MLS: Timbers, Five Stripes, Impact, Crew, Revs, Fire, LAFC Grab Saturday Wins; Wondo And Zlatan Each Score Twice In Cali Clasico Deadlock

Eight games were on tap in Major League Soccer on Saturday.

At Seattle:

Larrys Mabiala scored twice (48', 74') as the Portland Timbers ran their unbeaten streak to ten games (12 in all competitions) after defeating the Seattle Sounders 3-2 on the road in a Cascadia Cup clash (all goals were scored in the second half).

It was Portland's first-ever MLS regular-season victory in Seattle.

At Atlanta:

In front of 71.932 fans, Miguel Almiron scored twice (55', 78') as Atlanta United demolished visiting Orlando City 4-0, stretching the Lions' club-record MLS losing streak to eight games.

At Montreal:

Ignacio Piatti (54') and Alejandro Silva (PK-70') each scored once as the Montreal Impact blanked visiting Sporting Kansas City 2-0 for their fourth win in their last five starts.

At Columbus, Ohio:

Gyasi Zardes (6') and Eduardo Sosa (23') each scored once in the first half-hour as the Columbus Crew held off visiting Real Salt Lake 2-1.

At Foxborough, Massachusetts:

Christian Penilla converted a penalty kick for the winning goal in the 78th minute as the New England Revolution held off visiting DC United 3-2.

At Bridgeview, Illinois:

Aleksandar Katai scored twice (47', 52') as the Chicago Fire knocked off visiting New York City 3-2.

At Los Angeles:

Adama Diomande delivered his franchise's first-ever hat trick (25', 43', 90'+6) as the Los Angeles Football Club dominated the visiting Philadelphia Union 4-1.

At Palo Alto (Stanford), California:

In the latest edition of the California Clasico, this time contested at Stanford Stadium, Chris Wondolowski scored twice (15', PK-69') and Vako Qazaishvili once (39') as the San Jose Earthquakes battled back from two goals down to gain a 3-3 draw with the Los Angeles Galaxy.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored twice (1', 25') and Romain Alessandrini once (20') for the guests.

FIFA World Cup: France And Uruguay Knock Out Argentina And Portugal Respectively; No WC Crown For Leo The Lion Or CR7

The knockout stage of the FIFA World Cup commenced on Saturday with two Round of 16 games, both contested in Russia:

At Kazan:

Kylian Mbappe scored twice (64', 68'; that's him being mobbed by teammates such at Paul Pogba---on top----after his first tally) as France came from behind to upend Argentina 4-3 and advanced to the quarterfinal round.

Associated Press photo by David Vincent

At Sochi:

Edinson Cavani scored twice (7', 62') as Uruguay defeated Portugal 2-1.  

This reaction from Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo says is all.

Getty Images photo by Francois Nei

Uruguay will take on France in a quarterfinal match this Friday at 7:00 AM Pacific Time at Nizhny Novgorod.

MLS: Hoops Drop Loons In Minnesota

At Minneapolis:

In the lone Friday Major League Soccer contest, Roland Lamah's goal in the 59th minute carried FC Dallas to a 1-0 road win over Minnesota United.

UEFA Champions League: Drita Oust Red Imps, Get Shot At Malmo In First Qualifying Round

At Victoria Stadium, Gibraltar:

In the final of the UEFA Champions League preliminary round on Friday, Liridon Laci scored twice (2', PK-105'+3) as Kosovo's FC Drita scored thrice in overtime to defeat the host nation's Lincoln Red Imps 4-1 to advance to the tournament's first qualifying round.

Drita will face Sweden's Malmo FF in a two-match series, set to open on July 10 or 11 in Kosovo, with the return match to be contested in Sweden on July 18.

Wayne Rooney's New Gig

Will this help cure DC United's current woes as they get ready to move into their new stadium?

What?? No Rossoneri ?!

Yes, folks, that's what happened to AC Milan as the Italian giants have been banished from European competition for this coming season due to violations of UEFA's Financial Fair Play regulations.


The Rossoneri had been set to play in the 2018-19 Europa League's group stage.

Europa League Preliminary Round

Six games were played on Thursday as the Europa League's preliminary round continued.

At Gibraltar:

Meriton Korenica's equalizer in the 50th minute lifted Kosovo's Prishtina to a series-opening 1-1 road draw with Europa.

Enrique Carreno converted a penalty kick in the 45th minute for the hosts tally.

At Andorra la Vella, Andorra:

Miguel Ruiz scored the winning goal in the 86th minute as Engordany took the opening match with San Marino's Folgore 2-1 at home.

