Allez Les Rouge! Viva Espana! And is this Auf Wiedersehen for Die Mannschaft?
World Cup Diaries: Day 8
World Cup Diaries: Day 8
A day of footballing predictions. In Four Acts.
Act One — Nippon miss a HUGE opportunity
JAPAN 0
COSTA RICA 1 (Fuller 81)
For what it’s worth, I pen this particular style of diary entry in real time and primarily to avoid the tedium of television adverts. So the list of predictions you’ll see in the centre of this article was scribbled and captured for posterity (as well as confirming my sound reasoning in my not following in my Father’s footsteps and being a betting man!) at just past 10am UK time which was in fact 1pm Qatar time, the middle of the night for our Costa Rican friends and slap bang in the middle of prime time viewing for a Japanese nation that has truly taken the beautiful game to its collective heart. Following their shock victory over Germany and Costa Rica’s 7–0 mauling at the hands of Spain, I confidently predicted a 4–1 win for Japan reasoning they’d sneak an early goal and Costa Rica would simply wilt under the relentless attacks from a quicker, sharper, hungrier Japanese team who knew pre game that a victory would almost certainly ensure a passage into the knock-out stages, with a game to spare too, and a chance to rest some weary legs before the real World Cup begins.
My prediction was also based upon the somewhat sound reasoning that Costa Rica are rubbish (sorry folks, they are) and I watch and admire a number of Japanese players all football season long. I have a large piece of my Red Liverpool heart set aside for attacking striker Takumi Minamino. He may have flattered to deceive but he was a trier and he had a happy knack of scoring important goals. So too Daichi Kamada who always impresses me in European football for his club team Eintract Frankfurt. Takehiro Tomiyasu is deemed worthy enough of a regular starting place by Mikel Arteta at Arsenal (though I think he’s weak defensively!), striker Kaoru Mitoma plays with great promise in the Premier League for Brighton and Hove Albion, Daizen Maeda is a combative competitor and one of a number plying their trade in Scotland for Celtic and Ritsu Doan impressed me on first viewing against Germany a few days ago. Japan have a “spine” of a team from the defensive unit in footballing form and in the guise of Southampton’s Maya Yoshida, captain of Germany’s VFB Stuttgart, Wataru Endo, and a range of attacking options already enthused over above.
This was a huge opportunity missed. So what went wrong?
The most damning evidence of a dreadful game was that the only noteworthy event of a turgid first half was the yellow card booking of Costa Rica striker Anthony Contreras on 41 minutes. Yes the sum total of anything worthy of note is the noting of a player’s name for a reckless challenge! Similarly, I noted the surging run of Hidemasa Morita 26 seconds into the second half. Yes 26. I noted it immediately from the rolling time stamp as frankly, I feared the worst for a Japanese team completely devoid of ideas, tired, leggy and stunted by Costa Rica’s rigid 5–4–1 system. Joel Campbell ploughed a lonely furrow in attack for Costa Rica and for a team clearly set up and entirely happy for a drawn point even before the first shrill of the referee’s whistle. Their negativity perfectly summed up an entirely negative and frustrating game that Japan didn’t have the guile or invention to overcome. There was a crazy goal mouth scramble on 88 minutes that also rather summed up Japan’s poor luck as well as an even poorer performance but 7 minutes earlier, they’d been hit with the ultimate sucker punch.
The slowly curling and arcing winning goal from Keysher Fuller on 81 minutes was as beautiful as it was saveable for the Japan shot stopper Shuichi Gonda. But he seemed to start his high dive too early and Fuller’s shot almost arched over him as he was coming down from a comfortable looking save.
Believe this or believe this not, this was Costa Rica’s first shot on target from their entire opening two games of the tournament, but Fuller’s saveable effort counted and broke the thousands of Japanese hearts that had given their heroes such incredible support inside the stadium. From the unbelievable high of vanquishing Germany. To a rather solemn low to be beaten by such a poor opposition.
Japan should’ve qualified but haven’t and will now, along with the rest of the footballing world, cast a keen eye on this evening’s game between Spain and Germany. If Germany lose they’re gone from the tournament but Japan may still need a favour from the team they comprehensively beat just a few days ago, namely beating Costa Rica in their final group game. Spain awaits next for a Japan who should’ve qualified and may still do. But this result has severely dented their hopes. All eyes on Spain and Germany later!
Act Two — “Oh this place has erupted!”
