“The Beautiful Game” is more than just goals, but we at The Bat Flip really like goals. This semi-ambitious project will take every goal scored during the 2018 World Cup and rank them daily, with a master list compiled at the end of the tournament.
A few things to consider when figuring your proper dosages of salt grains:
Importance of the goal may supersede beauty.
Penalty kicks will be considered on a case-to-case basis.
Shootout goals will only be ranked if they were the match-winners, or if some absurd act made the goal possible.
Now let’s rank some goals from Wednesday’s match play:
Three goals. Three measly goals. Kind of a bummer to some, but I’ll take the lighter workload. Don’t worry, some usual suspects from the first batch of matches make a return while another big name gets on the boards. This countdown – headed to No. 1 – is for bangers only.
June 20, 2018
No. 3 – Luis Suarez – Uruguay vs. Saudi Arabia
This corner kick could not have been served to Luis Suarez any better if it were presented on a silver platter with two complementary side dishes. Mohammed Alowais, the Saudi Arabian goalkeeper, makes a valiant effort to punch the ball away, but it was destined to find Suarez and a gaping net.
No. 2 – Cristiano Ronaldo – Portugal vs. Morocco
This was an early marker that fittingly crossed the line in the fourth minute to give Cristiano Ronaldo his fourth goal of the World Cup. Not bad for a guy who had three goals in his previous appearances before this jaunt to Russia. A short corner and a precision cross into the 18 from Joao Moutinho led to this match’s only goal and a much-needed win for Portugal.
No. 1 – Diego Costa – Spain vs. Iran
The expression on Diego Costa’s face after the ball crossed the line says all that needs to be said. After taking the ball in traffic, the Iberian Adding Machine spun past an Iranian defender before losing possession to a help defender … Only to have it bounce off his knee and into the net. Diego Costa is good. Sometimes it pays to be lucky.
Welcome to your daily 2018 FIFA World Cup update, or World Cupdate, where we recap the past day’s proceedings from Russia while previewing what is still to come. These features will run every morning throughout the duration of the tournament and feature highlights, major news, and much more from Russia.
Here’s What Happened: Wednesday, June 20
Wednesday was not a day for those who enjoy high scoring soccer. Three goals, across three games marks the lowest scoring day of the 2018 FIFA World Cup to date. All three goals came via high profile players in Cristiano Ronaldo, Luis Suárez, and Diego Costa so at least there was some name recognition for the casual fans.
The results gave us our first Round of 16 participants in Russia and Uruguay but also meant Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Morocco have all be eliminated from contention.
Portugal 1-0 Morocco
Another game and another goal for Cristiano Ronaldo propels his Portugal side to three points in a 1-0 win over Morocco. Ronaldo struck early again, just four minutes in, to give his side an advantage they never relinquished. For long stretches of play, Morocco looked the better side but could never find the back of the net. As a result, Portugal is on the brink of qualifying for the Round of 16 while Morocco has been eliminated from contention at the 2018 World Cup.
Goals
Cristiano Ronaldo | POR (4′)
Highlights
Cristiano Ronaldo’s goal was enough to give Portugal the win over Morocco.
A rough opening game for Luis Suárez was quickly erased with a first half goal against Saudi Arabia that turned out to be the match winner when all said and done. Saudi Arabia responded nicely after being drubbed by hosts Russia in their first match but never threatened much going forward. Uruguay’s win puts them and Russia into the Round of 16 and sets up a winner take all match on Monday to determine who wins Group A. With the result, Saudi Arabia and Egypt has been eliminated from further contention.
Goals
Luis Suárez | URU (23′)
Highlights
Luis Suarez’s goal was the difference as Uruguay defeat Saudi Arabia to advance to the round of 16.
Wednesday’s third and final game ended like all the rest that preceded it, with a single solitary goal on the board. Diego Costa notched his third of the tournament after a blocked shot ricocheted off his knee and past the Iranian goal keeper. It looked as if Iran tied the game later in the second half but VAR determined the goal was offside, preserving Spain’s lead. Spain joins Portugal on top of Group B and any result from their game against Morocco will see them advance. Iran must win their game with Portugal if they wish to move on.
Goals
Diego Costa | ESP (54′)
Highlights
Spain controlled the possession all game and eventually broke through to get the win vs Iran.
