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World Cup Highlights: The Quarter Finals

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Suarez saves UruguayWhat was being dubbed the South American World Cup due to the success of sides from that area was quickly rewritten the European World Cup by the Netherlands, Germany and Spain. At the same time, my predictions for the quarter finals were shown up to be so much rubbish.

Four South American sides – Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay – reached the quarter finals but only one remains. Uruguay overcame Ghana in dramatic circumstances, but Argentina were blitzed by the Germans, Brazil were outplayed by the Dutch and Paraguay were undone, like so many before them, by David Villa and Spain.

I must start with the Paraguay versus Ghana game and, of course, Luis Suarez. So much has been written and said about Suarez’s hand ball to deny Ghana what would have been a winning goal in the dying seconds, did he cheat, is he a hero, should he receive further punishment than the one game he’ll get for the red card?

With the game at 1-1 with only seconds left in extra time, Ghana launched one last attack. Stephen Appiah’s effort was blocked legally by Suarez’s thigh, but the follow up effort from Adiyiah he was forced to keep out with his hands. The referee had no choice but to blow for the penalty and issue a red card.

So did Suarez cheat? Yes, clearly he did. He denied Ghana the winning goal with his hands.

But he was punished with the red card and Ghana were given the chance to win the game again with a penalty. That they missed, Gyan putting it just over the bar, is not Suarez’s fault. You can understand Ghana’s reaction, frustration must be high after they went on to lose the penalty shoot out, but to aim that frustration and anger at Suarez is wrong.

We all would have done the same. Whether through choice or simple reaction, we all would have done the same. Quite simply, he took one for the team and it worked.

Is he a hero? To any Uruguayan, yes he is. To some neutrals (including me) yes he is. To Ghana, of course not. I remember Manchester United’s Ole Gunnar Solskjaer bringing down Newcastle’s Rob Lee as he swept past him, clean through on goal. Had he gone on and scored, that season’s title battle would perhaps have gone Newcastle’s way. Solskjaer was rightly sent off, Newcastle fans were up in arms but to Manchester United fans he is remembered as much for that as he is his Champions League winning goal in 1999. Sometimes, this is how heroes are made.

That there have been calls for Fifa to extend his ban – and they apparently did consider it before ruling it out – is ridiculous. The circumstances and timing of his offence have made this a much bigger story than it would have been had he committed his crime halfway through the first half, for example.

You cannot alter punishments for circumstance in football. Suarez and Uruguay received theirs during the game, there is no law, precedent or reason to take it further.

We all feel sorry for Ghana, bidding to be the first African nation to make it to the semi finals, indeed, they will have been many people’s preferred winner. But they aren’t and that is not down to Suarez. Uruguay won the penalty shoot out 4-2. Let’s move on.

Germany’s young side continue to impress and no-one would have been expecting the lesson they gave Maradona’s Argentina. For the third time in this World Cup they scored four goals as Argentina’s defensive weaknesses were ruthlessly exploited. What is more surprising is their lack of potency going forward. Lionel Messi was a virtual bystander as Germany’s defence coped just fine with him, Higuain and Tevez.

For me, this was the shock of the semi finals – not that Germany won, but that they won so easily. Inspired by Schweinsteiger, they tore through Argentina, scoring Thomas Muller after just three minutes. Miroslav Klose got two as he moved closer to winning the Golden Boot and within one goal of Ronaldo’s all time World Cup finals record of 15 goals. Full back Friedrich bagged the other.

For a period in the second half it looked like Argentina might find a way back into the game as they found possession easier to come by, but Klose scored on 67 minutes to end their hopes. Germany reasserted control and Maradona was left clutching in vain at his rosemary beads as his World Cup dreams were torn apart.

One blow for Germany is that Thomas Muller picked up a second yellow card of the tournament and will miss the semis. Muller has been outstanding and they will miss him.

Brazil’s exit came at the hands of the Dutch as their famously dodgy defence, seemingly repaired by Dunga, returned at just the wrong time.

Brazil actually took the lead in the 10th minute with a goal that England fans would recognise more than Brazil’s would. Julio Cesar punted the ball forward, Melo passed it on, splitting the Dutch central defence and Robinho ran to slot coolly past Stekelenburg. Route One all the way!

