Player of the Quarterfinals: Luka Modric
Yes, Modric got exceedingly lucky on his penalty. It was a good shot, but Akinfeev guessed right and got a palm to it, but happened to hit it off hte post and in. That said, prior to that moment, Modric was brilliant. While everyone else played extra time at half speed, lugging for breath every second, Modric was flying around the field. He was masterful, moving from spot to spot, distributing perfectly, and in some cases putting on the jets and running by Russian defenders. Just a great performance by someone finally getting his due.
Runner-Up: Raphael Varane || This is a nod in honor of France's defense as a whole, a unit that snuffed out any chance that Uruguay had. Varane was great as usual on defense, with a good sense of positioning and even better command in the air. Of course, his beautiful header was what clinched it - a perfect, powerful shot that emulated what his captain at Real Madrid does so often.
Goat of the Quarterfinals: Neymar
There's no huge goat, so we'll go with the 'best player' remaining who was fairly absent throughout that loss. He had a few moments, including a couple close shouts late, but while the rest of the team was throwing caution to the wind, and putting together chance after chance, Neymar was too often slowing things down and losing one-on-one runs. He's still a great player, and his scoring rate for Brazil is impeccable, but this was a disappointing finish.
Runner-Up: No Idea || Honestly, no one was truly awful. I guess I could say Fernando Muslera for bungling the shot that ended up as France's second goal, but I don't think Uruguay was coming back anyway.
Surprise of the Week: Russia's Heart
Look there are things we can't just put aside with Russia at the moment, with all the 'they helped Trump steal the election' of it all. That all said, Russia the team, Russia the people, Russia the fans, they have all been great. Watching that Russian team that had no expectations put so much effort into these games was amazing. Seeing them score the tying goal with three minutes to go was heart-stopping. Seeing their emotion after the game was beautiful. Seeing the Russian fans sing their hearts out during the game and after was incredible. In the end, they lost where they should, but I won't forget how fun it was to root for Russia, even if we all still want to hate RUSSIA.
Runner-Up: Belgium's Sense to Counter || Belgium is arguably the most talented team left (the only argument is the team they are playing on Tuesday - man that Semifinal should be great). They have so many players who are great on the ball. But they played smart against Brazil, letting the Selecao hold the ball, and wait for their moment. Countering is deadly when you have the players who can do it, and Belgium's ability on the break is second to none (or one, in France).
Disappointment of the Week: Uruguay's Sad End
It was somewhat inevitable when Edinson Cavani went down that Uruguay would not be long for this world, but still, what a way for their Golden Generation to go out. Uruguay played this entire tournament with so much passion, and their ruthless style worked again, to the tune of four straight wins before the loss to France. In the end, they aren't as talented, but for a tiny country in South America, making the Semifinals, Round of 16 and Quaterfinals in three straight World Cups is pretty amazing. That said, for them to have no answers was a bit sad. I wish Suarez put one in, even if I hate him during the club season. I wish Godin had one last header. I wish Cavani could play. I wish, or rather I hope, Uruguay can manage to push this even further in a post-Suarez/Cavani/Godin world.
Runner-Up: Sweden's Slow End || Sweden is not a great team. Sweden was the worst team (host-team Russia aside) in the quarterfinals; that is why England wanted that half of the draw so bad. That said, they looked overmatched in that game. They were so disappointing in their lame, porous performance. Sweden lacked any urgency, any drive in that match. And while Pickford did make a few good saves, they didn't bother England's susceptible back line at all. Just a terrible performance.
Storyline that will be Beaten Down: It's Coming Home
Really, I'm over it. England barely beat Tunisia, then hammered poor Panama with the help of multiple penalties and fluke goals. Then depressingly more or less threw a game. Then they lucked out against Colombia, before beating the aforementioned awful Sweden. This is not a great team. They may make the final, but they'll be worthy underdogs there. They are, in my mind, underdogs here. England semifinal appearance was nice, but ultimately it should be lost in history, like Uruguay in 2010, Portugal in 2006 or Turkey in 2002.
Storyline that Should be Beaten Down: Golden Generations Uniting
I mentioned this last week, but now we are one match away from Belgium vs. Croatia, which would be the most unlikely, unexpectedly great final ever. These are not premier countries, but ones that have been good in past, and jfinally got their Golden Generations together. Belgium has been shouted for a while now, and has finally put everything together with their talent at all levels. Croatia was not so ballyhooed earlier, but the duo of Modric and Rakitic is the world's best, and their backline and goalkeeping has been incredible. Both teams are the bookies underdogs, but I really hope we get Belgium vs. Croatia and a deserving, amazing, surprising, first time winner.
