Mixed World Cup day for PSV fans

It will probably not have escaped many people that the World Cup of Football in North America is already in the final group-stage matches. Wednesday evening and Thursday night, Dutch time, the first decisions were made in Groups A to C.

In Pool A, South Africa managed to surprise friend and foe by winning 1-0 against South Korea and finishing second behind host nation Mexico. In turn, the Mexicans knew how to win the final group match 0-3 against the Czech Republic, where PSV goalkeeper Matej Kovar stands between the posts.

Because of the defeat, Kovar and co. can take the spoils since the Czechs will finish fourth in Group A with only a point from three matches. In Group B, Bosnia and Herzegovina needed Esmir Bajraktarevic in the starting lineup to beat Qatar in order to still have a chance of qualifying for the next round.

The Bosnians ultimately won 3-1 against Qatar and thereby finished third in Group B with four points from three matches and a goal difference of -1. In addition, Switzerland in Vancouver won 2-1 against co-host Canada and thereby advanced as the first team in Group B.

In Pool C as well, there were decisions where Brazil and Morocco would determine who would finish first in the pool. The Brazilians won quite easily 0-3 against Scotland, which means it is now waiting in the wings when it comes to a place among the best number 3s.

In an entertaining duel, Morocco ultimately won 4-2 against the already eliminated Haiti, where Ismael Saibari and Anass Salah-Eddine both started. Just before halftime, Saibari made it 2-2, and this was the midfielder’s third goal at the World Cup.

Due to a worse goal difference than Brazil, Morocco finishes second in Group C and therefore a match against the Netherlands national team beckons in the next round. When the Netherlands finishes first in Group F, it plays on 30 June the following match against the Atlas Lions at 3 a.m. Dutch time in Monterrey, Mexico.