Belgium v. Japan
So…I have been trying to find some time to really get into and blog on the World Cup. That darn work thing always gets in the way…and then a weekend trip out of town…and well, you get the idea…no BLOG that I had promised. And then today, I found myself curious on the score of Belgium vs. Japan. Belgium has been my favorite National Team the past few World Cups. I had checked my phone at saw that it was 0-0 at the half and thought maybe I should treat myself to a late lunch and watch the second half. What a really good decision that was. I flip on the TV and BAM, at the 55 minute mark it is Japan 2-0. What the heck, my favorite to win the World Cup has given up 2 goals in 10 minutes and is on the verge of getting eliminated. But hey, still 35 minutes left, maybe they can find a way.
And then, it what is one of the most improbable comebacks in World Cup history, Belgium stuns Japan. I was just mesmerized at the turn in the game. It was truly epic. Japan’s first goal was the result of a really bad defensive gaff from Jon Vertonghen. 1-0 Japan. The second, a great shot but maybe GK Courtois could have made a save, 2-0 Japan. But then, the soccer gods flipped the script. Belgium had been pressing for a goal and just could not find the final shot or the final pass. A few great saves on headers by Romelu Lukaku kept the Red Devils scoreless. Belgium coach Roberto Martinez makes a few substitutions, into the game comes Fellaini and Chadli. Let’s see how that works out. In Redemption Part 1, Vertonghen scores a really crazy but totally intentional header. Not your normal thumping header from the box, but a well calculated and floating header that finds the back post. Unreal to be honest that he was able to score on that header. 2-1. Game On!
Really Good Substitution Part 1. Fellaini, who stands 6’4″ and is a beast in the box on headers was looking dangerous from the start of his entry int the game. Several good attempts on headers were just wide. At one point he was out wide and sending in a cross…and I thought…dude, what are you doing out there, Belgium needs you in the box! At the 75 minute mark, Edan Hazard (another of the reasons I watch Belgium), works a great move on the left side, circles back toward the line and rifles a beautiful cross into the box…that finds Fellaini…BAM. Back of the net, 2-2.
Redemption Part 2. Courtois, who maybe did not have his best game, comes up with two really nice saves in the last 5 minutes. At the 93 minute mark, on a Japan corner, Courtois takes a cross out of the air and instantly distributes a wonderful leading ball roll out to midfielder Kevin DeBruyne. And then what unfolds is maybe the most beautiful counter attack goal I have ever seen in the world cup. DeBruyne takes 3 touches and then executes a perfect pass into space on the right-wing. When you watch the highlights, take special notice of the speed of the attack. 4 players across the field for Belgium all running at full speed and spaced wonderfully. It is really amazing. Lukaku is just above the line of 4 and moving into position. but still 5 Japan defenders in the area. If any one of the 5 Belgium players don’t commit to the attack, likely if falls apart, but they all are fully committed. The wide ball into space goes to Meunier who one touches the pass back across into the box for Lukaku. Lukaku, in maybe the best dummy of all time, lifts up his right leg to let the ball run across him, and does not take the selfish move and shoot. Lukaku had spotted Chadli’s run as he was moving up field, but then he turned his back to Chadli to face the pass coming across from Meunier. To have the trust in a teammate to be in the right spot, to give up a chance for glory and take the shot and then to execute the dummy to perfection and pull the defender to him to create the space Chadli needed. And then there is Really Good Substitution Part 2. Nacir Chadli who has been sprinting at full speed down the left side measures the ball coming past Lukaku and one times a left footed drive past the Japan GK and into the left side of the net….on what was the final touch of the game.
Quick repeat. Courtois takes the ball out of the air, lays off a rolling pass to DeBruyne, 3 dribbles and a pass, one touch pass from Meunier, dummy by Lukaku, one touch shot by Chadli. Goal! Wow! 3-2 win Belgium. Amazing goal. Really amazing goal! 10 seconds. You will want to watch that goal a few times. If you enjoy soccer, then really appreciate what they did in 10 seconds. I love It! I am now fully engaged into the World Cup. More posts to follow. Thank you Belgium.
World Cup Group Play Recap
8 Groups of 4 or 32 teams start the World Cup. Groups A-I start the tournament in Round Robin Play, each team gets three games and the top 2 from each Group advance to the Knock Out Stages. World Cup scoring is in effect. 3 points for a win, 1 for a tie and no points for a loss. To advance to knock outs, point total ties go to multiple tie-breakers, goals scored, goals allowed, total goals, etc. Here were some highlights from the Group Stage. It is 5 minutes you will really enjoy. So many unbelievable goals.
And now we move into the Knock Out stage.
16 teams, win and advance or lose and go home. We are 3/4 thru the Knock Outs. 6 games down and 2 to go. The first 6 have been epic.
France v. Argentina. France led by Kylian Mbappe, only 19 years old, yes, 19, scores two goals, earns a penalty in a 4-3 win over Lionel Messi and Argentina…passing of the torch maybe.
Uruguay v. Portugal. Uruguay defeat Christiano Ronaldo 2-1 and take down another of the game’s greats in the knockout stage.
Russia v. Spain. 1-1 after regulation and two overtimes and then on to PK’s. Russia advance 4-3 on PK’s. A pre-tournament favorite is OUT!
Croatia v. Denmark. 1-1 after regulation and two overtimes and then on to PK’s. Sound familiar. Back to back PK games. Croatia advance 3-2 on PK’s.
Brazil v. Mexico. Brazil advance with a 2-0 win over Mexico.
Belgium v. Japan. Please see above!!! Enough said. Belgium advance with thrilling 3-2 win.
Sweden v. Switzerland. Tuesday.
England v. Columbia. Tuesday.
Quarter-Finals Approaching. 4 Huge Games Friday and Saturday.
Uruguay v. France July 6
Brazil v. Belgium July 6.
Russia v. Croatia. July 7
Winners of Tuesdays Game in the final Quarter-Final. July 7.
Biggest Surprise So Far: Germany Eliminated in the Group Stage
Here is a little history for you. The World Cup is played once every 4 years. There have been 20 World Cup competitions since the inaugural event in 1930. The top winners of the competition as follows: Only 8 Countries have won this incredible tournament.
Brazil 5 Times
Germany and Italy 4 times
Argentina and Uruguay 2 Times
France, England, Spain 1 each.
In those 20 competitions, Germany has finished first 4 times, Runner-Up 4 times, Third 4 Times, and 4th place once. A total of 13 times in the Top 4 in the World Cup. Brazil has been in the Top 4 only 11 times. So the most successful and consistent team in World Cup history for top finishes and who has made it into the knock out stage in every competition since 1938, was eliminated in the Group Stages. SHOCKING. Germany eliminated in the Group Stage, I had to write it twice, to make sure I believed it. For comparison, The USA has finished in the Top 4 once, in the inaugural tournament in 1930. hosted by and won by Uruguay. 13 teams made up that first tournament.
Can’t wait for England tomorrow. Only two Top 4’s for England but that includes their historical win in 1966. Maybe this is another magical year for England. Or maybe Belgium!! But France is looking strong….and Brazil wants revenge for last years humiliating loss to Germany. Oh my!! I am now fully engaged into the World Cup 2018!