The end of an era
France did it in 2002, Italy did it twice, and now Spain has followed suit as champions that exited the World Cup at the group phase the following year. Lumping this all-conquering Spanish side with the solid but spectacular incarnations of France and Italy is a disservice to the stylish and irrepressible football that Spain has gifted us over the last six years.
But with the man who directed that wonder orchestra, Xavi, missing from its swansong, it was somehow fitting that the Spaniards exited the World Cup to a Chile style playing an aggressive, breakneck brand of football. The “death” of tiki-taka is being celebrated and lamented in equal measure, but the truth is that with an ageing team, lacking a little bit in motivation and a tough group, this was always on the cards. But when you have players like Koke, Javi Martinez, David de Gea, Juan Mata, and Thiago Alcantara, be sure that Spain will be back. As an era ends, another is set to begin.
The pressure is affecting not uplifting Brazil
Things can change very quickly in football, but as of the first week, the pressure of expectation from a home crowd witnessing a World Cup on home soil after 64 years, is proving to be a hindrance rather than a help for hosts Brazil. Full stadiums, despite ongoing protests, have helped the Selecao little or not at all in the tournament, both of their games so far have been terribly scrappy affairs and the team looks functional rather than flamboyant. The 3-1 score line against Croatia was a flattering one for a very innocuous performance that hinged on a non-existent penalty given for a foul on Fred. Against Mexico, Brazil was better, but goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, a free agent soon, ensured that the South Americans were kept at bay. A barely deserved win, and a sketchy draw may not make for good reading, but many World Champions have had worse starts.
Europe is alive and kicking, so far
Coming into the tournament, there was plenty of talk about how the European teams would cope with the warmer climates of South America and whether a maiden title for a European nation may be possible. On evidence of the first week, this could be possible. The Dutch razed Spain to the ground in a daring display of counter-attacking football, and Germany, despite not playing well, managed to similarly dispose of Portugal 4-0, in conditions that captain Phillip Lahm described as “brutal.”
Both followed that up with slightly more below par showings in their win and draw against Australia and Ghana respectively. However, the highlights have been France. After struggling in qualifying to even get through to the finals, France have taken full advantage of a relatively kind draw to post two very convincing back to back wins – the second of this a 5-2 thumping of a very good Switzerland side. In contrast to the Europeans, both Argentina and Brazil have struggled, as have Uruguay, with only Colombia the only side managing to play up to the expectations so far.
Atomic Flea can go nuclear
While the focus will readily be on Neymar, in all honestly, everyone expects this to be the tournament which Lionel Messi takes by the scruff of the neck. Argentina came into the tournament with a 4-3-3 formation firing on all cylinders, with Messi at its centrepiece. But come Brazil, the team looked strangely subdued and despite the two wins from two, looked fairly unconvincing so far. The exception of course has been Messi who was the difference maker in both games, scoring two stunning goals both from his favoured area just outside the opponent box. Both were moments of pure inspiration lighting up what was a dull and dreary encounter. It shows that with a truly exceptional player in their ranks, Argentina can go far, maybe even title-clinching far, if the rest of the team can pick up their game.
Goals goals goals
Twenty nine games and a goal average of almost 3 a game at the time of writing – this World Cup has been many things but definitely not boring. While the spectators have loved it, the question that has often been raised is how and why this World Cup is suddenly different. Since Italy 1990, World Cups have been participated in a safety-first approach with teams generally more aware of not conceding than scoring themselves. This approach is acceptable in a seven-game cup tournament, where margins for error are generally small. Theories are abound as to the reason for this goals monsoon. The most commonly held one is that the hot and humid conditions have made pressing extremely difficult, which perhaps offers more room to attacking players to show their worth.
The talent gap is closing
Gone are the days when drawing the third CONCACAF or the fifth Asian team in your group meant an almost certain victory. As Iran showed against Argentina, and as Costa Rica so appropriately showed against Italy, the international talent gap is perhaps at the lowest it has ever been. With coaching and systems more fluid, and more and more top-flight coaches taking their ideas and vision cross continent, we have seen a tactical and technical evolution. Costa Rica now play modern football, with men on the back looking to pass out of defence, and initiate play rather than the old-school favourite of putting men behind the ball, two banks of four, and hoping for the best. Football is richer for the changes, and much more exciting for the unpredictability.
Innovations are good, Refereeing not so much
This World Cup has seen one key innovation – the introduction of goal-line technology. This has proved useful not least for Bryan Ruiz’s header in the 1-0 Costa Rica win over Italy. It was a much needed gesture from FIFA after Frank Lampard’s disallowed goal in the last World Cup, and it looks like it is here to stay. Other innovations include the much talked about foam spray to make sure the free-kick taker does not inch a few yards closer, or the wall doesn’t walk ahead to break the 10 yards barrier. It’s the kind of idea that once you see it, you think why it was not done before. But despite the innovations, the refereeing has been fairly substandard starting from the first game. Unfortunately, it is the underdogs who often fall prey to the bad calls – Iran in particular desperately disappointed to not earn a penalty against Argentina.