Group A and B have reached their conclusion. We have the first four matchups for the Round of 16. Find out what happened today!
Group A
Results
| C. Gakpo 26′ F. de Jong 49′ |
Subs
Netherlands: S. Berghuis 66′, V. Janssen 66′, W. Weghorst 82′, T. Koopmeiners 82′, K. Taylor 86′
Qatar: K. Boudiaf 64′, M. Muntari 64′, A. Assadalla 64′, A. Alaaeldin 85′, M. Khoder 85′
Netherlands were almost sure to go through, however they did need to get the job done versus Qatar, they needed at least a point. They made easy work of the host nation, having an xG of 1.57, compared to 0.14 from Qatar. Also worth noting that Cody Gakpo scored in all 3 matches of the group stage. A big transfer might away the 23 years old winger after the World Cup! Qatar bow out with 0 points from 3 matches.
| M. Caicedo 67′ | I. Sarr 44′ K. Koulibaly 70′ |
Subs
Ecuador: J. Cifuentes 46′, J. Sarmiento 46′, D. Reasco 64′, J. Porozo 85′
Senegal: N. Mendy 74′, B. Dieng 74′, P. A. Cisse 90′
Ecuador had 4 points before the game and they only needed a draw to advance. Well it wasn’t meant to be, Senegal won the match, 2-1. Even though Ecuador had most of the possession, it was Senegal who had the bigger chances, the higher xG and generally played better football. This means that even without their star player, Sadio Mane, the Africans are through to the next round!
Standings
| # | Team | Played | Win | Draw | Lose | Goals | Points | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | Netherlands | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 5 : 1 | 7 |
| 2 |  | Senegal | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 : 4 | 6 |
| 3 |  | Ecuador | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 : 3 | 4 |
| 4 |  | Qatar | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 : 7 | 0 |
As expected, Netherlands and Senegal are through. They are going to be facing teams from Group B. The knockouts start in 4 days, Van Gaal’s team will play in the first match.
Group B
Results
| C. Pulisic 38′ |
Subs
Iran: A. Karimi 45′, S. Ghoddos 46′, M. Torabi 71′, A. Jalali 71′, K. Ansarifard 77′
USA: B. Aaronson 46′, K. Acosta 65′, H. Wright 77′, S. Moore 82′, W. Zimmerman 82′
The United States needed a win and that’s exactly what they got. Christian Pulisic got the goal in the 38th minute, a move which eventually caused him to be subbed off due to an injury. The Americans will hope their star boy’s injury is only mild. Berhalter and his men controlled the majority of the game, Carlos Queiroz’s Iran didn’t look like a team who has ambitions to play in the knockouts, they finished the match with an xG of 0.49. USA versus Netherlands in the Round of 16.
| M. Rashford 50′, 68′ P. Foden 52′ |
Subs
Wales: C. Roberts 36′, B. Johnson 46′, J. Morrell 59′, H. Wilson 77′, R. Colwill 81′,
England: T. Alexander-Arnold 57′, C. Wilson 57′, K. Phillips 57′, K. Trippier 65′, J. Grealish 75′
Wales had theoretical chances of going through, but England was always going to take the game versus their neighbours seriously. Rashford(50′) opened the scoring with a brilliant free kick, with Foden banging a second only 2 minutes later. The same Marcus Rashford closed the board in the 68th minute. England wins Group B, with 7 points. They are going to face Senegal in the Round of 16.
Standings
England and the United Stares are through, Wales and Iran are packing their bags. England faces Senegal, while the USA will play against Netherlands.
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