The quarter-finals are where things really get going in Big-Time Soccer. The first quarter-final is Spain v. Germany from Stuttgart. Spain scored in the 51st minute to take a 1-0 lead, but Germany equalized in the 88th minute. So it looks like we are headed to extra time.
And in extra time, Spain gets a header in the 119th minute to eliminate the host nation. Spain wins 2-1 and they move on to the semi-finals.
ReplyDeleteSpain will play the winner of Portugal and France in the semi-finals.
ReplyDelete18 minutes: Portugal 0 - 0 France
ReplyDelete30 minutes: Portugal 0 - 0 France
ReplyDelete36 minutes: Portugal 0 - 0 France
ReplyDeleteHalf Time: Portugal 0 - 0 France
ReplyDelete50 minutes: Portugal 0 - 0 France
ReplyDeleteHere's what is going on. France has set up a siege around the Portugal goal, and they are sending ball after ball into the penalty box hoping to set up a shot. Portugal is defending and looking for a breakaway on the counter-attack. This pattern will continue until someone scores or we get penalty kicks.
ReplyDelete60 minutes: Portugal 0 - 0 France
ReplyDeletePortugal counterattacked and had France on its back foot for awhile, but could not score.
70 minutes: Portugal 0 - 0 France
ReplyDeletePortugal back on defense now. 50 minutes until penalty kicks.
80 minutes: Portugal 0 - 0 France
ReplyDeleteNeither team making much progress now. 40 minutes until penalty kicks.
90 minutes: Portugal 0 - 0 France
ReplyDeleteFull Time: Portugal 0 - 0 France
ReplyDeleteBring on the extra time.
In the 92d minute, Cristiano Ronaldo has a great chance for Portugal, but he boots it way over the crossbar.
ReplyDeleteThe Guardian tells me that my analysis is wrong. Portugal has had the ball 61 percent of the time, and has 10 corners to only 3 for France. I apologize to Portugal, but to be honest I haven't paid much attention because I have never thought either team was close to scoring.
ReplyDelete100 minutes: Portugal 0 - 0 France
ReplyDeletePortugal still with the ball, just as the Guardian insisted. Nothing happening, just as I said.
Half-time of Extra Time: Portugal 0 - 0 France
ReplyDeleteOnly 15 minutes left until PK's.
Full Time (after extra time): Portugal 0 - 0 France
ReplyDeleteNow they can finally do the PK's.
France nails all five of its penalty kicks, which is much harder than it looks (just ask England). Portugal missed one of its first four, so they were eliminated before even taking their fifth kick. France advances on penalty kicks, 5 to 3, and moves on to face Spain in the semi-finals.
ReplyDeleteI think the two best teams won today.
ReplyDelete