Knockout football really is different than group stage football in major competitions. Teams tend to operate more conservatively because the stakes are so high. Low-scoring matches are more common, as is extra time and penalty shootouts. In fact, we got two shootouts in yesterday’s three matches, with Germany being sent packing by Paraguay, and Morocco outlasting the Netherlands. The Round of 32 continues today with some tasty matchups.
Here’s your daily recap and upcoming matches for today.
Day 19 Recap
Brazil 2-1 Japan
Goals:
Casemiro (56′), Martinelli (90+5′) | Sano (29′)
For a few glorious minutes it looked like Japan might actually knock out mighty Brazil from the World Cup. But while Japan was able to not just hold their own but actually succeed when they attacked, in the second half, protecting a 1-0 lead, they dropped into a conservative, defensive position and lost all impetus in the match. Brazil’s equalizer felt preordained, and while it sucked to watch Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli score the winner in injury time, Japan more or less did this to themselves.
Germany 1-1 Paraguay (Pen. 3-4)
Goals: Havertz (54) | Enciso (42′)
Germany are the kings of major tournament penalties so it’s a little shocking to see them drummed out by a team that got clobbered by USA 4-1 in the group stage. Paraguay put on a defensive masterclass and took Germany to extra time and then penalties, despite VAR (slightly controversially) waving off a Jonathan Tah headed winner off a slightly meatwall corner. PKs are a coinflip, and Paraguay won the toss, moving on to the R16.
Netherlands 1-1 Morocco (Pen. 2-3)
Goals: Gakpo (72′) | Diop (90+1′)
Both teams had a choice in this match and both teams chose violence. In what was a HIGHLY physical match that included Jan Paul van Hecke getting what looked like a serious cut on his head, both goals came late. Morocco scored an injury time equalizer to force extra time, and eventually outlasted the Dutch in the shootout. A shame for Van Hecke and Micky van de Ven who return home earlier than they like, but it was a fun match for a (somewhat) neutral.
Day 20 Round of 32 Matches
Cote d’Ivoire vs. Norway
1 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. BST
AT&T Stadium, Arlington, USA
TV: FOX (USA), Telemundo (USA – Español), BBC One (UK)
Stream: Fox One, Peacock (Español)
Current/former Tottenham players involved: none
France vs. Sweden
5 p.m. ET / 10 p.m. BST
MetLife Stadium, NY/NJ, USA
TV: FOX (USA), Telemundo (USA – Español), ITV 1 (UK)
Stream: Fox One, Peacock (Español)
Current/former Tottenham players involved: Lucas Bergvall (Sweden)
Mexico vs. Ecuador
9 p.m. ET / 2 a.m. (Tuesday) BST
Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, Mexico
TV: FOX (USA), Telemundo (USA – Español), ITV 1 (UK)
Stream: Fox One, Peacock (Español)
Current/former Tottenham players involved: none
