-
Day 13: South Korea edge out Uruguay, while Switzerland qualify ahead of Serbia and Cameroon
It felt apt that the group stage ended in thrilling fashion, given the rollercoaster nature of so many of the games in recent days.
Group H and then Group G continued that pattern on Friday.
Within the former, South Korea only rose to second place behind already-qualified opponents Portugal in stoppage time in their match.
That was courtesy of Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Hwang Hee-chan, who came off the bench to convert a winner in the first minute of additional time following a superb Son Heung-min pass.
That sealed a decisive 2-1 success, after Ricardo Horta’s early opener for Fernando Santos’ much-changed side had been cancelled out by Kim Young-gwon in the first half.
It looked, for the vast majority of the evening, like Uruguay would be heading through behind Portugal after Georgian De Arrascaeta’s first-half double put the South Americans 2-0 ahead against Ghana – a rematch of that infamous 2010 quarter-final – in the group’s other concluding match.
However, Hwang’s winner brought his nation level on points with Uruguay and, crucially, ahead of them on goals scored.
Diego Alonso’s side couldn’t find a third goal and so it was the Asian nation who progressed to the knockout stages for the first time since 2010 – when they were, in fact, knocked out by Uruguay.
This time, they will face Brazil – still favourites, for many – in the last 16.
The five-time winners topped Group G despite a 1-0 loss to Cameroon later on Friday. Like Portugal, they made wholesale changes to their lineup but the Indomitable Lions’ victory remained a historic one – as it marked Brazil’s first defeat to an African nation at the men’s World Cup finals.
Vincent Aboubakar’s well-taken stoppage-time winner was, unfortunately, swiftly followed by a red card for the goalscorer after his decision to remove his shirt in celebration earned him a second booking.
That result didn’t prove enough to send Cameroon through, though, as Switzerland’s entertaining 3-2 victory over Serbia in the other Group G decider saw them finish on six points – two ahead of the African side.
Xherdan Shaqiri and Breel Embolo goals for the Swiss – either side of Aleksandar Mitrović and Dušan Vlahović efforts for Serbia – made it 2-2 at half-time before Remo Freuler struck a second-half winner to round off a brilliant move.
That’s now three consecutive World Cups – and five consecutive major tournaments – where Switzerland’s men have reached the knockout stages. They’re becoming one of the most consistent – and perhaps underrated – footballing nations around.
Portugal await for them in a round of 16 that has shaped up very nicely in recent days.
-
Today’s action
Netherlands v USA – 3pm GMT
Argentina v Australia – 7pm GMT
-
Netherlands v USA – Round of 16
Kick-off time: 3pm GMT
Venue: Khalifa International Stadium, Ar-Rayyan
Where can I watch? BBC One (UK)
The knockout stages kick-off on Saturday with a promising-looking contest.
Both of these sides were unbeaten, conceded only one goal, and generally caught the eye within the group stage.
Crucially, Christian Pulišić looks set to be fit for the US. Plenty of eyes will be on Cody Gakpo for the Dutch, meanwhile, with the 23-year-old PSV star currently joint-top of the Golden Boot standings.
Louis van Gaal’s side will likely head into this one as most people’s favourites – and they will be expected to enjoy the majority of possession with the likes of Frenkie de Jong in their ranks.
Turnovers could prove valuable for the Stars and Stripes, in particular.
The technical proficiency present within both sides, however, gives this the feel of a contest with plenty of potential.
It could be tight and low-scoring, given their respective defensive records coupled with the additional jeopardy of knockout football, but it ought to provide a high-quality start to this next phase of the World Cup.
-
Argentina v Australia – Round of 16
Kick-off time: 7pm GMT
Venue: Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, Ar-Rayyan
Where can I watch? BBC One (UK)
Arguably a less evenly-matched meeting on paper, but there’s still no shortage of intrigue here.
This match, for instance, is set to mark the 1,000th senior appearance of Argentina skipper Lionel Messi’s stellar career. For so many, there is a desire to see the 35-year-old go all the way at what is set to be his final World Cup.
The South Americans look to be steadily building momentum after they responded to their shock opening loss against Saudi Arabia with 2-0 victories over Mexico and Poland – which saw them top Group C.
They were a popular favourites pick ahead of the tournament and, while they have looked disjointed at times so far, they seemed to be beginning to hit their stride against an admittedly poor Poland on Wednesday.
Australia, meanwhile, did superbly to progress in second place from Group D – behind holders France and ahead of Denmark and Tunisia.
Their victory over the Danes – semi-finalists at last year’s Euros and widely viewed as dark horses at this tournament – ought to give them significant confidence heading into this one.
It is a match that represents only their second-ever appearance in the knockout stages at the men's World Cup, after eventual winners Italy narrowly overcame them via a controversially awarded late penalty in the round of 16 in 2006. An additional source of motivation, perhaps?
Plus, within a World Cup that has already been somewhat defined by perceived upsets, this is a tie that will, for many, jump off the page.
Argentina will be expected to dictate the tempo and enjoy the majority of possession, with young Benfica midfielder Enzo Fernández exerting increasing influence in that regard in their last couple of outings.
The Aussies, though, have shown themselves to be more than capable of being defensively stubborn – led by Stoke City centre-back Harry Souttar, who has been superb off the back of his return from a serious knee injury.
The likes of Mathew Leckie and Mitchell Duke, meanwhile – winning goalscorers against Denmark and Tunisia respectively – can offer a potent, and varied, attacking threat.
This will likely be a game played primarily in the Australian half, but it may just be one defined by who makes better use of key moments in both boxes.