:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/60204177/982688146.jpg.0.jpg)
Wednesday saw a dramatic day in the World Cup as Mexico lost 3-0 to Sweden and were in danger of going out of the tournament despite starting with two wins. But Germany lost to South Korea 2-0 in a game they would have advanced with a win. This is the first time Germany has failed to advance out of the group in World Cup history and because of the 2-0 result to South Korea they actually finished fourth in the group. It might not be time for another Das Reboot, but there is a good chance that big changes are coming for the German National Team. Sweden won the group and Mexico finished second, both on six points.
The late games saw decidedly less drama as Brazil slowly took control of the game versus Serbia and eventually won 2-0. Costa Rica salvaged some dignity in their tournament run with a 2-2 draw against Switzerland but in the end Group E went largely to form with Brazil winning the group and Switzerland the runners up.
Mexico will play Brazil on Monday July 2nd at 7 AM Pacific Time in Samara Arena while Sweden and Switzerland square off in Saint Petersburg on July 3rd, also at 7 AM.
Group H
Japan vs. Poland
Time: 7:00 AM
Location: Volgograd Arena, Volgograd
TV: Fox Sports 1 (English) and NBC Universo (Spanish)
Announcing team: Mark Followill and Warren Barton (English)
Streaming: Fox Sports Go and Telemundo Deportes
Senegal vs. Colombia
Time: 7:00 AM
Location: Samara Arena, Samara
TV: FOX (English) and Telemundo (Spanish)
Announcing team: Derek Rae and Aly Wagner (English)
Streaming: Fox Sports Go and Telemundo Deportes
Japan and Senegal are on four points with Colombia on three points and Poland has been eliminated with no points.
The winner of Senegal versus Colombia will advance with a draw guaranteeing a spot for Senegal; while Japan will advance if they beat Poland and a draw would depend on the result from the other game.
This group was turned on its head when Colombia’s Carlos Sanchez earned a third minute red card in the group opener and Japan went on to convert the ensuing penalty kick and then hold on for a 2-1 win putting presumptive group favorite Colombia in a big hole. Colombia got back on track with a three goal win over Poland and will get Sanchez back for this game.
Group G
England vs. Belgium
Time: 11:00 AM
Location: Kaliningrad Stadium, Kaliningrad
TV: FOX (English) and Telemundo (Spanish)
Announcing team: John Strong and Stu Holden (English)
Streaming: Fox Sports Go and Telemundo Deportes
Panama vs. Tunisia
Time: 11:00 AM
Location: Mordovia Arena, Saransk
TV: Fox Sports 1 (English) and NBC Universo (Spanish)
Announcing team: Glenn Davis and Cobi Jones (English)
Streaming: Fox Sports Go and Telemundo Deportes
The last games of the group stage see one of the most anticipated games of the tournament in England versus Belgium. Being the last team to play means you get less rest as the tournament heads into the business end and the knockout stages, but it does come with an advantage. You can see how the bracket is shaping up. Both Belgium and England have six points from two wins with identical eight goals for and two against and have advanced to the knockout rounds while Panama and Tunisia are playing for pride. Because of the identical record and goal differential if England and Belgium tie the tiebreaker will come down to the rarely used fair play tiebreaker. And coming into today one side of the bracket has: Uruguay, Portugal, France, Argentina, Brazil and Mexico; while the other side of the bracket has: Spain, Russia, Croatia, Denmark, Sweden and Switzerland. The latter group has Spain and Croatia playing well but the first set of teams is much more daunting. And whoever finishes second between England and Belgium get put in the Spain (easier) side. Look for both sides to heavily rotate their squads and not risk anyone that earned a yellow card early in the tournament.