Soccer World Cup round-up (June 20).
Dave Savides, editor-in-chief of Zululand Observer, shares a quick round-up after every World Cup match.
Spain vs Iran:
To misquote Forest Gump: ‘Ugly is as ugly does.’
Making no attempt to play football that delights the crowd, for 50 minutes Iran played the ugly game to perfection, every man behind the ball and crowding the goalmouth, to the frustration of a star-studded Spain on Wednesday evening.
In fact, they forced the billion dollar Iberian line-up to get sucked into their game; gone was the flair and class we saw in the Spain vs Portugal 3-3 first round thriller.
The bull was outwitting the matador and a Spanish inquisition was looming as to why they could not find the back of the net with over 70% possession in the first stanza.
However, when the teams reappeared after the break, Spain upped the pace and the pressure was on the Iranians.
A goal was imminent and it came in the 61st minute when a panicky clearance rebounded off the knee of Diego Costa and into the net.
It was his third of the tournament, matching the tally of Ronaldo, and he could care less how it came.
Chances came and went at both ends after that; in fact, Iran had the ball in the back of the net only for the VAR team to determine an offence, and the match was decided on a solitary goal.
So, with each side to play their third and final Group B game, it is Spain and Portugal on four points with Iran on three.
Spain will take on already doomed Morocco and should breeze through, while the Portugal v Iran encounter will decide which of the two progresses to the last 16.
Uruguay vs Saudi Arabia:
Having been thumped 5-zip against Russia in their opening Group A fixture, Saudi Arabia had nothing to lose by making wholesale changes for their do-or-die encounter with Uruguay this (Wednesday) afternoon.
Having given the young guns the chance first time round, coach Juan Antonio Pizzi recalled some ‘senior citizens’ to bolster the defence that had leaked worse than a municipal reservoir.
To their credit, the Saudis came out with all guns blazing. Not that they were gigantic guns, but at least the intent was there to restore some pride.
Courtesy of a Luis Suarez goal in the 23rd minute, Uruguay did enough to gain their second three-pointer to join Egypt on six points and ensure their progress to the round of 16.
The goal was handed to the Barcelona striker as the ball fell to his feet barely three metres from the line and all he had to do was prod it home.
It was a dull affair for spectators, other than the competing countries’ fans and those whose fortunes might be affected by the outcome.
Can’t see Uruguay progressing much further in this competition.
Portugal vs Morocco:
There’s an old joke that Portugal (and Greece) can’t play great soccer because every time they get a corner, they open a shop.
Not true! When the Nando boys get a corner, the cross is swung over to Ronaldo and the goalie is left with the task of fetching the ball from the back of the net.
It took just four minutes on Wednesday afternoon for the maestro to head home his side’s opening goal in that fashion, and to herald what would be the death knell for the Moroccans.
To their credit, the Atlas Lions never gave up and created a number of decent chances, without reward.
But the only luck they have is bad luck, and – twice goalless and pointless – their World Cup dream is over.
To be fair, the game was an uninspiring one, apart from the opening goal.
It was like watching two armies marking time at double quick pace: plenty of energy, effort and precision – but no progress.
Portugal certainly did close up shop early, keen not to concede, and looked nothing like the side in the 3-3 Group B draw against Spain.
Even Ronaldo was below par but, hey, it’s the 1-0 result that counts.
Exit Morocco; march on Portugal.
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