Image via USA Today Sports
After a thrilling opening week that featured Cristiano Ronaldo's dominance and Lionel Messi missing a clutch penalty kick, week two brought more excitement. Below, check out the most buzzworthy moments from the second week of the worldwide soccer tournament, in addition to a primer on what's coming next.
Germany Gets It Done in Dramatic Fashion
After falling to Mexico 1-0 in its first match, Germany looked well on its way to a 1-1 draw with Sweden. But as the game reached its final moments, Toni Kroos scored off a free kick in the 95th minute to give Germany a 2-1 win.
I saved the moment
Germany
Kroos scored#worldcup#germanyvssweden#GERvsswe #GERVSSWE#GERSWE pic.twitter.com/TnegqNR4o6
— Wisal🇪🇸🇵🇹 (@chal_bhag_ja) June 23, 2018
With the win, Germany pulled into a tie for second in Group F with one match to go.
Group F Standings After Round Two Of Matches.
This goes down to the wire..... pic.twitter.com/KH4Ve8toLW
— Shawn Osimbo (@ShawnOsimbo) June 23, 2018
It seemed Mexico and Sweden would advance, but now nothing is certain.
England Dominates
England cruised past Panama, 6-1, on Sunday.
We can't show clips of the #EnglandvPanama game for copyright reasons but we've come up with the next best thing. pic.twitter.com/c9mRyt91fW
— Whedonesque (@whedonesque) June 24, 2018
Harry Kane racked up a hat trick and John Stones scored twice.
Professional. Clinical. Bring on Belgium and the knockout rounds. 😀 #ThreeLions #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/QXSsHNoejq
— Harry Kane (@HKane) June 24, 2018
With the dub, England advanced to the round of 16.
Spain, Portugal Top Group B
After tying 3-3 in a dramatic opening match, Spain and Portugal both got wins in their second matches—though neither was all that easy. Spain topped Morocco, 1-0, and Portugal bested Iran by the same score.
As you'd expect, Ronaldo was Portugal's goal-scorer.
Cristiano Ronaldo does it again!
He heads home the corner to put Portugal up 1-0 early against Morocco. pic.twitter.com/FDoyvInvt4
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 20, 2018
Diego Costa scored on a lucky bounce for Spain.
Sometimes luck is all you kneed.
(we'll see ourselves out) pic.twitter.com/B6arwyukFU
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 20, 2018
Spain and Portugal now have four points, while Iran has three.
Colombia Dances Past Poland
Colombia fought off elimination Sunday with a 3-0 route of Poland. James Rodriguez made a big difference, contributing two assists.
THE DANCING COLOMBIANS ARE BACK!
Cuadrado finishes the breakaway after another beautiful pass from James and celebrates in style. pic.twitter.com/NBiJXM6MGF
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 24, 2018
This was the Colombia squad fans expected to see—a far cry from the team that fell 2-1 to Japan Tuesday.
Was not expecting the SCENE that was El Parche Colombiano in Bothell. Top 5 experiences watching a match! #ColombiaVsPolonia #COL pic.twitter.com/qWG3lSCPJP
— Stefan Sobiek (@StefanSobiek) June 24, 2018
This Week
Group A
Uruguay and Russia have each punched their ticket to the next round.
Group B
All four teams in Group B are in action Monday at 2 p.m. ET. Iran will take on Portugal, and Spain will face Morocco.
Group C
Group C will be in action Tuesday morning, with Australia-Peru and Denmark-France both slated for 10 a.m. ET.
Group D
Group D will feature Nigeria taking on Argentina at 2 p.m. ET, as well as Iceland vs. Croatia at the same time.
Group E
Brazil faces Serbia at 2 p.m. ET in Saint Petersburg, and Switzerland faces Costa Rica at the same time at Nizhny Novgorod.
Group F
Catch South Korea vs. Germany at 10 a.m. ET Wednesday and Mexico-Sweden at the same time.
Group G
Panama faces Tunisia at 2 p.m. ET Thursday, and England vs. Belgium airs simultaneously.
Group H
Japan and Poland will play at 10 a.m. at Volgograd, and Senegal and Colombia will play at the same time at Samara.