Yes, Modric got exceedingly lucky on his penalty. It was a good shot, but Akinfeev guessed right and got a palm to it, but happened to hit it off hte post and in. That said, prior to that moment, Modric was brilliant. While everyone else played extra time at half speed, lugging for breath every second, Modric was flying around the field. He was masterful, moving from spot to spot, distributing perfectly, and in some cases putting on the jets and running by Russian defenders. Just a great performance by someone finally getting his due.
Runner-Up: Raphael Varane || This is a nod in honor of France's defense as a whole, a unit that snuffed out any chance that Uruguay had. Varane was great as usual on defense, with a good sense of positioning and even better command in the air. Of course, his beautiful header was what clinched it - a perfect, powerful shot that emulated what his captain at Real Madrid does so often.
Goat of the Quarterfinals: Neymar
There's no huge goat, so we'll go with the 'best player' remaining who was fairly absent throughout that loss. He had a few moments, including a couple close shouts late, but while the rest of the team was throwing caution to the wind, and putting together chance after chance, Neymar was too often slowing things down and losing one-on-one runs. He's still a great player, and his scoring rate for Brazil is impeccable, but this was a disappointing finish.
Runner-Up: No Idea || Honestly, no one was truly awful. I guess I could say Fernando Muslera for bungling the shot that ended up as France's second goal, but I don't think Uruguay was coming back anyway.
Surprise of the Week: Russia's Heart
Look there are things we can't just put aside with Russia at the moment, with all the 'they helped Trump steal the election' of it all. That all said, Russia the team, Russia the people, Russia the fans, they have all been great. Watching that Russian team that had no expectations put so much effort into these games was amazing. Seeing them score the tying goal with three minutes to go was heart-stopping. Seeing their emotion after the game was beautiful. Seeing the Russian fans sing their hearts out during the game and after was incredible. In the end, they lost where they should, but I won't forget how fun it was to root for Russia, even if we all still want to hate RUSSIA.
Runner-Up: Belgium's Sense to Counter || Belgium is arguably the most talented team left (the only argument is the team they are playing on Tuesday - man that Semifinal should be great). They have so many players who are great on the ball. But they played smart against Brazil, letting the Selecao hold the ball, and wait for their moment. Countering is deadly when you have the players who can do it, and Belgium's ability on the break is second to none (or one, in France).
Disappointment of the Week: Uruguay's Sad End
It was somewhat inevitable when Edinson Cavani went down that Uruguay would not be long for this world, but still, what a way for their Golden Generation to go out. Uruguay played this entire tournament with so much passion, and their ruthless style worked again, to the tune of four straight wins before the loss to France. In the end, they aren't as talented, but for a tiny country in South America, making the Semifinals, Round of 16 and Quaterfinals in three straight World Cups is pretty amazing. That said, for them to have no answers was a bit sad. I wish Suarez put one in, even if I hate him during the club season. I wish Godin had one last header. I wish Cavani could play. I wish, or rather I hope, Uruguay can manage to push this even further in a post-Suarez/Cavani/Godin world.
Runner-Up: Sweden's Slow End || Sweden is not a great team. Sweden was the worst team (host-team Russia aside) in the quarterfinals; that is why England wanted that half of the draw so bad. That said, they looked overmatched in that game. They were so disappointing in their lame, porous performance. Sweden lacked any urgency, any drive in that match. And while Pickford did make a few good saves, they didn't bother England's susceptible back line at all. Just a terrible performance.
Storyline that will be Beaten Down: It's Coming Home
Really, I'm over it. England barely beat Tunisia, then hammered poor Panama with the help of multiple penalties and fluke goals. Then depressingly more or less threw a game. Then they lucked out against Colombia, before beating the aforementioned awful Sweden. This is not a great team. They may make the final, but they'll be worthy underdogs there. They are, in my mind, underdogs here. England semifinal appearance was nice, but ultimately it should be lost in history, like Uruguay in 2010, Portugal in 2006 or Turkey in 2002.
Storyline that Should be Beaten Down: Golden Generations Uniting
I mentioned this last week, but now we are one match away from Belgium vs. Croatia, which would be the most unlikely, unexpectedly great final ever. These are not premier countries, but ones that have been good in past, and jfinally got their Golden Generations together. Belgium has been shouted for a while now, and has finally put everything together with their talent at all levels. Croatia was not so ballyhooed earlier, but the duo of Modric and Rakitic is the world's best, and their backline and goalkeeping has been incredible. Both teams are the bookies underdogs, but I really hope we get Belgium vs. Croatia and a deserving, amazing, surprising, first time winner.
