The MoneyMan reflects on the crazy quarter-finals that took place in Qatar over the weekend.
Wow, what a weekend of footy.
I think both evenings were much more intense than anybody could have anticipated, and the four semi-finalists are definitely not the group that most would have picked to be battling it out.
On Friday evening Brazil, who I had backed heavily as tournament favourites, were laying wave upon wave of attack on Croatia. Antony had a blinder down the right, while Neymar was ever-present in controlling the offence. Eventually, some individual brilliance from Neymar saw him start and finish a superb goal to take Brazil 1-0 up at the 105+1 mark.
It seemed as if Brazil could make it two during that second half of extra time, but in a turn of momentum and fortune reserved especially for football, Croatia equalised through Bruno Petković in the 117th minute.
In a penalty shoot out where Neymar did not even get a chance to step up, Croatia ended Brazil’s World Cup dream. This result makes for the second consecutive World Cup where Croatia have progressed to the semi-finals through penalties.
And they will be taking on Argentina. For 80 minutes Argentina, spurred on by the brilliance of Lionel Messi, were absolutely dominating the Netherlands. Messi put through a beautiful assist to Molina and later in the match calmly netted a penalty to take Argentina two goals clear with 17 minutes to play.
On the 80 minute though, the Argentinians started imploding, with Holland’s Weghorst scoring on the 83rd. In the 11th minute of added time, the final movement of the game, the Netherlands were awarded a free-kick and in one of the ballsiest moves I’ve seen, decided to stick it under the wall for Weghorst to finish off. Ridiculous.
Ultimately, two crucial saves from Argentina’s keeper set them on steady ground during the penalty shootout and through they are to the semis.
Saturday evening was no less crazy, and Morocco are now the first African team to make it to a World Cup semi-final thanks to a goal from Youssef En-Nesyri , while also bringing an unglamorous end to Cristiano Ronaldo’s hopes of ever winning a World Cup. 1-0 Morocco Portugal. I picked them to upset Spain in the Round of 16, but to back up such a big result just a few days later is huge.
Then, characteristic of this World Cup was that France and England could very well have gone into extra time had Harry Kane not skied the penalty that would have taken his side to 2-2. Instead, a game in which one felt England were dominant, ended 2-1 to France.
It looks like we may be in line for an Argentina France final. As spectacular as that would be, let me not speak too soon. This World Cup has been a nightmare to predict, so perhaps best to just sit back and watch.
That’s all for now folks, keep an eye out for mine and Ollie’s show this week.
MoneyMan
