World Cup: Power Rankings after two group games
By Orri Benatar
Last Result: W 6-1 vs. Panama
Next Match: THU vs. Belgium (Kaliningrad)
Advancement Scenario: IN Round of 16
Football is coming home! Three Lions fans are ecstatic about the start England have had at this World Cup. They just had their biggest ever World Cup win by crushing Panama 6-1. They are through to the next round and can come in first if they beat Belgium. Lukaku might not play and Alli might return to the England XI. The Three Lions are quarterfinal contenders and if Germany doesn’t end up in their bracket, they might bring football home.
Last Result: W 1-0 vs. Morocco
Next Match: MON vs. Iran (Saransk)
Advancement Scenario: Win/Draw vs. Iran
Ronaldo scored again and Portugal won their first major tournament group stage game since beating Ghana 2-1 in the 2014 World Cup. Morocco did deserve a draw and Portugal’s performance was poor, but sometimes the teams that win the World Cup just get the job done. Portugal got the job done at Euro despite winning one game in 90 minutes. This team is trying to the same thing and only move down one spot.
Last Result: W 2-1 vs. Sweden
Next Match: WED vs. South Korea (Kazan)
Advancement Scenario: Win/Draw vs. Korea AND Sweden loss
Toni Kroos’ goal sent shockwaves around the world. That doesn’t mean Germany played well against Sweden. In fact, they didn’t at all. Kroos was playing centerback in the first-half and Ozil should have started instead of Rudy. Timo Werner moving to the left changed the game but Germany still tried to walk it in. Thomas Muller needs to get going if Germany wants to repeat. That Kroos goal changed the whole tournament as Germany are still a threat.
Last Result: W 3-0 vs. Argentina
Next Match: TUE vs. Iceland (Rostov)
Advancement Scenario: IN Round of 16
Croatia is for real and beating Argentina proves it. Luka Modric is an early contender for the Golden Ball and Croatia’s midfield is the best in the world. Dejan Lovren was next to the ball constantly and Rebic and Perisic ran around the wings and kept possession. Croatia will win the group in all likelihood and play Denmark in the Round of 16. The final isn’t a far-fetched prediction for this team anymore.
Last Result: W 1-0 vs. Iran
Next Match: MON vs. Morocco (Kaliningrad)
Advancement Scenario: Win/Draw vs. Morocco
Iran defended with such determination and grit and Spain’s luck won them the game. The lucky deflection off of Diego Costa’s shin followed by Iran’s disallowed goal by VAR. Spain always has the most luck and their players can carry that far into the tournament. Expect them to finish first cause they can score some more goals against Morocco than Portugal did.
Last Result: W 2-0 vs. Costa Rica
Next Match: WED vs. Serbia (Spartak – Moscow)
Advancement Scenario: Win/Draw vs. Serbia
Brazil has had 40+ shots in two games. That’s crazy! Neymar truly experienced every human emotion in that 2-0 win over Costa Rica. Phillipe Coutinho has actually been the best player for Brazil thus far. He adds as a deep midfield piece that can take pressure off Neymar when he runs out of gas. I believe Brazil should make a change up top and start Douglas Costa and Roberto Firmino over Willian and Gabriel Jesus.
Last Result: W 1-0 vs. Peru
Next Match: TUE vs. Denmark (Luzhniki – Moscow)
Advancement Scenario: IN Round of 16
France is getting the job done. It still hasn’t been flashy like we want it to be. Paul Pogba has played great and N’Golo Kante isn’t getting mentioned, which means he is doing his job correctly. Olivier Giroud should start every game and France is still a favorite to win. They move down from one because Belgium has played the best through two games and can be a winner now.
Last Result: W 5-2 vs. Tunisia
Next Match: THU vs. England (Kaliningrad)
Advancement Scenario: IN Round of 16
Belgium is deadly and the new number one team in the power rankings. Romelu Lukaku and Eden Hazard were clinical and Michy Batshuayi should have had about nine goals when he came on as a sub. Belgium’s true colors won’t show till the Round of 16 when they play some decent opposition. They move up to one because of their potential to be the winners. Their attack’s chemistry has been unmatched all tournament.