World Cup Recap: Round of 16 recap
Quarterfinals set after England and Sweden round out the last eight
Jul 3, 2018, 6:56 pm
Neymar and Brazil took care of Mexico. Photo courtesy of Nike
The quarterfinals are set after England and Sweden rounded out the last eight. The quarterfinals in the 2018 FIFA World Cup kick off on Friday and the final spots were confirmed on Tuesday. Uruguay-France, Brazil-Belgium, Sweden-England and Russia-Croatia are the matchups that will decide the final four.
Brazil 2-0 Mexico
Samara Arena, Samara
Attendance: 41,970
For the seventh consecutive World Cup appearance, Mexico are heading home with a loss in the round of 16. This time it was Brazil - an opponent Mexico liked their chances against - after the quality of players like Neymar, Coutinho and company was too much to handle. The first half was a constant back-and-forth exchange of attacking opportunities. Mexico generated four opportunities with none on target while Brazil had 11 shots (three on target), forcing the Mexican keeper Guillermo Ochoa to come up with three saves.
Brazil were more involved in the second half and had the better opportunities. Neymar and company bombarded the goal, outshooting Mexico 14 to 9 and forcing Ochoa to make five saves throughout the second half. Ultimately, Neymar broke through with a goal in the 51st minute. From that moment on, Neymar controlled the game and dictated the pace. A fresh Firmino came on late in the game to score in the 88th and put the match out of reach.
Analysis: Brazil continue to ascend as they march through this FIFA World Cup, with their weakest showing coming in their opening match against Switzerland. With all their talented players, it’s no surprise to see why the Samba Boys are considered the odds on favorite - on top of being a traditional power. The real competition will begin for Brazil, however, as they have to go through Belgium and the winner of Uruguay-France to reach the final. If they do so, then there will be little argument to say they don’t deserve to lift the cup.
Mexico will feel disappointment after such a promising start to the tournament. Their fans will feel it even more as they continue to see generation after generation fail to get past the round of 16. In fact, the last time Mexico advanced in the knockout stage was in 1986 when they hosted the tournament. The question now will be whether the federation decides to continue with the Manager Juan Carlos Osorio or go a different direction - with recent Chivas Manager Matías Almeyda the leading candidate after becoming a free agent.
Notable stat: Brazil picked up their 19th clean sheet in 25 matches under Manager Tite.
Belgium 3-2 Japan
Rostov Arena, Rostov-On-Don
Attendance: 41,466
This one was one of the more surprising matches of the knockout stage, but in the end the expected winner goes through. Japan - having gotten to this stage by the narrowest of technicalities - showed the intensity to make the most of the occasion. The Samurai Blue withstood a good Belgium team and held them scoreless in the first half. Belgium may have had a bit of a transition period in re-incorporating their starters back after resting them in their final group match. The score was 0-0 at the half.
Japan would take the lead in the 48th minute with a great finish from Genki Haraguchi on a ball that gets past Belgian defender Jan Vertonghen. Takashi Inui extended Japan’s lead in the 52nd minute with a strike from outside the halfmoon. Vertonghen would make up for his defensive lapse with a lobbing header in the 69th minute. Marouane Fellaini would erase Japan’s lead with a header of his own, capitalizing on a great pass from Eden Hazard to tie the match in the 74th minute. The match was looking to head to extra time but Belgium would blaze forward one last time to take the lead in stoppage time, sending a dagger through Japan’s hopes. Belgium wins 3-2.
Analysis: Belgium had a close one. They were tested for the first time by a team who had the urgency - and quality - to look for a result. In this victory, however, Belgium flexed their muscles and showed us how good their talent is. They were caught by surprise but, in the end, had enough quality to overcome their mistakes. Their match against Brazil should be a fun one.
Japan gave a courageous effort and gave a fighting display. There is no shame in the way they bow out of the tournament after being beaten by a better side. The disheartening part will be that they were not able to capitalize on their lead and see out what would’ve been their most successful campaign at a World Cup.
