Darwin Quintero, Minnesota United’s first-ever Designated Player signing, repaid in full his $1.65 million salary by scoring the club’s maiden hat-trick in Major League Soccer. What’s more, it was the greatest hat-trick in the history of the league. I can say that because I was there — look! Here’s a picture of Michael Bradley suffering in the Fourth of July heat whilst “shielding” his backline (he was awful).
It was the outcome England dreaded most: After going out on penalties in ’90, ’98 and ’06, it was penalties again in '18 — this time in the Round of 16 against Colombia. What’s more, after conceding a 92nd minute equalizer to Yerry Mina, you could imagine that English spirits weren’t exactly flying high.
Colombia looked absolutely buried in the 92nd minute of Tuesday's Round of 16 match against England. The Three Lions were only up one, but Colombia looked unable to do anything apart from bitch at American referee Mark Geiger. I had already written a nice little introduction about the blossoming of the Special Relationship on the biggest stage, but then Mateus Uribe forced a corner.
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.
The opening 20 minutes of Mexico versus Brazil couldn’t have gone any better from an El Tri perspective. Carlos Vela and Andres Guardado were finding joy on the left with Fagner looking set for a nightmare. Chucky looked dangerous. But more importantly, Philippe Coutinho and Neymar hardly got a sniff of the ball with Rafa Marquez, Edson Alvarez and Hugo Ayala all taking turns putting the Brazilians on their backs.
The first four minutes of Croatia versus Denmark was the most lit beginning to any knockout stage match ever. I can factually say that because it was the first match in knockout history to feature two goals in the opening four minutes of play.
Denmark’s opener in the first minute was due to an error by Croatia goalkeeper Danijel Subasic (remember the name). That was the last error he'd ever make. It was a dream start for the underdogs.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has shown his support for Sweden throughout the World Cup, but after being left off the 23-man squad despite his status as the nation’s all-time top goalscorer, you can bet that the Blue-Yellow’s march to the Round of 16 has been somewhat bittersweet for the 36-year-old.
Cristiano Ronaldo lasted just a few more hours than Lionel Messi at the World Cup, the world’s best No. 7 following the world’s best No. 10 out of Russia. Edinson Cavani scored two goals for Uruguay vs Portugal as La Celeste held on late for a 2-1 victory on Saturday in Sochi, Russia.
On Saturday in Kazan, Kylian Mbappe was playing a video game; everyone else was just trying to keep up. In a match full of some of the world’s best talent including the inimitable Lionel Messi, the 19-year-old PSG forward outshined all other stars in the France vs Argentina highlights.
A thrilling first half saw Argentina and France level at 1-1 thanks to goals from Antoine Griezmann and Angel Di Maria. Then two right backs took over the scoring, first Gabriel Mercado and then the insanely perfect Benjamin Pavard goal vs Argentina on Saturday.
Argentina's Mercado scored more out of the fortune of being on Lionel Messi's team than anything else, turning in a shot from the No. 10 to give Argentina a 2-1 lead in the 48th minute.