Couldn't keep up with the happenings in Russia today? Don't worry, BostonSportsJournal.com has you covered with all the day's action in quickie form, with BSJ insight and analysis.
FIVE THOUGHTS FROM WEDNESDAY'S ACTION
Iran can't stop Spain: Iran played anti-football against the 2010 world champions, parking the bus -- and we must say that it worked, not allowing a shot on target until the middle of the 25th minute. And we have to be honest: Spain didn't have the quality to break Iran down, even with 69 percent possession through the first 45 minutes. Iran goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand came up with a few big saves early in the second half, and after a gilt-edged chance by Iran went into the side netting, the Spaniards came the other way and scored as Diego Costa knee'd Andres Iniesta's pass into the net, giving Spain the lone goal of the match and a deserved lead in the 55th. That forced Iran to actually play a more open style, and it led to a few chances around the hour mark -- including a Saeid Ezatolahi goal that was disallowed by VAR for offside in the 62nd minute. Both teams had great chances, including a scramble into the front of Beiranvand as well as a near header for Iran, turning what had been a boring match into a scintillating one.
Suarez's tally enough for Uruguay: After what had been a rather drab opening 20 minutes, it was Luis Suarez, on his 100th appearance for the Celestes, doing the honors for Uruguay in the 23rd minute. With the Saudi Arabia goalkeeper rising and whiffing at a swat, Suarez tapped in the ball from the top of the 6-yard box into a wide-open net to give Uruguay a goal to nil lead. Much like Morocco did earlier in the morning, Saudi Arabia had a good deal of possession, but Uruguay would be organized in defense to keep its goalkeeper relatively unscathed.
Portugal survives a close one: Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo scored his fourth goal of the tournament to give the Iberians a 1-o win over Morocco at the Luhzniki. His goal came late in the fourth minute, as a volley into the 6-yard box saw CR7 dive and head the ball into the back of the net with authority; that goal made him the top international scorer for European countries with 85 goals, and second overall. Portuguese keeper Rui Patricio also made four solid saves as the game evolved, all to Morocco's frustration.
Russia, Uruguay advance: With Uruguay knocking Saudi Arabia off, it confirmed what everyone knew yesterday, but had to wait until 1 p.m. Wednesday to truly acknowledge: Russia is now onto the Round of 16 along with the Celestes, but we still don't know in which bracket they will both play. Russia and Uruguay are tied at six points apiece with Russia ahead on goal difference (+7 to +2), and a tie between the two next Monday morning will keep those standings secure. Only an Uruguay win will shift things.
Better performances out of Saudi Arabia and Morocco: Much like every other person in the world, we didn't think either of the losing sides would have a good match (#Paaaaaain), but that just goes to show how unpredictable the World Cup is (Remember your March Madness brackets? Same thing here.). Even though they are out of the tournament with one match to go after their losses, you have to give credit to both sides for rebounding the way they did: Morocco had upward of 54 percent possession, Saudi Arabia 53, but even if you're the "better side" in football, even if you have loads of possession and opportunities, it doesn't matter a lick if you can't score. Neither side was industrial enough to break their opposition, and now both join Egypt as already eliminated squads.
OFF THE PITCH
- Australia coach Bert van Marwijk wouldn't say if Tim Cahill would play in Thursday's match against Denmark. Cahill, formerly of Everton and New York Red Bulls, did not feature in the Socceroos' 2-1 loss to France.
- Neymar was back in training with Brazil after his injury Tuesday.
- England manager Gareth Southgate dislocated his shoulder Tuesday. It was a scheduled day off for the players, who took in Saint Petersburg museums. Southgate injured himself while running near the team's training area.
- FIFA fined Mexico $10,000 for "discriminatory and insulting chants" by its fans against Germany.
- Ali Daei of Iran, who played internationally from 1993-2006, scored 109 goals while wearing his country's shirt. That's tops for all international footballers. The top CONCACAF scorer is Stern John, who played for Trinidad & Tobago from 1995-2012 and scored 70 goals. The top American? It's a tie between Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan, both of whom have scored 57 goals.
- Suarez became the first Uruguayan to score at three World Cups.
- Uruguay has not yet conceded a goal in '18.
- Iran hadn't lost a competitive match (losses in friendlies do not count as "competitive" matches) since the last group stage match of the '14 World Cup in Brazil, a 3-1 defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Cristiano cannot be stopped at this #WorldCup (via @FoxSoccer) pic.twitter.com/NPqf8bwJeL
— Planet Fútbol (@si_soccer) June 20, 2018
Big save by El Kajoui to keep it at 1-0! pic.twitter.com/M8I3qDPGyz
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 20, 2018
Morocco nearly equalize but Rui Patricio comes up with the save! #PORMAR pic.twitter.com/yjtajfqsKf
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) June 20, 2018
Luis Suarez makes it 1-0 for #URU and secures his first goal in Russia (?:@FOXSoccer) pic.twitter.com/eLSs5I8gbO
— Planet Fútbol (@si_soccer) June 20, 2018
Spain nearly open up the scoring but Beiranvand somehow keeps it out! pic.twitter.com/wPUADyp8yn
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 20, 2018
Sometimes luck is all you kneed.
(we'll see ourselves out) pic.twitter.com/B6arwyukFU
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 20, 2018
OH NO, don't do Pique like that ? pic.twitter.com/RZjMWG6KMi
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 20, 2018