Wednesday, June 27, 2018
GROUP c
Peru bests Australia for first Cup win since 1978
sochi, russia
Already-eliminated Peru ended Australia’s hopes of advancing to the knockout round with a 2-0 victory.
The Australians had to beat Peru and hope Denmark lost to France in the other Group C match, but neither result happened.
Andre Carrillo’s first-half goal — a half-volley from inside the area — was Peru’s first in a World Cup since 1982.
Peru captain Paolo Guerrero scored the second goal early in the second half.
Denmark advances after scoreless draw with France
moscow
A game neither France nor Denmark needed to win produced the World Cup’s first 0-0 draw amid boos and whistles from fans.
A slow-paced game out of step with a vibrant tournament ensured already-qualified France won Group C and Denmark advanced as runner-up.
A French team with six starters resting barely tested Denmark goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel until substitute Nabil Fekir tried two long-range shots.
GROUP D
Messi, Argentina top Nigeria for place in round of 16
st. petersburg, russia
Lionel Messi and Argentina finally came alive with a 2-1 win over Nigeria.
Messi scored an exquisite 14th-minute goal to give the two-time champions the lead, but it wasn’t until Marcos Rojo’s 86th-minute strike that Argentina was assured of a place in the round of 16.
Victor Moses scored a penalty in the 51st minute for Nigeria, putting Argentina in danger of being eliminated without winning a match.
Argentina will play France in the last 16 in Kazan on Saturday.
Croatia reserves eliminate hard-fighting Iceland
rostov-on-don, russia
Fielding a side filled with reserves, Croatia ended Iceland’s first ever World Cup run with a 2-1 win.
Milan Badelj crashed a volley against the bar, and moments later scored for Croatia in the 53th minute, sprinting into the area to fire a bouncing shot past goalkeeper Hannes Halldorsson.
Iceland equalized with a penalty shot taken by Gylfi Sigurdsson in the 76th minute after substitute Dejan Lovren carelessly handled the ball. But Ivan Perisic punished a defensive error to make it 2-1 at 90 minutes.
Associated Press