At Torshavn, Faroe Islands:

Boro's equalizer in the 41st minute via a successful penalty kick carried St. Joseph's of Gibraltar to a series-opening 1-1 road draw with B36 Torshavn.

Lukasz Cieslewicz converted a penalty kick for the Faroese club in the 33rd minute.

At Ta' Qali, Malta:

Deni Pavlovic scored the equalizer in the 88th minute to lift Ki Klaksvik of the Faroe Islands to a game-one 1-1 road draw with Birkirkara.

Michael Mifsud scored for the Maltese club in the 72nd minute.

At Forli, San Marino:

Anthony Miley (OG-7'), Giacomo Pracucci (32'), and Mirco Vassallo (36') each scored a first-half goal as Tre Fiori dominated visiting Bala Town (Wales) 3-0 in their series-opening contest.

At Oswestry, England:

Donatas Kazlauskas' equalizer at 86th minute carried Lithuania's Trakai to a series-opening 1-1 road draw with Cefn Druids.

James Davies tallied for the Welsh club in the 48th minute.

FIFA World Cup: Colombia and Japan (due to fewer disciplinary points---Fewer Yellow Cards!) Advance; Senegal Eliminated (Same Reason Why Japan Advanced; No African Teams Left In Tournament); Red Devils Defeat Three Lions To Capture Group G

Four games were contested on Thursday in Russia as FIFA World Cup group-stage play concluded.

GROUP G (both games starting at 11:00 AM Pacific Time):

At Kaliningrad:

Adnan Januzaj scored the only goal of the match as Belgium won Group B by downing England 1-0 as both teams already locked up berths in the knockout stage.

Here's the Three Lions' Gary Cahill, left, challenging the Red Devils' Michy Batahuayi for the ball.

Associated Press photo by Hassan Ammar

At Saransk:

Wahbi Khazri scored the game winner in the 66th minute as Tunisia came from behind to overcome Panama 2-1 in the tournament finale for both squads.  It was the African country's first World Cup win since 1978.

Here's Panama's Jose Luis Rodriguez (right), challenging Tunisia's Hamdi Naguez for the ball.

Associated Press photo by Pavel Golovkin

Final Group G Standings:

1. Belgium (GP: 3; GD: +7; PTS: 9)
2. England (GP: 3; GD: +5; PTS: 6)
3. Tunisia (GP: 3; GD: -3; PTS: 3)
4. Panama (GP: 3; GD: -9; PTS: 0)

Belgium and England advanced to the knockout stage.



GROUP H:

At Volgograd:

Jan Bednarek scored the only goal of the match in the 59th minute (that's him celebrating after scoring) as already-eliminated Poland knocked off Japan 1-0.  The Blue Samurai still advanced to the knockout stage due to superior Fair Play points vis a viv Senegal.

Associated Press photo by Darko Vojinovic

At Samara:

Yerry Mina scored the only goal of the match in the 74th minute as Colombia defeated Senegal 1-0 to jump both the African country and Japan and win Group H, knocking the Lions of Teranga out of the tournament, which will have no African teams advancing beyond the opening group stage for the first time since 1982 (when Algeria was knocked out in the wake of the controversial group-stage finale between West Germany and Austria, who both advanced).

Here, we see Colombia's Radamel Falcao (in the yellow jersey) jumping for the ball against Senegal's Kalidou Koulibaly (right) and Youssouf Sabaly (left).

Associated Press photo by Martin Meissner

Final Group H Standings:

1. Colombia (GP: 3; GD: +3; PTS: 6)
2. Japan (GP: 3; GD: 0; PTS: 4)
3. Senegal (GP: 3; PTS; 0; PTS: 4)
4. Poland (GP: 3; GD: -3; PTS; 3)

NOTE:  With Japan and Senegal level on points (3), total goal differential (0), and total goals scored (4), having drawn 2-2 (gaining one point each and ending up with a goal differential of zero) in their June 24 contest at Yekaterinburg, Japan advanced due to superior Fair Play points (-4, compared to Senegal's -6). 



