By Emmanuel Ebimoh
It was a World Cup football weekend with a truck load of goals. From the most dramatic comeback to celebrations of the first goal scored at a World Cup, nothing beats the feeling of a harvest of goals for a beautiful footballing weekend. While a few teams have already secured their spots in the second round of the competition, many other teams will have to slug it out during the final group matches to determine their fate.
The Three Lions of England couldn’t have asked for an easier match when they faced debutants Panama on Sunday afternoon. England, who have never won their first two games in a World Cup went into the match full of confidence after their 2-1 victory over Tunisia in their first match. They needed a second win to cement their place in the last 16 and they made no mistake about it. A hat-trick from Harry Kane, a brace for John Stones, and a beautiful stunner from Jesse Lingard were enough to completely destroy Panama. However, a very significant moment of the match came when substitute Filipe Baloy scored Panama’s first ever World Cup goal. The 37 year old defender lashed onto a nicely swept-in free-kick to score what could be the most memorable goal in his career. Although England ran away with a triumphant 6-1 victory, Panama will relish the moment they made history at the FIFA World Cup for a very long time.
In the other match played yesterday, one of African representatives at the tournament, Senegal, had a difficult day at the Ekaterinburg Arena when they faced Japan in a group H thriller. Both teams had already won their first games and so they needed a win to firmly secure a position in the second round. Senegal, with their inspiring attacker, Sadio Mane drew the first blood when Japanese goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima failed to hold onto a near shot, allowing the loose ball to rebound off Sadio Mane and into an empty net. But Japan responded with a beautiful goal from Inui just before halftime.
After the break, the Japanese side had a few decent chances to take the lead but they were a bit wasteful in goal. Soon, Senegal made them pay for their profligacy as 19-year old full back, Molla Wague lashed onto a cross from the left to fire home his first international goal and gave Senegal a priceless lead.
Japan introduced Honda and Shinji Okazaki from the bench as they looked to equalise for a second time. And it was the former who provided the goal, turning home Inui’s cross after Senegal’s N’Diaye had failed to deal with a routine ball into the penalty area. In the end, neither side could produce any late drama to secure all three points as they both shared the spoils in a 2-2 thriller.
Japan will now face Poland, who lost 3-0 to Columbia, in their final group game while Senegal plays Colombia in what will be an enthralling encounter.
Emmanuel Ebimoh is a Writer, Blogger, and Social Media Strategist. You can reach on Facebook and LinkedIn at Emmanuel Ebimoh. Email: emmyebimoh@gmail.com
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