World Cup 2018 Group E FINAL GAMES: Serbia 0-2 Brazil; Switzerland 2-2 Costa Rica

The expected sometimes happens, And Brazil are always expected to get to the knockouts, but then so are Germany and we all saw what happened to them. No such disasters for Brazil, with Serbia dispatched and the group won. Serbia’s defeat left the way open for the Swiss to claim their spot which they duly did, although Costa Rica's late equaliser made it look less comfortable than it actually was.

THEY FINISHED 19TH: South Korea

Nothing else matters. They beat the reigning World Champions, delivering the killer blow in fine style, doing something that barely happens once very 100 years. Who cares about their first two games which were disappointed. They left on a high, celebrating like they won it in a game they deserved to win. A famous, famous win that will be remembered for far longer than the fact it was their only win of the tournament. 

THEY FINISHED 20TH: GERMANY

Although The Armchair correctly predicted that Germany would not win World Cup 2018, he thought they would win their group. The fact that they finished bottom shows what a disastrous tournament it’s been for the holders, now perhaps the too olders. That’s 4 times out of the last 5 tournaments that the holders have gone out in the group stage. Some kind of curse at work. But bad form going into the tournament, and no Lahm, Schweinsteiger and, vitally, Klose, condemned the Germans to their worst tournament finish since  1938. Managers don’t survive this sort of failure, nor many players. Expect wholesale changes afore Euro 2020.

World Cup Group F FINAL GAMES: Mexico 0-3 Sweden; Germany 0-2 South Korea

What the! Eh! That simply doesn’t make sense. No, no, not Germany going out to South Korea, but the fact that Group F finished up before Group E. What happened there alphabetically? It was all going so well. Such things get The Armchair twitching on his cushion. Now what about these two results. Maximum pointed Mexico going down to Sweden and then the holders, the invincible Germans who always make it through the Group Stage being turned over by South Korea. No one expected that, and it’s this kind of thing that’s helping make Russia’s World Cup a real classic.

THEY FINISHED 21st: NIGERIA

Deserved to go through and so nearly did but for that late loser against Argentina. As always, Nigeria were exciting to watch, Moses marauding down the flank an endearing memory. But, it’s not been a good tournament for the African nations and this was a super tough group for any team to get drawn in. Shame. 

THEY FINISHED 22nd: ICELAND

In Euro 2016 they were an unknown quantity with a thunderous chant that cast a spell across a tournament and sealed a famous win over England. Two years later, the mystique had gone, though that chant remained (and was adopted by a couple of other nations to less effect). It didn’t really happen for Iceland, but what the hell, they made their first World Cup and were never disgraced at any stage and were perhaps unlucky to be drawn in what was one of the toughest groups.

World Cup Group D Final Games: Argentina 2-1 Nigeria; Croatia 2-1 Iceland

Oh, Rojo. How you saved a nation. How you got Maradona to show two fingers to the rest of the world. How you saved Messi’s international career for at least a few more days. How well you finished, but how much you denied a Nigeria team who surely deserved a place in the Round of 16. They were just minutes away, but everyone else in the group were a lot of points of away from Croatia who maxed out on point age and served to remind the world that their quality players make a quality team that’s to be feared in the knock-out phase.

THEY FINISHED 23rd: AUSTRALIA

You expect yellow. You expect green. You expect fighting spirit. You expect ball tamp… no, no, not with this size ball. But did the Aussies really deliver this time round? They lack a poacher, someone to slam it home other than the hirsute Jedinak (ex-Palace, bit of a legend) who scored 2 penalties that helped keep Australia in it until the last game, where they came apart against Peru, and left a tournament they didn’t really set on fire the way they have in the past.

World Cup 2018 GROUP C FINAL GAMES: France 0-0 Denmark; Australia 0-2 Peru

The Armchair is aware of how much of a yawnfest the first 0-0 of the tournament was. There had to be one, and it had to involve the team The Armchair has predicted to finish the highest scorers in the tournament. 0-0 was enough to take France and Denmark through, given that Australia lost to the already eliminated Peru, who will be left wondering, what if they hadn’t skied that penalty in the first game!

