Chapter 487: The last round of life-and-death battle of the group begins
After two rounds of the group stage, some teams have already booked their knockout spots in advance, some teams have already been eliminated, and some teams still have the theoretical possibility of qualifying.
This indicates that the third round will be even more brutal.
After two rounds, Spain is ranked third in the group. The situation is worrying. They not only need to win in the last round, but also need a big win, otherwise it will depend on the faces of the Netherlands and Chile.
This is very uncomfortable.
The only good news for Spanish fans is that Li Chuanqi has returned to the team and started adaptive training.
On the morning of the 22nd, the Spanish team's training attracted the attention of many media around the world. Li Chuanqi did not practice with his golf teammates, but conducted rehabilitation training under the leadership of a physical coach.
After the training, reporters swarmed in and surrounded Bosque and Li Chuanqi.
Del Bosque talked about the team's situation: "We are correcting the defensive problems and we are confident that we can keep a clean sheet in the last game of the group."
Regarding the offense, the coach said: "Li's return has improved morale. The players have been in good training recently. Costa is very eager to score his first World Cup goal. He will give everyone a surprise!"
When talking about whether Li Chuanqi will start, Del Bosque said: "It depends on his recovery. Although many people hope that he will start, we know that his health is more important.
Del Bosque and Li Chuanrui are under the most pressure recently. The Spanish team and Li Chuanqi's sponsors both hope that Li Chuanqi will start in the final game of the group.
They have invested a lot of money in the Spanish team and Li Chuanqi. If the Spanish team is eliminated from the group stage, these sponsors will suffer great losses.
In the Jin and Yuan era, money was a double-edged sword.
Li Chuanqi talked about his recovery: "I have been undergoing rehabilitation training recently, and the toe of my left foot has not fully recovered, but I will play when the team needs me."
Pique's kick caused fractures in his fourth and fifth toes. He has not fully recovered yet, and there is still a dull pain if he exerts too much force.
He is discussing with the team doctor how to solve this problem.
The team doctor's opinion was to tie the two broken toes together to reduce pain.
But this will affect the feel of his feet.
But this is also the only solution.
"The Spanish team will not leave the World Cup like this. The World Cup is incomplete without Spain. I am also unwilling to let my first World Cup trip end like this!"
Li Chuanqi said: "I can't guarantee that I will start, but I can guarantee that I will play in the game against Australia."
Spanish media reporters have mixed feelings. They did not get the best news, and Li Chuanqi did not fully recover.
However, it can be seen from the words of Del Bosque and Li Chuanqi that Li Chuanqi is very likely to appear in the game against Australia.
Anyway, this is good news.
"Do you think this is a smoke bomb? Li Ke has used smoke bombs several times..."
"Yes! I think this is a smoke bomb. Lee can definitely start!"
"It's okay to come on as a substitute. As long as he can play, that's good news!"
"Can you play?! This is good news. Is it important to start or substitute..."
Compared to the media, Spanish fans have a different attitude. They believe that as long as Li Chuanqi can play, that is a good thing.
Countless competitions in the past have proven that Li Chuanqi can turn the tide in times of crisis.
He is a deterrent on the court.
"Pique has returned to China for treatment. Do you think we should go to Barcelona again?"
"Go together, go together! Damn it, if it weren't for him, Spain would have qualified early!"
"Let's go to Barcelona and give him a good beating!"
The fans immediately turned their attention to Pique.
…
On June 24th, the final round of the group competition started. The four teams in Group A fought against each other, and the two games started at the same time.
The Brazilian team, which had one win and one draw, was sitting at the National Stadium in Brasilia, waiting for Cameroon, who had already been eliminated.
The media generally believed that Cameroon was no longer interested in fighting and that the host Brazil could easily win.
Some media also believe that Cameroon will fight to the death to unseat the host and win the admiration of the world.
The match between Mexico and Croatia will be a life-or-death battle. Whoever wins between the two teams will get a spot in the knockout rounds.
At four o'clock in the afternoon, the two games started at the same time.
Brasilia National Stadium.
After the game started, Brazil launched a siege on Cameroon's goal.
Brazil takes the lead with the 17th point!
Gustavo stole the ball from the left side of the frontcourt and broke through the low pass. Neymar advanced to the lower right corner 9 meters in front of the goal!
One to zero!
The whole stadium burst into warm applause.
After the game restarted, Cameroon launched a sharp counterattack.
In the 26th minute, Mukonjo took a corner kick from the right, and Matip hit the crossbar with a header from the edge of the penalty area!
Then Cameroon made a comeback. Nyon's cross from the left was intercepted by Alves, but he once again took the ball and cut into the left side of the penalty area with a low pass. Matip easily pushed into the empty goal 3 meters in front of the goal!
One to one!
Cameroon equalized the score.
The atmosphere at the Silia National Stadium became tense.
The Brazilian team must firmly control their destiny in their own hands. In the 35th minute, Nyon headed the ball to clear the ball. Marcelo directly volleyed the pass from the left side of the frontcourt. Neymar broke into the penalty area and crossed the ball 13 meters away from the goal.
Cum into the net!
Two to one!
Brazil regained the advantage on the field and maintained this advantage until the end of the first half.
On another piece of grass, Croatia and Mexico started a desperate battle. Neither team made any achievements in the first half and ended with a score of 0-0, leaving the suspense in the second half.
After a fifteen-minute break, the players returned to the court and the decisive battle of the second half began.
Brasilia National Stadium.
Five minutes into the second half, the Brazilian team ended the suspense and turned the score into 3-1.
Fernandinho scored the ball from the front of the penalty area, Luis made an offside pass from the left side of the penalty area, and Fred bounced the ball into the net five meters in front of the goal!
Pernambuco Arena.
The tension of the game was suffocating.
Mexico broke the deadlock in the 72nd minute. Herrera took a corner kick to the far point. Marquez beat Joel Luca from the edge of the penalty area and scored with a header!
One to zero!
Mexico has the upper hand!
Mexico expanded the score in the 75th minute. Hernandez passed the ball and moved forward to attract the defense. Peralta made a pass from the right side of the penalty area. The unguarded Guardado shot from 12 meters away and scored!
Two to zero!
Croatia's life hangs on a thread!
Mexico sealed the victory in the 82nd minute. Guardado took a corner kick, Max headed forward and headed over, and Hernandez scored with a header from close range!
Three to zero!
Mexico sealed the victory and secured a spot in the knockout rounds!
Brasilia National Stadium.
In the 84th minute, Brazil intercepted the ball at the front of the penalty area and Oscar passed it to Fernandinho. Fernandinho poked it into the lower right corner 10 meters in front of the goal!
Four to one!
Pernambuco Arena.
Croatia saved face in the 87th minute. Jelavic passed the ball and Persic shot into the far corner from a small angle on the left side of the penalty area!
Three to one!
Croatia scored a face-saving goal.
In the end, Mexico defeated Croatia 3-1 and entered the knockout round as second in the group. Their opponent will be the first in Group B.
The Brazilian team defeated Cameroon with a score of 4 to 1 and advanced to the knockout rounds as the first in the group. Their opponent will be the second in Group B.
So, who will be first and second in Group B, and who will Brazil meet?