Despite Holland’s attempts to get back into the game, Dunga’s new Brazil stood firm, restricting the Dutch to just a few efforts. They could have had more goals themselves were it not for the Dutch keeper, saving well from Kaka and Maicon. Quite what happened in the Brazilian dressing room at half time, I don’t know, but that defensive solidity all but vanished in the second half.

A nightmare mix up between Cesar and Melo following a Sneijder free kick saw them collide with the ball bouncing off the defender’s head and into the back of the net. The Dutch were back in it and their new found unity paid dividends as they one again punctured the Brazilian defence.

Robben’s corner was flicked on by Kuyt for the highly impressive Sneijder to head home what turned out to be the winning goal. Holland have always been undermined by internal rifts but at this World Cup they have played as a team with a common goal – winning it. On this evidence, they just might.

Pre-tournament favourites Spain continue to progress despite playing well below the standards they set in winning the European Championships in 2008. They struggled to open up a stubborn and well drilled Portuguese defence in the previous round and in Paraguay they faced the same problem.

However, Paraguay, who made six changes from the team that beat Japan on penalties, were determined to offer more going forward than the Portuguese and the plan almost worked.

The game itself was not the thriller the other three ties were, but did include moments of high drama. On 57 minutes Paraguay were awarded a penalty when Pique brought down Cardozo. Iker Casillas in the Spanish goal was up to the task, however, saving his ideally heighted penalty.

Less than three minutes later Spain were awarded a penalty when Villa was fouled in the Paraguayan box. Xabi Alonso scored easily but the referee ordered a retake as Spanish players encroached into the area. Villar saved Alonso’s second effort and the match remained 0-0 with 30 minutes left.

Spain’s patience is becoming legendary. They just don’t panic, they continue to play their own unique game of passing and moving. So far it has been well rewarded and they must thank their talisman David Villa. He was on hand again to rescue his side and end Paraguay’s hopes.

The goal itself was dramatic, as his effort hit one post, rolled along the goal line, hit the other before ending up in the back of the net.

Should Spain win this World Cup they should honour Villa somehow – without him, they’d have been out a long time ago. But they continue to improve by small steps with each match. Torres, incidentally, doesn’t…

The semi finals look like this:

  • Argentina v Germany
  • Uruguay v Spain

I will, of course, post a preview with predictions tomorrow, but if you’re a betting man, I’d go with the opposite! We could have a Germany Holland final, however – that would be interesting…

PREVIEW: World Cup Quarter Finals

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The serious business, assuming it has all been a right laugh up to now, starts today with the World Cup quarter finals. The best eight teams in the world are on show over the next two days and there’s no doubt that those involved deserve to be there.

World Cup Quarter Finals

Gratuitous

Holland v Brazil

History tells us this should be a fantastic match to watch, pitting Dutch Total Football against Brazilian flair and explosiveness. This tournament tells a different story, however. Both sides are here to win and they have gone about it in a manner which doesn’t fit their reputations.

Defensively sound, prepared to fight, happy to sacrifice flair for victory if they need to. That’s not to say this will be a backs to the wall, all hands on deck dogfight though. They both boast skilful players capable of brilliance and they have both shown they can mix their new-found pragmatic approach with their more recognisable traditions of attacking football when they so choose.

In Wesley Sneijder, Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie the Dutch have both the vision and the firepower to destroy any side. The Brazilians, with Luis Fabiano, Kaka and Robinho have much the same. That both have built a solid defensive foundation behind them is to their credit, rather than a slur on their respective histories.

Head to Head: In World Cups it’s one win a piece and a draw, which Brazil won on penalties in 1998. Overall it’s 3-2 to Brazil and four draws over nine games.

Prediction: Brazil’s experience to see them squeeze past the Dutch into the semi finals by one goal. 2-1.

Uruguay v Ghana

The South American influence on this World Cup cannot be ignored and Uruguay themselves should not be dismissed either, especially after earning one of the easiest routes to at least the semi finals. Disappointingly, Ghana are the only African side left in the competition despite hope that this would be an African World Cup.