Here are the match-ups for the Round of 16 (all starting times are Pacific):

Saturday:

At Sochi:

Uruguay vs. Portugal,7:00 AM

At Kazan:

France vs. Argentina, 11:00 AM



Sunday:

At Moscow (Luzhniki Stadium)

Spain vs. Russia, 7:00 AM

At Nizhny Novgorod:

Croatia vs. Denmark, 11:00 AM



Monday:

At Samara:

Brazil vs. Mexico, 7:00 AM

At Rostov-on-Don:

Belgium vs. Japan



Tuesday:

At Saint Petersburg:

Sweden vs. Switzerland, 7:00 AM

At Moscow (Spartak Stadium)

Colombia vs. England, 11:00 AM

Canadian Championship: Fury Oust Blainville, Get Crack At Reds

At Ottawa:

Carl Haworth scored the only goal of the match in the 21st minute on Wednesday as the Ottawa Fury registered a second 1-0 victory at home to win their two-match Canadian Championship second qualifying round series 2-0 on aggregate against AS Blainville of the Quebec Premier Soccer League.

The USL club will next take on defending champions Toronto FC in a two-game semifinal series, set to open in Ottawa on July 18.

FIFA World Cup: Defending Champs Knocked Out By South Korea; Sweden Dominates Mexico To Win Group F; El Tri Advance To Knockout Stage; Brazil, Switzerland Finish 1-2 In Group E

Four more games were contested in Russia on Wednesday as group-stage play in the FIFA World Cup continued.

GROUP E (both games at 11:00 AM Pacific Time):

At Moscow:

At Spartak Stadium, Paulinho (36') and Thiago Silva (68') each scored once as Brazil locked up top spot in Group E by knocking out Serbia 2-0.

Here's the Samba Boys' Miranda waving to the fans after the victory.

Associated Press photo by Antonio Calanni

At Nizhny Novgorod:

Kendall Waston (56') and Yann Sommer (OG-90'+3) each scored once as Costa Rica, in their tournament swan song, gained a 2-2 draw with Switzerland.

Blemir Dzemaili (31') and Josip Drmic (88') each scored once for the Swiss, who advanced to the knockout stage.

Here's Switzerland's Valon Behrami (right), battling the Ticos' Bryan Ruiz for the ball.

Associated Press photo by Vadim Ghirda

Final Group E Standings:

1. Brazil (GP: 3; GD: +4; PTS: 7)
2. Switzerland (GP: 3; GD: +1; PTS: 5)
3. Serbia (GP: 3; GD: -2; PTS: 3)
4. Costa Rica (GP: 3; GD: -3; PTS: 1)
Brazil and Switzerland advanced to the knockout stage.



In Round of 16 action, Brazil will take on Mexico in Samara on Monday, while Sweden will battle Switzerland in Saint Petersburg on Tuesday.



GROUP F:

At Kazan:

Goals at the death by Kim Young-gwon (90'+3) and Son Heung-min (90'+6) carried South Korea to a 2-0 upset victory over Germany, knocking the defending champions out of the tournament, the first time since 1938 that the Germans were knocked out in the opening round.

Here are the now-eliminated South Koreans celebrating after one of the goals that ended the Germans' reign as World Cup champs

Associated Press photo by Lee Jin-man

At Yekaterinburg:

Hans Augustinsson (50'), Andreas Granqvist (PK-62'), and Edson Alvarez (OG-74'; afterward, Sweded's Emil Fosberg and Ola Toivonen celebrate) each scored once as Sweden dominated Mexico 3-0 to win Group F.

Despite the defeat, El Tri still advanced to the knockout stage as well.

Associated Press photo by Efrem Lukatsky

Europa League Premilinary Round: Gzira United Blank Sant Julia On Road In Series Opener As The Road To Baku Begins

At Andorra La Vella, Andorra:


In Tuesday's opening game of the Europa League's preliminary round, Amadou Samb (PK-20') and Jorginho (87') each scored once as Gzira United of Malta blanked Sant Julia 2-0 on the road in their series-opening match.

UEFA Champions League: Drita, Red Imps Take Preliminary Openers

And so the Road to Madrid begins.


The UEFA Champions League's preliminary round opened on Tuesday with two games played at Victoria Stadium in Gibraltar.


In the opener, after 90 minutes of scoreless regulation, Xhevdet Shabani (99') and Fidan Gerbeshi (PK-105'+3) each scored once in overtime as FC Drita of Kosovo, in their European debut, knocked off FC Santa Coloma of Andorra 2-0.



Game Two:


Anthony Hernandez (2') and Alex Moreno (51') each scored once as Lincoln Red Imps (Gibraltar) blanked San Marino's La Fiorita 2-0.






FC Drita will take on Lincoln Red Imps at Victoria Stadium in Friday's final game of the preliminary round, with the winner advancing to the first qualifying round to take on Sweden's Malmo FF in a two-game series which will start on July 10 or 11 in Gibraltar or Kosovo.


