Yes!!! Get in there, I managed to live long enough to see the day that Germany actually lost a penalty shoot out. Now, some people (German people) might think I'm being petty and should be concentrating on my own country and not be shamelessly celebrating the misfortune of a once great footballing nation, to which I reply, stop crying and get on your plane home. For years and years Germany have had the rub of the green when it comes to football knockout games in major tournaments, which normally ends in them winning from spot kicks. Deflected goals, dubious refereeing decisions, keepers coming out and nearly decapitating French attackers and getting away with it, blah, blah, blah. Finally though they get to feel what everyone else has had to put up with since penalty shoot outs were invented, so I refuse to apologise for my smugness in this situation, in fact I feel like standing in front of a packed Berlin stadium full of Germans with a full smug face, hands on hips just like Andreas Moeller did after scoring the winning penalty against England in the semi final of Euro 96, before him and his German team-mates started butchering 3 lions. It's not that I'm bitter, I'm just glad that after all these years they get to know it feels. No doubt they will point to the disallowed goal that would probably of secured victory against Paraguay, I again have no sympathy, not because it's the Germans but because the goal was ruled out legitimately. Alan Shearer, Guy Mowbray, Darren Cann and all the pundits who thought it was soft need to realise that at the start of the tournament we were told that if an attacker forcibly obstructs a goalkeeper from a set piece when the ball is in play the goal will be chalked off, does the German player hold the goalkeeper and try to stop him from getting to the ball? Yes. Does the goalkeeper through himself on the floor and pretend he has been slammed to the ground by John Cena? Yes. It doesn't matter though because he has been fouled. I agree the keeper has made a meal of it but according to the laws of the game it's a foul, granted in the Premier league Arsenal would have got away with it, but the laws were clear and haven't changed, gutting thing for the Germans is if he doesn't obstruct the keeper it probably still gets headed in. Oh well, how sad, never mind.
The Second round kicked off with an absolute stinker of a game between South Africa and Canada. Fair play to the Canadians for actually trying to win the game, but the South African's plan was to play for penalties from the first minute. I have not been impressed at all with this South African team since the first game where they were pummelled by Mexico, They may have finished 2nd in their Group but they were just awful to watch, at least Paraguay proved against Germany that despite sitting in and defending they had something on the counter attack, Ghana and Panama also had an attacking threat in their games against England, but South Africa had nothing. I am glad they've gone out. Canada enjoyed their moment as well, getting to the knock out stage is obviously a massive achievement, so congratulations to them.
I can't see them getting any further though as they take on Morocco in the next round after the North Africans beat Holland on penalties to secure their place in the last 16. Overall the Moroccans probably deserved their win as it seemed like the Netherlands were happy to go to penalties, given the way the played in the second half and extra time. An injury time equaliser was the least that Morocco deserved after their efforts. It was a crazy penalty shoot out, swinging from one way to the other but heroics from the North African keeper Bono meant that the Moroccans found what they were looking for which was getting to the next round whilst unfortunately for the Dutch it was a case of it not being a beautiful day, sorry Ronald Koeman and and the gang it looks like the tournament will have to carry on with or without you.
On Sunday bloody Sunday (I promise no more U2 references), Brazil will be playing Ivory Coast or Norway in the last 16 as they managed to overcome Japan in what was probably the best game of the second round so far. Japan came out of the blocks quickly and gave the Brazilians a bit of a fright. Stern words must've been said at half time from Ancelotti as his side came out firing in the second half. Vinicius Jnr nearly scored the goal of the tournament after going on a jinky little run that was finished off with a great strike that somehow Suzuki in the Japanese goal managed to tip onto the post, great effort from Vinny Jnr and a great save too. This effort prompted co-commentator Lee Dixon to quote Bruce Forsyth by saying "didn't he do well" I can't be sure but later on the game I think he might've said that Casemiro who had incidentally scored the equaliser was playing "so much better than last week" he stopped himself from going full Brucie by shouting "good game, good game" but I for one will be keeping my ears open for more Brucieism's during the rest of the tournament from Mr Excitement. It felt a bit harsh on Japan in the end after substitute Martinelli scored a 95th minute winner, not only was it a late winner but yet again Suzuki in goal got a hand to it but this time it hit the post and went in. After the effort Japan had put in they didn't have enough time or energy to equalise and its the Brazilians who get through, but boy they will know they had been in a game. It could've easily have gone the other way but alas it wasn't to be for my dark horses Japan, sayonara blue samurai.
Today there are a few more good games with Ivory Coast taking on Norway, this has the potential for an upset, however France v Sweden has a French demolition written all over it. If Graham Potter can pull off a victory for Sweden here, they will crown him King of the Swedes. Mexico then take on Ecuador in the high altitude derby in the early hours of Wednesday morning, I have no idea how this is going to go, but I wouldn't be surprised if it takes a penalty shootout to decide this one. Whatever happens it is going to be another fun filled few hours of knockout football, and I am certainly looking forward to it.
Up the football!!
