Quarter-final penalty madness!

Writer and editor- Naren

Wow!! what a couple of games we have witnessed! Brazil and Netherlands have crashed out on penalties while the winners- Croatia and Argentina took great penalties which saw them make it to the semi-finals. First, let's talk about the first game, Brazil-Croatia. Brazil, after taking a 108' lead through Neymar didn't matter as Croatia equalized in the 117th minute. Now to be honest Brazil took some horrible penalties. Croatia, on the other hand, had no pressure now, just like how they did to have any pressure in the 2018 WC, which saw the finish as runners-up. I feel sorry for Brazil because I termed the as favourites in the previous blog and I expected them to trash Croatia. But instead, here we are, with an Argentina-Croatia semifinal.

So, there is this burn in a question inside me- Can Morocco make it to the semis? I really think so. The way they have been playing and have already defeated teams like Sapin and Belgium they could be serious contenders. Coming back to the couple of matches, we now move onto the next match which was Argentina vs Netherlands. This was a match that saw a record-breaking 17 yellow cards and the highlight of the game was the free kick from Cody Gakpo which came in like the last 20 seconds of the game!!

I was genuinely nervous even though both the teams are not the teams I support. It was just absolutely magical. I think that's how you put it. But what was even more heartbreaking for me was the moment Lautaro Martinez scored his penalty to knock the Dutch out and the reaction on their faces. Just imagine, a team, 2-0 down in the 83rd-minute score two goals before full time, take the game to extra time and eventually penalties, loses. It was just absolutely nail biting.

so, tomorrow it is Portugal vs Morocco where I think Morocco is going to win because as I said they have been in sublime form and they shouldn't ave any problem whatsoever doing through. France vs England is the second match where I think France might win maybe because of their beautiful style of football where they maintain possession and transition into the attacking third beautifully. So, let's see who wins and who is going home tomorrow!!

That was it for today's blog, see you next time!!