“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:
Most of Wednesday’s 11 tallies were just kind of there. I mean, nine of them didn’t result in an early exit that caused a “dark day” for a world power. Two did. Which one was Wednesday’s top goal? As we’ll do every day during the tournament, it’s a countdown to No. 1 …:
June 27, 2018
No. 11 – Andreas Granqvist – Sweden vs. Mexico
This penalty – off a pretty dangerous tackle by Hector Moreno – led to Sweden stacking onto its lead and setting the table for the yellow-clad side to capture the top spot in Group F.
No. 10 – Yann Sommer (own goal) – Costa Rica vs. Switzerland
OK, the penalty element of this goal, albeit a huge pride goal for Costa Rica, shuttles it to this end of the ranking. But the own-goal element helps it avoid being dead last. Bryan Ruiz did his part, screaming a try off the crossbar. The ball and an unknowing Yann Sommer did the rest. The Swiss were already locked into the second spot in their group, so all this did was take away two points.
No. 9 – Blerim Dzemaili – Switzerland vs. Costa Rica
Look at what Blerim Dzemaili found! Stephan Lichtsteiner crossed this ball into the box and it was Dzemaili who eventually slammed in this goal, giving Switzerland a 1-0 lead.
No. 8 – Edson Alvarez (own goal) – Sweden vs. Mexico
A missed swipe by Edson Alvarez while trying to defend a cross could not have been more disastrous as the ball bounced off his left leg and across the line. By this point, Mexico was a full-on trash fire against the Swedish attack, which had some things to prove following a heartbreaking loss to Germany.
No. 7 – Paulinho – Brazil vs. Serbia
Mad respect to Philippe Coutinho for this lob to Paulinho, who got to the loose ball before Serbian keeper Vladimir Stojkovic. This put Brazil ahead 1-0, ultimately sealing Group E and a date with recently exposed Mexico in the round of 16.
No. 6 – Heungmin Son – South Korea vs. Germany
An earlier goal caused Germany to have to sell itself out to get at least two goals and three points. This empty-net goal denied both things to the World Cup holder while also shuffling the Germans to the bottom of the group. Good times.
No. 5 – Josip Drmic – Switzerland vs. Costa Rica
The cross from Denis Zakaria. The quick finish from Josip Drmic. It looked like the Swiss had pulled out more late-minute magic to grab three points. It wasn’t meant to be, but this ultimately helped Switzerland avoid a loss.
No. 4 – Kendall Waston – Costa Rica vs. Switzerland
Headers off corners are always fun. Kendall Waston gives Costa Rica something to celebrate with this strong effort from up top.
No. 3 – Thiago Silva – Brazil vs. Serbia
A header off the corner that looks so simple, but also so spectacular. This is the Brazil that the world knows. It’s almost as if Brazil took the news of Germany’s early exit and used it to lift a giant weight from their shoulders.
No. 2 – Ludwig Augustinsson – Sweden vs. Mexico
The finish was pretty. The buildup was incredibly good. Viktor Claesson’s flick-up toward Ludwig Augustinsson left nothing between the eventual goal-scorer and this 50th-minute goal aside from Mexican keeper Guillermo Ochoa, who couldn’t handle the strong, close-range strike. Sweden went up 1-0 and carried that all the way to a Group F title.
No. 1 – Kim Younggwon – South Korea vs. Germany
No description can justify the impact of this goal. It ended the campaign of a side that had never bowed out this early in World Cup play. Sure, another goal followed, but this Kim Younggwon tally sent shockwaves across the soccer world. Mighty Germany had struck out.
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 27th
The defending champions are no more as 2014 winners Germany crash out of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in the group stage for the first time in its history. South Korea scores two dagger goals in stoppage time to seal Germany’s fate and open the door for a new World Cup champion to be crowned in a few weeks.
In other games, Mexico lives on despite being throttled by Sweden in Group F. Brazil continue to round into form and defeat Serbia to claim Group E while Switzerland comfortably claims the runner-up spot.
Everything you may have missed or just want to re-live is all contained in today’s World Cupdate below.
Korea Republic 2-0 Germany
If Germany losing to Mexico was an upset, then this result is in an absolute shocker. A new World Cup champion will be crowned in Russia now that defending champion Germany crashed out in the group stage for the first time in its history. Knowing all three points were needed, Germany were on the front foot for all 90 minutes but could never find the goal they so desperately needed.
