World Cup Quarterfinal Review France v Germany & Brazil v Colombia

So, yes, yesterday, I kind of boasted about how on target I was with the final four games in the round of sixteen, before making bold predictions for the quarterfinals, including two upsets for both games yesterday.

And, of course, the actual results made a monkey out of me, since neither game went according to my prediction.

The two intercontinental match-ups yesterday proved my predictions inaccurate, right off the bat. Neither went according to the way I had predicted. First, two European heavyweights slugged it out, and then, two fast-paced South American teams has what was almost a shootout (it would have needed a few more points to qualify as one, however).

Let's take a closer look at the actual results:

Germany 1, France 0

I had predicted a victory for France, and perhaps that was with my heart (I'm a French citizen, after all). Germany was the opponent that, quite frankly, I wanted France to avoid, at least until the very late rounds. Still, I picked France, knowing that the World Cup history between them and Germany was not exactly encouraging for the French side, and also knowing that Germany was strongly favored to win.

Here's the thing: the French side that I saw in this tournament prior to this game looked solid, meticulous, and strongly motivated.

That is why I was so dismayed to see such a different French team yesterday. Here were a bunch of guys who reinforced some of the worst stereotypes about the French. They were running around, looking overwhelmed and disorganized, quite frankly. Their previously prolific offense was suddenly nowhere to be seen. They had tons of passes that were way off target. Passes that greatly overshot their intended target, or undershot them. Passes that sailed well out of bounds.  Worse still, passes that went right to several defenders in the white German jerseys, rather than the dark blue French jerseys., which then had members of the French squad scrambling back to play defense against the German counterattack, and wasting precious energy (and time) in the process. Energy that could have been used to mount a more serious and organized attack if the French players had been just a little more careful at times with their passing game.

For much of the game, particularly the first half, it seemed that France could not even hang on to the ball. They kept committing stupid mistakes and turnovers, and giving Germany opportunities. They did play a bit better in the second half, but it was not good enough to win, or even get a goal.

Yes, the French team that I saw on the television was just a team that entirely lacked that sense of urgency after falling behind, and especially as time was running out in the second half. I did not agree with France coach Didier Deschamps decision to make the substitution to get one of their most explosive players, Olivier Giroud, to replace Mathieu Valbuena in the 85th minute, leaving him with less than ten minutes to work with, and putting pressure on him to score immediately against a tough German side.

France looked underwhelming early on, with Germany dictating play, allowing them to take the lead when Mats Hummels was able to get a header off a free kick in the 13th minute, giving them the 1-0 deficit that, ultimately, proved to be all that they would need.

The rest of the way, the Germans reinforced the best stereotypes about Germans: they were efficient, all-business, and their defense clamped down on and limited solid French opportunities.

Both teams had some close calls, with Germany almost going up 2-0 in the final minutes, and having some opportunities here and there otherwise through the game. France had some good chances as well, and came close to an equalizing goal several times. However, other than the early goal by Hummels, neither side was able to convert goal opportunities in a surprisingly very low scoring affair.

Both goalkeepers played extremely well. German keeper Manuel Neuer was absolutely on fire, making one great save after another, and often doing it while making it look easy and effortless. And as for France, this game likely would have been a lopsided loss, if not for the solid efforts by Hugo Lloris, who was truly the one very bright spot for France, on a day where there was precious little to feel good about. Despite being beaten in that early goal, it was probably more the fault of a surprisingly lazy French defense, than him screwing up. Don't get me wrong: the goal was well-earned by Germany. But it was hardly the most impressive or inspiring goal that this tournament produced.

Yet, it was enough for Germany on this day.

With the win, Germany made history by becoming the first team to qualify for the semifinals for a record fourth consecutive World Cup. They made it all the way to the final in 2002, ultimately losing to Brazil in the final.

Brazil 2, Colombia 1

Right away, you sensed that this game possessed an intensity and excited buzz from the crowd that the first game lacked entirely.

This was an exciting game, with wide open soccer from two teams that, at least traditionally, focus far more on offense than on defense.This day would prove to be no exception, either. Despite the deceptively low score, this was a fast moving contest with a lot of ball movement,strategic passing, and shots on goal.

And pretty quickly, Brazil was able to score the first goal and draw first blood, allowing their fans to explode in excitement very quickly.

Brazil's Thiago Silva scored in the 7th minute from very close range off of a corner kick, allowing the Brazilian fans already on the edge of their seats to come roaring to life!

Colombia had some chances after that, as well. Both Brazil and Colombia came close to scoring, but there would be no more scoring the in the first half.

The second half was a little more odd, but Brazil was able to add to their lead when David Luiz scored in the 68th minute, putting some cushion for Brazil.

The crowd reacted like the game was over. Indeed, I'll admit to assuming it was over myself.

But Colombia had the best team that I think I have ever seen from them, and they were not going to go down without a fight. James Rodríguez was rewarded a penalty kick in the 80th minute, and converted, instantly getting Colombia right back in the game.

This injected Colombia with new life, and they began to press offensively with renewed intensity. They had their opportunities, and they actually came very close to tying the game up.

Still, the Brazilian defense held, and probably, Brazil benefited from a few lucky breaks, as well. In the end, the score held, and Brazil secured the victory, and a ticket to a semifinal showdown with Germany next week.

For Brazil,, however, the game was bittersweet. Yes, they are thrilled to have won, and moved on to the semifinal. But they also received the very bad news that their star player, Neymar, was injured during the final minutes of the game, and taken straight from the field to the hospital. As it turns out, unfortunately, he will not return for the rest of the tournament, with a fractured vertebrae in his back.




Here are some articles that I thought were interesting, and told some interesting back stories behind the first game between France and Germany.

Germany beats France 1-0 to advance to World Cup semifinals Martin Rogers By Martin Rogers 32 minutes ago Yahoo Sports

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/germany-beats-france-1-0-to-advance-to-world-cup-semifinals-180003217.html



Hyped France attack fails to deliver at World Cup By JEROME PUGMIRE (AP Sports Writer), July 4, 2014:

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/hyped-france-attack-fails-deliver-182918612--sow.html