[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"football-site-config":3,"world-cup-status-en":27,"news-detail-world-cup-2018-belgium-and-england-seal-last-16-berths-as-poland-and-costa":43,"news-related-world-cup-2018-belgium-and-england-seal-last-16-berths-as-poland-and-costa-en":77,"news-related-match-world-cup-2018-belgium-and-england-seal-last-16-berths-as-poland-and-costa-en":26},{"adSlots":4,"affiliateMode":5,"brandName":6,"contentStrategy":7,"currency":8,"friendLinks":9,"homepageLayoutKey":10,"leagueFocus":11,"locale":12,"planVisibility":13,"seoDescription":14,"seoTitleTemplate":15,"siteCode":10,"siteName":6,"siteType":10,"subscriptionMode":5,"timezone":16,"id":17,"tenantID":18,"primaryDomain":19,"countryCode":20,"logoUrl":21,"faviconUrl":21,"theme":22,"seoKeywords":24,"status":25,"ads":4,"focusLeagues":26,"affiliatePolicies":26},[],"shared","Football Prediction Platform","scores_predictions","USD",[],"main",[],"en-US",[],"Football fixtures, results, free predictions, subscriptions, and clearly labeled partner links.","{page} | Football Prediction Platform","America\u002FNew_York",323900000000000000,1,"football.easytestdev.online","US","",{"primaryColor":23},"#1677ff","football predictions, football fixtures, football results","active",null,{"active":28,"leagueId":29,"leagueName":30,"leagueImagePath":31,"seasonId":32,"seasonName":33,"startingAt":34,"endingAt":35,"daysToStart":36,"daysToEnd":37,"phase":38,"includeQualifying":28,"hostCities":39},true,"326135624916537344","World Cup","https:\u002F\u002Fmedia.api-sports.io\u002Ffootball\u002Fleagues\u002F1.png","326255613308833792","2026\u002F2027","2026-06-11","2026-06-28",6,23,"upcoming",[40,41,42],"Mexico City","Monterrey","Zapopan",{"article":44},{"awayTeamId":-1,"awayTeamName":-1,"body":45,"category":46,"excerpt":47,"homeTeamId":-1,"homeTeamName":-1,"id":48,"leagueId":29,"leagueName":30,"matchId":49,"matchName":21,"publishedAt":50,"slug":51,"sourceName":52,"sourceURL":53,"teamId":54,"teamName":55,"teamIds":56,"teamNames":66,"title":76},"The 2018 FIFA World Cup reached a critical juncture over days eight to eleven, with teams battling for survival in the group stage. Belgium and England emerged as confirmed qualifiers for the knockout phase, while Poland and Costa Rica saw their campaigns end in disappointment. This period showcased thrilling matches, tactical shifts, and individual brilliance that shaped the tournament's trajectory.\n\nOn day eight, Denmark and Australia played to a 1-1 draw, with Christian Eriksen giving Denmark an early lead before Mile Jedinak equalized from the penalty spot. France secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Peru, thanks to a goal from teenage sensation Kylian Mbappé, which propelled them into the Last 16. In a shocking turn, Argentina suffered a 3-0 defeat to Croatia, highlighted by errors from goalkeeper Willy Caballero and goals from Ante Rebić, Luka Modrić, and Ivan Rakitić, putting Argentina's progression in jeopardy.\n\nDay nine featured Brazil's hard-fought 2-0 win against Costa Rica, with Philippe Coutinho and Neymar scoring in injury time after a goalless first half, eliminating Costa Rica from contention. Nigeria defeated Iceland 2-0, with Ahmed Musa netting twice, while Iceland missed a penalty via Gylfi Sigurdsson. Switzerland mounted a comeback to beat Serbia 2-1, as Granit Xhaka and Xherdan Shaqiri overturned an early deficit, keeping their hopes alive.\n\nThe tenth day saw Mexico overcome South Korea 2-1, with Carlos Vela and Chicharito scoring—Chicharito reaching 50 international goals—before Son Heung-Min pulled one back. Germany faced Sweden in a tense encounter, where İlkay Gündoğan was substituted due to injury after the half-hour mark, and Jérôme Boateng received a second yellow card, leading to his dismissal. Despite this, Toni Kroos scored a dramatic injury-time winner from a free kick, securing a 2-1 victory for Germany. Belgium dominated Tunisia 5-2, with Eden Hazard and Romelu Lukaku each scoring twice, and Michy Batshuayi adding a fifth, confirming Belgium's knockout stage spot.