World Cup Recaps and Previews, Saturday July 4: And Then There Were 16
On to the next round!
About Yesterday's Games
Spain 3, Austria 0
Kind of...: Spain had a 4-0 win over Saudi Arabia in the group stage that they followed up with a gamey 1-0 win over Uruguay, so it's premature to say that they have everything rolling. BUT...another brace from Mikel Oyarzabal gives him four goals for the tournament and suggests that they aren't to the point of scraping out 1-0 victories yet. Portugal will be a real test.
Portugal 2, Croatia 1
Kind of...: The jokes are easy to make because Ronaldo is so unlikable, but it is obvious they are a better team when they're not running through him. He hit his penalty. Great. Make him a sub so 1) they're better during the run of play, and 2) he can be around for a shootout.
Croatia was game and had, I think, three goals called back. All of which seemed defensible. Also gave up a goal on a VAR-based call that created a penalty. I was rooting for Croatia, and it was getting tiring. Maybe an NBA-type challenge system would help. You want to get things right, but in a "flow of play" sort of way.
In any event, though, Portugal earned their win and showed that they are potentially a dangerous team.
Farewell Luka Modric...
Switzerland 2, Algeria 0
Kind of...: Didn't watch this. Doesn't appear that anything all that surprising occurred. Let's move on.
Today's Matchups
Australia v Egypt
Arlington, TX. 2:00 PM ET/1:00 GTZ.
Kind of...: Australia will probably defend and look for a counter. Egypt probably isn't as good as the US, but will probably think they can approach things similarly. Which might play into Australia's hands. With Argentina almost certainly awaiting, hopefully both teams decide that life is short and the fans deserve a show. But feels like there are many permutations here.
MaximumSam: Hard to pin down Australia's national dish, but of the available options I'll run with the Meat Pie, because meat pies are pretty much desirable at all times. Egypt trots out Koshary, which I have never eaten or heard of. It is apparently a mix of rice, lentils, and spaghetti topped with chickpeas and sauce. Are they carb loading all over Egpyt? Give me that meat pie!
Argentina v Cape Verde
Miami, FL. 6:00 ET/5:00 GTZ.
Kind of...: We are all Cape Verdeans today. And it's not going to matter. Argentina is an excellent, professional side. Yeah, we all know how the Spain match went for Cape Verde. But that was a 1 in 20 combination of defending and luck (and Spain being willing to just work on their offense rather than smash forward chasing goals). Asking lightning to strike twice is unlikely. And, even if it does, there's 30 minutes of extra time. If Cape Verde wants any chance of an upset, they're going to need to find a goal.
MaximumSam: Argentina goes hard with Asado, which is just barbecued beef and sausage served with chimichurri. Cape Verde goes with Cachupa, a stew based in hominy and beans. I like a good bean and hominy stew, but this is a no brainer. Gimme that beef.
Colombia v Ghana
Kansas City, MO. 9:30 ET/8:30 GTZ.
Kind of...: Ghana is not at the level they were when they were making themselves an irritant of the USMNT (2006, 2010). And Colombia might even be better than their 2014 quarterfinalist squad. Feels like 2-0 to me.
MaximumSam: Colombia is a real contender with Bandeja Paisa, which is a giant spread of chicharron, chorizo, plantains, rice, beans, avocados, and arepas, all topped with a fried egg. This is a proper country. Ghana is another country with options, but the top one appears to be Fufu, which is a sort of dough ball made out of boiled cassava and plantains. It is usually served with soup. Interesting, but no contest here.
