Shock at the FIFA World Cup
Tears as teams drop out as the chase for FIFA World Cup Trophy intensifies.
LOS ANGELES — As the tournament goes into the crucial knockout stages, the competition has intensified. More teams have now started to show fight, as no one wants to be eliminated. The matches being played have become more interesting to watch.
Cate Njeri, a Kenyan citizen and football enthusiast, has not shied away from expressing her disappointment in the tournament. Though she has enjoyed some good performances, she has also experienced heartbreak. African teams being eliminated in the round of 32 have not made it any easier. With all the magnificent performances in the group stage, a step further than the round of 32 is what she expected from them.
It has also not been easy for the European teams in the competition, as they have been facing elimination, but have just been finding ways through. Those unable to match the task have left the tournament already. With only a few matches remaining, teams already know their opponents in the next round.
It has not been as smooth as it would appear to be, as teams expected to win easily have found it difficult with the likes of Croatia, Germany, and the Netherlands already out of the tournament. England and Belgium managed to change their fortunes to proceed to the last 16.
Cristiano Ronaldo during the round of 32 knockout match against Croatia in Toronto Stadium, Toronto. Photo: Vedant Yandav/NDTV
The new additions to the list of qualifiers are Portugal, Spain, and the USA. Spain and the USA managed their opponents well, with Austria being unable to match Spain’s prowess on the pitch. USA, on the other hand, used their home crowd to their advantage to power through Bosnia in their encounter at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium in Santa Clara.
Portugal, on the other hand, had the most difficult task of the day as they faced Croatia in a mouthwatering contest. Croatia were cagey in the first half as they allowed Portugal to play the ball for long periods, but defended well to finish the half without conceding. The second half was something else as Croatia took the lead early, which made the stadium nervous. Minutes later, Portugal got a goal through Cristiano Ronaldo’s penalty in the 68th minute to put the contest level. Gonçalo Ramos came in and put Portugal ahead with a header in the 94th minute to win the match. This was not in the bag yet because Croatia put the ball in the back of the net, only for VAR to come to the rescue. The final minutes were nervy as tensions were high, but this result meant Portugal would breathe a sigh of relief with VAR to thank.
“I have enjoyed it. I really had high hopes for the African teams, especially after their group stage performances. There is always a next time," said Cate Njeri after being disappointed by Africa's eliminations in the tournament.”