World Cup action continued yesterday, with some intriguing teams taking the field. Sweden and South Korea both were looking for both respect and three points, as well as valuable experience. Since the other two teams in their division are Germany and Mexico - two of the best side in the sport - it seemed especially important for each team to win this one, to better their hopes for advancing to the next round, although only one could win.
Panama would take the field at a World Cup game for the first time ever. But they would do so as prohibitive underdogs against a loaded Belgian side that is currently ranked third in the world.
Finally, England was taking the World Cup field again, although this was a young team that lacked the familiar faces of previous World Cup. That might not be a bad thing, as prior English teams had bent and even broken under the weight of enormous expectations. They took on a Tunisian side that had only won one World Cup contest in their entire history.
So, let's take a closer look at how these games out yesterday:
Sweden 1, South Korea 0 - The South Koreans have made a name for themselves in the 21st century in World Cup tournament play, yet they rarely ever seem to get any serious respect. They were hoping to change that yesterday in the game against a Swedish side where literally not one player had any kind of experience in the World Cup tournament.
Both teams had been experiencing some difficulties in scoring, and they both struggled to score during this game, as well.
Indeed, the two teams remained ocked in a scoreless first half. South Korea had looked good and aggressive during the first five minutes of the game, but then seemed to get bogged down playing defense, and allowing Sweden to possess the ball for entirely too long.
Perhaps it was inevitable that eventually, Sweden would capitalize. Andreas Granqvist, the Swedish captain, was fouled and rewarded with the penalty shot in the 65th minute, and he was able to get it through to give his side the 1-0 lead.
It was all that they would need.
South Korea tried to recover, and late during extra time, they had an incredible opportunity and were close to tying. However, it was too little and much too late, and their opportunities, and hopes to tie it, fell short, giving Sweden the all-valuable win and three points, tying them with Mexico atop the standings in the group, for the time being.
This was also Sweden's first opening game win in the World Cup tournament since defeating Mexico, back when Sweden was the host nation for the World Cup.They also had never lost to South Korea prior to this, and so obviously remain unbeaten against them after this one, as well.
For South Korea, this was the first time since 1998 that they lost the opening match of a World Cup tournament. With Mexico and Germany now looming, things are looking decidedly grim for their hopes to advance.
Belgium 3, Panama 0 - Like Sweden, not one player on the Panama side had any experience in World Cup tournament play. Unlike Sweden, however, Panama had never before qualified for the tournament, so this was a historic game for them right off the bat.
And through the first half, Panama was doing what they wanted to do, hanging tough defensively, and looking good through a scoreless first half. Belgium was heavily favored, so they looked visibly frustrated, unable to break through like expected.
In fact, this game resembled the first one on this day, between Sweden and South Korea, with both teams unable to score in the first half, and neither team really showing strong offensive potential.
But all of that changed in a hurry for Belgium.
Just two minutes into the second half, Dries Mertens hammered the ball into the corner of the goal. It was the breakthrough the Belgium needed, as they appeared visibly more relaxed and confident playing ahead from the point onward. What made it a bit strange was that Mertens had appeared injured and seemed almost to be limping and visibly bothered by a foot injury just moments before his huge goal to put his side ahead.
Belguim never looked back, holding off any Panamanian attack, and then notching a cushion for their lead when Romelu Lukaku scored in the 69th minute, giving the Belgians a commanding 2-0 lead, and making a comeback seem virtually impossible for Panama.
Lukaku broke through again in the 75th minute to ice it for Belgium, ending any slight hopes that the Panamanians had for even making it a close contest.
A huge and necessary win for Belgium, and an impressive showing, particularly in the second half. Interestingly, Belgium are undefeated in their last ten World Cup group contests, with five wins and five draws. Even more interesting, and a bit strange, is that each of the last 11 goals that Belgium have scored in World Cup games have come during the second half exclusively.
For Panama, the first half was impressive, but they suffered a bit of a collapse in the second half. Also, the five yellow cards that they received was the most for any team in the World Cup since the Netherlands had seven in a World Cup game in 2010.
England 2, Tunisia 1 - The English were expected to win, although they appeared more relaxed nevertheless.
Perhaps that was because they did not have huge names and instantly recognizable faces on it, as they had in previous World Cup tournaments.
FOr Tunisia, much like England, they wanted to erase the memory of past failures, and earn some much needed respect for themselves. And a win against England would certainly do that, even if this English side did not feature guys named Rooney or Beckham.
England's Harry Kane opened the scoring in the 11th minute, and would again score in the 1st minute of extra time right at the end, effectively icing the game for England.
Ferjani Sassi received a penalty kick in the 35th minute, and he was able to convert, tying the game up after England had taken that early lead. They were unable to mount any other goals to give themselves a serious chance to win, however.
This was the first time that England had scored more than one goal in ten tries during World Cup play.
In 1978, Tunisia was able to win their first ever World Cup game, which was a terrific start. However, they have not won any of their 12 games since, and have lost eight of those contests, including this one to England, obviously. Interestingly England has never lost to an African team in World Cup competition, winning four times, and tying three other times.
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