FIFA World Cup 2014: Argentina and Belgium

France – Germany 0-1: Germany gets back to 4-5-1 and leaves France speechless.   

Defence: 1 – 1,5

Midfield: 0,5 – 1

Attack: 1 – 0,5

Interplay: 1 – 1

TOTAL: 3,5 – 4

1. Neuer (GER) – 1,5

5. Hummels (GER) – 1

20. Boateng (GER) – 0,5

7. Schweinsteiger (GER) – 0,5

1. Lloris (FRA) – 0,5

19. Pogba (FRA) – 0,5

8. Valbuena (FRA) – 0,5

11. Griezmann (FRA) – 0,5

Brazil – Colombia 2-1: Brazil is in the semi-finals, after winning in arguably the most exciting match of the World Cup, and losing Thiago Silva and Neymar on the way.

Defence: 1,5 – 1

Midfield: 1,5 – 1,5

Attack: 1 – 0,5

Interplay: 1 – 1,5

TOTAL: 5 – 4,5

10. James Rodriguez (COL) – 2

3. Thiago Silva (BRA) – 1

4. David Luiz (BRA) – 1

5. Fernandinho (BRA) – 1

7. Armero (COL) – 1

10. Neymar (BRA) – 0,5

7. Hulk (BRA) – 0,5

1. Ospina (COL) – 0,5

Argentina

The first 117 minutes of the Argentina’s first Play-off match were only producing negative thoughts about Alejandro Sabella’s team, including stars like Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria. The Swiss were not eager to create any danger in front, so Argentina had freedom in the middle of the pitch. Switzerland was fighting to get a clean sheet for their great goalkeeper Diego Benaglio, and maybe a win for their manager Ottmar Hitzfeld, who had to retire as soon as the Swiss team was beaten in the World Cup. The South Americans had simply no idea how to beat Inler, Djourou and Benaglio. The players were tired, the crosses didn’t pass, the shots were being saved and Messi’s dribbling didn’t work. And only once did the Swiss lose the concentration and it was enough for a pale Messi to send the ball to Di Maria, who had a really bad game, but looked to be the only one not wanting to shoot an after-match penalty.

Belgium is much stronger than Switzerland. Messi and friends have to be not only creative in front, but also attentive in the back. Belgium is going to look for a goal from the beginning. And although the teams have some amazing attackers in their squads, the goals might not come easily. Argentina will be the favourite to win, thanks to the next-to-home atmosphere, and, surely, the Messi-factor. But even if Argentina scores early, this will by no means become the end for Belgians. Let’s see how solid Argentina’s defence is.

 

Matches played: 4

Goals scored - conceded: 7 - 3

Topscorer (s): Messi (4)  

Team marks: 5,5 + 4,5 + 6,5 + 4,0 = 20,5
Average mark: 5,125
Best players: Messi (4,0)

Final place among 32: 4

Chances to win the World Cup: 21,37%

Belgium

The United States defended well for 90 minutes, as Belgium was determined to play much better and score earlier than usually. Fellaini, Hazard, De Bruyne and especially the young Origi demonstrated what was expected from the “Red Devills” since the start of the World Cup. But as their captain Kompany mentioned after the match, “two words – Tim Howard”. The US goalkeeper broke the record of most saves during a World Cup match. But as soon as Romelu Lukaku entered the pitch right from the beginning of the extra time, Tim Howard’s magic touch disappeared. The Belgian number 9 and the great Kevin de Bruyne scored once each, assisting to each other, to enter the most difficult part of their World Cup so far – 15 minutes of endless US attacks. The Americans managed to score once pretty soon, thus getting a real chance to equalize, but the great spell for Juergen Klinsmann’s team, where the Belgian defenders were absolutely exhausted, didn’t bring more. USA leaves home proudly.

USA didn’t try to initiate many attacks until conceding a couple of goals, but Argentina is going to do so, to say the least. Lionel Messi is probably the worst opponent to have, so Kompany, van Buyten and Witsel have to learn a lot from the Swiss team, which contained the Argentines for almost two hours. But Argentina will also have its defence tested after Marc Wilmots’s both strikers have hit the form. Belgium never scores in the first 70 minutes in this World Cup. Conceding will not close the door to the semi-finals, so Belgium will have to be fighting during the whole match, if the victory is going to come for them.  

Matches played: 4

Goals scored - conceded: 6 - 2

Topscorer (s): Vertonghen, Origi, Mertens, Fellaini, De Bruyne, Lukaku (all - 1)  

Team marks: 4 + 4 + 6 + 6 = 20,0
Average mark: 5,0
Best players: Origi (2,5)

Final place among 32: 5

Chances to win the World Cup: 8,82%