The loser will join Santa Coloma and La Fiorita in the Europa League's second qualifying round.

FIFA World Cup: Denmark, Argentina Advance; France, Croatia Top Respective Groups; Socceroos, Super Eagles, Iceland Join Peru Amongst The Eliminated

Four more games were contested in FIFA World Cup group-stage play in Russia on Tuesday.


GROUP C:


At Moscow:

A 0-0 stalemate with France at Luzhniki Stadium lifted Denmark into the knockout stage alongside Les Bleus.


Here, we see Denmark's Andreas Cornelius (top) battling France's Lucas Hernandez for the ball.


Associated Press photo by Antonio Calanni


At Sochi:

Andre Carrillo (18') and Jose Guerrero (50') each scored once as Peru blanked Australia 2-0 in what turned out to be the tournament finale for the Socceroos as well as The Incas.


In the above photo, we see Peru's Anderson Santamaria (left), his teammate Pedro Aquino (second left), and the Aussies' Trent Sainsbury jumping for the ball.


Associated Press photo by Efrem Lukatsky


Final Group C Standings:


1. France (GP: 3; GD: +2; PTS: 7)
2. Denmark (GP: 3; GD: +1; PTS: 5)
3. Peru (GP: 3; GD: 0; PTS: 3)
4. Australia (GP: 3; GD: -3; PTS: 1)


France and Denmark advanced to the knockout stage.






GROUP D:


At Saint Petersburg:

Lionel Messi (14') and Marcos Rojo (86') each scored once as Argentina knocked off Nigeria 2-1 to advance to the knockout stage and eliminated the Super Eagles.


Here, we see Argentina's head coach Jorge Sampoli giving instructions to Sergio Aguero.


Associated Press photo by Ricardo Mazalan


At Rostov-on-Don:

Ivan Perisic scored the winning goal in the 90th minute as Croatia salted away top spot in Group D by eliminating Iceland 2-1.


Here, we see Croatia's Vedran Corluka jumping over Iceland's Hordur Magnusson.


Associated Press photo by Natacha Pisarenko


Group D Standings:


1. Croatia (GP: 3; GD: +6; PTS: 9)
2. Argentina (GP: 3; GD: -2; PTS: 4)
3. Nigeria (GP: 3; GD: -1; PTS: 3)
4. Iceland (GP: 3; GD: -3; PTS: 1)


Croatia and Argentina advanced to the knockout stage.






On Saturday, Argentina will take on France in a Round of 16 contest in Kazan while Denmark will take on Croatia on Sunday in Nizhny Novgorod.

FIFA World Cup: Uruguay Knocks Off Russia To Win Group A; Draws For Spain And Portugal Send Both Teams To Knockout Stage; Iran Eliminated

The final cycle of group-stage games in the FIFA World Cup commenced on Monday with four contests in Russia.


GROUP A:


At Samara:

Luis Suarez (10'), Denis Cheryshev (OG-23'), and Edinson Cavani (90') each scored once as Uruguay dominated hosts Russia 3-0 to finish atop Group A.


Here's the Russians' dejected Igor Smolnikov leaving the pitch after he was ejected via the old red card.


Associated Press photo by Rebecca Blackwell


At Volgograd:

Salem Al-Dawson scored the winning goal in the fifth minute of second-half stoppage time as Saudi Arabia came from behind to top Egypt 2-1 in the tournament finale for both squads.


The game is being observed here by the respective head coaches (or managers), Egypt's Hector Cuper (left) and the Saudis' Juan Antonio Pizzi.


Associated Press photo by Darko Vojinovic


Final Group A Standings:


1. Uruguay (GP: 3; GD: +5; PTS: 9)
2. Russia (GP: 3; GD: +4; PTS: 6)
3. Saudi Arabia (GP: 3; GD: -5; PTS: 3)
4. Egypt (GP: 3; GD: -4; PTS: 0)


Uruguay and Russia advanced to the knockout stage.







GROUP B:


At Saransk:

Ricardo Quaresma's goal in the 45th minute proved to be good enough for Portugal, who battled Iran to a 1-1 draw to finish second in Group B and gain a knockout-stage berth.


Karim Ansarifard converted a penalty kick in the third minute of second-half stoppage time for Team Melli (one of whose fans is shown here), whose attempt to advance to the knockout stage for the first time in five World Cup tournaments came up just short.


