Draw the line

Spain - Saudi Arabia 4-0

Ok, so Spain is awake. I only got home in time to see the second half, but by half time the game was over. Still, I thought Spain were not as clinical in front of goal. They could've scored more, and the fact they didn't can be forgiven on this one occasion, but in the knock-out stages, it can hurt. And before that, they still need to play Uruguay in desperate need of a win. They'll probably win, and send Uruguay home, but it's not gonna be an easy game.

Belgium - Iran 0-0

Belgium comntinues the tradition of disappointing in major tournaments. They are now a meme. They were the better team in this game, but just being better doesn't get you points. Egypt is clearly the best team in the group and luckily they managed to get a point out of that game. So beat New Zealand and you're through, but to what end? So many great footballers, and unable to make a team.

Iran won a point through a disciplined defense and they were a bit unlucky with the cancelled goal. After the Belgian red card, their life became a bit easier, but they should've kept pushing for a goal. I don't think they'll get anything from Egypt, which probably means they'll be eliminated from the group stage. And they played well enough to deserve better, hence, when you have the opportunity, go for it. With a bit more attacking intent, they could've gotten 3 points from Belgium.

Uruguay - Cape Verde 2-2

Of course I'm happy for Cape Verde. They should not rest on their laurels, the world wants them to beat Saudi Arabia and qualify, but it might be easier said than done. Regardless, they have already covered themselves in glory, so anything from here on would be a bonus.

But. But. It was not a good game by any stretch of imagination. Cape Verde's first goal was opportunistic, and that's fine, at this stage you gotta get anything you can. Uruguay really only played the 5 minutes at the end of the first half, when they scored the two goals. The first one was really unlucky, Vazinha had to go for the ball, and the ball jumped really unfortunately off the post. Good on Araujo for being there and taking advantage, he'll now have the 2 goals at the World Cup on his cv forever, and a one or two phone calls might come in for him this summer.

The second goal was a good execution of a disorganised defense, and the closeness to the half time break might have something to do with it.

But to not be able to hold a lead against a debutant team is beneath a double WC winner. I'm really disappointed with Uruguay and with Bielsa so far, they have a history to honour and this is not the way.

Again, really well done on Cape Verde for equalising, Muslera fucked up big time for the second goal, and Varela had the good sense to take advantage of it, but for God's sake Cape Verde, play like a team! So many opportunities to build an attack, to throw a pass to a sole attacker, to take a defender out with a pass, yet all they're relied on was individual actions. At times it looked like 5-a-side football, and you only get away with that so much. Will they against Saudi Arabia? My guess is Spain will beat Uruguay and Cape Verde will draw Saudi Arabia. Cape Verde to qualify.

New Zealand  - Egypt 1-3

I did not see any of this game, and in all honesty I'm starting to enjoy the idea that late night games are soon gonna be less of an everyday thing. It must've been a good game, Egypt impressed against Belgium and they might well be winning the group. They're certainly the best team in it. When the first round of games was 1-1, 1-1, it's a bit difficult to know which way things are gonna go, but now it's clear. Egypt and Belgium for the first two places.