Iran's luck with the VAR, the Korean heist & the cruel strike of Fair Play
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| VAR in action- plenty of VAR Credit: Google.com |
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| Beiranvand thwarting Cris. Ronaldo Credit: Google.com |
Russia vs Spain & Uruguay vs Portugal:
Russia & Uruguay had their spots fixed in the Round of 16, even before they took the field at the Samara Arena. With the top spot up for grabs, the 'La Celeste' unleashed their impeccable forward line upon the high flying Russians. The goals from Suarez & Cavani sandwiching a Cheryshev own goal ensuring victory for the Uruguay side. Group B was tantalizingly close with 3 teams still with a chance to progress to the knockout rounds. Iran and Portugal, played out the best match of the World Cup. A match full of controversies, end to end action and the periodic reliance on the Video Assistant Referee. Young Alireza Beiranvand's rags to riches story had another chapter added to it, the day he saved a Cristiano Ronaldo spot kick (thanks to VAR). Ronaldo himself, was lucky enough to escape with a Yellow after 'Elbowing' the Iranian right-back. A 93rd minute Iranian penalty and a near-miss from Mehdi Tarimi ensured Portugal & Spain (held 2-2 by a fighting Moroccan team) booked their pre-quaterfinal spots against Uruguay and Russia respectively.
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| Messi & Argentina riding on Rojo's back Credit: Google.com |
France vs Argentia & Croatia vs Denmark:
France & Denmark played out the first 0-0 draw of the World Cup ensuring a 1-2 finish on top of the Group C Table. The non-consequential match between Peru and Australia ending in a victory for the South Americans. The South American giants, Argentina returned from the dead to set up a mouth-watering clash against The French to kick of the Round of 16. A delightful control and finish by the genius of Lionel Messi and a Marcus Rojo side-foot ensured no further setbacks to the side cheered on by a possessed Diego Maradona from the stands. The talented Croatian side will face the solid defence of Denmark at the Nizhny Novogorod stadium. Hopefully, the match will be as entertaining as the name of the stadium.
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| The Hand of 'God' was behind Argentina Credit: Google.com |
Brazil vs Mexico & Sweden vs Switzerland:
The team from Mexico (read: Mehico) were taken to the cleaners by a polished Swedish side. A 3-0 demolition could have meant the door for the side from the south of North America. But a German tragedy at Kazan ensured both Mexico and Sweden progress to the pre-quarters. The defending champions and the main contenders to retain their title came across a highly motivated South Korean side. The Asians faced waves of attack from Joachin Loew's men and emerged victorious at the end of the ordeal. The talented German team stuck by the curse of the champions in the 1st round of the World Cup. The Mexican side will now face the resurgent Brazilians. After a lack-luster draw with Switzerland and a last gasp finish against Costa Rica, Tite's men displayed the erstwhile Brazilian magic against Serbia taking the team to the next round without any hiccups.
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| Even 'Kroos' couldn't save the German blushes. Credit: Google.com |
Meanwhile, Sweden, with its top of the table finish will face the dark horses in Switzerland. The Swiss are enjoying their best ever World Cup with two draws and one victory ensuring their presence among the mighty of the world.
Belgium vs Japan & Columbia vs England:
A second string of Belgium players was fielded by Roberto Martinez against Gareth Southgate's England who had rested their own key players. The prize from the match was a comparatively easier opponent in Japan which the Belgian side claimed as its own. Japan, the only Asian side to progress, had its own share of luck. They turned out to be the good Samaritans in Group H, trumping the Senegalese side, locked on points but with lesser number of 'Yellow Cards'. It was the first time that 'Fair Play' stuck its head out to choose the side making it to the next round.
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| The Blue Samurai survives. Credits: Google.com |
The young English side will face of against the silky Colombians. The Colombian footballing lords, led by the quintessential Radamel Falcao, destroyed the Polish challenge. They will now face the English gentlemen with the probable absence of James Rodriguez who retired midway from their last match. His absence, will rob the match from an exciting outcome though.
The knockout stages have always exhilarating. With no second chances, teams go all out to make it to the quarterfinals. Lets hope, the World Cup continues to progress at its current pace with more penalties, last minute finishes and of course, UPSETS!!
From India, in Russian, 'Dasvidaniya'!
P.S: The words are mine, the pictures aren't.
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