Monday July 13 Links and Banter
WHERE ARE OUR WORLD CUP GAMES
About Yesterday's Game
Spain 2, Belgium 1
Kind of...: Spain did their "dominate everywhere but the scoreboard" thing and even let in a goal. But, as with the match against Portugal in R16 a late goal (this one not quite into stoppage time) saw them through. Of course, when Spain won the World Cup in 2010--their only other time even making the semifinals--they won every knockout round match 1-0, so this is just what they do.
France/Spain should be epic. Make sure you watch.
AlmaOtter: Not just France/Spain! It's going to be France/Spain on Bastille Day! Mbappe's going to get a hat trick. You heard it here first.
Today's Games
Norway v England
Miami, FL. 5:00 ET/4:00 GTZ.
Kind of...: What kind of legs will England have after the grueling performance in the Mexico City altitude? England is better and deeper. But Haaland + Odegaard is pretty much the perfect combination to see a more limited team through, Norway is playing loose, and England's defense can be leaky. Jude Bellingham was so good against Mexico, though, and he has young legs. I think you have to favor the more talented team. But I said the same thing about Brazil, and Haaland just laughed. And scored. And scored again. Then laughed some more.
MaximumSam: It's a double header on the last day of the Dessert Round. Norway brings its Kvæfjordkake, which I read is a layered sponge cake with crispy meringue, almonds, and vanilla creme. I can dig that, Norway! But England is coming hard with Sticky Toffee Pudding, which is a cake made with dates and covered in, you guessed it, toffee. I think I must row with the Three Lions on this one.
AlmaOtter: This earworm has been stuck in my head all morning, so I will make you listen to it as well.
Argentina v Switzerland
Kansas City, MO. 9:00 ET/8:00 GTZ.
Kind of...: Argentina has been playing with fire. Today we find out if they're more 2002 Ohio State or 2014 Florida State. Switzerland is the worst team to make the quarters (that doesn't have Erling Haaland on it), but they're hardly a Cinderella. Maybe a hair worse than Belgium, but they're playing together and that can matter. Still, I expect them to concede that Argentina has more firepower and play conservatively. They did that against Colombia, after all. Will probably be a cautious match with some testy moments. If Norway/England delivers, just treat this one as a bonus.
MaximumSam: Argentina runs with Alfajor, which are little sandwich cookies filled with dulce de leche. Man, I could eat three dozen of those things. I had a hard time finding any consensus on the premiere Swiss dessert. I assumed it would be chocolate related, but apparently we are going with Swiss Meringue served with whip cream and berries. I'm sure that is great, but Argentina gets the win here.
