FT World Cup 2018: Belgium vs Tunisia, A Seven Goal Frenzy

The beauty of the World Cup is not only experienced by the victors. Due to the fact that the tournament is, in fact, a final including different countries that have qualified from their respective confederations, the fans here have been incredibly celebratory and for good reason. Belgium is a country that is enjoying international tournaments with a bit more expectation due to their golden generation of talent that comprises their squad. Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne, and Romelu Lukaku are household names but all entering their prime years in their respective careers.

Tunisia is a country with passionate fans that have waited 12 years to see their country appear in the World Cup and have been waiting 40 years for a victory in a World Cup match. How fitting that the last match we had tickets to see live, was a neutral fan’s dream match. After watching a slightly more conservative approach from Cristiano and Portugal, it was thrilling to see how Roberto Martinez sent out a Belgium side to attack Tunisia relentlessly in search of victory. It was equally thrilling to see Tunisia try to match Belgium’s footballing prowess with their own brand of attacking football. Rather than sit back and soak up pressure looking to counterattack, Tunisia tried to keep possession and build attacks from their defense. Unfortunately for Tunisia, an early Hazard penalty kick quickly followed up by a Lukaku goal meant that they would have to become even more adventurous against an incredibly potent Belgium side that was poised to seize the extra space Tunisia would leave exposed when attacking. While Tunisia certainly could be applauded for their brave tactics. Belgium maximized their physical advantage over Tunisia and was running rampant as the first half came to a close.

Spartak Stadium was the venue for this match and its intimate seating helped to create a cacophonous atmosphere for both Belgian and Tunisian fans. The second half was a bit more of the same, Belgium attacks followed by Tunisia attacks, and as the game drew to a close, Tunisia was able to score a second goal through Wahbi Khazri. To hear the Tunisian fans celebrate that second goal even though the game was 5-2 and drawing to a close, represented all the pride and joy felt by Tunisians to have earned the opportunity to compete at the World Cup. It was incredible to be a part of and witness.

FT Post World Cup 2018: The Day Morocco Bullied Portugal

A Few Weeks Before This Day

At the end of the 90 minutes, I was kicking myself trying to conceive how Morocco lost that Group B clash against the European champions, Portugal. In fact, I am still questioning myself hoping to get answers on the Lions of the Atlas’ ordeal. I was literally sitting on the edge of my seat throughout the match, cheering on, commentating and at times giving instructions through the television, as if they could actually hear me. That is just some hindsight into the level of passion I felt, which can be hardly described with words. At the end of the day, I was thoroughly entertained but walked away with a sinking feeling which has driven me to reflect in this piece.

Numbers Don’t Lie

Objectively, this is not just a “make Africa look good piece.” I am not a data junkie but let us look at the stats of the match for a second. Morocco had more of the ball with 55% possession, they also had five more shots than Portugal with a total of 15 shots with twice as many on target than their opposition. They had a superior passing accuracy of 76.4% compared to Portugal’s 71.7%, more passes in the attacking third, more key passes, more corners, more dribbles, more recoveries; essentially more of everything in attack. I am sure you are getting the picture now, Morocco actually bullied the 4th ranked team in the world. Hakeem Ziyech literally owned the midfield cutting inside from the left flank, Nordin Amrabat was unstoppable and the defense marshall, captain Mehdi Benatia adopted a second role - heading the ball goalwards at the wake of the countless opportunities, almost like a second striker.

The Significance

This was really huge to me as far as breaking stereotypes is concerned. African teams have been overtime described as “physical” which actually implies that they lack tactical awareness, organization, and are void of the ability to entertain. For the first time in my life, on the biggest stage of them all, I witnessed a European team pushed to the brink and made to defend in numbers, in other words, “park the bus”. Let me be clear, I do not see it in the view of the underappreciated rising to the occasion to prove haters wrong - shouting “I told you so,” but rather, in the light of football is a testament that no particular group of individuals has the inalienable right to mastery and dominance. Everyone can master and dominate, not just in sport but in everything. Allow me to echo the timeless declaration that all men are created equal with the hope that the more we roar it out, the more we move to actualize it.

Every Team Needs A Ronaldo

I am always reminded by my peers that in the end “football is about scoring goals.” Well, I actually concede to that fact but I cannot be robbed of the celebration of broken stereotypes. This gets me to the next point in moving past the “feel good dimension” to that of winning. Arguably the best player in the world, Cristiano Ronaldo actually won that particular match and many others for his country. The recent addition to the Juventus squad delivered a lightning header in the 4th minute from a corner kick, which sealed the points for the European champions. As we celebrate the progression of African football in the context of the Moroccans, I suggest we also aspire not to just do enough but be the best. My hope and prayer are that the small boys and girls in the forgotten and well-known parts of the continent may grind as much as Ronaldo with the belief that they will seize even the smallest of opportunities, become the best players in the world and win battles for their nations.

Morocco finished the 2018 FIFA world cup campaign in Russia, bottom of Group B with a single point after having lost the opening match to Iran courtesy of an injury-time own goal, another loss to Portugal and drew 2-2 with the 2010 World Champions, Spain. The Moroccan matches were some of the most breathtaking matches of my 2018 World Cup experience.

Continue roaring, Lions of the Atlas! 

FT World Cup 2018: Live From Russia - Cristiano Proves Decisive Against Morocco

FirstTouch is in Russia for the World Cup 2018. We will be attending multiple games and celebrating the world’s game with fans from all across the world! Enjoy our blogs that document some of our experiences.

The most riveting thing about experiencing the World Cup 2018 in Russia has been seeing world class players up close and personal. When you watch the game on television, it is completely different from seeing the movements and progressions that occur in a game. This experience is especially highlighted when witnessing one of the greatest players to ever play the game of football. We have been fortunate to see both players on either side of the debate of which is the GOAT. Lionel Messi came first, and although he was breathtaking to watch live, his missed penalty against Iceland proved decisive for all the wrong reasons, unfortunately. Cristiano Ronaldo, however, proved decisive for all the right reasons as Portugal defeated a Morocco team that largely outplayed them for most of the match. His fourth-minute header was the only goal in a 1-0 victory and when he scored it, the Luzhniki Stadium erupted with a roar equally mixed with cheers and boos. And this moment best encapsulates all that is Cristiano, in my opinion. A player with adoring fans worldwide, but also a player some fans love to hate.