THEY FINISHED 24TH: IRAN

This will have to be seen as a successful competition for the Iranians. Defensively stout, they can consider themselves unlucky not to make the knockout rounds. 4 points is a successful return, and has been enough for some teams to qualify. But not in a group featuring the current Euro champions and many people’s favourites to win this thing. 

World Cup 2018 GROUP B FINAL GAMES: Iran 1-1 Portugal: Spain 2-2 Morocco

Both dramatic games with late equalisers, but in the end the favourites came out on top thanks to VAR. But both Morocco and Iran should be applauded for the way they played, and perhaps if they weren’t drawn in a group with two of Europe’s most in-form powerhouses, things might have been different.

World Cup 2018 GROUP A FINAL GAMES: Uruguay 3-0 Russia; Saudi Arabia 2-1 Egpyt

The qualifiers from this group were already decided before this final set of games. The only thing at stake, who would top the group. And with Russia reduced to ten men early doors, the path was cleared for Uruguay, and they strode along it with ballsy confidence.

In the other game, Salah scored but Saudi soared to a rare World Cup win that will send their fans home happy, and give them confidence going into the 2022 World Cup which, should they qualify, will be much closer to home.

FINAL TABLE

THEY FINISHED 25TH: POLAND

Not good enough will be writ large across Poland’s report into their 2018 World Cup. Probably in red pen. So much support in the stadia. So many people let down by an OK side in a well-matched Group that was hard to call. They were never going to win this thing of course, but The Armchair regarded qualifying from the group as a real possibility. Lewandowski will shoulder a lot of the blame for their failure, another bad tournament for the normally impressive striker

World Cup 2018: Poland 0-3 Colombia

Got to be the biggest disappointment of the World Cup. So close to home, so far from glory, Poland were embarrassed here. Take nothing away from Colombia who were exciting, clinical, efficient, effective and a lot of other adjectives you’d associate with the successful, the victorious.

The Armchair Predicted

Poland 1-1 Colombiaq

20 and 12

World Cup 2018: Japan 2-2 Senegal

The Armchair was still on his holiday while this was on, so missed seeing it live. An entertaining game by all accounts.

The Armchair Predicted:

Japan 0-2 Senegal

20 and 11

THEY FINISHED 26TH: PANAMA

It was always going to be tough, and you sense that just being in a World Cup was enough, and scoring against England the highlight. Forget the six they shipped in the other end. They scored at the World Cup, their fans got to forget their worries or the length of their journey home for a few minutes and just let it all go. And even though they’re out, the Tunisia game still gives them another chance to seal more glory, and who knows even a win.

World Cup 2018: England 6-1 Panama

It’s the kind of result where one of the scores needs to be spelled out or repeated, just to clarify. Six, yes six one. Five of which were scored in the first half. All of which added up to England’s biggest win in a World Cup tournament. In that first half, every attach threatened goal.

A pair of pens from Kane were dispatched with very non-English aplomb. Hard, fast and humanly unreachable. Lingard had the pick of the goals, Kane’s third an exercise in good fortune. Stones weighed in with his first goal for England, and then his second soon after.

Quite an amazing result. There was even something for the Panama (and Russian) fans to cheer. England make the Round of 16 as the armchair expected. But, on this form, they look capable of going further than the Armchair has predicted…

The Armchair Predicted:

England 2-0 Panama

20 and 10

World Cup 2018: Germany 2-1 Sweden

The champions looked gone, trailing Sweden at half time. Disjointed, disenchanted. Dishearted. 

But an early one in the second half set the tone, sowed the seed of the comeback which they left until late. Very late. 

But what a krakker from Kroos. A well worked free kick slotted home. 

Cue the frantic celebrations and a touchline fracas between the management. 

Now the Germans will dispatch the Koreans and send the Swedes home. You heard it here first.

The Armchair Predicted

Germany 2-1 Sweden

19 and 10

World Cup 2018: South Korea 1-2 Mexico

Whoah, Mexico. Your wave lives on. Your team moves on to the round of 16. Shot the Germans down and the Koreans followed, just the Swedes to go. But the expected qualification achieved with a game to spare. A team in form with fans aplenty. Even an added time cracker from Korea couldn’t spoil their party.

