It was a day of huge expectations when two giants of the game and its poster boys were scheduled to play the Quarter Finals. Brazil pitted against Croatia and Argentina against Netherlands. The talk was all about the Samba Kings and Neymar and of Messi and his Team. Luka Modric’s Croatia and Virgil Van Dyk’s Dutch Team were hardly hogging the limelights. They were playing below the radar unnoticed.
Brazil vs Croatia : 1(2)-1(4)
As the sand cooled in the Arabian desert, The Education City Stadium resembled a cauldron at night. The favourites Brazil were tipped to win and the discussion was on the number of goals they would score and how would Neymar fare. It was not too long ago that Brazil and drilled in 4 goals against South Korea in about half an hours time. How long could Croatia peg them back was the only question.
Tough Luka
The Croatians however have their own history of Football. It was just 4 years ago that they had made it to the Final of the World Cup. They are known to be tougher opponents than what meets the eye and in Luka Modric, on whom I had written a post a few months back, is virtually forged in steel and a battled hardened star of modern football.
An off day for Richarlison
The Brazilians started the match with their trademark swift attacking style, but the Croatians were up to it. As the match unfolded it became amply clear that it would not be easy for Brazil. Croatia defended brilliantly and particularly in the midfield they held their own. Brazil did not get a clear chance neither in the first half and nor in the second. Though Croatia did not trouble the Brazilian goal much, they did not give even a sniff of a chance to Brazil as the match went into extra time. Richarlison and Vinicius Jr disappointed with their play.
Brilliant Neymar & Petkovic- The Lucky Charm
Neymar’s effort in vain
It required sheer magic from Neymar who scored in extra time by weaving himself through the Croatian defences and scoring probably one of the top 3 goals of the tournament. It was enough the Brazilians thought, but 12 minutes later with just 3 minutes to go for the final whistle the fortunes swirled. A Bruno Petkovic shot caught Marquinhos, Brazil’s Centre Back and deflected enough to beat Alisson Becker. The Croats had equalised. Marquinhos fell on the ground with his head buried. It was a cruel turn of fate for the Brazilian. Penalties were then to be taken to secure a result.
Floundering Brazilians – Resolute Croatians
Joy & Agony : In the same frame
The Croatians were upbeat, they were still alive. They had snatched their survival from Brazil and now it was anybody’s game with Livakovic their keeper in fine form. Brazil had not lost a penalty shoot out since 1986 and though the odds were in their favour the body language spoke differently. Alisson Becker, could not stop a single penalty. His team mates could score only 2 of their 4 hits and it was all over when the already emotionally burdened Marquinhos missed, to hand over a famous victory to Croatia. It was heartbreak for Brazil who were tipped to win. The Croatians were over the moon. Luka Modric had led his team to an improbable win. Neymar was left in tears. Tite, the Brazilian Manager resigned. It was absolutely UNREAL.
Argentina vs Netherlands 2(4)-2(3)
Argentina were wary of the Dutch, moreso post the Brazil – Croatia encounter as they graced the Lusail Stadium pitch. The Netherlands have been no pushovers with a solid defence led by Virgil Van Dyk and some strike power in Cody Gakpo and Memphis Depay with Dumfries too a dangerous player on the right flank.
Messi-Molina Magic
It was a sedate start, with Argentina playing the way they do, the waiting game, holding possession and then making that killer move. But it was not happening with Netherlands also trying to force the issue. However the deadlock was broken by non other than a brilliant play by Messi combining well with Molina on the right. The pass from Messi was so incisive that it split the Dutch defence. Molina had already made the run, he received the ball and placed it magnificently beyond the keeper as the defender rushed in. The South Americans were ahead in the 35th minute.
Argentina Almost Seal It
The second half was no different and the possession was equally shared. Argentina’s left back Marcus Acuna made a good run to the Dutch box and was fouled by Dumfries right at the edge of the box, just slightly in, resulting in a penalty for Argentina. Lionel Messi converted with the coolest of strikes. The match was wrapped up as it so appeared. But then a twisting saga was waiting to unfold with the arrival of Wout Weghorst and Steven Berghuis from the Dutch bench.
Weghorst’s Rearguard Action
In the 83rd minute Weghorst scored from a superb header on a centre received from the right flank. It was 2-1 and the Argentinians stayed back defending. Deep into the stoppage time with seconds left Argentina conceded a needless free kick just outside the box. It was to be the last kick of the game and against all odds, the Dutch scored through Weghorst again. It was even stevens. Argentina had lost a 2 goal advantage and were now staring at a possible penalty shoot out.
The tiring Argentinian legs got a bit of a thrust with a series of substitutions including the arrival of Angel de Maria. The extra time saw a rejuvenated Argentina who went for the kill and almost scored, hitting the goal post too. It appeared as if the momentum was shifting and the Argentinians felt more confident going into the penalties.
The Penalties : A Real Cracker As Argentina Prevail
Argentina Prevail
The penalties were a real cracker. Emiliano Martinez, Argentina’s goal keeper saved the first two kicks from the Dutch including the one from their captain Virgil Van Dyk. Both the saves were absolutely brilliant to say the least. Argentina on the other hand scored their first two with Messi ensuring the easiest of finishes. But Argentina missed one and the Dutch scored their rest and it all boiled down to the final kick to be taken by Lautaro Martinez who had actually brought in loads of energy for the Argentinians in Extra Time. He was not going to miss and fired one fast and furious past the Goalkeeper. Argentina had won, they had survived a scare and will meet Croatia in the Semi-Final. What drama in the end.
A War Zone
A Rare Event
The match was virtually fought like a pitched battle in a War zone, with players of both teams coming to blows. A total of 14 Yellow cards and 1 Red card to Dumfries was awarded by the referee. Netherlands committed 30 fouls against 18 by Argentina. Messi too got a yellow card, a rarity. An incredible game in the end. Another UNREAL one.
Another night of elation and despair, of euphoria and agony ended almost at dawn. The first of the Quarter Finals eventually got over. The remaining two are just a few hours away. Morocco take on Portugal ( who are besieged with the Ronaldo controversy ) and lastly the clash of the Titans as defending champions France take on England.
For FIFA World Cup keep reading @ rizkhan.in
Read QUICK, Read BETTER @ rizkhan.in
Truly nail biting match
Yes absolutely