World Cup Takeaways: Quarterfinals
Photo by Paul Childs from Reuters
Friday was an incredible day of the World Cup, only for the terrible news later in the day that Grant Wahl, a premier American journalist, tragically lost his life in Qatar while covering the World Cup.
Before soccer gained a significant amount of popularity in this country, Grant was still writing about the beautiful game.
Obviously, I’m not a high end journalist. I don’t get paid for this. I never knew Grant Wahl. But through his writing I could almost guarantee that he would want people to continue covering this incredible sport.
And so that’s what I’ll do. And if I can do it even 1/64th of how Grant did it, I’d consider myself doing a really good job.
Croatia defeats Brazil 1-1 (4-2 on penalties)
When the United States played Iran and had a 1-0 lead, many fans, myself included, weren’t happy with Gregg Berhalter’s decision to park the bus so early and hold on for dear life.
I stand by that belief, but I do think there is a time to park the bus.
Brazil apparently thought otherwise.
Up 1-0 with just five minutes left in the game, they still had their midfield putting pressure on the ball and trying to push forward.
It’s a noble strategy! It’s also one that led to Croatia’s only shot of the game finding the back of the net to force penalty kicks, where Croatia (because it’s Croatia) easily won and advanced to the semifinals.
Sometimes, it’s ok to play defensive.
Argentina defeats the Netherlands 2-2 (4-3 on penalties)
If you were on the fence about soccer and this game didn’t push you over the edge into becoming a fan, then you just never will be (which is ok, for the record).
But this game had everything.
Beautiful play? Lionel Messi’s absurd pass to lead to Argentina’s first goal gave that to you.
A dramatic finish? How about the Dutch coming back from down 2 and equalizing with a brilliant set piece play?
But we’re American’s. We like anger and violence. It’s why hockey is so popular here despite also being a foreign sport.
It was exactly like the Argentina vs France game from the 2018 World Cup, where you just couldn’t take your eyes off of it.
Morocco defeats Portugal 1-0
Morocco is never going to dictate the pace of play, and they don’t give a damn about it.
They are going to sit back and play smart defensively and then hit you on the counter and look for goals that way.
They ended up in a group with Belgium and Croatia, before playing Spain and Portugal in the knockout rounds.
It worked every time.
They take on the defending champions next, and I’m sure many expect the French will end the incredible run Morocco is on.
But I wouldn’t be so sure. Never underestimate a super disciplined team during international tournaments.
France defeats England 2-1
There’s just something about England, man.
The final 10 minutes before a chance to go to the semifinals to take on Morocco and be the favorites to go to the World Cup Final and they get a penalty kick with a chance to tie the game.
Up steps Harry Kane, easily one of the best penalty kick takers in the world and is sitting on 53 England goals which is tied for the all time record.
A goal here would put him above Wayne Rooney and give his team a chance to take down the defending champions. It’s as sure as the sun rising. Harry Kane will score.
But there’s just something about England.
Kane skied the penalty, and England fell short once again.
Still, I must point out that England fans after the game were incredibly supportive of their team and their performance in Qatar, despite having expectations as one of the favorites given their performance in 2018 and Euro 2020.
In a day where social media can be absurdly toxic, it was nice to see.
It was also quite a lesson some US fans should learn…
