Group A Review:
Group A:
Final Table:
Uruguay 9 pts
Russia 6 pts
Saudi Arabia 3 pts
Egypt 0 pts
Matchday 3 results: Uruguay 3-0 Russia, Saudi Arabia 2-1 Egypt
In the final matchday of group A, Uruguay were able to secure first place against the host nation Russia. In the other less important match Saudi Arabia were able to make up for their horrible performances in their first two matches coming back to beat Egypt 2-1 and securing third place.
Biggest Surprise: Russia's Performance
Russia's performance as a host country really shouldn't surprise us given the success of host countries in past world cups with every single one progressing from the group stage excluding South Africa in 2010. But their performance and progression to the knockouts surprised a lot of people given the fact they didn't win an international match in over a year before their win over Saudi Arabia. Many Russians came in with low expectations for even their own team holding out little hope of success. But damn did the Russians prove us all wrong. With free-flowing attacking football and a very solid defense lead to dominant wins over both Saudi Arabia and Egypt. They scored eight total goals and conceded one in both matches combined. They showed the all the sides in the field that they were no joke and that they needed to be taken seriously. Though they did struggle in their final match against Uruguay they did show that they were a threat and that they were definitely the biggest surprise of group A.
Biggest Disappointment: Egypt excluding Mohamed Salah
The biggest disappointment has to go to Egypt but also has to exclude Mo Salah. The Egyptian talisman who scored both their goals really was their only threat while on the pitch and showed how much importance he had in the team. But for the rest of Egypt, it was a poor performance. Aside from the Egyptian defense in the first match against Uruguay not any of those players looked like they made any difference and seemed to only be a detriment. They ended up with zero points and for a side that many tipped to be a dark horse in this competition it was a huge disappointment to not see them perform to any of their potential.
Best Player: Aleksandr Golovin (1G,2A)
Attacking midfielder Aleksandr Golovin for Russia was far and away the best player of this group. Golovin who had a goal and two assists ran the show for Russia. His intelligent movement and dribbling mixed with his exquisite technique helped make Russia look like an attacking force in this group. His free kick to end the Saudi Arabia match was inched perfect and was his highlight moment of the group. His stellar performance had now garnered interest from big European clubs like Arsenal and Juventus with a move seeming likely for the Russian midfield maestro.
Best Match: Uruguay v Egypt 1-0
The best match of this group was the grudge match between Uruguay and Egypt. It was a tactical battle between Tabarez and Cuper and set up the match for a wild finish. The match was a complete stalemate for 88' minutes until big man Jose Maria Gimenez headed home from a beautiful free kick from Carlos Sanchez and sent the Uruguay fans into absolute euphoria. It was a great match from a tacticians view but had a fantastic dramatic finish which set the tone for the group.
Best Goal: Denis Cheryshev 4-0 vs. Saudi Arabia
There were a lot of exemplary goals in group A, but in my opinion, the beautiful trivela goal from Denis Cheryshev to make it 4-0 against Saudi Arabia takes the cake. As the ball was played to Cheryshev, he took a very positive touch forward and set him up beautifully for a strike towards the net. He hit it beautifully with the outside of his boot and looped over the keeper to continue the party for Russia on opening day.
Uruguay 9 pts
Russia 6 pts
Saudi Arabia 3 pts
Egypt 0 pts
Matchday 3 results: Uruguay 3-0 Russia, Saudi Arabia 2-1 Egypt
In the final matchday of group A, Uruguay were able to secure first place against the host nation Russia. In the other less important match Saudi Arabia were able to make up for their horrible performances in their first two matches coming back to beat Egypt 2-1 and securing third place.
Biggest Surprise: Russia's Performance
Russia's performance as a host country really shouldn't surprise us given the success of host countries in past world cups with every single one progressing from the group stage excluding South Africa in 2010. But their performance and progression to the knockouts surprised a lot of people given the fact they didn't win an international match in over a year before their win over Saudi Arabia. Many Russians came in with low expectations for even their own team holding out little hope of success. But damn did the Russians prove us all wrong. With free-flowing attacking football and a very solid defense lead to dominant wins over both Saudi Arabia and Egypt. They scored eight total goals and conceded one in both matches combined. They showed the all the sides in the field that they were no joke and that they needed to be taken seriously. Though they did struggle in their final match against Uruguay they did show that they were a threat and that they were definitely the biggest surprise of group A.
Biggest Disappointment: Egypt excluding Mohamed SalahThe biggest disappointment has to go to Egypt but also has to exclude Mo Salah. The Egyptian talisman who scored both their goals really was their only threat while on the pitch and showed how much importance he had in the team. But for the rest of Egypt, it was a poor performance. Aside from the Egyptian defense in the first match against Uruguay not any of those players looked like they made any difference and seemed to only be a detriment. They ended up with zero points and for a side that many tipped to be a dark horse in this competition it was a huge disappointment to not see them perform to any of their potential.
Best Player: Aleksandr Golovin (1G,2A)
Attacking midfielder Aleksandr Golovin for Russia was far and away the best player of this group. Golovin who had a goal and two assists ran the show for Russia. His intelligent movement and dribbling mixed with his exquisite technique helped make Russia look like an attacking force in this group. His free kick to end the Saudi Arabia match was inched perfect and was his highlight moment of the group. His stellar performance had now garnered interest from big European clubs like Arsenal and Juventus with a move seeming likely for the Russian midfield maestro.
Best Match: Uruguay v Egypt 1-0
The best match of this group was the grudge match between Uruguay and Egypt. It was a tactical battle between Tabarez and Cuper and set up the match for a wild finish. The match was a complete stalemate for 88' minutes until big man Jose Maria Gimenez headed home from a beautiful free kick from Carlos Sanchez and sent the Uruguay fans into absolute euphoria. It was a great match from a tacticians view but had a fantastic dramatic finish which set the tone for the group.
Best Goal: Denis Cheryshev 4-0 vs. Saudi Arabia
There were a lot of exemplary goals in group A, but in my opinion, the beautiful trivela goal from Denis Cheryshev to make it 4-0 against Saudi Arabia takes the cake. As the ball was played to Cheryshev, he took a very positive touch forward and set him up beautifully for a strike towards the net. He hit it beautifully with the outside of his boot and looped over the keeper to continue the party for Russia on opening day.
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