France 4:3 Argentina.
Quality shone through. As did youth. Argentina ran out of steam, especially against the scintillating pace of Mbappe. France were really well organised throughout. Messi marked out the game.
A special mention for Pavard’s goal; absolutely perfect technique
— Pritpal S Tamber (@pstamber) June 30, 2018
Uruguay 2:1 Portugal.
Uruguay were always going to be hard to beat. One of the toughest defences I’ve seen combined with a lethal attack. And lethal, indeed, they were. Even if Cavani resorted to scoring with his first with his face, his second was sublime. Uruguay are a force.
— Pritpal S Tamber (@pstamber) June 30, 2018
Spain 1:1 Russia
Russia go through 4-3 on penalties.
Russia were limited but Spain were not much better. A team with De Gea, Piqué, Ramos, Busquets, Silva, Iniesta & Costa couldn’t break through a simple 5-4-1. Not good enough. Rodrigo was the only one with any invention. Adios
— Pritpal S Tamber (@pstamber) July 1, 2018
Croatia 1:1 Denmark
Croatia win 3-2 on penalties
As usual, Croatia buckle under pressure. For all their swash-buckling in earlier games, they looked a team struggling with being favourites. Denmark being well organised was enough to neuter them; they didn’t deserve to lose
— Pritpal S Tamber (@pstamber) July 1, 2018
Brazil 2:0 Mexico.
Mexico were in this game for only the first 15. After that, fear suppressed the flair & courage they showed earlier in the tournament. Brazil are showing a level of defensive discipline that’s quite un-Brazilian. Neymar survived a near death injury… ?
— Pritpal S Tamber (@pstamber) July 2, 2018
Belgium 3:2 Japan.
Wow.
For a period of the second half Belgium were a total mess. No shape, no clue, no team camaraderie. They deserved to lose. Japan were amazing. And yet, in the end, they were probably naive to over commit for the final corner. That one decision cost them.
— Pritpal S Tamber (@pstamber) July 2, 2018
Sweden 1:0 Switzerland.
Good match, this one. Two teams well aware that they lacked quality in attack did their best to attack. Predictably, the defences prevailed, and the winning goal was heavily deflected. The Swiss lacked some of the magic they’d previously shown.
— Pritpal S Tamber (@pstamber) July 3, 2018
Colombia 1:1 England
England win 4:3 on penalties
Awful game, extraordinary drama. For 94 mins both sides’ 5-3-2 cancelled eachother out. Only the penalty was the difference. The game descended into fouls. Colombia equalise. Extra time of stalemate. England finally win on pens
— Pritpal S Tamber (@pstamber) July 3, 2018