Morocco, to their credit, played excellent football. Their build-up play was measured and their comfort on the ball was impressive, particularly against the reigning European Champions. The Portuguese manager, Fernando Santos, is famous for producing tactically disciplined teams that are resolute in defense and equally impressive in their attacking moments. So to see Morocco have Portugal against the ropes for large parts of the match was at times surprising, but to a devout Moroccan fan, it would not have come as a surprise perhaps. I must admit to not having seen too many Moroccan games before this one, but I am familiar with some of their standout players. Medhi Benatia and Younes Belhanda are two of the most successful Moroccan exports, but as a team, there were skillful players in each position. All that was unfortunately lacking was a decisive attacker to seize the chances that Morocco was able to create against Portugal’s defense. Pepe and his fellow defenders bent but did not break. Rui Patricio came up with several key saves, and one wonders if not for the early goal from Cristiano, would the game have assumed a slightly different dynamic. Portugal, at times, was more than happy to sit deep and absorb Moroccan attacks wave after wave, only to then counter with quickness, using Cristiano as the perfect release outlet.

Cristiano Ronaldo showed all 80,000 fans packed into Moscow’s biggest stadium why he commands all the attention and adoration he does. Earlier in his career, he used to run defenders ragged and confuse them with an array of skills performed at breathtaking speeds. Now, he chooses his moments, his endless runs are now decisive sprints and quick bursts of movement in the box. He has become a world class striker and for all of Morocco’s guile and creativity, they sorely lacked a player with the ruthless efficiency of Cristiano. As an attacking player on a counter-attacking team, there are inevitably moments in the match he must wait and defend more than he would like to. However, when called into action, a hush would come over the crowd as Cristiano would explode into action. His movements are much more intentional at this stage of his career and his decisions much more direct and decisive. Every time he had the ball in Morocco’s final third, one sensed a goal could come of whatever he created. Cristiano was also incredibly selfless in his efforts to defend set pieces, with the irony being that he of all people understands the importance of staying focused for those several moments in a match when an accurately delivered ball can affect a change or provide the decisive moment. Having seized the first moment that arrived on his head after a sharp, quick movement in the box to lose his defender, it was admirable to see how often he won defensive headers as well.

Overall, it was an excellent match for the neutral to watch, but as a long-time Cristiano fan, I was finally afforded the pleasure of seeing why he proves so decisive so often. Whereas Lionel Messi controls the game, Cristiano decided his game. Portugal left the pitch with all three points, albeit a draw or even a Morocco win would have been a more fair result. But football is rarely fair. It is a cruel sport that sometimes robs the better team of any tangible satisfaction. Morocco played excellent football but left with 0 points. And Portugal, as well as all football fans were again reminded how decisive and crucial Cristiano Ronaldo is.

FT World Cup 2018: Senegal's Tournament in Review

The best African team of the Tournament denied a knockout spot due to the controversial tiebreaker

Here at FirstTouch, we predicted Senegal would have a good tournament. As reported by Dennis Takaendesa, Aliou Cisse's men were well coached and well prepared to make a statement at the World Cup 2018 similar to the Senegalese team from 2002, but they just fell short of their knockout round goal. They did, however, play a brave and tactically effective brand of football that can and should be a blueprint for their fellow African representatives at future tournaments.

Senegal vs Poland [June 19]

FirstTouch was in Russia to cover this game live from Moscow. Spartak Stadium provided the arena for the Senegalese team to seize their first chance to make an impression on the World Cup 2018 tournament, and they did not disappoint. Cisse organized his team in a 4-4-2 formation to effectively punish a sluggish Polish side that was all too tentative in possession. Sadio Mane provided a consistent attacking spark for his side and his powerful run into the Polish half helped set up the chance for Idrissa Gueye to shot and score from an admittedly fortunate deflection. Senegal had created their own luck, however, and was rewarded towards the end of a good first half. The game shifted in the second half with Poland chasing the match and Senegal sitting slightly deeper to defend and then counterattack. In games so tightly contested, opportunities to score are at a premium and Niang took advantage of a poor back pass from Poland's Krychowiak to score the second goal of the match. Krychowiak, however, was able to make amends for his mistake, although it proved too little too late when he scored a well-directed header from a Polish set piece towards the end of the match. Senegal was able to see out the rest of the match and effectively limit the impact of one of the world's top strikers in Robert Lewandowski. This first victory represented an important and symbolic result similar to the 1-0 victory against France that Cisse led his Senegalese side to achieve, but also represented the first victory for an African nation at the World Cup. 

Senegal vs Japan [June 24]

With an all-important three points from the first game, Senegal just needed a result in their second match against Japan to stay in contention for a knockout round spot in Group H. However, the same level of organization and focus in important moments would be required to achieve success against a Japanese side that also won three points from their first game. Sadio Mane helped Senegal have a strong start with an 11th-minute goal, but that early goal was canceled out in the 35th minute by a Japanese goal from Inui. In a first half littered with chances for both sides, 1-1 was a scoreline that betrayed the amount of attacking football that was on display. Inui proved a constant threat for Senegal throughout the game and especially in the second half. However, Senegal was able to retake the lead with a second goal from Wague. The lead did not last long enough because a crucial moment in the game did not produce enough focus from Senegal's goalkeeper, and N'Diaye did not properly deal with a cross that Keisuke Honda was able to capitalize on and bring Japan level. Although one point was a result that kept Senegal's knockout chances very much alive, it was in hindsight an opportunity missed getting all three points. 

Senegal vs Colombia [June 28]

With four points heading into their final Group H matchup against Colombia, Senegal's destiny was not completely in their own hands and the points dropped against Japan came back to haunt them. This last match pitted Mane's men against a Colombia side attempting to create their own path into the knockout rounds and that had just comprehensively beaten Poland 3-0. Senegal started strong again, creating a number of chances that they should have capitalized on, and VAR was used to overturn a penalty awarded to Sadio Mane after a last-ditch tackle from Davidson Sanchez. The game grew tenser as it progressed with fewer chances being created. Poland assuming a 1-0 lead against Japan meant that both Senegal and Colombia would have gone through with a tie, however, Yerry Mina's header from a 74th-minute corner kick meant that Senegal had to chase the game. Their efforts bore nothing by the end of the game and this represented Senegal's first loss in a group stage game of the World Cup. This loss also meant that a tiebreaker was needed to separate Senegal and Japan. FIFA's new tiebreaker is based upon a 'fair play' ranking that keeps track of a teams' yellow and red cards. Such a tiebreaker has been deemed by many experts and fans as wildly inefficient, especially when watching the end of both games. Japan was more than happy to keep possession between their defenders and Poland, with nothing left to play for, saw little need in pressing them to retrieve the ball and score the second goal. Senegal, unfortunately, were made to chase the game due to another lapse in focus during a set piece. Yellow and red cards are not a measure of a team's success nor should be a deciding factor in a tournament with such differing standards in referee judgments. Senegal should feel hard done by such a tiebreaker, but ultimately, it was two decisive moments where a lapse in focus in each moment cost them a spot in the knockout stages. With that 1-0 loss to Colombia, it meant that for the first time in 36 years there would be zero African nations in the Round of 16 at a World Cup. 

