The first full week of matches is done. This has been a strange World Cup in which the gulf between the traditional powers and what were consdiered second or third rung teams has been diminished. We’ve seen Mexico take down Germany, Belgium crush all before them, and Argentina fall apart mid game. Exciting Stuff! There is a lot to cover, so let’s see how FIFA did.
Day 3:
France VS Australia
France is clearly superior to Australia, however, in the real world Australia proved they can hold on in a match, and even score back.
Simulation Result
France 2- Australia 0
Paul Pogba (25′)
Olivier Giroud (52′)
Game result
France 2- Australia 1
Griezmann (58′) PEN
Behich (81′)(OG)
Jedinak (62′) PEN
Argentina VS Iceland
Argentina played well initially, but a mistake by the goal keeper and the defense put the game level, and Argentina never seemed to be able to get through the Viking shield world as the team cohesion slowly fell apart.
Simulation Result
Argentina 1- Iceland 2
Finnbogason (42′)
Sigurdusson (56′)
Cristian Pavon (63′)
Game Result
Argentina 1- Iceland 1
Aguero (19′)
Finnbogason (23′)
Peru VS Denmark
Denmark squeezes out a win against a Peru that really deserved to win. In the simulation, Denmark was a clearly superior team, but in the real world, surprises are more common.
Simulation Result
Peru 0- Denmark 2
Poulsen (4′)
Delaney (71′)
Game Result
Peru 0- Denmark 1
Yurari (59′)
Croatia VS Nigeria
Croatia, with some luck gets past a truly exciting Nigeria.
Simulation Result
Croatia 1- Nigeria 0
Mandzukic (4′)
Game Result
Croatia 2- Nigeria 0
Etebo (32′)(OG)
Modric (71′)(PEN)
Day 4:
Costa Rica VS Serbia
In both the simulation and the real world, Serbia is the superior team, but the simulation counted with more aggressive football rather than the anti-football in display in the field.
Simulation Result
Costa Rica 1- Serbia 2
Savic (16′)
Ljacic (32′)
Ureña (76′)
Game Result
Costa Rica 0- Serbia 1
Kolarov (56′)
Germany VS Mexico
Germany, defending champion was clearly superior in the simulation. But a well planned strategy and impeccable execution lead to Germany to stun the world by beating the defending champions.
Simulation Result
Germany 2- Mexico 0
Muller (16′)
Werner (31′)
Game Result
Germany 0 Mexico 1
Lozano (35′)
Brazil VS Switzerland
Beating for Brazil would have been the safe bet. And you would have lost. Switzerland looks to be in great shape and got a great result against their toughest challenge.
Simulation Result
Brazil 2- Switzerland 0
Jesus (24′)
Neymar (44′)(PEN)
Game Result
Brazil 1- Switzerland 1
Coutinho (20;)
Zuber (50′)
Day 5:
Sweden VS South Korea
Sweden was superior in both instances. No surprises here.
Simulation Result
Sweden 1- South Korea 0
Berg (45′)
Game Result
Sweden 1- South Korea 0
Granqvist (65′) (PEN)
Belgium VS Panama
Belgium is looking like a stronger and stronger contender every day, and Panama, it is debut on the World Cup, didn’t seem to have a slight chance to compete.
Simulation Result
Belgium 3- Panama 0
Hazrd (39′)
Meunier (45′)
Meunier (63′)
Game Result
Belgium 3- Panama 0
Mertens (47′)
Lukaku (69′)
Lukaku (75′)
Tunisia VS England
While the simulation was correct about the English victory, it was not close as to how close Tunisia was to tie, and sometime looked to even win.
Simulation Result
Tunesia 0- England 4
Alli (7′)
Lingard (13′)
Alli (66′)
Vardy (80′)
Game Result
Tunisia 1- England 2
Sassi (35′)(PEN)
Kane (11′)
Kane (90+1′)
Day 6:
Colombia VS Japan
The world is stunned as Japan beats Colombia. But it was bad luck on the side of the Colombians, as they got a player sent off early while he caused a penalty. The simulation didn’t see that coming.