The Armchair Predicted:

South Korea 1-2 Mexico

18 and 10

THEY FINISHED 27TH: TUNISIA

Two games, two defeats but goals in both, and Panama to go. 

Something to celebrate there.

Tunisia will be favourites to win the final dead rubber in Group G. 

And 3pts there would just about tally with their pre-tournament expectations. T

hey Kane so close to snatching a just about deserved draw against England, but were dispatched by the Belgians in no uncertain terms.

World Cup 2018: Belgium 5-2 Tunisia

The Armchair always takes an inordinate amount of interest in the affairs of the team he has invested money in to win the competition, and is always pleased to see the number 5 in their goals scored column. Not so the two against, nor the reported injuries to Lukaku and Hazard. But the win was enough to secure a path to the Round of 16, and the goal tally suggests here’s a group of players who are up for it, and who could go all the way…

The Armchair Predicted

Belgium 3-0 Tunisia

17 and 10

World Cup 2018: Serbia 1-2 Switzerland

The Serbs in red, the Swiss in white, Bit confusing, but a great comeback from the latter, with Shaqiri first rocking the woodwork, then making a break in the 90th to finish cooly in the rain. Neither of these teams will be highly fancied by anyone to pull up any trees, and we wouldn’t want them to what with the focus these days being on preserving nature and wildlife. 

The Armchair Predicted:

Serbia 2-1 Switzerland

16 and 10

World Cup 2018: Nigeria 2-0 Iceland

The Armchair is finding it difficult to keep pace with all the games in this World Cup. Especially as he is on vacation. If you've ever seen an Armchair on vacation, you'll know why.

Three a day! And this match up of generally hot v cold nations fell in the favour of Nigeria who deservedly won with two great goals.

The Armchair Predicted 

Nigeria 0-0 Iceland

16 and 9

They Finished 28th: Costa Rica

The 2nd of The Amrchair's Round of 16 predictions to fall at the first hurdle, and what a disappointment they proved to be. 

The Armchair is shuffling uncomfortably on his wooden flooring as it thought there was a chance for them to emulate their form from 2014, but it wasn’t to be. 

They looked bad in the pre-tournament game v England and didn’t get any better.

World Cup 2018: Brazil 2-0 Costa Rica

Two late late goals sealed a game The Armchair missed as he was en route to a early summer break at Center Parcs. It was enough to take Brazil to the top of their group and condemn Costa Rica to an early exit. 

The Armchair Predicted

Brazil 3-1 Costa Rica

16 and 8

World Cup 2018: Argentina 0-3 Croatia

The unravelling of the Messi legend didn’t quite happen here, but almost. The genius proved he can’t quite produce his club performance for his country. Take nothing away from Croatia though, who were epic. More epic than The Armchair could ever have imagined.

The Armchair Predicted

Argentina 2-2 Croatia

15 and 8

They Finished 29th: Peru

Peruuuuuu. How we love your sash. How we liked your style. How we respect your fans for travelling so far, and bringing so much life to the stadia. 

But your team, in the final third, oh so disappointing. 

You can’t help thinking if only they’d scored that penalty in their first game. Blasted way, way over the bar. 

If ever a nation needed a poacher, someone to finish their often excellent play with a goal, Peru is that nation. 

But as a nation, they have made their make, and won many admirers, but alack have failed to win any games. 

World Cup 2018: France 1-0 Peru

Armchair regulars will recognise how difficult their host is finding watching these 4pm kick offs. 

The winner in this was scrappe by Mbappe and condemns a team I had high hopes for to an early exit. 

Peru’s fans have really made an impact in this World Cup, even if their team has let them down on the pitch. 

They have travelled in massive numbers, some 40,000 at this game, with some even giving up their jobs to watch their team. Now that’s commitment. The Armchair wouldn’t even give up his seat to watch his team. 

France won this, and have gone through, but have yet to do anything in this tournament worthy of note.

The Armchair Predicted

France 2-1 Peru

15 and 7

World Cup 2018 Denmark 1-1 Australia

Neither of these nations are going to win it. But one of them, Denmark is really threatening to sneak into the Round of 16 despite not playing very well. They weren’t great here, though their goal was  very well taken by Eriksen. And the Aussies got another penalty which Jedinak dispatched. Don’t fancy either of these sides to be getting their hands on that trophy.

