Player of the Round of 16: Kylian M'Bappe
For a guy who is still just 19, M'Bappe has been around and hyped up for a while, starring for Monaco in their run to the Champions League semis last year. That game was something else though. The first goal was set-up by Mbappe literally running at a different speed than anyone else before being dragged down in the box. M'Bappe's first goal was slightly lucky, but that second was all class. We were waiting for France's stars to show up, and while Griezmann has still been noticeably quiet, M'Bappe, and Pogba as well, have stepped up to put France's true might on display.
Runner-Up: Edinson Cavani || I'ts a shame that Cavani may have to miss the Quarterfinal, because he has been fantastic all tournament, and was amazing in the Round of 16. The first goal was put on a silver platter, but his header left no doubt. The second was so fluid, so smart, going back across goal on a quick counter. Hopefully he can make a last minute recovery, because I don't want this Golden Generation of Uruguay's to end with Cavani on the bench.
Goat of the Round of 16: David DeGea
This is more a tournament-wide achievement for DeGea, who made just one true blunder - Ronaldo's second goal in the opener - but also allowed 6 of 7 shots to go in during open play, and did not save any of the penalties shot his way. DeGea also failed in playing out of the back when asked, and overall just looked a bit shook all tournament long. Against Russia, they needed one save, be it the penalty during the game, or any of the PKs, and DeGea went missing, again.
Runner-Up: Javier Mascherano || In reality, it could be anyone from Argentina's backline. They were atrocious against France, repeatedly getting caught upfield despite their lack of pace necessitating them taking a more cautious approach. Mascherano himself is emblematic of what is wrong with Argentina - they are just too old, too out of ideas, and overmatched.
Surprise of the Week: England Staying Calm
I watched this game at a pub next to a few England supporters in Montreal. There was pure agony when Yerry Mina scored in the 93rd minute. I was all ready to see them crumble, giving up the late lead before heading to PKs, a place where England has not fared well in. Yet, England rose to the occasion. Their PKs were great. Even Henderson's miss was more a great save by Ospina. Nothing shows England's new mentality more than Dier, not even someone who was slated to take a PK, calmly bang one home. I don't know what this portends for England, but it was a great mentally strong performance.
Runner-Up: Japan, in defeat || I didn't even watch Belgium vs. Japan live, assuming it would not be close, and wanting to do some daytime tourism in Montreal and not just watch World Cup during the day. Anyway, needless to say that was a bad idea. Japan was great, creating tons of chances, losing because they sent men forward trying to steal the game and got caught (similar to Real Madrid's loss in the 2017 Clasico when Messi scored and took his shirt off and held it up). That was a great performance by a lesser team.
Disappointment of the Week: Spain's flame flickering out
Expectations for Spain should have been lowered ever Julen Lopetegui, but even then, it was disheartening to see them so souless against Russia. They retained as much possession as ever, completed over 1,000 passes, and basically did nothing with it. Tiki-taka works, but works a lot worse when you don't have incisive passers, and most of the passes are between the back four and holding midfielders. No stat was better than Isco, heretofore one of the more offensive minded players, completing ~150 passes, just 20 of them forward. Spain needs to turn the page.
Runner-Up: Mexico's energy meter running low || Mexico started the World Cup so well, but maybe we all took that game for more than it was worth due to Germany just not being as good as expected. The real issue for Mexico is their frenetic style wore them down. They showed signs of slowing down late against Korea - giving up a costly goal late, and then their awful performances against Sweden and Brazil. I went from hoping Mexico could avoid their 7th straight Round of 16 loss to expecting it fully and feeling that El Tri thoroughly deserve it.
Storyline that will be Beaten Down: The Inevitable March to Russia vs. England
We are one match away from a titanic off-the-field matchup of Russia vs England, bringing out shouts of hooliganism - something the British press tried to push as an inevitable scar for Russia 2018 and something that has not happened at all, to the political tensions between the two nations. England did not not intentionally lose to Belgium to get into the weaker half, but it paid off, and we are very close to them, or Russia, making a final. Of course, Russia has to pull another upset, this time against a more organized team, and England has to avoid a letdown.
Storyline that Should be Beaten Down: Croatia & Belgium, the rise of Europe's Secondary Teams
Football has been ruled in Europe by the Colonizing countries: France, Germany, Italy, Spain, England, Portugal. We may finally see the rise of two of the secondary European nations, with teams that are as dominant as any. Croatia played too nervous against Belgium, but hopefully that has subsided now. Their midfield can dominate. Their back-line is so strong. Mandzukic is a star up top. That team is having their moment, and has a fairly clear path to the Final. Belgium was touted for years with their ludicrous talent, and it is finally coming together. They are on opposite halves, and have tough games to come, but we really could be seeing the rise of a lesser European team, and I can't wait to see if it happens.
