Welcome to your daily 2018 FIFA World Cup update, or World Cupdate, where we recap the past day’s proceedings from Russia while previewing what is still to come. These features will run every morning throughout the duration of the tournament and feature highlights, major news, and much more from Russia.
Here’s What Happened: Tuesday, July 3rd
Sometimes history repeats itself in the most expected of ways and we all just nod along because the outcome is exactly what we always knew was coming. Then there are the times when history is thrown out the window and a new story is written. That was the case today when England, losers of three World Cup penalty shootouts, wrote a new history for the country’s football team by finally prevailing in a penalty shootout at the World Cup.
When Harry Kane put England ahead in the second half, you felt like maybe this year really was different, then Colombia equalized in stoppage time and it seemed like the same old England. When extra time ended, the painful memories of shootouts past came rushing back. Jordan Henderson missed his penalty and it looked like deja vu for The Three Lions. But then the improbable happened and England prevailed, thanks to new national heroes Jordan Pickford and Eric Dier. England won a penalty shootout at the World Cup. The quarterfinals, and Sweden, await.
Everything from Tuesday’s action can be found in today’s World Cupdate.
Sweden 1-0 Switzerland
Perhaps the most difficult game to predict from this Round of 16 slate at the 2018 FIFA World Cup was this matchup between Group F winner Sweden and Group E runner-up Switzerland. It was no shock to see the Swiss playing in this match because they were a popular pick to finish behind Brazil in the group. What was surprising was seeing Sweden being the opposition after overcoming Germany and Mexico to come out on top of its group.
This match went about as expected and the longer the two sides went without a goal the more you felt like the first goal would be enough to win the game. That turned out to be the case when Emil Forsberg scored from a deflection in the 66th minute to put Sweden in front. With the lead, Sweden could settle back and showcase its defense, which happens to be a strong suit. Switzerland tried to find an equalizer but it never came to pass.
Sweden will now advance to its first quarterfinal since 1994 and only its second since 1950. Switzerland will now head home knowing its missed a prime opportunity to make a deep run in Russia.
Goals
- Emil Forsberg | SWE (66′)
Highlights
It was a close game, but Sweden came out on top.
Check out the highlights of Sweden vs Switzerland in our 90’ in 90” ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/uUqI3CpAD0
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 3, 2018
Colombia 1(3)-1(4) England (England wins in penalty shootout 4-3)
Now may be a good time to start stalking up on supplies because sports outcomes in 2018 may eventually trigger the apocalypse. Since February, the Philadelphia Eagles have won the Super Bowl, the Washington Capitals have won the Stanley Cup, and now, England have won a penalty shootout in the World Cup.
England’s torturous history with penalty kicks on football’s biggest stage is well documented, but now The Three Lions can add some good history to that book. After allowing Colombia to equalize in second half stoppage time, England had to face its biggest fear when they could not find a winner in extra time. For a brief period, England actually trailed in the shootout but were back on level terms after a Colombia miss. That was followed by a Jordan Pickford save and Eric Dier goal to send England through to its first quarterfinals since 2006.
In the quarterfinals, England will go up against a surprising Sweden side who are also erasing a long quarterfinals drought. The match will be on Saturday with a spot in the semifinals on the line.
Goals
- Harry Kane | ENG (57′ PEN)
- Yerry Mina | COL (90’+3′)
Highlights
Colombia vs England was wild.
Watch all of the highlights in our 90’ in 90” ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/uI0u1kvZQG
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 3, 2018
And for those who wish to watch it again, the full penalty shootout.
Want to relive that penalty shootout? We’ve got you covered. pic.twitter.com/EWuDJGgYXj
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 3, 2018
That’s a wrap for Round of 16 action at the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Sweden and England joined the likes of Uruguay, France, Brazil, Belgium, Russia, and Croatia in the quarterfinals to be played this coming Friday and Saturday. Winner of the four quarterfinals matches will advance to the semifinals.