The Black Stars have made it through with grit and determination, a sharp contrast to Uruguay’s skilful, quick-passing, goal scoring exploits. I’ve been mightily impressed with them, especially Diego Forlan and Luis Suarez. Ghana have Asamoah Gyan, of course, who, with three goals to his name already, represents the focal point of all the Africans do and you simply cannot discount the threat he brings.

That said, the former two time world champions from Uruguay should be just that bit more wily than their opponents who looking to make their mark on the world stage by becoming the first African nation to make the last eight of a World Cup.

Head to Head: There is none. They’ve never met before at senior level!

Prediction: I just get the feeling the Black Stars will have trouble getting hold of the ball in this one and Uruguay’s strike force will continue to be potent. 2-0.

Argentina v Germany

Insanity versus Pragmatism. Irresistible Force versus Immovable Object. Whatever you want to call this one, it’s an intriguing match up as Maradona’s talent packed squad meets Loew’s well drilled unit. It is unfair to suggest that Germany don’t have talent themselves or that Argentina don’t know how to defend, however.

Lucas Podolski, Miroslav Klose, Mesut Ozil – all more than capable of providing the Germans with a victory here. Walter Samuel, Gabriel Heinze, Javier Mascherano – all more than capable of stopping them.

Nevertheless, the focus will be on Lionel Messi, should he play, and what magic he can conjure up for himself and his team mates.

This really should be the tie of the round and you’d be a fool to miss it.

Head to Head: At the World Cup Germany lead (and the English will love the irony…) 5-1, Argentina’s only victory the 1986 World Cup final. A good one to win though, eh.

Prediction: Tight. Probably tight. But cracking to watch. 1-0 to Argentina.

Paraguay v Spain

The fourth team from South America to make the quarter finals is, I’m sorry to say, the weakest and in Spain they have one of the three strongest teams in the competition to try and overcome.

That said, Spain have yet to hit the heights they did in the 2008 European Championships, have yet to quite click. They are still one of the best around and have recovered well from that stalemate with Switzerland at the start of the competition.

Paraguay, on the other hand, are playing at their peak, defensively sound and doing just enough so far, including a creditable draw with Italy. A 0-0 draw against Japan – in which Japan were the major attackers – ended in victory via penalties so they have mental strength to go with their defensive capabilities.

But let’s face it, they won’t be able to live with Spain and don’t have the firepower to trouble them. Torres may be way off the pace for Spain but Villa is on fire, more than ably supported by the Xavi / Iniesta combination.

Head to Head: Spain lead 1-0 in both World Cup competition and overall, the only other two games ended 0-0. Let’s hope that doesn’t happen…

Prediction: Spain are slowly but surely getting their act together, but showed against Portugal that they can be blunted, something Paraguay do so well. 2-0 Spain, too much firepower.

World Cup Highlights: Day Seventeen

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Muller scores fourth against EnglandGermany get a measure of revenge for 1966 and Argentina just continue on beating whoever is put in front of them, despite having a madman in charge.

All in all, it was an unsurprising day at the World Cup. It is English nature to feel utter despair at a defeat (or insipid draw against supposed useless nations) and utter elation and belief we’re the best in the world after any victory of any kind at an international tournament.

It should come as no surprise then, that Fabio Capello, the England players and every England supporter everywhere (including me, as hard as I tried to let head rule heart) expected a victory over the vastly superior Germans. Hope and expectation count for nothing on the football field, however, and England were duly dumped out of the World Cup, almost with disdain.

England will hide behind the fact that they were denied an obvious goal when Frank Lampard hit a screamer from distance which bounced down well behind the goal line but wasn’t seen by the only people that mattered, the linesman and the referee, who waved play on. I mean…LOOK AT IT!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=glfYQjAWwNk[/youtube]

The scoreline, of course, was already 2-1 thanks to Miroslav Klose and Lucas Podolski and what turned out to be consolation from Matty Upson. England will feel rightly aggrieved – don’t we always? – while the Germans will feel justice is now done, as they still believe Geoff Hurst’s goal in the 1966 World Cup final didn’t cross the goal line in similar fashion. It did, though, so shut up.

Thomas Muller scored a quickfire two goals in the 67th and 70th minute to round off the rout. Poor defending and a lack of craft up front contributed to England’s demise in what has been an appalling World Cup campaign. They will return home with their tails between their legs, no doubt to public ridicule and Capello will bear the brunt of the press massacre.

