Soccer, basketball, futsal, and general sports fanatic. I like to look at sports from a cultural perspective, especially how the world of sports influences society as a whole.
Moroccan fans celebrate their country’s historic victory.
Ronaldo’s dreams of a World Cup final, let alone a championship, came crashing down against this year’s Cinderella team. Morocco scored late in the first half when their star Yousef En-Nesri out-jumped his defender and Portugal’s keeper Diogo Costa to head a ball first into the ground and then into the back of the net. Watching from the bench, Ronaldo could only gasp in amazement at the Moroccan goal. In the dying moments of the half, Portugal were a bit unlucky and hit the crossbar.
Both teams had excellent chances off the break. Ronaldo finally entered the game (along with Joao Cancelo) in the 50th minute and Portugal began to dominate while Morocco looked simply to survive. In the 58th minute, Goncalo Ramos, the star of the 6-1 trashing against Switzerland found himself unmarked in the box but could only manage to head the ball wide of the goal. Minutes later Bruno Fernandez barely hit a powerful shot over the crossbar.
En-Nesyri outjumps Portugal’s center back and goalkeeper to score.
In the 74th, Morocco used their lightning quick counter to get a 3-2 advantage in the box but Zedirah couldn’t get it past the last Portuguese defender to a wide open teammate on the right. In the 82nd minute, Ronaldo laid the ball back off perfectly to Joao Felix but his shot was saved spectacularly by Bounou. Early in stoppage a Ronaldo received a long pass and struck it first time forcing another stop by Bounou.
And with that last attempt, Portugal’s chances ended and Morocco became the only African team ever to reach the Final Four.
The French celebrate their victory over England as Mason Mount kneels in disappointment.
This was the only match to feature two heavyweights. Which is interesting since England hasn’t won the World Cup in 56 years, or any other major trophies for that matter. They are highly regarded only because the domestic league in England is so good and features so many world class players. By extension, the English players are also good and the team is always competitive, even if they currently have the longest drought of any of the big teams in the world.
France, on the other hand, are the reigning champions and are looking to easily be the betting favorites to repeat. No Benzema, no Pogba, no Kante. No probleme. Such is the depth of this squad that even hard core fans of the sport would be hard pressed to recognize France’s goal scorer at minute 17, a young kid named Aurelien Tchouameni, who took an innocent looking pass a good 10 meters from the top of the box, and unleashed a wickedly powerful shot with his instep that beat Jordan Pickford at the far post.
At the start of the second half, Saka danced around the top of the box before being fouled, drawing a penalty. Harry Kane, who else (more on this later), lined up and rifled a shot past his teammate Lloris for the equalizer. Kane fired hard to his left as Lloris guessed wrong and went the other way.
Both teams had numerous chances afterwards. The tie almost didn’t last more than a minute as Raviot latched on to an errant ball and unleashed a hard shot that Pickford had to save at full stretch. But the English persisted with Saka forcing another Lloris save at 59’ and Harry McGuire heading the ball just past the post at 69’. Pickford then saved a point blank header from Giroud 5 minutes later. Giroud, however, would not miss again in the 78th minute, heading in a cross from Griezman just pass Pickford. The ball grazed off of McGuire’s shoulder, forcing the ball away from Pickford enough to prevent him from making the save.
But as in every highly competitive, back and forth game, it came down to a one single moment that would prove key to either winning or losing. In the 80th minute, a long ball was destined into the box for Declan Rice. France’s Teo Hernandez simply bulldozed Rice over. The decision, which was given only after a consultation with the VAR, was pretty obvious.
Kane scores his first PK; his second would sky over the goal.
The next decision, which may have seemed obvious to everyone, was to have Harry Kane take the PK. This is where I gasped in horror. Kane, after all, had just scored his 53rd goal for England just a half hour before. But as I looked at Kane and Lloris two thoughts became evident: a) having the same player take two PKs in one game is always risky, and b) Lloris and Kane are both teammates at Tottenham. Who else but Lloris would have the edge here ?
It’s one thing to study a rival through film, analyze their tendencies, perform an analysis based on shot locations and to use all that data as the basis for making an educated guess. As a goalkeeper in the modern age, you decide where to dive by crunching the numbers right ?
It’s quite another to observe these patterns on the training ground, to be as intimate with a teammate’s tendencies through daily observation. If anything Lloris knows Kane simply through osmosis. Kane, on the other hand, had just scored one and had to be thinking that he couldn’t put it in the same spot, that he had to do something different, especially since Lloris knows him intimately just as Kane knows Lloris.
As a general opinion, I firmly believe that Harry Kane is one of the best three top penalty kickers in the world. If the existence of the human race were dependent on a kick from the spot, I would not hesitate to pick this man to save us from the aliens. But I would not have picked him in this particular situation, at this particular time. I would have opted for anyone else. As the PK unfolded, Kane did not appear nervous, he did not hint any discomfort. When he took aim it was obvious he was trying to kick it as hard as possible, almost thinking that even if Lloris guessed it, he wouldn’t be able to stop it. The resulting kick skied into the stands, and with it, England’s chances of bringing the Cup home.
Croatia’s keeper celebrates as Marquinhos looks on after his kick hit the goal post.
Croatia can no longer be considered a dark-horse or a Cinderella team. They have now proven over two successive tournaments that they are a legitimate contender. How this tiny nation of 4 million is able to achieve success at this level that other much bigger, more populous, and richer countries is beyond the scope of this article, but it is still nevertheless fascinating to ponder.
Is it this particular generation of players ? Modric, Perisic, Kovacic, Lovren just to name a few. Or is a culture of football that produces technically gifted players ? Does their manager Zlatko Dalic have some kind of system that maximizes the talents of his players ? Or do the Croatians simply have some kind of superpower that allows them to beat any team in a PK shootout. This game marked the fourth time in the last six elimination games that the Croatians have won via penalties !
Or can we say that Brazil, not even mentioned until now, simply blew a lead they should not have ? How is it that you allow an older and surely more tired team (Croatia had played extra time against Japan already while Brazil cruised to a 4-1 victory over South Korea) to equalize on a 3-3 counter in the 119th minute ? Why didn’t Brazil park the bus at the end and simply shut shop down and advance ?
After the game Dalic claimed that the Croatian midfield of Modric, Brozovic, and Kovacic was the best in the world. This trio allowed Croatia to equal Brazil in possession.
“I said it before the game and I say it again now,” Dalic said after the match. “We have the best midfield in the world and we demonstrated it again today. We controlled the game.”
But that midfield dominance didn’t exactly translate into overall chances for Croatia, which were slim to none. Rather it served as a force to frustrate the technically superior team into an endless 0-0 war of attrition that would eventually culminate in the Croatian specialty, the PK shootout. It wasn’t that Croatia didn’t try to generate chances but for as much as they tried, Croatia could not penetrate the last third to generate any shots on goal. Brazil, on the other hand, forced Croatia’s Dominc Livakovic to make 11 saves.
The Croatian tactic worked mightly for 104 minutes. Then, as often occurs with Brazil in tight and tense games, one moment of magic changed everything. The formula of team plus individual play worked once again when Neymar worked two wall passes before finally dribbling his way past the last defender and the goalie to roof the ball into the net. That looked like the game winner. All Brazil had to do was defend the last 15 minutes.
Neymar’s magic moment wasn’t enough to secure the victory.
If Croatia have proved something over their last two World Cups is that it is a team that simply does not give up. Using the strategy that they had employed all game, they did not panic. When Brazil inexplicably tried to attack deep into the second overtime, Croatia forced Brazil into a turnover and quickly began a counterattack. Six Brazilian players were caught out of position in the Croatian half, leaving only four to defend the lightning quick counter. Their lone shot on goal that evening happened to be the equalizing goal by Bruno Petkovic at the very end. Unlucky for Marquinhos, Petkovic’s shot deflected slightly off his knee, enough to elude the diving Allison.
