World Cup Round of 16 – Portugal Advance, Morocco Shocks the World Again

The author of this blog is a proud supporter of women, the LGBTQIA+ community, and religious minorities. Qatar, and FIFA by association, are not.

Last matches of the Round of 16 today! Can’t believe this tournament is well over halfway done.

Portugal vs. Switzerland

Portugal were favored coming into this match, but I thought that Switzerland stood a good chance of at least forcing penalties if they were well-organized defensively. I was wrong. Portugal simply have too much quality and they won 6-1, the largest margin of victory so far at this World Cup. Manager Fernando Santos surprisingly omitted striker Cristiano Ronaldo from his starting line-up, which was the biggest headline pre-match.

As indicated by the score line though, it’s clear that Portugal do not need Ronaldo anymore. 21 year-old striker (on in place of Ronaldo) Gonçalo Ramos opened the scoring on 17 minutes with an absolute scorcher of a shot. There didn’t appear to be any space to get a shot away on goal given the tight angle and close range, but the finish from Ramos here was truly spectacular. Rifled into the roof of the net, with Swiss keeper Yann Sommer having no chance at it. Center back Pepe added Portugal’s second from a corner on 33 minutes, with the massive defender getting his head to the ball ahead of his marker. Again, nothing Sommer could really do about it. It was 2-0 at half time and it seemed that the Swiss were already up against the wall.

Portugal’s dominance only grew as the match wore on, with Ramos getting the third from close range on 51 minutes. Left back Raphaël Guerreiro then got it on the scoring with a fine finish on 55 minutes after a pass from Ramos, and then Ramos sealed his first World Cup hat-trick (and the first one of this World Cup) on 67 minutes after being put through on goal by midfielder João Félix. Switzerland did manage to get a goal from a set piece sandwiched between the 4th and 5th goals for Portugal, and it was a close range finish from defender Manuel Ankanji.

Portugal’s sixth goal on the day came in stoppage time, and it was a wonderfully curled home finish by substitute forward Rafael Leão. Utter dominance from the Portuguese today, and there is obviously a massive gulf in talent between them and the Swiss. Ronaldo did come on as a substitute once the game was won, but failed to make a meaningful contribution.

The biggest difference between this Portugal and the Portugal of recent years is the quality they have in the team aside from Ronaldo. Bruno Fernandes, Félix, and Bernardo Silva are all world-class midfielders and their quality shown through today. Not many outside of Portugal knew about Ramos before today, but the whole world knows his name now. A hat-trick at the World Cup has certainly increased his price tag for clubs interested in his services. The whole team played well, though. This was domination from start to finish by Portugal. They will feel extremely confident going into the quarterfinals.

The Swiss are indeed going home but they achieved probably all they could have reasonably expected to achieve. They got out of a tough group with Brazil and Serbia after all. But again, the talent was the difference today. I keep going back to that first goal as a great example of it. Ramos was marked tightly and Sommer appeared to have the angle covered, but he saw that good defending and good keeping and displayed some even better attacking play. Sometimes you can do everything right, and the opposition will still get the better of you.

Morocco vs. Spain

Classic David vs. Goliath story here, with Spain playing the role of goliath. The 2010 world champions and two-time European champions were beaten today by the last African team left at the tournament – Morocco. After 90 minutes it was 0-0, and still 0-0 at 120 minutes. When it came time for penalties, it was the north Africans who showed more poise! After all, why wouldn’t they? This is a team that has already beaten the likes of Belgium and drawn with Croatia at this very tournament.

There aren’t any goals to write about, but this game went how most predicted it would. Spain would have all the possession, while Morocco looked to use their pacey wingers and forwards to hit them on the counter-attack. And for 120 minutes, that’s exactly what happened. The first 45 was tepid as neither team really went for it. Spain had all the possession as noted, but the possession lacked purpose. They began to edge the ball forward more in the second half, but every time they played in a cross or down low through the middle, a Moroccan player was there to clear it or put a block in. At the other end, Morocco did well on several occasions to build attacks, but the Spanish always got back quickly as well to snuff out any threats. Keeper Unai Simón was called into action sparingly, while his counterpart Yassine Bounou (spelled Bono on the back of his shirt for some reason) was decidedly busier.