I’m not sure that’s all that fair – we’re just not good enough and the so-called “Golden Generation” is more brass then precious metal – but he must take his share of the criticism for poor tactical decisions and team selection. Where the FA go with Capello and the future of the national side is anyone’s guess, but there are few options available right now.

Germany, meanwhile, progress as one of the tournament favourites, no doubt boosted by inflicting England’s heaviest defeat at an international tournament. Argentina await in the quarter finals and will prove a much tougher test.

A 3-1 victory over Mexico – who have gone out in the last 16 for the 5th World Cup in a row – saw Maradona’s men through.

Not that this game wasn’t without controversy of its own. Mexico shaded the first half, but Carlos Tevez’s opener should have been ruled out for offside as he was yards off when nodding home from Lionel Messi’s delivery. The goal, on 25 minutes, disrupted the concentration of Mexico and just eight minutes later Higuain scored his fourth goal of the tournament, picking up a loose Osario pass on the edge of the box, rounding the keeper and slotting home.

Tevez put the icing on Argentina’s cake with a screamer into the top corner from long range before new Manchester United signing Javier Hernandez notched a consolation for the unfortunate Mexicans. Check out the Tevez goal, another contender for best goal of the World Cup.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWlDja0C2Nc[/youtube]

They didn’t deserve the scoreline but the result was, on balance, a fair one as Argentina are clearly in with a chance of winning the World Cup – despite rather than because of having Maradona in charge.

For my part, I spent the afternoon in a beer garden in the country with the girlfriend and her daughter, following the England-Germany game via the boos and cheers from inside the boozer. When the second half kicked off and there was no more noise from indoors I knew I wasn’t missing anything. England, sadly, are missing much but the World Cup is not going to miss them.

World Cup Highlights: Day Twelve

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South African fansThe South African World Cup is starting to take shape now as we begin to learn who will appear in the knockout stages. For hosts South Africa it’s all over but they go out with their heads held high and their pride intact. For France, it’s the exact opposite.

In fact, South Africa have every right to feel robbed by the French, much like the Republic of Ireland before them. Leading 2-0 through Khumalo and Mphela at half time and with news that Uruguay were beating Mexico, Bafana Bafana looked like they could score the two further goals they needed against a French side that were clearly just looking to get it over and done with and get home.

Yet a 70th minute goal from Malouda – and a bloody good goal at that, to be fair – took the wind out of the already tiring South Africans. They continued to try, of course, but it was a losing battle from there. Nevertheless, the host nation have acquitted themselves admirably in their three group games and will be sadly missed.

Not so the French, who, with their in-fighting, performances and general attitude, have tarnished their international reputation, embarrassed themselves and made no friends. It will be a World Cup they will want to forget as quickly as we’ll want to forget they were ever in it.

For the other two teams in Group A, Mexico and Uruguay, the tournament continues. Uruguay’s reward for beating Mexico in their third group game is a comparatively easy second round game against Group B runners up South Korea, while Mexico must face the winners and my new tournament favourites, Argentina.

Argentina’s late 2-0 victory over a stubborn but unimaginative Greece side ensured they topped the group over South Koreans, who played out a pulsating 2-2 draw with Nigeria, hanging on to claim the point they needed to qualify.

Greece, never really in this tournament despite a 2-1 victory over Nigeria, go home, as do the Nigerians, no doubt ruing that appalling result themselves. It was a game they should not have lost, but it’s an unforgiving competition.

I want to finish this round up by returning, for the last time, to the French and their coach Raymond Domenech. You would think a man who has been undermined, embarrassed and ridiculed would want to go out on a high, or at least with a shred of his reputation remaining.

Not so, Domenech. At the final whistle of his side’s 2-1 defeat to South Africa he refused to shake the hand of Carlos Alberto Parreira, his opposite number. The decision lacked class and underlined just what a horrible man Domenech is.

If, as has been reported, the Brazilian coach of Bafana Bafana said to Domenech that France did not deserve to qualify then you could say it was unnecessary, but you cannot say it gives the Frenchman the right to act so unsportingly.

