In a World Cup where all the superstars are showing up, it took a 90 minute goal from a substitute midfielder to push Spain past Portugal.
Spain obviously did not get the memo.
I don't want to spend too much time focusing on this game because considering the talent involved it was the worst game of the tournament. It did not live up to the hype.
Both teams were playing for penalties from the start. Portugal did not play football today. Croatia would have given Spain a better game. It was Croatia's attacking mentality that opened up the game the other night. They deserved to advance. Portugal did not turn up for that game either. They're the most disappointing team at this World Cup. Just an awful, awful showing by them this summer.
As for Spain, again, they shouldn't be here. I'm hoping one of Belgium or France kick these guys out of the World Cup. Every Spain game is a snoozefest. They bore us when they win, lose, or draw. I just hate the way they play.
Hopefully they go out next round.
There are few games left in this tournament, and maybe one or two have the potential to be classics.
The U.S.-Belgium game could have been something special, and the U.S. would have had a better chance of winning had political shenanigans not dictated the narrative going in.
I don't know whose idea it was to reinstate Folarin Balogun for this game after his red card suspension but it was completely stupid. Psychologically Belgium came into this game with a chip on their shoulder. They felt an injustice was done to them. That little bit of extra motivation helped them greatly.
The game was won before kick-off.
I had the USA beating these bums but after the Balogun news you could see the writing on the wall.
Sometimes it's best to take your medicine. Rules are rules. Balogun should not have seen the field. And he's a totally replaceable player. He's not some superstar. If USA's chances of advancing rested all on his shoulders then you were not a serious team to begin with and you don't deserve to win.
Plus, suspending that suspension added a tremendous amount of pressure on Balogun. He had his worst game of the tournament.
It's a shame all the hosts are out. But Morocco, England, and Belgium are all in a different class.
Mexico had the best shot, they had England down to 10 men in their backyard, with a possible upcoming Semi Final match against Argentina, and they blew it.
