Uruguay v Russia met in Samara to decide who would finish top of Group A after both teams won their opening matches against Saudi Arabia and Egypt respectfully. By their own standards as well as their countries fans, Russia have over achieved massively in this World Cup and if they drew against Uruguay then they would top the group as they have scored the most goals.
It didn’t go as planned though as Uruguay were clinical from the off and they were two nil up inside the first twenty-five minutes. Suarez with a sublime low free-kick and then unfortunately a shot deflected of Cheryshev’s heel that squirmed into Russia’s net. Russia have entertained us so far and they’ve got their nation believing, Uruguay have been decisive and mean business.
Uruquay 3–0 Russia
Suárez Goal 10′
Cheryshev Goal 23′ (o.g.)
Cavani Goal 90′
Next fixtures for Uruguay & Russia:
Saturday June 30th: Uruquay v Portugal – Sochi, 7pm (Match 49)
Sunday July 1st: Spain v Russia – Moscow (Luzhniki), 3pm (Match 51)
Saudi Arabia v Egypt in what was due to be a damp squib of a match apparently, btu thankfully wasn’t. No surprise all the took pre-match was once again about Liverpool’s Mo Salah, this time after it was rumoured he was considering quitting international football with Egypt over the Chechnya issues. Team news wise for this game and it was also about Essam El-Hadary, who made history as World Cup’s oldest player at 45. He also saved a penalty one of two penalties he faced.
No surprise it was Salah who scored as he put Egypt in front after twenty-two minutes and he should have made it two nil moments later. After that though, it was all Saudi Arabia as they pushed for some goals and hopefully a win. They finally got it too as when a 95th minute low volley from Al-Dawsari went in from a tight ankle.
Saudi Arabia 2–1 Egypt
Al-Faraj Goal 45+6′ (pen.)
Al-Dawsari Goal 90+5′
Salah Goal 22′
No more games for Saudi Arabia or Egypt, they’re going home
Spain v Morocco and the Spanish went into this game needing a point for sure to confirm they go into the next round of matches, so destiny was in their own hands. Spain have not been great though but you can understand why after the sacking of Julen Lopetegui just before the tournament started. Fernando Hierro has done okay though and his priority would have been to make sure that Spain got out of the groups first and for most and they have now managed that.
Spain didn’t start well and it probably should have been worse for them, but Gerard Pique wasn’t sent off for a shocking two footed challenge. Sergio Ramos then had a lapse of concentration which allowed Boutaib to run through and score. Isco pulled it back quickly but the Spanish looked vulnerable on the break every time Morocco came forward. Chances came for both teams but then En-Nesyri scored with a wonderful header from a corner, however in injury-time Aspas pulled the Spanish level to deny Morocco a famous win.
Spain 2–2 Morocco
Isco Gal 19′
Aspas Goal 90+1′
Boutaïb Goal 14′
En-Nesyri Goal 81′
Next fixture for Spain:
Sunday July 1st: Spain v Russia – Moscow (Luzhniki), 3pm (Match 51)
Iran v Portugal and Iran were hoping that their World Cup wasn’t going to end tonight by denying Portugal themselves a place in the last sixteen. A draw is all that Portugal needed though for them to go through to the next round and a win would see them top the group and then face Russia in the next round. As it turns out it was a dramatic end to the night as all four teams swapped places in the table in injury-time of both games that left the Iran and Morocco fans upset.
Quaresma settled the Portuguese nerves just before half-time with a wonderful strike that we all know he can produce. Portugal and Ronaldo should have eased nerves even more but after a VAR decision to award them a penalty, Ronaldo remarkably missed it. It came back to hurt him as Ansarifard managed to pull his side level with an injury-time penalty, which is certainly something they earned after their excellent performances and they could have actually won it in the end.
Iran 1–1 Portugal
Ansarifard Goal 90+3′ (pen.)
Quaresma Goal 45′
Next fixture for Portugal:
Saturday June 30th: Uruquay v Portugal – Sochi, 7pm (Match 49)