Goals of the Day
Not many goals from Tuesday’s slate of action but there were enough big ones to make our list for the three best from the final Round of 16 matches.
Emil Forsberg (Sweden)
Probably not exactly how Emil Forsberg drew it up in his head but it counts all the same and sends Sweden to its first quarterfinals since 1994.
Gotta shoot your shot!
Emil Forsberg’s strike gets deflected into the back of the net to put Sweden up 1-0 on Switzerland. pic.twitter.com/3BymUALvp8
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 3, 2018
Yerry Mina (Colombia)
Colombia were on the brink of elimination before Yerry Mina saved the day again to give his side life against England. All three of Mina’s goals at this World Cup have come via the header.
YERRY MINA COMES UP CLUTCH! The center back equalizes late for Colombia! pic.twitter.com/NEVTTpghqp
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 3, 2018
Eric Dier (England)
A lot of pain and frustration for England fans was wiped away in an instant when Eric Dier scored his penalty to send England through the quarterfinals. This was England’s first penalty shootout win in World Cup history.
Ospina gets a hand to it, but Dier sends England through to the quarterfinals! pic.twitter.com/nWdwfkoGeJ
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 3, 2018
Check back on Saturday for more great goals from the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Bracket Update
Sweden and England both advance from Tuesday’s matches and set the fourth and final quarterfinal matchup. The left side of the bracket will play its matches on Friday while the right side gets an extra day of rest before its matches on Saturday.
Quarterfinals Outlook
Friday, June 6th: Uruguay v. France; 10:00 AM
Friday, June 6th: Brazil v. Belgium; 2:00 PM
Saturday, June 7th: Sweden v. England; 10:00 AM
Saturday, June 7th: Russia v. Croatia; 2:00 PM
Those are four tantalizing matches that make up the quarterfinals at the 2018 FIFA World Cup and we will be bringing you a special preview breaking down everything you need to know to prepare yourself. Look four our quarterfinals preview to drop on Friday morning before Uruguay and France get the proceedings underway.
Here’s What’s Next: Friday, July 6th
There are two days off between the Round of 16 and Quarterfinals but its never too early to look ahead, beginning with a pair of must-watch matches taking place on Friday. Two former World Cup winners in Uruguay and France will face-off while five time champion Brazil continue its journey to a sixth star against fellow favorite Belgium.
These are two matches you will surely not want to miss so start your weekend early with more action from the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
Uruguay v. France
- Time: 10:00 AM
- Location: Nizhny Novgorod Stadium (Nizhny Novgorod)
- How to Watch: FS1
Three World Cup titles between these two sides but only one can advance to the semifinals in Russia. France finally looked like the team everyone expected against Argentina but Uruguay have conceded only one goal during this World Cup. These are two hungry teams who know they are just steps from glory.
Brazil v. Belgium
- Time: 2:00 PM
- Location: Kazan Arena (Kazan)
- How to Watch: FS1
Brazil can see a sixth World Cup title on the horizon but Belgium have sights set on its first. This could very well the best matchup of the quarterfinal round as two pre-tournament favorites prepare to do battle. Brazil cruised by Mexico but Belgium needed every second on the clock to get past Japan.
You can watch all these games live on the channels listed or streaming online at FoxSports.com with a cable sign in.
If highlights are more your style, check out @FOXSoccer on Twitter where goals and game recaps are posted throughout the day.
All game times are listed in Eastern Standard Time
Golden Boot Update
The Golden Boot Award goes to the top goal scorer at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Harry Kane gives himself a two goal cushion over Romelu Lukaku for the Golden Ball lead courtesy of his penalty kick goal against Colombia. Yerry Mina jumps into the fourth place but his tournament has come to an end. Six players currently sitting in the Top-10 will be action during the quarterfinals.
Keep up to date on everything World Cup right here on “The Bat Flip” where we will be posting our daily World Cupdate to recap what went on and preview what’s still to come in Russia.
The Bat Flip 