Brazil crush Paraguay

The last time Brazil beat Paraguay in the Copa America was in 2001. Since then, they have drawn four times and lost one match against Paraguay. In three of those draws, in the knockout stages, Paraguay won two and Brazil won one on penalties. After 23 years, Brazil have beaten Paraguay in regular time.

After the stalemate against Costa Rica, Brazil felt pressure against an opponent known for sitting deeper and catching the opposition on the counter. Brazil intended to attack as they did against Costa Rica - what changed against Paraguay was installing conviction – reducing more time on the ball within the opponent’s penalty area and hitting the target. 

Paraguay managed to play a tough game against Brazil, including giving Alisson trouble with shots from outside the area. But it was nothing more than a mirage in the Las Vegas desert. After 30 minutes, the Seleçao took control of the match.

Lucas Paqueta missed a penalty that piled the pressure, but Vinicius Jr reacted quickly and opened the scoring. Savinho added another and Vinicius doubled his tally later on.

The game seemed resolved, but Alderete, who had missed one of the goals, hit a shot on the way back from the break and reduced the score.

Dorival Junior's team continued to control the actions in the second half, turning the score into a rout with a penalty goal from Paqueta and only managing in the final minutes, especially with the numerical advantage after Cubas' expulsion in a move with Douglas Luiz.

Vinicius was the best player on the field, but Paqueta also shared the spotlight and was a character in the game. Despite missing a penalty earlier, he continued actively and participated in all three goals in the first half. And when Brazil had another penalty in the second half, the fans chanted Vinicius’ name, but he caught the ball, took responsibility and kicked it on the same side, only this time hitting the target.

Paqueta looked better when he pulled the strings from the midfield while Rodrygo Goes played as the central attacking midfielder and linked up with Vinicius upfront. Savio on the right side looked better and contributed better by linking up with the midfielders and wingback. Joao Gomes is flourishing as an effective holding midfielder while Bruno Guimaraes is performing better. 

Thank You

Faisal Caesar 

A night to celebrate for Turkey after feisty contest

While Georgia’s intensity at Gelsenkirchen was creating history, at Hamburg, a storm was brewing on the pitch – the storm continued even after the final whistle was blown as the vital group match between the Czech Republic and Turkey transformed into a feisty contest.

The Czech Republic, who could only go through with a win, had begun assertively and looked the better side until two exasperating moments from Antonin Barak. He was booked for an early foul on Ferdi Kadioglu and then, nine minutes later, he clipped Salih Ozcan’s foot with studs up. Barak could have been given one last chance. He held his head in his hands when the punishment was confirmed.

They had almost scored after two minutes when Lukas Provod’s deflected strike drew a full-stretch save from Mert Gunok and then, with 10 men, held out in relative comfort before half‑time. Gunok rescued ­Turkey again when David Jurasek broke through and there was a sense that chance needed to be taken.

Jindrich Stanek seemed to have saved his side with a brilliant one-handed stop Kenan Yildiz but the rebound was only cleared to the edge of the box and worked left to Hakan Calhanoglu.

The captain cut across the ball with the outside of his foot and scripted a, technically masterful finish across the keeper.

Bat later on, the Turkish captain was shown a red card for which he would miss the match against Austria.

The bigger concern may be how Turkey lost their heads after that, being pegged back by a blast from Tomas Soucek after the recently introduced Chory had caused Gunok to drop a high ball.

Tension radiated from all corners; Jan Kuchta had a goal ruled out for the Czechs but Tosun offered some calm before the late scrap.

The second the final whistle was blown, a huge brawl broke out. Tomas Chory, in the middle of it, is shown a straight red card. Arda Guler, who had Scrappy Doo-ed his way back onto the pitch, is booked.

A pitch invader added some more spice to the mix.

Referee Istvan Kovacs experienced a tougher time. 

As the dust settled, the Turkish players celebrated in front of the dejected Czech unit. 

Thank You 

Faisal Caesar 

 

 

Georgia creates history

The FIFA World Cup or the Euro requires a dramatic story of the underdogs to make it memorable. With the odds stacked against them and by following an unconventional, winding route, the Caucasus nation – Georgia - had reached its first-ever major tournament.

Georgia did not cruise to Euro 2024 by finishing in the top two of their qualifying group - instead, they took advantage of the opportunity provided to them by their outstanding performance in the 2022-23 UEFA Nations League.

Georgia, actually, came fourth in their Euros qualifying group behind Spain, Scotland and Norway as they picked up just eight points and were thumped 7-1 by the Spaniards along the way. Still, their near-flawless Nations League campaign in 2022, where they dropped just two points in six games as they won Group Four of League C, earned them a European Championship qualifying play-off place.

