Yesterday in the DWC Brazil surged into the semi-finals with a composed 2-0 victory over a Benelux country. Of course, we all expected them to do exactly the same against Belgium in real life, but Russia has been full of surprises! In yesterday's other game Italy and Portugal played out the worst-quality penalty shootout I've ever watched, with the Italians eventually progressing.
So who will join them in the semi-finals? Spain take on Turkey, but first it's a battle between two global superpowers as China and USA meet.
China vs. USA
There are a few types of team in DWC-land. There are, of course, the super teams, who have assortments of the best players in the world (Spain, England, etc...). Then there are those with a healthy mix of their own homegrown stars and a few talented players from abroad, such as the Netherlands. There are a lot of teams with squads highly diminished by the fact most of their national team's players are abroad, such as Brazil and Argentina, who still get by due to the depth of talent they create. And finally there are teams that are traditionally not big footballing sides, but who have a well-financed league full of stars - and both of today's teams fall into that category! Both teams come into this game after delivering a slightly surprising 1-0 victory in the previous round.
China now have Ramires available after his suspension. Whether he replaces Mikel in the side is made a lot easier by the sad news that the Nigerian will miss the rest of the tournament after breaking his arm against Ukraine. China, at least initially, decide not to use a back four, despite its success against Ukraine. Meanwhile USA, who are already without Piatti, have to add Villa and Jungwirth to their injury list. On the plus side, Michael Bradley is back from suspension, and it is he and Nicolas Lodeiro who replace Villa and Almiron.
So who will join them in the semi-finals? Spain take on Turkey, but first it's a battle between two global superpowers as China and USA meet.
China vs. USA
There are a few types of team in DWC-land. There are, of course, the super teams, who have assortments of the best players in the world (Spain, England, etc...). Then there are those with a healthy mix of their own homegrown stars and a few talented players from abroad, such as the Netherlands. There are a lot of teams with squads highly diminished by the fact most of their national team's players are abroad, such as Brazil and Argentina, who still get by due to the depth of talent they create. And finally there are teams that are traditionally not big footballing sides, but who have a well-financed league full of stars - and both of today's teams fall into that category! Both teams come into this game after delivering a slightly surprising 1-0 victory in the previous round.
China now have Ramires available after his suspension. Whether he replaces Mikel in the side is made a lot easier by the sad news that the Nigerian will miss the rest of the tournament after breaking his arm against Ukraine. China, at least initially, decide not to use a back four, despite its success against Ukraine. Meanwhile USA, who are already without Piatti, have to add Villa and Jungwirth to their injury list. On the plus side, Michael Bradley is back from suspension, and it is he and Nicolas Lodeiro who replace Villa and Almiron.
China start with fantastic intensity, stretching the American back line with quick passing. And it results in them taking an early lead – Cedric Bakambu holds it up and feeds it to the overlapping Axel Witsel to fire home!
Shortly after, a fine ball from Hulk puts Bakambu through, but Blake stands tall to parry the shot. USA show their first sight of life with a Sebastian Giovinco shot from the edge of the box that flies narrowly wide. The game calms down, and progresses with little further incident until Mascherano strains his thigh. As a precautionary measure, he is replaced by Junior Urso. Half time, and China look reasonably comfortable.
USA’s midfield is quite defensively-oriented, and so Jonathan dos Santos is replaced by Carlos Vela as USA move back to the 4-2-3-1 formation they started the tournament with. They nearly start the half perfectly as Giovinco’s cross catches Yan out, and thuds into the post. A long ball from Opara suddenly puts Giovinco through, but Yan makes a fine save. Giovani dos Santos is having a bad game, and is replaced by Almiron, whose first real act is to hit the crossbar with a good shot from the edge of the box. But the USA are finding proper chances very hard to create, and time rapidly runs out. But in added time USA push forward once more, and Bradley looks for Lodeiro. Raul Rodriguez gets to it first, but the referee deems him to have fouled Lodeiro, and it’s a penalty to USA! Giovinco is the man to step up... Yan guesses correctly, but the ball squirms into the corner for a late, late equaliser! USA have saved themselves for now, as we enter extra time!
Both teams have made their subs, so this might be a war of attrition. Or the USA might just take the lead three minutes into extra time! A huge clearance from Opara puts Giovinco through, and he is now buzzing with confidence, smartly clipping it beyond Yan.
