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≡ FIFA WORLD CUP ≡
Halfway through the round-of-16 and two eagerly-anticipated match-ups, with the “lowest-price” tickets for the England at Mexico match reaching $4,894 three hours before kickoff!
Oh yes, Brazil is out and Norway’s Erling Haaland still cannot be stopped.
● Norway 2, Brazil 1 ● It was hot at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford – which will also be the site of the final – with 84 F temps and 64% humidity. But the game began coolly.
Norway controlled possession from the start, with Brazil content to look for counter-attacks – Brazil? – and the Vikings stunned with goal in the third minute from midfielder Patrick Berg with a right-footer in the box, but it was called off for offsides.
It looked like Brazil had a chance to take the lead in the 11th, as striker Matheus Cunha was submarined by Norwegian defender Kristoffer Ajer for a penalty (after a video review). Midfielder Bruno Guimaraes took the penalty in the 14th and it was saved cleanly by Norwegian keeper Orjan Nyland, guessing correctly to his left.
At the hydration break, Norway had 72% of possession, but the only two shots in the game were from Brazil.
There were some chances for both sides before the half, but no scores, with seven shots for Brazil, to four for Norway, which had 65% of possession.
The second half was more of the same: Norway with the ball and Brazil sitting back in defense. But they missed their opportunities; sub striker Endrick missed scoring on a breakaway in the 59th, and forward Rayan’s shot was saved by Nyland in the 62nd.
At the second hydro break, Norway continued at 68% possession with Brazil up on shots, 11-6.
Norway started taking advantage on the re-start, and striker Andreas Schjelderup’s blast was barely stopped by Brazil keeper Alisson in the 75th. Then Schjelderup sent a cross from left to right into the box and in front of goal in the 80th and super-scorer Haaland headed it into the goal for the 1-0 lead.
Nyland made another save in the 86th, deflecting a long try with his fingertips off the post! Then Haaland closed the door in the 90th, with a left-footed rocket from the top of the box flying past Alisson to the far right side of the net for the 2-0 lead. He scored his second goal on his 26th touch in the game and now has seven goals in the tournament, tied for the most.
A penalty was called at 90+9 on Norwegian defender Leo Ostigard for an elbow in the box on Casemiro. Sub striker Neymar took the penalty at 90+10 and scored easily for 2-1. That’s where it ended, with 66% possession for Norway, with Brazil at 14-9 for shots.
It’s Brazil’s sixth straight World Cup without winning it, a record drought that continues. Norway, playing in its first World Cup in 1998, is now in the quarters.
● Mexico vs. England ● This match is at the Azteca in Mexico City, at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
≡ PANORAMA ≡
The round of 32 is done. The round-of-16 runs from 4 to 7 July:
Monday, 6 July:
● Portugal vs. Spain: In Arlington (3 p.m. Eastern)
● U.S. vs. Belgium: In Seattle (8 p.m. Eastern)
Tuesday, 7 July:
● Argentina vs. Egypt: In Atlanta (12 p.m. Eastern)
● Switzerland vs. Colombia or Ghana: In Vancouver (4 p.m. Eastern)
After 27 straight days of matches, 8 July will be a football-free days in preparation for the quarterfinals on 9-10-11 July.
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U.S. striker Folarin Balogun had his red-card suspension lifted by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee on Sunday:
“By operation of Article 27 [of the FIFA Disciplinary Code], the implementation of the automatic match suspension for USA player Folarin Balogun is suspended for a probationary period of one (1) year.”
He had received a red card for a tackle in the 64th minute of the win over Bosnia & Herzegovina; the relevant parts of article 27 read, “1. The judicial body may decide to fully or partially suspend the implementation of a disciplinary measure. 2. By suspending the implementation of the sanction, the judicial body subjects the person sanctioned to a probationary period of 1 to 4 years.”
So, Balogun will be available for the round-of-16 match against Belgium on Monday. The Belgian federation’s statement started with:
“The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) is astonished by FIFA’s decision to declare suspended United States player Folarin Balogun eligible to play in the USA–Belgium match on Monday.”
Criticizing the decision as improper and unusual, the RBFA added, “In order to safeguard the legitimate rights of all participating teams and to protect the fundamental principles of fair play in our sport, both at this FIFA World Cup and at future editions of the tournament, the RBFA is investigating all potential options.”
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After World Cup tickets for the group stage averaged $913 for the lowest “get-in” price, the 16 matches of the round-of-32 averaged $1,015 according to TicketData.com reporting.
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