So, things continue to go a little bonkers. Mexico, the most likely choice to advance out of Group F yesterday, laid an egg against Sweden and almost found themselves bounced from the group altogether, but Germany couldn’t score if you handed them free scoring chances, thus continuing the trend of previous World Cup champs who fail to advance from Group play. In Group E, Switzerland managed a draw with Costa Rica and Brazil dispatched Serbia for their places in Knockout play.
The big news for today’s slate of World Cup games is that Groups G & H wrap up play today, thus ending Group stage play. The surviving teams will take tomorrow off, and things will return to craziness Saturday where Uruguay faces Portugal and France squares off against Argentina in the first Round of 16 games.
So let’s take a look at today’s games!
Japan vs. Poland
What to watch for: Group G could result in a lot of fun; Japan is tied for first, Poland has been eliminated and has nothing to play for. Possible future MLS target Keisuke Honda has a chance at getting the Japanese back into the Round of 16, which would be a natural alternative as the team has been bouncing from that spot and not getting out of Group the last 5 Cups, including this one. If Japan wins (they currently have 4 points and lead the group on a tiebreak), only seeding would need to be sorted; the winner of Group H faces the Group G runner-up, discussed below.
Location: Volgograd Arena (Volgograd)
Kickoff time: 10:00am Eastern
Available TV: Fox Sports 1, Telemundo
Available streaming: Fox Sports Go, Telemundo
Senegal vs. Colombia
What to watch for: The Colombians brought an impressive performance in their last outing as they eliminated Poland in the 2nd round of Group games, with Radamel Falcao and Juan Cuadrado scoring goals within 5 minutes in the second half to sew things up. Senegal is tied for first with Japan at 4 points and lose on the fair play tiebreak, Colombia has 3 points. Colombia wins and they’re in. Anything else? Then it gets tricky. And of course you get the Group G winner.
Location: Samara Arena (Samara)
Kickoff time: 10:00am Eastern
Available TV: Fox, Telemundo
Available streaming: Fox Sports Go, Telemundo
Panama vs. Tunisia
What to watch for: Well, not much; both teams have been eliminated from contention in Group G; both teams are pointless in group play, though Panama has scored 1 goal, in garbage time, in their last game. So basically, most eyes are going to be on the other game going on at that time because what Group stakes there are, are in that one.
Location: Mordovia Arena (Saransk)
Kickoff time: 2:00pm Eastern
Available TV: Fox Sports 1, Telemundo
Available streaming: Fox Sports Go, Telemundo
England vs. Belgium
What to watch for: Both teams are rolling at the moment; both secured advancement in their second Group games, both teams were tied with Russia for the lead in goals scored after two Group games; Harry Kane was the Golden Boot leader after two games with 5, Romelu Lukaku was right behind him with 4, though Lukaku will sit out today’s game due to an ankle injury. The teams are tied in differential, goals scored, and England has a slight lead on fair play. That’s #7 of 8 possible tie breaks, with 8 being drawing of lots. ROOT. FOR. CHAOS!
Location: Kaliningrad Stadium (Kaliningrad)
Kickoff time: 2:00pm Eastern
Available TV: Fox, Telemundo
Available streaming: Fox Sports Go, Telemundo
For listings in other countries, check out LiveSoccerTV.com.