The Cult of Calcio - Page 1172 of 1187 - Italian Football and Serie A News in English

Meanwhile in Moscow: England Burst Through Panama

June 24, 2018 Matteo Carnevale England, Meanwhile In Moscow, Panama, World Cup, World Cup 2018

In a World Cup Group G where goal difference could be a tie-breaker for catching the first spot, England closed their gap with Belgium today by smashing 6-1 a Panamanian side that objectively proved inadequate for a world stage. Harry Kane scored three of those goals, suddenly jumping to the top of the scorers list. John Stones (2), and Jesse Lingard rounded up the score.

Meanwhile in Moscow: Mexico-Korea, Memories and Moments

June 24, 2018 Matteo Carnevale Meanwhile In Moscow, Mexico, South Korea, World Cup, World Cup 2018

Mexico's win over South Korea, thanks to the goals by Carlos Vela and Javier Hernandez, triggered a journey through memory for the Cult of Calcio's correspondent Carlos Molano, who recalled episodes of his past related to both countries. The result is a match recap that also tells us more about the culture where the Tricolores and the Taegeuk Warriors come from.

Meanwhile in Moscow: Die Mannschaft Never Die

June 23, 2018 Matteo Carnevale Germany, Meanwhile In Moscow, Sweden, World Cup, World Cup 2018

They are indestructible. You can love them or hate them, but there’s no doubt that Germany are one step above any team when it comes to mental fortitude. For more than 20 minutes last night, the Germans were losing 0-1 to Sweden, and virtually out of the World Cup. Still, the full time score read 2-1 for Die Mannschaft, thanks to a late goal by Tony Kroos.

Meanwhile in Moscow: Wonder Belgium, 5 Goals to Tunisia!

June 23, 2018 Matteo Carnevale Belgium, Meanwhile In Moscow, Tunisia, World Cup, World Cup 2018

Belgium seem ready to finally collect the fruits of their golden generation’s maturity. While Panama and Tunisia didn’t prove to be the most challenging of tests, the way coach Roberto Martìnez’s selection got rid of both was impressive. Today, they delivered 5 goals to the unfortunate North Africans, including braces by Romelu Lukaku and Eden Hazard.

Meanwhile in Moscow: Xhaka-Shaqiri, Swiss Topple Serbs

June 23, 2018 Matteo Carnevale Albania, Kosovo, Meanwhile In Moscow, Serbia, Switzerland, World Cup, World Cup 2018

A gritty Switzerland came from behind last night in Kaliningrad to tip Serbia over by 2-1, and make a bold step towards the World Cup 2018 Round of 16. Politics got mixed with football as goals for the Swiss came from the last two players on earth the Serbs would have wanted to see scoring – Granit Xhaka and Xherdan Shaqiri, both of Kosovan / Albanian heritage.

Meanwhile in Moscow: Nigeria Blow Out Iceland Fairy Tale

June 23, 2018 Matteo Carnevale Iceland, Meanwhile In Moscow, Nigeria, World Cup, World Cup 2018 One comment

In the last weeks, we had been hearing about Russia 2018 being the World Cup of big data and technology. Nigeria and Iceland, which faced each other yesterday in Group D – with the Super Eagles prevailing 2-0 - are a great example of it. Since the very moment the Nigerian playing kit for World Cup 2018 got released, it quickly went viral and sold out.

Meanwhile in Moscow: Mbappé Punishes Peru

June 22, 2018 Diego Ottaviano Iceland, Meanwhile In Moscow, Nigeria, World Cup, World Cup 2018

For the second time in a row, France overcame their opponents by one goal difference. The French are a young team, which however can rely on the experience of coach Didier Deschamps. It is not a chance that the winning goal over Peru yesterday came from the youngest striker in this World Cup, 19-year-old Kylian Mbappé from Paris Saint Germain.

Meanwhile in Moscow: Coutinho Saves Brazil Again

June 22, 2018 Matteo Carnevale Brazil, Costa Rica, Meanwhile In Moscow, World Cup, World Cup 2018

Brazil breathed a sigh of relief today when Philippe Coutinho finally managed to open a breach into the Costa Rican wall, which had held for 90 minutes. Neymar made it two for the Selecao during extra time, redeeming his team after a disappointing debut against Switzerland. However, qualification is still all but granted for the Brazilians.

Meanwhile in Moscow: Croatia Crush Argentina 3-0

June 22, 2018 Matteo Carnevale Argentina, Croatia, Meanwhile In Moscow, World Cup, World Cup 2018 One comment

Too bad to be true. The Argentinian squad seen last night was an embarrassing collection of horrors assembled by their confused coach Jorge Sampaoli. Croatia, on the other hand, are one of the most dangerous side seen in the World Cup so far. They showed no mercy for the confused Albiceleste, which are now hanging by a thread in Pool C.

Meanwhile in Moscow: Spain, One Goal Is Enough

June 22, 2018 Matteo Carnevale Iran, Meanwhile In Moscow, Spain, World Cup, World Cup 2018

If your only strategy is defending to death, it is probable that sooner or later you will end up conceding at least one goal. Especially if your opponent is Spain, and their striker is Diego Costa. This is what happened to Iran tonight, whose coach Carlos Queiroz prepared the game with the one and only idea of keeping the Spanish away from the Asian goal.

Meanwhile in Moscow: CR7’s Poker Pushes Portugal Forward

June 21, 2018 Diego Ottaviano Meanwhile In Moscow, Morocco, Portugal, World Cup, World Cup 2018

We were just writing about Cristiano Ronaldo making it to our Top 11 of the first round, and – bang! – here he is, again. Cristiano scored another one and made poker: It’s 4 goals in two games for him, and his first victim is done: Mehdi Benatia’s Morocco are out of World Cup 2018. It took just 4 minutes for the Champion of Madeira to tear the North Africans down.

Meanwhile In Moscow: The Top 11 of the First Round

June 20, 2018 Diego Ottaviano Meanwhile In Moscow, World Cup, World Cup 2018

The first round of games in World Cup 2018 showed that the traditional powerhouses’ domination is being threatened by multiple outsiders. On that note, such victories as the one of Japan, Mexico, or Iceland's draw are pure joy to those like us who love football in its pure expression. So bear with us as we take you through our very personal Top 11 Team of this first round.