CZECH MATE

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Iran 2 Czech Republic 3 (a.e.t; 2-2 in normal time)

The Czech Republic's fairytale Pop World Cup continues - they are through to the final after a gripping win over Iran, after seeming to have thrown the match away in the last minutes of normal time.

The game started at a high tempo, with gutsy tackles all over the midfield and gliding runs down the wing from both sides. Iran opened the scoring, but the Czechs replied within minutes to leave it 1-1 at half time. Both sets of players seemed more subdued after the break, as the magnitude of the occasion seemed to sink in and play became more nervous. The Czechs bundled themselves into a 2-1 lead with a scrambled goal and then settled down to defend. They seemed to have the match in the bag until a final Iranian surge took them by surprise. A desperate Czech challenge led to an Iranian penalty, and the striker coolly slotted home to take the game to extra time.


A tense moment for the Czech fans as the game goes to extra time

At this stage both sides might have played for penalties, but the Czechs found an extra reserve of energy and extra time saw their best passage of play, scoring a vital third goal and holding out for an Iranian siege. mostlyconnect's team have found form when it mattered, though dubdobdee's side ran them very close. Can the Czechs take it all the way, though?

Final Scores

Iran - 63 points (average 3.32)
Czech Republic - 65 points (average 3.42)

PORTUGAL HOLD THEIR NERVE IN SEVEN-GOAL THRILLER

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Portugal 4 France 3

Commentators are calling it "the most exciting match of the Pop World Cup". A packed stadium saw France come within a whisker of one of the all time great Pop comebacks, but Portugal held on and will face the Czech Republic in a final few would have predicted before the tournament began.

The hugely experienced French side had been warned before the final began that complacency would be their worst enemy, but few anticipated how true that would be - the superb Portugese attack left the slow-starting French in disarray, and Portugal were two goals to the good within fifteen minutes. The gap could even have been wider, as the Portugese kept attacking , until a French counter just before half-time gave them a goal and hope. Hope quickly snuffed out, as a long ball move from the restart whistle gave Portugal a third, and a swerving free kick took them to 4-1.


Disbelief as Portugal take a three-goal lead

It looked like game over, but the Portugese were beginning to tire, and France's immense quality began to tell. A slick passing move reduced the deficit, and minutes later Portugal found themselves in real trouble as their keeper was sent off for an abusive gesture to the stands! With a reserve goalie between the sticks, and down to ten men, Portugal were suffering, and the ruthless French got their third goal to set up a nail-biting siege of the Portugese penalty area. But it was too late - somehow Portugal survived, and the final whistle saw atommickbrane's team beat the grass in frustration. She will have to be content with a third-place match against Iran, while thebopkids is one step closer to pop glory, though may have serious questions about a back four that let two- and three-goal leads be eroded in such a crucial match.

Final Scores

Portugal - 81 points (average 3.86)
France - 79 points (average 3.76)