đź“° Table Of Contents
Accumulator of the day:
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Ghana vs Uruguay
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It’s 2 July 2010. The setting: Johannesburg.
It is the first-ever World Cup hosted in Africa, and Ghana are on the cusp of becoming that continent’s first-ever World Cup semi-finalists.
In the very last minute of extra time, Dominic Adiyiah’s header is blocked on the line, volley ball-style, by Luis Suárez, who is sent off for his antics.
Asamoah Gyan’s subsequent penalty thwacks the crossbar, before Uruguay sneak through via penalties.
To say Luis Suárez isn’t a very popular man in Ghana would be an understatement but, 4,536 days later, they finally get their shot at revenge.
Despite being, by some distance, the lowest-ranked side at this competition, Ghana kick off second in Group H.
Mohamed Salisu broke the deadlock, before Mohammed Kudus’ brace, the latter restoring their lead, snatched all three points.
Both of their games at this tournament have ended 3-2, so Otto Addo will surely be craving more control this time.
Uruguay meantime are the only team at the tournament yet to score a goal, drawing with South Korea before a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Portugal.
However, la Celeste know a victory here, unless South Korea win simultaneously, will take them through, thereby breaking Ghanian hearts…. again!
This one at Al-Janoub Stadium is simply not to be missed.
Korea Republic vs Portugal
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Will Portugal win all three group games at a World Cup for just the third time, after 1966 and 2006?
Incidentally, their only two appearance in the semi-finals have come when posting a 100% record in the group phase.
At this tournament, Fernando Santos’ team were very lucky to beat Ghana in their opener, edging out a five-goal thriller.
Then, Monday night’s clash with Uruguay wasn’t quite as exciting, but Bruno Fernandes doesn’t care, as he bagged a brace.
Cristiano Ronaldo tried with all his might to claim the first goal, but it has since been given to his now former Manchester United teammate.
So, baring a huge Ghana win, A Seleção are guaranteed to top Group H, with Santos therefore expected to rotate heavily.
Korea Republic meantime need to win if they’re to have any chance of reaching the last 16.
The Taegeuk Warriors could only draw with Uruguay in their opener, before finding themselves 2-0 down against Ghana.
Striker Cho Gue-sung then scored two headers in as many minutes, getting his side back in level terms, only for Ghana to go straight up the other end and land the decisive blow.
So, Paulo Bento, who was sent off after full time on Monday, knows his team must win and hope Ghana don’t win simultaneously to have any chance of progressing.
Korea Republic famously knocked out Portugal en route to the semi-finals on home soil two decades ago.
Which way will this one go at Education City Stadium?
Serbia vs Switzerland
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An unlikely grudge-match with plenty at stake, both on and off the field.
Four years ago, Switzerland pipped Serbia to second spot in their group, thanks largely to a comeback 2-1 victory in Kaliningrad.
Back then, Aleksandar Mitrović opened the scoring, only for second half strikes from Granit Xhaka and Xherdan Shaqiri, the latter in stoppage time, to steal the point.
Xhaka and Shaqiri, both of Kosovar-Albanian heritage, celebrated by doing the double-headed eagle gesture, which, to put it mildly, didn’t go down very well in Serbia.
So, the two nations will meet once more and, as was the case back then, a place in the round of 16 is at stake.
Coming into the final matchday, Switzerland have the upper-hand, requiring just a point to stay in the tournament.
That’s because Murat Yakın’s team beat Cameroon in their opener, Breel Embolo the match-winner, before a narrow 1-0 defeat to Brazil on Monday.
So, Rossocrociati need just a draw here to reach the knockout phase for a third World Cup on the bounce.
Serbia meantime should really also have three points on the board, but threw away victory against Cameroon in their last outing.
The Eagles scored three times in just eight minutes either side of half time to lead 3-1; Strahinja Pavlović, Sergej Milinković-Savić and the aforementioned Mitrović on target.
But, the African nation hit-back with two quick-fire goals of their own, meaning the points were shared in Al Wakrah.
Nevertheless, unless Cameroon beat Brazil, which would make things complicated, Dragan Stojković’s team know a win here would take Serbia into the last 16 for the first time ever.
It’s unknown who will prevail at Stadium 974, but a hotly-contested encounter can be guaranteed.
Cameroon vs Brazil
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Will Brazil complete the group stages by making it three wins out of three?
So far, A Seleção have been far from sparkling at this tournament, but have done enough to beat two tricky opponents.
First, Richarlison’s brace saw off Serbia, featuring a spectacular over-head kick.
Then, on Monday evening, Casemiro’s late half-volley snatched all three points against Switzerland.
Tite’s team are yet to concede at this tournament, and have actually let in just 11 goals in their last 36 competitive games; mind-blowing numbers!
If Brazil are going to add a sixth star to their crest on 18 December, defensively solidity is what’ll take them there.
In this match, having almost certainly wrapped up top spot, expect Tite to make wholesale changes to his XI.
39 year old Dani Alves, Bremer, Alex Telles, Fabinho, Bruno GuimarĂŁes, Rodrygo, Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus are all in line for starts.
So, can Cameroon, who are not out of qualification contention, take advantage?
Les Lions Indomptables were enduring a run of eight successive World Cup defeats after being beaten by Switzerland in their opener.
But, this two-decade long sequence finally came to an end as they played out an absolute thriller with Serbia on Monday.
Jean-Charles Castelletto’s close-range finish put Cameroon in front but, just over 20 minutes later, they found themselves 3-1 down.
Nevertheless, Vincent Aboubakar’s outrageous scoop, followed by Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting’s tap-in, ensured it ended 3-3.
Rigobert Song’s must win this one to have any chance of advancing, and hope Switzerland aren’t victorious simultaneously.
Brazil have won all seven World Cup matches against African opponents, scoring 20 goals, including emphatic victories over Cameroon in 1994 and 2014.
This one at Lusail Iconic Stadium is likely to be equally high-scoring, with the Brazilians set to prevail once more.
