THEY FINISHED 12TH: MEXICO

And so Mexico waves goodbye to another tournament in the early knockout faces. To face Brazil was unfortunate, as the Brazilians are always strong, too strong for most world nations. What if Mexico had won their group and faced Switzerland instead? A different story, which is why that let down in their last group game will really rankle.

ROUND OF 16: Brazil 2-0 Mexico

The Armchair was not in front of his television for this one, or even to the side of it. But he thought it might go to extra time. It didn’t. Although Neymar’s goal has been overshadowed by his faking of pain after being trod upon on the sideline. It probably hurt an ickle but but not as much as he was making out. No wonder footballers have such a bad rep for being fakers, tarts. What about all the people in the world who suffer genuine pain all day. How does seeing some multimillionaire over-mothered footballer writhing around make them feel?

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.

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

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

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 World Cup 2018 Group F?

World Cup Group F Teams

GERMANY

MEXICO

SOUTH KOREA

SWEDEN

Here’s where you’ll find the 2014 World Champions. But DON’T bet on them to retain their title. It’s only happened twice in World Cup history (Italy 1934 and 1938, and Brazil 1958 and 1962).

But DO bet on Germany to win this group. Even average German teams win their World Cup Group, and this German team is still above average, despite all time top scorer in World Cups Klose closing the final chapter on his World Cup career in 2014.

There’s still plenty to recommend this German team. Muller. Werner. Can. Sane. Ozil. They will be too strong for the rest in the group.

I like MEXICO for finishing runners up. They can beat South Korea and Sweden, and qualified impressively.

SWEDEN needed a play off win against Italy to book their place, and narrowly edged out Holland in their qualifying group. Having stopped two big international teams making the tournament, you would think confidence is high. But this is not a vintage Sweden team. Star names are thin on the ground, and so will wins be in this World Cup group.

South Korea finished a distant 2nd to IRAN in qualification. They’d take 2nd in this group, but I can’t see it happening.

World Cup Group F Betting

World Cup Group F Predictions

1: GERMANY

2: MEXICO

3: South Korea

4: Sweden