The quarterfinals was a mix of powerhouses in France and Brazil, some surprises like Russia and Sweden, some nations finally performing like Uruguay, Belgium, Croatia, and England.
The first quarterfinals was Uruguay vs France, but a big major setback before the match was Cavani not being in the starting lineup due to injury. Uruguay just didn't look like the same squad that were a scary two-head attack behind Saurez and Cavani. France controlled the game and went ahead on a 40th minute Varane goal and then secured the game with another in the 61st minute by Griezmann.
The next quarterfinals saw Brazil vs Belgium, which pitted 2 of the best teams against each other. Brazil were building up steam and looking to peak at just the right time. Belgium came into the game with a plan and executed it perfectly in the 1st half. They defended well and counterattacked to perfection with a 13th minute own goal and then a second in the 31st minute by De Bruyne. It looked bleak for Brazil as Belgium were suffocating them. A 76th minute goal gave Brazil a bit of hope, but it wasn't enough as Belgium eliminate the tournament favourites.
The surprise, host nation Russia were next against upstart Croatia, who survived a penalty shootout the round earlier. Russia went ahead first with a goal in the 31st minute, but that lead was short lived with an equalizer by Croatia in the 39th minute. Both teams settled down and the game was pushed into extras. Croatia ramped up the pressure in the 1st period of extra time and got their goal in the 100th minute. Russia did not quit and behind the cheering of the hometown crowd, they tied the game at 2-2 in the 115th minute. It felt like it was meant to be for Russia until the ugly head of the penalty shootout came and bite them back. Just minutes earlier he was the hero that tied the game, but then he missed the net on his penalty. Rakitic stepped up and sent Croatia in the semifinals; they survived another penalty shootout!
England finished 2nd in their group and got the supposedly easier side of the draw in the knockout stage. They got past a pesky Columbia on penalties and now faced off against the surprising Sweden. It was England's game to lose and Sweden's game to steal. The unlikeliest of heroes stepped up once again as Harry Maguire scored in the 30th minute to send England into a frenzy. England did not sit back and early in the 2nd half the pressure got them their 2nd goal as Ali finally scored in the 58th minute to give England a secure 2-0 lead. They saw out the game and were into the semifinals of the world cup!
FRANCE, BELGIUM, CROATIA, ENGLAND! These are the TOP 4 teams in the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Comments