Notable stat: Belgium are the first team to come from behind being two goals down in the knockout stage of a World Cup since West Germany did so against England at Mexico 1970.
Sweden 1-0 Switzerland
Saint Petersburg Stadium, St. Petersburg
Attendance: 64,042
This match was a fairly even affair between two European sides that featured similar playing styles. Switzerland were at a disadvantage because of two of their defenders were out because of suspension. Both sides generated seven opportunities in the first half but neither could get on the board. Switzerland actually looked the better side at times but neither Xhaka or Shaquiri could come up with the special play they needed to take the lead. Emil Forsberg, on the the other end, was able to thanks to a deflected shot that went to the back of the net in the 66th minute. The bad news for Sweden was the exit in the 82nd minute of defender Mikael Lustig due to injury. A runaway play in stoppage time awarded Sweden a free kick just outside of the box - originally ruled a penalty overturned by video review - to ice the game and see out the result.
Analysis: Sweden have advanced to their first quarterfinal since USA 1994. While Tuesday’s win did not come in the most conventional way, it did come thanks to solid defending. Sweden have been one of the better defending teams at Russia 2018 with two goals allowed through their four matches. Next up they’ll face England - another familiar foe from the European region - and will feel confident about their chances to frustrate the attack of the Three Lions.
Switzerland is another team that is going from bad to worse. They had a promising start in the 1-1 draw with Brazil before having to come back in a fighting effort against Serbia. Their last match, against Costa Rica, may have done more harm than help as they lost players to suspensions. Switzerland gave a valiant effort on Tuesday but will wonder what might’ve been with a full squad. Their last quarterfinals appearance was at Switzerland 1954.
Notable stat: Tuesday’s attendance from Sweden-Switzerland brought the all-time World Cup attendance to over 40,000,000 spectators.
Colombia 1-1 England (3-4 on penalties)
Spartak Stadium, Moscow
Attendance: 44,190
Quite possibly the toughest matchup to call turned out to be that close. Colombia - winners of H - were short handed with their #10 James Rodriguez ruled out for this encounter. England, on the other end, were coming off a loss to Belgium in the final group game. Every shot was contested and with passionate fans from both sides, every shot was accompanied with gasps from the crowd. Neither side could pull away from the other in the first half. England would take the lead in the 57th minute after Harry Kane converted on a penalty opportunity. Kane remains the leading scorer of the tournament, now with six goals to his name.
Needing to get on the board, Colombia were forced to push higher in attack. Radamel Falcao would carry the hopes of Colombian fans while another forward in Carlos Bacca was subbed in to look for better opportunities. The clearest opportunity for the South Americans came in the 81st but Cuadrado sent the shot off target. Colombia did manage to draw the game thanks in part to a last gasp shot from Mateus Uribe. The long range shot led to a corner kick that was headered in by Yerry Mina in stoppage time. The match would go into extra time and then penalties, where England were victorious 4-3 over Colombia.
Analysis: Colombia had it tough without their best playmaker on the field in James Rodriguez. The #10 has been the catalyst for Los Cafeteros and the attack dropped off a level without his presence. The Colombians gave a fighting effort but ultimately fell short of their goal. The question, as with many nations exiting the world cup, is if the federation will retain the current manager. Colombia’s focus now turns to next year South American Championship in Brazil.
England fans are ecstatic after their first win in the knockout round since Germany 2006. Gareth Southgate’s team continues to ride the wave of promise brought on by a younger England squad - only three players on the team are over 30 years of age. England will be favored in their following match, not an easy out, against Sweden but look poised to get to the semifinal. They’ll feel the good mojo even more so after breaking the “curse” of losing in penalty shootouts.
Notable stat: England won its first penalty shootout at a FIFA World Cup.
Programming note: Soccer Matters with Glenn Davis will be broadcasting from The Gorgeous Gael (5555 Morningside Dr. Houston, TX 77005) with a two-hour LIVE show, airing on ESPN 97.5 FM, at 7 p.m. on Thursday. There will also be a postgame show following Saturday’s Russia vs. Croatia match.
