itsbeautifuloutside

DENOUEMENT - definition: when Poirot gathers the characters in an upmarket drawing room and discloses who done it – and, indeed, who done it not.

Game 5: Brazil 2 Serbia 0. k.o. 1900, 27/6/ 18, Spartak Stadium, Moscow.

Game 6: Switzerland 2 Costa Rica 2. k.o. 1900, 27/6/18, Nizhny Novgorod.

Whilst weirder scenarios existed, the straightforward way of looking at Group E at kick off was:


- Costa Rica were out
- Switzerland needed a draw to qualify.
- Serbia had to beat (and therefore knock out) Brazil.

With 2 games left there is still all to play for. The only sure thing is Costa Rica are going home. They'll be disappointed, given their exploits at Brazil 2014, but this time they have yet to score a goal. They are hard to beat but that cuts no mustard at tournaments.

Group E, Game 4: Serbia 1 Switzerland 2
Kaliningrad, 1900, 22/6/18

Tadić Watch v.2 - or There - and Back Again!

Brazil's win had put them top of Group E and Switzerland were now under pressure to get something from this match. Defeat would send Serbia through so that was not an option the Swiss could allow. The Swiss kept their side unaltered but Serbia brought in Kostic wide left.

Serbia wore their red kit and Switzerland white. Apparently, Lichsteiner (a player I've always liked) is going to Arsenal and tonight was playing his 9th WC finals match – a Swiss record. The ref was German, the stadium pundit Kilbane - who is better than most.

Group E, Game 3: Brazil 2 Costa Rica 0
Zenit Arena, 1300, 22/6/18

Better Late Than Never

Crikey, this was hard work. Not just for Brazil but for me having to put up with ITV again but this time with added Hoddle. The commentator had various attempts at pronouncing the name of Fagner, Brazil's 3rd choice right back. He eventually opted for something that rhymed with Waggoner: why not Wagner you gimp?

Thiago Silva was the lucky winner of Brazil's armband and both teams wore their second strips. Either the kit manufacturers demand this, or Brazil were avoiding a colour clash with the officials. Lord alone knows why Costa Rica were in white. They also made one change with Oviedo in from the start.

Group E, Game 2: Brazil 1 Switzerland 1
Rostov, 1900, 17/06/2018

Swiss Roll Brazil Nuts

My (potentially) favourite host city of Rostov got a top game to begin its World Cup involvement. Marcello drew the longest straw and won the captain's armband for the night. Interestingly, all 22 starting players play in Europe: none in Brazil but none in Switzerland either. With no colour clash, both sides wore their proper kit.