\n\nDay eleven began with England's emphatic 6-1 triumph over Panama, featuring a hat-trick from Harry Kane and goals from John Stones and Jesse Lingard, which not only secured England's qualification but also confirmed Belgium's advancement. Japan and Senegal played out an exciting 2-2 draw, with goals from Takashi Inui and Keisuke Honda for Japan, and Sadio Mané and Moussa Wagué for Senegal. In the final match, Colombia defeated Poland 3-0, with Yerry Mina among the scorers, eliminating Poland from the tournament.\n\nThe outcomes solidified Belgium and England as group winners, advancing to the knockout phase with dominant performances. Belgium's attacking prowess, led by Hazard and Lukaku, and England's clinical finishing underlined their credentials. Conversely, Poland's early exit marked a disappointing end for a team that had high expectations, while Costa Rica's inability to score in crucial moments sealed their fate.\n\nHistorically, England's 6-1 victory was their largest in World Cup history, signaling a resurgence under manager Gareth Southgate. Belgium's consistent scoring, with 9 goals in two matches, highlighted their depth and tactical flexibility. Argentina's loss to Croatia echoed past World Cup struggles, raising questions about their reliance on Lionel Messi.\n\nThe implications for the knockout stages were significant: Germany's narrow win kept their title defense alive despite injuries and suspensions, while Mexico's victory showcased their resilience. The results set up intriguing Last 16 matchups, with teams like France and Brazil looking to build on momentum.\n\nKey events such as Gündoğan's injury and Boateng's suspension tested Germany's squad depth, emphasizing the physical toll of the tournament. These incidents, alongside tactical adjustments, demonstrated how quickly fortunes can change in high-stakes football.\n\nIn summary, days eight to eleven of the 2018 World Cup delivered drama, qualification confirmations, and eliminations, setting the stage for the knockout rounds. Based on reporting from English Wikinews RSS feed..","news","Days 8-11 of FIFA World Cup 2018 saw Belgium and England confirm knockout phase qualification, while Poland and Costa Rica were eliminated. Key matches featured dramatic wins and standout performances.","327065044300861441","0","2025-02-17T15:08:19Z","world-cup-2018-belgium-and-england-seal-last-16-berths-as-poland-and-costa","Wikinews","https:\u002F\u002Fen.wikinews.org\u002Fwiki\u002FFIFA_World_Cup_2018_day_eight,_nine,_ten,_eleven:_Belgium,_England_confirm_knockout_phase_qualification;_Poland,_Costa_Rica_miss_out_Last_16","326222712076767232","Germany",[54,57,58,59,60,61,62,63,64,65],"326222711535702016","326222711825108992","326222711946743808","326257662884843520","326222711976103936","326222712110321664","326257565195309056","326222711623782400","326222712143876096",[55,67,68,69,70,71,72,73,74,75],"Sweden","Switzerland","South Korea","Costa Rica","Australia","Argentina","Barcelona","Colombia","Portugal","World Cup 2018: Belgium and England Seal Last 16 Berths as Poland and Costa Rica Bow Out",[78,108,131,162],{"awayTeamId":59,"awayTeamName":69,"body":-1,"category":46,"excerpt":79,"homeTeamId":80,"homeTeamName":81,"id":82,"leagueId":29,"leagueName":30,"matchId":83,"matchName":84,"publishedAt":85,"slug":86,"sourceName":87,"sourceURL":88,"teamId":89,"teamName":90,"teamIds":91,"teamNames":99,"title":107},"Opta supercomputer simulations show England's most likely knockout path: DR Congo in round of 32, Mexico in last 16, Brazil in quarters, Argentina in semis","326222712622026752","South Africa","337924482905673729","327115073996722176","South Africa vs South Korea","2026-06-04T09:48:36Z","england-s-2026-world-cup-path-simulated-dr-congo-to-spain","The