Neymar being consoled by Dani Alves after the loss.
Once the PKs started, the body language of the players indicated a strong advantage for Croatia. When Marquinhos slammed his kick straight into the post, it was all over. Neymar, the Brazilian star, didn’t even get a chance to kick.
Notes:
Croatia’s goalkeeper was simply phenomenal. Dominic Livakovic made 11 saves, the second most to Tim Howard’s performance for the USA in the 2014 World Cup against Belgium.
Neymar was slated to kick fifth in the PK shootout. He never got a chance to do anything. Tite apparently hadn’t learned the lesson of years ago when Portugal committed the same mistake with Ronaldo. The lesson here is have your best player kick first, period.
Argentina 2 (4) – Netherlands 2 (3)
Argentinian players celebrate their PK victory over Holland.
Argentina and the Netherlands have a long storied history in the World Cup. When they play it has almost a darby like feeling. The matches between the two countries have been historic, emotional, tense, and simply world-class football. The latest chapter written at the quarter final stage was a rich augmentation of this great rivalry. But what otherwise an amicable rivalry in years past got ugly this time around.
The two book end goals were the highlights of this game. Both were initiated by perfect passes that skimmed along the ground untouched to their destination. The two recipient players both took amazing first touches to then set up their finishes. Both were works of genius, one from an individual and one from an entire team; the first improvised on the run of play and the second from a free kick.
The first 70 minutes of this game belonged to the South American squad as the Dutch, employing the same strategy that had worked against the Americans, decided to sit back and let Argentina have the ball.
Messi’s brilliance emerged again late in the first half. Taking a ball in the Dutch third, he eluded Nathan Akeh with a drop of the shoulder and started dribbling towards the middle of the 18 yard box. With three Dutch defenders pursuing him, he made a perfectly weighted no-look pass against the grain and found Nahuel Molina inside the box. Molina made the slightest of touches to both elude his defender and set up his shot, which beat the onrushing keeper. There are so many brilliant moments in this goal, but it is Messi’s ability to know where Molina would run a priori to his pass that has to be highlighted here. The weight and accuracy of the pass take a very close second.
In the 70th minute, Rodrigo Acuna drew a PK. The Dutch keeper, Andries Noppert, who made his national team debut in the Netherlands first game of the World Cup, opted not to move at all and Messi drilled it past him on his left side.
The Dutch finally decided to play, having no choice now as they stared down elimination. In came in the big Dutch striker Wout Weghorst. And in started the crosses into Argentinas box, in search of the 6’6” striker.
The game began to turn ugly in the 74th minute, when Argentinas keeper Emiliano Martinez stepped over Dutch striker Luuk de Jong after he collected a cross into the box. You can clearly see de Jong mouth: “What the fuck are you talking about.” as Martinez continued his stare down. What had been a very fair game up to that point was about to turn.
The Dutch finally scored in the 82nd minute after a beautiful header by Weghorst eluded Martinez, who hadn’t, up to that point, even faced a shot on goal. Just five minutes later, Argentina’s Leandro Paredes violently tackled Akeh in front of the Duth bench, and then, as if he hadn’t done enough, kicked the ball straight into the Netherlands bench. (Paredes earned a yellow for his stupid play. I feel like he should have earned two yellows on the same play and an immediate ejection.) The sequence earned him a yellow card, but more importantly, it was the time wasted that was the most punishing for Argentina. At the end of the preliminary 90’, an additional 10 minutes of time were added on.
Eleven minutes into stoppage, the Spanish referee called a borderline foul on Argentina that resulted in a Dutch free kick. Having threatened, and ultimately scored, via the air, the Dutch team were poised again to target their big man in the box for the equalizer.
The Dutch celebrate the tying goal on their brilliant trick play.
But what happened next was pure tactical brilliance coupled with perfect execution. Holland decided to go via the ground instead. Teun Koopmeiner’s perfectly weighted ball found Weghorst in the box, who this time used a deft touch and kick to roll the ball past on onrushing Martinez. It was an outrageous goal, one that goes against every grain of footballing convention. Working the ball on the ground to your tallest player caught Argentina completely off guard.
The extra time reverted to first half form. It was Argentina that threatened the entirety of the additional time. Noppert made one incredible save and the post made another one.
The penalties began with Emiliano Martinez trying, and succeeding, to intimidate the Dutch kickers as he stopped the first two shots diving first to his left to block Van Kyiuk, and then to his right to stuff Birkhaus. The Dutch would not miss their next three shots. And when Enzo Martinez went wide with his shot, it was up to Lautaro Martinez to put Argentina through with the last kick.
Emiliano Martinez saves Van Dijk PK.
As he walked up to take the kick, three Dutch players attempted to escort him to the spot, and one of them earned a yellow card in the process. Martinez made his shot and launched Argentina into the semi-finals, a game they’ve never lost in World Cup competition.
Goncalo Ramos celebrates his first of three goals.
Portugal blasted Switzerland early and often, and they did it without their talisman Cristiano Ronaldo. His substitute, a little known player (To me at least. My good friend Bob from West Virginia probably knows him) named Goncalo Ramos scored with a blistering left-footed shot to the Swiss keeper’s near post at minute 17’. Pepe towered over his defender on a corner in the 33rd minute. In complete control Portugal were up the dreaded 2-0 nil, but with Switzerland looking fairly anemic, there was very little to worry.
In the second half, Portugal turned on the jets. Ramos again at 51’ and 67’ with Guerrero’s goal sandwiched in at 55’. Five to zero ! It mattered little that the Swiss pulled one back at 58’. This game was over before it even started it seemed. Ronaldo came in for the last 15 minutes to get in on the party and got close a couple of times (he scored on a beautiful left-footed finish but he was ruled offside). Portugal scored again deep into stoppage time.
Pepe towers over his defender to score Portugal’s second goal.
This was by far the worst game of the tournament. Even though it was not as bad of a thrashing as what Spain administered to Costa Rica, the fact that it came in the knock-out round makes it more emphatic. This was close in goal margin to the second Maracanazo, the combined German beatdown and Brazilian meltdown in the 2014 semi-final.
Both Portuguese speaking teams have looked shockingly good. Wouldn’t it be fun if they were to meet up in a World Cup Final for the ages. Brazil might win 4-3, or the scoreline could as easily be reversed in favor of the colonizers.
This game was what I thought it would be. Spain with its customary possession and Morocco using its lightning fast counter-attack. These two elements made for a highly entertaining, back and forth game, easily one of the most exciting first halves of the entire tournament. The fans’ constant whistling, present mostly when Arab teams have played, provided an eerie soundtrack to the game, one that got scarier every time Spain had the ball for long stretches of time, and then, for the briefest moments it took for the Moroccans to race down the field, one that transformed and erupted into all out cheering.
Back and forth this went.
Morocco’s keeper Bounou with another save against Spain.
Spain’s best chance came early in the half when Gavi’s shot was deflected and hit the post but it wouldn’t have counted since it was offside. Ascensio’s shot in the 26th minute that went just wide was the only shot that Spain attempted in the first half, a record low in this tournament for La Furia.
Gavi’s four fouls was very indicative of the frenetic style that Morocco play with. Even though Spain had their customary lion’s share of possession (72% to 18%), Morocco also generated many dangerous chances on goal. In a weird way, one would think that this style would benefit the Spaniards since it opens up the the field rather than constricting. There’s nothing more frustrating to see than Spain pinging the ball all around the place inside of a 35 yard space and not be able to score. This tactic, colloquially known as ‘parking the bus’, has at many times frustrated Spain: all that possession and no end result.