The Armchair Predicted

Denmark 1-1 Australia

14 and 7

World Cup 2018: Iran 0-1 Spain

Spain all the way. Spain to win the day.

Spain to overcome, over-run, outclass, out play. 

Well, no way. Actually. 

Iran were impressive. A Portugeezer at the helm. With Man Utd on his CV. 

And Iran were so well drilled. An oil pun here maybe. Not necessary. 

They defended valiantly, would have equalised but for VAR. Wiped it out and Spain scraped through, but Iran have a chance, a great chance. 

Only Portugal and Ronaldo stand in their way of glory. 

Only.

The Armchair Predicted

Iran 0-2 Spain

13 and 7

They Finished 30th: EGYPT

Uruguay’s win over Saudi Arabia condemned Egypt to a fate they knew was coming.

Losing 2 of 2 is find your passports and pack your bags time. 

Yeah, OK, there’s another game to play against another side that’s on its way home, but all the hassle and joy of qualifying is lost. 

You’re out. 

Your star man played through injury, scored you a penalty, but Salah was never going to be able to do it all himself, even fully fit. 

And certainly not with Russia looking like one of the best teams in the tournament.

The Armchair believes the Egyptians will look back on World Cup 2018 and regard it as a tournament of If Only.

They Finished 31st: Saudi Arabia

Conceding 5 goals in your first game, in THE first game of the World Cup is never going to set you up for greatness, and Saudi Arabia go out after just 2 games

Not having seen much of either of their games, it’s hard for The Armchair to share an opinion. It just seems all too soon to be going home less than a week after the tournament started, but they have a chance to salvage some last game pride against Egypt.

World Cup 2018: Uruguay 1-0 Saudi Arabia

The tricky 4 o’clock UK time kick off rendered this game unwatchable for The Armchair. 

And, from the sounds of it, it was pretty unwatchable for those who saw it in the stadium or on TV. 

Uruguay took the lead and held onto it by all accounts, by all means necessary. 

Boring, boring, boring, 

The Armchair hopes they don’t beat Russia as the hosts deserve to win this group, having played the best football. And because The Armchair tipped them to win Group A at the start of the competition.

The Armchair Predicted:

Uruguay 3-1 Saudi Arabia

12 and 7

They Finished 32nd (LAST): MOROCCO

It’s over for the North Africans, but they will be forgiven for wondering how. 

They played well in both games, narrowly losing them both by a goal, entertaining in both games.

And yet 2 games, 2 defeats is the kind of return that sees you returning home early. 

After the small matter of a game against Spain, which, if they win, could see the Spaniards joining them on the trip west and home.

So, still something to play for, if not glory.

World Cup 2018: Portugal 1-0 Morocco

Super harsh on Morocco to be the first team knocked out of World Cup 2018. They have entertained. They were unlucky against Iran and here too, as for great swathes they were the best team. A brave bullet header from Ronaldo, a player you might have heard of, settled the game, Narrowly. But it has to be said Morocco were really unlucky.

The Armchair Predicted:

Portugal 2-1 Morocco

11 and 7

World Cup 2018: Russia 3-1 Egypt

Oh for a fully fit Salah. He would have made a difference, no doubt. Whether it would have been big enough to alter this result is another matter.

Russia are truly rampant, as The Armchair suspected they might be when he made them Group Winners. An entertaining, attacking team, with no stand out stars as such. It’s working well. They are rising to the challenge and being backed by a passionate crowd.  They are virtually in the Round of 16, with Egypt out if Uruguay avoid defeat against Saudi Arabia.

The Armchair Predicted:

Russia 2-0 Egypt

10 and 7

World Cup 2018: Poland 1-2 Senegal

The tricky afternoon o’clock slot meant The Armchair was unable to give this game his full or even divided attention. 

Catching up with the highlights revealed Poland were unlucky to concede an own goal but complete slack with Senegal’s second. Not that The Armchair is complaining, having predicted that Senegal will have a successful tournament. This is exactly the kind of start that was envisaged.

The Armchair Predicted:

Poland 1-2 Senegal 

9 and 7

World Cup 2018: Colombia 1-2 Japan

The first red card in the nation of Red Square. And it goes to Sanchez for his rather blatant hand ball which definitely denied a goal. Or, more accurately delayed a Japanese goal, as the penalty was subsequently dispatched.

