2018 FIFA World Cup Betting Review Day 8

At the 2018 World Cup, Thursday’s action saw two Group C matches and a Group D match, with Denmark and Australia squaring off, and France taking on Peru in Group C, and Argentina facing Croatia in Group D. Denmark and Australia played to a 1-1 draw, which leaves Denmark with four points and Australia with one in group play. France defeated Peru by a score of 2-0, giving France six points and qualification for the round of 16, while Peru remains without any points. Croatia defeated Argentina by a 2-1 score, giving Croatia six points and leaving Argentina with just one. Take a look at our reviews of each match as you consider your World Cup betting in the third round of group play.

2018 FIFA World Cup Betting Review Day 8

Simply incredible from #CRO as they seal their place in the knock-out stages with a historic victory! Take a bow, @HNS_CFF 👏👏👏#ARGCRO pic.twitter.com/pW9hyQGCAa

— FIFA World Cup 🏆 (@FIFAWorldCup) June 21, 2018

Group C: Denmark 1, Australia 

It looked like things were headed in Denmark’s direction when Christian Eriksen delivered a goal in just the seventh minute. However, that was all the scoring Denmark would post, and then Yussuf Poulsen was called for handball in the box (after a VAR review), and Poulsen was issued a yellow card that means he will have to sit out the match against France. The Danish commitment to a free-flowing game led to the early goal, but the equalizer seemed to drain some of the confidence out of the side, and when Australia draped a man on Eriksen, Denmark didn’t have much else to offer. Denmark has four points but could need at least a draw against France to advance. Australia looked committed on defense and put up enough pressure to force the handball, and ending a four-match losing streak should just bolster the Socceroos as they head into their final group match against Peru. The confidence that comes with ending that streak, combined with facing a Peru team that has lost both of their first two matches, should make Australia a clear favorite.

Group C: France 1, Peru 0

Teenage phenom Kylian Mbappe buried a goal in the waning minutes of the first half, and that was all the offense that Les Bleus would need against a Peru team that was just happy to be at the first World Cup in the nation’s history since 1982, and France qualified for the round of 16 by reaching six points, as they lead Group C. Peru possessed the ball 56 percent of the time, but was outshot by France, 12-10 (6-6 on target), and they only forced three corners, to five for France. Moving forward, France will now face Denmark having already qualified; all Denmark needs to qualify for the round of 16 for sure would be a draw against Les Bleus. I look for that match to feature conservative play on both sides, with neither team wanting to risk a loss. Australia should defeat Peru, but I see Denmark and France drawing to give those two teams the slots in the round of 16.

Group D: Croatia 3, Argentina 0

It has been twenty years since Croatia made it to the round of 16 at a World Cup, but they returned with a resounding 3-0 shellacking over Argentina. Their six points have them in — and Argentina has just one point after their first two matches. If Iceland can defeat Nigeria in their second group play match, Argentina will have their work cut out for them when they face Nigeria in the last group play match. Ante Rebic, Luka Modric, and Ivan Rakitic all found the back of the net, and Argentina was not able to convert several tantalizing opportunities, such as when Enzo Perez found the ball on his left foot in the center of the box, but he fired his shot wide. Argentina, once again, looked disjointed on the defensive end and did not communicate well, which led to the multiple chances for Croatia. Nigeria is a side that has talent and speed, and they will make Argentina suffer if they cannot get their collective act together. Argentina won their last game in CONMEBOL qualification with their backs against the wall, and it will be interesting to see how they play against Nigeria with no choice but to win if they want to play in the last 16.