Early in the second half, Spain substituted out Asensio and Gavi in favor of Morata and Soler.
Morocco countered with changes of their own, taking out Bouef and En Nazri. Morocco switched to a back 5 in what appeared to be conceding even more of the ball. What proved to be most beneficial to the Moroccans was their ability to recover so quickly on defense, denying in the process any clear breakaways that you would have expected Spain to capitalize on. In the 91st, Morata had a wide open header on the second post but missed it badly.
The game continued its frenetic pace into the overtime with Spain attacking in waves with subs Balde and Ansu Fati leading the way, but it was Unai Simon with a stunning save off of Ziyech’s point-blank shot from only 10 yards out that saved the day. Spain had chances but could never score.
Dejected Spanish players after their PK loss.
Morocco won the PK shootout 3-0. Morocco’s keeper Yassine Bounou, who had been amazing throughout the whole match, shined again.
Achraf Hakimi had the final dagger on a low Panenka kick. Panenka’s are always daring but this one less so due to the horrific kicking from Spain.
Vinicius, Raphina, Paqueta, Neymar Samba de Quatro
The header image on this site features what has been called the greatest team never to win the World Cup. Zico, Gerson, Falcao, Dirceu, Socrates, et al. They may not be the greatest, but they certainly are on a very short list. Brazilian teams always aspire to the Jogo Bonito style, to not only win but to do so in a beautiful, elegant, quintessential Brazilian manner. The 1982 team is definitely a standard bearer of the Samba style.
This year’s edition seems to want to take their place in that upper echelon of Brazilian teams. Vinicius, Marquinhos, Militao, Casemiro, Neymar et al. They simply thrashed S. Korea 4-1 in a game where they could have scored more had the S. Korean keeper not played so amazingly well. Allison, after not having faced a single shot in two games of the group stage (he didn’t play the third, a 1-0 loss to Cameroon), made a series of outstanding saves as well. But the Scratch D’Oro, as it is commonly known in South America, was never in serious trouble.
The first goal came courtesy of Vinicius Jr. Receiving a cross on the left-hand side, he quickly and calmly popped it up to himself, and then with 3 S. Korean defenders rushing at him (including the goalie who came out to cut down the angle), put it into the upper right hand corner. He hit it with just the right power: not too hard to sky it and not too soft so it would be blocked. It was simply a sublime setup and finish.
Richarlison nets his third goal.
The third goal by Richarlison illustrates both the individual and team excellence of this team. Richarlison managed three touches on his head (as if he were playing around on the training ground) with a defender right on him, then used a little flick of his foot to finally get past him. Dribbling into the box, he then passed it to a teammate and continued his run and received the return wall pass before shooting it into the back of the net.
The Jogo Bonito, at its best, is both about the individual and the collective, a lethal combination of one on one brilliance mixed in with standard team play. Vinicius scored his goal after a nice team passing sequence that ended up with the ball at his feet with a chance to score. His clever pop and perfectly weighed shot was the individual part of the equation. On Richarlison’s goal, the individual trickery came at the beginning and it helped him free himself of his defender. The rest was simple one touch passing and a simple shot. They made it seem like training ground stuff.
Richarlison’s acrobatic half bicycle against Switzerland
Playing like this, I can’t see any team, other than France, who possess many of the same qualities, that can beat them.
Tyler Adams takes a knee after getting knocked out by the Dutch. Down but not out.
Tyler Adams, the diminutive USA midfielder had covered the most ground of any player in this World Cup having run 24 miles in the three group games. In the tenth minute, against the run of play, the Dutch started a counter and Adams found himself trailing Memphis Dupay in the opponent’s half. Dupay continued his run all of the way into the USA 18 yard box and Adams never caught up. Memphis struck a cut-back cross from Denzel Dumfries cleanly past Matt Turner for a 1-0 lead. It was one of the few mistakes that Adams committed during this tournament, and unfortunately, it costs the Americans dearly.
Up until that point, the US enjoyed Spain like possession (72%). It created a clear opportunity for goal when McKinney’s looping pass found Pulisic alone on the left but Pulisic’s left footed shot went directly at the Dutch keeper.
After their goal, the Dutch enjoyed a bit more possession as the US looked flustered but by the 30th minute the US had recovered their mojo and continued their attack. That return of momentum was wiped out by another defensive lapse towards the end of the half that led to another Dutch goal, this time Danny Blind banging another cut-back across past stunned Turner. Goals at the stroke of half-time are momentum killers and this one wasn’t any different.
Blind celebrates the Oranje second goal at the stroke of half
Even though everyone knows that a 2-0 lead is tenuous (often called the most dangerous lead in soccer), the US is a young team. At the half, they got younger as Gio Reyna was brought in as a substitute for the ineffective Jesus Ferreira.
I’m a huge Reyna fan. Even though he had only played 7 minutes in this World Cup, I thought he deserved more time on the pitch. He is a capable dribbler, but more importantly he knows how to slow the game down and knows how to use those pauses well to create chances for others.
The Americans controlled possession after the half and finally got a goal from Haji Wright in the 76th minute, when Pulisic’s cross after a corner somehow deflected off of Haji’s right foot and into the goal. When a team trails 2-0, that first goal is the most important. It turns momentum on its head. The team that’s behind feels energized like never before and begins to believe that it can turn it around completely, score 2 more and win the game. Statistically it doesn’t actually happen that much but what’s more important is the belief that it can.
Haji Wright’s goal brings the US one back.
Unfortunately for the US, the Dutch struck back just 5 minutes later when Blind made a run down the left flank and crossed all the way to the back post, where an unmarked Dumfries made no mistake to volley the ball into the back of the net. Game, set, and match as they say in tennis.
Three obvious, and some say, correctable defensive mistakes cost the US this game. Other than that they dominated possession, had more initiative, but just couldn’t get the early lead that would have changed the complexion of the game.
Back to the Adams play early on. One cannot fault this young man for that defensive lapse. He rebounded to play a solid game, but it was evident early on that he may have been trying to manage his energy given everything he had output during the group phase. The one thing the US lacks sorely is depth. Had the US had more of that, maybe Adams gets a bit of a break in group phase. Maybe McKinney isn’t as wore out and has to come out in the 60th minute.
The other thing that the US lack is a true #9 who can flat out score (for that matter that’s what a lot of other teams in this World Cup also lack). Once they can find that, this group will be back in four years stronger and more experienced than ever. They will, I believe, be in a position to make a strong run for the title when the Cup is played on home soil.
What’s not to love about Lionel Messi ? He was the consensus sentimental favorite coming into the tournament. This was finally going to be the year that he won the Jules Rimet Trophy, the only major competition this great football player has not won. In 2021, Messi led Argentina to the Copa America title, breaking in the process, Argentina’s almost 30 year trophyless streak. For Argentinians, where the sport is like religion, this had been a real source of shame. Messi finally led his team to victory, beating their great rivals Brazil in the final 1-0. The closest he had come to the World Cup trophy was in the 2014 final in Brazil against Germany only to lose in extra time.
Riding on the confidence and enthusiasm of the Copa America victory, this was supposed to finally be Argentina’s year to win it all. The Argentinian team is as talented and complete as any other in the tournament, and Messi is still playing at an unbelievable level.
The Round of 16 game against Argentina was Messi’s 1000th game ! This was his 169th cap !! Those kind of numbers were once only ascribed to the great Pele. Not even Maradona, who many Argentinians consider their greatest player ever, can claim that kind of excellence and longevity. But for many hinchas of the Albiceleste, Maradona’s World Cup victory, is the only statistic that matters, the only trophy that has eluded Messi.
