The quarter-finals will be starting tomorrow. So here is a
quick recap of what happened in the round of 16. The first day of this round was quite tragic with two of the best footballers of our times being eliminated.
While that was on the first day, the next 3 days were no less interesting.
Spain vs Russia: I am not sure if result of this match could
really be termed as a surprise. To me Russia were the clear favorites coming
into the contest. The handball of Pique for which the penalty was awarded was
comical. I have never seen a footballer jumping with his one hand up to head
the ball. Reminded me of the way Ganguly used to duck the bouncer keeping his
bat still hoisted; he even got out once because of such an awkward positioning
of the bat.
Though Spain had the lion’s share of ball possession and passes, those are useless stats if the scoreboard reflects a different story. In the penalty shootout Russian keeper Akinfeev did tremendous job by stopping twice while Russians didn’t miss any against deGea. I always think Spain plays a regressive football keeping the ball to themselves. Their football only attains the charisma because of the scoring abilities of Messi and Ronaldo. This match also was the last international appearance of another legend; Iniesta.
Though Spain had the lion’s share of ball possession and passes, those are useless stats if the scoreboard reflects a different story. In the penalty shootout Russian keeper Akinfeev did tremendous job by stopping twice while Russians didn’t miss any against deGea. I always think Spain plays a regressive football keeping the ball to themselves. Their football only attains the charisma because of the scoring abilities of Messi and Ronaldo. This match also was the last international appearance of another legend; Iniesta.
Croatia vs Denmark: This was the second match of the day
which ended up in penalty shootout. But the match had started with a spark with
Denmark getting ahead in the first minute and Croatia equalizing 3 minutes
later. But for the rest of the 115 minutes or so the two teams remained
inseparable. Croatia had the chance of edging ahead but Modric missed a penalty.
During the penalty shootout again the goal keepers performed brilliantly with 5 out of the 10 kicks from the spot being saved. In fact, considering the saved penalty of Modric, both the goal keepers had made 3 penalty each during the match. Croatia is still one of the favorites in this half of the draw to advance till the finals.
During the penalty shootout again the goal keepers performed brilliantly with 5 out of the 10 kicks from the spot being saved. In fact, considering the saved penalty of Modric, both the goal keepers had made 3 penalty each during the match. Croatia is still one of the favorites in this half of the draw to advance till the finals.
Brazil vs Mexico: Mexico’s performance was a revelation
during the group stages specially their way of beating Germany but here in the
knock-outs they didn’t had any chance in front Brazil; they seemed to still
have the hangover of the 3-0 loss they suffered to Sweden in the previous match.
In the first half both the teams were equally locked with Mexico matching Brazil’s prowess. But in the second half Mexicans lost the plot. Neymar led the attack but the player who had the most impact was Willian. Willian didn’t let the absence of Marcelo being felt. Neymar scored the first and then set up the second towards the end. There was no mention-able penetration done by Mexico. One other talking point from the match was around the theatrics of Neymar.
In the first half both the teams were equally locked with Mexico matching Brazil’s prowess. But in the second half Mexicans lost the plot. Neymar led the attack but the player who had the most impact was Willian. Willian didn’t let the absence of Marcelo being felt. Neymar scored the first and then set up the second towards the end. There was no mention-able penetration done by Mexico. One other talking point from the match was around the theatrics of Neymar.
Belgium vs Japan: This was the match where the surprise was
about to take place but didn’t happen. The first half passed on without much.
It seemed Belgium was considering Japan lightly and many easy changes were let go; Lukaku seemed quite unwilling to score.
In the second half the match turned its course. Just after half time Japan scored twice in a span of 10 minutes; the way second goal took place it seemed the Belgian keeper was surprised. Those two goals seemed to awake Belgium from the slumber. And then within a span of 5 mins they scored twice to equalize.
Rest of the match progressed as an even contest with both teams looking for a chance to get ahead but that didn’t appear till the 93rd minute during injury time. Taking possession of the ball after a failed attach by Japan, the Belgians staged a counter attack which culminated in Lukaku leaving the ball skillfully for Chadli to score. That leave from Lukaku was the only noticeable contribution from him during the match. Japan had a heart breaking loss and they narrowly missed the chance of becoming the first Asian team to play in the quarter finals.
However, Japan should still be proud of the brand of football they have displayed at the world stage.
It seemed Belgium was considering Japan lightly and many easy changes were let go; Lukaku seemed quite unwilling to score.
In the second half the match turned its course. Just after half time Japan scored twice in a span of 10 minutes; the way second goal took place it seemed the Belgian keeper was surprised. Those two goals seemed to awake Belgium from the slumber. And then within a span of 5 mins they scored twice to equalize.
Rest of the match progressed as an even contest with both teams looking for a chance to get ahead but that didn’t appear till the 93rd minute during injury time. Taking possession of the ball after a failed attach by Japan, the Belgians staged a counter attack which culminated in Lukaku leaving the ball skillfully for Chadli to score. That leave from Lukaku was the only noticeable contribution from him during the match. Japan had a heart breaking loss and they narrowly missed the chance of becoming the first Asian team to play in the quarter finals.
However, Japan should still be proud of the brand of football they have displayed at the world stage.
Sweden vs Switzerland: This match was as uninteresting as
the teams playing them. When two such teams are playing you could be assured no
surprises are supposed to take place. This
match would have rolled on into a penalty shootout, if there was not the
solitary own goal from Switzerland which separated the two teams. It seems that number of own goal scored in this tournament is quite extra ordinary.
We already know the number of penalties being awarded in the competition is a
record; obvious reason being the VAR. Hope soon some data will be out on the
number of own goals scored.
Colombia vs England : This was the most aggressive game
played in this round with Colombia being at fault most of the times. Also
because of some reason the referee was harsher at the Colombians and there has
been some allegations being made about that. Still undoubtedly Colombians
played an aggressive game from the onset and lost upon the objective of winning
the game.
England was awarded a legitimate penalty because of the foul on Kane. The way the foul was committed just in front of the referee it looked quite foolish. Kane scored and now is the highest goal scorer of the tournament, well on his way to the Golden Boot.
Even though Colombians scored at the penultimate minute to equalize, I didn’t expect them to win in the shootout. The Colombians had already lost their cool which is the least wanted thing before taking the spot kick. England is having a good world cup. They were last in the quarter finals in 2006 and Linekar was the last Englishman to win the Golden Boot in 1986; both of which hopefully will be bettered this time.
England was awarded a legitimate penalty because of the foul on Kane. The way the foul was committed just in front of the referee it looked quite foolish. Kane scored and now is the highest goal scorer of the tournament, well on his way to the Golden Boot.
Even though Colombians scored at the penultimate minute to equalize, I didn’t expect them to win in the shootout. The Colombians had already lost their cool which is the least wanted thing before taking the spot kick. England is having a good world cup. They were last in the quarter finals in 2006 and Linekar was the last Englishman to win the Golden Boot in 1986; both of which hopefully will be bettered this time.
Now we are all set for some exciting quarter finals ahead.
We have 6 teams from Europe and 2 from South America, demonstrating the clear
dominance of European football at the world stage.
The left half of the draw has 3 previous champions and one challenger in Belgium while right half has one previous champion in England along with 3 challengers. So out of 8 teams we have 4 challengers and 4 previous winners thus giving almost a 50% chance of getting a first time winner this time. Let’s get ready.
The left half of the draw has 3 previous champions and one challenger in Belgium while right half has one previous champion in England along with 3 challengers. So out of 8 teams we have 4 challengers and 4 previous winners thus giving almost a 50% chance of getting a first time winner this time. Let’s get ready.
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