Meanwhile in Moscow: Neymar Extends Mexican World Cup Curse

Brazil, Meanwhile In Moscow, Mexico, World Cup, World Cup 2018
Still not a sparkling Brazil the one seen yesterday in Samara, but a solid and concrete team. That was enough for the Selecao to move into the Quarter Finals, in a World Cup with a keen for brusquely showing the exit door to most of the favorite teams. Coach Tite’s selection moved past Mexico with goals by Neymar and Roberto Firmino.
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Meanwhile in Moscow: Croatia Win Penalty Lottery Over Denmark

Croatia, Denmark, Meanwhile In Moscow, World Cup, World Cup 2018
Another penalty shootout lottery, another goalkeeping drama in the 4th game of the Round of 16 between Croatia and Denmark. Danijel Subasic saved three penalties, Kasper Schmeichel did the same – but one of them was kicked during extra time, and thus the shootout roulette promoted the Croatians after an infinite struggle in Nizhny Novgorod.
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Meanwhile in Moscow: Akinfeev’s Redeem Makes History for Russia

Meanwhile In Moscow, Russia, Spain, World Cup, World Cup 2018
The life of a goalkeeper is made of single events that can change a career, for the best or for the worse. 4 years ago in Brazil, Igor Akinfeev had condemned Fabio Capello’s Russia to a disappointing early exit with two colossal blunders. But yesterday, he redeemed himself by saving two penalties from Spain, pushing the host country into the World Cup Quarter Finals.
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Meanwhile in Moscow: Cavani’s Brace Ends CR7’s Dream

Meanwhile In Moscow, Portugal, Uruguay, World Cup, World Cup 2018
Edinson Cavani put together an impressive performance last night in Sochi, sealed by a killer brace, to push Uruguay ahead of Portugal and into the Quarter Finals. Cristiano Ronaldo found himself trapped into coach Oscar Tabarez’s spider web, and ultimately had to bid farewell to World Cup 2018, just like Leo Messi had to do earlier in the afternoon.
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Meanwhile in Moscow: Mbappé Cancels Messi In Epic 4-3 Win

Argentina, France, Meanwhile In Moscow, World Cup, World Cup 2018
He is not even 20, and maybe that’s the least impressive thing about Kylian Mbappé, who led France to an epic 4-3 over Argentina yesterday in the first World Cup Round of 16 game, at the end of an unforgettable battle that also featured sensational goals on the part of Angel Di Maria and Benjamin Pavard. Absent without leave, once again, was Leo Messi.
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Meanwhile In Moscow: The Top 11 of the Second and Third Round

Meanwhile In Moscow, World Cup, World Cup 2018
The Group Stage ended two days ago, featuring among other things the shocking elimination of Germany, much disappointment on the part of Poland, and the win by the Red Devils of Belgium over Harry Kane’s England. The Cult of Calcio offers you a new Top 11 of players that left their mark during the second and third round games of the Group Stage.
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Meanwhile in Moscow: Time Bomb Colombia Push Senegal Out

Colombia, Meanwhile In Moscow, Senegal, World Cup, World Cup 2018
Colombia, Yerry Mina saved the day again. The Cafeteros beat Senegal today with a lone goal by their center back to advance to the Round of 16 from the first place of Group G. Senegal missed their spot in the knock-out stage due to the more yellow cards received than Japan - which had exactly the same points, goal difference, and goals scored as the Africans.
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Meanwhile in Moscow: Belgium, One Goal to Conspiracy

Belgium, England, Meanwhile In Moscow, World Cup, World Cup 2018
A beautiful goal to England by lost talent Adnan Januzaj secured Belgium’s first place in World Cup Group H, in a match where both coaches Gareth Southgate and Roberto Martinez seemed more willing to preserve their top players, than go for the win - as qualifying from the second spot of the pool meant gaining access to an easier part of the knock-out phase bracket.
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Meanwhile in Moscow: Brazil Ramp Up, Beat Serbia

Brazil, Meanwhile In Moscow, Serbia, World Cup, World Cup 2018
In a tournament where the traditional gods of football have been overthrown or forced to abdicate, Brazil had the merit of simply doing their part last night in Moscow, beating Serbia 2-0 with goals by Paulinho and Thiago Silva. Coach Tite’s Selecao controlled an unexpectedly remissive Serbian side, striking at the right moment, and showing glimpses of their talent.
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Meanwhile in Moscow: Germany Out, Korea Change WC History!

Germany, Meanwhile In Moscow, South Korea, World Cup, World Cup 2018
The unbelievable happened today in Kazan, as already-eliminated South Korea pushed the World Cup defending champions of Germany out of the tournament, scoring two goals during stoppage time. It is the first time ever that the Germans fail to make it past the Group Stage, a setback that will spark much debates and criticism over Die Mannschaft.
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Meanwhile in Moscow: Sweden Sweep Mexico Away

Meanwhile In Moscow, Mexico, Sweden, World Cup, World Cup 2018
Mexico, a thrilling qualification. Today’s game with Sweden was meant to be a mere formality for El Tri to clinch a spot in the Round of 16, but it rather risked turning into an atrocious disappointment for coach Juan Manuel Osorio. Mexico succumbed 0-3, and ultimately had to thank South Korea for their win over Germany, to save their spot among the best 16.
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Meanwhile in Moscow: Croatia Second Lines Don’t Forgive

Croatia, Iceland, Meanwhile In Moscow, World Cup, World Cup 2018
Croatia completed their clean round in World Cup Group D in Rostov last night, as they beat Iceland 2-1 to secure their first place in the so-called “Group of Death.” With the qualification already in his pocket after two games, Coach Zlatko Dalic operated a massive turnover, which still didn’t prevent the Vatreni from honoring their last match.
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