This round were are going to learn population density. For example Maine has a population of 1,421,310 and covers 35,380 square miles. So, it has a population density of 46.
Round of 32 is DONE! On to the Round of 16. This is where the knockouts would usually start. What does that mean? Everyone has played an extra game and soccer is coming out of my ears. Overall the Round of 32 (I wish I could say the opposite) was very good. There were a number of games that truly have no overall effect on the tournament because those teams will be getting beat in the Round of 16 (Canada v. S. Africa; Australia v. Egypt; Swiss v. Algeria), but nearly all the games were good and fun. Unfortunately, while we will have some very fun games in this next round, I also expect we will have games that are extremely lopsided (France v Paraguay; Canada v. Morocco; Messi v. Egypt). Thanks FIFA!
Today’s Games
Australia 1-2 (9.2) v. Egypt 1-4 (312)
The Socceroos started the game off strong (first 10 mins), but then the Pharaohs get their first goal. Egypt should have scored (like 99 out 100 times) in the first 30 seconds of the second half. Australia used their 6’6 monster to get Egypt to score an own goal. Egypt was the better team throughout the game. They were unlucky (great goal keeping) in the 90+3 to not score. We were tied through extra time and going to pks. Right before that happens, Australia sub their goalie to put on their second goalie (who supposedly is the better pk goalie). I hate this move. I hate when anyone is subbed on solely for pk purposes. Pks are soul crushing, but when you have been playing and touching the ball, you at least know how the ball feels on your foot that day and your body is connected to the rhythm of the game. When you sub someone on just for pks, their first touch may be that pk and they have very little feel for the game. For kickers, subbing on for pks is not usual but it is not unheard of. For goalies, I can remember only one time I have seen a sub come one for pks and have success. This was not that one time. The Australian sub keeper almost had one save, but then he might as well have but a blindfold on. It also did not help his team had ZERO confidence to take the penalties, while the other side was almost too confident. (We got another John Terry from Australia, but this time to start the pks). The highlight of the pks was Mo Salah’s panenka* down the middle. The cajones someone has to have to do something like that is something I could never imagine. If you do that and fail, you might as well just start walking home. No one likes you. But, when you nail a panenka, it is not only awesome, it gives that team all the confidence.**
*Panenka is for Antonin Panenka, a Czech player who did this to win the 1976 Euro final pks. I technically was superfluous by saying a panenka down the middle because a panenka is defined as a chip down the middle of the goal.
**Some people wonder whether it is better to go first or second in pks. The truth is that it doesn’t matter. If you go first, then you can put pressure on the other team (if you make your shot). If you go second, you know what you need to do. What matters is your total team confidence and a known plan for how pks will go. If you have those two things, you can win, if you don’t, good luck.
Argentina 3 (44) v. Cabo Verde 2 (340) – extra time needed
Wow. Just Wow. Lets go step by step. First, Messi is incredible. His goal is unbelievable and he makes it look so easy. To control a ball with that little space while full sprint on one touch and then have the capacity to have shot a good shot on the second touch, that is stuff of dreams.*** Second, Cape Verde are heroes. They come out in the seance half and fight. They attack. They pressure. They score. It was not a fluke, it was good soccer. 1-1.
Third, Cabo goalkeeper vs. Messi – the goalie won. That is more than impressive. His one on one and his free kick when he was still setting the wall. Wow. Four and Five, Argentina properly dominated the game after getting tied but Cabo Verde defended with their lives. Six, lets just stop reffing games. Honestly, a donkey would be better than what we are seeing. Cabo gets lucky that their in-the-box handball is not called against them.
Seven, people don’t understand the amount of abuse soccer players go through on the field, and specifically how much Messi goes through. He is getting kicked and pulled all game, every game, by everyone on the field. I was worried with this free kick, but he has next level strength.
Eight and nine, what an extra time we had. Argentina get a goal and we think, they have for sure won this game, but then out of nowhere the cape gives us possibly the greatest goal of this tournament. To score from that angle at that time in that game with that score. Goosebumps.
Ten, Argentina are a real team, with a real goal, and are not ever going to give up. They got back on the offensive foot after the tie, and got their third goal. Eleven, same guy, same place, but from a free kick, Cabo nearly tied it again. Twelve, Argentina’s keeper reminded everyone he is also really good and is ready to do whatever it takes. Wow. WOW. Woooooooowww
Argentina showed why are the reigning champions in this one. This was not easy and they had to reach deep – not to mention they were playing in Miami with heat and humidity. Messi continues to be an unworldly talent. I don’t care about if their are aliens or if they have been on earth, but I would not think twice if we found out Messi was an alien. But also, beyond Messi, Argentina continue to show the fight and purpose of a champion. It is so fun to watch.
Cape Verde also deserve their flowers. They deserve all the flowers. They did not win a game, but they won every game. They were not just parking the bus. They attacked, they scored, they played soccer. It is awesome to see something like that. They have won the hearts of all and are the people’s champion.
All that said, they are also the worst because now FIFA is going to point to them for the rest of time saying “see adding all those teams was great because a team like Cape Verde exists.” The problem is two-fold – I- on the whole, all the other extra teams in this tournament were absolute trash. II- the chances that there is another team like Cape Verde is pretty much 0%. But, it doesn’t matter now, FIFA has all they need. (As if what anyone cares matters to FIFA).
***Golden Boot: Messi 7; Mbappe 6; Haaland and All time goals – Messi 20, Mbappe 18.
Colombia 1 (126) v. Ghana 0 (406)
Less exciting a game than I thought it would be. Ghana seemed a bit unhinged. Colombia dominated.
Tomorrow’s Games – a day to make money by beating all of your money (responsibly) on France and Morocco to win. Good luck to the other two teams.
1 pm – Canada v. Morocco
5 pm – Paraguay v. France
Here is my updated bracket. Sure, i lost some games. But sometimes i follow my heart and sometimes i am nearly pretty much right but then something happens to make it not so right. This round I am for sure going 100%
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