As the 2018 FIFA World Cup group stage rolls on, several teams try to hit full stride ahead of their second matches.
Thursday’s headliner concludes the day’s action with Argentina seeking their first victory against group leaders Croatia. Despite a 1-1 draw against Iceland, there is still a lot to play for Leo Messi and Co. Missed opportunities cost them the full three points last Saturday, but expect the Argentine attack to be ready for a dogfight against a strong Croatian side.
The day starts with Denmark facing Australia in Group C. The Danes defeated Peru, 1-0, on Saturday thanks to a goal by Yussuf Poulsen and a strong performance by goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel. Against an Australian side, Christian Eriksen will once again need to pull the strings offensively. Australia need to be more aggressive in the final third if they want to snatch their first win of the tournament.
France is also in action on Thursday as they face Peru. Peru were hard done by not to get anything in their loss to Denmark on Matchday 3, but their attack needs to be more clinical to do so. Expect all-time leading goalscorer Paolo Guerrero to start from kickoff. France’s attack should be more confident on Thursday, led by Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann.
The SBI Editorial Staff will be on hand all day long providing live commentary of the matches. Feel free to jump in the conversation and share your thoughts in the comments below.
Enjoy the action.
Peru starting to put it together now. Another warning shot at Lloris from Carrillo, but it’s just high.
OFF THE POST! Aquino rockets one and it’s INCHES away from going in. Hits the left post, fortunately for France.
Second half is underway
HALFTIME: Good half for France, who certainly improved as the game went on. Peru had a number of chances, though, in a match where they need a draw to keep hopes alive.
France really starting to turn it on now. Looks like a team that is fully awake now. Several dangerous counters and chances for the French.
GOAL FRANCE! Lucky one for France as Giroud’s shot is deflected up and over Gallese. Mbappe is there for a tap-in and it’s 1-0 France in the 35th minute.
wow, this match is a good one!
And then Mbappe does that
SAVE GALLESE! Great ball from Pogba, flick on by Mbappe but Gallese makes the stop.
SAVE LLORIS! Chance for Guerrero, but Lloris gets down to save it. Guerrero will want that one back. That’s one you’d expect him to finish.
Best chance of the match. I thought Guerrero would finish that.
Been VERY physical through 25 minutes. Lots of fouls to go around.
SAVE GALLESE! Best chance for France, who is starting to wake up. Save from the Peruvian goalkeeper, though.
Peru with the better of the chances so far but France pushing. Set piece chance is off target for the French.
Solid start for both sides. France yet to really get going through the first six minutes. Easing into the game a bit.
Definitely looking like a Peru home game out there. Sea of red in the stands.
Almost set to kick off between Peru and France. Peru need at least a point to stay alive, which will certainly be a tough task against this France team.
FINAL- Denmark 1, Australia 1. The Danes will take the point in a match where Australia created some good chances in the second half. Denmark now sits on four points while Australia has just one. Peru and France play next and that match will determine what Denmark and Australia need to do on the final match day to get to the second round.
90th minute and it’s still 1-1. Three minutes of stoppage time. Australia has had the better chances in the second half, but we’re looking like we are headed for a draw unless someone can pull out some late magic.
Second half is underway. Tied 1-1. Peruvian fans will be rooting for the draw (or Australia win) with Peru playing France in the next match today.
HALFTIME: 1-1 is the scoreline, and it’s a pretty fair scoreline. Both teams with chances and spells of possession. Eriksen and Jedinak with the goals. Fun one so far.
GOAL JEDINAK! Simple finish from the penalty spot and it’s 1-1 in the 39th minute.
Penalty to Australia! Handball on Poulsen and it’s definitely the correct call.
We have a VAR incident! Looking at a potential handball call in the box.
Good hit by Sisto, but it’s right at Ryan, who saves it comfortably.
Now 20 minutes in, been a pretty solid game so far. Australia doing okay with the ball, Denmark likely the better team. Still separated by Eriksen’s finish.
GOAL ERIKSEN! Just seven minutes in, Denmark is ahead through a goal from the team’s best player. Turnover from Australia leads to a layoff to Eriksen, who smashes it first time into the back of the net. Great finish and it’s 1-0.
Good start for Denmark and Australia. Both teams pushing for goals. Set pieces produce chances for each team in the first 5 minutes.