Germany has advanced to the knockout round for the first time since winning the World Cup in 2014, and they did it in dramatic fashion, as Deniz Undav, a 59th minute substitution, scored twice, the last at the death — 90+5' — in stoppage time to defeat Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast), 2-1, at BMO Field in Toronto
Ivory Coast got a goal from Franck Kessié in the 30th minute, but Germany began to build momentum in the second half after manager Julian Nagelsmann made three substitutions, including Undav, in the 59th minute, with Undav pulling Germany even nine minutes later.
Germany, with six points, won Group E after Curaçao's shocking draw with Ecuador. Ivory Coast is second with three points, Ecuador and Curaçao with one each, so second place is still up for grabs. Ivory Coast have Curaçao, and Ecuador must find a way past Germany.
The Netherlands routed Sweden, 5-1, at NRG Stadium in Houston, Tex., and they scored their first three goals by kicking the ball a total of six feet, seemingly in identical fashion — runs with the ball inside the edge of the box, then crosses just above the goal line to finishers free at the doorstep. Brian Brobbey scored the second-fastest brace in World Cup history putting the Oranje's first two goals in net in the fifth and 17th minutes, respectively, then Cody Gakpo netted a brace of his own with 47th- and 54th-minute strikes.
Sweden showed some life after Anthony Elanga scored in the 59th minute, controlling much of the play from that point, but Netherlands keeper Bart Verbruggen was equal to the challenge, making seven saves and Crysencio Summerville inserted the dagger in the 89th minute.
Nothing is settled in Group F, however. Japan routed Tunisia, 4-0, in the last match of the day, giving the Netherlands and Japan four points in table and even in goal differential. The Netherlands will be favored, getting the overmatched Tunisians to close out group play, while Japan has Sweden, which sits at three points.
My take: It can be difficult to change tactics on the fly in soccer, but Sweden made no adjustment to the Dutch running freely to the middle of the goal face for tap in goals until halftime, and something surely could have been done during the first-half hydration break. Plenty of meaningfull games in each of these two groups next week. Exciting stuff.
THE ASYLUM
Germany advances at the death
Germany has advanced to the knockout round for the first time since winning the World Cup in 2014, and they did it in dramatic fashion, as Deniz Undav, a 59th minute substitution, scored twice, the last at the death — 90+5' — in stoppage time to defeat Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast), 2-1, at BMO Field in Toronto
Ivory Coast got a goal from Franck Kessié in the 30th minute, but Germany began to build momentum in the second half after manager Julian Nagelsmann made three substitutions, including Undav, in the 59th minute, with Undav pulling Germany even nine minutes later.
Germany, with six points, won Group E after Curaçao's shocking draw with Ecuador. Ivory Coast is second with three points, Ecuador and Curaçao with one each, so second place is still up for grabs. Ivory Coast have Curaçao, and Ecuador must find a way past Germany.
The Netherlands routed Sweden, 5-1, at NRG Stadium in Houston, Tex., and they scored their first three goals by kicking the ball a total of six feet, seemingly in identical fashion — runs with the ball inside the edge of the box, then crosses just above the goal line to finishers free at the doorstep. Brian Brobbey scored the second-fastest brace in World Cup history putting the Oranje's first two goals in net in the fifth and 17th minutes, respectively, then Cody Gakpo netted a brace of his own with 47th- and 54th-minute strikes.
Sweden showed some life after Anthony Elanga scored in the 59th minute, controlling much of the play from that point, but Netherlands keeper Bart Verbruggen was equal to the challenge, making seven saves and Crysencio Summerville inserted the dagger in the 89th minute.
Nothing is settled in Group F, however. Japan routed Tunisia, 4-0, in the last match of the day, giving the Netherlands and Japan four points in table and even in goal differential. The Netherlands will be favored, getting the overmatched Tunisians to close out group play, while Japan has Sweden, which sits at three points.
My take: It can be difficult to change tactics on the fly in soccer, but Sweden made no adjustment to the Dutch running freely to the middle of the goal face for tap in goals until halftime, and something surely could have been done during the first-half hydration break. Plenty of meaningfull games in each of these two groups next week. Exciting stuff.
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