Dave’s Dribble: Latest from yesterday’s games
Croatia maintained their perfect record with a 2-1 win over Iceland in their engaging Group D encounter.
Croats take Icelanders by the throats
Croatia maintained their perfect record with a 2-1 win over Iceland in their engaging Group D encounter.
Iceland were frozen out of contention, both by their loss and by Argentina’s late victory over Nigeria.
There was no score in the first half, with Croatia – favourites on paper – not doing enough with their abundance of ball.
The second period seemed destined to go the same way until Croatia made the most of a ball bobbing around in the box for Milan Badelj to put a stop to the nonsense with a controlled volley that threatened to burst the back of the net in the 53rd minute.
But their jubilation was short-lived as Gylfi Sigurdsson levelled matters in the 74th, the Everton man making no mistake with his penalty strike.
However, the smiles reappeared for the Croats when Ivan Feracic settled the outcome with yet another great shot for the team that could go all the way.
Also read: FIFA to choose North America or Morocco for 2026 World Cup today
Super Eagles brought to earth by Argentina
Argentina arrived in Russia a couple of weeks ago: but they only really pitched up tonight.
However, it took a very late goal for them to ensure their progress in the competition after a 2-1 triumph over Nigeria.
They played with no resemblance to the pathetic performances of their first two Group D encounters.
That includes Lionel Messi, who showed just why he is a super star.
Both teams came out of the blocks with attack in mind, with Argentina looking the sharper but giving the ball away too often.
It took just 14 minutes for the little maestro to reveal his pedigree.
Fed the ball, his superb two-touch control and his splendid technique ensured he never looked like missing as he steered it past teenage keeper Francis Uzoho’s right hand (1-0).
It was a rare right-footed goal for the genius and Argentina should have been a further goal and a man in front when Leon Balogun pulled down goal-bound Angel di Maria and was lucky the ref showed yellow rather than red.
Messi took the responsibility from the edge of box and his special strike needed a fingertip save from Uzoho in the Nigerian goals.
Only 1-0 down at the break, Nigeria were thrown a lifeline in the 48th minute when Javier Mascherano pulled down Balogun to earn a yellow card.
Victor Moses sent the spot kick in one direction and Franco Armani dived in the other as the scoreline now read 1-1.
Nigeria saw Wilfred Ndidi try his luck from range in the 70th minute but the Leicester City man sent the ball into the stratosphere.
Soon after, Nigeria were denied a penalty claim that was not referred to VAR and then hit the side netting from yet another free kick.
The Last Chance Saloon closed its doors on Nigeria in the 85th minute when, after sustained pressure, Man United’s Marcos Rojo’s decent strike put Argentina through and Nigeria out at 2-1.
No shame for the men in green, who made all Africa proud.
The Super Eagles will fly back home, but they will be back!
Peru put paid to Socceroo hopes
Australia failed to convert their many chances while Peru made the most of their few as both sides bowed out of the World Cup this evening.
Peru won 2-0, much to the delight of their avid fans as well as those of fellow Group C contenders Denmark, for whom an Oz victory might have spelt disaster for their campaign.
The first highlight of an entertaining and hard-fought game came in the 17th minute when Peru’s Watford-based Andre Carrillo smashed a volley from just inside the box as he latched on to a possibly offside Paolo Guerrero’s cross to open the scoring.
The men from down under took control and Tom Rogic, Robbie Kruse and Trent Sainsbury all came close to equalising.
However, Peru also had their moments and always seemed a yard quicker and a few more joules of energy livelier than the Socceroos, who brought on veteran Tim Cahill after the break.
Australia continued to spurn chances, with Tomi Juric just failing to get onto a long through ball from Aaron Mooy before Paulo Gurrero benefited from a slice of fortune to beat Mat Ryan after good play by Edison Flores on left (2-0).
Australia threw everything into the fray. Aziz Behich and Tim Cahill had shots blocked at close range and were frustrated when a Behich cross drifted past an unmarked Cahill.
Captain Mile Jedinak hammered a free kick ‘miles’ high over the bar and Matthew Leckie failed to pull the trigger bearing down on goal.
Australia had the better of the chances, but Peru had the finishing touches, and both teams head home having done all they could with the players at their disposal.
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Dull draw between France and Denmark
France, already through to the knockout stage, had the luxury of resting players while Denmark were looking over their shoulders at what was happening in the Peru v Australia game.
As long as they did not lose, the Danes were also assured of going through in Group C.
Thus the script was written for the first goalless game of the tournament.
There were few real chances, little entertainment value and a scarcity of highlights in possibly the most boring encounter to date of World Cup 2018.
The two biggest cheers in the stadium came when the announcements were made of Peru’s first and second goals.
All the pressure was lifted off Denmark and the lack of urgency and desire was obvious.
I think both sides missed a trick; by settling for a draw they denied themselves the opportunity to sharpen their swords for the battles that lie ahead.
It’s hard to see either of these countries progressing much further.