Quarterfinal Picks:
France defeats Uruguay 2-1
Brazil defeats Belgium 2-1
Croatia defeats Russia 2-0
Sweden defeats England 1-1 (on PKs)
For a guy who is still just 19, M'Bappe has been around and hyped up for a while, starring for Monaco in their run to the Champions League semis last year. That game was something else though. The first goal was set-up by Mbappe literally running at a different speed than anyone else before being dragged down in the box. M'Bappe's first goal was slightly lucky, but that second was all class. We were waiting for France's stars to show up, and while Griezmann has still been noticeably quiet, M'Bappe, and Pogba as well, have stepped up to put France's true might on display.
Runner-Up: Edinson Cavani || I'ts a shame that Cavani may have to miss the Quarterfinal, because he has been fantastic all tournament, and was amazing in the Round of 16. The first goal was put on a silver platter, but his header left no doubt. The second was so fluid, so smart, going back across goal on a quick counter. Hopefully he can make a last minute recovery, because I don't want this Golden Generation of Uruguay's to end with Cavani on the bench.
Goat of the Round of 16: David DeGea
This is more a tournament-wide achievement for DeGea, who made just one true blunder - Ronaldo's second goal in the opener - but also allowed 6 of 7 shots to go in during open play, and did not save any of the penalties shot his way. DeGea also failed in playing out of the back when asked, and overall just looked a bit shook all tournament long. Against Russia, they needed one save, be it the penalty during the game, or any of the PKs, and DeGea went missing, again.
Runner-Up: Javier Mascherano || In reality, it could be anyone from Argentina's backline. They were atrocious against France, repeatedly getting caught upfield despite their lack of pace necessitating them taking a more cautious approach. Mascherano himself is emblematic of what is wrong with Argentina - they are just too old, too out of ideas, and overmatched.
Surprise of the Week: England Staying Calm
I watched this game at a pub next to a few England supporters in Montreal. There was pure agony when Yerry Mina scored in the 93rd minute. I was all ready to see them crumble, giving up the late lead before heading to PKs, a place where England has not fared well in. Yet, England rose to the occasion. Their PKs were great. Even Henderson's miss was more a great save by Ospina. Nothing shows England's new mentality more than Dier, not even someone who was slated to take a PK, calmly bang one home. I don't know what this portends for England, but it was a great mentally strong performance.
Runner-Up: Japan, in defeat || I didn't even watch Belgium vs. Japan live, assuming it would not be close, and wanting to do some daytime tourism in Montreal and not just watch World Cup during the day. Anyway, needless to say that was a bad idea. Japan was great, creating tons of chances, losing because they sent men forward trying to steal the game and got caught (similar to Real Madrid's loss in the 2017 Clasico when Messi scored and took his shirt off and held it up). That was a great performance by a lesser team.
Disappointment of the Week: Spain's flame flickering out
Expectations for Spain should have been lowered ever Julen Lopetegui, but even then, it was disheartening to see them so souless against Russia. They retained as much possession as ever, completed over 1,000 passes, and basically did nothing with it. Tiki-taka works, but works a lot worse when you don't have incisive passers, and most of the passes are between the back four and holding midfielders. No stat was better than Isco, heretofore one of the more offensive minded players, completing ~150 passes, just 20 of them forward. Spain needs to turn the page.
Runner-Up: Mexico's energy meter running low || Mexico started the World Cup so well, but maybe we all took that game for more than it was worth due to Germany just not being as good as expected. The real issue for Mexico is their frenetic style wore them down. They showed signs of slowing down late against Korea - giving up a costly goal late, and then their awful performances against Sweden and Brazil. I went from hoping Mexico could avoid their 7th straight Round of 16 loss to expecting it fully and feeling that El Tri thoroughly deserve it.
Storyline that will be Beaten Down: The Inevitable March to Russia vs. England
We are one match away from a titanic off-the-field matchup of Russia vs England, bringing out shouts of hooliganism - something the British press tried to push as an inevitable scar for Russia 2018 and something that has not happened at all, to the political tensions between the two nations. England did not not intentionally lose to Belgium to get into the weaker half, but it paid off, and we are very close to them, or Russia, making a final. Of course, Russia has to pull another upset, this time against a more organized team, and England has to avoid a letdown.
Storyline that Should be Beaten Down: Croatia & Belgium, the rise of Europe's Secondary Teams
Football has been ruled in Europe by the Colonizing countries: France, Germany, Italy, Spain, England, Portugal. We may finally see the rise of two of the secondary European nations, with teams that are as dominant as any. Croatia played too nervous against Belgium, but hopefully that has subsided now. Their midfield can dominate. Their back-line is so strong. Mandzukic is a star up top. That team is having their moment, and has a fairly clear path to the Final. Belgium was touted for years with their ludicrous talent, and it is finally coming together. They are on opposite halves, and have tough games to come, but we really could be seeing the rise of a lesser European team, and I can't wait to see if it happens.
Quarterfinal Picks:
France defeats Uruguay 2-1
Brazil defeats Belgium 2-1
Croatia defeats Russia 2-0
Sweden defeats England 1-1 (on PKs)
