It's now two years of hurt, as England were sent crashing out yesterday by Portugal for the second year in a row. In another heavyweight clash Italy prevailed over France with a fantastic display.
With six matches down, today wraps up the second rounds. Much like in Russia, this part of the draw will provide an unusual semi-finalist, as Ukraine take on China and Argentina face USA.
Ukraine vs. China
Ukraine have been solid without being spectacular. Qualification was assured with 3-1 wins over Chile and Mali as they progressed further than last year. China were quarter-finalists last time out, but needed a final-day win over Denmark to get to the knockout stages this year, which they managed with a scintillating 4-0 win. This is a hard one to call, as China are an extremely inconsistent side.
Ukraine stick with their expected side, with Butko keeping Srna out of the team and Fred edging out Garmash. China spring a surprise up front, as Cedric Bakambu comes in for Oscar with Zahavi moving back into the AMC position. Additionally, Ramires is suspended so he is replaced by his former Chelsea teammate (and Nigeria's playmaker) Mikel.
With six matches down, today wraps up the second rounds. Much like in Russia, this part of the draw will provide an unusual semi-finalist, as Ukraine take on China and Argentina face USA.
Ukraine vs. China
Ukraine have been solid without being spectacular. Qualification was assured with 3-1 wins over Chile and Mali as they progressed further than last year. China were quarter-finalists last time out, but needed a final-day win over Denmark to get to the knockout stages this year, which they managed with a scintillating 4-0 win. This is a hard one to call, as China are an extremely inconsistent side.
Ukraine stick with their expected side, with Butko keeping Srna out of the team and Fred edging out Garmash. China spring a surprise up front, as Cedric Bakambu comes in for Oscar with Zahavi moving back into the AMC position. Additionally, Ramires is suspended so he is replaced by his former Chelsea teammate (and Nigeria's playmaker) Mikel.
Ukraine had a corner, which Ordets nods down to Marlos. The winger hits its sweetly, but it flies narrowly wide. Ukraine’s defensive organisation has been frustrating China, but it all clicks when Bakambu plays it to Carrasco, whose low cross finds Hulk there to tap-in. However, the Brazilian had strayed offside and the goal is chalked out. A few minutes later Hulk has a header go just wide of the goal, and China follow that up with a long drive from Carrasco which isn’t far wide. We go into the break goalless, and it feels like it’s a case of whether China’s defence can hold together long enough for their forwards to produce some magic.
China start the second half with bad news, as Mikel is forced off injured. Guarin comes on in his place. Ukraine have been dominant in the early stages of this half, and Bernard’s low cross should be put away by Marlos, but the shot arrows over the bar. China respond by making chances to a 4-3-3 formation, and the game becomes a bit quieter. Hulk clips the crossbar with a long free kick, and following the goal kick China win it back. They get it upfield and Hulk slides it through to Bakambu, who holds his nerve to give China a 79th-minute lead!
Ukraine make attacking changes, one of which is to bring on target man Ferreyra. However, in added time it’s his sloppy pass that leads to a rapid Chinese counter attack. Bakambu chips it into the box, where Guarin meets it, but his header is over the bar. Regardless, it eats up the seconds and a minute or so later the final whistle goes, and China are through!
Until the goal, Ukraine looked the better side, to be honest. In fact, looking at their shot maps before the goal (below), you can see how many more chances inside the box Ukraine had. They’ll be very disappointed, as this presented a great chance to aim for the competition’s later stages. For China, a second successive quarter-final is not to be sniffed at, as they continue to fly the sole flag for Asia.
Argentina vs. USA
Argentina were probably the stand-out team in the group stage, with a big win over Saudi Arabia preceding a fantastic performance to beat France despite being down to 10 men. With the draw opening up a little, Argentina look as good a shout as anyone for a semi-final berth. They face a USA side that, like China, are wildly inconsistent. They were particularly lucky to avoid losing to Kuwait, and a final-round draw with Italy earned them progression.
There are no surprises with Argentina’s team, as Fabra and Belluschi both return from suspension. Interestingly, USA have copied Argentina’s flat-midfield 4-3-3 formation. They are missing two of their three highest-performing players in Piatti (injured) and Bradley (suspended), whilst Vela is dropped due to poor form. In their place come Almiron and Jonathan dos Santos. And at the back LA Galaxy duo Skjelvik and Ciani both make their first starts, in place of Besler and Garza.
Argentina were probably the stand-out team in the group stage, with a big win over Saudi Arabia preceding a fantastic performance to beat France despite being down to 10 men. With the draw opening up a little, Argentina look as good a shout as anyone for a semi-final berth. They face a USA side that, like China, are wildly inconsistent. They were particularly lucky to avoid losing to Kuwait, and a final-round draw with Italy earned them progression.
There are no surprises with Argentina’s team, as Fabra and Belluschi both return from suspension. Interestingly, USA have copied Argentina’s flat-midfield 4-3-3 formation. They are missing two of their three highest-performing players in Piatti (injured) and Bradley (suspended), whilst Vela is dropped due to poor form. In their place come Almiron and Jonathan dos Santos. And at the back LA Galaxy duo Skjelvik and Ciani both make their first starts, in place of Besler and Garza.
Rodriguez has the game’s first chance, as his close-range header from a corner flicks the crossbar on its way over. But two minutes later, it’s USA who lead – and in spectacular style! David Villa is dispossessed outside the Argentine box, but the ball runs across to Sebastien Giovinco, who unleashes a devilish first-time shot right into the top corner! For the first time this tournament, Argentina are behind. They respond well, putting pressure on USA and having more shots. However, they’re from range and they can’t get level before half time. Maidana is carrying a knock, and as such Mia Argentina begins to make plans to replace him. However, before she can do so, he inexplicably launches into a two-footed challenge on Villa and sees red. To emphasise how mad the tackle was, the ball was in midair. So now Argentina have gone from being slightly behind to having a mountain to climb.
Belluschi is replaced by Goltz for Argentina, whilst Villa was also carrying a knock (not from that challenge) and is replaced by Lodeiro. To Argentina’s credit, they are still having more possession, but they still can’t create any real chances. In the 85th minute (yeah, nothing has really happened) a ball over the top finally gives Lucas Pratto his first proper sight of goal today, but he shanks his volley well wide. Soon after, it becomes 10 vs. 10 as USA sub Florian Jungwirth is taken off injured, with all substitutions used. In the penultimate minute of added time, Enzo Perez takes aim from well outside the box. It’s not a great shot, but it cannons into sub Lisandro Lopez and flies beyond Blake! Argentina celebrate their dramatic escape – but Lopez was offside! It’s a cruel blow, and the USA are able to see out the win by the narrowest of margins!
First of all, the victory signifies the first time a team from North America has made the quarter-finals of the Draft World Cup, so well done USA. I mentioned earlier that Pratto had struggled for chances, well the map below of the passes he received tells its own tale. He just never got any kind of service, as Argentina’s flat midfield showed itself to be weak when chasing a game.
Knockout stage draw
6th July schedule
Brazil vs. Netherlands
Portugal vs. Italy
Brazil vs. Netherlands
Portugal vs. Italy