It was confirmed that they would need to take the play-off route with two games still to play in the race to reach Germany, as Scotland secured the second spot behind leaders Spain in Group A. The League C path contained the three Nations League C group winners - Georgia, Greece and Kazakhstan - and the League C group runner-up, Luxembourg.

Coached by former French star – Willy Sangol, Georgia were automatically drawn against Luxembourg in the semi-final and eased to victory without their talisman Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who was suspended.

Instead, it was Karlsruher striker Budu Zivzivadze,who emerged as the hero on the night, bagging a brace to send his country to the final.

And last night, they beat one of the better teams of Euro 2024 – Portugal by a margin of 2-0 to earn a spot in the Round of 16.

Georgia had to win to avoid elimination while Portugal came into the game with a place in the last 16 already boxed off. Roberto Martínez changed nine of his 10 outfield players, Cristiano Ronaldo the only survivor from their impressive win over Turkey. Diogo Costa remained in goal and with 92 seconds on the clock it was the Portugal goalkeeper who was fishing the ball out of his net.

Portugal struggled to cope with Georgia’s intensity and hunger.

At the end of the first half, Portugal had recorded twice as many touches and 11 shots compared to their opponents’ three.

But there was only one that mattered, Kvaratskhelia drilling the ball across Costa and into the far corner to register his first goal at a major tournament.

Diogo Dalot forced a phenomenal left-hand save from Giorgi Marmardashvili, who was absolutely brilliant in the Georgia goal, but, then, the referee pressed pause as the VAR reviewed Lochoshvili’s fall inside the box at the start of the phase of play.

The referee headed to the pitch-side VAR monitor and then pointed to the penalty spot, confirming Silva, who was later withdrawn alongside Ronaldo, swiped at the midfielder.

Mikautadze side-footed his spot-kick into the corner and while Costa went the right way, neither he nor Portugal were a match for Georgia. 

That was it!

After the final whistle, the Georgian joy knew no bounds – players thumped their chests, clenched their fists, screamed with joy, shed tears of satisfaction, hugged each other, looked at the sky to thank God and continued their celebration so that this fairy tale night never ends.

Thank You

Faisal Caesar

Austria top the group

In a group where France and Holland were featuring, it would always be a stifling task for teams like Austria and Poland to claim a spot for the next round. Poland booked early tickets for home, but Austria topped the group would feature in the second round for the second time in their tournament history. 

The improvement of Austria was evident when Ralph Rangnick took over. He was leveled as a failure in Manchester United which surprised me a lot. Ralph is a very organized coach and prefers to play with an aggressive press. 

At Berlin, against Holland, his aggressive pressing with 4-2-2-2 gifted us an entertaining football. They were impressive against the tournament favourites France,  saw off Poland and tamed the Dutch. 

Austria had swamped the Dutch from kick-off, dominating in their half and popping the ball around crisply. 

Their left-back Alexander Prass had already threatened in advanced positions twice and struck gold on the third. 

This time he swept a cross towards Marko Arnautovic that Malen, careering in on the stretch to intervene, hammered inside Bart Verbruggen’s near post

Holland responded through Cody Gakpo after the break. 

Austria had made ground down the left through Wimmer and, for the first time since the break, were asking a question. Eventually Sabitzer played Florian Grillitsch in at the byline and the resulting cross, stood up deliciously, was bulleted in by a diving Schmid despite De Vrij’s efforts on the line

Memphis Depay equalized after his goal was confirmed by VAR. Meanwhile, Poland equalized at Dortmund against France and the equation of this group was becoming interesting. 

Holland was settling and regain the momentum. But Austria gave the Dutch a potent reminder, nobody can sleep on their threat.

Substitute Christoph Baumgartner slid Sabitzer through and, from a tight left-sided angle, he thrashed past Verbruggen.

An aggressive intent pays off most of the times. 

Thank You 

Faisal Caesar 

Costa Rica halt Brazil

Whenever Costa Rica faces Brazil their strategy remains clear - defend till the last breath and deny the Selecao from scoring. We still remember the Costa Rican stubbornness at Turin during the Italia 90 and Russia 2018, but still the Selecao broke through. 

Meanwhile in the 1997 Copa America and 2002 World Cup - the game plan was crushed by a bunch of extraordinary players in the form of Romário, Ronaldo and Rivaldo. 

Those days are gone. 

In this year's Copa America Brazil are not the favourites but they're not that bad to end a goalless draw against a below par Costa Rican unit. 

Brazil dominated the possession. Attacked. Retained possession quickly. But lacked conviction. 

Costa Rica reduced the spaces. 

Brazil then tried to work as if it were futsal. 

