Brazil vs Mexico

“We all know Neymar,” he said. “It’s not up to me or us to judge, but the referees and FIFA. Now they have VAR [video assistant referees], they have to watch his style of play and the referee needs to be on top of it because we know he likes to exaggerate fouls. He likes to drop to the floor a lot.”

Mexico was led in the first round by Hirving Lozano and Carlos Vela on offense, while keeper Guillermo Ochoa was outstanding in goal, leading the tournament with 17 saves. But El Tri will be without center back Hector Moreno, who must sit out the game with a yellow-card suspension. And after the 3-0 loss to Sweden, the team’s most-lopsided defeat in a year, Mexico is one of two teams that advanced to the knockout round with a negative goal differential.

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Guardado doesn’t see any of that as a problem either.

“What makes me calm is that I think we’re all ready to play,” he said.

“You learn more from the defeats than the victories because you want to reduce all the bad things from that game. The game against Sweden taught us a lot of lessons.”

One lesson no player has to be taught, however, is the importance of winning the fourth game in a World Cup. Only five players on this year’s team were even alive the last time Mexico did that.

“We’d never beaten Germany in a World Cup either, and we did it in this one,” Guardado said. “We’re here to make history, and it is in our hands.

“We all know that statistics don’t play when the game starts.”

It’s also a chance to make history. Mexico is playing in the knockout round for a seventh consecutive World Cup; only Brazil has a longer active streak. But while Brazil has won two titles during that time, Mexico hasn’t won a game in the second round since 1986. And it has never won a World Cup elimination game outside Mexico.

Still, coach Juan Carlos Osorio agrees with Guardado that Brazil may actually be the perfect opponent for his team.

“Going against Brazil, that will be a difficult thing,” he said. “[But] I have come to the conclusion that the Mexican players compete better against teams that historically are better, or have achieved more, rather than competing against teams or nations that have not won anything.”

Argentina are looking to put their tricky World Cup start behind them against 1998 winners France in the last 16 on Saturday

Jorge Sampaoli's position was reportedly in doubt before that crucial Nigeria victory, but the Argentina coach is now looking forward to playing 1998 winners France in the last-16

"We are going to play against a team with great individual players," Sampaoli said. "They are among the very best contenders and we will need to be very consistent to come out on top of a very difficult match."

After Argentina's victory over Nigeria, Sampaoli headed to the dressing room without celebrating alongside his players, but Lionel Messi went over to hug his coach before he departed in a show of unity with the under-fire manager.

"Leo's gesture with me makes me proud. He knows all the passion I put into everything I do," Sampaoli said. "We share the dream of coming to Russia to achieve something important for Argentina."

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Much has been made of Messi's influence on the Argentina side, but France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris rejected suggestions they were a one-man outfit.

He said: "There is so much expectation around Messi, which I think is normal, but still I think the Argentina team has a lot to show.

"They have had difficult times and still have been able to qualify. I am sure they will feel like going much further in the competition, they have won the World Cup before.

"This is going to be a big match, and a difficult one, we are going to have to step up our level."

Team news

Benjamin Mendy will miss out for France through injury, having come off the bench in their dead rubber with Denmark last time out.

There are no new concerns for Argentina, who could name the same side that beat Nigeria to qualify for the last-16.

ARGENTINA vs FRANCE

ARGENTINA vs FRANCE 

FIFA World Cup 2018 First Pre Quarter Match Start on 30-06-2018. Argentina vs France Live Streaming On Sony Channels

Messi opened the scoring in Saint Petersburg with his first goal of the tournament, but Victor Moses’s early second-half penalty made it another nervous night for the five-time world player of the year and under-fire coach Jorge Sampaoli.

“I don’t remember such suffering,” said Messi when asked if it was the most tense match of his career.

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“It was due to the situation and what we were playing for. It is a huge joy for everyone for the difficult days we lived after the last defeat. Luckily we achieved our objective.”

