As expected the second round of the World Cup has been much tighter than that swashbuckling group phase.
But the drama has been in no short supply, and has fortuitously muddied our memories of some rather pedestrian matches.
Some thoughts on Day 19…
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• Ottmar Hitzfeld’s Switzerland entered Brazil 2014 as a bit of an unknown commodity. A good youth system, a couple of stand outs in attack, and a Hitzfeld-inspired defensive system. After France trounced the Swiss 5-2, they suddenly became the enigmas of this year tournament. Around the 118-minute mark of today’s game versus Argentina, there was no question that Hitzfeld had staked his claim. A superb effort to suffocate a far more skilled Argentina almost paid off. However, like Bosnia, Iran and Nigeria before them, the Swiss found out that eventually Leo Messi finds just enough space to make something happen.
• Just as Chile’s Mauricio Pinilla discovered against Brazil, Switzerland’s Blerim Dzemaili learned that this game really is a matter of inches. His shot late in extra time hit the post, and could have changed the narrative of this World Cup, and would have emboldened the Messi haters.
• Angel Di Maria had 11 shots on Tuesday, by far his best match so far, and huge news for Argentina, who need the Real Madrid man to give this team another option. Clearly, Gonzalo Higuain and Ezequiel Lavezzi are not up to the challenge.
• Wouldn’t Carlos Tevez look good on Argentina’s bench late in a match?
• Back to Pinilla… did you see this? I love my ink, and this is a very cool tattoo, but perhaps a little emotionally charged?
• What can you say about the USA? Incredible drama once again; if only Landon Donovan was there to provide more of it. Of course that means no Julian Green, so, yeah.
• I have big respect for Clint Dempsey and Michael Bradley, but how can anyone debate the fact that Tim Howard isn’t the best and most important player for the U.S.? Aside from his out-of-this world performance on Tuesday, he has been exceptional all tournament.
• I feel very sorry for Matt Besler. He gave everything but a fatigued Besler against a fresh Romelu Lukaku on the outside is not a fair battle.
• So does Lukaku earn a start again? Or does Divock Origi get back in there in what was a brilliant, albeit goal-less performance.
• Belgium looked good, didn’t they? Finishing might be a concern, but name me a team not called Colombia or Netherlands who doesn’t have those same concerns.