Nick Lanier: Soccer Writer

Brazil went into their match against Serbia knowing that a draw would suffice, but were without a couple of key players through injury. Serbia needed the win to qualify, and went out attacking straight away. Brazil opened the scoring with a deft rich from Paulinho after a fantastic through ball from Coutinho. Serbia continued to look a threat from set pieces, but it would be the South Americans who would score from one, with Thiago Silva powering a header past the goalkeeper to seal Serbia’s fate. Switzerland took on already eliminated Costa Rica in the other match in Group E, and took the lead through Blerim Dzemaili. Costa Rica have looked a shadow of their former self, but did manage to score their first goal of the tournament through Kendall Waston. The Swiss retook the lead through substitute Josip Drmic, but Joel Campbell earned the Costa Rican’s a late penalty, which Bryan Ruiz dispatched courtesy of Yann Sommer’s back. A truly bizarre goal, and an entertaining 2-2 draw, which g

The third match of the group stage is designed in order for teams to have as little knowledge about the other match in the group as possible. By playing both matches simultaneously, coaches will often need to play competitive lineups and play to win, instead of playing a second string squad in the case that they know they are going through. In Group A, Russia and Uruguay are already advancing, and despite making numerous changes to their squads, they both fielded strong sides. Luis Suarez scored a free kick for the South American side before a Diego Laxalt strike was put into his own net by Denis Cheryshev. The Russians’ day got even worse after Igor Smolnikov saw red before half time. The second half was quite tame, with neither team wishing to force injuries and such. Nonetheless, this first real test for the hosts was a real wake up call. The standard that they will need to play at in the knockout rounds is much greater than anything they have faced so far, and to avoid embarras

If you thought Matchday One was crazy, Matchday Two was insane.  In Group A, Russia took on an Egypt side with Mo Salah restored to the lineup. This would be our chance to see if the match against Saudi was a fluke. It wasn’t. Denis Cheryshev and Artyom Dzyuba stayed hot, and despite Salah pulling a goal back, the 3-1 win for the hosts was well deserved. Uruguay took on Saudi in an attempt to book their spot in the knockout round. Luis Suarez scored a classic poachers goal and despite pressure throughout, Saudi couldn’t equalize. This 1-0 Uruguay win meant that they along with Russia would advance from Group A. Commiserations for Egypt and Saudi, but they will both have a chance to salvage some pride when they face off in the final match. Uruguay and Russia will face off in the other game on Matchday Three, with neither wanting to force injuries but also neither wanting to finish second. We will have a better view of the hosts after this game, which will be their toughest yet.

Now that every team has played their opening game at the 2018 World Cup, let’s go over what has gone down over the past week. Day One brought a mesmerizing opening ceremony and an equally intriguing matchup between hosts Russia, and Saudi Arabia; the two lowest ranked sides at the tournament. Despite a lot of hype from the Saudi camp, the Russian team and support from the crowd was just too great, with the hosts thumping the Saudi’s 5-0. In the other match in Group A, a Mo Salah-less Egypt took on Uruguay. A fairly even game was eventually decided late on with a terrific header by Jose Gimenez. 1-0 win for Uruguay. The South American side will remain favorites to progress despite poor showings from Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani. The other spot will likely be decided during the Russia-Egypt game, assuming the Saudi’s do not cause an upset elsewhere.  Group B brought the most anticipated match from Matchday One. Spain took on Portugal, reigniting a bitter rivalry. Cristiano Rona

Just hours before the kick off of the World Cup in Russia, one of the favorites to win the tournament have fired their national team head coach. That’s right, Spain have decided to part ways with Julen Lopetegui, in wake of his acceptance of the Real Madrid managerial vacancy, just 48 hours before they play their first game of the tournament. The Spain soccer association cited that they cannot be left in the dark about the job status of one of their employees, and had no choice but to discipline Lopetegui. Granted, the man should have taken the proper pathways to inform his employers about his decisions, however to replace the coach just days before their first game is bold to say the least. Lopetegui had led Spain to Russia through a fantastic qualification period, and really helped the team grow from strength to strength. Now that he has gone, will Spain still have their mojo? Former Spain and Real Madrid defender Fernando Hierro will take over the national team for the duration

England have arguably been the most underperforming team in recent international tournament history. Seemingly always getting a favorable qualification group, England have been a constant at World Cups and European Championships, yet never reach the heights that a team of their caliber should. Just two years ago, they were eliminated by Iceland at Euro 2016. England’s new coach Gareth Southgate has inherited a very talented group, and will be hoping to guide them to success in Russia. For the first time in a while, this group of players might actually get it done. This is for a number of reasons. Thinking back to Euro 2012 and 2016, as well as World Cups 2010 and 2014, England had some real stars in their team. Wayne Rooney, Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, and John Terry were all midway through or towards the end of their very illustrious careers, but all had the quality necessary to get the Three Lions wins. Despite this talent, the problem was that these players were never threate

Mexico are in a tricky group for the World Cup. They not only face champions Germany, but also a very plucky South Korea side, and Sweden, who eliminated Italy in qualification.  El Tri have several attackers who can terrorize any defense during games. Javier Hernandez is probably their most well known forward, previously playing for Real Madrid and Manchester United. He is arguably the best poacher in the world, and is great at anticipating where to be on the field to utilize his amazing skillset to be successful and score goals. Wingers Hirving Lozano and Carlos Vela have enjoyed fruitful seasons, as have competitors for that position Jose Corona and Javier Aquino. Mexico also have the option to play with a target man, with Oribe Peralta and Raul Jimenez two viable options. In midfield, Hector Herrera, Marco Fabian, and even an unfit Andres Guardardo will certainly be a force going forward. Mexico have threatened even the very best teams, from an offensive perspective, over the p