Much has been mentioned about the new world order at this World Cup, i.e. the rise of Costa Rica, Colombia and Belgium as potential contenders for the title.
In the end, the old heads, Brazil and Germany and now Argentina and the Netherlands showed why they have won the World Cup multiple times - well in the case of the Dutch, made the World Cup Final so many times.
Glimpses of the Argentina that people have long been waiting for starting to surface - as did signs that Argentina could count on anyone other than Lionel Messi to score goals for them with Gonzalo Higuain finally chipping in for country. Higuain's goal was finely taken after a pass that deflected off a defender which the Napoli man half-volleyed into the bottom corner - Courtois who has been one of the keepers of this tournament had no chance.
Belgium gave it all they could but ultimately their long absence from this stage of any major tournament was evident as the Belgians, who for so long in this tournament, had been patient, reliant on their depth off the bench, panicked in the search for an equalizer - caught offside so many times by the linesmen in search of an equalizer. Romero in goal had his best game as did Garray and Fernandez in defence as they rebuffed a quiet Hazard and Mirrallas.
Nevertheless, Belgium have made a good impression in their first tournament appearance in 12 years and no doubt, this should be credited to coach Marc Wilmots. Fans of the Red Devils can look forward to EURO 2016 with their side as firm title contenders to take over from an aging Spain.
Costa Rica provided the surprise performance of the round - incredibly holding off the Dutch in their quarterfinal in Salvador and taking the matter of making the semifinals to penalties. The Dutch were surprisingly pessimistic in the opening exchanges and Costa Rica were more than comfortable hitting the Dutch on the counter-attack in a dull 90 minutes.
Extra time would prove far more exciting as incredibly both sides expressed themselves more and went for victory - a trend that seems to be common at this stage of this particular World Cup. Indeed, Costa Rica definitely had a chance to win the game only for Jasper Cillasen to save.
Cillasen came off for Newcastle's Tim Krul - the first time a keeper has come on just for the sake of taking part in the penalty shootout.
It was a masterstroke that worked brilliantly for Louis van Gaal - something to watch out for in the Premier League next season - as Krul's arrival definitely put off the previously successful Costa Ricans - two penalties were saved as the Dutch finally won a penalty shootout at a World Cup Finals.
The semifinals are now absolutely mouth-watering - add Neymar's premature departure from the tournament and Thiago Silva's suspension for Brazil and it's definitely not quite the hosts' tournament to lose. Germany will feel they have a chance against a Brazil side lacking their best striker.
Meanwhile, old foes Holland and Argentina will spar again with the Dutch looking to repeat history and make it two World Cup Finals in a row - and perhaps it'll be 5th time lucky for the Oranje. Lionel Messi, in the middle of a 2 game goal drought would hope otherwise, motivated by the fact that his closest challenger for the Golden Boot is now out of the tournament and he has 2 games to at least tie James Rodriguez's goal tally.
No comments:
Post a Comment