French injuries may prove decisive at the final hour
A surprise defeat to Tunisia in their final group game raised questions over the strength of Didier Deschamps injury ridden squad.
A surprise defeat to Tunisia in their final group game raised questions over the strength of Didier Deschamps injury ridden squad.
In Group E, Germany beat Costa Rica 4-2, but it wasn’t enough to secure qualification for the Last 16. Japan emerged as group winners beating Spain 2-1, Spain still secured qualification for the Last 16. In Group F, Belgium were held to a goalless draw with Croatia, and dumped from the tournament. Morocco beat Canada 2-1 to win the group and secure a Last 16 spot with Croatia.
History beckons on Thursday night. For the first time ever, there will be an all female referee team to take charge of a Men’s World Cup match. Stephanie Frappart, Karen Diaz and Neuza Back will officiate the Group D encounter between Germany and Costa Rica.
Argentina beat Poland 2-0 to finish as Group C winners, while Mexico and advance to the last 16. Mexico edged Saudi Arabia 2-1, however failed to qualify for the knockouts. In Group C, France were beaten 1-0 by Tunisia, but had already secured a spot in the knockout rounds. Australia beat Denmark 1-0 to advance to the knockouts for the second time.
French-born Wahbi Khazri scored the only goal of the game as Tunisia claimed a famous 1-0 win over holders France at the World Cup on Wednesday, but it was not enough for them to reach the last 16.
Australia reached the last 16 of the World Cup for only the second time in their history with a 1-0 win over a disappointing Denmark on Wednesday.
Netherlands finished as Group A winners after beating Qatar 2-0, while Senegal also punched their ticket to the knockouts after beating Ecuador 2-1. in Group B, England hammered Wales 3-0 to finish on top of the group. The USA narrowly beat Iran 1-0 to take the second knockout spot in Group B.
In Group G ,Brazil scored a late winner to beat Switzerland 1-0, punching their ticket to the knockouts. Cameroon and Serbia played out to a mouthwatering 3-3 draw. In Group H, Portugal beat Uruguay 2-0 securing a spot in the Last 16. Ghana claimed another win for African countries, beating South Korea 3-2 in a spectacle.
Bruno Fernandes scored twice to give Portugal a 2-0 victory over Uruguay on Monday and send them into the knock-out stages of the World Cup alongside France and Brazil.
Asamoah Gyan was ecstatic after Ghana secured a narrow 3-2 victory over South Korea in their Group H encounter.