Attacking midfielder Pablo Sarabia hit the post in the dying seconds of extra time in added time, but that was about as close as Spain got to finding their goal. Penalties loomed large. Interestingly, Spain manager Luis Enrique told the media pre-match that he had required each of his players to take 1000 penalties each in training to prepare for a shoot-out should it happen. If that’s true, perhaps they should have taken 2000 apiece because they were utterly dismal in the penalty shootout. Bounou (who I will refer to as Bono from here on out) made two key saves from midfielders Carlos Soler and Sergio Busquets. Their penalties lacked pace and placement, and Bono was all over them. Routine saves, but saves that needed to be made nevertheless.

The Moroccans approached the penalty shootout with confidence though, scoring on three of four attempts. The winner, scored by Spanish-born right back Achraf Hakimi, was particularly ballsy. He went for the Panenka, a term used for a penalty shot chipped in the air right down the middle that goes in due to the keeper diving left or right, first introduced to the world by Czech winger Antonin Panenka in 1976. It’s a risky way to do it though, because if the keeper doesn’t dive it’s an easy save for him and the taker looks like an idiot. But when it goes in, it looks super badass. What a way to send your team to its first-ever World Cup quarterfinal! Ice in his veins.

While Spain were boring and lacking in creativity, a massive amount of credit needs to be given to Bono, Hakimi, center back Nayef Aguerd, center back Romain Saïss, left back Noussair Mazraoui, and defensive midfielder Sofyan Amrabat. Those six men are the main reason why Morocco progressed today. It was an absolutely brilliant display of team defense and discipline against a more-talented Spanish side. For long portions of this match, it was just Spain’s waves of attack crashing repeatedly against a Moroccan sea wall. Morocco couldn’t get out of their own half for any significant period of time, so the defense was required to be focused and in-position for almost the entire match. Amrabat in particular popped up basically everywhere, and he was usually making a key tackle or interception. Spain did lack creativity going forward today, but all credit to the back six of Morocco and manager Walid Regragui for implementing and executing an amazing game plan.

It’s been said a million times this tournament and I say it again now: you don’t always win on talent alone!

Quarterfinals – Portugal vs. Morocco – Saturday, December 10th – 7 AM PST

World Cup Roundup – Goals Galore!

FIFA is still terrible. Qatar is still terrible. This tournament should not be happening in a place with social laws that would be antiquated even 100 years ago. The pitch invader at the Portugal match today carrying a rainbow flag and championing women’s rights has more integrity in his pinky toe than every member of FIFA combined.

That being said, we finally got some high-scoring matches today, and it’s about bloody time! There have been far too many 0-0 draws at this tournament, but today we had 14 goals scored across 4 matches!

Portugal vs. Uruguay

This was the big headline matchup of the day, and while the score line was a decisive 2-0 to the Portuguese, it was a very tense match throughout. It was goal-less at halftime with Portugal dominating possession, but Uruguay midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur came closest when his long run with the ball was snuffed out by Portuguese keeper Diogo Costa just before Betancur could shoot. The Uruguayans were also defending well, and they kept the opposition out for the first 45 minutes.

Portugal went ahead however on 54 minutes when a high-arcing cross from midfielder Bruno Fernandes nestled into the bottom corner of keeper Sergio Rochet’s net. Striker Cristiano Ronaldo was running onto the cross and leapt into the air to try and get a touch on it, and while he clearly missed the ball it fooled Rochet enough as to where he didn’t run out to collect the cross. Without Ronaldo’s run and leap I think Rochet makes the save, but Ronaldo did not get a touch on the ball in spite of animatedly claiming that he did. Bruno’s goal, but it doesn’t go in without Ronaldo leaping for it.