Once the game entered second half stoppage time, South Korea broke the ice with two goals that eliminated the Germans and gave South Korean fans something to cheer about for the first time in this tournament. The result also saved Mexico who were busy being routed by Sweden.
Neither of these sides will advance to the knockout rounds, but South Korea will be heading home the much happier side.
The path to the Round of 16 was laid out for Mexico but they hit a few obstacles along the way in a 3-0 defeat to Sweden. Only a point was needed from this match for Mexico to advance and win the group, but instead, they needed the South Korea victory to seal their spot in the next round.
Mexico was in good position at the half but things went horribly wrong in the second half that saw Sweden score three goals in under 25 minutes. When it became clear the game was out of reach, Mexican fans waited nervously to hear see if South Korea could upset Germany. Luckily, that’s exactly what happened and Mexico survived to move on.
Sweden and Mexico both finished with six points in the group but goal differential gave the advantage to Sweden who top Group E and take on Switzerland in the Round of 16 on Tuesday. Mexico jumps across the bracket and will face Group E winner, Brazil on Monday.
Goals
Ludwig Augustinsson | SWE (50′)
Andreas Granqvist | SWE (62′ PEN)
Edson Álvarez | SWE (74′ OG)
Highlights
Mexico had a chance to win Group F, but Sweden had other plans.
Since an opening match draw against Switzerland, Brazil have turned into the team everyone expected to see before the World Cup kicked off. Back-to-back 2-0 victories have vaulted Brazil to the top of Group E and easily into the Round of 16. Brazil only needed a point to advance but took all three from a Serbia side that looked threatening as times but could never capitalize.
Now through, Brazil will have a few days off to rest up and prepare for a Mexico side that already pulled off one upset in Russia and will be hungry for another. That match will go off on Sunday morning.
Serbia meanwhile were never able to build off its opening match win over Costa Rica and will leave Russia with only three points.
Goals
Paulinho | BRA (36′)
Thiago Silva | BRA (68′)
Highlights
Brazil advanced to the round of 16 after shutting out Serbia.
With Brazil taking care of business against Serbia, Switzerland’s spot in the Round of 16 was never really under threat. Closing out their group stage portion of the tournament with another draw, the Swiss claim the runner-up spot out of Group E.
It was an exciting contest between a solid Swiss side and a Costa Rica team with nothing to lose. All signs pointed to a Switzerland victory until the final minutes when a missed penalty off the cross-bar ricocheted off goalkeepers Yann Sommer’s head and into the back of the goal to bring the game level.
Switzerland will now move across the bracket to face Sweden in the Round of 16 on Tuesday. Costa Rica were unable to relive the magic from 2014, but still salvage a point and some goals from their stay in Russia.
Goals
Blerim Džemaili | SUI (31′)
Kendall Waston | CRC (56′)
Josip Drmić | SUI (88′)
Yann Sommer | CRC (90’+3′ OG)
Highlights
Costa Rica their first point of their FIFA World Cup to end the tournament on a high note.
Three-quarters of the way through Match-day 3 of group stage play now as more Round of 16 matches are set in stone. Moving on are Brazil, Switzerland, Sweden, and Mexico. Group G and Group H will wrap up group stage action on Thursday.
Goals of the Day
Eleven goals highlighted the action from Wednesday and for the first time this tournament, an own goal makes our daily list. Check out our three best below.
Ludwig Augustinsson (Sweden)
What turned out to be the group winning goal from Sweden was simple yet spectacular. Off a volley from in tight, Augustinsson puts his laces through the ball them almost puts it directly through the Mexican goalkeeper.
A second group winning goal makes our list for Wednesday, this time from Paulinho of Brazil. A great long ball played into the box meets a streaking Paulinho who only needs to get a touch on it to send it over the goalkeeper’s head.
Paulinho makes a GREAT run up the middle and pokes it over the keeper to put Brazil up 1-0! pic.twitter.com/vUvY8SHCKw
Normally, own goals do not find their way into the best goals of the day because they are often ugly. This one is an exception because of the sheer unlikeliness of how it happened. Bryan Ruiz hits the cross-bar on his penalty shot and the ball rebounds right into the back of Sommer’s head and into the goal.
Off the post, off the keeper’s head and in the net.
Check back tomorrow for more great goals from the 2018 World Cup.