Lessons Learned

1. An organized game plan and tactical flexibility is great until it is all undone by lapses in focus

2. Senegal must continue to improve, but already have a solid group of talented players led by Sadio Mane and coach, Aliou Cisse

3. Can Senegal play this well at AFCON 2019 next summer? They must certainly improve their goal-scoring ability to do so. 

Evaluation

Senegal was the best African team at the World Cup 2018 but still came up short due to lapses in focus during crucial moments. In a Group H that was there for the taking, Senegal should not have allowed themselves to be eliminated by a senseless tiebreaker. However, Aliou Cisse did provide a blueprint for the other African nations looking to perform in future World Cup tournaments. Tactical flexibility coupled with an organized team structure can help all African teams close the gap on the rest of the world. Perhaps, the fact that Cisse was a former player and was able to inspire and demand the respect of his team since he had led Senegal to the Round of 16 as a player also played a part in the overall team cohesiveness that was certainly missing from some of the other African nations. 

Critical Issue

Unfortunately, this seems to be a consistent issue with not just African teams, but all teams throughout the world and that is solid goalkeeper play. A better goalkeeper would have certainly meant a different fate for Senegal, but also a sharper focus during set-pieces and other critical moments during the match. 

FT World Cup 2018: Live From Russia - We Witnessed A Monumental Upset

FirstTouch is in Russia for the World Cup 2018. We will be attending multiple games and celebrating the world’s game with fans from all across the world! Enjoy our blogs that document some of our experiences.

The opening game between Russia and Saudia Arabia set the country aflame with perhaps even more passion and jubilation for the World Cup now that the host nation had announced itself in such a real way to the world. The second game in Moscow for our viewing pleasure was Germany vs Mexico. The World Cup 2014 champions against CONCACAF's best contender. As Americans abroad, we felt inspired to support Mexico regardless of my own personal history in Germany. What a decision that would turn out to be. It was quite possibly one of the most exhilarating moments of my life to be in that stadium and witness such a game. The emotional overload, however, began as you entered the Moscow public transit. Some of the newer trains had televisions in it so you could watch highlights or even the games themselves, and with each passing metro station that brought us closer to the stadium, we could encounter more and more fans from each country. German fans and Mexican fans singing and descending upon the stadium with excitement for the first game for each country at the tournament. 

What made the game so thrilling was not just our incredible seats our father was able to acquire for all of us, but the ambiance of the atmosphere itself. I have yet to watch a game in Mexico, but due to the fact that the Mexican fans greatly outnumbered the German ones, the Luzhniki Stadium felt more like Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. The charm of the World Cup is that everyone puts aside political beliefs and any and all seemingly divisive emotions to celebrate the world's game. Even with such a numerical advantage in the stands, I never felt any hostility. In fact, our seats were behind a group of Germans that came from a town one hour from Dortmund, the city I lived and played in. In front of them sat a group of Brazilians that were clearly there to support the Mexicans, but everyone was engaging in banter before the game. 

The game itself was a thrilling encounter and a tactical masterclass from the Mexican coach and players. Germany was not immediately prepared to play at the tempo Mexico started the game with, and Lozano's first-half goal led to an eruption in the stadium and beer showers from the Mexican fans above us. It was quite simply the best 1-0 game I have ever watched and I cannot wait for the next game we will go to. 

FT World Cup 2018: Tunisia's Tournament in Review

Like all African states, the Eagles of the Carthage came into the World Cup oozing with hope and pride for the African continent. Little did they know that they will be slapped with a loss from England, followed by a heavy blow of loss from Belgium. To redeem themselves, the Tunisians exited the tournament with inflicting the same kind of loss on Panama with a 2-1 win. Even though the departure was sooner than hoped for, the lessons learned were timely. Below is an overview of the learning curve.

Tunisia vs England

FirstTouch had predicted that this should be a game not to miss because of the certainty that the Eagles will bring their fight forward. They did live up to the expectation. They were flexible enough to change their strategy to a 5-3-1-1 during their second half of the game which tightened the bolts and made it hard for England to go past their defense line. The pressure on England was too much. Only Harry Kane stood in their way to victory when he scored twice for England and only allowing Tunisia to take one goal away. The 2-1 loss was not enough to discourage the North Africans as they went to devise more strategies to face Belgium in their next game.

Tunisia vs Belgium

This was the hardest and most dramatic match that the team faced throughout the tournament. Firstly, they had a new man (Farouk Ben Mustaph) at the goal post after their initial goalkeeper Mouez Hassen got injured in their first match against England. This level of flexibility is commendable. This did, of course, have negative implications for their game. Secondly, two of their players had to leave the game early due to injuries. It might have been these loopholes that allow Belgium to kick in the ball into the net 5 times. Lukaku scored two goals before the first half. Even after he left the game, the rest of the team carried the job to the very end of the 5-2 victory. This was the lowest point for the Eagles, but not all hope was lost because they still needed to face Panama.

Tunisia vs Panama

Tunisia proved that losing your former battles does not translate to absolute loss. You learn from them and come back stronger, as they gave Panama the same taste of what England gave them: 2-1 loss. In this game, Panama struck first in the 33rd minute with Jose Luis Rodriguez. This was after the Tunisian goalkeeper had not just one grip of the ball, but held it twice in the 18th minute to make sure that they did not lose this one. Tunisia was not held back by that first stab, as Fakhreddine Ben Youssef scored in the 50th minute. Just 16 minutes before the referee blew the whistle, Wahbi Khazri came in to redeem the team and ensured that the team leaves the tournament with some respect. The team is not just leaving empty handed but leaving with some lessons that will inform their next tournaments.

"For Tunisia's narrative, it's one of slight disappointment. We went into the tournament not expecting a miracle after having lost our best player Msakni. We knew our only chance was to get a result against England. We fought hard and were just 90 seconds away from making the country proud. That loss demoralized us and we went into the Belgium game physically and mentally weakened. We couldn't capitalize on our chances, and we were left fighting for our honor against Panama. We were able to salvage what could've been yet another winless World Cup (Tunisia holds the record of most winless games in a row with 11 or 12). The win against Panama was our first in 40 years!" - From Tunisian Fan Perspective, Amine

Lessons Learned

• Being flexible enough to change your strategy in the middle of the game is important.