Short passes, tables and quick play. Rodrygo Goes  even had the first good chance, but it was not productive. 

The clearest opportunities came when the team attracted Costa Rica and found space to fit long passes at speed. Too bad for Brazil that Raphinha lost when trying to slice the ball and cover up goalkeeper Sequeira.

The aerial ball also seemed like a viable alternative for Brazil.And a goal even came from Marquinhos, but it was disallowed. 

VAR took a while - about four minutes -  but caught the defender being offside, after Rodrygo's header was deflected, in the 32nd minute of the first half.

The second half was very similar to the first. 

Costa Rica sat deeper. 

Brazil kept trying, insisting.

After an hour or so - Endrick and Savinho entered, while Vinicius Junior and Rafinha left.

The team increased the pace and occupied the rival field.

Until then, the best opportunity was an attempt by Lucas Paqueta from outside the area. 

Contrary to the strategy of exchanging passes into the goal, he took a risk from outside the area, but the ball exploded onto the post.

With Endrick on the field, the attempt was to have more presence in the area, someone who would bother Costa Rica's defenders.

With Vini around - Brazil were able to especially neutralize the movement of bringing the ball from the edge to the middle.

Not only for his shot at the post, Paqueta appeared more in the game. 

Savinho also gave a boost when he entered the right and created a play that was Brazil's last effort. But Bruno Guimaraes went over the top.

Brazil ended without striking gold.

Thank You 

Faisal Caesar 

Italy stun Croatia

Just when you have thought that it's all over, football strikes back to leave you stunned. Either you will shed tears of joy or tears of immense sadness. Football can essay fairytales, football can break hearts into pieces. 

Just when Luka Modric and Croatia looked ready for one last dance on the big stage, a beautifully curled equalizer from the Italy substitute Mattia Zaccagni, with virtually the last kick of eight minutes added time, triggered euphoria at Leipzig. 

At the other end, the Croatian players on the pitch and Mordic in the dug out started crying. They could not believe what happened despite the efforts on the pitch. 

A cruel night for Modric who fired a penalty too close to Gianluigi Donnarumma after the break. Within 33 seconds, though, he had wrought a moment for the record books. In the next attack he thrashed in a rebound to become the oldest player in the tournament to score. 

In a straight knockout match, Croatia needed a victory while Italy a draw to advance. 

Spalletti - the Italian coach - bore out his promise to shake things and switched to 3-5-2 that turned 5-3-2 while defending Italy remained resilient and the intention was to grab the opponents on the counter. 

Croatia started on the front foot and was more skilful and technical. It appeared that Dalic’s players evidently the more practised at working the ball in tight spaces.

Italy were finding space with the occasional quick switch out wide and came closer to open the scoring, but Livakovic showed outstanding reflexes. 

After taking the lead, Croatia looked for containment and defended for their lives. 

With a few seconds remaining, the Azzuri unit that looked out of sorts, Calafiori salomed down the middle. He slipped a pass wide left for Zaccagni, who had all the spaces to exploit and take the risk. 

He cut into the box, opened his body, and steered a glorious power-curler across Livakovic and into the top right - heartbreak for Croatia. 

Football, bloody hell!

Thank You 

Faisal Caesar 

Belgium regain form

To stay alive in Euro 2024 Belgium was needed to exhibit mental strength and play with caution and aggression against the Romanians. For which a few changes were required. 

Jan Vartonghen was restored to defence. Tielemens and Amadou Onanna featured in the midfield. Jeremy Doku was played in his natural position on the left. Kevin de Bruyne was playing as the marshall at the centre of the park with a lot more freedom. 

The changes paid off as a few minutes into the match - The Red Devils put the right foot on the paddle. 

Romelu Lukaku drove deep into the Romanian territory and laid the ball off to De Bruyne. De Bruyne dinked across the edge of the box before discovering Lukaku again in the penalty box. Lukaku noticed the approach of Tielesmans and laid the ball at his feet to beat Florin Nita. 

That goal changed the approach of Belgium, who remained composed and attacking throughout the night. 

Doku was brilliant. He dropped deep, held the ball, spun and ran. He hung on the shoulder of the full-back and ran beyond him. 

At the heart of Belgian sound display De Bruyne controlled the show by being at his impish best - the master in the midfield ran through Romania many times. 

After an hour of play - De Bruyne's pass sent Lukaku clear to finish calmly into the bottom corner, only for VAR to intervene. Lukaku has been denied by VAR for the third time - hard luck. 

With 10 minutes remaining De Bruyne pushed himself onto the Romania defence before a goal kick cleared everyone and he poked the ball past Nita to score.

The way Belgium played last night has instilled the faith but how far they can go remains a moot question.

Thank You 

Faisal Caesar