The tournament started ignominiously for the Argentines. Against Saudi Arabia, Messi converted on an early PK for a 1-0 lead. The team also scored a bunch of early goals, but unfortunately they were all negated due to offsides. Argentina seemed overconfident. Atthalftime, Saudi Arabia made adjustments that surprised Argentina and scored two goals to shock the world, and Argentina 2-1. All of a sudden, the path to the Cup seemed to be riddled with overwhelming obstacles. Two group games remained. One against historic rival Mexico and the other against a tough albeit limited Poland team that still featured one of the best strikers in the world.
Perhaps the best thing to happen to Argentina, the best chance to right the ship, was a game against Mexico, a team they had never lost to in World Cup competition. After a hotly contested first 60 minutes, Messi finally broke the game open when he rifled a low hard strike from the top of the 18 yard box past Memo Ochoa for the 1-0 lead. In soccer, the hardest goal to score is the first. Mexico, which had hoped for the 0-0 result, had to take on more risk in search of the equalizer. Argentina scored a second in the 87th minute when Messi passed to Enzo Fernandez, who after eluding a couple of defenders, picked out the top right hand corner of Ochoa’s goal to score a beautiful goal.
Argentina, and Messi, kept their World Cup hope alive.
In the final game, Argentina completely dominated Poland and won 2-0. Argentina advanced to the next round as leader of the group to face off against Australia.
The game against Australia was played just 3 days after the last group game. Argentina, which I seriously believed were treated unfairly being denied one day of rest, beat Australia 2-1 to win their 3rd straight game. The game, however, wasn’t as close as the score indicated. Argentina were completely in control the entire game. Only an own goal gave the Aussies what seemed to be a fighting chance, but although they had chances to equalize, Argentina had as many if not more chances to widen the lead.
Messi’s goal came in the 35th minute, after he took over Ottamendi’s touch in the box and fired a low hard shot past 3 defenders to the far post that beat Australia’s keeper Ryan. There are a number of things that make this both a great team and individual goal. First of all, Messi is both the originator and finisher of this play; he is involved from beginning to end. But he gets plenty of support from his teammates in the entire sequence.
Messi initiates the play with a free kick into the box which is rejected by the Aussie defense but right back to Gomez, who quickly passes it back to Messi, who controls it superbly and then dribbles towards the box before passing it to Gomez and then continues his run into the box. Gomez one touch passes it to Otamendi. Otamendi gets a slight touch on the ball (was it really a pass back to Messi ?) before Messi pounces on the ball and finishes it.
Argentina’s second goal came in the 57th minute off an error by the Australian keeper who tried to dribble out defense and lost the ball. Julian Alvarez quickly shot the errant ball into the back of the net.
Australia did close the difference getting an own goal that deflected off of Enzo Fernandez on a Brad Goodwin shot from way outside. In the 82nd minute, the Aussie’s center back Behich made a nice run into the box, dribbling 4 Argentina defenders before his shot was blocked on a sensational defensive play by Lisando Martinez. The Aussies also had a chance deep into stoppage time when Kuol brought a cross down in the box and fired a good shot that was saved by Emiliano Martinez.
Argentina, for their part, had a multitude of chances as well, mostly as a result of the play going through Lionel Messi.
Messi’s game has clearly evolved over the past years. He is no longer the player who tantalizes you with his dribbling, making Maradona-like runs for 50-60 yards eluding defenders at will before finishing with incredible goals That was Messi v1.0. As Messi has aged, he has reinvented his game, and is now proven to be as dangerous of a playmaker as he is a raw finisher. He can still dribble around a multitude of defenders but is not nearly as explosive as he once was. What makes him more dangerous now is his ability to pass out of those situations to set up his teammates. His ability to hold the ball at his feet at will allows him to slow the game down to a crawl. His vision allows him to find faster, younger teammates streaking into the wings on either side of him. He clearly demonstrated this in numerous occasions in the second half as Argentina worked to ice the game. Lautaro Martinez was the recipient of a number of those chances that he just could not put away.
For a player in his 1,000th game for club and country, he looks better than ever.
NOTES: Argentina now play the Netherlands. There’s a rich World Cup footballing history between the two countries. Most notably:
Netherlands win 4-0 in the 1974 World Cup Second Round, Group A game
Argentina beat the Dutch 3-1 in the 1978 World Cup Final in Argentina
Netherlands 2 – Argentina 1 in a 1998 World Cup quarterfinal
Argentina 0 – Netherland 0 (4-2 PK) 2014 World Cup Semi-Final
This quarterfinal game should be another classic as both teams are in great form.
For an excellent article about Argentina’s corner kick style, see this article from the New York Times Rory Smith and Allison McCann (the lede describes the corner kick that led to the goal against Mexico; Argentina’s goal against Australia was also constructed from a set piece in much the same way):
A Mexican fan looks to sky for divine intervention in the game against Saudi Arabia.
Remember the earlier thought about joy and bliss ? The ecstasy ? The first two games are all about the hope, the excitement, the opportunity. The third game is when reality comes crashing down. With only two teams being formally eliminated by the third game, this is the ultimate moment of truth. That the games are simultaneous multiplies the drama. Hard-core viewers (like yours truly) now have to watch the games at the same time (more on that later), but the added tension tends to induce figurative and real heart attacks. Ouch ! Got to love the World Cup. Ecstasy if your team moves on; agony if it does not.
Hwang Hee-chan of South Korea is ecstatic after South Kore qualified for the last 16.
Group A
The Senegal Ecuador was a ping-pong of a game. Not for the faint of heart. Senegal took the lead via PK at the end of the first half. They’re in. Ecuador got the tie at 69’. They’re in. Senegal scores 2’37” later. They’re back in. Wheew ! Ecuador never got another one. They’re out of the Cup ! Heartbreak on the field for the Equatorians.
Netherlands beat Qatar 2-0. Qatar went winless in three games and only scored a single goal. Did we really expect anything from this tiny country with no footballing culture or experience ? Money cannot buy you World Cup team.
Netherlands 2 – Qatar 0
Senegal 2 – Ecuador 1
Netherlands (1) and Senegal (2) move on.
Group B
Pulisic crashes the goal and scores the USA’s only goal.
The US thoroughly dominated their game against Iran in the first half. In the 39th, McKinney passed the ball to the right to a surging Serginho Dest who headed the ball back into the “corridor of uncertainty” where Captain America Christian Pulisic sacrificed body and limb beat two Iranian defenders to the ball and scored. Pulisic was injured in the play and laid down in the Iranian goal for 5 minutes afterwards but eventually came back. Uno a cero ! The US, with that result, was advancing into the next round. The US dominated until about the 70th minute, when Iran finally decided to possess the ball. The last 30 minutes (10 minutes of stoppage time) seemed like an eternity and it just seemed like a foregone conclusion that Iran would score, but the fact is that they only had one real shot so in the end it was all really just like a bad nightmare.
USA 1 – Iran 0
England 3 – Wales 0
England (1) and US (2) qualify for the next round.
Group C
Mexico needs a miracle to go through. They need to win and score a bunch of goals against Saudi Arabia (tough for a team that hasn’t scored one) AND they need Argentina to beat Poland. Argentina needs to win only to win the group, which is important if they want to avoid having to play France in the next round. Pretty important goal I would say given how good the French have looked.
Mexico’s Henry Martin scores the first goal of the World Cup for the Aztecas.
In minute 38, Messi is awarded a PK but Szcezny stuffs it. First goal since Brad Friedel to stop two PKs in one World Cup. Argentina far superior on the field. Poland showing very little. The same could be said for Mexico vs Saudi Arabia.
Group Chaos Report:
47’: Mexico score. Henry Martin (#20) puts Mexico up 1-0. Mexico still needs more two more goals.
