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The last day of World Cup 2018 matchday 2 is today. After today there will be four days in a row of 7 AM and 11 AM doubleheaders to finish out the eight groups.
Saturday saw Belgium solidify their position as one of the favorites with a 5-2 win over Tunisia followed by Mexico seemingly booking their place in the round of 16 (or did they?) with a 2-1 win over South Korea to secure six points from their first two played. Then Germany waited until 5 minutes into stoppage time to keep their World Cup hopes alive with a wonder goal from Toni Kroos to beat Sweden 2-1 despite playing with 10 men.
England vs. Panama
Time: 5:00 AM
Location: Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, Nizhny Novgorod
TV: Fox Sports 1 (English) and Telemundo (Spanish)
Announcing team: Derek Rae and Aly Wagner (English)
Streaming: Fox Sports Go and Telemundo Deportes
Roman Torres will captain Panama in their second match of the tournament after losing their opener 3-0 to Belgium. Panama have a chance to create a historic upset against heavily favored England while England can join Belgium in the second round with a win.
Japan vs. Senegal
Time: 8:00 AM
Location: Ekaterinburg Arena, Ekaterinburg
TV: FOX (English) and Telemundo (Spanish)
Announcing team: Mark Followill and Warren Barton (English)
Streaming: Fox Sports Go and Telemundo Deportes
Japan and Senegal were both underdogs in their opener but came out of their opening games with three points in surprise wins over Colombia and Poland respectively. Each team would almost assuredly seal a berth in Round 2 with a win in Ekaterinburg. Group H could see a surprise winner with a result in this game and with the group winner feeding into a round of 16 matchup with Group G; it is starting to look like a big advantage to avoid Belgium (presumptive Group G winner) in the next round.
Poland vs. Colombia
Time: 11:00 AM
Location: Kazan Arena, Kazan
TV: FOX (English) and Telemundo (Spanish)
Announcing team: John Strong and Stu Holden (English)
Streaming: Fox Sports Go and Telemundo Deportes
Colombia were shock losers to Japan 2-1 in their opener. Colombia’s Carlos Sanchez earned a third minute red card that led to a penalty kick and a 1-0 lead for Japan totally upending every and any tactical plan that Colombia might have been making since the draw happened on December 1st, 2017. Colombia then gave up another goal to Japan before dominating possession and creating numerous chances all en route to a 2-1 loss.
Poland also lost their opener. They lost 2-1 to Senegal leaving this group game reality much different than coming into the tournament. Pre tournament this looked like a battle for first place, while today it’s a battle for for survival.