BELGIUM 0
MOROCCO 2 (Sabiri 73, Aboukhial 90+2)
As you’ll see below, I predicted the exact opposite result this afternoon and so for anyone keeping count, I’m now 0 for 2! But the reason I predicted a 2–0 win for Belgium was based upon an inkling I’d had that they’d struggle (as they did against Canada) and score a lucky goal or two (as they did against Canada) all whilst huffing and puffing their way to an underwhelming qualification for the knock-out stages. I’m still rather annoyed Belgium squeaked past an unlucky Canada a few days ago (Editor’s Note: He’s seething!) and today’s performance perfectly summed up my feelings following their very fortuitous win over the North Americans: Belgium look an old and tired team at the bottom of an almost glorious crest of a wave that is flatlining. Quickly.
No pace. No real threat in attack. A truly great team. A golden generation.
A glorious but failed project.
Football has a wonderful way of making such statements seem very foolish, but this once brilliant team of Kevin De Bruyne, Jan Vertonghen, Toby Alderweireld, Romalu Lukaku, Dries Mertens, Thibaut Courtois and captained by Eden Hazard aren’t going to win this World Cup and will soon be disbanded. The Qatar sands of time have already run out on this team, and a team that creaked and ached it’s way to just a solitary shot on goal from Thomas Meunier in a poor first half from the number two ranked team in the world remember, and just a header from Jan Vertonghen that shaved a Moroccan goal post with 8 minutes remaining.
Morocco, on the other hand, were magnificent and, with the passing of time, this afternoon’s result will be regarded as another of those seismic “World Cup Shocks” of all time. And how they deserved their victory. Roared on by a partisan crowd that continually serenaded them with the beautiful old school chant of “Ole’” when not whistling and jeering every time their heroes were not in possession of the ball, it was truly a home game for the Moroccans even if they were quixotically, playing in their away kit of all white. Belgium may have had the honour of wearing their traditional red and black of a “home” team, but they were mightily outgunned both on and off the pitch.
“The Atlas Lions” were roared on to a thoroughly deserved win and that rarest of all wins arguably: A brilliant team performance scattered with individuals on or near the top of their game.
Chaos reigned pre kick-off as Munir Mohand Mohamedi was thrown in late, and after the national anthems had been played, to replace regular goalkeeper Yassine Bounou but in truth, he had a rather carefree afternoon as he secured a precious clean sheet. In front of him, central defenders Romain Saiss and Nayef Aguerd were largely untroubled and right defensive back Achraf Hakimi had a wonderful afternoon to remember as he marauded forward reminiscent of Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold as he seemed to be involved in far more attacking positions than defensive ones. Hakimi was substituted after 68 quite wonderful minutes and 4 minutes before the game’s true stand out performance from Sofiane Boufal. The 29 year old attacking midfielder was everywhere and anywhere and so influential in his 72 minutes of playing time. This leaves one more noteworthy addition — Chelsea’s Hakim Ziyech. Nicknamed “The Wizard” by the fans of his previous club, Ajax of Amsterdam, Ziyech, like Boufal, was everywhere, and the two combined on 57 minutes to provide a brilliant zig zag cross field passing move that was as footballing sublime as it sounds. It was Ziyech’s nagging persistence in the 92nd minute of the game that set up Zakaria Aboukhial’s decisive second goal, chasing down a long kick forward, never giving up on the loose ball and crossing perfectly into the path of Aboukhial, and an utterly defeated Belgium had been utterly defeated.
Group F now looks tantalisingly poised and if Canada (big IF) can defeat Croatia, then we’ll have the childishly pleasing prospect of Morocco and Canada progressing from the group. As it stands, Morocco have leap frogged Belgium into prime qualifying position, and deservedly so.
Postscript
Morocco scored a goal right on the cusp of half-time, giving rise to the BBC commentator to excitedly exclaim “Oh this place has erupted!”.
Sadly, due to those pesky killjoys in the VAR booth the eruption was immediately quelledand a terrific sporting high killed stone dead by those bureaucrats and their colourful lines of doom.
Can someone please take the VAR system, encase it in concrete, douse it in holy water and dump it into the deepest of the earth’s oceans?
Thanks
A concerned football fan.
Act Three — “Allez Les Rouge”
CROATIA 4 (Kramaric 36, Livaja 44, Kramaric 70, Majer 90+4)
CANADA 1 (Davies 2)
The reds of Canada were in their change strip of all black.
