Day 20; Di Smal Di Maria and How about Howard... sorry.

Apologetically backtracking somewhat, through reasons I'm personally putting down to the direct correlation of lack of work rate to sunny weather, not laziness, day 20 wrapped up the second round fixtures, and it's summary by myself may have somewhat of a 'skim-through' feel to it, as I try to make up for lost time, whilst still making the last month of my blog look pretty come the day of the final, with every single day previous being summed up wittily and sarcastically, as well as factually by it's exhausted curator.

Now I won't just say 'Belgium and Argentina went through, Tim Howard made loads of saves and Di Maria scored,' but that is pretty much what happened. Perhaps more interesting than much of the football on show during game time, was the almost hilariously negative BBC analysis of the Argentina versus Switzerland game. Alan Hansen, making his punditry swan song in this tournament with one final flurry of criticising defences whilst overly leisurely sitting back in his chair, was along side younger, significantly balder models, Alan Shearer and Danny Murphy as the trio ridiculed just about everything going on in the fixture, as if they had a bet on who could be the harshest, with occasional help from usual good guy, Gary Lineker. 

Mentionable moments included their tri-agreement that Gonzalo Higuain's powerful goal-ward header, which forced a brilliant save by Benaglio in the Swiss goal, was not in fact almost a moment of quality from either player, where the game was almost won or lost, but instead 'a header straight at the keeper,' brushed over as if it was barely a highlight.

But most bemoaning was saved for Angel Di Maria, the large facial featured playmaker of Argentina, who often thrives off the space given to him by his opponents' obsession with man marking and doubling up on Messi. In fairness, the Real Madrid man was woeful to an extent. A high extent. He gave the ball away over fifty times in the 120 minutes played, turning over possession at a 'Joe Cole at Liverpool-like level.' Most of these turnovers in fairness were the result of risky passes, mainly crosses, but for a player often used on the wing, this didn't provide an excuse for such statistics, especially when he had plenty of time and options to pick out in the first half, when wide of the box to the right. Instead of crossing with his weaker right foot, or even stopping to cut back onto his favoured left, Di Maria connected with the ball in a way which FIFA Street players will know as a 'Rabona,' or more simply 'like a flashy twat.' With potential goalscorers in the box, awaiting a good cross which could make them a national hero should they convert it, the ball span off his feet, and flew high over the bar, looking like more of a weak attempt on goal than the abysmal cross which it actually was, cueing outrage in the BBC studio.

Once finished ripping into ninety minutes worth of Di-smal Di Maria (Probable Sun headline should Argentina have lost), the punditry team watched extra time unfold along with us and those millions around the world we keep hearing about. Just when every single one of us thought it was heading for pens, the South Americans finally broke through, after 118 minutes of prior knocking and nothing more, guess who scored? You already know, not only did I tell you earlier but you all defintely have a TV, Twitter, access to a back page, or even Teletext - it was Di Maria. An even later timed missed-Swiss chance meant his goal was the winner, causing Shearer to chuckle that 'no one will remember how badly he played, all that matters is the goal.' Well it's at least a couple days later, Alan, and I remember.

Later, Tim Howard made loads of saves. Playing with the passion of George Washington within him, the Everton goalie who tweeted like many other Americans that he believes that they will win (see pic), denied that pesky dark horse, Belgium, time and time again. Sixteen times in fact, a World Cup record which in its creation must've had the Belgians thinking that it's going to be one of 'those' days.

But like the game which had preceded it, deadlocks were unpicked in extra time. A young, former Chelsea Belgian broke through Howard's wall of might initially (Kevin de Bruyne), before a young, current Chelsea Belgian added the second (Romelu Lukaku). 

When USA pulled one back late on, but not too late on, the game erupted, as our trans-Atlantic soccer playing pals showed all the grit, pride and determination to play for their country, that St. George would expect from England. Many called the period of extra time the greatest ever, as the match turned severely manic with the leaders holding on and the eventual losers reluctant to deserve such a title, but eventually it ended and the audience was able to breathe and divert their attention towards iPhone screens again. The Argentina-Belgium quarter final should be a tasty affair, in fact in hindsight, I can tell you it was only slightly appetising, but still worth reading my piece on it, should I get round to it in more efficient time.

Day 19; Sweeper Keeper

Day 19 was inhabited by two comparingly similar games, two group winners and established World Cup super powers, France and Germany, met Nigeria and Algeria respectively, with both nations trying to put Africa on the map. In World Cup terms, obviously.

Algeria had put themselves in the first knockout phase of their history, whilst Nigeria to emulate the Super Eagles' who found success at France 98, through the power, pace, skill and entertaining hairstyles of Taribo West and Jay-Jay Okocha. But overcoming an impressive so far French side who had been scoring at will earlier in the tournament was not going to be easy, nor was defeating a German side for Algeria, on the grounds that they're simply German, and therefore capable of emotionless efficiency in footballing prowess.

