WHAT. JUST. HAPPENED.
There is no denying that the teams that went through, went through because they deserved to! The French were fabulous, Uruguay were top drawer and to suggest otherwise is ridiculous.
This was the France side that we have been waiting for. They looked fearless. Like a lion let loose and they did not hold back putting four goals past Sampaoli’s shambolic Argentina.
Uruguay made it clear that they didn’t make it here by accident. Pepe’s somewhat irrelevant equaliser was the first goal they have conceded this far and Edison Cavani? My goodness. Two phenomenal strikes that had me with my hands on my head in disbelief.
If you read yesterday’s blog you’ll know I was WAY off with my predictions and how glad I am that I was. It made for such a good round of fixtures.
Croatia vs Denmark
This is my one of my favourite games of the round of 16! Croatia are clear favourites after making Argentina look like schoolboys, collecting maximum points and seeing off Iceland after making 8 changes to their team. Don’t write the Danes off just yet.
The Danes are currently of a national record run of 18 games undefeated in all competitions. They have kept six clean sheets in their last 7 games and, just like Croatia, have not conceded in open play this World Cup!
It is going to be a good one but I think the Croats have pipped this one.
Prediction: 3-1
Spain vs Russia
Spain, who are unbeaten in 23 games since losing to Italy at Euro 2016, have yet to hit the heady heights with which they are usually associated, but Russia may be a team against whom they can cut loose. They will certainly attempt to dominate the ball.
La Roja led the tournament for passes attempted (2,294) and completed (2,089) in the group stage, making nearly 300 more of each than any other nation. Spain have also had 41 shots from open play, 15 more than their opponents, and have created 42 goal scoring chances, 24 more than the Russians.
The home team, however, have worked like Trojans and have been clinical when opportunities have come knocking. Russia are ranked bottom at this tournament for chances created, with 18, but have still managed to score eight goals, while in terms of distance covered in the group stage (331km) they ranked third. Being roared on by an 80,000 capacity-crowd may add yet more miles to their legs.
I wouldn’t write off an upset after today but I can’t see anything other than a Spain win.
Prediction: 2-1
Jamie
Despite being the first side to be eliminated from the tournament, they can count themselves unlucky to leave both their opening games empty handed.
Iran had went 1,121 minutes before conceding to a ridiculously fortuitous rebound off of Diego Costa in the second half- a man they had isolated and cut off completely having received only 12 touches of the ball by halftime.
The Iceland man may be used to onscreen drama but not even he could believe what he had just pulled off. His composure, class and consistency has now cemented his position as a national hero.
Beyond what it did award, let’s talk about what it didn’t. Argentina will claim that they could easily have had another one, maybe two, penalties in that game while Iceland will argue that it should have overthrown the one that was given.
Jamie Hawthorne 