Penultimate games serve up the pressure cooker

It has been a World Cup of goals. With an average of 3.2 goals per game, only Nigeria-Iran—the 13th game of the tournament—pegged fans at the wrong end. Some pundits already reckon the dour draw heralds the second round of group games characterised with cautious approach as many teams shore up their backlines. But some teams cannot afford to just park the bus, not after losing their opening games. To Cameroon, Croatia, Australia and Spain tonight, it’s a do-or-die affair. Croatia can afford to lose to Cameroon provided hosts Brazil beat Mexico (game was played yesterday). With this, Croatia would then beat Mexico and qualify on goal difference as long as Brazil beat Cameroon as well in the final game of the first round. The Chequered Boys welcome back their talisman Mario Mandzukic from suspension. On the other hand, Cameroon will be without skipper Samuel Eto’O, who is battling to be fit for the last fixture against Brazil. With the blasé performance the Indomitable Lions put up against Mexico, everyone is tipping Croatia to win. If you really love the African side, go for a draw, but chances of Cameroon being overrun are very high. Comfortable win for Croatia. Will Iker Casillas be in the right shape tonight after the bloopers against Netherlands? Only Vicente Del Bosque thinks so. Brazil are the only defending champions who are not knocked out in the first round. Spain is just another France (2002) and Italy (2010) in disguise. Del Bosque will need to drop the stubbornness and bench Diego Costa for starters. Short of this, Chile will have their day. The best Spain can manage is a draw. And the same will be of Netherlands-Australia. The Dutch were not as good as the five goals might want us to believe. The Oranje will struggle to break the stubborn Kangaroos. Draw.

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Penultimate games serve up the pressure cooker