The Round of 16 has got off to a cracking start, much in
tune with the previous stage of the tournament. In this article, I will review
the two matches played yesterday.
Match 1: France
vs Argentina
Argentina going into a game at this stage of any FIFA tournament
as the underdogs is not something we’re accustomed to. Just one change for
Argentina from the Nigeria game, with Pavon coming in for Higuain. France
reverted to their starting line-up against Peru, having made wholesale changes
in their last group game against Denmark. The French had setup to exploit the
aging Argentina backline, making runs at them regularly. Griezman hit the bar
in the 7th minute, with the goalkeeper rooted to the spot. Mbappe’s
blistering pace was too much for Rojo to keep up and he brought down the attacker
inside the penalty area. Griezman made no mistake with the penalty. The French
kept coming, with Argentina looking rattled, unable to handle the pace and
movement up front of their opponents. Inexplicably, the French started slowing
down the game beyond the half hour mark, and this played into the hands of
their opponents. Argentina started getting into the game more, keeping
possession for more extended periods. They drew level on 41 minutes with a
stunning 30 yard drive from Di Maria, who had been quiet so far. At half-time,
it was Argentina who seemed to have the momentum. The Argentines began the
second half in confident fashion and took the lead within minutes. Messi picked
up a free-kick beyond the far post, turned and shot towards goal. The ball was
deflected in by a toe from Mercado which left Lloris completely wrong-footed.
The Argentina defender looked to be taking his foot out of the way of the shot,
but he would claim the goal. France had no choice but to up the tempo once
more. They were rewarded just before the hour mark with another superb strike.
Hernandez crossed from the left-wing. The ball evaded everyone in the box, only
to reach an advancing Pavard, whose first time shot across goal found the top
corner. His first goal for France and what a time to produce it! France took advantage
of some sloppy Argentine defending to take the lead 7 minutes later. Mbappe
used a neat bit of skill to get away from his marker inside the box and slotted
home past the ‘keeper. This match was turning into a classic and there was
nearly half an hour still left. Mbappe doubled his side’s lead just 4 minutes
later, running onto a Giroud through ball and finding the bottom corner with a
first time shot. The teenager became the first such player to score a brace in
a World Cup game since Pele did it 1958! Argentina were once again failing to
cope with the pace up front for France, and for some time it looked like this
could become an embarrassing score-line. Fracne once again took their foot off
the gas and decided to coast to the final whistle. Argentina made some openings
but the goal remained elusive in normal time. In the third minute of injury
time, Ever Banega’s pin-point cross found Aguero at the end of it and the
striker header in from close range. Argentina still had a couple of minutes to
try to get level. However, that would not be the case as France held on to win
this enthralling fixture.
Final Score: France
4 – 3 Argentina
Match 2: Uruguay
vs Portugal
Ronaldo had an early shot on goal, but it was straight at
Muslera. In the 7th minute, Cavani pinged a cross-field pass to find
Suarez on the left-wing. The forward made some space and delivered a pin-point cross
to the far post. Cavani had kept on running and got onto the end of the cross
and headed (actually the ball hit face) in past Patricio. It was a stunning
example of how well the two forward men link up for Uruguay. Suarez had a
free-kick well saved by Paricio in the 22nd minute, after the wall
failed to hold its shape and let the ball through. Portugal failed to muster
any clear chances in the first half, and were reduced to mostly attempts from
distance or harmless headers. They started the second half brightly, reaching
the opposition penalty area on a couple of occasions. In the 54th
minute, Pepe got onto the end of a short corner routine and powered his header
past the helpless Muslera. Parity lasted for less than 10 minutes. After a swift
counter-attack, Bentancur squared a ball across the 18 yard line to find Cavani
who did not break stride to curl his effort around Patrico and into the far
corner. It was another superb goal on a day of such goals. Uruguay looked good
for their lead, and Cavani was on top form. Uruguay had a heat-in-the-mouth
moment a few minutes later as Muslera dropped a cross inside the box. Bernanrdo
Silva got the loose ball but could only shoot over the bar with the goal
gaping. The Portuguese man looked to have kicked the ball out of the Uruguayan
goalkeeper’s hands but the referee had not blown for a foul and the goal would’ve
counted. Cavani unfortunately limped off a couple of minutes later, having put
in a possible Man of the Match performance. Portugal huffed and puffed in the
final 20 minutes but could not produce much in terms of clear-cut chances.
Uruguay held on and the Portuguese were going home. People were hoping for a
Ronaldo vs Messi encounter in the Quarter Final but neither made it past this round!
Final Score:
Uruguay 2 – 1 Portugal
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