{Thoughts on the Group Stage here and Round of Sixteen here. I’ve only watched through the quarters but, unfortunately, do know the matchup (but not the result) for the final.}
Brazil v Portugal
I thought Brazil would win, but I thought a 4-1 was far more likely than a penalty shootout. Portugal was impressive–this was perhaps their best game of the tournament. And they were horribly unlucky that this shot by Rony Lopes did not go in. Most of the time when someone shouts unlucky, they mean the idea was good, try that again. This was truly unlucky, a matter of centimeters to get the ball to catch the inside of the post and ricochet in.
But Brazil is through, despite their form dropping as they hit tougher opponents. Luckily for them, they’ll be facing the winner of …
Uzbekistan v Senegal
Really? This was the best we could do? Senegal continues to get favorable draws and do just enough to survive them. In this case, another bit of late-game heroics, this time by Mamadou Thiam, and they edge past the Uzbeks.
#SEMIFINAL #1 THOUGHTS
I know Brazil wins the game, I don’t know how. I predict a blowout, not because of the form of either team, but just because of the gulf in talent.
USA v Serbia
The biggest surprise for me was that the match remained scoreless. I think I have been selling the American defense short throughout the tournament: their struggles from midfield forward (and I include Marco Delgado in that, who has not impressed me) have dominated much of the discussion, but Matt Miazga, Cameron Carter-Vickers, and Desevio Payne have all been very, very solid especially after the opening game jitters against Myanmar.
Zack Steffan had a great tournament, probably the best player for the USA, which gave them a good chance when the match went penalties, but it was not to be.
If it seems like I’m ignoring the Serbians, it’s largely because they just seem to be an incredibly solid team. A couple people have stood out, of course: Predrag Rajković in goal has been largely unbeatable, strong and quick to come off his line. Both Andrija Živković (their most consistent threat offensively) and the young (even for this tournament) Ivan Šaponjić look very promising as attacking players.
But what is most convincing about the team is their composure, the way they work together, the way all three bands of players recover to help defensively, stuff like that. It’s not the most compelling viewing for the casual fan, but this is a very, very good team.
Mali v Germany
Wow. Just … wow. Someone give their coach, Fanyeri Diarri, some massive credit.
Let’s be clear: Germany should have won this game. They had more and better shots (even if Julian Brandt‘s opening goal was a little fortuitous), and when, after Mali tied the game on a set piece, Jeremy Dudziak won his penalty, the match should have been over. But Djigui Diarra came up huge in goal for Mali, saving the PK, and it remained tied at 1 after the extra thirty minutes.
The shootout was surprising: Mali’s best player, Adama Traoré missed his, as did Brandt. But Diadie Samassékou made his and Niklas Stark, rock steady for Germany throughout the tournament, sent his wide of the post and the West African side were through, having brought down the clear favorite for the title.
Unbelievable.
#SEMIFINAL #2 THOUGHTS
Again, I know that Serbia wins, but I don’t know how. My hopes are that Mali puts forth another supreme effort, and Serbia just edges them. But I wonder how Mali will react to a team that is as composed and structured as they are: that is, I could see this being 3-1 Serbia, with Mali being exposed for the first time all tournament. But I hope not.
Since I know the matchup for the finals, I’ll combine the semis and the finals into a single post, but it may be a few days: the Women’s World Cup starts again in a matter of hours! Go Cameroon!