Weekend number two of the 2018 World Cup is nearly complete as Belgium and Mexico continue to display their dominance in different ways.
The knockout stage of the World Cup is on the horizon, with a few countries already eliminated and a few others locked in on the Group of 16. Some -- including a few of the big ticket countries -- are staving off the sun setting a few days longer. And Iceland will need a big win, plus help, if they hope to advance.
Belgium and Mexico, however, are two teams cruising in the group stage.
Belgium won handily in its second game of group play, a 5-2 decision over Tunisia. The five goals brings their total to eight for the tourney so far.
While they have not clinched a spot in the next round, Belgium is using a blistering pace on offense in blitzing their opponents into submission. And the defense will only get better when injured star defender Vincent Kompany returns when Belgium faces England on Thursday.
England is set for their second game in group play when they face Panama on Sunday. A win or tie by England guarantees that Belgium will advance.
Mexico is close to advancing as well. El Tri -- after counterattacking and playing a speed game in their victory over Germany -- used a much different tactic in their 2-1 victory over South Korea. Possession was the name of the game as Mexico moved one step closer to finding the Group of 16 yet again. They will need at least a tie against Sweden or a South Korea victory over Germany to be guaranteed of advancing.
Germany was on the precipice of needing a miracle to advance. Tied at one apiece with Sweden well into stoppage time, the Germans shockingly were hanging by a thread. Then, Toni Kroos found the back of the net with one of the better goals of the tournament:
TONI KROOS HAS THE CLUTCH GENE pic.twitter.com/YDO2nNQty7— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 23, 2018
Thanks to that goal, the Germans have found a new lease on life. They still don't necessarily control their own destiny, but a victory over South Korea later this week will go a long way in deciding their World Cup 2018 future.
Russia looking towards Group of 16
No, the host country does not automatically advance to the next round. The Russians have done so all on their own.
After a 5-0 victory to open the Cup, the Russians continued to march on with a 3-1 victory earlier this week over Egypt. Uruguay's victory over Saudi Arabia helped Russia lock up a spot in the next round.
Uruguay has also advanced through the group stage, meaning when Russia and Uruguay meet up seeding will be on the line.
France and Croatia are also locked in for the next stage. Brazil picked up a big win over Costa Rica and currently sit tied with Switzerland atop Group E with 4 points (Serbia is one point behind those two.)
And the darlings from Iceland? Well, things are looking a little sour after losing to Nigeria. Iceland will need a victory over Croatia to even begin to think about moving on. Their co-cellar mates in Group D, Argentina, needs to defeat Nigeria and hope Iceland loses to Croatia. Goal differential might still have a say in this group.
Lionel Messi and Argentina were supposed to have a pretty good shot at winning it all. It's surprising to see them in this position, especially when one of the best players -- if not best player -- in the world in this position.
While one man can certainly dictate a team's performance, like Ronaldo over in Portugal, one man is often not enough. Is it Messi's teammates failing him? Or does the star have a lack of disinterest and frustration with his team?
On occasions in this World Cup, both have been true. But on the soccer world's grandest stage, the star players need to play like the stars they are. If not, the four years of building towards capturing the pinnacle title of the sport can be washed away in three games just like that.
And in the case of Messi, leaving after three games would be a damn shame.
photo credit: pixabay.com
Be sure to follow Jason on Twitter for all of his random thoughts on soccer, movies, sports, the Boston Red Sox, and how much ice cream he likes to consume: @jasonrh_78
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