• The ability to play in different roles is a definite treasure for teams.

• Learning from your mistakes as a team is the whole point of the game.

• The ability to persevere through a match can enable a team to turn its losses to amazing wins.

Evaluation

Not all good plays result in a win. Tunisia played well in the team, especially when it came to the strength of its defensive line. The only issue is that they conceded too many goals, but as their coach Nabil Maaloul says, it was only when they “met with very tough opponents”. The coach went on to say that they came into the group hoping that they could at least be third in the group, and yes, their hopes were fulfilled.

Critical Issue

They need to train more of their goalkeepers to avoid the concession to so many goals. The ability to shoot right at the net would also be necessary for them to be at their best at the Africa Cup of Nations.

FT World Cup 2018: Morocco's Tournament in Review

Lacked a cutting edge, but a lot of positives to pick up from one of the toughest groups

If we are to be realistic, not much was expected of Morocco after being seeded in Group B with European giants Portugal, Spain as well as Iran. Of course, we were behind them as they raised the flag of Africa sky high and hoped that they would have enough to cause an upset in the group and prove that matches are not won on paper. Here’s a recap of their performance in the tournament.

Morocco vs Iran (June 15)

FirstTouch Africa previewed the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia competition ahead of time and we anticipated that they would bring their exciting passing game to Iran and dazzle the fans. They never came short of that expectation. For the longest parts of the match, Morocco was the dominant team. Benatia was rock solid at the back as usual, and Amrabat was a threat on the byline. What was lacking for the Lions of the Atlas (أسود الأطلس‎) was that Didier Drogba type of forward who could bury all the chances home especially the ones they created in the first 20 minutes. They played like their lives depended on it, and it was no surprise that Iran had only 32% possession to show for their lucky victory against the African team. Morocco unfortunately lost by virtually the last kick of the match through an own goal by Aziz Bouhaddouz on the 95th minute. That performance was promising, and expectations started building up towards the match against the European Champions, Portugal.

Portugal vs Morocco (June 20)

Morocco needed a response but they could only do so much in a match against a defensively resolute Portugal. Cristiano Ronaldo scored early for Portugal through a fierce header on the 4th minute, and it was enough to confirm Morocco’s early exit from the biggest individual sporting event in the world as they failed to find the back of the net for the second consecutive match. That one goal kept the fans on the edge of their seats throughout the match with Morocco giving all the effort they could in a do-or-die match. The Portuguese full-back, Rafael Guerrero had the longest 90 minutes of his career facing Amrabat and Dirar who bombed upfield whenever they had the opportunity. Again, no one was on the receiving end of the dangerous balls from the flanks and Morocco had no one to blame but themselves for not finishing past Rui Patricio. With two defeats, Morocco was out of the tournament days into the competition.

Spain vs Morocco (June 25)

It was a match of pride really. Irzem and Atlasi were out to prove that they were not a pushover and issue a strong closing statement as they bowed out of the tournament. Morocco learned from their mistakes as forward Khalid Boutaib scored their first goal in the tournament on the 14th minute to stun Spain. The Spaniards responded through Isco a few minutes later, and it was all-square when the teams went in for a break. The VAR evidently determined the fate of the teams in Group B, and it is quite surprising that some incidents went unpunished like Gerard Pique’s double-foot challenge. Nonetheless, Morocco again found the lead for the second time in the match through substitute En Nesyri on the 81st minute. An African team was on the verge of breaking the Spaniard’s 22-game unbeaten run. Fellow substitute Iago Aspas also scored on the other end to make sure that Spain shares the spoils with أسود الأطلس‎ in their last match of the tournament. It was a proud moment when the referee ended the match as Morocco proved to the world that they could play against the top 2 teams in Europe and give them a run for their money.

Lessons Learned

1. Morocco’s style of play causes problems for any team they face.

2. There is room for improvement in terms of finishing.

3. VAR is not always fair.

4. Achraf Hakimi is one for the future.

5. Coach Herve Renard’s tactics were spot on.

Evaluation

Morocco was fairly good in the tournament. They had a lot of players who play in the most competitive leagues in the world, and it was beautiful to watch them in sync as they played a possession football that even Arsene Wenger would be proud of. The players played out of passion and love for the game and nothing else. If Morocco were named in any other group, they probably would have made it to the next round because Group B had brutal fixtures.

Critical Issue

They need to find sharp-shooters who are ruthless in front of goal and take the 2019 African Cup of Nations by storm.

FT World Cup 2018: Live From Russia - Saudi Arabia meets Russia in the Luzhniki

FirstTouch is in Russia for the World Cup 2018 this summer. We will be attending multiple games and celebrating the world’s game with fans from all across the world! Enjoy our blogs that document some of our experiences.

Day 2 [June 14]

It’s no secret both my brother and I were a bit nervous ahead of our trip to Moscow. Between the both of us, Russia was one of the few European countries we have yet to cover in our travels for football or personal reasons. The only point of reference we had for the culture was our father, who also on the trip, travels to Moscow annually to help educate and assist their veterinary efforts in combating the Avian Influenza. This would be different though. Russia is hosting the 2018 World Cup, a month-long festivity with fans spanning the entire globe in attendance. Even though my family is Cameroonian, we were coming from the United States, and tensions between both US and Russian countries after the latter‘s perceived role in the outcome of the US’s 2016 Election couldn’t be more rigid.

What is interesting to me about perception, is that at times we often allow bias and fear to cloud our initial judgments which can greatly alter our experiences if we let them. Maybe politically, one could argue to justify these biases, but in Football, the World Cup has historically been full of instances where opposing nations have seized the once in every four-year opportunity and used it to be kind to one another. June 14th, the tournament opener between Russia and Saudi Arabia were no different. The match was held in Luzhniki Stadium and upon emergence from the Sportivnaya metro station, the energy from all of the fans was infectious. It was like we were all kids on our first day at summer camp! Excited to rep where we came from while eager to see all of the different places others represented as well.