Croatia were in their childishly pleasing and distinctive red and white checkers.
“Allez Les Rouge” an Englishman a million miles away cheered, as a Ghanaian born Canadian gave his team a dream start.
GOAL! Croatia 0 Canada 1 (Davies 2)
The game had barely started or settled before a long kick forward from Canadian goalkeeper Milan Borjan was cycled to the dangerous Tajon Buchanan. His whipped cross was brilliantly and powerfully met by the surging run forward of Alphonso Davies and he bulleted his header past a stranded Dominik Livakovic in the Croatian goal. Barely a minute had passed and Canada not only had a valuable lead, but their first ever goal in a World Cup too.
Although Croatia would slowly and surely take control of the game despite being a goal down so early, Canada didn’t simply drop deep and defend their 1–0 lead. The pattern was set: Croatia progressive and probing, but not through their legendary captain Luka Modric but through the gritty and grizzled Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic, the game’s undoubted “Man of the Match”. The Canadians looked to hit on the break and counter attack, especially down their attacking right through the very impressive (again) Alistair Johnston and Tajon Buchanan, a thorn in the Croatian side all evening. With more care and attention, Canada could’ve broken and transitioned on Croatia, with 3v3 and 4v4 possibilities, but they were sloppy and as the first half wore on, so did they.
GOAL! Croatia 1 Canada 1 (Kramaric 36)
The warning signs were there for Canada as exactly 10 minutes earlier, eventual goal scorer Andrej Kramaric would score and yet be denied by a linesman’s flag for offside but 10 minutes later, he’d score an almost exact mirrored replica of his disallowed goal. The 31 year old 1899 Hoffenheim striker received a perfect incisive pass just inside the penalty area from the ever impressive Ivan Perisic before driving a firm shot across Milan Borjan in the Canadian goal, and into the far corner of his net.
Canada needed to hold on now until half-time. They almost made it.
GOAL! Croatia 2 Canada 1 (Livaja 44)
The defining goal of the game owed a little to genius, a little to fortitude, a little to luck and a hell of a lot to just sheer persistence. Celtic’s Josip Juranovic received a somewhat difficult pass forward from ex Liverpool Red Dejan Lovren before turning a quick one-two pass with goal scorer Kramaric on the near touchline. Juranovic continued his run at the heart of the Canadian defence, lost control of the ball but still managed to poke it stubbornly into the path of Marko Livaja, and he buried a beautiful shot from the edge of the penalty right into the corner of the Canadian net. I wrote in my notebook that it was a “touch of class” and it surely was.
The roles were now immediately reversed in the second half as Canada now had to chase for an equaliser whilst Croatia were more than happy to soak up any pressure and try to respond on the counter attack. The cagey game of “cat and mouse” that developed resulted in Luke Modric escaping his shackles for perhaps the first time of the evening before driving a perfect cross into the path of goal scorer Andrej Kramaric. The Hoffenheim striker must score but is denied by a brilliant save from Milan Borjan before a quick Canadian counter attack in response, involving Jonathan Osorio and the pesky Tajon Buchanan again, saw Jonathan David’s fizzing shot tipped over the crossbar by Croatia shot stopper Dominik Livakovic.
GOAL! Croatia 3 Canada 1 (Kramaric 70)
Canada simply had to get the next goal but sadly what I penned in my notebook as a “lovely goal” was a Croatian one, and a deserved second for the hard working Andrej Kramaric. He would expertly end the move with a guided shot through the 39 year old legs of Canada captain Atiba Hutchinson and into the corner of the Canadian net, but please don’t understate the swift passing move from veterans Mateo Kovacic and Ivan Perisic that created the game’s defining third goal.
GOAL! Croatia 4 Canada 1 (Majer 90+4)
Still Canada refused to lie down and what better summation could there be than mere seconds after seeing their goalkeeper Milan Borjan make a quite wonderful double save, Tajon Buchanan was yet again leading the charge and counter attack! Croatia’s fourth goal was cruel on Canada who were still pushing forward and looking for a goal even at 3–1 down in injury time. It was cruel too on defender Kamal Miller who found himself all alone but still inexplicably managed to mis-control a back pass, and with substitutes Mislav Orsic and Lovro Majer now running free on goal, Orsic squared the ball to Majer, and he simply couldn’t miss.
