The quarter finals are over as we move swiftly to the decisive matches of the tournament. Here is the roundup of week 3.
Did CR7 StepUp?
The Poland-Portugal fixture started with a flurry. Both the goals announced themselves with Lewandowski finally scoring for his country this year. A cool and calm finish, but it was nothing like what Renato Sanches produced later on–a nice little one-two, shuffle to the left feet and belted off the boot.
The boy certainly gave a glamorous introduction to the world.
Speaking of glamorous, Cristiano Ronaldo (aka CR7), my word! Has a player ever underperformed for his country in the last decade as he has? The only commendable national performance was during the World Cup 2014 Qualifiers when he rescued Portugal from a 2 goal deficit to win 3-2. That Ronaldo is missing and nowhere to be seen. Penalties loomed after the 1-1 and while everybody almost converted, it was Ricardo Quaresma who got the job done.
All draws and into the Semi-Finals. CR7 riding that lucky wave hard.
Belgians Waffle!
BY FAR the most entertaining game from the quarter-finals was match between Belgium and Wales. Both these teams played scintillating football.
The Belgians were dominant but the Welsh depended on their heart. And it was the captain Williams that headed the ball home forcing his way during the set piece. The response was swift and the game was on. What then ensued was a Belgian team peppering the Welsh keeper. But the Dragons held their own pitch and gave it their all.
The Belgian team have been long hailed as the dark horses, especially with the likes of Hazard & co. Speaking of whom, Eden Hazard has been a standout performer in this World Cup. This match was no different as he pulled all strings but it took a Goal Of The Tournament Contender from Nainggolan to start the festivities. Too much space and a screamer to the top corner; amazing!
And that led us to what Robson-Kanu did.
In what can only be described as ‘audacious’, with three defenders around him inside the Belgian Penalty area, the man produced an immaculate turn and slots the ball home. Vokes, then condemned the Belgians out of the Cup with a header perfect to the inch. It was all just a flurry, people were left flabbergasted, on commentary and in the stadium. This was the stuff of champions, it was a squad that just would not stop attacking.
The Welsh should be taken very seriously.
The Unceremonious Final
During the ‘Unceremonious Final’, both teams came in with two different media hypes; Germany as the favorites and Italy as the worst Italian team ever to got to a Cup (by their own Media!). And yet again, the Italians proved their tenacity and got this far owing to Antonio Conte’s masterful use of the 3-5-3 formation.
Using Florenzi, De Sciglo as wingbacks has proved to be the undoing of many countries so far and it was something that would sniff out Joachim Low’s weakness too.
The German Coach’s response…
Joachim lined up 3-5-3 as well. In what will be considered as one of the biggest tactical gambles, Low decided to do what no other team has done with the Italians. They were cancelling each other out beautifully and it all culminated to a Mesut Ozil’s goal.
A delectable tap in!
Then Jerome Boateng decided to be an internet meme and handled the ball like LeBron while trying to block a backing Durant. Bonucci took a beautiful penalty and that was the only give in the whole match. They kept making chances and they kept slipping away. The game was down to 120 minutes and it was time for penalties.
Arguably, one of the worst penalty shootouts in Tournament History! Mueller’s looked like he just wanted to be done with the match. Zaza decided to be a penguin. Eventually, Hector put away the decider and it was Germany who just eked out a win here. A teary Buffon was a hard sight but what a man’s man, he was the first to congratulate the Germans.
They are the team to beat, and it’s their cup to lose.
Frost On Top
Iceland and France. Well, not a Leicester story, but Iceland have all the reasons to be proud. Iceland had done in the big guns to get here and while France have been clinical, their back two are still weak. The icelanders almost made good on that but once the French flood gates opened, it was all academic. France would open the scoring and keep it going.
It was like a reality check for Iceland, but their showing was inspirational. Where else would you see fans staying after a 5-2 drubbing and doing their signature ‘thunder clap’? It was all love.
Semis Here!
France Vs Germany
This really should be the Euro Final judging by what’s happened so far. Both these teams have been the best so far. Both these teams line up brilliantly and while France’s woes lie in their defense, it is the absence of Mats Hummels through suspension that might prove the difference. Mustafi will be an able deputy but Hummels is a big match player, and that’s what this needs.
Prediction: Germany wins in extra time, 3-2
Wales Vs Portugal
They are billing it as Bale Vs Ronaldo but it really is not. Ramsey has been unbelievable, Quaresma has been the Portuguese’s best player along with Renato Sanches. Wales look the stronger and do deserve to be in the final. Portugal have been lazy for too long.
Maybe CR7 joins the party.
Prediction: Wales take it 2-1 in normal time.
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(Views expressed are personal)
Also read
UEFA Euro 2016 week 2 review: Why are 3 teams qualifying again?
UEFA Euro 2016 Week 1 Review: A tournament of underdogs
UEFA Euro 2016: Why your favourite team won’t win the Euros this season
