We came up with a list of teams likely to win the World Cup based off of their performance in the first match, but with round two now officially in the books, we take a look at which sides kept up their momentum and who slipped off the radar.
RUSSIA
We’re getting into the nitty gritty of the World Cup group stage. That means one thing: It’s time to pull out those calculators and abacuses (abaci?) and start crunching numbers for the countless World Cup knockout stage possibilities.
Seven goals between Belgium and Tunisia. Another si se puede performance from El Tri. The most lit match of the tournament so far. Day 10 had it all. I never want this to end.
A specter is haunting the World Cup — the specter of Liga MX club Cruz Azul.
El Tri are in great form after defeating South Korea 2-1 and they are currently at the top of the table in Group F, followed by Germany, Sweden and South Korea.
But it seems that recent good results are not only due to Mexico’s outstanding performances.
The riff on “Seven Nation Army” is good, but it’s not so good that it should set the barometer for stadium energy levels at every major international tournament for the rest of time.
Worse noise blaring at the World Cup: Vuvuzelas since 2010 or Seven Nation Army since 2006?
— Travis Yoesting (@TravisYoesting) June 21, 2018
If Miguel Layun manages to bury any of his six total shots over in Russia, he’s one of the stories of the World Cup. Of course Chucky Lozano has been excellent. Of course Carlos Vela has taken his game to a level that even the most ardent of Vela supporters couldn’t have anticipated. Of course Andres Guardado is a wizened midfield wizard.
Group of Death? Watching the Mexico vs South Korea highlights you quickly realize the only ones dying are those going up against El Tri.
Placed in a difficult group with Germany, Sweden and South Korea, arguably the toughest in the World Cup, many thought Mexico would have a difficult time advancing to the Round of 16. After a 2-1 victory over South Korea on Saturday, El Tri is all but through to the knockout rounds and on the way to possibly winning Group F.
America’s team! Boy oh boy, Mexico is cooking at the 2018 World Cup. After a massive victory over Germany, Mexico controlled the game vs South Korea and did what good teams do: They capitalized when it matters most.
Being up just one is never comfortable, especially in a World Cup. But Javier Chicharito executed a great cut back off a Chucky Lozano pass and then shinned home his 50th goal in a Mexico shirt.
After beating Germany in the World Cup opener, Mexico couldn’t afford a let down in the second match. Thanks to a Carlos Vela goal vs South Korea, El Tri stayed right on track on Saturday in Rostov, Russia.