Truth hurts, eh, Raymond. The tournament is better off without you and France is better off without you.

World Cup Highlights: Day Seven

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Gonzalo HiguainWe asked for goals, Argentina and Gonzalo Higuain duly obliged. In fact, we had 10 goals all together on Day Seven as the South African World Cup sparked into life for the first time.

In a highlights package, though, we have to focus on Diego Maradona’s Argentina. Their second group game pitted them against South Korea and on paper it should have been a walk over for the South Americans. Unfortunately for South Korea, that’s pretty much what it turned out to be.

It did take Argentina a little while to find their feet in the match and South Korea’s energy played a part in that, but once Park Chu-Young had put the ball into his own net attempting to deal with a Lionel Messi cross it was basically one way traffic.

Argentina’s second goal came just after the half hour when Maxi Rodriguez’s cross was nodded on by Burdisso for Higuain to score his first goal with a simple nod in. It was to be the first of a memorable hat trick for Higuain.

For teams and coaches watching on this was a masterclass in pacy attacking football, slick passing and clinical finishing. Yet Argentina still managed to offer up some hope to their future opposition with an almighty blunder just before half time.

Centre back Demichelis dawdled on the ball far too long, allowing Lee Chung-Yong to take the ball off his toes, run and score expertly past the helpless Romero.

It was to be a brief respite for South Korea and they could have done without the half time whistle, but it exposed a weakness in the Argentina side that teams will have to exploit to beat them. Their defence is comparatively weak and prone to lapses in concentration.

The second half saw South Korea press for an equaliser and again Argentina’s defensive weaknesses were exposed as the Koreans came close through Yeom Ki-Hun. He could only put the ball narrowly wide though and Argentina retook control.

Higuain’s hat trick was completed with a tap-in, following up the sublime Messi’s shot which came back off the post, and a header, again following brilliant work by Messi which allowed Aguero to cross for the striker.

It was a thoroughly deserved win for Maradona’s men. It almost felt like they were throwing down the gauntlet to the likes of Germany and Brazil. And what a gauntlet it was.

One post match highlight I have to tell you about. Maradona was holding his press conference when he was asked, in English, about the affection he has for his players and all the hugging and kissing on the cheek. Clearly something was lost in translation as the coach’s eyes widened in surprise and perhaps shock. “No! I like girls!” came his translated reply.

Always entertainment is Maradona.

A moment of madness from Nigeria’s Kaita snatched defeat from the jaws of victory for the Africans and gave Greece their first ever win at a World Cup finals.

Leading through a 16th minute Uche free kick, Nigeria were firmly in control against a lacklustre Greece when Kaita inexplicably kicked out at Torosidis, earning himself the inevitable red card and destroying Nigeria’s grip on the game.

The sending off seemed to wake Greece up for the first time this tournament and a deflected Salpingidis shot pulled them level. When the wronged Torosidis put Greece ahead with 20 minutes to go the writing was on the wall for Nigeria.

Having lost their first match only narrowly to Argentina this was a bit of a shock result, but it leaves the African side’s future in the tournament in serious doubt. They must beat South Korea and hope Argentina claim victory over Greece.

France’s dismal World Cup continued with a 2-0 defeat to Mexico that leaves them effectively out of the World Cup at the first stage. It’s clear that there are serious divisions in the squad which the eccentric and frankly useless Raymond Domenech is powerless to mend.

The players don’t want to play for their coach, barely for each other, and looked glad to just get the match over and get off the pitch. One more match to go and Domenech steps down to make way for Laurent Blanc. Blanc will have his work cut out, that’s for sure.

Mexico, on the other hand, are growing in confidence and a composed goal from new Manchester United striker Hernandez when put clean through gave them the lead before 37 year old substitute Blanco slotted home a penalty after Barrera was tripped by Abidal.

Mexico and Uruguay are now clear favourites to progress from Group A and deservedly so. The Irish will no doubt be revelling in France’s demise.

So we waited a week for some excitement and we finally got it thanks, perhaps unsurprisingly, to Diego Maradona and Argentina.

Spain shock puts England draw into perspective

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Robert Green's howlerSwitzerland’s defeat of Spain, France and Italy’s respective draws and the, if we’re honest, unconvincing victories for Brazil and Holland should offer up some hope to England supporters despairing at the draw with the USA.

