World Cup 2018: Holders Germany get favourable draw as Cristiano Ronaldo prepares for Spain test
THE 2010 World Cup winners Spain were placed in the same group as Cristiano Ronaldo’s European champions Portugal, while England will face a talented Belgium side at the 2018 tournament in Russia.
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THE 2010 World Cup winners Spain were placed in the same group as Cristiano Ronaldo’s European champions Portugal, while England will face a talented Belgium side at the 2018 tournament in Russia.
The glitzy draw at the Kremlin placed Neymar’s Brazil in a group including Switzerland, Costa Rica and Serbia as they seek a sixth title.
Holders Germany, meanwhile, were paired with Mexico, Sweden and South Korea as Joachim Loew’s men try to become the first nation to retain the title since Brazil in 1962.
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Lionel Messi and his Argentina team which struggled to qualify will play World Cup debutants Iceland as well as a dangerous Croatia outfit and Nigeria.
England were placed with Kevin de Bruyne’s Belgium, surprise packages Panama and Tunisia.
England manager Gareth Southgate said his mind went back to playing in the 2-0 group-stage win over Tunisia at the 1998 World Cup.
2018 World Cup draw
- Group A
- Russia, Uruguay, Egypt, Saudi Arabia
- Group B
- Portugal, Spain, Iran, Morocco
- Group C
- France, Peru, Australia, Denmark
- Group D
- Argentina, Croatia, Iceland, Nigeria
- Group E
- Brazil, Switzerland, Costa Rica, Serbia
- Group F
- Germany, Mexico, Sweden, South Korea
- Group G
- Belguim, England, Tunisia, Panama
- Group H
- Poland, Colombia, Senegal, Japan
“Remembering the Tunisia game in 1998, it was the first thing that went through my mind,” he said.
“It was a fantastic day and it’s nice to be able to relive that.
“We haven’t done as much preparing on the African teams yet so now that’s what we can focus on.”
The tournament that spans 11 cities and 12 stadiums kicks off when host nation Russia take on Saudi Arabia on June 15 in Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium.
“We just didn’t want to get Spain,” said Russia coach Stanislav Cherchesov.
Russia face a host of dangers in Group A in the shape of Uruguay, led by Barcelona’s Luis Suarez and Paris Saint-Germain’s Edinson Cavani, and Egypt, spearheaded by Liverpool striker Mohamed Salah.
France and their potent strikeforce of Antoine Griezmann and teenage sensation Kylian Mbappe will play Australia, Peru and Denmark in Group C.
Spain and Portugal’s other opponents in a tough-looking Group B are Morocco and Iran.
Japan have a tough task to finish in the top two of a group including Robert Lewandowski’s Poland, Sadio Mane’s Senegal and Colombia.
Originally published as World Cup 2018: Holders Germany get favourable draw as Cristiano Ronaldo prepares for Spain test