How many pens have there been in this World Cup? Got to be a record…

It capped a great start to a game in a tight group. Colombia didn’t look like a team of ten men for the rest of the half, and capped a great performance with a grass cutting free kick that slipped under the jumping Japanese wall.

The fact that the free kick should not have been awarded in the first place will not be lost on the Blue Samurai. Falcao blatantly leant into the defender, something VAR ought to have picked up.

In the second half, Japan reclaimed the lead and never surrendered it, wearing down the ten men with an expansive passing game.

Another entertaining game in the best World Cup The Armchair has blogged about. 

The Armchair Predicted:

Colombia 2-2 Japan

8 and 7

World Cup 2018: England 2-1 Tunisia

The Armchair was kicking his cushions for most of the second half because he hadn’t predicted a 1-1 in this game. It’s the scoreline at which the last four of England’s tournament openers have finished.

And this looked destined to continue that sequence. England fluffed great chances - Lingard and Sterling in particular. Maguire looked dodgy in the first half, misplaced passes aplenty.

But it would churlish not to credit England with a great first half performance, and to bemoan the dodgy penalty Tunisia were given and the ones England weren’t.

Tunisia got their equaliser and would have settled for the draw but for the poaching skills of Kaptain Kane. With more finishers like him in the team, this would have been a thrashing.

The Armchair Predicted:

England 2-0 Tunisia

8 and 6

World Cup 2018: Belgium 3-0 Panama

And so, the team The Armchair has predicted to win this darn thing has kicked off. And at half-time, things were looking decidedly dodgy. 0-0 against perhaps the tournament’s weakest team. But an early 2nd half goal (another cracker) settled the Belgian nerves and they dominated in precisely the way The Armchair predicted.

The Armchair Predicted:

Belgium 3-0 Panama

7 and 6

World Cup 2018: Sweden 1-0 South Korea

The Armchair must work to earn a crust and keep the upholstery trim, so missed most of this game, catching bits on the mobile. Was settled by a stunning free kick. But neither of these sides impressed in the bits The Armchair saw.

The Armchair Predicted:

Sweden 1-1 South Korea 

6 and 6

World Cup 2018: Brazil 1-1 Switzerland

Shock almost followed shock. With the champions turned over by Mexico in the match before, surely the Swiss wouldn’t deliver another form book busting performance?

Well, they very nearly did. Although after the first half hour, this looked like a thrashing was on the cards. Brazil were brilliant, summed up by the quality of Coutinho’s strike, outside the box, like he’s done many times before for Liverpool.

But as the lead failed to be extended, and as Behrami was allowed to foul Neymar to his boot’s content, the Swiss grew in confidence and it’s hard to argue that they didn’t deserve their equaliser.

The Armchair Predicted:

Brazil 2-0 Switzerland

6 right, 5 wrong.

World Cup 2018 Germany 0-1 Mexico

'They will still win it.'
The first comment following this, the first bona fide shock of the tournament.
But The Armchair does not believe the Germans are good enough to win the World Cup. They will, however, probably still be good enough to qualify from their group.

But they were not good enough today. A Germany minus Klose lacks finishing power. And today they just weren't at the races.

Big up Mexico, who always do well in the group phase and have pretty much guaranteed they will do that again.

The Armchair Predicted:
Germany 2-0 Mexico

6 and 4

Costa Rica 0-1 Serbia

The Armchair's first abandonment of the tournament. Pressing domestic issues needed attending to, namely that my 8-month old cockerpoo had been attacked by 3 dobermans while out for a walk in the woods. Thankfully the wounds weren't too bad and a bit of morphine and a dose of antibiotics seems to have sorted him out. The police will be getting involved.

So The Armchair missed the free kick that sealed this, and cannot comment on whether Costa Rica did themselves justice, being a team The Armchair has backed to make the Round of 16.

The Armchair Predicted
Costa Rica 2-1 Serbia

World Cup 2018: Croatia 2-0 Nigeria

Perhaps the first dire game of the tournament. Nigeria looked well off the pace and almost disinterested. Croatia played within themselves but their star-studded line-up proved it can win ugly.
There wasn't much else about this game to recommend it. If there was, 24 hours later, it's been forgotten.

