No complaints about the matches; plenty of scorn to heap upon the mouth-breathers at Comcast who cannot accurately schedule their channel guide, cutting off my DVR during the second half. Of all the games. Grr.
Brazil 3-1 Morocco
Brazil simply play at another level, with silky movement, laser-accurate passing and creative flair. Despite uncharacteristic misses in the 23rd and 25th minutes that would have put the game away, Brazil ultimately exercised the minimal effort and waltzed into the semi-final over a brave, stubborn, but ultimately lacking, Morocco squad.
Ukraine 9-4 Venezuela
Hands down this was the greatest first half of the tournament, a torrid, furious battle between two teams that, frankly, were lucky to still be here. Ukraine built a 3-1 lead, Venezuela rallied to equalize, but it was the blue and yellow with a 5-3 advantage at the buzzer. A quick score 30 seconds into the 2nd half put the game beyond Venezuela, but Ukraine went on to net three more, including this banger (below) .
France 2-1 Paraguay
No disrespect to Paraguay, but France sure know how to play down to their competition. The team stats were remarkably even, and it took a late score from Abdessamad Mohammad, plus more goalkeeping magic from Francis Lokoka to advance Les Bleus.
Argentina 6-1 Kazakhstan
0-0 scoreline at the half, but this match was anything but boring. Kazakhstan looked the more dangerous team offensively (forcing keeper into 4 saves and striking the frame twice) and physically (they accrued five fouls and two yellows). But there’s a reason the game has two halves. Starting with a Argentinan goal in the 22nd minute, the wheels proceeded to fall off Kazakhstan’s bus. In rapid succession the rattled men in yellow: conceded off an ill-advised backpass; gave two penalties off handballs (one of which resulted in a red card); allowed two open-goal scores; earned an honor goal. Brave, valiant, ultimately doomed… thus was Kazakhstan.
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