With two groups now in the books for Match-day 2, the knockout rounds are beginning to take shape. Russia and Uruguay already know they will be advancing it just remains to be seen who wins the group. Spain and Portugal still have work to do, but control their own destiny.
Goals of the Day
Only three goals were scored across all three of Wednesday’s matches making this section rather easy to complete. Doesn’t matter how pretty or ugly the goals were, they all made today’s list.
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
Portugal has scored four goals through two games in this World Cup and all have come courtesy of their star, Cristiano Ronaldo. This marks the second time Ronaldo has scored in the opening five minutes in as many games in Russia.
Luis Suárez was mostly a non-factor in Uruguay’s win over Egypt in the first group stage match but he was the only reason his side escaped with three points in their match against Saudi Arabia on Wednesday.
Luis Suarez taps it home!
The ball lands at his feet on the corner and he taps it home to give Uruguay a 1-0 lead. pic.twitter.com/gsBC1qFq5Y
Sometimes it’s better to be lucky than good as Diego Costa found out in Spain’s victory over Iran. Costa was the beneficiary of lucky bounce off his own knee from a blocked shot that turned into the game winning goal for his side.
Check back tomorrow for more great goals from the 2018 World Cup.
Fail of the Day
Desperate times call for desperate measures and Milad Mohammadi took that to heart in the dying moments of Iran’s loss to Spain on Wednesday. Needing to get a little extra power on his throw in, Mohammadi attempted to create extra momentum on his throw by flipping forward. It did not go as planned.
– “You should totally try the flip throw-in at the World Cup”
– “Really? Should I?”
– “Yeah man, it’s gonna be dope!” pic.twitter.com/t60hRYs4cq
Credit Mohammadi for this, on the biggest stage in world soccer, he attempted something few others would even dream of trying. The execution was poor but the attempt alone is worth applauding.
Group Update
Group A and Group B have completed their second round of group play and the knockout rounds are beginning to take shape.
Russia and Uruguay will both advance to the Round of 16 out of Group A with the group winner to be determined on Monday. Egypt and Saudi Arabia have been eliminated.
Group B still remains wide open but Spain and Portugal are in position to advance after two games of group play. Morocco has been eliminated from contention.
Here’s What’s Next: Thursday, June 21st
Two world powers in France and Argentina highlight Thursday’s schedule but one will be more desperate than the other. Coming off a victory in their opening game, France could wrap up a Round of 16 spot pending the outcome of the Denmark/Australia match earlier in the day.
Coming off a disappointing draw with Iceland, Argentina will be desperate to capture all three points over Group D leader Croatia in pursuit of a knockout round spot. Croatia can take a major step towards the knockout rounds with a win of their own.
Denmark v. Australia (Group C)
Via @AFP
Time: 8:00 AM
Location: Samara Arena (Samara)
How to Watch: FS1
If Australia can replicate their performance from their opening game, they can challenge Denmark and keep their hopes alive for a Round of 16 spot. On paper, Denmark has better attacking options but never count out the Socceroos ability to come up big when needed.
France v. Peru (Group C)
Via @AFP
Time: 11:00 AM
Location: Ekaterinburg Arena (Ekaterinburg)
How to Watch: FOX
France escaped their opening round match with all three points but they will be in for another test in their second game against Peru. Against Denmark, Peru proved they have no fear going forward and creating offense any chance they get.
As a popular pick for tournament dark horse, Croatia proved they belonged with an opening match win over Nigeria. Argentina on the other hand struggled in a draw with Iceland. There will be a lot on the line for both sides when they meet in the second round of Group D play on Thursday.
You can watch all these games live on the channels listed or streaming online at FoxSports.com with a cable sign in.
If highlights are more your style, check out @FOXSoccer on Twitter where goals and game recaps are posted throughout the day.
All game times are listed in Eastern Standard Time.
Golden Boot Standings
The Golden Boot Award goes to the stop goal scorer at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Via beIN Sports
Cristiano Ronaldo retakes the top spot alone courtesy his goal against Morocco on Wednesday. Diego Costa moves into a tie for second with Denis Cheryshev after his goal against Iran.
Keep up to date on everything World Cup right here on “The Bat Flip” where we will be posting our daily World Cupdate to recap what went on and preview what’s still to come in Russia.
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