Uruguay V Portugal
Synopsis in red
Top bets on today’s game: Uruguay V Portugal
I expect Portugal to just edge this game, two equally matched teams, but hopefully Ronaldo will be back to form for this game, as he was pretty woeful against Iran.
€4.00 Single
Uruguay v Portugal -Portugal Over 5 Corners
€2.00 Single
Uruguay v Portugal – To Score 2 or More Goals Cristiano Ronaldo 8/1
Full betting previews, read here>
Silly bet with Ronnie, silly when you consider how strong Godin and co are in the Uruguayan defence. But anyway my safety bet came up!
Beers: Round of 16 Beer World Cup:
As Uruguay didn’t qualify for my Beer World Cup last 16 (I couldn’t source any beer from Uru), I made Russia winner of Beer Group A. On the other side, Spain (and not Portugal) came second in my Beer Group B. So today we have a match up between Knightberg of Russia against Estrella Galicia of Spain.
Russia V Spain
Read who qualified for my Beer World Cup last 16 here
Close encounter. Knightberg and its Premium Lager was certainly very tasty and I enjoyed drinking it, but Estrella coming cold from the fridge was so, so good! But then it didn’t have as many tastes as Knightberg which was all tingly on the tongue. Hard to call that one, so gave it as a draw.
For the decider I had another Estrella, but this time up against an Oatmeal Stout. Now I love the lagers, but I love stouts more, a sure fire way to win the contest so. Russia edge it in a close encounter here, 2-1 to Russia who make the last eight of my Beer World Cup!
PreGame:
Uruguay finally showed us what they are all about when they easily dispatched of Russia in their last game. Before that, their first two games were pretty poor, so it was good to see a more attack minded approach.
I only got to see the first half of the Russian game. From what I saw Uruguay were well on top without having to break too much of a sweat. Stanislav Cherchesov changed most of his team, while Uruguay went with much of the same team they had in the first two games.
Was not long before Suárez got on the score sheet from a free, where he pretty much had a free shot on goal, as the wall didn’t protect the goalkeeper at all. Strange one to let a player of Suarez’s ability take a chance like that.
Cheryshev immediately had a great chance to equalise, but he hit it straight at the goalkeeper when it would have been easier to score. Albeit Muslera in the Uruguayan goals made a great save. But not long after, Cheryshev did indeed get on the score sheet, the only problem was it was for the other team, sticking a leg out he deflected a wayward Uruguay shot into his own net for an own goal. Things got worse for Russia later as Smolnikov was sent off for a second yellow after a silly lunging tackle. Game over for Russia inside about half an hour.
Cavani got another in the end to put Uruguay firmly to the top of the table and a date today with Portugal who they might beat if all things click for them.
Portugal, on the other hand, started off their world cup very brightly, but have kind of spurted and started in their last two games. They were pretty lucky against both Morocco, who had them on the ropes for long periods of their match, while against Iran they could have got knocked out proper!
Looked at the second half of the Iran game and boy was it incident packed, and not for all the right reasons. Quaresma had put Portugal ahead just before half time with a lovely goal, outside of his foot curling it in, lovely stuff.
Ronnie was fouled in the box, initially didn’t look like a penalty and I dont think Ronaldo protested that much either, but then the ref changed his mind, and had got VAR to recheck it. And sure enough it was a penalty. Looking at the slow-mo I guess there could be an argument that the defender clipped Ronaldo. Either way the big oaf missed it or to put it more correctly it was well saved by Iran goalkeeper Ali Beiranvand
Iran then went up the field and had a great chance but Pepe got in a last ditch tackle. Iran were getting closer.
There was quite a lot of diving in the game. Quaresma made a right fool of himself, rolling around like a baby. It is always the fellas with all the tats, its a sure sign of insecurity.
Then we had one of the big incidents of the night. Ronaldo’s hand brushed Pouraliganji’s chest and the poor soul nearly had a heart attack. I never knew Ronnie had ninja like strength, amazing. I thought the referee did very well, considering the pressure from the crowd and the Iran bench. He gave a yellow and should have given one to Pouraliganji for playacting, bloody clown. There is a reason why Iran dont play rugby.
And if that wasn’t bad enough, we still had the late drama of another penalty. This time awarded to Iran when, Portugal defender, Cedric Soares, accidentally brushed the ball with his hand, when he was jumping to head the ball, very slight, and in my opinion not a penalty. But of course he gave it. Ansarifard scored it, and Portugal had to endure a tense final few minutes as Iran went in search of a winner.
And the funny thing about it all is that Iran nearly won the match at the death. Mehdi Taremi was free at the far post and took a shot that most of the stadium must have thought was in, I certainly did, but alas it was the side netting. He will live with that chance for the rest of his live, and no doubt so will most Iranians.
A tense game overall but I dont like this VAR, complicates things too much. Portugal were playing Russia one minute then Uruguay the next and in the end nearly went out altogether. They will have it tough against Uruguay for sure, and hopefully today Ronaldo will get his act together for this match.