Associated Press photo by Francisco Seco


At Kaliningrad:

Goals from Isco (19') and Iago Aspas (90'+1; here, we see the Spaniards' Gerard Pique and Sergio Ramos, on the right, celebrating after that goal) enabled Spain to gain a 2-2 draw with Morocco and lay claim to top spot in Group B.


Khalid Boutaib (14') and Youssef En-Nesyri (81') each scored once for the already-eliminated Atlas Lions.


Associated Press photo by Petr Josek


Final Group B Standings:


1. Spain (GP: 3; GD: +1; PTS: 5)
2. Portugal (GP: 3; GD: +1; PTS: 5)
3. Iran (GP: 3; GD: 0; PTS: 4)
4. Morocco (GP: 3; GD: -2; PTS: 1)


Spain and Portugal advanced to the knockout stage.






Uruguay will take on Portugal in a Round of 16 match at Sochi on Saturday while Spain will battle hosts Russia in Moscow (Luzhniki Stadium ) on Sunday.

MLS: Citizens Top Reds; Timbers And Five Stripes Draw In Atlanta

Two Major League Soccer games were contested on Sunday.


At Atlanta:


Julian Gressel's equalizer in the 56th minute Atlanta United to a 1-1 home draw with the Portland Timbers.


Larry Mabiala scored in the 32nd minute for the Timbers, who ran their league unbeaten run to nine games (eleven in all competitions).


At New York:


Jo Inge Berget scored twice (51', 68') as New York City came from behind to upend visiting Toronto FC 2-1.






MLS STANDINGS:


EASTERN CONFERENCE:


1.   Atlanta United FC (GP: 17; GD: +14; PTS; 34)
2.   New York City FC (GP: 16; GD: +11; PTS: 31)
3.   New York Red Bulls (GP: 15; GD: +17; PTS: 29)
4.   Columbus (GP: 18; GD: +4; PTS: 27)
5.   New England (GP: 16; GD: +4; PTS: 24)
6.   Philadelphia (GP: 16; GD: -1; PTS: 21)
7.   Chicago (GP: 17; GD: -5; PTS: 20)
8.   Orlando City SC (GP: 16; GD: -9; PTS: 19)
9.   Montreal (GP: 17; GD: -11; PTS: 18)
10. Toronto FC (GP: 15; GD: -5; PTS: 15)
11. DC United (GP: 12; GD: -5; PTS: 10)






WESTERN CONFERENCE:


1.   Kansas City (GP: 16; GD: +15; PTS: 32)
2.   FC Dallas (GP: 15; GD: +7; PTS: 29)
3.   Los Angeles Football Club (GP: 15; GD: +7; PTS: 27)
4.   Real Salt Lake (GP: 16; GD: -10; PTS: 23)
5.   Portland (GP: 14; GD: +2; PTS: 23)
6.   Vancouver (GP: 17; GD: -8; PTS: 23)
7.   Houston (GP: 15; GD: +7; PTS: 21)
8.   Los Angeles Galaxy (GP: 15; GD: -1; PTS: 20)
9.   Minnesota United FC (GP: 15; GD: -10; PTS: 16)
10. Seattle (GP: 14; GD: -7; PTS: 12)
11. Colorado (GP: 15; GD: -9; PTS: 12)
12. San Jose (GP: 16; GD: -7; PTS: 11)


NOTES:  With Real Salt Lake, Portland, and Vancouver level on points (23), RSL have the most wins amongst the three clubs (7, compared to six each for the Timbers and Whitecaps); Portland has the superior goal differential vis a viv Vancouver (+2, compared to the Whitecaps' -8); with Seattle and Colorado level on points (12) and wins (3), the Sounders have the superior goal differential (-7, compared to the Rapids' -9).

FIFA World Cup: England, Colombia Register Dominating Wins; Senegal And Japan Draw 2-2; Three Lions, Belgium Advance To Knockout Stage; Tunisia, Panama, Poland Eliminated

The second cycle of FIFA World Cup group-stage play concluded on Sunday in Russia with three games.

GROUP G:

At Nizhny Novgorod:

Harry Kane delivered a hat trick (PK-22', PK-45'+1, 62') as England demolished Panama 6-1 to advance to the knockout stage (and enable Belgium to do likewise) and eliminate the debutants (as well at Tunisia) from the tournament.

Harry seemed to have had a great time as he's shown here celebrating after converting one of his spot kicks.

