Costa Rica vs Serbia and we saw the third free kick goal of the tournament scored by Aleksandar Kolarov it what was a dull affair of a game. Serbia have an array of talented players and were easily the better team and could have scored one or two more goals, but they’re off to a superb winning start.
Costa Rica weren’t great themselves, but they did create a couple of excellent first-half chances but failed to convert them, after that they just struggled to breakdown a Serbia side who looked comfortable for most of the game. Despite the European side having a relatively young squad for this tournament they do have some old experienced players and they helped Serbia see out the game.
Costa Rica 0–1 Serbia
Kolarov Goal 56′
Next fixtures for Costa Rica and Serbia:
Friday June 22nd: Brazil v Costa Rica (Group E) – St Petersburg, 1pm
Friday June 22nd: Serbia v Switzerland (Group E) – Kaliningrad, 7pm
Germany vs Mexico and the Germans became the sixth reigning champions to lose their opening game of the next World Cup in what was an outstanding game. Mexico were hungry, brave, energetic and had a tactical plan that worked and in the end they could have actually scored more than the one they got. Lozano’s goal in the first-half was a brilliant counter attack goal and after four quick passes it was smashed passed Manuel Neuer.
Germany were rightfully punished though after committing too many players forward at times and clearly underestimated Mexico, who have caused the biggest upset of World Cup 2018 so far. Germany did have chances towards the end as they pushed to find an equaliser but once again Mexicans gave it their all and defended like their lives depended on it. Great game!
Germany 0–1 Mexico
Lozano Goal 35′
Next fixtures for Germany and Mexico:
Saturday June 23rd: Germany v Sweden (Group F) – Sochi, 7pm
Saturday June 23rd: South Korea v Mexico (Group F) – Rostov-on-Don, 4pm
Brazil vs Switzerland and the tournament favourites failed to win their opening game of a World Cup for the first time since the Argentina World Cup back in 1978. Switzerland were good for their money though and as always were difficult to break down and in doing so earned themselves a good point in Rostov. Brazil will be kicking themselves though for not finishing off a game they should’ve won.
They only have themselves to blame though as they were excellent up until the point they scored and they they seemed to take their foot off the gas. When they should have carried on what they were doing, pushed for the second and killed the game off, they didn’t though and that allowed the Swiss back into the game. Switzerland as we know are not a great team of scoring goals at major tournaments, so that must be a frustration for Brazil too who allowed Zuber to score early into the second-half, even more so when replays showed a push.
Brazil 1–1 Switzerland
Coutinho Goal 20′
Zuber Goal 50′
Next fixtures for Brazil and Costa Rica:
Friday June 22nd: Brazil v Costa Rica (Group E) – St Petersburg, 1pm
Friday June 22nd: Serbia v Switzerland (Group E) – Kaliningrad, 7pm
