Eight of the strongest teams on the planet. Now the fun begins. Two teams from South America against the six teams of Europe. And by coincidence, both of these teams were in not the best grid of the World Cup. Uruguay, France, Belgium and Brazil - all these teams are considered the main contenders for the trophy, but three of them are not destined to reach the finals.
And the first match was incredible in the development of events. Uruguay's national team was called the favorite of this match and with this it was quite possible to agree, just one missed the ball in four games speaks volumes. In this match, as with Portugal, they had to contain one of the best players in the world - Kylian Mbappe, and she was able to hold it back, but could not restrain the others. In the attack, Uruguay was sorely lacking Edinson Cavani, without him the attacking potential of the team was too low. The standard provisions were to come to the power of South Americans, but they used the French team and Raphael Varane opened the account. He played well in the air defeating the defense of Uruguay. In the second half, the Uruguayan team tried to reverse the course of the match and in some ways they succeeded, but the terrible error of goalkeeper Fernando Muslera killed all the chances of Uruguay to continue the fight. The French team did not allow to create anything dangerous at their gates and tried to delay the game, simulations led to brawls, which played into the hands of the French. As a result, Uruguay was never able to hit the gates of Hugo Lloris leaving this defeat on the conscience of Fernando Muslera.
The last hope of South America was placed on the Brazilian national team, which played its match three hours later.
But Brazil and the most not everything went as it should. Despite the good start of the match, when already in the 8th minute Thiago Silva could bring Brazil forward, just five minutes later she missed the ball into her own net. The confusion of the defense players in his own penalty led to the ball from the shoulder of Fernandinho flew into the goal. Brazil tried to crush the opponent with more forces, Belgium in the meantime began to play more on counterattacks and this brought her the result. On the 31st minute after an unsuccessful corner Brazilian team, Romelu Lukaku picked up the ball and ran off to attack leaving the defenders with nothing, and then gave the pass to Kevin De Bruyne, who hit Alison's goal with a distant shot. Released on the field in the second half Roberto Firmino added troubles to the defense of Belgium, but in general, she coped with the blows of Coutinho, and with Neymar, and with many other star players of Brazil. In many respects it is the merit of Thibaut Courtois, who spent a fantastic match repeatedly rescuing the team from the inevitable goal, which still happened in the 76th minute. Renato Augusto head sent the ball into the goal. Score more Belgians were not allowed to keep the ball and transferring it to half the opponent's field, calming the game. The Belgian team finally showed their class, an outstanding match was held by Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne and Thibaut Courtois. Well, Brazil once again hoping for the skills of Neymar made a mistake. In this game, he did nothing, well, except for the next simulations for which even his players began to blame him and as a result the leader of the team in fact became Philippe Coutinho. He repeatedly took the initiative to exacerbate the game in the attack and made as a result for the national team even more than his overrated colleague. After lying on the field for more than 15 minutes in four games, Neymar goes home with nothing. Simulations are certainly an integral part of modern football, but do not overdo it.
Thus, the last South American team went home, for the title of world champion European teams will compete.
Thibaut Courtois is the man of the match! He was incredible at this match!
Best Goal Keeper in this World Cup, if you ask me.
Closely followed by Ochoa. Courtois is amazing so far.
But what about Subasic?
@alessandarus what you think who win FIFA this year?
England ))
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