as a very decisive fixture for both Morocco and Iran, neither team is able to break down the other's well-drilled defense. In the Iberian derby, the two Real Madrid teammates score one goal for each team. Ronaldo continues his 14-year long streak of scoring in every international tournament he's participated in.

The game between Portugal & Morocco is very even, but a red card for El Ahmadi in the 73rd minute ultimately results in a Portuguese victory. Meanwhile, the Spanish team displays its strength, and Aspas gets a hattrick. The absence of veteran Jalal Hosseini is proving a real mistake on Queiroz's side. As a consolation goal, Taremi scores a real beauty, one of the best in the tournament.

In the third round, Portugal struggles against a resilient Iran, but manages to win the game through a corner kick, which is headed by Ronaldo into the net. Spain continues to impress, with a comfortable victory vs Morocco. Costa's 3rd goal is VAR-approved, as he appeared too physically aggressive in the box.

 

Comment: A favourite both in this group as well as the whole tournament, France opens up by beating the Socceroos without any trouble. The second game proves to be one of the most entertaining ones for fans and neutrals alike. Peru, spearheaded by Guerrero, play with an abundance of energy, which is partly why they lose their lead towards the end.

In Australia's second game, old man Timmy Cahill gets a goal in, but Eriksen's free kick just before half-time gives the Danish another draw.

Les Bleus struggle as they take on Peru, but wins in the end. Going into the third round, Peru does everything in their power to get 3 points. Surely, France will at least tie against Denmark?

Unfortunately for the Peruvians, Sisto gives his team the lead. A great goal by the insanely quick Advíncula is a futile response, and they go fail to advance from the group. A talking point for the French is how Mbappé has failed to impress so far.

 

Comment: Will Messi finally get that elusive gold medal with the national team? Well, Argentina's off to a good start, as they crush an Icelandic side that gives everything it's got. However, the glaring quality gap in terms of players proves too much for them. Croatia-Nigeria is a boring affair, settled by an unlucky own goal by Leon Balogun.

The Croatians 2nd game is a lot better, but the Argentine forwards really seem to deliver in the group stage. Agüero was close to a hattrick, but an offside call was given in the 74th minute. A Lagerbäck-less Iceland is not able to repeat the Euro 2016 success, and loses all three matches. A dramatic finish to the group, as late goals end up with Croatia going through.

 

Comment: Right from the start, Brazil shows that it is a force to be reckoned with. Alisson makes a number of incredible saves in this match. With a goal by Gabriel Jesus, and with Djourou being Djourou, the Brazilian path to redemption after Mineirazo continues. A few hours earlier that day, Serbia and Costa Rica drew in a goalless game.

The decisive game between the European teams ends up in a Serbian victory. Something seems off about Switzerland's attack, and they struggle to get the ball in the net. Costa Rica is still with a chance of advancing, but lose against Switzerland while Serbia draws with Brazil.

 

Comment: The way I see it, Group F is very much open for the 2nd place, and that includes South Korea. My predicted table looks rather comical, but I find it to still be realistic enough.

Germany, of course, starts strong by beating Mexico. Sweden, with its rather poor forward pair, is rarely a threat to an arguably weak defence. However, with Korea having the single best attacking player on the field, Son, I can see him leading his nation to a victory. Mexico, having a lot better team than Korea, beats the South Asian team.

Meanwhile, Sweden expectedly lose against the Germans. For the final round, Germany rests many of their key players (”meinen lads, das ist South Korea”), and 'only' wins with one goal.

With a lot of pressure on their shoulders, Mexico proceeds to choke against Sweden, who are much more comfortable with being underdogs, especially if they aren't up against elite sides like Germany. Long story short, South Korea advances due to better goal difference.

 

Man, that's pretty bold. South Korea to finish second with only three goals allowed? Their defense is terrible. I respect your prediction but I wouldn't bet a single penny on that.

 

Yeah, I've mostly played it safely so far in the groups, but I can't shake off the feeling that something unexpected will happen in Group F. I guess it boils down to a combination of Mexico & Sweden being inconsistent/unreliable, while Germany might not give 100% in their last group game. And they have Son who is capable of adding to the GF column, which in return betters the goal difference.

 

Maybe. South Korea's defense is very vulberable but Mexico and Sweden struggle to score so maybe it isn't so bold than I thought. For me Sweden goes through with Germany.

 

Comment: The very physical style of play implemented by the Central Americans renders in a lot of yellow cards in their WC debut, but that doesn't stop Belgium from scoring for fun (including a Lukaku hattrick).

Not nearly as easily are England able to beat Tunisia, and it takes a substitute in the form of Jamie Vardy to get 3 points. People worldwide make "Harry Kane claimed it" jokes, as that meme will live on for a long time.

Not much to say about the 2nd round; Tunisia is not a terrible side, but their first two fixtures are anything but simple. Panama get their first ever WC goal when Luis Tejada converts a penalty vs. England and momentarily takes the lead.

England-Belgium looks like a Premier League game between two of the Top 6 teams. Intensity, pace and energy is all there, but perhaps not the best game defensively. Neutrals sure enjoy it though.

 

Comment: The final group of the tournament opens with two teams that prefer to keep possession of the ball. An even game that ends up in Colombia's favour. In the other game, the Polish fullbacks find it hard to cope with Senegal's wingers. In the end, a tie is the most fair result.

Niang saves Senegal as they fail to impress against Japan. Both superstars score as Poland gets another point, this time versus Colombia. The South Americans are good, but not as good as in 2014.

Various outcomes are possible prior to the third round. Sadly, an injury for James Rodríguez early on makes him miss the rest of the tournament. His subsitute later scores for Colombia. Konaté in particular impresses for Senegal. Poland end up undefeated, yet don't make it to R16 in the end.

 

Thanks, IM. While coming up with not only results for each match, but also the goal scorers + the minutes they're scored becomes mentally exhausting after a while, it's a good way to get myself hyped up before the WC starts.

I think it's understandable to have some doubts over Senegal & Japan, but the former is actually my wildcard for this tournament (as you will see with my knockout round predictions). Out of curiosity, would you have gone with Colombia today to advance alongside Poland, or still kept one of Japan/Senegal?

 

Comment: First of all, I've chosen not to display who shoots in which penalty shoot-out. With that disclaimer out of the way, let's continue with the Round of 16. France-Croatia turns out to be a high-scoring game with the Croatians having a edge in midfield.

Youngster Mbappé redeems himself from the poor start of the tournament by being heavily involved in most of France's chances. He ultimately scores the winner in extra time.

Santos & Tabárez employ conservative tactics as they go up against each other. Torreira, who had been an impressive substitute in Group A, starts today and performs an impeccable game. Pepe is a giant against Suárez & Cavani. Overall a great defensive display by both teams. Uruguay eventually wins after the tournament's first penalty shoot-out, but was a close one.

Russia runs out of luck, as Spain completely demolishes them. Not much else to say here. Argentina beats Denmark, and the Albiceleste's detractors start focusing their attention on the fact that Dybala looks miserable on the bench.

Similar to the Russians, South Korea are chanceless against a Brazilian that just seems to click in all aspects of the game. A Colombia sorely lacking James manage to Belgium into extra time, where Batshuayi ends their tournament.

Reading my results for Serbia-Germany might make you think I'm completely out of my mind. But yes, I do think it's due time a goalkeeper scores at the WC for the first time ever. And yes, I also think that Germany will get a shocking defeat at this stage of the tournament.

The English players start their match well, but soon struggle against the Senegalese attackers. The game ends the way that England always dread. The overall verdict is that Southgate did ok, and that they'll surely win something next time with the interesting young players they have.