Forty-eight nations here in North America are vying for the golden cup that’s not a cup. Fans acting out their national character: Norwegians rowing, Scots drinking, Japanese tidying up the stands after the game, Mexicans excited a mas no poder. And the kits! The classics: Brazilian Canary Yellow, Netherlands “Oranje”, and the USA red and navy wavy stripes. The vibrant socks contrast with the immaculate green pitch. A feast for the eyes.
Going into it, the negative was exhaustively detailed. The cost of tickets and hotels skyrocketed, xenophobic immigration policies enforced by scurrilous immigration officials. Before a ball was kicked, this was going to suck. Americans were primed for anti-American sentiments, and embarrassing examples of boorish behavior.
But, record-scratch, the fans were in a mood to party. The spectacle of Oranje-filled boulevards, Vikings rowing up escalators, Cabo Verdeans proudly waving their flags, and South Africa’s Mama Love impressive amount of screen time are snapshots that counter the pre-tournament schadenfreude.
As of Wednesday, July 1st, seven of the Round of 16 spots have been claimed, and regardless of your biases, each game was a belter.
Canada 1 – 0 South Africa
The lone Sunday game set the tone for the Round of 32. Tight and hard-fought, it looked like extra time, and PKs were going to be needed when Stephen Eustáquio coolly chested down Jacub Shaffeburg’s cleared cross and found the bottom corner for the stunning game winner.
Brazil 2 – 1 Japan
The first half gave Brazil doubters plenty of reasons for being so when Kaishu Sano stole a pass at the halfway line, slalomed around a defender then lasered one into the same bottom corner that Eustáquio found the day before. Brazil tied, then the game ended like the previous one. This time it was Gabriel Martinelli’s cool first touch that allowed him to find the opposite bottom corner to send A Seleção to the next round.
Paraguay 1 – 1 Germany: Paraguay win in PKs
The current Die Mannschaft is a pale version of the unbeatable machine of previous decades. Although La Albirroja’s central defenders José Canale and Gustavo Gómez were a big reason why Germany couldn’t score a game winner despite having the ball almost 80% of the time. The German penalty takers were shambolic, and Paraguay’s were only slightly better. But when Canale scored after Jonathan Tah skied his attempt, the tournament had its defining upset.
Morocco 1 – 1 Netherlands: Morocco win in PKs
Scratch that. This was the defining upset. Issa Diop’s stoppage time header led to an emotional rollercoaster of penalty shootout. Brilliance was followed by ineptitude. Each attempt was a mini-drama and Ismael Saibari put watchers out of their misery.
Norway 2 – 1 Ivory Coast
Wait. A tight match with a late game winning goal? No way! This time, the goal was before stoppage time, so this was a little different. So, relax rowing aficionados and lovers of Viking imagery, Erling Haaland and Co. are still around.
France 3 – 0 Sweden
Sweden had a plan, but, to paraphrase Mike Tyson, everybody has a plan until Kylian Mbappe gets the ball at his feet. Swap out Mbappe and replace with Michael Olise, Ousmane Dembélé, Bradley Barcola, and it’s still a punch to the face.
Mexico 2 – 0 Ecuador
The scoreline flattered La Tri (Ecuador’s team nickname) because El Tri (Mexico’s team nickname) should’ve tripled their goal tally. Taking on El Tri at Estadio Azteca (perhaps the greatest home field advantage in all sports.) is an impossible task. Now England has advanced, the cauldron in the Santa Úrsula Coapa neighborhood will be seething.
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