Giovinco should have a hat-trick within seconds, as another ball over the top puts him through, but he pokes his shot onto the post. USA have completely taken control of this game, but they surrender that momentum when their substitute Greg Garza picks up a second yellow card for a needless trip on Chinese sub Augusto Fernandez. Half time in extra time, and despite China completely dropping off since going ahead, they have just gained a little bit of hope.
USA hold tight, and appear to be seeing this one out, but China level in the 119th minute! Fernandez beats stand-in LB Schweinsteinger to the ball, and crosses it in where Bakambu is unmarked and able to slot home!
USA hold tight, and appear to be seeing this one out, but China level in the 119th minute! Fernandez beats stand-in LB Schweinsteinger to the ball, and crosses it in where Bakambu is unmarked and able to slot home!
So, we’re set for another penalty shootout then. But, wait... China launch one more attack. It comes to Bakambu, who plays it out to Fernandez, and his low drive beats Blake for a dramatic Chinese goal, and potential winner! And it is, as there’s no time for yet another USA comeback!
What. A. Ridiculous. Game. Easily the match of the tournament, and it’s hard to see it being beaten. It’s hard to criticise someone with two goals, but USA will be wondering whether Giovinco could have been more clinical. He had the Chinese defence on toast regularly with his speed, but only once did he convert such a chance into a goal. But for China, they have moved on one step further than they did last year (as did USA), and they become the first Asian side to make the DWC semi-finals.
Spain vs. Turkey
In Russia we've seen England beat a World Cup axiom, and Spain have done the same in this year's DWC by beating the Germans. That titanic win for Spain sees them rewarded with a relatively decent-looking run to the final. First though, they have to take on a solid Turkish side that cruised to victory against Mexico last time out.
Neither side has any selection issues, so they both select the sides which triumphed in the previous round.
In Russia we've seen England beat a World Cup axiom, and Spain have done the same in this year's DWC by beating the Germans. That titanic win for Spain sees them rewarded with a relatively decent-looking run to the final. First though, they have to take on a solid Turkish side that cruised to victory against Mexico last time out.
Neither side has any selection issues, so they both select the sides which triumphed in the previous round.
Spain are ahead within 5 minutes, although it’s not through the abundant creativity of their midfielder. Instead, a Modric corner is nodded down by Pique and fired home by Sergio Ramos, remarkably his fourth goal of this year’s DWC. And it gets worse for Turkey – three minutes later Juraj Kucka launches into a wild two-footed lunge from behind on Luis Suarez (I appreciate that there is always that temptation), and obviously sees red. In the 13th minute Modric runs around former teammate Pepe and fires in a fantastic cross for Suarez to double Spain’s lead from.
Valbuena has a sight of goal after being played through, but ter Stegen denies him – if Turkey are to do something miraculous here, they need to take any chances they get. But as Turkey push forwards, Spain counter with incredible ease and add a third – Messi to Griezmann to Cristiano Ronaldo to poke in. Turkey just batten down the hatches and are able to see out the rest of the half. 3-0, and this only looks like getting worse for Turkey.
With the game clearly already won, Spain take off Pique for Godin to protect him from a yellow that would bring a suspension. But they also notice that Ronaldo is carrying a knock, so he is promptly replaced by Isco. The substitute nearly gets an immediate goal with a nice shot onto the crossbar from a corner. The game floats on uneventfully until the 77th minute, when Spain finally add a fourth as Toni Kroos lashes home from Modric’s pass. Shortly after, Marcelo’s clearance cannons into Mariano and flies to Turkish sub Ryan Babel, who puts it away – unfortunately, the raised flag means it doesn’t count, but it was nice for a moment. Spain respond with their fifth goal, Antione Griezmann finally notching one from Isco’s delicate pass. Spain cannot get the sixth that would have seen them beat the record for a DW knockout match, but 5-0 and progression to their maiden semi-finals will do very nicely.
It’s hard to analyse such a non-contest, but the one name that kept cropping up in Spain’s attacks was Luka Modric. The playmaker had enormous fun today, setting up two of Spain’s five goals, and having a hand in another. Meanwhile, Turkey can reflect on a generally successful tournament – a perfect record in the group stage and a quarter-final berth is not bad at all.
Tournament draw
10th July schedule
Brazil vs. Italy
Brazil vs. Italy