My World Cup Review

Argentina 1 : 0 Belgium

Quarter final number 3 as Argentina take on Belgium. Argentina are out to prove that they do not rely on one man whereas Belgium are out to stop one man; Messi. 

Both teams full of great players looking to take authority early on, took time to settle. On the 10th minute Messi got the ball in the centre of the pitch, twisted and turned and fed the ball out wide. When played in it deflected to Higuain who instinctively shot first time which caught Cortuois off guard. 1-0. The tempo slowed and Argentina were controlling the game, Messi showing his class with an exquisite pass like a hot knife through butter found Di Maria who's shot was blocked.  Belgium managed to contain Argentina but it took them until the 41st minute to threaten as a Mirallas header just went wide. A predictable end to the first half and Argentina lead. 

Argentina started the brighter of the two in the second half and a great run from Higuain gave him the opportunity to unleash a fierce shot which skimmed the top of the bar. Considering that Belgium are playing for a place in the semi final they had no urgency about their play, they looked out of ideas. This wasn't helped though as Argentina continued to command the game. The attitude of Belgium was summed up in the 75th as they won a dangerous free kick and with it a chance to cause damage. Instead Mertens went for goal and went well wide. His teams mates perplexed with his decision. As the time ran out, Belgium's attitude changed and they attacked more. They could not get through and they were very nearly punished for be too adventurous as Messi went 1 on 1 with Cortuois but he pulled off a great save and still gave his team that 1 last chance. They did get it but Lukaku's pull back was cleared and the follow up volley went sky high. 

Argentina now face either Holland or Costa Rica in the semi final and whoever they face, it's going to be a great encounter. 

My World Cup Review

Belgium 0 : 0 USA

Belgium 2: 1 USA (aet)

The final game in the first round of knockouts aiming for the last place in the last eight if the World Cup. 

USA started slowly in the game and Belgium took 40 seconds to register the first decent attack in the game. This unsettled USA and it took time before they relaxed and steadied themselves. Belgium looked dangerous. Origi, Hazard, De Bryne all looked to drive forward at Howard's goal. And in the 25th minute Belgium had a shot cleared from the line. The tempo has been high, with both teams attacking but none found that clear cut chance. Another decent save from Howard towards the end of the half and both teams equal at half time. 

The second half started in a similar fashion to the first. Belgium were very strong on the attack and had the USA on the ropes. USA escaped the early onslaught and when they settled into the flow of the game they passed the ball well and caused a few problems of their own. We were now watching a great game of end to end football. The stats were showing that Belgium were dominating the play, with their corners, shots on and off target exceeding those of the USA. But they could not convert any chances. The man of the moment was Howard. He had made 4 great saves to keep his country in this game. When it looked as though Belgium would be breaking the goal duck he was rock solid and blocked every shot coming his way. The tempo did not drop, players were seriously fatigued, couldn't put any more effort in, but somehow they kept going. In the last minute the miss of the World Cup was witnessed (luckily for Wondolowski, he was waved ((incorrectly)) offside and the match goes to extra time. 

An immediate impact from Lukaku as he powered down the right, played the ball across goal and De Bryne cooly slotted in. This early goal still gave the Americans opportunity to get back into the game. The tactical change to bring on Lukaku paid dividends as another great break from Belgium playing in the big centre for forward who smashed home the second. 

Can the USA pull 1 back and get back into this game? Yes they can. A  lovely goal by Green made the score 2-1. Ball into the box, Jones?!? GOAL-kick. So close. Team USA was being chanted in the stands. A well worked free kick fell to Dempsey and if Courtois hadn't saved it would have been a brilliant goal. They are throwing everything (including the kitchen sink) but they did not get that important goal. 

It's finished 2-1 but we have watched an epic game that was full of ingredients that make a fascinating game of football. Tempo, heart, commitment, it had it all. USA should be very proud of their squad and their attitude. Belgium, looked great and if it wasn't for Howard they would have scored 5-6. 

My World Cup Review

South Korea 0 : 1 Belgium

The very last games of the group stages of the 2014 World Cup. South Korea take on Belgium in what everyone thought would be a one way game. 

The first half was very open with neither side being the dominant team. S.Korea defended resolutely against a quick Belgium attacking formation and even created a few chances of their own. That lack of composure was the Koreans downfall. Mertens for Belgium, who has been one of their better players so far had a glorious chance to give his team the lead, but he rushed his shot and blazed over from 6yrds. Just before half time, Belgium was reduced to 10 men as Defour was shown a straight red for a needless tackle where he stamped on the shin of Kim Shin-wook. Belgium had a poor first half, but it was the result of a well structured S.Koren tactics. 

The second half was an opportunity for S.Korea to take advantage of the extra man they had. They started well, strongly but could not break through the Belgium defence. Belgium, who had already qualified to the knockout rounds sat back and soaked up the constant pressure. They even pushed on themselves with counter attacks of their own, unable to break Korean hearts. More possession and more chances to take the lead the fell to S.Korea but on the 77th minute Vertonghen did crush the hearts of the Koreans as another quick break from Belgium resulted in a shot from distance being saved and pushed into the path of Vertonghen to pass into the Korean goal. Even after the goal Belgium continued to be a threat, now that Hazard was brought on. The last few minutes of the game Korea were unlucky not to equalise after some well struck shots. 

Belgium held on to take the win and the group as winners with Algeria taking the runners up spot with a draw against Russia. 

BELGIUM - group winners

ALGERIA - runners up 

Russia

South Korea

My World Cup Review

Belgium 1 - 0 Russia

Belgium against Russia in group H's second game. A win for Belgium would take them through to the knockouts. 

After Belgium's opening game victory they should have brought a confidence into this game which would have been no match for Russia, considering after their opening performance against South Korea and a 'keeper who was looking nervous every time the ball went near him it was the opposite. Belgium, even with the majority of the possession could not take advantage and as the first half progressed Russia looked comfortable with anything that the Belgium's threw at them and even looked like punishing them on the counter. 

The second half started in the way the first half finished. Lacklustre and stale. There was no tempo, no drive, do none of these teams want to progress? It was looking to be heading for a bore draw but around the 60th minute an inspired substitution form Belgium seemed to lift their spirits. A young 19 year old Origi, full of pace and confidence dragged Belgium back up towards their best and gave the neutrals who have Belgium as the dark horses of the competition reason why they have been tipped as the 'maybes'. Hazard slipped down the left to cooly play a pass back to Origi to smash home an 85th minute winner. 

Belgium through (just) needing the Algeria - South Korea game to do them a favour.