Another great game in what is to become one of those days in football that you will remember long into time. Both Ronaldo and Messi, two of the best, gone in the same day, wow, what a day!
Started brightly for the Ronnie, his first effort, although straight at the goalie, was strong and hit with great intent. But then a few minutes later, a long ball from Cavani, and what a ball it was, to Suarez who controlled it perfectly and without even looking up hit it straight to the far post, where, of course, Cavani smashed it home. BRILLIANT! Two players on the same wavelength, in perfection. As Glenn Hoddle said on ITV, “that is the longest one two you will ever see!”
Suarez deserves a huge amount of credit for his performance today, he played brilliant, left and right, covered all the pitch, was creative always, and gave a 110%. Ok we might dock him a few marks for his playacting, but overall a great game from Luis.
But it wasn’t just in attack. Godin, of course, the rock in defence, so, so hard to beat, while Cáceres, also at the back, performing well, up and down the pitch like a yo yo, while Laxalt in midfield also one that deserves some credit for the work he does within the team. All solid players who do what they have to do very well. The backbone what have you to a great attack.
Portugal did have a period of time where they came into it, and during this time, Pepe, the old cunt, scored from a free header. It really was about the only time that the back four took their eye off the ball and they were punished badly for that rare momentary lapse.
But funnily enough, that lead only lasted 7 minutes, as Cavani scored a cracker of a goal, placing it beyond the keeper to cap off a great striking performance in today’s game. Just to note though, I did think it was a little cowardly of him to limp off early, wouldn’t see Ronnie or Messi do that. A soft underbelly perhaps?
Portugal brought on Manuel Fernandes, who actually thought he was Ronaldo at one stage, as he took two pot shots from distance that went high over the bar. Just what Portugal needed when they were chasing the game, and then Ricardo Quaresmaa should have got a free on the edge of the box but the ref didn’t see so. The bitch ranted but when you dive every time you get touched sometimes it goes against you, the boy who cried wolf.
Was very impressed with Uruguay today, they really are growing into a good team, a team that could get to the final. Will they beat France? Tough one, it really is. There defence is solid for sure, and they have the strike force to worry France, but France have more individuals that can turn a game. I dont know, let me get back to you on that one!!
Music to get you in the mood
V Banda do Mar – Mais Ninguém (Portugal)
causing all sorts of problems on both wings, Barrios working hard as a defensive midfielder, while James Rod was doing his thing in the centre of the park. It was all Colombia and Poland had nothing to stop them.
Good start to the game from Senegal, and sure enough it didn’t take long for them to take the lead. A lucky goal but Mané wont mind, capitalizing on a bad mistake by the Japanese goalie, Kawashima, who palmed the ball straight into the path of the Senegalese striker. What a gift for Senegal to take the lead.
Colombia on the other hand, were lucky. I dont know how they managed to win this game, as in the first half they were simply awful and then to make matters worse they lost Rodríguez who had to go off with an injury. Cuadrado was simply brutal today, couldn’t even manage a simply pass all game, and spent most of the game falling to the ground. If they dont get James Rod back in time, and its asking a lot in 5 days, then I cant see them causing Belgium or England too many problems. 
It was a big game for both teams, a win was needed, lose and you are out of the World Cup. The atmosphere was electric (mostly thanks to the Colombian fans) and the tension high. Poland started livelier but as the game went on there was really only one team in this game, Colombia!
But Japan came back with a lovely goal by Inui, who placed it lovely into the back of the net, great goal and a nice run and pass from by Nagatomoto set it all up. Senegal were sitting on their lead by this time and deserved to be punished. 
But once again, Senegal decided to site on their lead and once again they were punished for some diabolical defending and play. A goal keeping mistake from K N’Diaye, where he completely missed the ball not once but twice, let Honda tap in for the equaliser. 
Leaving out Inui was crazy, relying on the score of the other game was a big decision and a really foolish one at that. 
With news coming through that Colombia were beating Senegal, Japan knew they were through by virtue of having less yellow cards, and Poland were happy to get the three points, so the last ten minutes was played at a walking pace with both teams mutually deciding to stop playing football. A bit surreal but there you go.
Rather than crumble Tunisia did somehow manage to pull one quick goal back, Bronn scored from a glancing header, unmarked, back of the net. Great response, and exactly what his team needed. Game on. 
Stones got a free header from a corner, as the Panamanian defenders were more into WWF than concentrating on how to actual defend a set piece. Then shortly after, Lingard was brought down for a penalty which Kane easily dispatched off. Lingard, again, scored a cracking curler in the tip right corner for the third goal. This was getting too easy for England. 
R Torres nearly got his country’s first world cup but badly missed at the far post. Good enough for the cunt, what a shit captain, in everyone’s face throughout most of the game and couldn’t control either himself or his team. But that goal came in the end to Baloy, on a sub, and with a well struck goal put himself into his country’s footballing history books. 
