Month: July 2018

Brazil 1-2 Belgium: First goal was crucial despite spirited fightback after Martinez’s side took control

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So glad to watch such a high quality quarter-final between two sides reasonably seen as potential World Cup 2018 winners. My thoughts on full-time whistle also available at

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10102834843567930&id=36921408

Brazil had opportunities but in key moments fortune favoured Belgium who took advantage of an own goal from a corner to build what proved an unassailable lead before half-time, despite a spirited second half fight-back.

Brasileros I spoke to before the game thought first goal crucial & it could have come at the opposite end, with a goalmouth scramble ensuing after a corner had been turned onto the near post.

But once they took the lead Roberto Martinez’s side looked increasingly comfortable in a smart layout that inhibited the opposition’s attacks on both flanks by placing Romelu Lukaku & Eden Hazard on the right & left side of playmaker Kevin de Bruyne respectively. Nacer Chadli dropped well into midfield following his previous appearance on the flanks, to make the side more solid in the centre of the pitch.

Neymar, who succeeded in winning a string of free-kicks, Philippe Coutinho & Marcelo from left-back intimidated defenders into standing off their opponents and allowing them space to dribble, look for shots, and cross respectively. But they themselves lacked support from teammates, inhibited by the lurking presence of Lukaku, whose pace & power only Miranda looked able to contain, in the absence of Casemiro.

Red Devils have been ponderous in possession in the past but their methodical style on the ball has been reflected in consistently incisive counter-attacks. As their last minute goal to defeat Japan came from an opposition corner, so did their clinical second goal. Lukaku received the clearance and began an unstoppable run to the other end of the pitch before passing neatly to de Bruyne whose finish was powerful and accurate.

Although I had feared there was more potential for a thrashing than a comeback, Tite made excellent substitutions after the break to put the leaders under increasing pressure. Pace on the right-flank from Douglas Costa stretched the pitch better creating space for teammates, & forced Jan Vertonghen & others supporting Hazard onto the back foot.

Apart from Marouane Fellaini who pressed effectively, and Vincent Kompany on occasion, when not in possession their defence appeared to show a preference for containing the attack and preparing to counter-attack, with Axel Witsel always seeming to give a surfeit of numbers and sure touch when required. But into the second half they no longer seemed poised to counter & looked less capable of containing the increasing pressure.

A clever run from Renato Augusto was not picked up & he pulled a goal back with a neat header, with Axel Witsel & Kompany appearing to blame each other. Another clever run of his ended with a shot he dragged wide, & Thomas Vermaelen was brought on to act as another centre-back.

Substitute Roberto Firmino struck a shot on-the-turn from close range wide, and a Coutinho forced Thibaut Courtois into a good save.

Another of Brazil’s efforts could very well have equalised. But it was not to be, and now in the semi-final the Belgium Golden Generation have a chance to fulfil their potential with the ultimate trophy.

Spain 1-1 (3-4) Russia: Akinfeev helps hosts’ heroes defeat Hierro’s side on penalties

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I didn’t meet a fan who thought the host nation could progress but it was a fantastic experience to see Russia🇷🇺 hold and then defeat Spain🇪🇸 on penalties in front of such a cheerful and positive home crowd at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.

Igor Akinfeev has made reduntant any previous mistakes for the national team and his heroic saves gave a reward to his teammates’ for their careful defending against the 2010 world champions.

Sergio Ramos was amazing to watch at centre back because of his visibly high level of confidence in launching with great speed and power into challenges, whether having to cover ground first, or in close contact – including with vastly experienced defender Sergei Ignashevich to force home his side’s opening goal. He had similarly handled the much larger Artem Dzyuba operating as a target man, but the giant centre forward unsettled his centre back partner Gerard Pique into blocking his header with a handball resulting in a penalty, which he converted.

With a more conservative right-back in Nacho (initially) alongside left-back Jordi Alba and central midfield duo of Sergio Busquets and Koke comfortably providing a platform for possession, manager Fernando Hierro appeared to restrain any nerves and said little from the touchline. Stanislav Cherchesov was more agitated in engaging the crowd and urging his side to offer enough in attack to inhibit the favourites, and generate further set pieces to trouble their opponents.

The home side made substitutions earlier and their physical exertion was clear with the contrast at full time between the focus on the efforts of their physios to assist their players’ physical recovery to stay in the game during extra time, and the favourites’ talk on how they would crack the tiring opposition defence.

They had been unable to do so in ninety minutes, and Diego Costa had been substituted having had little space to operate in with his opponents so deep. However, they had began the process with introduction of Andres Iniesta who almost managed it with some moments of great poise and incision, in particular his well-directed shot forcing an astonishing save from a fully outstretched Akinfeev.

Starting the match with Marco Asensio offering more width instead to accompany playmakers Isco and David Silva had not appeared unwise initially. But in what proved his last appearance before his international retirement from La Furia Roja the Barcelona legend showed how much more effective he is at unlocking packed defences. He identified either incisive passes or darting runs with & without the ball, or moved the ball on when no opportunity presented itself, and crucially did so quickly & without telegraphing his plans – unlike his fellow playmakers with more of a preference for dribbling with their preferred foot.

The shock sacking of Julen Lopetegui before the tournament had not appeared to affect the side too severely based on their resilient opening performance against Portugal. But subsequent performances against Iran and Morocco indicated a reluctance to use with conviction their variety of attacking options to overwhelm opponents. Neither did they control possession so thoroughly that the opposition were unable to pose a threat to their defence, as the 2010 side did.

The hosts’ penalty resulting from one of their set pieces and an exit on penalties is a harsh punishment for such indecision. But World Cup 2018 as a whole benefits from the presence of the host nation, and the constant reminder that the favourites can be defeated.