The World Cup Boot Battle: Day 12
Today was the first day of the World Cup where things have got real. Although technically these last round of matches are still group games, in many cases they become a knockout, with the losing team going out and the victors progressing into the last 16.
Even when teams know they are through, they still must fight to guarantee first spot in the group and have (theoretically at least) an easier tie in the next round.
So, today saw the Iberian group come to a dramatic conclusion as Spain played Morocco and Iran played Portugal. In the host’s group, Russia faced-off with Uruguay for the top spot and Saudi Arabia and Egypt played out a dead rubber.
VAR is a joke and not a funny one for Portugal
Uruguay looking strong: Uruguay 3-0 Russia
Russia came into this tournament desperately out of form, and few saw them progressing ahead of Mo Salah’s Egypt and a decent Uruguayan side. From the outset though, they showed a bit of desire and quality, but today they hit the first roadblock to hinder momentum. Uruguay, on the other hand, started slow, but now seem to be thundering into the knockout stages.
It took them, and Luis Suarez in particular, just ten minutes to do something that I am sure Donald Trump has been thinking of how to do for a while now and penetrate the Russian defence. It came from a powerful and deadly-accurate, low free-kick from just outside the box.
A short while later it was two. Diego Laxalt struck an ambitious shot from range and it, unfortunately, hit Denis Cheryshev and deflected past Igor Akinfeev. Igor Smolnikov then got himself sent off for the hosts after receiving a second yellow card, ensuring that is would be a long day for his side. They prevented further bloodshed until the 90th minute where Edinson Cavani made it three to cap off a nice win.
Nil points for Salah: Saudi Arabia 2-1 Egypt
Egypt have been hyped up more than ever before leading up to the tournament simply down to that one man Salah. Nobody thought they could win it, but some predicted a Costa Rica-style run could be on the cards for them. In the end, it wasn’t.
Salah will end the tournament with two goals, however, after opening the scoring in this one with a lovely chip over the on-rushing keeper. He will be disappointed though, as he failed to convert a simple one-on-one chance.
Saudi Arabia then won a penalty for a harsh handball, but it was saved amazingly by Essam El Hadary, who incidentally at 45 was the oldest player to feature at a World Cup. The old boy couldn’t stop a second Saudi penalty though, this time Salman Al-Faraj scoring the penalty. Salam Al-Dawsari made it a winning final game for the Middle-easterns as he scored a last-minute goal to condemn Salah and Egypt to a 2-1 defeat.
VAR is a joke: Spain 2-2 Morocco and Iran 1-1 Portugal
We’re doing this one chronologically as opposed to game-by-game. The situation in this group was basically that Morocco were out, and Iran had to better Spain’s result or simply beat Portugal.
From the outset this group was turned on its head. Many thought Morocco would turn up, ship a few goals to Spain without putting in too much effort and then exit the World Cup quietly – having respected one of the favoured nations. In reality, they had absolutely no respect at all and after just 14 minutes Khalid Boutaib capitalised on the Spaniards lazy start to steal possession and finish calmly against David De Gea.
Boutaib should have converted a similar chance later on in the half as well but De Gea stood tall and denied the forward.
Isco equalised from close range for Spain just five minutes after they conceded after some nice work from Andres Iniesta, 0-0 at this point in Portugal’s match. The group stayed in the balance until the stroke of half-time, when Ricardo Quaresma demonstrated he still has a bit of quality left in him. He struck the ball beautifully with the outside of his boot into the top corner to give Portugal the lead and put them in control of the group.
As the second half began, VAR came into effect for the first (and definitely not the last) time today. Cristiano Ronaldo won his side a penalty (VAR reversed the initial decision), but the Golden Boot-seeker’s penalty was saved heroically by Iran’s keeper.
Portugal were not looking too convincing, and knew that an Iran goal could seriously shake the group up. Spain also knew this, and they just didn’t look their usual flowing selves. Morocco did well, and when Youssef En-Nesyri headed home from a corner, you could even say his side were doing great.
This meant that an Iran win could lead to a premature exit for either Portugal or Spain. But Iran weren’t going to win. They weren’t even going to score. UNTIL… They did. Karim Ansarifard stepped up to take a penalty. What for? Not much. A supposed hand-ball but VAR seemed to show it was harsh, yet it was still awarded. Work that one out. Anyway, it was scored and at the same time in the Spain match, Iago Aspas thought he had scored for Spain. He hadn’t. A flick from a free-kick that was turned in was adjudged to be offside until VAR came in and deemed it a goal. So, he did score. Confused yet?
Basically, Morocco put up a good fight but succumbed to Spain who at this point were pretty much through. On the other hand, if Iran scored once more against Portugal, they would be out and the Euro 2014 winners would be out! They so nearly did score. Medhi Taremi had a great chance from close-range late on, but he put it in the side-netting. Iran drew, and subsequently went out. Portugal through. Unbelievable drama.
The World Cup Boot Battle: Day 12
Points Awarded
Saudi Arabia v Egypt
Salman Al-Faraj +4 (Nike) – Scored a pen.
Salem Al-Dawsari +4 (Nike) – Scored a last-minute winner. Always nice.
Abdullah Otayf +2 (Nike) – Assisted the winner.
Abdullah Said +2 (Adidas) – Assisted Salah.
Mo Salah +4 (Adidas) – Scored his second goal of the World Cup.
Essam El Hadary +4 (Puma) – MOTM awarded to the Egyptian keeper after he made some great saves.
Uruguay v Russia
Fernando Muslera +3 (Puma) – Clean sheet for the keeper.
Diego Godin +2 (Puma) – Clean sheet.
Martin Caceres +2 (Nike) – Clean sheet.
Sebastian Coates +2 (Nike) – Clean sheet.
Luis Suarez +8 (Adidas) – Scored the first goal and was MOTM.
Edinson Cavani +4 (Nike) – Scored Uruguay’s third.
Iran v Portugal
Ricardo Quaresma +8 (Nike) – Scored a stunner and was MOTM.
Adrien Silva +2 (Adidas) – Assisted Quaresma.
Karim Ansarifard +4 (Nike) – Equalised late on for Iran from the penalty spot.
Spain v Morocco
Isco +4 (Nike) – Scored Spain’s first goal.
Iago Aspas +4 (Nike) – Equalised late for Spain.
Andres Iniesta +2 (Nike) – Assisted Isco.
Daniel Carvajal +2 (Nike) – Assisted Aspas.
Nordin Amrabat +4 (Nike) – MOTM.
Khalid Boutaib +4 (Nike) – Scored one but should have been two, but for David De Gea.
Youssef En-Nesyri +4 (Nike) – Came on as a sub and scored.
Faycal Fajr +2 (Nike) – Assisted Morocco’s last goal.
The World Cup Boot Battle: The best football boots in the world
| Adidas | Asics | Diadora | Mizuno | New Balance | Nike | Puma | Umbro | Under Armour |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 189 | 14 | 0 | 4 | 8 | 501 | 78 | 2 | 4 |
It was a good day for Nike as they surpass the 500 points mark. It’s a race to 1000 for them now. Will they make it?
Tomorrow’s World Cup matches
Australia v Peru 15:00 (GMT)
Denmark v France 15:00 (GMT)
Iceland v Croatia 19:00 (GMT)
Nigeria v Argentina 19:00 (GMT)
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