Drama and excitement of World Cup continue. Four matches of the third round of Group A & B saw battle fronts drawn for the pre quarterfinals from finishers of the two groups.
The winner of the first world cup title Uruguay will play European Champion Christiano Ronaldo‘s Portugal and host Russians would be face to face with European power house Spain. While Uruguay arrested the surge of host Russians crush landing their jumbo jet 3-0. Spain and Portugal earned hard-earned points against Morocco (2-2) and Iran (1-1). Iran could even win if they could score off a golden opportunity that came their way at the last minute.
CR7 missed a penalty and Iran converted a penalty. Saudi Arabia finally own 2-1 against Morocco. Too little is too late. Uruguay finished at the top of Group A and Russia is just behind them. Spain and Portugal have equal points and equal goal difference. But Spain scoring more goals is just ahead of Portugal. Uruguay would now play second placed team of the Group B Portugal Russia will play group B top finisher Spain.
Russia and Uruguay after winning their first two games against Egypt and Saudi Arabia were favorably placed in the group in any case. Russia made a resounding start in the opening match against Saudi Arabia avalanching them 5-0.Uruguay toiled for winning 1-0 against Egypt. Russia looked impressive against Egypt as well winning 3-0. Uruguay showed glimpse of brilliance against Saudi Arabia. In the all important last match to decide group champion, Uruguay halted the joy ride of the home team 3-0.
Group B according to many was a group of death where the champion of 2010 world cup Spain and European Champions Portugal were the favorites. But Iran and Morocco were also not pushed over. The high scoring first match between Portugal and Spain where Ronaldo scored hat trick ending 3-3 was one of the top game of the tournament. The group matches retained excitements till last minutes when Spain just survived humiliation against Morocco 2-2 and Portugal also survived by the skin of the teeth against Iran 1-1.Hard luck for Iran. They stretched two of the stronger teams of the tournament Spain and Portugal to their limits.
Uruguay Clipped Wings of Flying Russians
Uruguay 3 (LuisSuarez, DanyaChersev-own goal, EdinsonCavani): Russia 0
Improving match after match impressive Uruguay displaying wonderful brand of aggressive football clipped the wings of flying Russians humbling those 3-0. Uruguay with 9 points finished top of group A ahead of the host .Home team Russia after two impressive wins against Saudi Arabia and Egypt appeared to have run out of steam against stronger South America opposition. Uruguay, winner of the first world cup is the first South American qualifying for the group of 16 of World Cup 2018. This match was more of academic interest but only to decide which team would finish on top of the group as both winning their other two matches already advanced to group of 16. It was also a test for Russians to judge their quality of the game as a quality opposition. Their talisman put them ahead as early as 10th minutes. Uruguay mounted huge pressure on Russian defense forcing an own goal by Russians taking them 2-0 ahead by 23rd minutes (2-0). Russians also counter attacked with pace. But by then experienced Uruguay organized their defense well enough to contain Russian aggression. Cavani scoring at the last minute made it 3-0. Uruguay would now play second placed team of the Group B Portugal Russia will play group B top finisher Spain.
Missing A Penalty CR7 Proved He Is also Mortal.
Iran 1 (KarimAnsarifard): Portugal 1 (Ricardo Quareshma)
It was a breathtaking match where tension kept going till last minute. Favorite Portugal was walking along a thin corridor. Somehow they survived. Brave Iranians went down fighting.
The fate of Spain, Portugal and Iran was hanging on the out come of the last two group matches. Portugal has their nose in front with a win and a draw from two matches. Iran had a win and a loss. Iran required a win but Portugal one point from the match. In a very fast and furious encounter, Portugal survived but only just. They appeared to be comforting with a goal from Ricardo Quareshma on the stroke of the lemon time. They could hold on to it till full time. Off all persons CR7 failing to convert a penalty caused agony. Iran never said die and kept probing. They were awarded a controversial penalty in added time which Karim converted. Moments after that Iran missed a golden opportunity to win and send European champions back home. But CR7 and Portugal survived and earned a date with host Russia for a pre quarterfinal.
Morocco Made Spain Huff and Puff
Spain 2(Isco, and LagoAspas): Morocco 2 (Khalid Bautaib and Youssaf Al Nasri)
Morroco had no stake accepting playing for pride. Spain had lot of stake. They required a point to qualify as champion of the group and avoid defeat by a large margin to stay clear from Iran in the event they beat Portugal. Spain managed a draw after trailing 1-2 till full time and leveling only in added time. In the end with equal points, equal goal difference but scoring more goals they just had their nose in front of Portugal in group B. Spain would play against Russia a comparatively better draw than playing Uruguay.
Saudi Arabia Finally Salvaged Some Pride:
Saudi Arabia 2 (Salman Al Faraj and Salam Al Dawsari ) : Egypt 1( Mohammad Salah)
Little or nothing was left for two bottom teams of group A having lost two earlier matches of the group. However, Salah carrying the hopes of the nation could finally take his team ahead (1-0). But the lead was soon neutralized through a penalty converted by Salman .In the evenly contested match, neither side could break the ice till the dying minutes of the added time when Slam Al Dawsari scored the winning goal Saudis only had a poor first match losing big (0-5) to the host .Or otherwise they did admirably well .
The battle line shows Russia Vs Spain and Uruguay Vs Portugal. Favorites will start dropping out. Spain winning against home team will not be easy. Portugal will have tough time. Uruguay is looking to peak on time.
BDST: 1119 HRS, JUN 26, 2018
AH
