After the victory of Belgium, we know the complete picture of the knockout stages of World Cup 2018
There will still be a shock in the knockout stages of World Cup 2018 with Colombia-England, while Belgium faces Japan less upscale. Senegal, the last African team still in contention, has been eliminated by … its yellow cards. A first World Cup.
The Belgian Januzaj, who scored the goal of the victory against the “Three Lions” (1-0), has tipped England, second in group G, who will go on the face Columbia, first in group H, for the knockouts.
Il est là le tableau final de la #CM2018
🤩⚽🙌
Vos pronostics ? pic.twitter.com/yCn4nrnjIw— Coupe du Monde 🏆 (@fifaworldcup_fr) June 28, 2018
Certainly, the “Red Devils” (already qualified before this game as the English) will have a less famous Japanese opponent. But is this short-term calculation the right one? Because then there will be the winner of Brazil-Mexico to face in quarters.
James injured
While England, if it passes, will cross Sweden or Switzerland in the quarters, two formations of smaller caliber than the Seleçao of Neymar or the “Tri” of Chicharito. Another comfort for the band to Harry Kane, left on the bench Thursday night, Colombian crack James Rodriguez was again injured left calf.
“I am very worried, this situation is very difficult for the team,” commented coach José Pekerman.
In the other game without the challenge of Group G, Tunisia won for the honor against Panama (2-1), which was the first World Cup.
“It’s the law of football”
The day’s event came from Group H. After Colombia’s 1-0 win over Senegal and Japan’s 1-0 win over Japan, the Columbians qualified as top seeds in Group H But the “Blue Samurai” and the “Teranga Lions” had the same number of points (4), same goal difference (0), same number of goals scored (4) and conceded (4).
In these cases, before arriving at the draw, Fifa provides in its rules to decide the teams at the end of fair play, according to the warnings. And in this little game, the Senegalese have lost, leaded by 6 yellow cards since the start of the tournament against 4 to team Hiroki Sakaï.
“It’s the law of football. We did not qualify because we took more yellow cards. These are the rules of the game, they were established by Fifa and must be respected, “admitted Senegal coach Aliou Cisse, captain of the 2002 epic (victory against France, world champion title in the first round , quarterfinal).
“I think all the players knew this rule. I will not ask my players to get on the lawn to avoid being warned. Football is a sport of contacts, “he added.
Löw, decision in a week
His players have less well digested. Alfred N’Diaye, midfielder from Senegal, said: “We are disappointed, you never think that you will be eliminated from a competition because you took yellow cards. I think it’s an injustice, it’s not normal that we get eliminated like that. “
“It’s sad for us, it’s cruel, we lost in fair play, we’re all disgusted,” added Sheikh Ndoye. “It’s part of the game, but it’s cruel to miss out on a lot of yellow cards,” added Lamine Gassama.
The elimination of Senegal deprives Africa of a representative in the 8th final for the first time since 1982.
Obviously, such an outcome in the third group day did not favor the show. At the end of the match, the Japanese, aware of what was happening in the other match, played in walking against the Poles eliminated. The Senegalese enraged them in front of Colombians who were gaining time.
Meanwhile, Germany, outgoing champion eliminated Wednesday, returned home, in a country traumatized and angry after the fiasco.
“We were really disappointed in this tournament,” coach Joachim Löw admitted at a press briefing at Frankfurt airport a few minutes after the finish. His federation leaves him until “next week” to decide his future.