The Armchair Predicted:
Croatia 3-2 Nigeria

6 and 2

World Cup 2018: Peru 0-1 Denmark

Alumni from the Chris Waddle school of penalty taking showed up here and pretty much punctured Peruvian confidence with such a massive miss.

The Armchair had Peru to win this and surely if that pen had been converted, they would have. But such a miss shattered the South Americans and despite the fantastic level of support - they massively outnumbered the Danes despite the latter being so much closer -  I fear Peru will not not make the knockout phase.

The Danes were nothing special, save for the Schmeichel wall in goal.

The Armchair Predicted:

Peru 2-0 Denmark

5 and 2

World Cup 2018: Argentina 1-1 Iceland

England fans must feel a bit better about their Euro2016 exit after this.

Iceland are no pushover, clearly. Clear as ice, in fact.

But Messi continues to misfire in the big tournaments. He will never be regarded as a true international legend unless he can turn things round in the next couple of games.

That missed penalty of his has condemned The Armchair to face his first inaccurate prediction of this World Cup, at the sixth attempt.

There was almost a siege on the Icelandic goal toward the end, but their huge keeper and even mightier spirit kept the South Americans at bay to secure a well-earned, first ever World Cup point.

And a big, loud, welcome to the World Cup to the Viking Thunderclap. So much more interesting than the ageing Mexican Wave (32 years old this World Cup.)

So, The Armchair has been proved wrong, but having predicted Croatia to win the group, there's still room for a little smugness.

The Armchair Predicted:
Argentina 2-1 Iceland

5 and 1

World Cup 2018: France 2-1 Australia

VAR takes a bow, but did Griezmann take a dive? Even with the tech it was difficult to tell.  But 21st Century tech finally meets the World Cup, with goal line technology even needing to be employed here too.

Whatever, this was a slightly annoying game, terrible in comparison with last night's 3-3 thriller.

And what an awful diver, play actor and injury faker Lucas Hernandez is. The cheat fully deserved to be booed every time he touched the ball, for consistently acting like he'd been shot, not shoved, disembowelled not dispossessed. The sort of player who gives footballers a bad name. And Aussies brought up on Aussie Rules and Rugby will have nothing but disdain for his sort.

A case could have been made for the Aussies taking a point from this, which they would have deserved. As it is, France just about did enough to get their World Cup campaign off to a stuttering but 3 point start.

The Armchair Predicted
France 3-1 Australia

5 right, 0 wrong

World Cup 2018: What The Armchair Thinks

A quartet of World Cup games today, what a footie fest.
Here's how the Armchair thinks things will shape up:

The Armchair Has Correctly Predicted The First 4 Results In World Cup 2018.

The Armchair fancies himself a handy predictor of World Cup scores and he's certainly made a decent start, having correctly predicted the results (win, lose or draw) of all World Cup 2018 games so far:

In a move that is quite frankly unprecedented and perhaps unnecessary, the Armchair will be revealing his predictions for Saturday's World Cup 2018 games tomorrow AM, so check back to see what the Armchair is thinking...

World Cup 2018: Portugal 3-3 Spain

The Armchair is old enough and worn enough around the edges to remember World Cup 2010, during which there were next to no great games.

Russia 2018 has already served up a cracker. This goal fest draw benefited from an early goal as most games do. Ronaldo scored his first tournament free kick apparently (at the 45th attempt), and went on to secure a hat-trick. Isco was imperious. 

Costa got a couple. Pepe got stuck in. DeGea fluffed on his line. The Portuguese coach looked like he needed a cigarette. And Iran ended the day top of Group B.

A happy day for the World Cup, and for The Armchair…

The Armchair Predicted:

Portugal 2-2 Spain

World Cup 2018: Morocco 0-1 Iran

To the constant hum and chirp of horns and blasters, Group A opened in entertaining style with both teams knowing it was win or bust here, what with Portugal and Spain awaiting.

Morocco went for it from the off and were unlucky not to score, but Iran proved why they qualified so well with super stolid defending and lightning quick counter attacking.