After what seemed like 100 selfies and videos, we were seated in the middle of a sea of Russian fans, with Saudi Arabian fans flanking us on either side. It was clear from the Opening Ceremony to the national anthem, to the kickoff that this was more than an event to the Russians, it was a celebration. And boy was it a night to celebrate for The Golden Eagles, who after an inspirational speech from Putin, were on top of the Saudi Arabians as soon as the opening whistle sounded. It didn’t take long for them to break through when  Russia’s Top U-23 player Aleksandr Golovin crosses the ball into the opponent's box finding the head of Yuri Gasinskiy for their first goal in the 12th minute. With no exaggeration, I can confidently say I have never seen a stadium erupt like this in my entire life. Some were screams of relief, having been able to grab an early lead after an edgy first 10 minutes, and some were shouts of surprise, as Russia had not been expected to do well in the tournament this summer. Some were of excitement and joy, as the game would go on to be a 5-0 victory for the Russians, a result not even Putin himself expected. And that’s the beauty of a celebration no? As my family and I embraced the Russian fans around us after each of the five goals, each unique moment represented an equal right at emotion for all of us experiencing the match. And that’s what a real celebration is. We may all be here for different reasons but above all, we are here to celebrate and partake in the positivity that the World Cup exudes. Heading back to the hotel, everyone from the security guards to the metro workers, to our hotel staff was ecstatic and proud for their nation’s performance. And in the name of celebration, we couldn’t have been happier for them.

FT World Cup 2018: Egypt's Tournament in Review

Disappointing Egypt fail to create any momentum at the World Cup

Things just didn’t work out for the Egyptians in this World Cup. It is said, “to whom much is given, much is expected”. The Pharaohs simply failed to deliver on football’s biggest stage. Kicking off their World Cup campaign without their talisman player Mohamed Salah, the North African giants never looked threatening in any of their three Group A games. They went down 1-0 to Uruguay in their opening match. The story continued in their second game where they lost 3-1 to Russia, and even the return of Salah in this game couldn’t rally the team to victory. They capped off their disappointing World Cup with a shock 2-1 loss to Saudi Arabia, effectively leaving the tournament with another disappointing display. 

Egypt vs Uruguay

The first game was quite an uphill task for the Egyptians in all honesty. With the news that Mohamed Salah would not start the match due to his shoulder injury he received from the UEFA Champions League final with Liverpool, it was quite hard to imagine them grinding out a positive result in this match. The outcome of the game proved as much as they succumbed to a late Luis Suarez goal which resulted in a 1-0 victory for Uruguay. The loss was all but shocking considering that Egypt never really looked like they would break down a well oiled Uruguay defense marshaled by Diego Godin.

Egypt vs Russia

This was a game that was highly anticipated by most Egyptian fans as it marked the return of Mohammed Salah after recovering from his shoulder injury. Ahmed Fathi’s bizarre own goal seemed to have paved way for more goals as Russia became rampant thereafter, adding two goals in quick succession, courtesy of Denis Cheryshev and Artem Dzyuba to kill the game off. Though Salah did pull a goal back for the Egyptians 20 minutes from time with a coolly struck penalty, the damage was already done and Egypt found it hard to break down a resolute Russian defense in search for a comeback. An early exit for Egypt was confirmed at the end of this game after two losses on the trot.

Egypt vs Saudi Arabia

Many expected Egypt to salvage some pride here by beating Saudi Arabia, but that was not to be. Salah put the Pharaohs ahead with a nice lob over the Saudi Arabian keeper, but Salman Al Faraj sent Essam El-Haddary the wrong way to level matters after Saudi Arabia was awarded a penalty. The Saudis then put the last nail in the coffin for Egypt right at the stroke of full-time courtesy of Salem Al Dawsari's close-range finish, defeating the Egyptians 2-1. This marked the end of The Pharaohs’ short World Cup spell which was thoroughly disappointing, to say the least.

Lessons Learned

• Defense is the best form of attack, Egypt was poor defensively hence they also failed to provide a threat going forward.

• Not relying on one man to drive the team.

• Play for the jersey and show hunger.

Evaluation

Heavy reliance on one man can be a recipe for disaster. Egypt simply did not offer much going forward especially during Salah’s absence. It is safe to say the North African giants never got the ball rolling.

Critical Issue

They need to ramp up their defense which proved to be the weakest link of the team. With the departure of El Hadary, the team also needs more leaders to step up and motivate the players all around the pitch.

FT World Cup 2018: Live From Russia - Day 1 Destination Moscow

FirstTouch is in Russia for the World Cup 2018 this summer. We will be attending multiple games and celebrating the world’s game with fans from all across the world! Enjoy our blogs that document some of our experiences.

Day 1 [June 13th]

The FIFA World Cup is a celebration of the world’s sport and a wonderful combination of different cultures and peoples. This summer my brother and I are fortunate enough to attend and immerse ourselves within the millions of other fans that will also be journeying to Russia. Although USA and Cameroon both failed to qualify, we are fans of football and will support the other African teams that did qualify. 

After creating FirstTouch, our continued vision has been to package creative content in a unique way and we will have the opportunity to deliver a glimpse into the passion and excitement that the World Cup provides. We will have access to 4 of the 5 African teams playing in the tournament and since we are staying in Moscow, we will also be able to document the excitement from the capital of the host nation.

The most exciting moments for me personally will be witnessing world class players compete at the highest level for their countries. Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Robert Lewandowski, Eden Hazard, the list goes on and on and that doesn’t include the players that will make a statement and announce themselves as a talent to consider in the future.

Our trip from D.C to Moscow via Brussels was shared by fans from Mexico, France, and Colombia who will all be hoping to see their countries succeed in a few days time.

FT World Cup 2018: Round of 16 Preview [Portugal vs Uruguay]

The Portugal vs Uruguay could easily be the most testy fixture of the Round of 16 as it will be a La Liga reunion for Cristiano as the Real Madrid forward battles against rival Atletico defenders Diego Godin and Jose Giminez. Similar for Luis Suarez on the opposite side who will undoubtedly end of up in a pissing match with Pepe. Portugal will be looking to provide better offensive support for Cristiano, as he has scored all of their goals in the tournament so far. Bernardo Silva, Gelson Martins, and Goncalo Guedes have been largely unimpactful in Russia and will need to step up if Uruguay’s back 4 are to be tested.

Portugal

"SIIIIIII." Cristiano Ronaldo

Say what you want about Ronaldo’s impact in build up play this tournament so far, Portugal obviously could care less. They have a clear team strategy that has proven very effective for them in recent international competitions, and ultimately was the major factor in them winning Euro 2016 (at least getting to the finals). Even when his finishing lets him down every now and then, Cristiano is much too potent of a scoring threat, simply because of his range. And I don’t mean shooting range, even thought that’d be more than applicable here. I mean his range and ability to score with variety. Real Madrid’s star man is an extremely dangerous threat from 30 yards out on either foot, is a dead ball specialist and is very strong using his head. This makes him a threat on any corner kick or cross into the oppositions box. Having already scored in Russia through each of the avenues I have just described, Ronaldo will be looking to add to his 4 goals and lead Portugal into the Quarter Finals.

