Storylines, Talking Points and Coverage. World Cup 2018 so far…
As we head into the final group stage matches and start to fill in the brackets for the round of sixteen a number of storylines have jumped to the front page in regards to Russia 2018. Right off the top is the unavoidable but regular debate the soccer world has quarreled over for the better part of the past decade. Even though it’s 2018 and these guys are both on the wrong side of thirty it’s still about Messi vs Ronaldo when it comes to social media, television, print, blogging, podcasting, name your platform and the first order of business is comparing these two even though it’s pretty all been said before.
This time around “CR7” is the one in top form while Messi struggles to carry a team that appears dysfunctional lead by a coach who seems to have lost complete control of his locker room. Oddly enough, four years ago in Brazil the roles were reversed. Cristiano went to Brazil injured trying to lead of group with no identity and no direction. Despite earning four points Portugal crashed out in the group stage and Ronaldo registered only 1 goal, and the critics said it was the beginning of the end for the Real Madrid star. Messi on the other hand led Argentina all the way to the final and despite a heartbreaking loss in extra time the same critics predicted Messi will be back in the final again at some point. Fast forward four years and Ronaldo has won 3 of the 4 previous Balon d’Or/FIFA World player of the year awards, won three straight UEFA Champions League titles and has all four of Portugal’s goals in the group stage of this world cup so far. Messi on the other hand finds himself the scapegoat for all of Argentina’s problems. The Argentine media continues the narrative that “Messi only plays well for Barcelona, not Argentina.” On his face you can see he’s clearly not comfortable in the role of leader. Whereas Cristiano feeds off the pressure of being asked to carry an entire national team, Messi appears visibly unhappy and frustrated. In fairness Messi is carrying the burden of having lost 3 straight international finals including a Copa America Centenario final shootout loss in which he of all people missed his kick. Ronaldo despite getting injured in the final of Euro 2016, found his way to the bench and appear to take over the coaching duties and will his team to the title. Now the weight of not having delivered a title off his shoulders Ronaldo is playing like there’s no pressure at all and nearly single handedly delivering his country a 3-3 draw which Spain one of the favorites in the World Cup opener back on June 15th. That said however at the time of writing Portugal sit with the same four points as in Brazil and a slip up against Iran on Monday would lead to the same fate for the current European Champions and another group stage exit. Will someone else step up? Will Ronaldo take over again and carry Portugal to the last sixteen? Or will Iran come through with the upset and put themselves in the knock out stage for the first time ever? By the time you read this you will probably already know.
As for the Albiceleste, they were frustrated by everyone’s darling Cinderella pick Iceland. With none other than Lionel himself missing a penalty that would have likely brought the three points to Jorge Sampioli’s side. In the second match they were played off the pitch by a Croatian side that I claim is the most impressive team thus far in the competition. Sampioli, again coming under fire for an absolutely naïve approach to that match. His decision to go with three in the back against the firepower that the Croatian possess in their attacking third was foolish and incredibly near sighted as Rakitic, Modric and Manzukic combined with Rebic and Perisic had a numbers had their way with a less than par Argentine backline. Willy Cabellero’s blunder had Argentine fans sick to their stomachs but nobody gave any credit to Ante Rebic who’s finish was absolutely sublime given the degree of difficulty of hitting that ball out of the air with the perfect amount of touch to push it over the back peddling Cabellero and under the bar. Not all is lost for Argentina however as a Nigeria win over Iceland means that Messi and co. only need to beat the Super Eagles to book their spot in the last sixteen (provided of course that Iceland doesn’t have one more fairytale left in them against the all qualified Croatian side.)
Off-the-field another storyline has brewed hear in America. Anyone who follows my social media has seen how critical I have been of FOX and their approach to covering and presenting the World Cup. I wish that I had been wrong however a 44% drop in viewers shows that America’s soccer enthusiasts in large numbers are unhappy with the network’s presentation. Yes the United States not being there takes the viewership down especially when game times are quite early in the work day and on the west coast it’s almost all being aired in the morning hours. That being said FOX has doubled down on presenting the product with its focus on the casual fan, dummying down their broadcasts, providing really no analysis of substance and topping it off with an embarrassingly bad night cap show title World Cup tonight. Just minutes into the broadcast the other night I had to shut it off when I’m looking for serious analysis and tactical breakdown of the day’s matches and instead we get Fernando Fiore and Guus Hiddink singing “Don’t Cry for me Argentina”. Program deleted, never to be recorded again.
Lastly, there’s the story of El Tri. Mexico arrived in Russia amid a tidal wave of controversy and ridicule due to the accused shenanigans of its players back in a Los Angeles hotel and a bad showing in the final tune up match with Denmark. However Juan Carlos Osorio’s men grew stronger and tighter and came out in their opener and beat the World Champions Germany 1-0. Followed it up with a 2-1 win over Korea Republic and naturally we say Mexico can pack their bags for the knock out stage right? Not so fast, late that night Germany showed why they are champions coming back from down 1-0 with ten men to take all three points from Sweden in stoppage time. Assuming Die Mannshaft take care of Korea as they should, Mexico will need at least a point against a tough Swedish side that was seconds away from essentially booking their place in the last sixteen.
Football is a cruel game sometimes and no doubt over the next week hearts will be broken. Portugal, Argentina, Mexico, Colombia and even Brazil could find themselves going home if they slip up this week. So take your pick whether you prefer this movie in English or Spanish, sit back and see which countries will be dancing in Moscow and which superstars will be crying their eyes out after they are sent home early. Only sixteen can advance and only a few have booked their spot heading into the last match. This book is still only beginning, enjoy the show.
