It was another epic day at the FIFA World Cup.
There was drama and goals. There was also elation and devastation. That’s the beauty of the World Cup.
Let’s go over the day’s action.
England vs DR Congo: Kane helps England survive scare
England was nearly on the receiving end of one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history.
It was DR Congo who got things started at Atlanta Stadium. Just seven minutes in, Brian Cipenga beat Jordan Pickford.
England then threw everything into their attack. Noni Madueke, Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford were trying to create chances and provide service for Harry Kane. Congolese goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi was standing on his head. The DR Congo backline led by West Ham’s Aaron Wan-Bissaka (who is English-born) was also formidable.
No matter what England did, they couldn’t beat Mpasi. Someone had to be the hero.
England fans were praying: Maybe, Kane was going to be the one that saved them. He did. Their star striker tied the game. Anthony Gordon was poor in the group stage, but he delivered when it mattered off the bench. The newly signed Barcelona winger’s cross found Kane’s head, and England were level with DR Congo.
When they needed Kane the most, he rose to the occasion. Gordon found Kane in the box again. The Bayern Munich star managed to get around the Congolese defenders and blasted the ball into the net. This was a goal only one of the world’s best finishers can score.
Play Wonderwall, England came through thanks to Kane. It took a lot of perseverance after going down early. But their next test is tougher; they face Mexico at the iconic Estadio Azteca. Their round of 16 matchup is on July 5. It’s going to be epic!
England really needs to figure out their attack because Mexico have not conceded a goal yet at this World Cup.
Belgium vs Senegal
Belgium and Senegal then went to battle at Seattle Stadium.
Early on, it seemed like a tight midfield battle. Senegal’s Pape Gueye, Idrissa Gana Gueye and Habib Diarra went toe-to-toe with Hans Vanaken, Youri Tielemans and Kevin De Bruyne.
Ismaila Sarr nearly opened the scoring 13 minutes into the game. Ismail Jacobs’s cross was fully cleared by Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. Sarr was in all alone, but he ended up hitting the post. Courtois and the Belgian defence gave a big sigh of relief.
The Senegalese then started to control possession. They started to push Belgium into their own box. Their passes and off-the-ball runs were great to watch. In the 25th minute, Mane’s ball found the head of Sarr, who hit the post again. But Habib Diarra was there to slot the rebound past Courtois.
That was a wake-up call for Belgium. They started to move the ball more quickly. However, they couldn’t bypass the Senegal backline. Their passes into the box were also not reaching anyone. Mane was also dangerous on the counterattack.
Mory Diaw was also high on alert in goal. Belgium only had two shots on Diaw in the first half. It was like they didn’t know what to do in the final third.
After halftime, Belgium brought on Romelu Lukaku for Charles De Ketelare. Belgium needed a goal, so they brought on their all-time leading scorer.
But Senegal did not want to sit back. Moussa Niakhate made an incredible pass to Sarr. The Crystal Palace striker then slotted the ball past Courtois. Incredible pass, incredible finish.
It was an interesting choice for Belgium to take off De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku for Nicolas Raskin and Dodi Lukebakio. Bold strategy from Belgium manager Rudi Garcia when his team was down by two.
Even with the players on the pitch, Belgium were still toothless in the final third. Lukaku was getting basically no service. Senegal’s defence was compact.
Lukebakio and Tielemans tried to get Belgium into the game with long strikes. But their shots were high and wide.
It was Lukaku who gave the lifeline. The Napoli striker managed in front of Pathe Ciss and redirected fellow substitute Thomas Meunier’s pass.
Just three minutes later, Belgium had more reasons to celebrate. Diaw came out of his net at the wrong time, and Tielemans headed the ball into the net. Wow.
This game was going to be decided in extra time. Belgium had the better chances in the first period of extra time. Lukaku and Leandro Trossard missed close-range chances. Senegal had trouble getting up the pitch.
Senegal then came out of the second frame of extra time flying. They nearly took the lead thanks to Ibrahim Mbaye, but the young PSG shot it wide left.