The Uruguayans responded by bringing on additional attacking threats, and striker Maxi Gomez was unlucky to hit the post from just outside as the box as the South Americans pushed for an equalizer. Costa was beaten, and maybe an inch to the left sees this match levelled. But the majority of Uruguay’s attacking threats were nullified repeatedly throughout this match. Much like the Portuguese in the first half, they simply couldn’t create that one clear chance they needed. Every shot was blocked, and every final pass was cleared by the resilient Pepe at center back and the rest of Portugal’s back line.

They got their second via the penalty spot, although for me it was never a penalty for hand ball in a million years. The Uruguayan defender was sliding across the ground to make a challenge on Bruno, and when Bruno passed it away it the defender’s hand while his hand was on the ground and trailing slightly behind him. 100% accidental for me, but that’s not the rule anymore. The referee adjudged the defender’s hand to be in an “unnatural position” (whatever that means) and the penalty stood. Bruno stepped up to the spot and sent Rochet the wrong way for 2-0. Bruno now has 2 goals and 2 assists in this tournament and is really showing how valuable he is to this team.

Credit to Portugal for defending well today, but I am disappointed with the Uruguayans, particularly up front. This is a squad that boasts the likes of Darwin Nunez, Luis Suarez, and Edinson Cavani. All of those strikers are world-class or world-class adjacent, and as a result I expected a lot more from them in terms of goal-scoring not only today but in their previous match as well. They sit bottom of Group H on 1 point, and will need to beat an impressive Ghana side outright to progress.

Congrats to Portugal on securing advancement to the Round of 16. They’ve done just enough in both matches to earn 3 points, with Bruno being the star of the show so far. A draw against South Korea in the final guarantees first place in the group.

Brazil vs. Switzerland

This was the only match with a single goal scored today, and it was by the Brazilians who held on to win 1-0. While they were the better side for most of this match, the Swiss definitely had their chances to get a surprise goal. Their build-up play via counter-attacks was very good, but they couldn’t find the key vital pass.

The Brazilians thought they went ahead early on in the second half via winger Vinicius Jr., who’s finessed shot found the far right corner past keeper Yann Sommer. VAR checked the goal and it was determined that Vinicius was marginally – and a very thin one at that – offside when the ball was played to him. It was close, but that’s often how these matches go at this level.

Brazil finally did their goal on 83 minutes, and it was from an unlikely source. Some neat build-up play on the left wing saw the ball played to midfielder Casemiro in the penalty area, and he struck a sublime curling effort into the far corner of Sommer’s goal. The finish was similar to that of Vinicius earlier, but this time there was no question of offside. A great goal from a man described by teammate and superstar striker Neymar as “the best midfielder in the world.” A lofty title, but given that he has an argument to be titled as such, I am very happy that Casemiro plays for Manchester United!

Brazil also secured progression to the second round today, joining France and Portugal. They need only a draw against Cameroon to win the group. Switzerland are also in good position to progress, but they will need to beat Serbia in their final Group G match to guarantee a place in the Round of 16.

Cameroon vs. Serbia

Goal-fest! This thriller of a match ended 3-3, with the Cameroonians fighting back from 3-1 down in the second half to keep themselves alive at this tournament. Had they lost, they would have been eliminated. They showed real heart and team spirit today.

Cameroon took the lead on 29 minutes after a cross from a corner was bundled home by center back Jean-Charles Castelletto. Nothing fancy about it, but a goal nonetheless. Cameroon were pegged back in first half stoppage time however when a Serbian free kick was re-directed home via the head of center back Strahinja Pavlovic. Cameroon where then stunned again just 2 minutes later when they lost the ball in their own third, and midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic finding space to power a low shot home from just outside the edge of the penalty area. Cameroon went from winning the match to facing a World Cup exit in the span of about 120 seconds!

To compound their misery, Serbia got their 3rd on 53 minutes from striker Aleksandr Mitrovic, who had been in scintillating form the whole game. He is probably Serbia’s best player in terms of talent, and a player like him needs to be on the score sheet. It was a simple finish from just inside the 6 yard box, and the Cameroon defense was nowhere to be seen. Poor marking, but a professional finish from Mitrovic nonetheless.