Group Update
Another fascinating day of group stage action saw one pre-tournament favorite crash out while another cruised into the Round of 16. Group E and Group F are now settled with their winners known and Round of 16 matchups set for next week.
Exactly the order most pundits predicted coming into the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Brazil was class of the group while Switzerland claimed points in all three matches to take the runner-up spot.
Not even close to what anyone predicted as the final result from this group. Germany go from defending champions to crashing out of the tournament in last place in Group F. Sweden are a pleasant surprise and have their sights set on a deep run in the knockout rounds.
Round of 16 Outlook
Monday, July 2: Brazil (1E) v. Mexico (2F)
Tuesday, July 3: Sweden (1F) v. Switzerland (2E)
Who is Moving on, Who is Going Home
As groups move through their third round of matches, the knockout bracket will being to fill out. Here are the teams that have qualified for the Round of 16 and the teams that will be heading home.
Moving On
Group A: Uruguay, Russia
Group B: Spain, Portugal
Group C: France, Denmark
Group D: Croatia, Argentina
Group E: Brazil, Switzerland
Group F: Sweden, Mexico
Group G: England, Belgium (seeding still TBD)
Going Home
Group A: Saudi Arabia, Egypt
Group B: Iran, Morocco
Group C: Peru, Australia
Group D: Nigeria, Iceland
Group E: Serbia, Costa Rica
Group F: South Korea, Germany
Group G: Panama, Tunisia
Group H: Poland
Here’s What’s Next: Thursday, June 28th
After two weeks of action, we have reached the culmination of group stage play at the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Only four group stages matches remain in Group G and Group H before the knockout rounds begin on Saturday.
We already know England and Belgium are through to the Round of 16 out of Group G, but it remains to be seen in what order they will progress. The two sides square off today to determine a group winner and runner-up. It remains to be seen if either side rests their big stars since going through as the runner-up may offer a slightly easier path to the semifinals.
Over in Group H, there is still a bit of business to attend to as well. Poland is eliminated from advancing but can spoil the party for a surprising Japan squad who will need only a draw to advance. Senegal sit in the same boat as Japan, needing a single point to book a spot in the Round of 16 but their opponent Colombia has its eyes on advancing as well.
Match-day 3 of group stage play has already provided countless drama and surprises, here’s to hoping these final four games can continue to deliver.
Japan v. Poland (Group H)
via realsport101.comvia realsport101.com
Time: 10:00 AM
Location: Volgograd Arena (Volgograd)
How to Watch: FS1
There is no hope of advancement here for Poland but salvaging three points from what has been a disappointing World Cup will give them something to smile about. Certainly no one figured Japan would be in this position before the tournament but a single point out of this game means they are heading to the Round of 16.
Senegal v. Colombia (Group H)
via thehardtackle.comvia thehardtackle.com
Time: 10:00 AM
Location: Samara Arena (Samara)
How to Watch: FOX
Senegal is the other surprise out of Group H and sit in a similar spot as Japan where a draw will be enough to advance to the Round of 16. Their opponent, Colombia, sit on three points following their victory over Poland and have plans to advance as well. A victory would propel Colombia to the knockouts but they can also advance with a draw and Japan loss.
Panama v. Tunisia (Group G)
via thehardtackle.comvia thehardtackle.com
Time: 2:00 PM
Location: Mordovia Arena (Saransk)
How to Watch: FS1
Nothing but pride on the line between Panama and Tunisia in their final 2018 World Cup match. Tunisia will be looking for its first World Cup victory in 40 years while Panama will be looking for its first ever. If either side can get the three points, they’ll head home with a smile on their faces.
England v. Belgium (Group G)
via thehardtackle.comvia thehardtackle.com
Time: 2:00 PM
Location: Kaliningrad Stadium (Kaliningrad)
How to Watch: FOX
A match for all the marbles in Group G where losing may be a benefit. Coming out of the Group as the runner-up could a team away from Brazil in the quarterfinals. Beware however, this World Cup has been full or upsets already so jumping to an “easier” side of the bracket may not be all its made out to be. Harry Kane and Romelu Lukaku will have the chance to continue their battle for the Golden Boot.
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 top goal scorer at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Son Heung-Min of South Korea joins the Top 10 but with his tournament over, he won’t be going anywhere but down from here on out. It remains to be seen if Harry Kane or Romelu Lukaku will play in their final group stage match to keep up their fight for The Golden Boot.
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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