Belgium slowly came alive. Lukebakio had a glorious chance to win it in the 117th minute as the ball found him while he was standing in the middle of some open space in the box, but he hit the crossbar.
Then the referee was called to VAR as it seemed Lamine Camara made contact with Tielemans in the box before the ball found its way to Lukebakio. The ref did not call it a penalty on the pitch, but after a lengthy check, the referee gave the penalty to Belgium. There was contact, but it was a harsh call.
Lukaku let Tielemans take the penalty, and the Aston Villa midfielder made no mistake.
Senegal made one final push, but this is a loss that was crushing for them. It was an epic battle job by Senegal and a great comeback from Belgium.
USA vs Bosnia and Herzegovina
Belgium awaited their Round of 16 opponent. That either Edin Dzeko and Bosnia and Herzegovina or Christian Pulisic and the USA.
San Francisco Bay Area Stadium was rocking with many cheering on the US. The Americans knew Bosnia was not going to be easy. Remember, earlier in this World Cup, Bosnia made life difficult for Canada.
Bosnia came to play. They were defending well and looked to stifle the Americans on the transitions and set pieces. US goalkeeper Matt Freese had to make two key saves early. One of Ermedin Demirovic and the other off Kerim Alabejovic, who nearly scored a stunning Olimpico. The New York City FC goalkeeper was dialled in.
Folarin Balogun and Pulisic were trying to create offence for the US. But Bosnia’s defenders were very stingy. 30 minutes in Balogun thought he opened the scoring, but his foot was offside.
The US were not doing enough with their creativity, and Bosnia was man-marking to precision. But it felt like a goal was coming for Mauricio Pochettino’s side.
It took a bit of luck. Malik Tillman’s pass went off a Bosnian defender and found Balogun. The AS Monaco striker sent the Santa Clara crowd into a frenzy. That was the US’s first shot on target in the game.
The goal woke up the Americans. They started moving the ball faster on the transitions.
It was also getting physical. Both teams were going at it with hard tackles. The US were giving Bosnia the CONCACAF treatment.
In the 62nd minute, after a VAR check, Balogun was sent off after he made a hard tackle on Bosnian defender Tarik Muharemovic. It was…a decision. Balogun had no malicious intent with the tackle. The slow-motion replay does make it look horrible, but this was soft for a straight red. What a bad day for VAR. The US had to play down to 10 men.
Bosnia had a massive opportunity. The US had to hunker down and play survival ball. They kept it simple with their blocks and tackles. The Americans also tried to seal the game with a counterattack. Pulisic looked like he scored in the 77th minute, but he was way offside.
It was Tillman who sealed the game for the US. He blasted the free kick from outside the box. That 82nd-minute banger sent the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium crowd into cheers of joy and relief.
It took time for the US to get into high gear, and they showed great resiliency after Balogun got sent off. It didn’t feel like Bosnia had the man advantage at all.
The US will face Belgium in the Round of 16 in Seattle on July 6.
Stat of the day
At least there wasn’t any headbutting involved.
Masterclass of the day
Now, if I had to pick a Ballon d’Or winner, it would be Kane.
Disasterclass of the day
This goes to the whole Senegal team, who stopped playing after 80 minutes in their game against Belgium.
Meme of the day
Ah, it makes total sense now.
WTF of the day
If Lionel Messi didn’t get called for this, why did Balogun?
Fan moment of the day
Soccer can be great or cruel. That is true, especially during the World Cup.
Wrap-up
The World Cup Round of 32 continues on Thursday.
It all starts at noon Pacific from Los Angeles Stadium as Lamine Yamal and Spain take on Marcel Sabitzer and Austria. Then, at 4:00 pm, Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal will battle Luka Modric and Croatia at Toronto Stadium. Finally, the day ends at BC Place in Vancouver as Granit Xhaka and Switzerland take on Rayan Ait-Nouri and Algeria.
It should be another exciting day of World Cup action.
Discover more from A51
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
