OdishaLIVE Bureau
After witnessing all the favourites go out of the tournament including the likes of Spain, Germany, Argentina and France everyone expected Mexico to cause an upset over Brazil as well. But, Brazil showed everyone why they shouldn’t be undermined and why they still remain the favourites. Belgium played Japan in the other match which turned out to be a classic thriller. This has surely been the best World Cup with drama at the highest level and there is still a lot more to come.
BRAZIL vs. MEXICO
Brazil in Control
The first match was played between Brazil and Mexico in the Samara Arena in Samara at 7:30 PM IST. Mexico started off the game brightly for the opening 20 minutes. Carlos Vela and Hirving Lozano of Mexico were proving to be difficult for the Brazilian fullbacks Fagner and Filipe Luis to cope up with. It looked like another upset could be on the cards. But, Mexico could not build on their promising start and allowed Brazil to get back in the game. Neymar and Company tested the Mexican Goalkeeper with few shots and created a number of chances. Gabriel Jesus saw his shot blocked by the Mexican defence and the first half ended with Brazil in control. Rafa Marquez aged 39, who is expected to retire, expected his country to send off him in style but was subbed off for Miguel Layun at half time.
Neymar Jr. Scores
The second half begun and Brazil still looked like the team to score. Early in the second half, Philipe Coutinho cut inside the penalty area and tried his trademark shot but Ochoa was in inspiring form yet again and saved his shot. It did not take Brazil much time to take the lead given the amount of chances they created and in the 51st minute their star man Neymar Jr scored a lunging tap in from Willian’s scuffed cross. Brazil looked more composed on the ball after they took the lead. Willian who was quite for most of the half, came into life in the second half after he assisted the goal. He was a handful for the Mexican defenders with his pace and movement causing all kinds of troubles. Mexico looked to bounce back and get a goal but they wasted their attacks often taking the long range shots instead of passing and continuing the move.
Mexico left in Lurch
The Mexican fight back was brilliantly diffused by the Brazilian defence with the likes of Paulinho and Casemiero providing defensive stability and acting as a barrier just in front of the defence line. Paulinho looked to double the lead but his shot was saved yet again by Ochoa without whom Mexico would have conceded more goals. Willian continued to cause trouble and drilled a shot into the Mexican goal which went over the bar. Mexico created one or two chances but never looked like getting back in the game. Brazil finished the game off when 2nd half substitute Roberto Firmino scored a tap in from a Neymar cross. The full time whistle blew, and the match ended 2-0.
Neymar antics
In a week, where the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi exited the tournament Neymar Jr scored a goal and assisted another in the match. But his talent and Brazil’s brilliant display was overshadowed by his embarrassing acting on the pitch. The entire match he was falling around looking for a foul and looking for the referee to book a Mexico player. He has conducted this kind of behaviour the entire tournament and has been criticised by many.Brazil qualified into the Round of 16 and also broke Germany’s record of scoring the most goals in a World Cup. They now have 228 goals at a World Cup, Germany previously had 226.
Cursed Mexico
Mexico on the other hand were knocked out of the tournament and could not break their curse of not getting past the Round of 16. This is the 7th consecutive time they have been eliminated from the Round of 16. They were a letdown especially after they beat the defending champions Germany 1-0 and hopes were high for them but they failed to capitalise on that.
BELGIUM vs. JAPAN
Thrilling first Half
Belgium played Japan in a World Cup classic, a match that many will remember for a very long time in the Rostov Arena. The match started off with Belgium taking most of the possession but not creating enough chances while Japan looked more threatening on the counter attack. The only dangerous chance for Belgium came to Romelu Lukaku who could not adjust his feet when Kompany flicked a ball towards him. Courtois almost let the ball get into his own goal, but nearly grasped it before the Japanese players could react. The half ended 0-0 and Japan were the happier team.
Japan take Lead
Japan started off the second half in blistering fashion and Genki Haraguchi scored a beautiful arrowed finish from a cross in the 48th minute to give Japan the lead. Few minutes later Eden Hazard looked to bring his side at par with the opposition when his shot hit the post from a Dries Mertens cross. But moments later, Takashi Inui produced a moment of brilliance. The winger took a curling shot from 25 yards and scored a screamer in the 52nd minute to double his country’s lead. This time, it definitely looked like another upset was on the cards. The golden generation of Belgium were distraught and could not believe their eyes.
Belgium score quickly
In the 65th minute, Marouane Fellaini and Nacer Chadli were brought on for Mertens and Carassco by manager Roberto Martinez to inject some life in the Belgium team. Belgium looked to get back in the game and they got their first goal in the 69th minute when Jan Vertonghen scored a looping header over the Japaneese goalkeeper. The comeback was on for Belgium. Soon, in the 74th minute Fellaini scored a header from an Eden Hazard cross and Belgium were level. It looked like Belgium could complete the comeback and it took them until the last minute to score a winner.
Belgium have the last Laugh
In the last minute of Injury time, Courtois passed the ball to De Bryune who ran for 60 yards until he passed Thomas Meurnier on the right who passed it into the box for Romelu Lukaku but Lukaku faked his shot and the ball fell for Chadli who slotted in the ball and the stadium had erupted. The full-time whistle blew and Belgium had completed one of the most dramatic comebacks. Fans were ecstatic, players were emotional and the moment was one to remember. They now qualify into the quarter finals and face the favourites Brazil. The one to win will be termed as the most likely to win the tournament and Belgium would want that tag.
(Story: Raunaq Dash, Edit: Sriram Singh Rattan)