Good high tempo start from both teams, both eager to get a win in the World Cup before they go home. But once again the shooting from both teams left a lot to be desired. F Ben Youssef, him of the dodgy red highlights in his hair, the most guilty, missing a host of chances, even kicking his own leg during one attempt, while his teammate Sliti and Khazri had their own mini competition to see which players could balloon the ball out of the fucking stadium (think Khazri won that battle), tsk. At least Bedoui got his chance on target which got the Panamanian goalkeeper to pull off a decent save. Tunisia were at least getting the chances, and to be fair to them, some of their players were doing well in the game. Sassi was pinning the passes around the pitch. 
Belgium started with much more intensity, and I guess after looking at the England game, they knew that if they get at Tunisia from the get go they might crumble early. And so they did, very early in fact, after about 6 minutes, with Hazard getting and scoring a penalty. We didn’t have to wait long for the next one, ten minutes in fact, for Lukaku to score a nice goal that was well set up. 
Tunisia got one back, but they were never at the races today. Belgium looked good, particularly De Bruyne quietly going about his business behind the forwards, making most of the build up play and assisting in a few of the goals for today. Also for me, Vertonghen in central defence has had a good world cup so far, marshaling his back four very well, a good rock at the back. 
Stones got a free header from a corner, as the Panamanian defenders were more into WWF than concentrating on how to actual defend a set piece. Then shortly after, Lingard was brought down for a penalty which Kane easily dispatched off. Lingard, again, scored a cracking curler in the tip right corner for the third goal. This was getting too easy for England. 
Started off pretty slow. Januzaj though shaked it up, scoring with a cracker of a goal, a lovely long range effort that flew in. 
For Switzerland V Serbia it truly was a game of two halves, really. Mitrovic scored early doors, from an excellent cross by Tadic, who only a minute beforehand had whipped in a virtually similar cross into the box. This time they scored, and Mitrovic and Tadic were combining well all first half, with most play coming down the left side. At the other end of the pitch, their defence was again solid, the Swiss just couldn’t get pass them at all. 
It was amazing what a goal can do, for the Swiss it reinvigorated them while totally shocked the Serbs who looked like it drained them of all their energy. Shaqiri hit the post with a wonder strike, and you could sense that perhaps there was a win for this Swiss team. Well in the 90 minute that goal came, and Shaqiri was the man to take all the credit, on the break calming slotting it past the on running goal, you just knew he wasn’t going to miss from there. Brilliant, what a turnaround for the Swiss. 
Neymar was active, and he forced Navas off his line to save, early on. He also had another good chance to score but for the reaction save of Navas again. Neymar had the chances but looked a little off the pace just ever so slightly. Remember he still isn’t completely back to full fitness. But it wasn’t all Neymar, Coutinho had a cracking game, with all the good moves starting with him on the ball first. 
But they did, as they got a good second goal. A great corner from Neymar, found the head of Thiago Silva who headed it to make it two nil to Brazil and game over. A lovely header to kill the game.
It was amazing what a goal can do, for the Swiss it reinvigorated them while totally shocked the Serbs who looked like it drained them of all their energy. Shaqiri hit the post with a wonder strike, and you could sense that perhaps there was a win for this Swiss team. Well in the 90 minute that goal came, and Shaqiri was the man to take all the credit, on the break calming slotting it past the on running goal, you just knew he wasn’t going to miss from there. Brilliant, what a turnaround for the Swiss. 
Neymar was active, and he forced Navas off his line to save, early on. He also had another good chance to score but for the reaction save of Navas again. Neymar had the chances but looked a little off the pace just ever so slightly. Remember he still isn’t completely back to full fitness. But it wasn’t all Neymar, Coutinho had a cracking game, with all the good moves starting with him on the ball first. 
Colindres had a few chances, hitting the crossbar with a great shot, unlucky not to score, then twice in the box failing to square a ball he shoots and misses, twice he did that, greedy bastard. 
Lichtsteiner, the prick, ended up getting a deserved yellow for a bad tackle which means he will miss the next game, a big loss to the team. What an idiot.
For South Korea, in their last game V Mexico, crikey they could have had ten yellow cards for all the misplaced tackles they did,, rather than the measly 4 they got. They just didn’t have the players to do anything substantial in this World Cup, albeit Son Heung-Min played much better, was lively throughout, had a rake of chances, and managed to score a cracker of a goal. We wont mention the simple chance he had well before!
German started off fine, stretching Sweden down both flanks, but Sweden showed they could be dangerous early on when Neuer made himself big for Berg to hit it straight at him when through. That was the big scare that should have woken the Germans up.
Now surely Germany would ease to victory and get that second goal. Or so we thought, but the minutes started to tick away, and then Boateng got himself sent off for a silly reckless challenge. It was hard with 11, now it was going to be near impossible with only 10. 
Saw the second half of this game. Wow, what can I say? Germany playing like there was lead in their boots, shameful from a team with such quality, or at least apparent quality. Low should have freshened this team up, he had 4 years to do so, yet he played players that were/are living of their World Cup win of 2014. PFA young player of the year, Leroy Sane on his couch looking at this shite, most be laughing his hole off. 
Respect