Messi’s quest for World Cup glory faces a much tougher test on Saturday as Argentina face a highly-fancied France side in the last 16.

The Barcelona star will come face-to-face with club team-mates Samuel Umtiti and Ousmane Dembele and is aware of the improvement needed to make the last eight.

“They are a very complete team. They have top players individually,” added Messi.

“I have teammates I know very well at the back and up front. It will obviously be very difficult.”

Sampaoli had been fiercely criticised after a 3-0 defeat to Croatia on Thursday left Argentina on the brink of an embarrassing early exit.

And despite changing his tactics and making five changes to free up Messi to have a more influential role, he refused to take credit for the victory.

“A coach who has to train Leo knows that everybody surrounding him needs to make him feel secure,” Sampaoli said.

“We need to make passes to Leo so he can create chances. If not we suffer, we know we have the best player in the world and we have to benefit from that.

“It is for that reason I said the Croatia match was our fault not his.”

Argentina’s success was also accompanied with a good slice of fortune and more controversy over the VAR system used to review contentious decisions.

With the score at 1-1, Nigeria thought they should have had a second penalty when Rojo headed the ball onto his arm inside the area.

Turkish referee Cuneyt Cakır reviewed the incident, but stood by his original decision not to award the spot-kick.

“I don’t understand how that wasn’t a penalty, for me it was a clear penalty,” said Nigeria captain John Obi Mikel.

“Maybe the referee has given the first one and he doesn’t want to give the second one.”

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It finally had to happen. After 13 days and 36 matches, the World Cup finally managed to produce its first goalless draw as France and Denmark warmed up for the Round of 16 with a drab encounter. Boos and whistles rang around the Luzhniki Stadium in the closing stages of the match as both sides chose to play for a point, robbing the spectators off a decent game.

With qualification to the last-16 confirmed after winning their first two matches, Didier Deschamps made six changes to his side as he rested key players Paul Pogba — who was also on a yellow card — Kylian Mbappe, Hugo Lloris, Samuel Umtiti and Benjamin Pavard.

Denmark were supposed to be the toughest opponents for France in the group stages, but both teams knew that a point would be enough for them to go. With Argentina up next for France, here are three things we learned from their group stage performances:

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Serbia vs Brazil

"We are not placing an excessive responsibility on Neymar's shoulders for success or failure," he said. "It's the whole team which wins or loses."

Serbia can also still qualify for the knockout rounds despite losing late on to Switzerland in their last game and a draw against Brazil could see them through if Switzerland lose to Costa Rica by two or more goals.

Serbia coach Mladen Krstajic said: "We have no fear of Brazil, but we have to be patient, disciplined and play as a team. We have to satisfy the Serbian nation.

"We have nothing to lose but if we are not ready to give our all, then we will have lost... You may lose, but you must not shirk your responsibility."

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Germany vs South Korea

Germany hopes its magic against Sweden continues against South Korea on Wednesday as it fights for a chance to move on to the round of 16 of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. Germany is leveled with Sweden on points (three) but has a better goal differential. It can go through with a draw as long as Mexico beats Sweden, while a victory and Sweden dropping points will also see them through.

The teams have no new major injuries and are expected to be close to full strength. German defender Mats Hummels, who missed the Sweden match, returned to training and is expected to play in this one

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Iceland vs Croatia

Iceland and Croatia will face off in one of two final Group D fixtures on Tuesday at the Rostov Arena in what will be an entertaining and eventful close to the group stage.

Croatia have already qualified for the last 16 phase following a 3-0 win over Argentina and are set to remain group winners even if they lose to Iceland.They are the only team to have confirmed their qualification for the next round.

All eyes will be on Iceland and their uphill battle, however, as their only chance of progressing to the next phase would be to beat Croatia and maintain a better goal difference than Argentina – who face Nigeria in the other Group D fixture.