46’: Argentina’s Alexis McAllister (#20) scores. Mexico only needs one more goal to go thru ! Argentina avoids France and plays Australia.
52’: Mexico’s Luis Chavez scores (perhaps the goal of the tournament) on a curling free kick from 30 m out. Chavez’s 4th shot of the game ! Mexico inching closer to the miracle. Do you believe in miracles ! (attribution to the great Al Michaels). Mexico 2-0.
55’: Chucky Lozano scores again but he’s offside.
68’: Argentina’s Julian Alvarez picks off top corner of the goal. Mexico and Poland tied on points, goal differential, goals scored. FIFA’s 4th tie breaker is fair play (Poland 4 yellows to Mexico’s 7). According to FIFA, Poland still squeak thru ! Uffdah !
66’: Lozano with a low hard shot. Saved by the Saudi keeper.
70’: Martin skys a shot right out in front. Impossible !
71’: Messi shoots but a diving Szcezny saves. Messi would have tied the record for most goals in a World Cup (double check).
72’: Luis Chavez strikes another free kick with a lot of pace, to the keeper’s right but the Saudi keeper flies to save it.
73’: Alvarez shoots and it just hits the outside of the net.
76’: Pineda shoots just wide right.
78’: Poland gets a yellow card. Poland 5, Mexico 7 !! In Yellow cards of course :).
78’: Mexico surges towards the Saudi goal. Out in front of the goal, XX shoots but is an amazing defensive play by the Saudi central defender.
81’: Lozano breaks forward after receiving a 30 yard pass from Luis Chavez and gets fouled one yard outside of the box.
87’: Untuna scores but he’s offside.
94’: Saudi Arabia scores. Mexico can still go thru with one more goal.
97’: Last frenzied effort as Montes heads across goal to Funes Mori who fouls the Saudi keeper.
Mexico 2 – Saudi Arabia 1
Argentina 2 – Poland 0
Argentina’s Julian Alvarez celebrates his golazo against an anemic Poland.
Argentina (1) and Poland (2) move on.
Moral of this story is obvious: Its not how you start but how you finish. Argentina, stunned 2-1 by Saudi Arabia in the opening game of the group, rebounded strongly to get two impressive wins over the two next best teams. A reminder of Spain in 2010 when they lost their opening game to Switzerland before running the table to win it all. Argentina, Argentina, Argentina !!!!
For Mexico, the lesson is also obvious. Play younger players period. I love HH and Guardado but they’re too old to be starters at a World Cup. Except for Ochoa, who played magnificently, the older guard has got to go. Why weren’t Diego Lainez (22) and Sebastian Cordova (25) picked to be on the team? Why didn’t Uriel Antuna (25) and Charlie Rodriguez (25) play more ? Tata Martino learned the lessons the hard way. Hours after being eliminated, Martino gets sacked.
Poland plays France. As my good friend Salif says: “Allez les Bleus”
NOTE: I watched these two games deferred, alternating 10 minutes between each one and switching to the other game if a score is seen. That was an incredible viewing experience. That’s SOS (Sports Operating System) Simultaneous View feature.
Group D
France are through no matter what. Denmark play Australia in an elimination game. They win they go through; if they lose they do not.
Tunisian players celebrate their goal against France.
Tunisia was in to the next round until they were not. After going ahead 1-0, they resided in the second round for minutes before Australia scored itself in the other game. In deep stoppage, France equalized to stay undefeated in the group. After a VAR review, the goal was anulled. France lost after all. The VAR drama ! Even with the loss, Tunisia fans seemed happy.
Dummies know best. After what was 60 minutes of dreadful soccer, Australia broke through with a beautifully conceived and executed counter-attack. As the Aussies broke forward, a pass to the left flank reached Riley McGree after his teammate dummied the ball. McGree passed it ahead to Mathew Leckie who beat his defender with a cut to the inside then a cut back to the flank and then with a low hard shot to Schmeil’s second post. Breathtaking stuff. At the most dramatic of moments. Tunisia had scored two minutes before to put Tunisia into the second round. This goal put Australia right back in and Tunisia out.
Aussie, aussie, aussie Oi, oi, oi !
Mathew celebrates for the Aussies.
France (1) and Australia (2) go through.
Tunisia 1 – France 0
Australia 1 – Denmark 0
Group E
Spain (S), Germany (G), Costa Rica (CR), Japan (J)
Group Chaos Report:
11’:Gnabry scores to get the Germans rolling. S/G thru.
11’: Spain’s Albaro Morata scores. S/G.
35’: Mussiala walks in beating defenders at will but fires it wide.
43’: Fuller picks up the ball in his box after a Ruddiger mistake and forces Neuer to make a great save. Fuller, who had only one shot against Japan and scored, almost does the same again.
45’: Spain don’t score a second but it doesn’t look like it matters as they have 80% possession. Does Japan really have a chance ?
48’: Japan has a chance. They start second half with high press, get a turnover and Doan scores on a cracker.
50’: Japan score again. The proverbial ball into the “corridor of uncertainty” ends up in the back of the net. Goal-line VAR technology allows it ! Where’s the frickin’ video to prove it. J and S (higher goal differential than G) in.
58’: Costa Rica’s Yeltsin (yes Yeltsin as in Boris Yeltsin !) Tejada equalizes Neuer fumbles the ball and Tejeda smashes home the rebound !! WTF. J/S.
60’: Sanneh smashes one off the back post. Ruddige hits a cross right off the post. J/S.
67’: Musiala smashes a shot into the right post.
70’: Costa Rica somehow, someway, improbably, score. Vargas’ wild left-footed kick of a loose ball in the box goes past Neuer. J and CR now go in. As Ruth of Ozark so eloquently said, what the fuckety fuck !!
73’: Kai Haverz scores after collecting a pas in the box, setting up his shot nicely with his left to his right. J/S.
76’: Navas makes sensational job off of point-blank shot from Sanneh.
85’: Kai Havertz scores again. J/S.
89’: Fullkrug scores for Germany. J/S.
89’: Olmo shoots straight at the keeper.
Japan 2 – Spain 1
Germany 4 – Costa Rica 2
Japan (1) and Spain (2).
The ball stays in by centimeters on Japan’s second goal.
Watching both games simultaneously, beside it being a total pleasure, made me start thinking about why is it that Spain are the best possession team in the world ? W/y can’t Germany, who have roughly the same amount of talent, do the same ? Why is it that Spain scored 7 on the Ticos but Germany could only get one in a half ?
And then the half happened, annulling everything written in the last paragraph. Everything has been turned on its head. I called this the GOD (Group of Death) back when the draw happened nearly a year ago. That, it turned out, was prophetic ! The one single moment when both Costa Rica and Japan were through was pure bliss !
Neuer punches the ball out against the Ticos.
A true tale of two halves. More Dickens references. The motherfucker lives forever.
Group F
This group is very complicated. Canada are out. Otherwise it’s wide open. Morocco (M), Croatia (Cr.), and Belgium (B) are stil in it.
Morocco celebrates their improbably group win.
The running narrative explains it best:
Group Chaos:
5’: Morocco scores on a easy chip by Ziyech as the new Canadian keeper takes a bad touch on a back pass and gives it right to the Moroccans. (1-0). M and Cr. thru.
15’: Croatia get a PK. Luka lines up to take it. VAR takes it away. M and Cr. still thru.
23’: Morocco strike again (2-0). En Nesyri outruns two Canadian defenders onto a perfect ball into space and beats Borjan at the near post. Second huge mistake by the substitute Canadian keeper (bring on Dayne St. Clair !!). M tops the group. M and Cr. thru.
40’: Canada scores off of a hard shot to the keeper’s near post deflected by the Moroccan defense. (2-1). M and Cr.
