Best (and Worst) of World Cup Group Stage So Far | OneFootball

After six calendar days, the first tranche of World Cup group stage games has finally concluded. We’re gonna break down our completely biased, unscientific and one-sided analysis based on watching 98% of them (that’s approximately 2,110 minutes).

The Best Matches

While the vast majority of fixtures had at least a handful of moments that made them worth watching, the ones listed below were absolute crackers for at least more than 45 minutes.

England 4 – 2 Croatia (Group L, June 17)

It’s not just because of its recency; this game was end-to-end balls out brilliant footy/soccer. Hell, there were two goals in the first seven minutes called back for razor thin offsides. Then the Three Lions and Hrvatska proceeded to trade a pair of absurd goals until halftime. While the intensity waned a tiny bit in the second, England wasn’t done and added two more for insurance.

USA 4 – 1 Paraguay (Group D, June 12)

In the first half, the USA was a whisker’s breadth away from perfection. 72% possession, 293 passes (89% completion), 27 touches in the opposition box, 4 on frame from 7 shots; 3 goals. True, the second half was underwhelming, but that stoppage time score from Gio Reyna after an exquisite series of passes pushed this match into classic territory.

Netherlands 2 – 2 Japan (Group F, June 14)

It’s the only draw in this list, but it was one of the best. When four goals are scored and both teams’ xG is comfortably under 1 (Netherlands 0.78 / Japan 0.59) you know that all of those goals were something special. I likened this match to chessboxing: the first half was all cerebral tactics; the second half unbridled energy. Guess when all four of the goals occurred.

Argentina 3 – 0 Algeria (Group J, June 16)

Watching Lionel Messi get his first World Cup hat-trick at 38 years old (he’ll turn 39 next week), and tie Miroslav Klose for all-time World Cup goals scored (16) was something special, and enough to put this game here.

The Dud Games

Brazil 1 – 1 Morocco (Group C, June 13)

Makes this list just because it failed to live up to the hype. My youngest child argues that objectively that game wasn’t that bad, but it’s my article. Both teams underperformed their xG, but importantly, they underperformed the hype. This was supposed to be a knockout-round caliber match in the first set of games, featuring two top ten FIFA-ranked teams. Instead it was just meh.

Mexico 2 – 0 South Africa (Group A, June 11)

This is where I make the distinction between a good result (if you’re an El Tri supporter) vs. a good game. When there are more red cards (3) than goals scored (2) you have to raise your brows. South Africa registered a woeful 0.07 xG, and given that Mexico were up by two players for a decent amount of time they should have won by more than two.

Switzerland 1 – 1 Qatar (Group B, June 12)

If you look up the definition of squander, there will be a picture of the Swiss national team. They had ample opportunity to put this game to bed, and bottled it. Their goal arose from a penalty kick probably given in error (the player looked offside and FIFA declined to provide visual evidence otherwise). And the Qatari equalizer in the 94th minute turned out to be an own goal. Sad trombone.

Some Magnificent Draws

Nine of the 24 fixtures (43%) ended square. But that doesn’t mean they were boring. We included one of these in our best of list above; here are some others that were epic.

Spain 0 – 0 Cape Verde (Group H, June 15)

IYKYK. You had to be there. In real time. Watching Spain frantically (and futilely) throwing themselves at the Blue Sharks defenders in the waning moments of the game. Cheering as 40 year-old goalkeeper Vozinha made improbable save after improbable save. Not pretty. But deeply, immensely satisfying.

Iran 2 – 2 New Zealand (Group G, June 15)

Strip out all the geopolitical drama, and this game had no right to be as thrilling as it was. New Zealand is lowest ranked side in the tournament (#85); 17 of Iran’s 26-man squad haven’t played domestic soccer since February due to the Persian Gulf conflict. None of that mattered. A brace from youngster Elijah Just (with assists from veteran Chris Wood, who was present in New Zealand’s last World Cup visit in 2010) was balanced by answering goals from Ramin Rezaeian and Mohammad Mohebi.

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