After a historic Saturday, a disappointing Sunday at the World Cup.
On a disappointing Sunday, one of the World Cup quarter-finals was decided: Russia and Croatia; Modric, the Croatian star, was subdued and almost sank his team by missing a penalty in extra time; the other quarter-final is the quintessence of football: France and Uruguay; may this Monday of Brazil, Mexico, Belgium and Japan bring back the emotions of Saturday, writes Mauro Lopes, editor of 247.
By Mauro Lopes, in his FacebookIt was a hangover Sunday after the frenzy of Saturday at the World Cup. Spain, Russia, Croatia, and Denmark played lackluster, sleep-inducing matches. The second game was better than the first, but it only mattered for the first four minutes of the first half and the last five minutes of the second half. After extra time and penalties, Russia and Croatia will play a quarter-final.
What an electric start! Two goals in 3 minutes and 40 seconds! A start for Croatia and Denmark that seemed like a balm after the embarrassing game between Spain and Russia. But the quality of the match declined throughout the first half, which ended without much excitement.
The second half was even worse, especially the final five minutes of regulation time, which were more intense, but the score remained the same as in the Russia-Spain match: 1-1.
The Croatian team is better than the Danish team, but the inconsistency of their performance allowed Denmark to even the score and dominate the game at the start of extra time, with Croatia regaining the initiative later on.
Modric, considered the best player in Croatian history, is truly exceptional. A classic, refined midfielder who organizes and sets the rhythm for the entire team. It's no wonder he's an undisputed starter for Real Madrid. But he was far below his usual level today, as were the excellent Mandzukic, Rakitic, and Rebic.
Modric's lackluster performance ended in near-disaster when he missed a penalty 10 minutes into the second half of extra time, practically passing the ball back to the excellent Danish goalkeeper Schmeichel – it could have knocked his team out of the World Cup. The penalty was awarded after a beautiful pass from Modric.
1-1 at the end, another penalty shootout. 3-2 for Croatia – Modric didn't miss his this time. And his was the most beautiful gesture of the match. After the shootout, he went to the center of the field, where the distraught Danes were, and greeted them one by one. It's gestures like Cristiano Ronaldo's comforting Cavani that indicate the possibility of a sport without humiliating the opponent, without aggression.
The weekend's games point to two radically different scenarios in the World Cup finals. On one side, top-level football and thrilling matches. No one doubts that France and Uruguay promise an unforgettable quarter-final. From the funnel that includes Brazil, Mexico, Belgium, and Japan, another exciting quarter-final should emerge, most likely Brazil vs. Belgium. The semi-final will be spine-tingling.
In the other bracket, a surprise is expected. But will there be one? Russia and Croatia suggest a weak game after this Sunday – I hope this prediction proves wrong. The funnel here has Sweden, Switzerland, Colombia, and England. May they be good games, but it's impossible to compare them to the matches on the other side. It's impossible to predict what will happen, except for a slight favoritism towards England.
May this Monday's matches between Brazil and Mexico and Belgium and Japan bring back the excitement of Saturday.