William Carvalho

The holding or defensive midfield position in football is similar to the Corner Back position in American football in the fact that at times, the player occupying the position may be doing his or her best work when no one is mentioning them during the match. Carvalho has easily been one of the best midfielders so far this tournament, due to his ability to read the game, cover ground, and completely alter the oppositions playing style at times in Russia. Not only is he very strong in the tackle, but does the running of two men for Portugal. As Uruguay are a team that pride themselves in their grit and an industry, Carvalho will be a key player for Portugal as he will have to help keep track of Edison Cavani and Luis Suarez as they both drop deep to find the ball at times on Saturday.

Experience

Euro 2016 marked the tournament for me where Portugal can no longer be seen as anything other than contenders in major international competitions. Before winning the 2016 European Championship, they may have had an early exit in World Cup 2014, but prior to that, they made it to the Semi Finals in Euro 2012, the Quarter Finals in Euro 2008, and the Finals of Euro 2004. They also made it to the Semi Finals of World Cup 2006. Cristiano Ronaldo captains the current Portugal side and is the most familiar with his team’s recent successes, as he has seen his nations growth and establishment on the international stage. Portugal should be confident and have proven to themselves time and time again that they have the fight needed to progress at this stage.

 

Uruguay

They have the best defense in the tournament

Even though they will be looking at their star striker pairing of Suarez and Cavani to score against Portugal, both have perhaps been a bit overshadowed by the sheer might of Uruguay’s defensive prowess. “The holy grail of football is the word “balance”” Uruguayan coach Oscar Tabarez told reporters after his side’s 3-0 win against Russia. The Atletico Madrid defensive pairing of Diego Godin and Jose Giminez has seen Uruguay keep a shutout in each of their 3 group stage matches. Portugal will have a tall test come Saturday.

Suarez and Cavani Partnership

In their biggest defensive test thus far (spain) they yielded 3 goals. They have a potent offense in Suarez and Cavani who so far have 3 goals combined in Russia and are heating up a just the right time. Pepe and Fonte have good chemistry but will have a tough time keep up with the relentless movement of both of Uruguay’s talismanic strikers on Saturday.

Set Pieces

World Cup 2018 has been a tournament of set pieces, and Uruguay will know this more than anyone having scored all 5 of their group stage goals from set pieces. Portugal have already given up 2 goals from dead ball situations in Russia, and Uruguay will be looking to win this game by any means necessary

FT World Cup 2018: Round of 16 Preview [Argentina vs France]

France vs Argentina is a salivating matchup on paper, as both nations boast a wealth of talent across the pitch, especially in midfield and attacking positions. As underwhelming as each team has been through in the group stage though, one must remind themselves that France and Argentina are familiar with this stage of international competition. In recent memory, France reached the Finals of Euro 2016, and the Quarter Finals of World Cup 2014 and are more than overdue a major international trophy. The same could easily be said about La Albiceleste, who reached the Copa America Final in both 2015 and 2016 only to lose to Chile on both occasions. Argentina also made it to the World Cup Final against Germany in 2014, ending up losers again in a 1-0 extra time drama.  Even though each may have underperformed thus far in Russia Here are our three reasons for each nation on why we believe they could progress to the 2018 World Cup Quarter Final.

Argentina

They have the best player on the field

As it has been for each of Argentina’s games in the tournament so far, Messi has been the best player on the pitch. Against France, it will be no different. It is no secret that France will field a more talented side than Argentina on Saturday, but Argentina will take solace in the fact that similar to themselves, France has looked uninspired and disjointed at times. Lionel Messi is a man ready to seize the moment and has proven that time and time again over the course of his career. His 3-touch majestic goal against Nigeria in a must-win situation should be more than proof that the Barca man could prove a match winner at any moment.

They will have momentum after the huge win

France hasn’t played poorly by any means so far in Russia, but they haven’t exactly impressed either. At times they have even played down to their competition during the group stage, which could be a sign that they have yet to receive a stern enough test. Argentina experienced need the opposite in their journey to the Round of 16. Argentina was tried, tested, and bullied around in each of their matchups against Iceland, Croatia, and Nigeria. In a must-win match against the Naija Boys, they rose to the occasion through a late Marcus Rojo winner which will surely give them confidence that anything can happen for them this tournament.

Ever Banega

As much has been said about Soampali and his controversial control of “his” men during the group stage, maybe his biggest mistake in the first match was not starting Ever Banega over Lucas Biglia. Everybody and their mum knew that Iceland would remain compact and up to the task of defending behind the ball against Argentina in Round 1, so it shocked Parnell and me when we saw Biglia’s name on the starting lineup sheet next to Javier Mascherano, already a more than a capable holding midfielder. In this appearance later that game, and especially against Nigeria, Banega has shown his quality, and could easily be regarded as Argentina’s 2-3 most influential player thus far in the tournament. Even if Deschamps adjust France’s tactics to press Banega and attempt to shut down his playmaking abilities, Argentina should still see this as a positive as it will divert France’s (mainly Kante’s) attention away from Messi at times.

France

They have a more balanced squad and more depth

We have all seen the mock team sheets and memes at this point of France’s B and C teams. Their depth of talent in the tournament can only be rivaled by Brazil or Spain, and whatever starting XI that Deschamps selects will be full of technical ability, pace, and industry. Cohesion is the one adjective that has so far evaded Les Bleus in Russia, but if they find juice on Saturday, as we already saw against Croatia, Lionel Messi can’t play in goal as well.

Antoine Griezmann vs Javier Mascherano

Masche put in vintage and inspirational performance in Argentina’s dramatic win against Nigeria on Tuesday. He was everywhere Argentina needed him to be and then some, as he harassed Nigeria’s midfield and front men, refusing to let any opposing player in the attacking third feel comfortable on the ball. Nigeria has no shortage of talent in their team, but they don’t have a Griezmann. As deadly a finisher the Atletico forward can be in and around the box, he is a player who’s the best quality may be his clever movement and ability to create space for himself. To make matters worse for Argentina and Mascherano, France has a wealth of players who can break lines and push forward past the midfield third, which makes it easier for Griezmann to drift and occupy space in dangerous areas. Even if Masche marshals him well, it may only take one chance for Griezmann to make the Argentinians pay for leaving him open.

