Day: June 20, 2018

Most of us thought Argentina had the simplest match when they faced Iceland in their opening group game.

Indeed a team led by Lionel Messi coming up against an Iceland side who qualified for their first competition just two years ago shoulda be certain win for the South Americans.

However, it proved to be a very tough game for Messi and Argentina with the Barcelona man missing a penalty it ended 1-1 and Iceland’s fairytale run at competitions continue. Argentina would now consider this game a must win for them if they want to reach the knockout stage.

Croatia started their campaign with a 2-0 win over Nigeria. In all honesty, the Nigerians were so poor, you’d wonder how the managed to qualify for this competition.

They now face their first real test in this match, however, with only Mario Mandzukic as their out-and-out striker it would be interesting to see how they fair in this game.

Argentina have four wins from their last ten games, while Croatia have only two losses from their last nine matches. Messi should recover from his poor showing in the last match to prove himself in this game.

Despite having a star-studded lineup France struggled in their first game against Australia before an unfortunate own goal helped them claim all three points with a 2-1 win. Their struggle in their first match was not because they are a poor side, rather it was because of the determination of their opponents who pressed them all over the pitch.

The French team would now look to build on that win and get into the next round with another win over Peru here. France always starts slowly at Tournaments and five times out of their last seven opening games at major competitions have ended without wins for them.

Peru were unlucky to lose their last match against Denmark.

The Peruvians were by far the best team on the night with 17 shots on goal, they outplayed the Europeans and were very unpredictable just as they were inventive on the attack.

France defence was shaky in their first game against Australia and Peru should have a better afternoon in front of goal in this game and that should make this an exciting game to watch.

The Peruvians have scored in five of their last seven games while France have failed to keep a clean sheet in all but one of their last seven games.

Denmark may be the luckiest team at this year’s World after they survived their first game without much effort.

The Danes faced Peru last week and were out-thought and out-played by the South Americans, yet the ended up winning the game 1-0.

The Peruvians had 17 shots on goal and even missed a penalty, but they still couldn’t convert even the simplest of chances, only for Denmark to score an unlikely winner.

The Danes may have survived that game, but they need to improve if they are to beat this stubborn Australia side and book a place in the next round before facing France in their final game.

Australia were given no chance before their first game against France, but they defied the odds and held the French team to a goalless draw in the first half. When the French team eventually scored, they replied with a penalty of theirs. It took an unfortunate own goal in the 80th for France to claim all three points, but the Aussies gave a good account of themselves and could win this match if they fight that hard again.

Denmark have four wins from their last ten games while Australia have lost just two of their last nine matches.