Match 1: Brazil vs Costa Rica
(The good, the bad, and the Neymar)
Philippe Coutinho, the creative spark, was sucked into the slow, dull play by Costa Rica. Willian, who Tite had said ought to be more involved, was so isolated he would have needed a satellite phone to communicate with the midfield.
So Tite sent on Douglas Costa – a guy unafraid to run at people — for Willian and, later, Roberto Firmino for Paulinho. Two moves which had the net result of stretching Costa Rica from left to right. Suddenly, gaps appeared for Coutinho’s playmaking. Douglas Costa’s aggressive running wreaked havoc on his flank which, in turn, shifted the focus from the other, freeing up Neymar.
And with seconds remaining Neymar, the world’s most expensive player, tapped in Douglas Costa’s cross to secure Brazil’s first win of the tournament.
Their hopes of victory looked to have been dashed when they had a penalty decision overturned by VAR in the 78th minute after referee Kuipers had initially ruled Neymar had been brought down in the area.
Brazil were listless in the opening 45 minutes. After being fouled 10 times in the opening game against Switzerland, Neymar, perhaps unfairly criticised after that match for not being a team player, was once again targeted by defenders and spent more yet time with his face in the turf.
Brazil’s talisman wept after the final whistle – the win relief both for him and for his nation. It was a commendable defensive display by Costa Rica, who had hoped to punish Brazil on the counter-attack.
However, their only opportunity came in early in the first half but all in Vain.
Costa Rica had just three shots in this match, with all of those coming in the opening 15 minutes. Costa Rica had a formula and it may not be pleasing to all, but it works. Well enough, in fact, to defeat Uruguay and Italy four years ago and to give Brazil fits this time around.
Costa Rica Out.
Man of the Match : Neymar vs VAR. Dive of the year. So much for Joga Bonito
Match 2: Nigeria vs Iceland
Having gone down 2-0 to Croatia in their first game, Nigeria would have joined African rivals Egypt and Morocco in exiting the tournament early if they had lost here.
They started slowly, becoming the first team in Russia not to have a shot in the first 45 minutes.
Yet they were a different proposition after the interval as they went on to secure only a second win in 14 games at a World Cup finals.
It is Nigeria who sits confidently in the box seat for second place, though, and they can thank Ahmed Musa for two exhilarating goals. Musa was brought in by Gernot Rohr to provide extra cutting edge and rewarded his manager handsomely
Iceland melt in Volgograd heat. Left out of his country’s opening Group D game at the tournament in Russia, Musa showed his worth with two outstanding strikes that put the Africans back in contention for a second round place.
All three other teams in the group remain in the hunt to go through with Croatia, but Argentina and Iceland know they have to win to have any chance of progressing.
Had Iceland won then Jorge Sampaoli’s team would have been virtually down and out; instead three points against Nigeria in St Petersburg would give them a strong chance of reaching the last 16 and the one certainty is that, however things play out
Man of the match – The man who might have saved Argentina and it’s hopes.
Match 3: Serbia vs Switzerland
WHAT A MATCH. What a match!!
Switzerland had been outplayed in the first half as they struggled to create going forward and seemed unable to contain constant Serbia attacks.
I know this last match does not have anyone’s Attention but that is the difference. This was basically the best game for the entire three games today. With 1 goal down, Switzerland suffered the torture or the mental pressure that built within. But Damn
In the tournament’s first come-from-behind victory, Xhaka made it 1-1 in the 52nd minute with a powerful shot through a crowded penalty area. Shaqiri added the other in injury time after running past the Serbian defense.
The game was only five minutes old when the goal was scored, but it hadn’t been Serbia’s first opportunity – from virtually the same spot, Mitrovic had drawn a sharp save from the goalkeeper a minute before, this time supplied by Sergej Milinkovic-Savic – and it wouldn’t be the last either. And in the fifth minute Aleksandar Mitrovic scored for Serbia with a header
Of all the people, it had to be them. Suddenly, in the last-minute, Xherdan Shaqiri was racing away, Serbs in pursuit but unable to catch him before he slipped the ball under Vladimir Stojkovic. It was the goal that defeated Serbia and put Switzerland in a strong position to progress to the next round, but it was also much more than that.
Man of the match – Xherdan Shaqiri
Switzerland are now level with Brazil on four points at the top of Group E, in second place due to an inferior goal difference.
They will qualify for the last 16 with a draw against Costa Rica, who have already been eliminated, in their final game.
If Switzerland wins, Serbia must beat Brazil in their final game to progress.
This World Cup has been waiting for a statement performance, for one of the more celebrated teams to decide that in fact, this tournament is there for the taking if somebody can get the thrusters lined up.
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