Twenty-Three Goals (6/28)

Did that ball just blow past me?

And to think, when the day started, it looked like the terrible 2E-Spain GK misplay for an own goal would be the highlight of the day.  But no!  There were two 3-1 comebacks, 14 goals scored in regulation and extra time and nine goals scored in the penalty shootout (or kicks from the spot) meaning 23 shots saw the back of the net (well, one just crossed the line, our first goal line technology call via the ref's watch).

A hard pass back to the GK skipped by for an own goal giving 2D-Croatia an early 1-0 lead.  But ESP scored three straight to take a 3-1 lead with 13 minutes left.  But CRO did not give up scoring twice, the latter two minutes into stoppage time to force Extra Time.  But in ET, ESP scored twice to pull out a wild 5-3 win, ESP's second straight match scoring five goals (I guess technically, they scored six today).

3A-Switzerland took an early lead and had a chance to double it but missed a PK (Ronaldo 3/3, and the Rest (5/12)) and four minutes later FRA's Karim Benzema scored twice to take the lead.  FRA's 75' goal seemed to seal it but SUI kept attacking to score in the 81' and 90' to complete the comeback.  Extra time started well but then lagged (though FRA hit the crossbar on the last play) and the 3-3 match headed to the PSO.  SUI may have missed the earlier PK but they went 5-for-5 and FRA almost matched, but Kylian Mbappe's kick was saved, giving SUI the 5-4 PSO win.  SUI win their first PSO and make the Quarters for the first time.  The reigning World Cup champions and heavy favorites exit with all that deep talent.

47 had ESP into the Qtrs which prevented two from winning the pool (24 can win it all).  Four picked SUI which eliminated four from winning (leaving 36) and four from winning the pool (leaving 20).  Four went 2-0 (Kona Coast Fauci's, Isayolchap, Spermicidal FC, and NoFixing) while two went 0-2 (Big Blue and Club Med).  After six R16 matches, 31 are 4-2 and 18 are 3-3.  No change at the top with Slyelf still leading by 2 pts (86).

With FRA hurting many entries (19 had them winning it all and 39 in the Semifinals), Slyelf (who has ENG winning it all) now has the best chance at money (53.1%) and winning the pool (15.8%).  Bobby Cee Racer is tied for 22nd (76) but can't win money and NoFixing is tied for 3rd (83) but can't win the pool.  DenMarkMyTerritory is tied for 47th (68) but can still win the pool.