The World Cup rolls onto the knockout round without defending champion Germany, which opens up the bracket for more surprises.
Its 2-0 loss to South Korea kept Germany from advancing out of group play for the first time ever. And this global power failed to reach the quarterfinals for the first time since 1938.
“We didn’t deserve to win the World Cup again,” Germany coach Jogi Low told reporters. “We didn’t deserve to reach the round of 16. We never had a chance to take the lead at any point after the 70th minute when we saw Sweden had lead. We were missing our ease of play, our classiness, our dynamism was not there, so we deserved to be eliminated, yes.”
So the tournament moves on in Russia without one of the big favorites. Germany’s exit helped create a one-sided bracket that could allow a surprise team like Spain to make a deep run.
First up on the knockout round are matches between Portugal and Uruguay and France and Argentina Saturday on the tougher side of the bracket. Can France rise up and finally fulfill its vast potential?
“The big teams—Germany, Argentina, others–have had problems,” Denmark coach Age Hareide observed earlier in the tournament. “But France, I’m certain will come up there as a [contender] for the title. … The French team is getting better and better as you go forward.”
PORTUGAL FACES TOUGH CHALLENGE WITH URUGUAY
Portugal, the 2016 Euros champion, barely survived its match with Iran to narrowly avoid the same fate at Germany. While it didn’t impress in group play, Portugal is always threat to make a deep run with Cristiano Ronaldo. He has already scored four times in the tournament.
But Uruguay dispatched Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Russia impressively in group play. Their defensive play has been airtight and Deigo Godin has had success containing Ronaldo in the past.
Up front, Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani have been predictably dangerous at the attack for Uruguay. Expect a deliberate, tactical match with most sides patiently waiting to strike.
“Undoubtedly Uruguay has excellent players,” Portugal right back Cedric Soares told reporters. “It is a country that has twice been a world champion. They have an excellent team, but we also have our weapons. We have our qualities and we believe in ourselves.
“We are preparing for this game and we will have time, during this week, to do it in the best way.”
MESSI LEADS ARGENTINA AGAINST FRANCE
France coach Didier Deschamps is still trying to coax top form from his talented but disjointed side. Experts are trying to figure what identity, if any, this team possesses.
“It’s not easy,” Deshamps told reporters. “Obviously you can tell me there’s room for improvement. But even teams that are top contenders—Brazil, Germany, Spain—it’s not easy for them either. It’s complicated for everyone.”
Argentina has also lacked cohesion, putting beleaguered coach Jorge Sampaoli under duress. This team is slow on the back end and stagnant in the midfield. Veterans Javier Mascherano and Di María have each lost a step, perhaps more.
But a late goal by Marcos Rojo got them past Nigeria and propelled them into the knockout round on an emotional high. “My players play with their heart. They are true rebels,” Sampaoli gushed.
“We have suffered a lot, it was a difficult situation,” superstar Lionel Messi said after the game. “It was a huge release and relief for all of us.”
France has never defeated Argentina, but then again these teams haven’t met in a meaningful match since the 1978 World Cup. And Messi has suffered many disappointments playing for his homeland and big international events.