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Iceland players

Goalkeepers	Halldorsson, Runarsson, Schram
Defenders	Arnason, Eyjolfsson, Gislason, Ingason, Magnusson, Saevarsson, Sigurdsson, Skulason
Midfielders	Bjarnason, Fridjonsson, Gudmundsson, Gunnarsson, Hallfredsson, Sigurdsson, Skulason, Traustason
Forwards	Bodvarsson, Finnbogason, Gudmundsson, Sigurdarson

Croatia players Ivan Rakitic, Ante Rabic, Sime Vrsaljko, Mario Mandzukic, Marcelo Brozovic and Vedran Corluka are each one booking away from a ban and will not be expected to line up for Croatia. Luka Modric is among many other first-teamers likely to start from the bench and the qualified team rests players

Croatia players

Goalkeepers	Subasic, Kalinic, Livakovic
Defenders	Corluka, Vida, Strinic, Lovren, Vrsaljko, Pivaric, Jedvaj, Caleta-Car
Midfielders	Modric, Rakitic, Kovacic, Badelj, Brozovic, Bradaric
Forwards	Mandzukic, Perisic, Kalinic, Kramaric, Pjaca, Rebic

Argentina vs Nigeria

The Albiceleste still have a chance of making it to the last 16 stage if they manage to beat the Super Eagles in their final Group D fixture.Group D comes into a mouth-watering conclusion on Tuesday as Argentina will clash with Nigeria at the Krestovsky Stadium in Saint Peters burg.

Argentina have been handed a lifeline following Iceland's 2-0 loss to their next opponents Nigeria , and are still on the verge of a World Cup group stage exit following their devastating 3-0 loss to Croatia.


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Argentina players

Goalkeepers	Guzman, Caballero, Armani
Defenders	Mercado, Ansaldi, Otamendi, Fazio, Rojo, Tagliafico, Acuna
Midfielders	Mascherano, Salvio, Biglia, Lo Celso, Banega, Lanzini, Meza, Di Maria, Pavon
Forwards	Messi, Dybala, Higuain, Aguero

Nigeria players

Goalkeepers	Ezenwa, Akpeyi, Uzoho
Defenders	Troost-Ekong, Abdullahi, Balogun, Omeruo, Idowu, Awaziem, Echiejile, Ebuehi
Midfielders	Mikel, Onazi, Ogu, Ndidi, Etebo, Joel Obi
Forwards	Ighalo, Musa, Iheanacho, Iwobi, Nwankwo, Moses

Nigeria captain John Obi Mikel is in contention to return to the side after sustaining an arm injury during the second half against Iceland.

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Coach Sampaoli is also in talks to be dismissed following his side's potential exit, though a last-gasp second-place finish would likely maintain his position as head coach.

The Super Eagles started the tournament as outsiders to impress in Russia after an abysmal 2-0 defeat by Croatia, but wholeheartedly impressed in their fixture against Iceland that they won 2-0. Nigeria are in second place in their group and feature the youngest side of the tournament, and will prove to be a tough opponent for Argentina to break down.

All eyes are on Messi, the player his side are accused of relying on far too often, who has yet to lift a major international honor with Argentina and even score a single goal during this tournament.

WELCOME TO SOFT CLUB WAY

Welcome to our page Soft Way Club. where you can get all the latest news on the tournament in Russia 2018. We have created this page to make sure you are up to date with the TV schedule, fixtures, squads, and injuries for each team so you don’t miss any of the action.

FOOTBALL

Football, also called association football or soccer, game in which two teams of 11 players, using any part of their bodies except their hands and arms, try to maneuver the ball into the opposing team’s goal. Only the goalkeeper is permitted to handle the ball and may do so only within the penalty area surrounding the goal. The team that scores more goals wins.

Football is the world’s most popular ball game in numbers of participants and spectators. Simple in its principal rules and essential equipment, the sport can be played almost anywhere, from official football playing fields (pitches) to gymnasiums, streets, school playgrounds, parks, or beaches. Football’s governing body, the Federation International Football Association (FIFA)