Only Germany have struck fear into the hearts of the other 31 teams in the World Cup. The rest of the so-called favourites have done little to cause sleepless nights, for England or anyone.

Fabio Capello’s men did not put in a brilliant performance but nor were they as bad as the British media, prone to overreaction, portrayed. They had chances to win the match and would have done anyway had it not been for Robert Green’s much talked about misfortune.

I would even go so far as to say that England’s performance was better than that of France and Italy and while Spain enjoyed a huge amount of possession and had more shots than any other team so far in the tournament it meant little – England have a point, they do not.

This is not to suggest that if England faced any of the aforementioned teams they would win, but they would certainly have a very good chance, howlers aside.

There’s a long way to go in this World Cup, let’s not be too downbeat. Every side has played their first game now and England are sitting far prettier than most.

World Cup Highlights: Day Two

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Lionel MessiThe question over Lionel Messi’s ability to bring his club form to the international stage was answered on Day Two of the World Cup in South Africa.

His pace, trickery and imagination were all on show for Argentina against Nigeria and were it not for the  heroics of Super Eagles keeper Enyeama he would have had a well deserved hat trick. As it was, Maradona’s Argentina had to settle for a 1-0 victory to open their campaign thanks to an unmarked header from Gabriel Heinze.

It’s a tough call between Messi and Enyeama for the best performance of the day – call it a draw.

Had the South Americans faced a better team the scoreline would perhaps have been different but there was no doubting the talents of Messi on the day. Maradona agreed:

“Football wouldn’t be beautiful without seeing Messi touch the football.”

Diego Armando Maradona provided highlights of his own on the sidelines. Constantly moving, you could tell he was living every moment of the game and you got the impression he wanted nothing more than to be out there himself. Someone should keep a camera trained on him for every game. Pure entertainment.

Earlier in the day South Korea comfortably beat an inept Greece through goals from Lee Jung-soo and Manchester United’s Park Ji-sung. I always want to describe the South Koreans as ‘plucky’, but their game has matured since the World Cup in Japan and South Korea and it showed.

Consider Greece a real lowlight though. They looked disinterested, disjointed and dispassionate. One wonders how they even qualified given what was on show today. This is the World Cup, boys, if you can’t turn up for that, you’ll never turn up for anything. Shockingly bad.

And so we come to England’s opening match against the USA. It started with a fourth minute goal from captain Steven Gerrard, set up by Heskey and it effectively ended with a real howler from goalkeeper Robert Green.

Gerrard’s goal was the result of a clever pass from the big man, finished cleverly by Gerrard before USA keeper Tim Howard really knew what was happening.

England's keeper problemsAll the talk in the build up to the match was about England’s keeper. Would it be injury concern David James, safe but uninspiring Robert Green or the young Joe Hart, whose distribution worries Capello a lot?

In the end, the England manager went with Green and he may well be ruing that decision after Green let a speculative 25-yard shot squirm through his fingers and into the goal. The ‘Calamity’ tag passes from James to Green.

The press will murder the West Ham keeper but he came out in the second half and performed well and was brave enough to come out and face the cameras after the game. That says a lot about his temperament to me.

It would be supremely harsh to drop Green for one mistake and faith in him will improve him. Capello will find it hard not to, however, and if James can prove his fitness over the next few days he may well get the nod for the Algeria game.

So England had to settle for a 1-1 draw in their opening match and will surely be looking to put Algeria to the sword to get back on track. It’s not a disaster, but it’s far from the ideal start everyone wanted.

YCNMIU #7: Maradona runs over cameraman

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Diego Maradona

We have to use this pic by law, right?

It’s something of a surprise that Maradona hasn’t made our YCNMIU series before, but here he is at last.

On his way to announce Argentina’s 23-man World Cup squad, Maradona knocked over a cameraman in his car. Not particularly funny, I know. What qualifies this for YCNMIU is the fact that on doing so, the once great footballer and now crazy coach leaned from his car yelling:

“What an asshole you are. How can you put your foot under the wheel, man?”

He then announced a squad containing six strikers. The man’s a loon but if he wins the World Cup there will clearly have been method in his madness.