The match continued to provide twists though, as just 10 minutes later the Cameroonians got one back from substitute striker Vincent Aboubakar, who beat the offside trap before chipping a finish over Serbian keeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic. Initially, the goal was ruled out for offside, but a VAR check determined that Aboubakar was onside when he received the ball. Fine margins, but the goal stood.

Cameroon smelled blood in the water and kept pushing for the equalizer, and it was a scant three minutes later that they got it. Aboubakar did well to again beat the offside trap which gave the Cameroonians a man over in attack, and he then simply crossed the ball in from the right along the ground. Forward Eric Choupa-Moting was up alongside him to slot home with Vanja completely taken out of the play. It was a fantastic turnaround for the Indomitable Lions from west Africa!

Serbia were the more dangerous team in the final 25 minutes, with Mitrovic going close several times. His positioning and runs into the box were causing them all kinds of problems, but he could not find a winning goal for his side. The points were shared on the day when the final whistle blew.

Both teams are still alive in this tournament, but they are on the outside looking in. Cameroon face the tough task of having to beat Brazil to progress, while Serbia need a win over Switzerland to guarantee any kind of progression. The Swiss only need a draw though, so it could be tough for Serbia to break them down. Mitrovic will need to have another day like today for them to go through.

South Korea vs. Ghana

This was another thriller with five total goals scored, and the Ghanaians won 3-2 at the final whistle.

The Koreans were the better side for the opening 20 minutes or so, but Black Stars center back Mohammad Salisu got things underway on 29 minutes when he bungled home after a mad scramble in the box resulting from a free kick. The Koreans simply didn’t clear their lines, and letting the ball bounce around in the box like they did is very dangerous. The second goal on 34 minutes was much better in terms of quality, with forward Jordan Ayew whipping a delicious aerial pass into the box that found the head of midfielder Mohammad Kudus. Kudus was facing away from goal when he made contact, but showed excellent awareness to head the ball up and over Korean keeper Kim Seung-gyu. Midfielder Thomas Partey was then unlucky to not get a third after he made contact with the ball at close range from a corner, but somehow the ball inexplicably went over the bar from barely a yard out!

The Koreans came out strong again in the opening part of the second half, and this time they capitalized on their possession and chances. Striker Cho Gue-sung pulled one back for his nation with a close range header on 58 minutes, although Ghana keeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi probably should have kept it out as the shot was low and very close to him. Still though, at 2-1, the Koreans had life. They got their equalizer just three minutes later, and again it was Cho on scene to drive home a powerful diving header. Crosses from the left had been Ghana’s weakness all match, and that trend continued with this goal. The marking in the box was fairly good from Ghana, but Cho just wanted the ball more. He outjumped his marker and absolutely buried the header. It was 2-2 and with barely an hour gone, both sides knew there was plenty of time to find a winner.

Ghana struck back just seven minutes later, and it was well-worked goal finished off by Kudus. A low cross from the left was fired into South Korea’s penalty area, and the ball was deftly left to run by a Ghanaian attacker directly into the path of Kudus. His marker was too far away from him, and he re-directed the ball back across Kim Seung-Gyu’s goal and into the opposite corner. The shot was somewhat close to the keeper, but he couldn’t get down to the ground in time to stop it.

South Korea then dominated the final 20 minutes or so in desperate search of an equalizer, but a combination of last-ditch defending, poor finishing, and poor final balls kept the Koreans frustrated. After what seemed like an eternity of stoppage time for Ghana, the whistle blew and they were winners.

Ghana now find themselves second in Group H, which means they are in a good position to progress to the next round. Portugal have already claimed the other spot, which means that South Korea must now beat those same Portuguese to progress from this group. They are third with 1 point, tied with Uruguay but ahead on goal differential. Ghana need a win over a desperate Uruguay side to guarantee progression, but they could also progress with a draw and a South Korean loss.

The second round of group matches is now complete! Congratulations to Portugal, France, and Brazil for already securing qualification. Commiserations to Qatar and Canada for already being eliminated.