Justice prevails Brazil’s Blitz Krieg (2) against the brave Costa Rica (0)
Before the game started I had a feeling that is was going to be Brazil’s breakthrough game. After 45 minutes I started to doubt my football savvy. An Iron Curtain Costa Rica defense stymied the lackadaisical Brazilians and even threatened to score. The Brazilians must have been drinking a special Cool Aid at half time. They came out and ferociously attacked Costa Rica in a beautiful display of attacking football but with little return for the longest time, missing by inches time and again. It was shaping up as a goalless draw which would have been devastating for Brazil. Finally, the breakthrough. The referee calls a penalty on Neymar against Costa Rica. I have been critical about the VAR throughout the tournament so far. Not the VAR technology itself – I am for it. But its application and consequences for the game. Players of an opposing team should not be able to persuade the referee to consult the VAR and override his decision to nullify the call. Brazil were (rightly) angry and when Brazil gets angry, watch out. Enter Firmino late in the game (why not start him?) and finally on 90 minutes Coutinho finally scored to restore justice. Neymar added a second in the 98th (!) minutes for a well deserved and dramatic (almost traumatic) 2:0. This is World Cup soccer at its best: drama, attacks, saves, controversy and finally goals. Can’t see who other than Croatia could stop the Brazilian Samba. Define Blitz Krieg: 22 shots on goal, 10 on target 72% possession.
Nigeria (2) Super Eagles soar over Iceland (0)
Nostalgic football circa 1950. Fast, physical, direct, lots of crosses to the box, frequently changing possession. Nigeria had the better of the play but zero shots on goal in the first half. Following the Adrenalin filled Brazil game both teams had little excitement on offer. Great goal by Nigeria to open the second half will likely give the game some spark it lacked in the first half. Indeed, it had. Most players on both teams are liable to suffer severe headaches tonight from the untold number of headers by both teams. By today’s standards this could not have been quality football when the ball is in the air almost as much as on the ground. Musa’s second goal, again with a great first touch killed the game. Deserved win for the super eagles. Another VAR intervention override on a questionable contact in the box awards Iceland a penalty which as (in my opinion) justice would have it, Sigersson their top player missed.
Swiss Fondue Beats Serbian Slivovica in a come from behind 2:1
Dream start for Serbia with Mitrovic’s perfect header on 6 minutes. Serbia’s football mirrors their national character: tough, physical and if need be brutal. The Swiss are technically as good or better but softer on the tackles and slower on 50/50 balls. Never the less an excellent tying goal from 20+ yards out by the Swiss from a well-constructed counter attack. The Swiss finally read the memo and became much more aggressive in one on one encounters in the second half. To the neutral spectator this was a good high intensity entertaining end to end action. To the Serbian a heartbreak.
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