Group A
For the first time since the collapse of the Soviet Union, a Russian team has progressed beyond the group stage of a World Cup. With two wins in two, eight goals scored and only one goal conceded from a penalty, hosts Russia have surprised everyone, including their own fans.
Uruguay on the other hand, despite boasting such talents as Luis Suarez, Edinson Cavani and Diego Godin, have underwhelmed, scraping 1-0 wins over Saudi Arabia and Egypt.
The two teams meet in a playoff for top spot in Samara on Monday evening. However, with Portugal and Spain in control of Group B, both teams will face much tougher opposition in the last-16, no matter who is turns out to be.
Final games: (Monday, all times CEST): Uruguay vs. Russia (16:00 – Samara) Saudi Arabia vs. Egypt (16:00 – Volgograd)
Group B
As expected, Spain and Portugal are in pole position in what always looked like a lob-sided Group B. The two teams are packed with quality and played out arguably the game of the tournament when they drew 3-3 in Sochi on Day 2.
A draw will be enough for each, athough both struggled to break down packed Moroccan and Iranian defenses in their second games. Iran also still have hopes of qualifying, but they will have to pull off an unlikely victory against Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal.
– Feature: In Iran, football, religion and politics often overlap
Final games (Monday): Spain vs. Morocco (20:00 – Kaliningrad) Iran vs. Portugal (20:00 – Saransk)
For more read the full of article at The Dw
