Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past few days, you would have heard that the host nation of the 2018 World Cup, Russia, managed to send Spain packing by defeating them on penalties. Not many people, if any at all, gave Russia a glimmer of hope of advancing past La Roja, but here we are, awaiting a quarterfinal between Russia and Croatia.
It should come as no surprise that teams from Europe (UEFA) and South America (CONMEBOL) have advanced to the knockout stages far more frequently than teams from Asia (AFC), Africa (CAF) and Central and North America (CONCACAF). Although the World Cup qualification spots take into account the relative strength of each region, the allocation also considers the importance of having a truly global spectacle.
England are trying to get to the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time since 2006. Do they have to horses to beat James Rodriguez and Colombia? Jose Pekerman has yet to say if the Colombian star is fit to play, but Harry Kane and company will try to reverse the notion that the Three Lions choke at the World Cup. Then a battle between Switzerland and Sweden will surely be a defensive chess match. Who will be able to break through?
Champions. No, world champions. What does it take to earn that preposterously prestigious title? Today, both Brazil and Belgium took a step towards finding out. In many ways it was well deserved — Brazil rode some individual moments of excellence to a 2-0 win, Belgium came back from 2-0 down to win in the 94th minute.
But then there’s the fact that this Brazilian side is decidedly evil and Belgium’s golden generation almost hilariously fucked it up again well short of its first genuine test.
The Round of 16 is off to a flying start, and it's everything we need in a World Cup. The underdogs have been ruthless — Russia taking down Spain and Japan nearly beating Belgium.
Every game this weekend from the Round of 16 was an absolute nail-biter. Two games went to PKs and the world's two best players went out in tight, goal-filled games. It was awesome.
Yet another Mexico Round of 16 elimination has us wondering why El Tri can't ever make it to the quarterfinals. It seems like Mexico is actually facing a curse when it comes to getting past the Round of 16 at the World Cup. But why is it that El Tri is simply unable to surpass the first knockout stage and make its way to the much desired Quinto Partido?
Comedy Central’s The Daily Show host Trevor Noah is a soccer fan. The native of South Africa is watching the World Cup for the first time as a resident in the United States. And the Trevor Noah World Cup commentary on Fox commentators is spot on.
Japan’s entire 2018 World Cup cycle was something of a bitter complaint. Yes, the Samurai Blue qualified for a sixth straight tournament, but manager Vahid Halilhodzic was fired ten weeks before the finals for doing things like losing to the UAE and drawing with Iraq. To begin World Cup play, Japan recorded a 2-1 win over Colombia but somehow managed to look second-best despite playing 87 minutes with a man advantage.