Guardian","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theguardian.com\u002Ffootball\u002F2026\u002Fjun\u002F04\u002Fengland-play-world-cup-final-dr-congo-mexico-brazil-argentina-spain","326222711682502656","England",[89,80,59,92,58,62,93,94,95,96,97,98],"326222712043212800","326222711493758976","326222711783165952","326222711908995072","326222711569256448","326222711653142528","326257686389723136",[90,81,69,100,68,72,101,102,103,104,105,106],"Saudi Arabia","Croatia","Senegal","Mexico","Brazil","Spain","Together","England's 2026 World Cup Path Simulated: DR Congo to Spain",{"awayTeamId":109,"awayTeamName":110,"body":-1,"category":46,"excerpt":111,"homeTeamId":112,"homeTeamName":113,"id":114,"leagueId":29,"leagueName":30,"matchId":115,"matchName":116,"publishedAt":117,"slug":118,"sourceName":87,"sourceURL":119,"teamId":120,"teamName":121,"teamIds":122,"teamNames":126,"title":130},"326257546392244224","Nottingham Forest","Manchester City threaten to sue Real Madrid presidential hopeful over Haaland release clause claim. City, Haaland's father and agent deny any clause exists.","326257546425798656","Aston Villa","337902351610286081","327052238641958912","Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest","2026-06-04T08:14:45Z","man-city-threaten-suit-after-haaland-release-clause-claim","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theguardian.com\u002Ffootball\u002F2026\u002Fjun\u002F04\u002Fmanchester-city-threaten-to-sue-real-madrid-presidential-candidate-erling-haaland-elliot-anderson","326257546258026496","Manchester City",[120,112,109,123,93,89,124,97,125],"326257565535047680","326257745512632320","326257769613103104",[121,113,110,127,101,90,128,105,129],"Real Madrid","Members","Capital","Man City Threaten Suit After Haaland 'Release Clause' Claim",{"awayTeamId":132,"awayTeamName":133,"body":-1,"category":46,"excerpt":134,"homeTeamId":135,"homeTeamName":136,"id":137,"leagueId":29,"leagueName":30,"matchId":138,"matchName":139,"publishedAt":140,"slug":141,"sourceName":87,"sourceURL":142,"teamId":95,"teamName":103,"teamIds":143,"teamNames":152,"title":161},"326222712898850816","Qatar","FIFA bans reusable water bottles at 2026 World Cup after safety U-turn, raising heat concerns with 28C temps. Mitigation measures in place.","326222713142120448","Canada","337886628729065473","327115064219799552","Canada vs Qatar","2026-06-04T07:21:08Z","fifa-bans-reusable-bottles-what-2026-world-cup-heat-means","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theguardian.com\u002Ffootball\u002F2026\u002Fjun\u002F04\u002Ffifa-bans-reusable-water-bottles-world-cup-stadiums",[95,135,132,144,109,145,146,147,148,149,150,151],"326222707169431552","326257613643714560","326257636301344768","326257766752587776","326257784637100032","326255042854129664","326255043940454400","326257556026560512",[103,136,133,153,110,154,155,156,157,158,159,160],"Anderlecht","Hassania Agadir","Arema FC","Fortaleza EC","Cannes","FC Urartu","Banga","Banfield","Fifa Bans Reusable Bottles: What 2026 World Cup Heat Means",{"awayTeamId":163,"awayTeamName":164,"body":-1,"category":46,"excerpt":165,"homeTeamId":166,"homeTeamName":167,"id":168,"leagueId":29,"leagueName":30,"matchId":169,"matchName":170,"publishedAt":171,"slug":172,"sourceName":87,"sourceURL":173,"teamId":174,"teamName":175,"teamIds":176,"teamNames":181,"title":186},"326222711401484288","Belgium","Egypt qualified unbeaten for 2026, still seeking first World Cup win. Salah, turning 34, leads pragmatic side in Group G with Belgium, Iran, and New Zealand.","326222713104371712","New Zealand","337883273709490177","327115077104701440","New Zealand vs Belgium","2026-06-04T07:00:29Z","egypt-at-2026-world-cup-salah-s-last-dance-for-historic-win","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theguardian.com\u002Ffootball\u002F2026\u002Fjun\u002F04\u002Fegypt-world-cup-2026-team-guide","326222712265510912","Egypt",[174,166,163,177,94,178,132,179,92,180,124],"326257696737071104","326257665107824640","326222712013852672","326257545918287872",[175,167,164,182,102,183,133,184,100,185,128],"Diaspora","Israel","Iran","Liverpool","Egypt at 2026 World Cup: Salah's Last Dance for Historic Win"]