Brazil 2 Costa Rica 0
Brazil broke Costa Rican hearts as they snatched a last-minute 2-0 win in Saint Petersburg. While late goals from Philippe Coutinho and Neymar kick-start their 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™, back-to-back defeats have ended the Central Americans’ hopes of progression.
A Seleção controlled the game from start to finish, averaging two-thirds of possession while largely camped in the Costa Rican half. Chances were slim in the opening period, with the best falling to Los Ticos’ Celso Borges as they threatened on the counter-attack.
Brazil got their eye in after the break, though, finally fashioning the clear-cut opportunities they had been threatening. While Gabriel Jesus rattled the bar, it took until the start of stoppage time for Coutinho to pounce on a loose ball before Neymar side-footed home with virtually the final kick of the game.
Nigeria 2 – Iceland 0
Nigeria got their first win of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ by beating tournament debutants Iceland 2-0 in Volgograd. The result means the race for second place in Group D will go down to the last game on 26 June. Ultimately, three teams will compete for a spot in the Round of 16 on the final day, with the Super Eagles still able to top the pool ahead of already-qualified Croatia.
The hero of the match was undoubtedly Ahmed Musa, who came alive in the second half and played superbly, scoring both Nigerian goals. His first finish in particular will surely live long in the memory as one of the goals of the tournament: he controlled Victor Moses’ cross with one touch, setting himself up for an unstoppable half-volley with his second. Both Musa’s strikes were warmly received by the crowd at the Volgograd Arena, many of whom are familiar with the striker from his spells at CSKA Moscow.
Interestingly, while the Super Eagles took control in the second half, in the first they failed to register a single shot on target on Hannes Halldorsson’s goal. The Icelanders came close to narrowing the deficit towards the end of the match, but their main star Gylfi Sigurdsson spurned a glorious chance from the penalty spot.
Serbia 1 Switzerland 2
For the second time in two World Cup matches Switzerland started agonizingly slow, their defensive plan disrupted and surrendering an early goal, while their attack was non-existent. For the second time Switzerland fought back in the second half, but this time they scored two goals, not one, and defeated Serbia 2-1 in Kaliningrad Friday night.
Xherdan Shaqiri’s strike in the 90th minute was the difference, a goal that will likely advance Switzerland to the round of 16. Serbia faces a tough match against powerhouse Brazil.
