Search for a new champion begins
Germany are out and this maybe Africa’s worst outing since 1982 but the party is set to continue
It’s finally curtains for the group stages of the World Cup with three-fourth of the total matches completed. And while spotlights will immediately shift to the Kazan Arena where heavyweights France kick of the prequarterfinals against Argentina on Saturday, there is still a lingering disbelief over how defending champions Germany were shown the door.
“They don’t win much here,” said a taxi driver while taking this reporter to the Spartak Stadium for the Brazil-Serbia game, his remark being a sly reference to the second World War.
South Korea’s win over Germany also meant that barring Australia, all other teams representing Asia have won at least one game, Japan being the only Asian side to advance. Most impressive were Iran who came within inches of topping Group B but for a late miss from Mehdi Taremi against Portugal. This wasn’t the time for Africa though, with all five teams crashing out to leave a knockout stage without a nation from the continent for the first time since 1982.
Their early ousters notwithstanding, Senegal, Morocco and Nigeria in particular, did well. Most unfortunate exit however was that of Senegal who lost out to Japan due to fair play.
Among the other big guns, not all teams managed to impress. France lumbered to unimpressive wins over Australia and Peru on way to topping their group, while Brazil showed signs of peaking after a dull 1-1 draw against Switzerland. Belgium will draw strength from their 1-0 win against England as well.
Portugal have Cristiano Ronaldo to thank for single-handedly hauling them to an actionpacked 3-3 draw against Spain but their struggle since then reiterates how football is not about individuals but a team game. Argentina redeemed themselves by the skin of the teeth courtesy Marcos Rojo’s late winner against Nigeria. On the verge of elimination after the 3-0 whipping to Croatia, they now have a real shot at turning around their campaign. One of the biggest talking points in this World Cup has been the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), which has come under a fair bit of criticism. More often than not however, VAR has allowed officials to take more correct calls. The rise in penalties for fouls inside the box and better offside calls are testament to its advantage.
South Korea’s first goal against Germany would have been incorrectly deemed off-side had it not been for VAR. One wonders how different some of the results would have been without this support system. Couple of days before the World Cup, Fifa refereeing director Massimo Busacca had warned VAR would not be perfect.
“If we say yes to (using VAR in) this World Cup, it’s because we think we are ready. But don’t think that it will be perfect. We are looking to have an incredible uniformity and consistency, but don’t think that technology solves the problem 100 percent,” he had said. “In front of a video, we will always have a human person who is making an interpretation,” he added. It’s difficult to argue with his rationale.
As the tournament heads to its business end, Russian fans wait anxiously for their last-16 clash against Spain. Irrespective of what happens, Russians will not want this party to get over soon. “This has been our biggest ever festival,” said Russian flagdraped Sergei, who had come to watch Brazil play Serbia. The flags have been flying high over the last couple of weeks, often accompanied by cries of ‘Russ-e-ya!’. If the hosts pull off the unthinkable against Spain on Sunday, this party will extend for a few more days.