Pace, pace, and more pace

We have seen Argentina’s midfield and defense struggle to adapt to a few tactics in Russia, but perhaps what is most indefensible for them will be the genuine and industrious pace of France. Nigeria may have possessed a similar weapon, but ultimately broke down in the final third a bit too often to finish off Argentina in their gutting 2-1 loss. But that doesn’t mean that they didn’t get into the dangerous positions in the first place. France has more than enough pace through the likes of Mbappe, Griezmann, and Dembele to stretch Otamendi and Rojo and allow Pogba and Matuidi to burst forward and create numbers in the oppositions half. Even though Banega could prove a big asset for Argentina going forwards, he will have to do his fair share of tracking if Argentina hopes to retain defensive numbers against France’s attack.

FT World Cup 2018: Senegal were so close but yet so far

Africa are out of the 2018 FIFA World Cup tournament. Shocking right? Many experts and coaches from all over the world predicted that African teams would do better in the competition this time around, but they were left disappointed. Arsene Wenger and Jose Mourinho are just two of the many experts that shared in this pre-tournament belief. But how exactly did Senegal let the chance slip through their fingers in the final match? Here’s how.

In the first two matches, we did not see the captain of the team, Cheikhou Kouyate in the starting XI as well as the boy wonder, Keita Balde Diao on one of the flanks. Coach Aliou Cisse decided to change things up and accommodate the two players in a compact 4-4-2 formation against Colombia on June 28. Mane, who was playing up front with Niang, got an opportunity to score but lost the ball in the penalty box to Yerry Mina. VAR was used, and it adjudged that Mina committed a legal tackle. The Senegalese team were dangerous on the break but failed to score. A second-best Colombia team was unfortunate to lose James Rodriguez to injury, and they replaced him with an attacker, Muriel. Yerry MIna later proved again decisive as he stunned Senegal when he rose above the defenders to head in the game-winning goal on the 74th minute. Senegal now needed a goal to secure their place in the Round of 16 with Japan losing 1-0 to Poland. They fought, but could not score past Ospina. The match ended 1-0 and Senegal were level on points with Japan. They scored the same number of goals and conceded the same in the group stage. The two teams could not be separated by the head-to-head fixture either as it ended in a draw. For the first time in the tournament, a team was eliminated based on the number of yellow cards they picked up in the tournament. Senegal finished 3rd in the group, and it must be heartbreaking to bow out like that.

This means that the journey for the 5 African teams has ended in the group stage. Better luck next time, Africa.

FT World Cup 2018: Senegal held to a 2-2 draw by Japan

Three African teams have already been knocked out of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia namely; Tunisia, Morocco, and Egypt. Senegal was the first team from the continent to pick up three points in the tournament so far before Nigeria learned from their mistakes and got back in the conversation as they beat Iceland.

On Sunday, 24th of June, Senegal were looking to repeating this feat as they matched up with fellow Group H member Japan. Les Lions de la Téranga coach, Aliou Cisse played around with his starting XI by switching the formation from 4-4-2 in the previous match to a 4-3-3 and accommodated Ndiaye in midfield. They started off well. It was in the 11th minute that Sadio Mane was accredited for scoring a goal for Senegal after Kawashima parried Youssouf Sabaly's shot into the feet of the Liverpool forward before the ball bounced off his shin and rolled into the net. Senegal continued to dominate in a first half that was typified by long balls and physical battles in the middle of the park. Japan came back into the match on the 34th minute through Inui’s curler that beat Khadim Ndiaye to level the matters.

Moussa Wague gave Senegal the lead for the second time in the match as he turned in Sabaly’s cross from a tight angle on the 71st minute. The Japanese coach made a bold decision of removing Shinji Kagawa and replaced him with Keisuke Honda before also throwing Shinji Okazaki into the match to rescue a point. The pair caused havoc in the opposition box, and it was written in the stars that they would leave a mark on the match. The Senegalese goalkeeper miscalculated a Japanese cross into the box and completely missed it which gifted Honda the opportunity to slot home just 7 minutes after Wague’s goal. The game ended in a 2-2 draw.

In all fairness, both teams created opportunities to score and showed the desire to stay in the competition, desire that has been lacking in the other African teams that have already been eliminated at this stage. The only question remaining is the omission of a young player on the rise. Up until now, we have not seen Keita Balde in this tournament. The young winger is highly rated and widely regarded to be the next big thing but is still yet to kick a ball in this tournament. Could it be that they have been reserving for the most challenging match (against Colombia) which will be the decider?

FT World Cup 2018: Morocco could not find a solution against Portugal

The World Cup hunt is as good as finished for the Lions of the Atlas. Morocco was knocked out of the 2018 FIFA World Cup finals in Russia on Wednesday after falling short against the European champions’ who showed experience and resolve. Portugal only needed an early single goal to bag all three of the points on offer in this Group B clash.

The odds were always against the North Africans heading into this tournament who were drawn into Group B against the global football powerhouses in the form of Spain and Portugal, and also sharing a group with the Asian masters, Iran. This group earmarked the “group of death” by most analysts has provided some of the most entertaining games of the tournament. Most fans would have expected Morocco to have a stronger showing in terms of results than they have had thus far, especially after having an impressive qualifying campaign where they conceded zero goals and had the support of an experienced coach in Herve Renard. They may not have quite met expectations but maybe it is more attributed to having failed to find the back of the net in their first two fixtures. They dominated the match against Iran, creating a couple of chances but unfortunately gifted all three points to the opposition after conceding an own goal in the 90th minute. Against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal, the Real Madrid forward proved the difference early on. Ronaldo pounced on Joao Moutinho’s cross in the 4th minute and drove the ball into the net with a fierce header. Starting the match on the backfoot, the Moroccans had to dig really deep to save their World Cup dream and they left it all on the pitch. Hakim Ziyech was pulling strings in the midfield and Nordin Amrabat gave the Portuguese defense all sorts of problems with his pace, trickery and superhuman strength. Portugal seemed to be the underdogs throughout the entire match, sitting deep and letting Morocco play the beautiful game with a fluid and attractive style we all love.

One positive to take back to Rabat would be the fact that they have shown that an African team can outplay the best. Investment in scouting more clinical finishers for the Lions of the Atlas should be a priority in their continued efforts in building a formidable Moroccan side. It is not really all over yet, with their final match coming against Spain on the 25th June, they can still have a say on who progresses from the group with Portugal, Spain, and Iran sitting on four, four, and three points respectively. A shock-win over the 2010 World Cup Champions, Spain would not be such a bad farewell gift for Moroccan fans.

