Weekly English Premier League Opinion - World Cup Edition Day 2
Egypt vs. Uruguay
Nobody is giving Egypt a chance. Uruguay have two world class strikers, two seasoned central defenders and a host of talent in and around them. Egypt’s talisman Mo Salah was deemed fit enough only for the bench and that decision seems to put even more distance between this mismatch. On paper this is not even a contest.
However, Uruguay’s two strikers can become a tactical problem for them. Egypt set up with a 4-2-3-1 with a very hard-working midfield five against Uruguay who are one short in that department. And after 30minutes of a compelling first half Egypt are right in this and its well merited. Their organization out of possession is excellent and they genuinely look like a team playing for each other. Just some slack marking at a set piece corner nearly undermined that effort, but an out of sorts Suárez shooting wide that kind of represented his entire game. Outside of that golden opportunity the game is balanced.
Uruguay have the quality, but Egypt have the organization. Can Egypt keep this level of concentration and work rate all game? Can Uruguay increase the pedestrian tempo to their play?
Halftime 0-0.
And that referenced mental concentration deserted Egypt straight away. One minute in and some poor decisions by central defender Hegazi allows Suárez a shot at goal from a sneaky run in behind. Good save keeper, but that should have been a goal.
Uruguay look more urgent with their intensity and Egypt have to wake up from the halftime break.
Uruguay are painfully slow on the counter attack, it’s annoying to watch. Everything is safe, everything is to feet. I’ve seen one outstanding diagonal from Cavani, everything else has been boredom. The game is intriguing, but the way Uruguay play is so bland. I’m fast becoming an Egypt fan the more this game goes on. The Egyptian effort is inspiring. Shifting the defensive block with the play, covering friends and filling gaps, excellent. Surely with one substitute remaining, Mo Salah must be worth a gamble.
81minutes Egypt's third substitution. No Mo.
82minutes. Outstanding save from the Egypt keeper. Cavani catches a sweet volley, that is a great save.
This is going to get interesting.
88minutes Cavani hits the post from a free kick. Are Egypt going to blow this?
Yes.
Too many fouls late on leading to too much pressure. Egypt look deflated after such a good game.
Portugal vs. Spain
No way. It’s a PK.
This is a landslide for Spain, surely. World Cup contenders; we are talking more than just advancing from the group as table toppers, this team are arguably going to win it all.
2minutes in and a clumsy defensive play provides a definitive set piece opportunity for Portugal, a boost that few had predicted. If anyone has ever seen Cristiano Ronaldo take a penalty kick then you know what happens next. Goal.
The wrecking ball that is Diego Costa demonstrates exactly what Chelsea are missing, why wouldn’t you want this guy in your team, or why would you drive him out of your club. Like him or loath him, Costa is a menace with talent and that goal epitomizes exactly what he is all about, strength, guile and an undeniable capacity to finish goal scoring opportunities.
Spain in the ascendancy. Possession and dominance all in one direction.
Moments before halftime David De Gea makes a horrible mistake. Most regard De Gea as about the best keeper around, but this is shameful and totally unpredictable.
2-1 Ronaldo at half time.
Spain have such composure. Despite all the adversity they continue to play with integrity.
A textbook set piece execution drifts a ball to a back-post run and a crash ball Diego Costa nudges in. Totally deserved for their domination of possession.
Just a few moments later and more dominance provided fullback Nacho with a silky slice volley in off the post. The interchange of Iniesta, Silva and Isco in the attacking line is creating all sorts of support angles and despite an ageing midfield the work rate out of possession is excellent.
And just when you think he can’t get any better, when you think he can’t do any more, he does. Ronaldo hat-trick. Portugal were second best all day today, but they scored three goals, Ronaldo with all three.
This was an epic game that Spain really should have won. But with CR7 in your ranks you always have a chance. 3-3 is just a draw, but this feels more like a win for Portugal.
By Jonny Carter - Chicago Fire