Simulation Result
Colombia 2- Japan 0
Falcao (37′) PEN
James (45′)
Game Result
Colombia 1- Japan 2
Quintero (39′)
Kagawa (6′)(PEN)
Osako (73′)
Poland VS Senegal
Senegal gets a historic win over Poland, becoming one of the most interesting teams to watch in the tournament.
Simulation Result
Senegal 0- Poland 0
Game Result
Poland 1- Senegal 2
Krychowaick (86′)
Cioneg (37′)(OG)
Niang (60′)
Russia VS Egypt
Russia pummels Egypt 3-1, boosted by a home field advantage that FIFA clearly cannot quantify. It gave the match a tie.
Simulation Result
Russia 0- Egypt 0
Game Result
Russia 3 Egypt 1
Fathi (47′)(OG)
Cheryshev (59′)
Dzyuba (62;)
Salah (73′)(PEN)
Day 7:
Portugal VS Morocco
Christiano Ronaldo continues to carry portugal as it ensures its qualification to the next round.
Simulation Results
Portugal 1- Morocco 0
Gelson (69′)
Game Results
Portugal 1- Morocco 0
Ronaldo (4′)
Uruguay VS Saudi Arabia
Suarez, in a match that was not really pretty, gets the victory for Uruguay.
Simulation Results
Uruguay 2- Saudi Arabia 0
Suarez (12)’
Sanchez (29′)
Game Results
Uruguay 1- Saudi Arabia 0
Suarez (23′)
Iran VS Spain
In the simulation and the matches, FIFA guesses correctly that Spain would have problems to get over the great Persian Defense. But in both instances they managed to do it once to earn a victory.
Simulation Results
Iran 0- Spain 1
Costa (36′)
Games Results
Iran 0- Spain 1
Costa (54′)
Day 8:
Denmark VS Australia
While Denmark continues to perform better in the simulation than they do in the real world, as they manage only a tie against a clearly inferior Australian team that they defeated in the simulation.
Simulation Result
Denmark 2- Australia 1
Kruse (7′)
Sisto (22′)
Poulsen (51′)
Game Result
Denmark 1- Australia 1
Eriksen (7′)
Jedinak (38′)(PEN)
France VS Peru
Peru once again outperformed its simulated counterparts, but it still was not enough. They conceded a goal against France, and are eliminated.
Simulation Result
France 3- Peru 0
Giroud (12′)(45′)
Mbappe (28′)
Game Result
France 1- Peru o
Mbappe (34′)
Argentina VS Croatia
It is interesting that the simulation got this one right, aside from the score line. Perhaps the Argentine defense is not as solid as past tournament performances in the past 4 years suggested.
Simulation Result
Argentina 0 Croatia 2
Mandzukic (39′)(60′)
Game Result
Argentina 0 Croatia 3
Rebic (53′)
Modric (80′)
Rakitic (90+1′)
Day 9:
Brazil VS Costa Rica
Brazil proves itself it can be the team it is meant to be, and eliminates Costa Rica from the cup, although at the last minute.
Simulation Result
Brazil 2- Costa Rica 0
Ruiz (10′)
Game Result
Brazil 2- Costa Rica 0
Coutinho (90+1′)
Neymar (90+7′)
Nigeria VS Iceland
Nigeria, playing nice, flowing football, break down the Icelandic defense to win their first game and keep Argentina alive.
Simulation Result
Nigera o- Iceland 1
Finnbogason (21′)
Game Result
Nigeria 2 Iceland 0
Musa (49′)(75′)
Serbia VS Switzerland
Switzerland stuns Serbia at the last moment to turn around an initially losing game, and find itself at the top of their group.
Simulation Result
Serbia 0- Switzerland 1
Xhaka (51′)
Game Result
Serbia 1- Switerland 2
Mitrovic (5′)
Xhaka (52′)
Shaqiri (90′)
Conclusion
Despite some strange results in this cup, FIFA has improved its hit rate from a paltry 25% to a much more respectable 68%. We’ll see if they can keep this going as the final stages of the group phase arrive.