Canada are therefore out of the World Cup with a game to spare and that’s incredibly harsh on a team that matched Croatia for 45 minutes and completely dominated Belgium. Croatia meanwhile top Group F and, if as I expect, Morocco beat Canada in the last group game next week, Belgium will have to beat Croatia to qualify.
Act Four — Clash of the World Cup winning titans
SPAIN 1 (Morata 62)
GERMANY 1 (Fullkrug 83)
The German angle: German manager Hansi Flick clearly wanted his team to be difficult to break down and flooded the midfield in a 4–5–1 formation with soon to be Hall of Famer Thomas Muller ploughing that lonely footballing cliché “furrow” alone. I’d venture his thoughts were on keeping the game level and tight until the last half an hour. Serge Gnabry had their first chance of a disappointing first half on 25 minutes, but dragged his shot wide before on 40 minutes, Antonio Rudiger went a little early at a dangerous free-kick and although he rocketed his header past a helpless Unai Simon in the Spain goal it was clearly and evidently offside, and should have been flagged so by the linesman. The naked eye could clearly see what the damned VAR system could see in micro seconds, Rudiger’s delight was cut short, and a difficult to penetrate and break down German team headed into the half-time break level as well as a little frustrated.
As the game wore on and even with Spain now leading through Alvaro Morata’s 62nd minute goal, Germany were increasingly posing questions and problems as well as creating fantastic goal scoring opportunities. Spanish goalkeeper Unai Simon had a brain fade on 56 minutes and Joshua Kimmich really should have made him pay before the goalkeeper atoned for his own sloppy mistake. But the pressure was building. Niclas Fullkrug replaced Thomas Muller on 70 minutes and within three minutes, teenager Jamal Musiala was clean through on Unai Simon’s goal and simply had to score. Instead he smashed his chance directly at the body of the Athletic Bilbao shot stopper. He too would soon atone for his error. With time running out, Spain manager introduced teenage substitute Alejandro Balde. There is no blame attached here, but momentarily Spain were completely disorganised and with Musiala refusing to give up a raggedly contested ball, Niclas Fullkrug blasted a brilliant shot past a dazzled and defenceless Unai Simon.
The Spanish angle: As expected, Spain started brightly and their crisp, immediate fizzing passes created a wonderful opening for striker Dani Olmo as early as the 6th minute. Teen wunderkinds Pedri and Gavi combined before Olmo rocketed a long range drive that legendary German goalkeeper and captain Manuel Neuer had to fingertip onto the underside of his crossbar and away to safety. Nominally, Spain were playing with 3 strikers but it could also be argued that they were playing a fluid “False 9” and an almost multiple of “Number 10” roles. Aside from crashing against the underside of the crossbar, very little else was created in the way of genuine goal scoring chances until a genuine number 9 type striker, Alvaro Morata, entered the fray as a 54th minute substitute. Within 8 minutes Spain had the lead through their talismanic striker, and via a beautifully simple cycling of the ball at pace, and all along the lush turf first from captain Sergio Busquets to Dani Olmo, quickly to Jordi Alba and first time inside to the running stride of Alvaro Morata who expertly dabbed home at the near post.
As is evident, Spain couldn’t retain a hold over their precious lead and whilst they were good this evening, they weren’t at their smothering and intense best. The aforementioned teenage wunderkinds were in and out of the game, Ferran Torres disappointing (and replaced by goal scorer Alvaro Morata) and they looked a little fragile defensively. They play in a way so familiar and so Spanish: Gifted on the ball. Terriers without it. Dominating with it.
Without it and under pressure? A little shaky.
So Group E closes this evening in a mathematical pickle! Every team can still qualify. Spain need to defeat Japan. Germany need a Japanese victory whilst also defeating a woeful Costa Rica. It may come down to goal difference. It would be sportingly criminal if Costa Rica nicked a qualification place, and can I admit it would be hilarious if Germany were sent home early?
Time will tell.
It always does.
Thanks for reading. In addition to the delights that can be found within the cave of wonders that is my archives, I’m penning a day to day diary of the World Cup, and here are days 5 through 7:
Messi to the rescue, Mbappe at the double and Australia threaten to advance at the world’s fair
World Cup Diaries: Day 7medium.com
Heartbreak for Wales as the “Evil Empire” serve up a snooze fest
World Cup Diaries: Day 6medium.com
Ronaldo announces his arrival as Brazil dance to Richarlison’s tune
World Cup Diaries: Day 5medium.com