World Cup 2018 Week in Review: What You Missed and What to Watch For
Week three of the World Cup brought both expected outcomes (like Brazil advancing) and stunning ones (Russia overcoming Spain). Check out the most buzzworthy moments from the third week of the worldwide soccer tournament, in addition to a primer on what's coming next.
Image via USA Today Sports
Week three of the World Cup brought both expected outcomes, like Brazil advancing, and stunning ones, like Russia overcoming Spain. Below, check out the most buzzworthy moments from the third week of the Cup, in addition to a primer on what's coming next.
France Outlasts Argentina
Saturday, in the tournament's 50th match and the first Round of 16 contest, France bested Lionel Messi and Argentina, 4-3, in Kazan. Argentina had a 2-1 lead in the second half.
Argentina take the lead! 🇦🇷
Messi's shot gets redirected into the back of the net by Mercado to make it 2-1 just minutes into the second half. pic.twitter.com/5jpBjCbdmy
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 30, 2018
But it all went downhill after Benjamin Pavard knotted the game with a brilliant finish.
Pavard to Di Maria: Anything you can do I can do better! 🚀😱 pic.twitter.com/ugnBrIyp0i
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 30, 2018
It then took only 11 minutes for France to go up 4-2.
Mbappé AGAIN!
The 19-year-old gets his second of the game to put France up 4-2. pic.twitter.com/1mY2fN2MBc
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 30, 2018
With the loss, Argentina was eliminated.
Uruguay Eliminates Portugal
The other biggest name in the tournament—Cristiano Ronaldo—was also eliminated Saturday, as his Portugal squad fell 2-1 to Uruguay, whose Edinson Cavani scored twice in the W.
Suarez finds Cavani at the back post to put Uruguay up 1-0 early in the game! pic.twitter.com/BUlHpqWSI0
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 30, 2018
PURE. CLASS. 🔥
Cavani one-times a curler into the back of the net to re-take the lead for Uruguay. pic.twitter.com/JZhmTqE1s4
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 30, 2018
Portugal seemed in command for much of the game, maintaining possession for 67 percent of the time and amassing 20 shots to Uruguay's five, but couldn't convert when it mattered most.
Russia Tops Spain in PKs
Host country Russia advanced after a highly competitive match with Spain in Moscow Sunday. Spain had a chance to seal the win in the final minutes of regulation but couldn't make it happen.
Andres Iniesta gets a chance but it's saved by Akinfeev!
Will we see a winner or are we heading to extra time? pic.twitter.com/3JKzmAirVr
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 1, 2018
It came down to penalty kicks, and Russia pulled out a 4-3 win, elating its native fans.
Disappointment for Spain, elation for Russia.
Watch the full penalty shootout. 👇 pic.twitter.com/t4HxiYg8a7
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 1, 2018
Russia fans are pretty hyped! 🇷🇺🇷🇺 pic.twitter.com/1DueBbL0Qn
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 1, 2018
Brazil Bounces Mexico
Mexico had a strong tournament and played well in the Round of 16, but ultimately it couldn't top heavily favored Brazil, which advanced with a 2-0 win. The score was 0-0 until Neymar got Brazil on the board.
NEYMAR PUTS BRAZIL AHEAD!
The Brazilian taps home a Willian cross to make it 1-0 early in the second half. pic.twitter.com/p7aDi34UhP
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 2, 2018
With time winding down, Brazil's Roberto Firmino sealed the win.
FIRMINO MAKES IT 2-0!
Neymar's shot gets deflected into Firmino's path and the Liverpool man taps it home to double Brazil's lead. pic.twitter.com/myy7bXRehU
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 2, 2018
This Week
Monday
Catch Belgium versus Japan at 2 p.m. EST in Rostov, with the game airing on on Fox/FS1.
Tuesday
Sweden and Switzerland will square off at 10 a.m. EST in Saint Petersburg on Fox/FS1, and Colombia-England will play at 2 p.m. EST in Rostov on Fox/FS1.
Friday
We have three days off until Uruguay and France will meet at 10 a.m. Friday. The day will also feature Brazil against the winner of Belgium-Japan at 2 p.m. EST in Kazan. Both of Friday's matches will air on FS1.
Saturday
Saturday features the winner of Sweden-Switzerland and the winner of Colombia-England at 10 a.m. EST in Samara. That game airs on Fox, as does the showdown between Russia and Croatia at 2 p.m. EST in Sochi.