📰 Table Of Contents
Accumulator of the day:
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Portugal vs Uruguay
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Most would expect these two teams to advance from Group H, although both have varying degrees of work to do.
Portugal did make a winning start on Thursday, although they were certainly made to work for it by Ghana.
Cristiano Ronaldo broke the deadlock, via a very dodgy penalty, but the Black Stars equalised shortly after.
Nevertheless, João Félix and Rafael Leão bagged quick-fire goals, seeing A Seleção to a 3-2 victory.
They almost threw it away in the 99th minute, Diogo Costa throwing the ball down, not realising Iñaki Williams was right behind him, but thankfully, from Costa’s point of view, Williams slipped.
Thus, for the first time since 2006, Portugal have began a World Cup campaign with a victory, looking to move clear at the top with another win here.
La Celeste have only ever been eliminated in the group phase on three occasions, last bowing out early 20 years ago.
Despite the fact they face Ghana on the final matchday, Diego Alonso’s side need a result here to keep their fate in their own hands.
This one at Lusail Iconic Stadium is extremely tough to cll.
Brazil vs Switzerland
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Brazil were mightily impressive on matchday one weren’t they?
On Thursday, A Seleção dominated throughout and beat Serbia 2-0; Richarlison bagging a brace, including a spectacular overhead kick.
Tite’s team came into this tournament as favourites to lift the trophy, underlining their credentials in that opener.
The five-times world champions haven’t gone out in the group stages since 1966, and that statistic doesn’t look like changing.
Although, Brazil have never beaten Switzerland at World Cups, held to a 2-2 draw in São Paulo in 1950 before, more pertinently, the sides drew 1-1 in Rostov four years ago.
Will they prove to be too strong for the Swiss this time?
Murat Yakın’s side also have three points on the board, beating Cameroon 1-0 in their opener.
Breel Embolo scoring against the country of his birthday, resulting in a muted celebration, with Switzerland probably fortunate to claim victory.
Rossocrociati have reached the knockout stages at each of the last four major tournaments, last eliminated in a group phase in 2010.
However, it’s likely to come down to their final match against Serbia on Friday night.
That’s because Brazil are widely expected to win at Stadium 974.
Cameroon vs Serbia
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After both were beaten on Thursday, this is simply must win if either are to keep their qualification hopes alive.
Serbia were generally decent against Brazil but, in the end, were simply outclassed, beaten 2-0.
Since gaining independence, the Eagles have never reached the knockout stages of a major tournament, their only victories coming against Germany in 2010 and Costa Rica in 2018, both 1-0.
If Dragan Stojković’s team are going to change that fact, they’ll feel a win in Al Wakrah is imperative.
Similarly, this is must win for Cameroon too, after they were narrowly beaten 1-0 by Switzerland four days ago.
Les Lions Indomptables were punished squandering opportunities, specifically Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting and Karl Toko Ekambi failing to score.
Aside from their memorable run to the quarter-finals at Italia ‘90, Cameroon’s other six World Cup campaigns have all ended in the group phase.
If Rigobert Song’s are to change that, they’ll need to pull off a shock victory here.
Will Serbia be too strong at Al-Janoub Stadium?
Korea Republic vs Ghana
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Based on what we saw from both on matchday one, these two teams will both fancy their chances of a victory.
Korea Republic did manage to get off the mark on Thursday, holding Uruguay to an uneventful goalless draw.
The best chance of the afternoon fell to Hwang Ui-jo, but he skied his effort miles over the crossbar.
This means, since reaching the semi-finals on home soil in 2002, the Taegeuk Warriors have won just three of 14 World Cup matches, only getting out of their group once.
If Paulo Bento’s team are to get into the round of 16 this time round, they’ll feel this is must win.
As for Ghana, if they fail to win this one, their hopes of knockout phase football could be over.
The Black Stars were beaten 3-2 by Portugal at Stadium 974, with all the drama reserved for the final half hour.
Portugal led via a very soft penalty, only for André Ayew to equalise from close-range shortly after.
But, while the celebrations were still going on, Portugal scored twice in 148 seconds, thereby sealing the win, meaning Osman Bukari’s late goal was only a consolation.
That defeat means Ghana are winless in five World Cup matches, with Otto Addo’s team in desperate need of a victory.
Korea Republic are the favourites to prevail at Education City Stadium.