Entertaining hairstyles

The games were played out similarly also, with France-Nigeria being the earlier game, allowing the play to bask in the immaculate sunshine as well as the lime light of the TV cameras. Nigeria looked to sit back and keep their sheets clean, keeping a sturdy, well organised back four, protected by John Obi Mikel, who looked to initiate counter attacks every now and then utilising the pace of Ahmed Musa, scorer of a great solo goal in the group stage, and Martin Keown's 'Power Horse,' Emineke. All this, in addition with the the fact France were starting Giroud in replace of the far more exciting, Antoine Greizmann, meant Les Bleu had their work cut out when trying to break the deadlock.

Hours later, it was the same thing was cooked up by Algeria and Germany. Not for the want of trying, Deutschland food it difficult to tika-taka and 'False 9' their way through the Algerian barricade. With frequent counter attacks being inflicted over the high altitude heads of Mertesacker and Hummels, as the pairs well known lack of pace was attempted to be exploited, especially as Germany held such a high defensive line to intensify pressure on their opponents. Fortunately, Manuel Neuer had appeared to embody of the defensive abilities of Franz Beckenbauer, sweeping up everything beyond his defence in lightning quick time, charging off his line and cleaning up any mess made by his teammates like the Kaiser himself would've in the seventies. A perfect display of the 'Sweeper Keeper' role, and at times, an example of a darn good centre back.

Neuer's sweeping shown via gif. Algeria would've went one-on-one with him on 89 minutes

Neuer sweeping shown via heat map.

At nil nil both games remained, until France finally broke down the wall, via the head of Paul Pogba. Vincent Enyema had been sublime not just in France's national league, or 'Ligue' if you prefer, but brilliant enough in this fixture to deny France on repeated occasions. But with 10 minutes remaining, the Nigeria keeper flapped at a corner, which found it's way onto the tramlines and dyed head of Paul Pogba, whose looping header gave him his first of the tournament, and agony for the African side. Greizmann, finally swapped for Giroud, provided a second goal in injury time, to put France into just their second quarter final since Zidane's headers won the 1998 trophy.

Their opponents for such a tie were still unclear, as they waited on the 90 minute-long, yet exciting stalemate between Algeria and neighbours, Germany. The game drifted into extra time as result of missed German chances, and more outstanding goalkeeping in this tournament, not just the sweeping Neuer at one end, but M'Bohli of Algeria at the other. Another reason for the stalemate was a disappointing performance from Ozil, as the ("Yah") Gunners ("yah!") playmaker, quite simply struggled to 'make play.'

"How do I even deserve this?"

But two minutes in the extra half an hour, Andre Schurlle, on as a half time sub for Mario Gotze, reacted quickly and improvised well, as low cross came to him at speed and behind him, before the Chelsea man flicked it from beneath him and beyond the formerly unbeatable M'Bohli. This consequently opened the game up, with Algeria forced to attempt to control the game. Whilst doing so, they conceded a second, Mesut Ozil sprung through one and one with goalkeeper, with a chance to make amends for his lacklustre performance, with a composed, classy finish. But he completely bottled it. Perhaps scared of making a bad day even worse, he opted to unselfishly/cowardly lay the ball off to Schurlle, whose miss came straight back to Ozil, this time with an even easier, almost unmissable task of putting it in the empty net. He did just that, a undeserved goal if ever I've seen one.

Unlike Ozil, Algeria did eventually score a goal they did deserve, when Djabou converted Feghoui's pass in the 121st minute of yet another excellent World Cup tie, a phrase I seem to be repeating daily. The Germany and France quarter final should contribute to this trend.

Day 18; An emotional Sunday of World Cup football

The dressing down of Spain, form of Robben and fact that their manager is one of sports media's most sought after, due to filling Sir Alex Ferguson's Old Trafford dugout after Moyes had kept it warm and probably sweaty for him, are all reasons which have put Netherlands right in the spotlight at this World Cup, as they've emerged as one of favourites. Day 18 saw them enter the knockout stages against Mexico on a sunny Sunday afternoon.

Whilst enjoying the chicken dinner on offer, the first half action witnessed over my grandmother's shoulder was struggling to maintain heat, unlike the gravy drenched potatoes on my plate, as Mexico disrupted Holland from finding any real rhythm, as sent out by their repeatedly enjoyable to watch manager, Miguel Herrera. Arjen Robben going down in the box, not for the first time in his career, more like the thousandth time, provided the only real Dutch threat in the first half, but his trademark open-mouth, wrinkly faced appeal, fell on deaf ears.

Never have I seen someone so determined to win a penalty. Big fan of a spot kick is Arjen.