World Cup Roundup: Falcao, Messi, Denmark, and Australia

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Radamel Falcao (Photo: Twitter)
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Colombia need victory vs Poland to reach pre-quarters: Falcao

Kazan (Russia)– Colombia football captain Radamel Falcao said on Thursday that their upcoming 2018 World Cup clash against Poland is crucial since both teams have not gained any points thus far.

Radamel Falcao (Photo: Twitter)

In their World Cup Group H opener, Poland and Colombia were each defeated 1-2 on Tuesday by Senegal and Japan, respectively, reports Efe.

“Both teams need to win … our team is very competitive and the match has to be played as if it were a final. It is either them or us,” the 32-year-old AS Monaco striker said in a press conference.

“We improved the positive aspects the team displayed against Japan. However, both in victory and defeat there are always details to improve. How we played on Tuesday gave us a vision of what Columbia can do,” Columbia’s all-time leading goal scorer Falcao added.

In order to have a chance to qualify for the knockout stages, Falcao said that Los Cafeteros would spare no effort to win against the Polish on Sunday.

Japan and Senegal lead Group H with three points each, while Poland and Colombia have zero points.

Messi to receive World Cup replica as birthday gift

Moscow– An unusual copy of the FIFA World Cup, as well as a birthday cake has been made for Argentina national football team captain Lionel Messi by the people of Bronnitsy, where the players are residing.

Lionel Messi (Photo courtesy: Famous People)

It might cheer up Argentina, which is now fighting to enter the knockout stage, reports Sputnik news agency.

“The Argentinian national team is world-renowned, so, naturally, we could not forget about such an important event as the birthday of its captain,” said Sports Minister of the Moscow Region Roman Teryushkov.

According to the official, Lionel Messi, who celebrates his 31st birthday on June 24, will receive a strange, but valuable, gift from the Moscow region, a copy of the FIFA World Cup made from traditional Russian Gzhel ceramics.

Meanwhile, Argentina is struggling in group D after its 1-1 draw against Iceland, in which Messi failed to score on a penalty.

The team will play against the leader of the group, Croatia, on Thursday and against Nigeria on June, 26.

Denmark, Australia grind out a 1-1 draw in Group C tie

Samara (Russia)– Australia held Denmark 1-1 in a Group C game here on Thursday to keep alive their chances of making it to the pre-quarterfinals of the FIFA World Cup.

Australia, who had lost 1-2 to France in their opening match, got their goal from a penalty conversion by captain Mile Jedinak in the 38th minute after Denmark had taken a 1-0 lead through Christian Eriksen in the seventh minute.

Earlier in the match, Denmark star player Christian Eriksen linked up well with Nicolai Jorgensen to smash a half-volley past Mat Ryan in the 7th minute, opening up what looked to be a match almost certainly dominated by the Danes, reports Efe.

But the Aussies struck back earning a penalty when Yussuf Poulsen blocked a cross with his hand, taking a yellow card in the process.

Mathew Leckie dutifully stepped up to the spot and slotted it to the right-hand-side of the net, sending Kasper Schmeichel the wrong way.

Australia was quick out the blocks after half-time but failed to cash in on the promise its attacking display showed.

The game ground to a draw, meaning Denmark head into its final group game with four points while Australia have just one.(IANS)

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