This is
what the composition of the pairs of the 1/16 finals of the World Cup looks
like: Germany –Paraguay, France – Sweden, South Africa – Canada, Netherlands –
Morocco, Portugal – Croatia, Spain – Austria, USA – Bosnia and Herzegovina,
Belgium – Senegal, Brazil – Japan, Ivory Coast – Norway, Mexico –Ecuador,
England – DR Congo, Argentina – Cape Verde, Australia – Egypt, Switzerland
–Algeria, Colombia – Ghana.
It so
happened that the top eight teams that finished third in their groups were made
up of 7 teams with 4 points each, and the only vacancy with 3 points went to
Senegal, which had a difference of plus 2. An example of a suspicious result
can be given in the matches Algeria – Austria and Japan – Sweden. At the same time,
the Austrians led Algeria twice after goals from Marko Arnautovic (28th) and
Marcel Zabitzer (55th), but the Algerians caught up both times with goals from
Rafik Belgali (45th) and Riyad Mahrez (60th). Mahrez's second goal at 90+3
seemed to put Algeria in second place, and Austria could have flown from third,
but just three minutes later, Wolverhampton forward Sasha Kalajic scored a
saving goal, bringing the Austrians to second place. The question remains: did
the Austrians play better, or did the Algerians not want to help the Iranians?
Because if Algeria had won, Austria would have fallen to third place and lost
to Iran on goal difference.
It turns
out that even the victory over Congo did not leave Uzbekistan any chance of
reaching the playoffs. Iran is also leaving the tournament, but with its head
held high, having not suffered a single defeat. Although Mehdi Taremi will not
forget about his missed penalty against the Egyptians.…
