20TH JUNE
PORTUGAL VS MOROCCO
Match kicks off at 13:00 (BST) on BBC 1. Coverage starts at 12:30 (BST). Presented by Mark Chapman, commentary by Vicki Sparks and Martin Keown.
Portugal started the tournament with a 3-3 draw against Spain with what is the game of the tournament so far. If they want to top the group then they will probably need to match Spain’s results from here on out which probably means they will need to win twice. Most of their team put in a fairly average performance in the first game but when they have Ronaldo they always have a chance and it was his hat-trick that got them that point in the first game. To finish above Spain you get the feeling he’s going to need to score a few more in the next 2 games. Hopefully Bernardo is a bit more involved in this game.
Goal scorers so far:
C. Ronaldo (3)
Morocco were probably the better side in their first game vs Iran but ultimately fell to a defeat with a last minute own goal. Now they are right up against it, probably needing a win and a draw against Spain and Portugal to even stand a chance. As I said they were the better team vs Iran, more shots, more possession, better passing success but ultimately paid for poor finishing. Ziyech and Belhanda need to be better in this game. If they lose then they are out.
No goal scorers so far.
Group B as it stands:
URUGUAY VS SAUDI ARABIA
Match kicks off at 16:00 (BST) in BBC 1. Coverage starts at 15:40 (BST). Presented by Gary Lineker, analysis from Rio Ferdinand, Jermaine Jenas and Frank Lampard, commentary from Steve Bower and Phil Neville.
Uruguay were under par in their first game vs Egypt but got their deserved win with a late goal from Gimenez. They created numerous chances against Egypt but failed to convert their chances. Suarez was well off the pace and will need to be much better if they are to go far. Cavani looks their brightest option in front of goal so far. You get the feeling if they are to go far then the defensive partnership of Gimenez and Godin needs to remain solid. Godin was superb in their 1st game.
Goal scorers so far:
Gimenez (1)
Saudi Arabia were really poor in their opening game with Russia, on par with Panama as the worst performers in the first round of games. Despite having 61% possession, they constantly passed their way into danger and never really looked like scoring. If they lose this game then you can’t see them getting out of the group. Al Sahlawi needs to be much better if Saudi Arabia are to become a threat in front of goal.
No Goal scorers so far.
Group A as it stands:
IRAN VS SPAIN
Match kicks off at 19:00 (BST) on ITV 1. Coverage starts at 18:30 (BST). Presented by Mark Pougatch, analysis from Roy Keane, Ian Wright, Slaven Bilic and Patrice Evra, commentary from Clive Tyldesley and Glenn Hoddle.
Iran come into this game off a slightly surprising 1-0 win over Morocco in a game where they were 2nd best for the majority. Their only goal came from a freak own goal when the Moroccan player was under no pressure whatsoever. You get the feeling that they are going to need to beat one of Spain or Morocco to go through, or maybe grind out 2 draws, which will probably be their aim. Their keeper, Beiranvand, was their best player in the first game, making numerous saves.
Goal scorers so far:
Own Goal (1)
Spain have probably put in the best performance so far in the competition despite only drawing to Portugal. They passed the ball around for fun and created numerous chances and but for a freak Ronaldo performance and a really poor goalkeeping error they would have won that game. Not only do they play nice football but they now look like they have a proper goal scoring threat with Costa, who finally looks like he’s gelled in this team. Silva and Isco were also very good playing out wide and cutting inside. Nacho’s goal is my goal of the tournament so far, he struck it so cleanly.
Goal scorers so far:
Costa (2), Nacho (1)
Group B subject to change after tomorrow's first fixture.
PORTUGAL VS MOROCCO
Match kicks off at 13:00 (BST) on BBC 1. Coverage starts at 12:30 (BST). Presented by Mark Chapman, commentary by Vicki Sparks and Martin Keown.
Portugal started the tournament with a 3-3 draw against Spain with what is the game of the tournament so far. If they want to top the group then they will probably need to match Spain’s results from here on out which probably means they will need to win twice. Most of their team put in a fairly average performance in the first game but when they have Ronaldo they always have a chance and it was his hat-trick that got them that point in the first game. To finish above Spain you get the feeling he’s going to need to score a few more in the next 2 games. Hopefully Bernardo is a bit more involved in this game.
Goal scorers so far:
C. Ronaldo (3)
Morocco were probably the better side in their first game vs Iran but ultimately fell to a defeat with a last minute own goal. Now they are right up against it, probably needing a win and a draw against Spain and Portugal to even stand a chance. As I said they were the better team vs Iran, more shots, more possession, better passing success but ultimately paid for poor finishing. Ziyech and Belhanda need to be better in this game. If they lose then they are out.
No goal scorers so far.
Group B as it stands:
URUGUAY VS SAUDI ARABIA
Match kicks off at 16:00 (BST) in BBC 1. Coverage starts at 15:40 (BST). Presented by Gary Lineker, analysis from Rio Ferdinand, Jermaine Jenas and Frank Lampard, commentary from Steve Bower and Phil Neville.
Uruguay were under par in their first game vs Egypt but got their deserved win with a late goal from Gimenez. They created numerous chances against Egypt but failed to convert their chances. Suarez was well off the pace and will need to be much better if they are to go far. Cavani looks their brightest option in front of goal so far. You get the feeling if they are to go far then the defensive partnership of Gimenez and Godin needs to remain solid. Godin was superb in their 1st game.
Goal scorers so far:
Gimenez (1)
Saudi Arabia were really poor in their opening game with Russia, on par with Panama as the worst performers in the first round of games. Despite having 61% possession, they constantly passed their way into danger and never really looked like scoring. If they lose this game then you can’t see them getting out of the group. Al Sahlawi needs to be much better if Saudi Arabia are to become a threat in front of goal.
No Goal scorers so far.
Group A as it stands:
IRAN VS SPAIN
Match kicks off at 19:00 (BST) on ITV 1. Coverage starts at 18:30 (BST). Presented by Mark Pougatch, analysis from Roy Keane, Ian Wright, Slaven Bilic and Patrice Evra, commentary from Clive Tyldesley and Glenn Hoddle.
Iran come into this game off a slightly surprising 1-0 win over Morocco in a game where they were 2nd best for the majority. Their only goal came from a freak own goal when the Moroccan player was under no pressure whatsoever. You get the feeling that they are going to need to beat one of Spain or Morocco to go through, or maybe grind out 2 draws, which will probably be their aim. Their keeper, Beiranvand, was their best player in the first game, making numerous saves.
Goal scorers so far:
Own Goal (1)
Spain have probably put in the best performance so far in the competition despite only drawing to Portugal. They passed the ball around for fun and created numerous chances and but for a freak Ronaldo performance and a really poor goalkeeping error they would have won that game. Not only do they play nice football but they now look like they have a proper goal scoring threat with Costa, who finally looks like he’s gelled in this team. Silva and Isco were also very good playing out wide and cutting inside. Nacho’s goal is my goal of the tournament so far, he struck it so cleanly.
Goal scorers so far:
Costa (2), Nacho (1)
Group B subject to change after tomorrow's first fixture.