Morning all.
In this part of the world it’s extremely warm, unusually so. It’s almost as the climate has changed, somehow. Don’t worry though, when we use all the water and electricity to power Ai data-centres so people can instantly generate lifelike pictures of Homer Simpson with three tits and a dragon cock, singing a song made from stealing all the music in the world and producing a series of novels from nicking every bit of writing ever, it’ll all get better.
In seriousness though, take care, drink lots of water, and also drink more water than that.
There has been a LOT of World Cup football since the last blog. Switzerland beat Canada 2-1, but even with Bosnia and Herzegovina winning 3-1 against Qatar, who are now eliminated, the two aforementioned teams have qualified by virtue of finishing first and second in the group. Canada will play their next game in LA, Bosnia and Herzegovina are in the race for qualification as one of the best third place finishers.
That works like this, according to the Guardian’s handy piece about the permutations: The eight best third-placed teams qualify for the last 32 based on a ranking that, in order, takes into account: points, goal difference (GD), goals scored, fair-play status (conduct) and Fifa ranking. Five points will definitely be enough to qualify, given results so far.
Later, Arsenal’s Gabriel started as Brazil beat Scotland 3-0 with goals from Vinicius Jr (2) and Matheus Cunha. Gabriel Martinelli came on as a 66th minute replacement for Lucas Paqueta – I didn’t watch this, but I assume there was a bit of a reshuffle rather than Carlo Ancelotti deploying a wide forward in midfield. It looks like it’s curtains for Scotland though, despite finishing third in their group, but with only 3 points, and it’s well and truly out of their hands.
Speaking of Gabriel, I liked his quote about his international central defensive partner Marquinhos who, after the penalty miss in Budapest, gave him a big hug before he went to celebrate with his PSG teammates:
That was a moment of sadness for me. The first thing he did was not celebrate, but give me a hug. What I can say is that he gave me all the support. I’ve been here with him on the national team for two or three years, and I learn every day whenever I’m with him. I’m a huge fan of him as a person and as a player. My affection for him grew even more after the Champions League final.
The other game in that group saw Morocco beat Haiti 4-2, which ensures their qualification for the knock-out rounds. It was a game which produced one of the goals of the tournament so far, Sunderland’s Wilson Isidor with a glorious shot from distance, one of those that’s still rising at it hits the back of the net. Only a strike which hits the underside of the bar, bounces down, then goes in is more pleasing to me aesthetically.
Overnight, South Africa’s 1-0 win over South Korea saw them finish second in their group, behind co-hosts Mexico whose 3-0 win sends Czechia home, bottom of the table. South Korea could possibly qualify as one of the best third placed teams, but like Scotland face an anxious wait with so many games and teams still to play.
Today, Curacao take on Ivory Coast, and Germany face Ecuador, a game which could see Kai Havertz come up against Arsenal teammate Piero Hincapie. There’s a good interview with Kai by Nick Ames in the Guardian for some extra reading this morning. He comes across really well, as you’d expect, and while it’s probably not something he’s ever going to expand on too much for obvious reasons, when he said the last 18 months had been hard for him because of all the injuries, I’d love a bit more detail on that.
Then Viktor Gyokeres’ Sweden will be looking to respond their 5-1 defeat by the Netherlands when they take on Japan, not an easy task for them at all, while at the same time the group leaders take on Tunisia. There’s also the already qualified US playing the already eliminated Turkey, as Paraguay and Australia face off with both sides still capable of making the knock-out rounds.
Again, a lot of football. Too much football for one man, but there you go. Right, it’s all quiet on the Arsenal front, as you’d imagine at this point in the summer, so I’ll leave it there for now. We’ll get an Arsecast out for you a bit later so stand-by for that.
Stay cool folks!