top of page

Supp. Five 'Giant Slaying'

  • Jun 18, 2018
  • 3 min read

The last 12 hours have seen two of the pre-tournament favourites take the field as the millions of infectious Brazilian fans finally got to witness Tite’s side as they took on the Swiss at the Rostov Arena, with the current World Champions Germany also taking up arms against an exciting Mexican side in Moscow.

Brazil, a side who promised to deliver after sweeping aside every challenger in their qualifying campaign named an 11 consistent with what they had fielded in qualification. Philippe Coutinho started on the left of a midfield three to accommodate the position of Chelsea’s Willian in the front line and the returning Neymar on the left. The decision to include Coutinho quickly paid dividends when he dispatched a driven effort into the top corner just 20 minutes in after the side had created multiple chances; most notably, through Paulinho after he failed to turn the ball in at close quarters five yards out.

Manager Tite had warned that Neymar was merely warming up in the group stages and that was evident; the 230 million pound man struggled to impact the game aside from his characteristic touches and sparks of trickery in the incredibly free role afforded to him in this system. Coutinho also roamed free with the security of Casemiro sitting behind him in a first half dominated by the five time winners.

The second half started in a starkly different manner when 50 minutes in Steven Zuber leaped, unmarked, and turned in a powerful header from a great Shaqiri cross. Miranda should have tracked him but got stuck under the ball and the Brazilian’s surrendered the initiative carelessly. Keeper Alisson had no chance and they suffered for the subsequent 15 minutes where the stature of the event halted their performance - in the end, they dispatched 21 shots to the Swiss’ six attempts. The Brazilians deserved to take all three points on the balanced of play and despite finishing strongly appeared erratic and unorganised. Similarly to Frances Didier Deschamps, manager Tite will face massive questions from the passionate Brazilian support base - they must improve markedly.

World Champions Germany opened their campaign against Mexico at the Luzhniki Stadium, a ground which has already witnessed some fantastic clashes thus far. Structural disorganisation and pulsating counter attacking play from the Mexicans characterised a memorable encounter for the nation. PSV Eindhoven prodigy Hirving Lozano’s 35th minute finish beyond Manuel Neuer proved to be the only decisive moment in the game as the Central American held out with a one goal lead. Trident Carlos Vela, Javier Hernandez and Lozano were lively and the lethargic German midfield of Khedira and Kroos struggled to contain them. Fullback Plattenhardt struggled to replace Jonas Hector and the back four looked unsettled throughout. Despite the German influence on the game increasing in the second half as they consolidated possession, nothing came of their ball retention and the Mexican’s secured a massive victory which will surely see them gather enough momentum to continue into the round of 16.

Elsewhere, former Manchester City left back Aleksandar Kolarov secured a huge win for Serbia over the 2014 World Cup surprise package Costa Rica. A clinical free kick was enough and the Serbian’s led by Kolarov will look to progress with a vast expanse of talent including Nemanja Matic, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, and Aleksandar Mitrovic at the forefront. They sit atop of Group E in front of Brazil and Switzerland who shared the spoils.

 
 
 

Comments

bottom of page