Round of 32: Part 2

Belgium 3-2 Senegal

Senegal started very strong and in the 24th minute Habib Diarra scored a rebound into the back of the net after the ball hit the post. Early in the second half a long ball was played to Ismaila Sarr that put him through on goal. He took a touch and struck it past the keeper to double Senegal’s lead. Belgium looked down and out, even their players started to argue with each other. Senegal began to drop deep and allow Belgium to pile on pressure. In the 86th minute the ball was played to Romelu Lukaku who tapped it in past the keeper to make it 2-1. 3 minutes later Trossard crossed the ball into Tielemans who headed it in to equalize for Belgium and bring the game to extra time. In the 120th minute of extra time Belgium was awarded a penalty. With the last kick of the game Tielemans stepped up and scored late on to complete Belgium's comeback and win the game.

Usa 2-0 Bosnia

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Spain 3-0 Austria

Spain started the first half on the front foot and in the 36th minute Cucurella put in a low cross to Mikel Oyarzabal who tapped the ball into the net to give Spain the lead. During the second half Spain kept up their high tempo and in the 66th minute Baena crossed the ball into Pedro Porro who headed the ball past the keeper to double Spain’s lead. To cap off the wonderful performance in the 89th minute Cucurella played a beautiful boy to Oyarzabal who scored his second of the game and make it 3-0

Portugal 2-1 Croatia

The first half was tight, both teams had chances but no one was able to find the breakthrough. Early in the second half a backpost cross found Ivan Perišić who took a touch and slotted the ball past the keeper to give Croatia the lead. In the 68th minute Portugal was awarded a penalty and Ronaldo stepped up and scored to equalize. The game looked set to go to extra time but in the 3rd minute of added time Leao put in a cross to gonçalo ramos who headed the ball past the keeper to give Portugal the lead late on. Croatia scored in the 10th minute of added time but their goal was ruled offside. Ronaldo’s dream with Portugal continues

Switzerland 2-0 Algeria

Switzerland started the game on the front foot and in the 10th minute Manzambi drove the ball on the wing and ran into the box where he passed it to Breel Embolo who tapped it in to give Switzerland the lead. A minute after the second half started, Switzerland were on the attack and after a scramble in the box Algeria weren’t able to clear the ball and it fell perfectly to Dan Ndoye who slotted the ball past the keeper to double Switzerland's lead. Algeria tried but were unable to break through the Swiss defense. 

Egypt 1-1 Australia (4-2 pens)

In the 13th minute Egypt crossed the ball into the box to Emam Ashour who headed it past the keeper. Both teams had chances but the score remained 1-0 going into the second half. In the 55th minute, Australia had a free kick and whipped it into the box, the ball took a deflection off of Egyptian defender Mohamned Hany and went into the net to equalize the game for Australia. Nothing could separate the two teams and the game went to extra time and then eventually penalties. Australia took the first penalty and missed. Both teams scored their next 3 penalties. Australia’s young defender Lucas Herrington stepped up to take their 4th penalty but it was saved meaning Egypt just needed to score one more to advance which they did

Argentina 3-2 Cape Verde

One of the tournament favorites vs everyone’s favorite underdog. After a dominant start, in the 29th minute Lisandro Martinez lobbed the ball to Messi who took a touch and blasted the ball into the roof of the net past the keeper to give Argentina the lead. In the 58th minute Deroy Duarte received the ball in a tight space in the box and slotted it past the keeper to give Cape Verde the lead. Cape Verde weren’t playing a smash and grab, they were going toe to toe with Argentina and deserved to take the game to extra time. In the 92nd minute the ball fell to Lisandro Martínez who blasted it in the net to give Argentina the lead. In the 103rd minute Sidny Cabral received the ball on the edge of the side of the box, he unleashed a beautiful curling shot into the top corner to equalize for Cape Verde. In the 111th minute Argentina swung in a corner that deflected off of Cape Verde defender Diney into the net to give them the lead. Argentina won 3-2, but it was an extremely impressive performance by Cape Verde, the smallest nation at the World Cup to take the former World Champions to extra time.

Colombia 1-0 Ghana

Colombia took the lead early on in the 13th minute. The ball was crossed into Jhon Arias who tapped it in to give them the lead. Colombia dominated the game but were unable to increase their lead while Ghana were unable to create any chances.