In round 2, normal World Cup service was resumed. The politics were relegated to the background as football came to the fore, best exemplified, not by the football powerhouses but by the lesser nations who were willing to give it a go! The two matches between South Korea and Ghana (2-3) and Serbia and Cameroon (3-3), produced goals galore, edge-of-the seat excitement as the lead changed hands and shredded nerves for the committed spectators who were as exhausted as the players when the final whistles sounded! This is the epitome of the beautiful game!
Sadly, the two shocks of round 1 were not compounded which has given both Argentina and Germany a very decent chance of making the last 16. Japan started the rot by dominating their match only to be caught out by Costa Rica's single but successful shot at goal in the 81st. minute. Any team with a 100% conversion rate for shots at goal deserve the 3 points! And then later the same day, Spain took it easy against Germany - clearly the better team throughout but when they took the lead, they strolled around like models at a fashion show, with no apparent interest in increasing their lead. German duly punished them with a net-ripping equalizer which they fully deserved.
Argentina played Mexico in a pitiful game of football. Commentators put it down to nerves - these teams know each other very well and both were playing for WC survival, especially Argentina. I was hoping to see Messi whimper out of the WC in tears but Mexico just weren't up to the task. It took Messi's left boot to separate the sides in the 64th. minute. That seemed to drive Mexico deeper into their fragile shell before Argentina wrapped things up with a second goal just short of the 90th. min. Both Argentina and their fans celebrated as if they’d won the World Cup. Let's hope Polska can get the early Messi-exit back on track!
France v Denmark was the best match so far in terms of football quality. France were beautiful and brilliant whenever they changed gear and glided up the pitch. We all know Mbappé would leave a cheetah for dead once he has a ball at his feet but Dembélé was as fast and graceful. Denmark had their own moments of class and deserved their equaliser when it came. It was never going to last and even though it was just 2-1, a French victory was never in doubt. They look like winners.
What about England? After their 6-2 v Iran, their scrupulously objective press and pundits had them firmly in the semis at least. And of course, that old motivator of the opposition was doing the rounds again too - it was indeed coming home! There was just one little problem, England were outrun and outplayed by a fitter, more passionate and more determined US and were lucky to secure a vital point. Why did they lack the confidence to attack? My guess is that they needed a strong leader out there on the pitch screaming at them.
Wales were totally outplayed by Iran even though the hammer-blow 2 goals did not hit them until very late on. Bale is past it now - too slow, no longer playing top-level football, preferring to swim in pools of dollars in the US instead! Iran were excellent, nothing like the tense, nervous players who faced England. The burden of the anthem was off their shoulders (they sang it this time), allowing them to concentrate on the football.
Croatia needed a Canadian kick up the arse to finally start playing like the Croatia of previous World Cups. Canada deserved to take the lead but Croatia were having none of it once that happened, firstly grabbing two quick goals to take the lead for themselves and then running Canada off the sand in the second half, eventually very comfortable 4-1 winners.
Where does all this leave Belgium? Maybe on the plane home to watch the last 16 from the comfort of their own modest mansions. Morocco beat them and beat them well – they were faster, fitter and younger. That oft-talked-about Belgian golden generation has turned flaky and rusty and Croatia should finally consign them to the scrap heap! Morocco will march on when they meet the already-eliminated Canada who will probably turn up at the stadium with their suitcases, heading off to the airport straight after the final whistle!
Brazil ultimately overcame Switzerland – the Swiss lads resolutely defended their goal the way the Alps defend their borders for over 80 minutes. The truth is though, if the game had gone on for another 5 hours, Switzerland would never have scored! Portugal made it to the last 16 by beating Uruguay, Lewandowski helped himself to his first WC goal while finally putting Saudi to the sword but it was hard bloody work – Argentina will be easy in comparison!
Roll on round 3 – parallel matches as 32 become 16.
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