RUSSIA (vs New Zealand)

Glushakov Goal 31′ (o.g.)

New Zealand tried to play the ball out of defence, a mistake they won’t make again. They gave it away, and a couple of quick passes from Erokhin and Poloz – the second a beautiful piece of improvisation – allowed Glushakov to run through on goal. He lobbed it over the keeper and was involved in a race with two defenders as the ball bounced slowly towards goal. They all slid in at the same time, and I think it hit the post before bouncing off Glushakov and into the net.

Smolov Goal 69′

Fyodor Smolov starts and finishes the move that seals victory for Russia. He moved confidently away from Thomas in the centre circle and ran to within 25 yards of goal before playing an insouciant pass wide to Samedov. He slid a low first-time ball across goal, Boxall miskicked his attempted clearance and Smolov stabbed the ball into an open net at the far post.

PORTUGAL (vs Mexico)

Quaresma Goal 34′

A goal scored by Quaresma, but assisted by the aura of Ronaldo. The great man was put free down the left channel, running free on goal in a manner that he would have just sped away and muscled the ball into the net in years past. This time he sort of gets the ball stuck under his feet, but such is the fear that he still creates in opposition defenders, three of the buggers had sprinted over to cover him, leaving Quaresma absolutely free on the other side of the box. Ronaldo does brilliantly to have the presence of mind to stop, turn and spot his colleague, who shuffles past a defenceless Ochoa and pops the ball into an empty net.

Cédric Goal 86′

Ronaldo slides the ball down the right for Martins, who speeds down the flank and cuts back into the area. It’s half-cleared but falls to Cedric, whose cross-shot looks to be heading well wide but is deflected home by Herrera. On reflection, that was an own-goal.

MEXICO (vs Portugal)

Hernández Goal 42′

An absolutely deafening clanger from Guerreiro. A cross comes over from the left, which Guerrerio charges towards but sort of yorks himself and the ball slips under his heel as he tries to clear. Vela picks up the loose ball, clips it into the centre and Hernandez nips in front of a slightly sluggish Pepe and powers a header into the bottom corner.

Moreno Goal 90+1′

Despite Portugal being much the better side for the second half, it looks like it’ll be all-square. Jonathan dos Santos swings a great cross over from a corner on the left, Moreno goes up with Fonte and muscles the West Ham man out, and flicks a header in off the far post.

CHILE (vs Cameroon)

Vidal Goal 81′

There it is! Chile have finally taken the lead! The ball finds its way back to Sanchez, who sends another cross into the middle of the penalty area. This one is far better and picks out Vidal, who then beats Ondoa with an excellent downward header.

Vargas Goal 90+1′

Vargas makes it 2-0, and it’s eventually given after consulting VAR once again! Sanchez breaks into the box all alone before taking on Ondoa, but he takes too long in shooting and eventually loses out. Vargas is able to gobble up the ball, however, and then fires it into the back of the net from close range to double Chile’s lead. The referee has to check an offside call with VAR, but he eventually gives the goal.

AUSTRALIA (vs Germany)

Rogic Goal 41′

It’s tricky to recall a game with a scoreline less representative of the general play. Draxler gives the ball away in midfield, Celtic midfielder Rogic advances and takes a shot which is heading some way wide, but it hits the back of a defender and rebounds straight back to him. He takes a second to compose himself, then hits another shot from about 25 yards out, and it squirts under the body of German keeper Leno and into the net.

Juric Goal 56′

Mooy hits the free-kick into the wall, Rogic shoots from the edge of the box and Leno spills a rather straightforward effort and Juric is there to collect the rebound and slot home.

GERMANY (vs Australia)

Stindl Goal 5′

Easy game, football. Brandt is set free down the right, he reaches the byline and cuts back to Stindl, who is in absolutely acres about 12 yards out, and he slots the ball home. Ange’s grumpiness won’t improve after that one.

 

Draxler Goal 44′ (pen.)

Goretzka breaks into the area, and is clumsily chopped down by Luongo. Draxler steps up and sidefoots the penalty home, and Australia were level for a full three minutes.

Goretzka Goal 48′

Simple, and excellent. Kimmich has the ball out on the right, briefly looks stuck but then clips a delicious left-footed pass into the right channel of the area. Goretzka runs onto it, steadies himself and places a firm side-foot half-volley past Ryan.