49’: En Nesyri scores again. Official calls it offside. VAR doesn’t reverse. (3-1) M and Cr.
54’: Croatia attacking fiercely. The ageless Modric the engine of the Croatian team.
60’: Lukaku hits the post !!!
61’: Lukaku skies a header all alone in front of goal !!! Belgium just needs one frickin’ goal and they can’t get it. They’ve only scored one in almost 3 games.
71’: Off of a corner kick, Canada’s Hutchinson heads the ball off of the crossbar and down but the whole ball does not cross the goal line missing by what appears to be millimeters. On the replay it wasn’t as close as initially thought.
87’: Lukaku comes close again off of a cross. Belgium look energyless and consigned to the draw. Minutes later, Lukaku misses yet again. He chests it straight to the goalie. A bit later he’s in front of goal but great defense denies him the last chance.
Morocco 2 – Canada 1
Croatia 0 – Belgium 0
Morocco (1) and Croatia (2) go through.
Morocco, so far, is the surprise of the tournament.
Group G
Brazil (B), Switzerland (Sw), Cameroon (Cm.), Serbia (Srb.)
Group Chaos:
11’: Swiss hit the post. Rebound goes to the goalie. B/Sw.
13’: Martinelli’s header saved by 2nd Cameroon keeper (Onana had been sent home by coach Rigobert Song after shouting matches in Cameroon’s camp).
20’: Shakiri scores for Switzerland (1-0). B/Sw.
25’: Serbia’s Mitrovic equalizes for Serbia (1-1). B/Sw.
30’: Shakiri collects a pass from Ricardo Rodriguez (RR) but misses his toe-poke shot.
35’: Serbia’s Vlahovic scores to make it 2-1. B/Srb.
44’: Switzerland’s Embolo equalizes for Switzerland (2-2). B/Sw.
48’: Switzerland score again (3-2). B/Sw.
56’: Martinelli denied again by a great save. Seconds later Epassy blocks it and scrambles to save the rebound from going in his far post. And yet another save from Antony’s shot. Amazing goalkeeping sequence, only rivaled by Japan’s goalie against Germany.
57’: Embolo misses a point blank shot that would have iced the game.
92’: Cameroon Obnokabar scores his 35th career goal and then takes his shirt off earning a second yellow card. (1/0) B/Sw.
92’: Brouhaha in Switzerland vs Serbia
Cameroon 1 – Brazil 0
Switzerland 3 – Serbia 2
Brazil (1), Switzerland (2)
Cameroon’s Obnokabar celebrates game winning goal against Brazil. Cameroon failed to advance.
Group H
Portugal (P), Ghana (G), South Korea (SK), Uruguay (U)
Group Chaos:
5’: Portugal’s Ricardo Horta smashes home a cross. Pepe’s 50 yd’ pass to the right wing set the whole play up. (1-0) P/G
15’: Possible PK check in Ghana’s favor. VAR check gives the PK. Ayew’s PK is stuffed at 20’. Ghana continues misisng PK’s against Uruguay !! P/G.
26’: Uruguay scores. Suarez dekes a defenders and shoots. The goalie makes initial save but De Arrascaeta heads in the rebound. P/U.
27’: S. Korea score off of a corner again that deflects off the back of Ronaldo straight to the Korean player. P/U.
32’: Uruguay scores again. De Arrascaeta nets his second, snatching it off the air after a clever flick from Suarez. Vamos Uruguay !! P/U.
58’: Uruguay doesn’t get a PK. Incredulous how VAR doesn’t catch that.
67’: S. Korea big shot saved by the Portuguese keeper.
80’: Uruguayan keeper saves a bit shot from Ghana’s Kudzu. Staying alive !
89’: Cavani (El Matador) heads the ball and forces a spectacular save from Ghana’s keeper, but it was offside.
91’: Son runs onto a loose ball, dribbles the ball up 40 yards, holds up play, makes a cheeky little pass it to his teammate, who shoots and scores. P/SK.
96’: Long range shot from Uruguay is saved. Seconds later, Uruguay’s goalie makes a great save.
S. Korea 2 – Portugal 1
Uruguay 2 – Ghana 0
Portugal (1), South Korea (2).
South Korea beats out Uruguay on the 3rd tie breaker: goals scored.
South Korea’s Son Huen-ming attempts a slide tackle against Portugal.
Drama Ranking
This World Cup ranked three of the most dramatic third game simultaneous finishes ever seen in this competition. There were dramatic momentum swings, back and forth games, live tables in flux, with teams in and then out of the second run. In two groups, the dreaded fair play tie-breaker was, pardon the bad pun, in play to decide who stayed and who went home.
Group E:
The Group of Death gets the nod simply because of the swings in who was in. There was actually a moment where the two giants – Spain and Germany – were out of the group. It didn’t last long but it was an incredible fantasy for the moments that it lasted. Costa Rica and Japan both being through was unbelievable.
Group B:
This is a very close second, simply because of the gargantuan task that Mexico had to pull out and they almost did it ! For a very long time (tens of minutes), Mexico were only down due to the fourth tie-breaker, FIFA’s stupid fair play ranking. Saudi Arabia got one last goal so that that tie-breaker wasn’t needed. Mexico were close to scoring that very needed third goal but just couldn’t make it happen.
Group H:
South Korea’s late winner made this group hang in the balance until the very end. Uruguay’s spirited play made their entry a possibility until the Korean goal. Heartbreaking until the very end.
Qatar loses its second game but gets its first ever goal. Senegal wins 3-1. The Senegalese fans are the most colorful and have by far the best dances of any fans !
The Netherlands scored first within 10 minutes but Ecuador were the better team for the rest of the game. They equalize at the start of the second half and the game ends in a 1-1 tie. Ecuador’s Ennen Valencia becomes leader of golden boot competition with his third goal.
Qatari players celebrate first ever World Cup goal
Group B:
Iran shocked the world by beating Wales 2-0 in a hard fought match. The game changed when Wales was downgraded to 10 men when their goalie was red-carded for a big challenge in the 85th minute. Iran scored two goals in the time remaining to crawl out of the group cellar after having been shellacked by England 5-2 in the first game. This was a victory for the Iranian people, who have suffered greatly under a repressive regime for decades and who are once again being killed and repressed by the government since protests have swept the country after 14 year old Amini’s death while in the custody of morality police a few months back. Pro and anti-government protesters clashed at Ahman Bin Ali Stadium. The team has been criticized in Iran by pro-regime supporters for refusing to sing the national anthem. The team sang it before the Wales game and came out with greater intensity than the Welsh. Iran was desperate for a win since a loss would have eliminated them from the Cup. They may have also come with greater emotion due to the internal turmoil being experienced inside the country. Fervent nationalism can cut both ways. In the World Cup national pride usually overwhelms anything else but this is a unique situation. Many fans expressed their support for the team by chanting anti-regime chants from their rooftops before the start of the England game.
The headline before the game was that England had NEVER beaten the US in a World Cup game !! How could that be possible ? In 1950, the US shocked England 1-0 and in 2010 the teams tied 0-0. In 2022, they tied 0-0 again. The US was the better team, Pulisic hit the crossbar, the US created more chances, and had more corners. England looked pathetic after the first fifteen minutes. The game was hyped for days and it turned out to be a pretty awful tactical affair. The US showed more initiative and deserved to win. The scenario is now pretty simple. The US need to beat Iran to go through. Iran goes through with a win as does England. Wales can move on with a win over England with enough goals and hope that Iran beats the US.
Pulisic’s shot rattled the crossbar. Cerca !!!
