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Get ready to say goodbye 🌟⚽️🏟️🏆

With the final games of the group stage finally beginning, the times of the matches have changed slightly. Instead of games being played at 5am/8am/11am/2pm, the first two games began at 9am and the last two both begin at 2pm. This of course is in my time zone, which is Eastern/New York here in the United States. Although now you will have to choose between games (unless you're like me and have your tv right next to your computer monitor). At least now I won't have to worry about missing any more of the 5am matches since I always am sleeping then.

Speaking of matches, before we discuss all of the most recent ones, let me remind you to go back and look at my recap of these games:

Cameroon🇨🇲 vs Serbia🇷🇸
South Korea🇰🇷 vs Ghana🇬🇭
Brazil🇧🇷 vs Switzerland🇨🇭
Portugal🇵🇹 vs Uruguay🇺🇾

^{Just click this link to be taken to the page about the above games.}

If you are still reading this, then you have probably already seen my other World Cup articles. Now we can continue to the start of the final group stage matches. We had four games and 6 of the 8 teams playing still had a chance to advance to the knockout stage. Qatar and Wales were already eliminated but still needed to play for their nation's valor.

Let's recap four more games from the 2022 World Cup in Qatar...

Netherlands🇳🇱 vs Qatar🇶🇦

^{My Prediction: Netherlands}

Let's face it, Qatar has looked pretty awful throughout the entirety of this World Cup. I expected more of the same, especially since the Netherlands was technically the toughest opponent they faced. There was an inkling of a chance that Qatar's desire to not go winless as the host nation would allow them to prevail. Even with that added bit of motivation, their skill just did not match that of the Dutch. As you will see in this highlight video, it was all Netherlands from start to finish.

https://twitter.com/FOXSoccer/status/1597641409124659200?s=20&t=O8snm8dWk2hI6QloR6i1Vg
- FOXSoccer

Qatar's elimination was already a finality, but now they have zero games left to play. Netherlands awaits the #2 team from Group B which could be England/Iran/USA.

Result: 2-0 in favor of Netherlands

Ecuador🇪🇨 vs Senegal🇸🇳

^{My Prediction: Ecuador}

Before this match began, I had a tough time deciding who I thought would win this match. Ecuador had looked pretty strong in their first two matches winning decisively against Qatar and drawing with the Netherlands. Senegal too looked very well so far, despite their main man Sadio Mané being unable to participate in this World Cup due to injury. They lost to the Netherlands in their first match and scored three goals to eliminate Qatar. My mind went back and forth with who I figured would win this match. Senegal needed to win to advance and Ecuador could win or draw and still move on. I knew for certain it would not be a draw, since I'd watched how badly each of these teams wanted to win in other matches. I was right about one thing, but wrong about another. There was no draw, but Senegal ended up winning despite Ecuador's near comeback. These highlights will show you the best moments of the match.

https://twitter.com/FOXSoccer/status/1597642797170847744?s=20&t=O8snm8dWk2hI6QloR6i1Vg
- FOXSoccer

I'm happy for Senegal and sad for Ecuador. Both deserved to move on and had they been in another group, they very well may have both made it to the knockout stage. However, that's just not how things went. Senegal will play the #1 team of Group B at the start of the knockout stage, which will be England.

Result: 1-2 in favor of Senegal

Wales🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 vs England🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

^{My Prediction: England}

Although this game didn't mean as much as the USA vs England match, it still had a huge rivalry factor. Time to brush up on your geography skills. If you didn't already know, Wales borders England. England is always in the World Cup and Wales almost never is. Given this rare opportunity to defeat your superpowered neighbors, I knew Wales would fight hard. Through the end of the first half, it was still a scoreless match. The old Welsh footballer Gareth Bale was subbed out following halftime. A few moments later, England scored two quick goals to take a big lead. One in the 50th and the other in the 52nd.

https://twitter.com/FOXSoccer/status/1597684803700396033?s=20&t=G33wchXWI-Cpt9jZiTJOag
- FOXSoccer

https://twitter.com/FOXSoccer/status/1597685210178781184?s=20&t=G33wchXWI-Cpt9jZiTJOag
- FOXSoccer

England didn't let up after this and it was just too much for Wales to handle in the end. Not long after, Rashford scored his second goal to put the nail in the coffin that contained any hopes that Wales had of upsetting their border nation.

https://twitter.com/FOXSoccer/status/1597689536913498120?s=20&t=Ce0euhxs9Aasp_5zj8WKNg
- FOXSoccer

England will take on Senegal in the first match of the knockout stage. Wales of course has been eliminated after failing to win even one match.

Result: 0-3 in favor of England

Iran🇮🇷 vs United States🇺🇸

^{My Prediction: USA}

I wanted USA to win this match so badly. Just to make it to the knockout stage would say a lot for soccer in the worldwide game of football. Iran and their nation of heated fans and players wanted it equally. This made for another one of the most exciting matches during the 2022 World Cup so far. The first half was tight, but slightly in favor of USA. That was until a killer setup which concluded with Christian Pulisic's goal. The half ended 1-0 with USA up.

https://twitter.com/USMNT/status/1597678875047518210?s=20&t=G33wchXWI-Cpt9jZiTJOag
- USMNT

Pulisic sustained an abdominal injury upon impact with Iran's keeper and was subbed out during halftime by Brenden Aaronson. The second half was also mostly USA and they held on for the much-needed victory thanks to some outstanding defense. USA will play the Netherlands in the first round of the knockout stage.

Result: 0-1 in favor of USA

Groups A and B winners have been decided 🥇🥈

Only the best teams will remain and only one can be champion. The World Cup still has a few weeks of play left and plenty of huge games. I will continue to update every match here on my blog. Be sure to follow me if you aren't already doing so.