The World Cup in Philadelphia, from shut video games to blowouts

Few groups have been as robust as Brazil within the group stage of the event. Brazil swept by this match with Haiti on June 19, doing nothing however reinforcing its standing because the chief of Group C. Players corresponding to Vinícius Júnior dominated the sphere from begin to end. Matheus Cunha did many of the direct harm early on with two targets within the first half, but it surely was Vinícius who set the tone — organising Cunha’s opener earlier than taking pictures in Brazil’s third purpose himself simply earlier than the break. The consequence made Haiti the primary crew eradicated from this yr’s World Cup, a tough finish for the event’s newcomers, whose roster included 2014 Engineering graduate Duke Lacroix.

France dominates the group stage, making quick work of Iraq in a 3-0 win

France managed the match all the time on June 22, accumulating one other three factors in Group I. The consequence saved France on target for an ideal group stage and ultimately a Round of 16 assembly with Paraguay. With Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé, it’s going to be onerous to cease France even past the group stage — and the numbers again that up. France didn’t simply beat Iraq; they ran over a number of groups in group play, barely breaking a sweat. They beat Senegal 3-1 and got here dwelling with a 4-1 dub in opposition to a robust Norway crew, with Dembélé bagging a hat trick.

Two-peat: Côte d’Ivoire wins its second Philadelphia match, beating Curaçao 2-0

Côte d’Ivoire confidently knocked Curaçao out of the event on June 25. With Nicolas Pépé dominating the inexperienced, the Curaçao crew simply couldn’t sustain. Pépé scored each targets himself, sending the Ivory Coast into the knockout stage for the primary time within the nation’s historical past. The match closed out Curaçao’s first-ever World Cup look.

Ghana will get on the board, however falls to Croatia 2-1

Croatia held off a recreation Ghana aspect on June 27 to lock down second place in Group L in a match the place each groups had one thing on the road. Petar Sučić put Croatia up within the thirty first minute with a robust strike, however Ghana struck again with a purpose from Derrick Luckassen. Still, Croatia had the final phrase, with Nikola Vlašić placing one other previous the goalie. Despite the loss, Ghana’s 4 factors from the group stage have been sufficient to sneak them into the knockout rounds.

Now: Paraguay gears up for stiff competitors in opposition to the French crew, however will their luck run dry?

The quick reply is sure. Paraguay received fortunate coming into the Round of 16, barely skirting previous an underperforming German crew and edging them out with penalty kicks. Sure, it saved their event run alive, but it surely positively doesn’t bode effectively coming right into a recreation with a event favourite.

France has but to lose within the event. Their roster depth, high quality of play, and well-rounded crew have made them among the finest groups remaining within the event.