Group C
Poland defeats Saudi Arabia 2-0. Lewandoski gets his first ever WC goal in the 83rd minute against the run of play. Saudi Arabia has better possession and the most spirited play but Poland actually the better chances though as they also hit two posts. Lewandoski also missed a chance on the verge of 90’ on a one and one with the keeper.
Lewandoski scores on a PK.
Mexico and Argentina have played each other three times in the World Cup and Argentina has won all three. There’s a little known 1930 match in the group stage of the very first World Cup that was won by Argentina 6-3. Guillermo Stabile scored three goals in a match that had 3 penalty kicks. Argentina made it to the final but lost to Uruguay 2-1. Then there was the instant classic in 2006, a back and forth affair that was settled by Maxi Rodriguez in extra time with what has to be one of the best goals in WC history. A true moment of magic. Who can forget that amazing chest trap received from a cross-field pass to a half volley that curved away into the upper left hand corner of the goal, barely eluding Oswaldo Sanchez’s dive. A divine goal, a goal for the ages. Another soul crushing defeat by Mexico in the Round of 16. Another victory by the Albiceleste. Their 2010 meeting was also a pretty good game but Argentina won this more handily 3-1 with a controversial goal scored by Carlos Tevez, who was clearly offside when he received the pass that led to his goal.
And now in 2022 both teams arrive headed to another classic confrontation. Argentina faces a must win situation after losing their initial game 2-1 to Saudi Arabia. A loss would eliminate one of the tournament favorites. On the other hand, Mexico tied Poland 1-1 and can still qualify even with a loss (they’d have to beat Saudi Arabia and hope that Argentina beats Poland).
All of the past history indicates that this will be another classic.
NOTE: Sat. Nov. 26, 2022 will rank amongst the greatest of sports days in history, only to be rivaled by June 2010 when three World Cup games were played the same day that Boston and LA played Game 7 of the NBA Finals. Four World Cup games, 2 great football teams (Michigan vs. Ohio St., Minnesota vs. Wisconsin), and Argentina vs. Mexico.
Argentina beat Mexico again. Messi finally broke the scoreless jam in the 64th with a beautifully placed low hard shot to Ochoa’s left post. In the 87th minute, Enzo Fernandez danced around two Mexican defenders in the box and curled it past Ochoa, this time high into the net. Ochoa was beaten once on the ground and once in the air and didn’t have a chance on either shot.
Messi celebrates his goal against Mexico.
In the first half, this game matched historical expectation.It was back and forth with both teams having equal number of chances if not possession. But something happened in the second half to the Mexican team. They approached it much like England did their game against the US and seemed content with the nil-nil tie. The tactic failed miserably as Argentina pushed forward in waves before finally getting the result.
I’m an ardent Mexican fan. It is my birthplace and soccer roots are deeply grounded. Loyalties don’t die easily, even after not having lived in the country the majority of my life. When Mexico play the US, I always, always root for Mexico. But in this case, I also want Messi to win a World Cup, and a loss in this tie would have killed that hope. I would have been more content with a tie, as both teams then would have been able to get out of the group by winning their third game. But it was not to be. Unlike other years, I’m not shattered. My emotions apparently were shared by others. One fan had a dual jersey, half Argentinian and half Mexican, with the name Messico on the back.
Mexico are not mathematically eliminated. But they now need a footballing miracle. They need to beat Saudi Arabia and need Argentina to beat Poland by enough goals to overcome their -2 goal differential. Since Mexico hasn’t scored in this World Cup (in fact they are scoreless in their last four!), this seem to be a gargantuan task. But not impossible.
Group D
Australia rebounds from their 4-1 thrashing against France and beats Tunisia. For the second WC in a row, the Tunisians played attractive, technical, and spirited football but come up short, evoking Socrates (Brazilian not Greek): winning or losing is not as important as beauty.
France beat Denmark 2-1 with two goals from Mbappe. The French were the team with the most injuries to their major stars. It hasn’t showed. They look unstoppable.
Group E
Would you believe it ! Do you believe in miracles ! In World Cups, there’s an old saying that after a great victory, there’s a great defeat. For Costa Rica, this was exactly the reverse. After a great defeat, there was a great victory.
After getting thoroughly humiliated by Spain, the Ticos somehow rebounded to grind out a 1-0 victory against Japan.
Keysher Fuller scored on a counter in the 81st minute with a seemingly innocent chip over the Japanese goalmeister Onada, then hung for dear life as Japan searched for the equalizer. They almost got it in the 89th minute but Calvo stopped a clear goal on the line before the ball bounced innocently to Navas.
Spain and Germany tied 1-1 in a classic European match. The ageless Jordi Alba had the assist to Alvaro Morata for a classy finish in front of Neuer. The Germans equalized late from Fullkrumer’s thunderous volley. Spain on top of the group; Germany avoid a disastrous early exit from the group stage for a second consecutive World Cup. Spain, while they would have loved the 3 points, now have to play the bipolar Japan. Which Japan team will show up ? The one with the inspiring victory over Germany or the team that was beaten by Costa Rica ? Germany now play the inspired Ticos. Best bets are that the two European super powers advance with wins.
Group F
The football gods are quirky. How else to explain Belgium’s lackluster performance against Morocco today. They generated chances, had a total monopoly on corners (9-0), but they seem to play devoid of energy. Morocco had a goal disallowed in the first half due to an offside, but late in the game, they scored in a shockingly similar way to their annulled goal. A cross bounced in front of Courtois and past him into the goal without the Moroccan player even touching it. So trailing 1-0 in injury time, Belgium seemed content to kill off the game with a loss ! The passed the ball around aimlessly and without energy in their backline instead of with any urgency. In that moment, Morocco stole another goal when Ziyah took a ball in the box, twisted and turned and crossed back to a teammate who struck the ball high into the corner past a stunned Courtois.
Canada scored their first World Cup goal ever in the first minute of the game. Unfortunately, that was the peak for the Canadians. Croatia scored 4 unanswered to eliminate Canada from the World Cup.
This leaves Morocco, Croatia, and Belgium still alive.
Group G
Here in the US CST timezone, ignore the 4am game at your peril. Cameroon took a 1-0 on Serbia before Serbia hit with three unanswered to take a commanding 3-1 lead. Have no fear for the Indomitable Lions roared back with two unanswered of their own to tie 3-3. The last two appeared to be obviously offside but the hypertech visualization technology clearly showed that they were not.
Goals are what everybody wants to see, what makes this sport so fantastic, and games with lots of goals are better than games with little goals. In my eye, bounty always trump scarcity. By far the best game of the tournament. This also produced some of the best commentating. On Serbia’s third goal, a beautiful team goal, the commentator said; “That’s one of the finest team goals you’ll ever see. The composure, the presence, the calmness.” On a cross from Serbia that went rolling through the box: “That ball was in the corridor of uncertainty.”
Speaking of indomitable, Brazil looked unbeatable today. Even without Neymar, Brazil generated not only beautiful football but also a result with a 1-0 win against Switzerland. Casemiro, El Tanque, scored off a beautiful volley late in the second half. Brazil generated multiple other chances as well as their trademark set of beautiful passes, flicks, pop-ups, and other elements of the jogo bonito. And if you think Brazil is all about offense and stye, think again. They haven’t allowed a shot on their net in two games. That’s impressive defense as well. What is it that they say about defense ? Something it about winning championships ?
Vinicius with the Rabona. Jogo bonito at its best!
Brazil are a fine tuned machine all over the pitch. I’ll reiterate, if they keep playing like this, Brazil will win the World Cup.