Recordings of every show are available on the Soccer Matters podcast, available on iTunes, Google Play Music and PodcastArena.com/SoccerMatters
Quarterfinal Matches (All Times CT):
Friday, July 6
9 a.m. - Uruguay vs. France (FS1, Telemundo)
1 p.m. - Brazil vs. Belgium (FS1, Telemundo)
Saturday, July 7
9 a.m. - Sweden vs. England (FOX, Telemundo)
1 p.m. - Russia vs. Croatia (FOX, Telemundo)
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With the Astros now officially ten games under .500 for the season, manager Joe Espada is taking a lot of heat from the fanbase for the team's struggles.
While we don't agree with the sentiment, we even hear fans clamoring for the return of Dusty Baker and Martin Maldonado, thinking the Astros wouldn't be in this mess if they were still here.
Which is ridiculous. First of all, Maldonado has been awful for the White Sox, hitting .048 (even worse than Jose Abreu's .065). And for those of you that think his work with the pitching staff justifies his pathetic offense. Let me say this: Where was Maldy's game calling genius for Hunter Brown, Cristian Javier, and Framber Valdez last year? All of them regressed significantly.
And as far as Baker is concerned, we have no idea how much a difference he would make, we can only speculate. Baker would also be dealing with a pitching staff ravaged with injuries. And let's not forget, Baker was the guy that refused to move Jose Abreu down in the batting order, even though he would finish the regular season with the ninth-worst OPS in baseball.
The reality of the situation is managers can only do so much in baseball. Which leads us to something else that needs to be considered. Is Espada being handcuffed by the front office? Espada and GM Dana Brown both said recently that Jon Singleton was going to get more at-bats while they give Abreu time off to try to figure things out. Yet, there Abreu was in the lineup again in the opening game of the Cubs series.
It makes us wonder how much power does Espada truly have? The Astros have some other options at first base. Yainer Diaz may only have eight games played at the position, but how much worse could he be than Abreu defensively? Abreu already has four errors, and Diaz is obviously a way better hitter. Victor Caratini isn't considered a plus offensive player, but his .276 batting average makes him look like Babe Ruth compared to Abreu. Let him catch more often and play Diaz at first. Starting Diaz at first more often could also lengthen his career long-term.
Maybe that's too wild of a move. Okay, fine. How about playing Mauricio Dubon at first base? I understand he doesn't have much experience at that position, but what's the downside of trying him there? If he can play shortstop, he can play first base. He's driving in runs at a higher rate (11 RBIs) than everyone on the team outside of Kyle Tucker and Yordan Alvarez. And he's producing like that as part-time player right now.
The other criticism we see of Espada is his use of Jon Singleton to pinch hit late in games. Let's be real, though, who else does Espada have on the roster to go to? Batting Abreu late in games in which you're trailing should be considered malpractice. Espada can only use who he has to work with. This all really stems from the Astros poor farm system.
They don't have anyone else to turn to. The draft picks the club lost from the sign-stealing scandal are really hurting them right now. First and second rounders from 2020 and 2021 should be helping you in 2024 at the big league level.
Maybe they go to Astros prospect Joey Loperfido soon, but after a hot start he has only two hits in his last six games.
Finally, we have to talk about what seems like a committee making baseball decisions. Lost in a committee is accountability. Who gets the blame for making poor decisions?
As time continues to pass it looks like moving on from former GM James Click was a massive mistake. He's the guy that didn't sign Abreu, but did trade Myles Straw (recently DFA'd) for Yainer Diaz and Phil Maton. He also built an elite bullpen without breaking the bank, and helped the club win a World Series in 2022.
The reality of the situation is Dusty Baker and James Click are not walking back through that door. And all good runs come to an end at some point. Is this what we're witnessing?
Don't miss the video above as we hit on all the points discussed and much more!
Catch Stone Cold 'Stros (an Astros podcast) with Charlie Pallilo, Brandon Strange, and Josh Jordan. We drop two episodes every week on SportsMapHouston's YouTube channel. You can also listen on Apple Podcast, Spotifyor wherever you get your podcasts.