The awkward timing of the kick off meant The Armchair was on his way home from the office during the final 20 minutes, so missed Iran seal the win. A win he was delighted to hear about, given his prediction (below)

The Armchair Predicted: 

Morocco 0-1 Iran

World Cup 2018: Egypt 0-1 Uruguay

There’s a school of thought in tournaments that says if you want to win them, you don’t want to peak too soon.

On that basis, Uruguay could well win this, and Egypt have no chance. Because the latter played above themselves, even without their talisman, while Uruguay must consider themselves fortunate to emerge from this with anything other than a draw.

Salah could well have made all the difference, but the likelihood is he is still too fragile to be risked. And with his team-mates holding many people’s Group A favourites (not mine I hasten to add) the thinking must have been to save him for the last two games and get a point here.

A late winner scuppered that plan and was more than Uruguay deserved. The result is harsh on Egypt. And surely Uruguay can only get better…

The Armchair Predicted: Egypt 1-2 Uruguay

World Cup 2018: Russia 5-0 Saudi Arabia

Anyone who seriously thought Russia’s lowly world ranking would have a bearing on their performance in their World Cup should have been set straight by this emphatic result.

Yes, Saudi Arabia aren’t the world’s best, but they are here on merit, and the Russians demolished them, the fourth the pick of the goals.

The Armchair feels vindicated at having predicted that Russia would win Group A. Uruguay will be the big game, but they’ve done their goal difference no harm here.

The only downside was that the match kicked off at awkward o’clock, preventing live viewing from the armchair, requiring the iPhone to be surreptitiously positioned adjacent to the laptop screen. And even then, I was unable to watch the full game live.

Still, congratulations to the host team and host fans who really generated an awesome atmosphere.

The Armchair Predicted: Russia 2-0 Saudi Arabia

Who Will Win The 2018 World Cup Final?

The Armchair couldn’t predict that Spain would sack their manager hours before the start of the tournament.

But The Armchair hopes the nation rallies behind whoever is given the hot seat and does a Denmark ’92 and makes the final.

SPAIN v BELGIUM

An all-European final with two teams packed with talent from front to back.

Never predict a thrilling goal fest of a World Cup final, because they rarely happen.

It will be tense, tight and other emotive words beginning with t, but The Armchair believes we will see a new name on the trophy.

BELGIUM TO WIN THE World Cup

Compare The Armchair's prediction, to a World Cup 2018 winners prediction based on historical FACT! 

Spain Sack Manager

Has a nation ever sacked their manager so close to the start of a World Cup?

Lopetegui goes barely 48 hours before Spain's opener against Portugal.

Having been appointed the next Real Madrid manager just yesterday.

This could change everything in terms of Spain's chances.

So far, I've predicted them to reach the final. But that could all go out of the window now!

At least I haven't got money on it...

Who Will Reach The 2018 World Cup Final?

It's worth bearing in mind that the Armchair correctly predicted 75% of the World Cup 2014 semi-finalists as evidenced if you click on this sentence.

The Armchair has predicted the following World Cup Semi-Finals and sees them panning out a bit like this:

FRANCE v SPAIN

A match up fit to be a final. Both teams have been in great form throughout the tournament, and pundits are split 50/50 on who will emerge victorious. Griezmann is on for tournament top scorer, Spain have played well as a team. This one’s going to penalties, where the tears will be les bleus. SPAIN TO WIN.

BELGIUM v SENEGAL

Billed as a festival of flair, the game is actually tight, nerves taking hold among two teams who know they are one step away from the biggest game of their lives. It is decided in favour of the team that packs the most international experience and expectation. BELGIUM TO WIN.

World Cup 2018 Predictions: Who Will Win The World Cup 2018 Quarter Finals?

The Armchair has predicted the following quarter finals in World Cup 2018. And without use of tarot cards or crystal balls, sees the following happening…

World Cup 2018 Quarter Final Predictions

RUSSIA v FRANCE

Home nation nerves will be jangling. Expectation as high as a Russian cosmonaut orbiting the world. Cup fever gripping everyone from the Kremlin to the Crimea. For France, they are where they expect to be. Mixing it in the latter stages of a tournament quite a few fancy them to win. And win this game they shall. FRANCE TO WIN

SPAIN v PERU

There are always tales of the unexpected in every tournament (Iceland in Euro 2016, Brazil’s thrashing in 2014) and Peru are shaping up to be 2018’s instalment. Although people in the know know they are good enough to get here. But good enough to beat a still strong Spain? Not quite, for me. SPAIN TO WIN.