Group H
Ghana survived a South Korea siege early on (ample possession and a bunch of corner kicks) to score two goals. But the Koreans scored two goals in a span of three minutes in between minutes 58-61 in the second half, both off headers from the left flank. (Wait, just a random thought, borne out of this stream of consciousness reporting style, are the Black Stars coached by Idris Elba ?). In 69’ a cross came in from the right hand side, where a Ghanaian player whiffed on the shot and it fell to a teammate who shot it hard and low for the go ahead goal. Was that a shot dummy ? Probably not, but it had the same effect. After the Ghanaian go ahead goal South Korea attacked incessantly, spiritedly in search of the equalizer. Apparently both teams got the memo from FIFA. We need more goals, more excitement, more cowbell ! The last ten minutes of this game were by far the most exciting of the tournament. In possession of the ball for the entirety of the injury time, Korea attacked with almost existential fervor. Tottenham’s HeMuin Son on the left serving up crosses (since when do the Koreans score or seek to score so much with their heads !) and shots in search of the equalizer. Korea backed up all ten Ghana players into their box but could simply not score the equalizer.
South Korea and Ghana players contesting a header.
Portugal beat Uruguay 2-0 (both goals by Bruno Fernandez) to clinch their spot in Round 2. Portugal had more shots, more corners, more football. Uruguay had more fouls. Only when they were down 1-0 did Uruguay start to play a more attractive style of attacking soccer, hitting the woodwork as time ran out. Ronaldo had another inspired game. He didn’t score but he ran, he defended, he hustled his ass off. The man is, as the kids say, class.
Bruno Fernandez celebrates his second goal against Uruguay.
At the end of the second set of games, only Qatar and Canada had been eliminated. Portugal, Brazil, and France have made it into the knockout round. Twenty-seven teams still have a chance going into the 3rd game.
The World Cup can be exhilarating and it can be excruciating. It can put you in the best of moods, it can put you in the worst of moods. It can lead to joy, or it can lead to borderline depression.
This year’s edition of the Cup is being played in November instead of traditional summer months due to the excessive heat in the gulf nation of Qatar. Teams had only 7 days to prepare since all of the worlds’ leagues are in season. Most players are in form but many players are also injured. The list of the missing is long: Manne (Senegal), Benzema, Kante, and Pogba, Nkunku (France), Joto (Portugal), James (England), Corona (Mexico). But many of the stars are here (Messi, Ronaldo, Mbappe, Lewandoski, Courtois, etc.) and should be in in-season form.
Senegal’s fans poised for their team to surprise. Senegal lost Netherlands 2-0.
Five days into the 2022 edition, there has already been misery and happiness. Argentina, the favorite to win it all, the team that had a 36 unbeaten match streak (1 short of Italy’s record), lost in a shocking upset in Group B’s initial game against Saudi Arabia.
Messi laments another bad start.
The loss sent Messi’s chances of winning the World Cup plummeting (teams that lose their first game have only an 11% chance of advancing to the knockout phase). For a player as loved and admired as Messi, it’s a painful reminder of how hard it is to win this competition. Over the past 8 years, Messi has lost a championship game and then been eliminated by the eventual champion in the Round of 16.
After going ahead on a Messi PK early in the game, Argentina had two goals disallowed due to offsides. The Argentinians never were able to solve that high defensive line, never tried an alternative tactic, and never recovered. Instead of having a comfortable three goal lead, they were up by the minimum margin at half. Saudi Arabia came out in the second half in a more attacking shape and were able to score two goals in the first 15 of the second half. Argentina now face a huge uphill battle, not unlike what they faced in the 2018 World Cup, after which they had only 1 point after two games. Their second game against Mexico, an old historic rival who they’ve beaten twice in dramatic fashion in the Round of 16, now will be one of the most fascinating of the tournament.
For the other megastar of this generation, the first game was kinder. He scored on a penalty kick in the 75th minute of Portugal’s tough encounter with Ghana, becoming the first player in history to score in 5 World Cups. Ghana tied the game up 1-1 with a goal from Jonathan Awei, Ghana’s most capped player ever, but then Portugal scored two goals within 5 minutes to go up 3-1. A late Ghanain goal made it interesting, but Portugal prevailed in the end 3-2 in the most exciting game. Winning your first game is always good. For a team like Portugal, led by one of the most confident and clutch players of all time, they now look poised to make a deep run.
Ronaldo celebrates historic goal
The first five days of the Cup also produced the usual, if not unexpected, drama for all the other teams in the tournament.
Mexico, who had been severely criticized by the Mexican media and fan base alike for their poor form, came up big in their first game by outplaying Poland. Memo Ochoa, who always plays excellently in the World Cup, made a fantastic PK save from one of the world’s best strikers, Robert Lewandoski, to preserve a nil-nil tie. The next match against Argentina should be a classic as both teams need a win, with Argentina the most desperate side and facing the most pressure to get a result. Clashes between these two countries have always been competitive and compelling; this edition, with everything that is at stake, should be no different.
The other huge upset was Japan outlasting Germany 2-1. Germany came out firing on all cylinders, took a 1-0 lead from a Gundogan PK and got a second that was disallowed. Then Japan struck back late in the game, scoring two goals in the last 15 minutes to upset the Germans.
MInutes before that offensive burst, sensational goalkeeping by the Japanese keeper Gonda kept Germany from winning the game. He made 6 saves in a one minute sequence that allowed Japan to make its comeback. In one, he denied Gnabri once from a potent header and then from a hard shot off the rebound. The winning goal was a masterpiece.
Takano Osana deftly controlled a 50 yard pass pass from a free kick with his right foot, masterfully controlling it with a sublime first touch that allowed him to dribble into the box all while shielding the ball from his defender. His second touch took him straight to Neuer, who he beat with a thunderous high and powerful shot. Neuer defended the goal with his hands below his shoulders and was beaten to the only spot he wasn’t defending, a shot that roofed the net.
Spain clobbered Costa Rica 7-0 with many of their young players in shining form. Gavi, Pedri, Rodri, Olmo, and Torres, et al all shared in the scoring in the rout of the 4th place team from CONCACAF. Two statistics summarize this game: Spain completed more than 1000 passes and Costa Rica had only 19% possession, the lowest number since possession statistics have been tracked. Spain is a footballing factory. Spain is fifth behind Brazil, Argentina, France and Colombia in the number of professionals in the top leagues worldwide. But year after year, team after team, you see quality professional players from Spain. Along with the two South American powers and the defending FIFA champions, the Spanish are ubiquitous. And their national team shows it.
England beat Iran decisively by a 6-2 scoreline. The Iranian team scored a moral and political victory when they decided to not sing the national anthem before the game. Given the historical enmity that exists between Iran and the US, not to mention the recently imposed by the latter country over the former, the US encounter with Iran will be fascinating. The US should not take Iran lightly however; they should remember Iran’s victory over the Americans in 1998 and learn that history can repeat itself. The US managed a 1-1 tie with Wales that seemed more like a defeat due to their dominance early on.
Belgium squeezed out a 1-0 victory over a Canadian team that was far superior most of the game. The Canucks haven’t been in a World Cup since the last century and are still looking for their first World Cup goal. Their best player, Alfonso Davies, had a chance to secure that but his PK was stopped by Courtois, one of the best keepers in the world.
Brazil made their debut with an impressive 2-0 victory over Serbia. Richarlison scored his first two goals for the Scratch D’Oro. On his second goal, he received a three three-toe pass from Vinicius from the left side, popped it up to himself, and then launched himself into the air and scored off a scissors kick. Jogo bonito exemplified in all phases of the game, passing, individual trickery and magical finishing. If Brazil play like this throughout the tournament, nobody will beat them.
Golazo !
After the first round, the favorites are the usual suspects: England, Brazil, Spain, France, Portugal. On a second tier, Holland, Belgium, and Japan. The two huge disappointments have been Germany and Argentina. The blue-chip teams have prevailed. No teams have emerged as surprises, at least not yet.
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