Chapter 333: Qualifying for the Group Stage (Skippable)

England defeated Panama 6-0 to set a record for the largest margin of the World Cup.

In the 77th minute, Panama also had a chance to score, but Baloi's tackle was so beautiful that Jose was itchy and made an uncontrollable pounce before blocking the opponent's shot.

After the second round of the group stage, there were many fewer upsets.

As for the qualification of each team, the situation is as follows:

Group A: Russia and Uruguay both won both games, and the two sides worked together to qualify early, and the final round of matches was more of a warm-up game for them.

Group B: Portugal and Spain are in the top two of the group with 4 points, Iran is third with 3 points, Morocco is at the bottom of the group with 0 points from two defeats, and Portugal and Spain will qualify as long as they do not lose in the final round.

Group C: France won both games and qualified early; Denmark is second with 4 points with one win and one draw, and as long as Denmark does not lose to France in the last round, it will qualify; Australia is third with 1 point and must win by more than 2 goals in the final round and Denmark will not win to qualify; Peru has lost both games and has 0 points, and it is already ironclad that it will not qualify.

The situation in Group D is the most complicated, Croatia won all 2 games and qualified early, and the other three teams have the possibility of qualifying; Iceland has the least chance of qualifying with 1 point; Nigeria is in second place with 3 and will compete directly with Argentina.

Group E is more complicated than Group D, with the exception of Costa Rica, where Brazil, Switzerland and Serbia all have hopes of qualifying.

Group F: Mexico is still out of the tournament with 6 points from winning both games, South Korea is out early with two defeats, and defending champions Germany and Sweden are tied with 3 points.

Group G: Like Group A, England and Belgium both won both games and accumulated 6 points, both qualified early, and both teams will most likely play as a warm-up match in the final round.

Group H: Asuka Saito's Japanese team topped the group with 4 points, which made the neighboring Huaxia team really embarrassed, although it has not yet been determined in advance, but it has a great chance; Poland lost both games and went out early, Senegal and Colombia collided directly in the last round, if the Japanese team loses, then the two teams can join hands to qualify as long as they draw, will they play a tacit ball to eliminate the Japanese team?

On June 25, Chinese time, the third round of the group stage of the 18 World Cup started one after another.

The result of Group A, without any surprises.

The only regret is that Salah was unable to lead Egypt to a victory on his own, which shows that football is still a team game after all.

Group B did not disappoint either, with Portugal and Spain both drawing and advancing to the round of 16.

In the last round of Group C, the French team rotated a lot, and even goalkeeper Lloris sat on the bench, and in order to go further, even the goalkeeper had to save his strength.

Unfortunately, Denmark's attacking power was too flattering and they ended up playing 0-0 with France.

However, due to Australia's loss in the final round, Denmark still got the right to qualify.

On the 27th, the final round of the highly-anticipated Group D began.

Just 14 minutes into the opening game, Messi scored the first goal, opening the door for Argentina to advance.

However, Moses equalised for Nigeria with a penalty in the 51st minute, and if that score lasted until the end, it would have been Nigeria and Croatia who would have progressed.

Argentina stepped up their attack, but there weren't many chances.

It wasn't until the end that Argentina pressed all over the line, Mercado crossed from the right, and Rojo scored with a right-footed volley from inside the box, giving Argentina the lead again.

Thanks to Rojo's goal, Argentina advanced to the round of 16 in a thrilling way.

Compared to Argentina's luck, the German team was a bit out of luck.

Before the end, Neuer and Kroos made mistakes in quick succession, allowing South Korea to score two goals in one minute.

Germany's unfortunate exit continued the reigning champions' spell of failing to qualify from the group.

At two o'clock in the morning on June 29, Chinese time, the last two games of the group stage started at the same time.

These two games have nothing to do with qualification, only about the group standings.

England topped the group on goal difference before the start of the game, with Jose keeping the goal the only clean sheet among the 32 teams.

In terms of starters, both teams rotated massively, with the Three Lions rotating as many as eight players, with Jamie Vardy and Marcus Rashford partnering up front, as follows.

Goalkeeper: Jose.

Defenders: Cahill, Stones, Phil Jones.

Midfielders: Danny Rose, Delph, Loftus-Cheek, Dier, Alexander-Arnold.

Forwards: Jamie Vardy, Marcus Rashford.

Among them, Dale served as the captain on the field.

The European Red Devils Belgium team has 9 personnel changes compared to the previous round, with Batshuayi, Januzaj and Tielemans forming a trident, the specific list is as follows.

Goalkeeper: Thibaut Courtois.

Defenders: Vermaelen, Bojano, Dendoncker.

Midfielders: Chadley, Dembele, Fellaini, Sorgen Hazard.

Forwards: Tielemans, Michy Batshuayi, Januzaj.

Thibaut Courtois captained the team.

At the start of the game, England kicked off first.

In the second minute, Solgen Hazard made a mistake with a return pass.

Jamie Vardy received the ball and swept across the right.

Unfortunately, Courtois fell to the ground and saved.

In the 6th minute, Chadley crossed from the right.

In the middle position, Tielemans fired from a distance.

The ball flies straight above the goal.

The high ball was no threat to Jose at all.

José jumped up on the spot and lifted the ball over the crossbar with one hand.

In the 9th minute, England almost made an own goal!

Januzaj crosses from the right.

Fellaini header ferry.

Michy Batshuayi scrambled to score a goal.

Jose doubled his fists to block the shots of his club teammates.

Phil Jones clears the ball from inside the six-yard box.

As a result, the ball was hit in the direction of his own goal.

Thankfully, Jose reacted in time and made another save.

In the 11th minute, England had a corner kick opportunity.

Alexander-Arnold passes the ball into the box.

Gary Cahill flanks in a header at the back post.

Unfortunately, he was awarded an offensive foul by the referee.

England missed an attacking opportunity.

In the 23rd minute, England made a mistake in the backfield.

Januzaj won the ball and lobed his left foot into the box.

Marouane Fellaini followed up with a header.

The ball bounced off the grass and flew towards the bottom right corner of the goal.

This time, Jose took a little more tricks.

He moved quickly, then stretched out his left foot and blocked the bouncing ball with unmistakable precision.

The blocked ball rolls out.

Just as Fellaini was about to make a second shot, Jose made a forward save and held the ball firmly in his hands.

José single-handedly blocked the Belgian attack.

In the 26th minute, Batshuayi forced a shot after continuous dribbling in the penalty area.

Before Jose could make a save, Stones quickly cut the ball off the line.

Belgium gets a corner.

(End of chapter)