BRAZIL v BELGIUM

What a final this would have made. Two teams packed with big names and both getting into the groove in this tournament, winning their groups and their first knockout. But the draw machine has brought them together in this pick of the quarter finals. And, although it will be tighter than neutrals might hope for, it goes to extra time, and once again, Brazilian dreams are shattered by a European team. Narrowly this time.

BELGIUM TO WIN.

GERMANY v SENEGAL

Let’s remember, Germany weren’t in great form coming into the tournament, and they haven’t been brilliant during it. And by now, Senegal have been battling with Peru to become everyone’s second favourite team. There are no neutrals in the stadium. All non-Germans want to see Senegal win this. And although head has an inkling for Germany, I’m going with the heart. SENEGAL TO WIN.

World Cup 2018 Predictions: Which teams will make the quarter finals?

The Armchair World Cup 2018 predicts these will be the last 8 teams left standing in the tournament:

RUSSIA v FRANCE

SPAIN v PERU

BRAZIL v BELGIUM

GERMANY v SENEGAL

Who Will Win In The World Cup Round Of 16: Bottom half of the draw.

Predicting is thankless, and only sets you up to be shot down. So many variables in football. Injuries can transform a team’s chances. A sending off can change a game. A referee can turn a result on its head.

But here goes…

BRAZIL v MEXICO

Inconceivable that everyone’s second favourite team, unless you’re Brazilian (in which case they’re your first favourite team) won’t progress further than the Round of 16. Bad enough they didn’t win the last World Cup which was held in their back yard. To lose now….whoah. Yet Mexico won’t make it easy. BRAZIL TO WIN

BELGIUM v POLAND

The stadium awash with red and white. A corner of Russia becomes Warsaw, the Polish fans urging their team to quarter final glory. But having won their group, the Belgians have calm confidence. Their line-up is the strongest in several generations, from keeper to striker. They know this is their chance. They have seen other nations' previous so-called Golden Generations fail. They’ll not make the same mistake here. BELGIUM TO WIN.

GERMANY  v COSTA RICA

The defending champions enter familiar territory. Such a hard team to knock out in the knock outs. And where have Costa Rica come from? Geographically, Central America of course. But they were unfancied before this all kicked off. I believe this one will go to extra time. GERMANY TO WIN

SENEGAL v ENGLAND

Africa’s sole remaining representatives left in the tournament, with the backing of a continent. Against young, inexperienced, unfancied, unloved England. The team on the receiving end of boos from Russian fans wherever they’ve played. This one goes all the way to the PKs, and every Englishman knows how that ends. SENEGAL TO WIN

Who Will Win In The World Cup Round of 16? Top half of draw predictions

Based on my group finishing predictions, the top half of the World Cup 2018 Round of 16 shapes up like this:

RUSSIA v PORTUGAL

Ronaldo won’t be 100%. Russia will be driven by a passionate home crowd. Portugal peaked in 2016. Russia want this really bad. RUSSIA TO WIN

FRANCE v ARGENTINA

Such a big game so early on. But to win the World Cup you’ve got to beat the biggies some time. France are angry at losing the Euro 2016 final in their own back yard. Argentina aren’t amazing. This will go to extra time though. Possibly penalties. FRANCE TO WIN

SPAIN v URUGUAY

Another classic match-up. Hard to call. Big names clashing all over the park. But Spain still has the edge. The quality. A new generation hungry to follow in the footsteps of the 2010 legends. Here’s where they start to write their own history. SPAIN TO WIN

CROATIA v PERU

Intriguing. Peru perhaps the biggest unknowns of my Predicted Round of 16 teams. The pressure will be on Croatia. Close to home. Closer to glory. They can see the lights of the quarter finals from here. But Peru are ultra relaxed. In glory land and loving it. Winning fans in Russia. And they take this to penalties. A pure lottery and pure is an anagram of the team that will come out on top. PERU TO WIN