BRAZIL and Portugal move on. In a day of some tremendously exciting football from game one to game four, two teams expected to qualify did so with some entertaining football.
Brazil 1 vs Switzerland 0
In an anticipated game, Brazil had to do without the great talent of Neymar who usually creates a lot of space for other players by drawing at least two defenders. In the first half, it seemed that Brazil missed that and were not able to penetrate Switzerland’s defence. No team so far has been able to place a shot on target against Brazil, an amazing statistic for this world cup.
This game was closer than Brazil expected, in the 64th minute Vinicius Junior placed the ball into the net only for VAR to determine it was offside. This was broken in the 83rd minute by Casemiro with a beautiful shot in the top corner. This win guarantees Brazil a place in the Round of 16.
Portugal 2 vs Uruguay 0
A brace by Bruno Fernandez secured Portugal’s place in the next round. In the 54th minute, he crossed a ball that landed in the net even though Cristiano Ronaldo claimed it glanced off his head. In stoppage time Portugal sealed their place when Fernandes (90 + 3) again scored but this time from the penalty spot. Ronaldo had been substituted by this time.
This was interrupted by a pitch invader carrying a rainbow flag with a T- shirt reading “Save Ukraine”. This guy had two messages, the other highlighting the treatment of Iranian women.
Portugal so far have been quiet and progressing with decent but not exciting football. Teams such as these have a knack to peak at the correct moment in tournaments.
Ghana 3 vs South Korea 2
In a very exciting game, South Korea came up short and have to fight to stay alive in their next encounter. South Korea managed to score twice in three minutes to take the lead after going one behind but still ended up on the losing side.
Cho Gue-sung had a double but it was not enough. At half-time, Ghana were up two to zero and it seemed a comfortable win at that point. Mohammed Kudus scored in the 24th, followed by Jordan Ayew in the 34th. In the 68th Kudus scored the winner. South Korea has an incredible 22 shots at goal with seven on target but could not find the equaliser.
Cameroon 3 vs Serbia 3
In the most entertaining and exciting game of the day, riddled with six goals, the best outcome was a draw. Cameroon came from two goals down to draw a game in a thriller. Jean -Charles Castelletto gave Cameroon the lead in the 29th minute before three goals from Serbia gave them a mountain to navigate.
Strahinja Pavlovic equalised in the 45th +1 and before the half-time whistle blew Sergej Milinkovic -Savic (45th + 3) put Serbia ahead. Aleksandar Mitrovic made it 3-1 in the 53rd minute. This was not the end as Cameroon scored two goals in three minutes to draw level. Vincent Aboubakar in the 63rd and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting in the 66th. This was one of the games of the tournament. This has been a tournament with some exciting football along with some very boring games.
Brazil, Portugal March On
Qatar 2022: Matchday 9- Monday, November 28, 2022
By Gerald Lutchman
BRAZIL and Portugal move on. In a day of some tremendously exciting football from game one to game four, two teams expected to qualify did so with some entertaining football.
Brazil 1 vs Switzerland 0
In an anticipated game, Brazil had to do without the great talent of Neymar who usually creates a lot of space for other players by drawing at least two defenders. In the first half, it seemed that Brazil missed that and were not able to penetrate Switzerland’s defence. No team so far has been able to place a shot on target against Brazil, an amazing statistic for this world cup.
This game was closer than Brazil expected, in the 64th minute Vinicius Junior placed the ball into the net only for VAR to determine it was offside. This was broken in the 83rd minute by Casemiro with a beautiful shot in the top corner. This win guarantees Brazil a place in the Round of 16.
Portugal 2 vs Uruguay 0
A brace by Bruno Fernandez secured Portugal’s place in the next round. In the 54th minute, he crossed a ball that landed in the net even though Cristiano Ronaldo claimed it glanced off his head. In stoppage time Portugal sealed their place when Fernandes (90 + 3) again scored but this time from the penalty spot. Ronaldo had been substituted by this time.
This was interrupted by a pitch invader carrying a rainbow flag with a T- shirt reading “Save Ukraine”. This guy had two messages, the other highlighting the treatment of Iranian women.
Portugal so far have been quiet and progressing with decent but not exciting football. Teams such as these have a knack to peak at the correct moment in tournaments.
Ghana 3 vs South Korea 2
In a very exciting game, South Korea came up short and have to fight to stay alive in their next encounter. South Korea managed to score twice in three minutes to take the lead after going one behind but still ended up on the losing side.
Cho Gue-sung had a double but it was not enough. At half-time, Ghana were up two to zero and it seemed a comfortable win at that point. Mohammed Kudus scored in the 24th, followed by Jordan Ayew in the 34th. In the 68th Kudus scored the winner. South Korea has an incredible 22 shots at goal with seven on target but could not find the equaliser.
Cameroon 3 vs Serbia 3
In the most entertaining and exciting game of the day, riddled with six goals, the best outcome was a draw. Cameroon came from two goals down to draw a game in a thriller. Jean -Charles Castelletto gave Cameroon the lead in the 29th minute before three goals from Serbia gave them a mountain to navigate.
Strahinja Pavlovic equalised in the 45th +1 and before the half-time whistle blew Sergej Milinkovic -Savic (45th + 3) put Serbia ahead. Aleksandar Mitrovic made it 3-1 in the 53rd minute. This was not the end as Cameroon scored two goals in three minutes to draw level. Vincent Aboubakar in the 63rd and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting in the 66th. This was one of the games of the tournament. This has been a tournament with some exciting football along with some very boring games.
Wednesday’s games and predictions:
Group A both at 11 am
Holland 3 vs Qatar 0
Ecuador 1 vs Senegal 1
Group B both at 3 pm
Iran 2 vs USA 1
Wales 0 vs England 2