Not another rest day!!

Knockout  round of 16

Argentina   1       Switzerland   0

Di Maria (118)

Belgium     2            USA    1

De Bruyne (93)                 Green (107)

Lukaku (105)

If Argentina go on to win the world cup it will be down to one man and one man alone, Lionel Messi.  The Argies are without doubt a one man team, and its not the same as in 1986 when they had Maradonna pulling all the strings, although that team wasn't the greatest there were a few players who popped up and helped out a bit.  This average at best team rely heavily on Messi and if he hadn't been involved in this game against Switzerland, then the Swiss would more than likely have won this game, although they will be disappointed  that the didn't put a little bit more in because Argentina were there for the taking.

Belgium will now face Argentina in the quarters after they narrowly squeaked past the USA.  I say squeaked past, Tim Howard was by far the busier keeper and had to pull off save after save to keep the Americans in the game, but it was the strength and depth of this Belgium side that ultimately put them through. Now I am no USA fan not by a long way but I have to say those American boys put in one hell of a performance and just like the Algerians the day before, when that final whistle went every single one of those players had given every last ounce of effort into trying to get something out of that game.  You could see that they were physically and mentally broken.  Jurgen Klinsmann must be a very proud man, and it was there for all to see on his face after the game, first came the disappointment of losing but then came the uncontrollable pride and sense of achievement after he had realised what he and his team of  unheard of hardworking players had done.  It even put a lump in my throat.  It just goes to show that if you put the effort in you can come away with something, for Algeria and USA they may not of won but come away with the admiration of the footballing world.  

I wonder if any of the England players watched those two games, if they did I dare any of them to say that they were 100% happy that they gave everything for their country in the two games they played in, in this world cup.

England players watching Belgium v USA
wishing they had as bigger Bollocks!!

   

So we have reached the quarter final stage of the world cup and I can see a few upsets.  Colombia have a great chance against Brazil, Belgium have an even bigger chance against Argentina and could little Costa Rica surprise everyone and beat the Dutch.  I don't know what will happen next in this fantastic world cup, but I can't wait until it all kicks off again tomorrow.

Bloody rest days!!!