OneFootball
Elliott Bretland·3 July 2018
OneFootball
Elliott Bretland·3 July 2018
Germany: OUT, Argentina: OUT, Spain: OUT, Belgium: Oh so nearly out but for a late rally on Monday night. And all before the quarter-finals.
Roberto Martinez’s Red Devils avoided an embarrassing ‘cupset’ after coming from two down to dispose of Japan. Though others have not been as fortunate.
Here, we run down the surprise results of the tournament so far.
After shining at the World Cup four years previously and with a number of top players in their squad, Colombia kicked off their campaign with high hopes.
That hope didn’t last long as they were beaten by Japan in their Group H opener after Carlos Sánchez was sent off for a goal-saving handball.
Anyone who watched Saudi Arabia wouldn’t be surprised to see them concede so many, but the shock factor actually came from the manner in which Russia hit five goals – on the back of one win in ten prior to the opening game of the World Cup.
Weeks earlier, they hadn’t looked like going on an attack let alone putting in a five-star performance. Fans were truly amazed by what they witnessed on home soil.
With six points from six, Mexico were expected to maintain their 100% record against a Swedish side missing Zlatan Ibrahimović.
Despite being without their footballing enigma to lead the line, Sweden claimed a surprise 3-0 victory to give El Tri a nervy end to the final group match in Yekaterinburg. Luckily, another shock was about to take place in Kazan…
Iceland, with a population far smaller than most European cities, came up against the might of Lionel Messi. They managed to keep him quiet with relative ease.
Disciplined and dedicated, having clearly spent hours on the training pitch to stifle Argentina, Iceland were a well-drilled machine who claimed a stunning point as Man of the Match Hannes Þór Halldórsson saved Messi’s spot-kick.
As the tournament continued, it became clear this was not a stellar La Albiceleste line-up. However, as good as Croatia are, with a host of talented players, the way they ripped Argentina apart was frightening.
This was a shock; a shock to see how shockingly poor Argentina looked under the guidance of Jorge Sampaoli.
The world champions came into this Group F fixture as clear favourites though it was accepted Mexico could prove tricky customers.
However, by full-time, the shock was not that the Mexicans had been victorious courtesy of Hirving Lozano’s winning strike, though rather they had not scored three or four against Joachim Löw’s side’s porous defence.
Pass, pass, pass. Spain’s incessant passing created a new World Cup record. However, passes do not win football matches.
Tied on one goal apiece against hosts Russia after normal time, Spain, who lacked any real clinical edge having only lead through an own goal, stepped up for spot-kicks.
Their shooting boots were not as accurate as their passing boots. Koke and Iago Aspas saw their penalties saved in the shootout and Fernando Hierro’s men were sent packing.
As this game kicked-off in Kazan, most football fans expected Germany to turn it around, to recover from their early tournament glitches after losing to Mexico while needing an injury-time winner to get the better of Sweden.
During a turgid performance, supporters still anticipated the Germans to somehow find a goal, even until the 92nd minute. Sixty seconds later, however, deep in injury-time, a goal came; a South Korea goal.
As the reality hit that they would be on the next flight home, Manuel Neuer went up the pitch in a desperate attempt to help find two goals; somehow, anyhow. Though he was soon dispossessed.
A long Korea punt towards the now empty goal was latched onto by Son Heung-Min who netted to dump Germany out of the World Cup at the first stage for the first time in 80 years.