FT World Cup 2018: The Hopes of Africa Must Soar with the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia

The 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia has been nothing short of exciting. We have enjoyed bitter losses, heroic efforts, controversial decisions by the match officials among other dramatic moments that can be expected in such a prestigious tournament. The latter is still yet to catch up with the African teams as 3 of 5 teams have already played their first matches and have already tasted defeat.

First up, it was Egypt. A justifiable reason for their loss was the injured Mohamed Salah, who failed to make it onto to the pitch and wow the fans with his dazzling sprints and his calm and collected goal-scoring ability. The Pharaohs fell to a narrow 1-0 loss at the hands of fellow Group A members Uruguay on matchday 2. This saddened not only the helpless Salah, who was watching from the bench but also the whole continent of Africa who has high expectations on all of the teams participating in this year’s competition.

Morocco’s case was no different. They succumbed to a 1-0 defeat thanks to the well-organized defending of the Iranian team. This might come as a surprise to someone who knows what Benatia’s teammates are capable of. Morocco really had it all in one basket from kick-off. They came to play, and play they did. They dominated the match and barely gave Iran any chance until late on.  What broke the hearts of the hundreds of millions of fans watching the game was the way in which the match slipped out of their hands. An own goal by Bouhaddouz in the 95th minute sealed the victory for a very fortunate Iranian side. At this kind of tournament, you cannot afford to lift your foot off the gas. They were made to pay for their lapse in concentration, and the result will paint a bad picture in the minds and hearts of the fans. That is a lesson learned for them.

Nigeria came in on the third try. They took on Luka Modric’s Croatian side, but their fate was sealed in less than five mins into the match. Playing an opening match can be nerve-wracking, as was the case for Nigeria who looked nothing like the team that put up a fight against England in the friendlies not so long ago. Nigeria looked uncomfortable, unprepared and it was just a matter of time before the Croatians would humble them. Like Morocco, Nigeria conceded an own goal on the 32nd minute before Luka Modric scored a penalty to make it 2-0 to Croatia. Why is it that they lost, you may ask. Because of three main reasons, i.e. nerves, the tactical approach to the match, and a poor performance from the leaders of the team. The coach failed to prepare the team for the game and made some questionable substitutions throughout the 90 minutes. A lot more could be offered by the likes of Mikel, Iwobi, Moses, and Ndidi. Surely, this humbling experience should work as a learning curve for Nigeria and the other two African nations that are still yet to play.

Things are not looking good for Africa thus far at the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia. Not all hope is lost though, with Tunisia and Senegal still yet to play. It piles more pressure on them to do better than the teams mentioned above. Tunisia and Senegal have seen it all by this stage and should be prepared to battle with their lives like Morocco did but cannot afford to drop their concentration levels. Managers have to do their part and select their best players and make sure that they set up in a formation that allows them to contribute to the best of their abilities. Star players have to lead by example and influence the games into their favor. Defenders cannot afford to make costly errors like own-goals in the remaining matches. A big question mark is on how Tunisia will fare without their best player, Msakni, who is missing from the game due to injury. Will they respond to this loss the same way Egypt did without Salah or will they take ownership of the performance and make sure that they will be leading by the time the referee blows the whistle at the end of 90 minutes.

FT World Cup 2018: Africa Has Arrived - Nigeria

In the history of the FIFA World Cup, no African team has ever reached the semi-finals. Ghana was agonizingly close in South Africa 2010 but crashed out after Luis Suarez’s heroics in goal, in place for a goalkeeper who was still in the game. Senegal’s Lions of Teranga had a great run in the 2002 finals before losing to Turkey, 1-0 after extra time. Can this year be a historical one for Africa?

The Naija boys have done so well in claiming the unofficial World Cup fashion awards by rocking a designer Nike outfit that has left everyone in the soccer world talking. It also sold out and generated millions for the West African nation. As if that was not enough, the Super Eagles consolidated their position as the best dressed by wearing an impeccable traditional outfit that effortlessly differentiated them from the rest of the suit and tie wearing nations touching down in Russia. Representing a nation of more than 180 million people, they inevitably got most of the media attention in the build-up to the finals in Russia, receiving both “blessings and curses”. Will they really be able to deal with all the pressure and make their killer outfits count for something?

I think it’s going to be really tough, but they will manage to do just enough to at least reach the knockout stages. Nigeria will be wary of Lionel Messi and Argentina having faced them in 2002, 2010 and 2014 finals. Although they lost 1-0, 1-0 and 3-2 in all occasions, respectively, they will be optimistic about getting a result this time around. They recently got one over them in a friendly played in November 2017, winning 4-2 and will be confident of getting a result on the 26th of June. As for the challenge of Croatia, it will really be a game of two halves but I am confident that Victor Moses and Alex Iwobi can work something out to expose the defense that conceded an avoidable goal against Senegal in a World Cup warm-up friendly. It should also be said that captain John Obi Mikel and Wilfried Ndidi will really have to be on their A-game as they will battle some of the best midfielders alive in the form of Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic. As for their second group D match against the fairytale itself, Iceland, if they do the basics right I do not see them losing that match.

Here are my group D final standings;

Argentina (1st); Nigeria (2nd); Croatia (3rd); Iceland (4th).

What are your predictions? Let us know in the comment box below.
 

Croatia Teaches Senegal a Lesson in Final World Cup Friendly

After losing to Brazil in their previous game, Croatia redeemed herself by beating Senegal 2-1 in a friendly game that took place on the 8th of June.

I really understand the need for friendly matches. I know that they are the best way to prepare teams before a major tournament like the World Cup. My concern is what are the implications of a friendly game on the losing team? For a team like Senegal that has qualified for the World Cup, the taste of loss has not been very present in its mouth, hence, losing in a friendly match just before the main tournament can be a shock. It might make a team question its potential. Most importantly, it might discourage the fans that have enjoyed the pleasure of screaming after every game.  At the end of the day, a friendly match can be the reason why a team takes a dented team spirit and suffocating confidence to the main game.

However, soccer is not just about kicking the ball, but it is a character engineering mechanism. It teaches some good character traits such as resilience. It is such friendly matches that remind us that, as Africans, we believe that nothing beats a growth mindset and we African fans are rallying behind Senegal in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia. Senegal are grateful to Croatia for helping us identify our mistakes. Sadio Mane and his squad will work on them and we will be ready for the tournament!