We all look forward to the entire World Cup, but if you do not have time to watch all the matches, make sure to not miss out on the following three matches.
As a big football fan, I do find every single match in the FIFA World Cup to be interesting. I know, the opening match between Russia and Saudi Arabia is kind of lame, but it is also magical. Imagine watching an opening match in which you haven’t heard about 90% of the players on the field! Imagine watching an opening match where most likely 100% of the players on the field play football in their home leagues, and there will be no international stars. It isn’t hard, as 100% of the Saudi Arabian players play in their home league, while 21 out of 23 players in the Russia squad plays in the home league.
On the second day, some might say that Morocco – Iran is a boring match, but it might turn into exactly the opposite. Here we have two teams with nothing to lose, but a lot to win. Here we have got the chance to get to know new players, and I really look forward to it.
One of those “boring” teams that I look forward to watching is Serbia. They do not have the biggest profiles, but they won 5-1 against Bolivia in their last match before the tournament. They have their super-attacker Aleksandar Mitrovic who has scored a lot for Fulham lately (and helped the club get to the Premier League), and in the latest Serbia match against Bolivia, he scored 3 (out of five goals). I believe we have a lot to look forward to. But, still… which are the three matches you do not want to miss out on during the FIFA World Cup group stage?
Three matches you do not want to miss out on during the World Cup group stage
Spain vs. Portugal – June 15th
It should come to you as no surprise that the first match is the one between Spain and Portugal on June 15th. This will be a neighbor battle, and it will also be two of the favorites to win the tournament battling one another. This is a match loaded with big names and stars, but the biggest of them all is Ronaldo. Spain had a disappointing World Cup in Brazil, and also a disappointing result during Euro 2016. Portugal won the European Championship in 2016, and they now have the chance to prove themselves as one of the best football nations in the world.
The problem with this match is that it might become boring. It has the potential of becoming a fantastic match, but it might end up as a slow paced match with stupid fouls, lots of yellow cards, and both teams being afraid of losing. But, no matter how the match will end, you do not want to miss out on Spain vs. Portugal on June 15th.
Argentina vs. Croatia – June 21st
Lionel Messi is a fantastic player, but he still hasn’t won a World Cup with Argentina. In 2014 they lost the final against Germany, but this time the team will be eager to win the entire tournament. But, Argentina ended up in what might be the toughest of all the groups in the World Cup. Before their match against Croatia they have already played against Iceland, and after their match against Croatia, they still have to battle Nigeria. It is an incredibly tough group, but most people expect Argentina and Croatia proceed to the knockout stage.
Argentina has a fantastic squad, and their biggest stars are Angel di Maria, Lionel Messi, Gonzalu Higuain and Sergio Aguero. But, these guys will not be the only star players on the field on June 21st. Because, playing for Croatia we will most likely see players like Mario Mandžukić, Nikola Kalinić, Ivan Perišić, Luka Modrić, and Ivan Rakitić on the field. And even though they are not as famous as Messi, these are superstars, and capable of working miracles with and without the ball.
The stars on both Argentina and Croatia are either midfielders or attackers. Both teams are playing attacking football, but that often create trouble in the defense. What would you say about a 3-3 result in this match?
England vs. Belgium – June 28th
Would you like to finish the group stage with a bang? Watch England vs. Belgium, the match that will tell us who will be the winner of group G in the FIFA World Cup. We do not know what to expect from the match yet, but this might be a very important match for both teams. The winner of the match will most likely win the group and play against the team placed second in group H (Senegal, Colombia, Japan, or Poland). We know that a football team always play to win, but it might be that both England and Belgium would be more happy playing against for example Japan, than against Poland.
No matter what they will think about the 1/8 finals, both England and Belgium will be eager to beat the other team. Here we can watch the top stars from Belgium who normally play for teams in England (Lukaku, Hazard, De Bruyne, Fellaini etc.) These players will be eager to show their teammates from their clubs in England, that they are playing for a better nation. But, the English players will be eager to prove themselves better than their Belgian friends.
Most likely both teams will know for sure that they have a spot in the knockout stage before this match, but no matter what, this will be a friendly match with lots of action, and as we all know… you want to prove to your friends that you are better!
Which are your favorite matches?
Which matches do you look forward to? Take a look at the full World Cup schedule to make up your own opinion!
What about Brazil – Switzerland? Brazil has played magnificent soccer lately, and Neymar is unstoppable. If they manage to keep up with this, I believe they will win the tournament. But, it is crucial to get a good start on the tournament, and Switzerland is a tough and disciplined opponent, so it will not be easy!
Brazil is for sure great, and I believe they will do great in the world cup as well. But, I just read a comment on Reddit about how Peru and Denmark haven’t lost a match in 15 matches. What a match it will be as the two teams play against one another! We have so much to look forward to!