AUSTRALIA 1 DENMARK 1 (SAMARA)
Denmark missed their opportunity to secure a knockout stage spot by drawing 1-1 with Australia. The Danish began the match with amazing rhythm, playing comfortably and overpowering the Socceroos easily. At the seventh minute, Australia proved their weakened state as defenders failed to stop Nicolai Jorgensen in a breakaway. Denmark’s number nine arrived at the opposition box with ease to provide a lovely assist to Christian Eriksen, who he smashed the ball into the post for the early lead. The goal inspired Australia to react in a lively manner, attempting more shots on goal and retaining 52% possession. In his attempt to defend, Yussuf Poulsen committed a handball within the box, awarding Australia a penalty and earning a yellow card in the tournament, which means the player will be suspended for the final group match against France. Australian midfielder, Mile Jedinak, stepped up and drove the ball into the lower right corner of the post to equalize the match. The second half saw a confident Australia take control and deny Denmark various opportunities. The Socceroos leashed Jorgensen’s potential, allowing him a mere 21 touches in the second 45 minutes. Though the Danish side found a way to attempt four shots on target, they could not exploit on their opportunities. Australia’s World Cup hopes remain alive, while Denmark must win against France to advance from the group stage.
FRANCE 1 PERU 0 (Ekaterinburg)
France joins Uruguay and Russia in the knockout stage after a defeating a relentless Peru 1-0. The match started slowly, taking both sides more than 15 minutes to attempt a shot on goal. The action remained in the middle part of the pitch as France struggled to penetrate Peru’s defense, while the Latin American side failed to push forward. Then, finally, in the 34th minute, Oliver Giroud created space and found his way into the opposition box for the game’s first threatening opportunity. Though Giroud’s attempt to fire the ball into the post was deflected by Christian Ramos, Kylian Mbappé picked up the rebound and found the back of the net, becoming France’s youngest goalscorer in the World Cup at 19-years old. Going into the second half, Peru was determined to find an equalizer, dominating the game and overpowering a leading France. Time after time, the players in white and red found their way into the opposition half threatening France’s chances of making it to the next round. Towards the end of the match, Peru obtained a free kick from a dangerous area but failed to convert the opportunity into a goal. Despite a determined and admirable performance, the Latin American side could not find the back of the net, ultimately becoming the latest side eliminated from the competition.
ARGENTINA 0 CROATIA 3 (Nizhny Novgorod)
Croatia becomes the fourth nation to make it through the group stage by defeating World Cup favorites, Argentina, 3-0. Croatia adopted a defensive mentality in the first half, completing merely seven passes in the attacking third. The Latin American side took advantage of Croatia’s style, creating space and opportunities in the opposition half. The Argentinian offense produced a lovely play that pulled Croatian goalkeeper, Danijel Subasic, out of position, allowing Enzo Perez to attempt a shot on an empty net. Though Perez’s strike went wide, his efforts inspired Argentina to maintain their energetic pace for the duration of the half. The second 45 minutes saw a determined Croatia come back stronger. Minutes after the whistle, a crucial error by Argentine goalkeeper Willy Caballero, gave Croatia a wonderful opportunity. In an attempt to pass the ball to a defender, Caballero miscalculated and found the feet of Ante Rebic, allowing the player to fire a curved and unstoppable strike into the post for a 1-0 lead. Argentina retaliated by pressing their opponents, but could not score. A second defensive mistake by the Latin American side saw Luca Modric on a one-on-one against Otamendi. Then, a quick cut right by the Real Madrid player allowed him to find the space necessary to shoot and double their lead. The 2018 World Cup experienced another last-minute goal as Ivan Rakitic drove the ball into the goal after an exhilarating play between himself and Kovacic.