EPA photo by Vassil Donev

Group G Standings:

1. x-England (GP: 2; GD: +6; PTS: 6)
2. x-Belgium (GP: 2; GD: +6; PTS: 6)
3. z-Tunisia (GP: 2; GD: -4; PTS: 0)
4. z-Panama (GP: 2; GD: -8; PTS: 0)

x-Clinched berth in knockout stage

z-Eliminated from tournament



GROUP H:

At Yekaterinburg:
Goals from Takashi Inui (34') and Heisuke Honda (78'; that's him, here on the right, celebrating with teammates after scoring) enabled Japan to gain a 2-2 draw with Senegal.

Sadio Mane (11') and Moussa Wague (71') each scored once for the western African country.


AFP Photo

At Kazan:
Yerry Mina (40'), Radamel Falcao (70'), and Juan Cuadrado (75') delivered the goals as Colombia dominated----and eliminated----Poland 3-0.


Here's Poland's Lukasz Piszczek's reaction after the Ramadel Falcao goal.


Associated Press photo by Frank Augstein

Group G Standings:

1.    Japan (GP: 2; GD: +1; PTS: 4)
2.    Senegal (GP: 2; GS: +1; PTS: 4)
3.    Colombia (GP: 2; GD: +2; PTS: 3)
4. z-Poland (GP: 2; GD: -4; PTS: 0)

z-Eliminated from tournament

MLS: Philly, Red Bulls, Impact, SKC, Rapids, LAFC Gather Saturday Wins

Eight games were contested on Saturday as Major League Soccer returned to action following its' short World Cup break.

At Chester, Pennsylvania:

The Philadelphia Union, with Borek Dockel scoring twice (24', 71'), demolished the visiting Vancouver Whitecaps 4-0.

At Harrison, New Jersey:

Bradley Wright-Phillips (23'), Aaron Long (39'), and Kemar Lawrence (48') each scored once as the New York Red Bulls dominated visiting FC Dallas 3-0.

At Orlando, Florida:

The Montreal Impact handed Orlando City their seventh straight league defeat 2-0 on the road, thanks to goals from Lamine Sane (OG-13') and Igancio Piatti (84').

At Kansas City, Kansas:

Daniel Salloi (59'), Diego Rubio (85'), and Khiry Shelton (88') each scored once as Sporting Kansas City erased a two-goal deficit and upended the visiting Houston Dynamo 3-2.

At Commerce City, Colorado:

Tommy Smith scored the winning goal in the seventh minute of second-half stoppage time as the Colorado Rapids defeated visiting Minnesota United 3-2.

At Sandy, Utah:

Danny Hoesen's equalizer in the 64th minute lifted the San Jose Earthquakes to a 1-1 road draw with Real Salt Lake.

Damir Kreilach scored for the hosts in the 54th minute.

At Seattle:

Clint Dempsey's goal in the 22nd minute enabled the Seattle Sounders to gain a 1-1 home draw with the Chicago Fire.

Aleksandar Katai scored for the guests in the ninth minute.

At Los Angeles:

The Los Angeles Football Club, with goals from Laurent Ciman (4') and Adama Diomande (8'),  blanked the visiting Columbus Crew 2-0.

FIFA World Cup: Saturday Wins For Belgium, El Tri, And Ten-Man Germany (In Comeback Fashion)

Three more games were played in FIFA World Cup group-stage action in Russia on Saturday.

GROUP F:

At Rostov-on-Don:

Carlos Vela (PG-26'; that's him, on the left, celebrating with teammates after converting his spot kick) and Javier Hernandez (66') each scored once as Mexico put themselves on the cusp of the knockout stage after holding off South Korea 2-1.

Associated Press photo by Eduardo Verdugo

At Sochi:

Toni Kroos (mobbed here by overjoyed teammates) scored the game winner on a free kick in the fifth minute of second-half stoppage time as Germany, despite finishing the match with ten men, came from behind to upend Sweden 2-1.

EPA-EFE photo by Ronald Wittek

Group F Standings:

1. Mexico (GP: 2; GD: +2; PTS: 6)
2. Germany (GP: 2; GD: 0; PTS: 3)
3. Sweden (GP: 2; GD: 0; PTS: 3)
4. South Korea (GP: 2; GD: -2; PTS: 0)



GROUP G:

At Moscow:

At Otkritie Arena (a.ka. Spartak Stadium), Eden Hazard (PK-6', 51') and Romelu Lukaku (16', 45'+3) each scored twice as Belgium dominated Tunisia 5-2, all but clinching a berth in the knockout (and all but knocking the north African nation out of the tournament).

Here's Prince Philippe of Belgium (right) watching the match with FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

Associated Press photo by Matthias Schrader