These late nights are really starting to take their toll, I have to say. I'm grateful for the spectacles two out of three games (so far) provided me with by going into extra time, but I'm more grateful to Colombia for their end-it-in-90-minutes attitude. Falling asleep at 4 a.m. isn't much fun.
On the bright side, I'm on holiday, thus sleeping in is no problem. And yesterday's games were worth watching.
In France vs Nigeria, Koscielny and Giroud both started, though the latter was replaced on the hour. Much like everyone else, Olivier failed to break through an organised Nigeria defence and had to give way to Griezmann. The game immediately started to look livelier and the French finally made their effort pay, with Pogba opening the scoring in the 79th minute and Yobo putting the ball into his own net minutes from time. 2-0.
The result was, to my mind, a fair one. Though Nigeria looked more interesting in the first half, scoring (from an offside position) and testing Lloris at least one more time, Deschamps' side stepped it up around the hour mark. Only a combination of luck (Valbuena hitting the bar) and Enyama's agility prevented France from going in front earlier.
The other game was Germany vs Algeria and I decided to watch it out of hope of seeing Algeria spanked. They didn't, as far as I'm concerned, drew Russia fairly (remember those laser antics?) and I was preparing to gloat after the Germans were through with them.
What I saw on the pitch made my jaw drop off. Algeria looked much the better side in the first half, each of their counters ending in something dangerous. They have even scored (from offside) and Neuer had to make at least one charge out of his box to clean up. Germany, meanwhile, were off the pace, Ozil and Kross the only players with some decent ideas and end product.
Shurrle subbed Goetze at half-time and Germany started picking up the pace, and pepper Rais with shots in the process. Algeria continued to look dangerous on the counter and Neuer again had to sweep up. However, despite Ozil's, Muller's and Sweinsteiger's best efforts, the game went into extra time. And Germany has immediately scored.
Muller darted down the left flank, measured a perfect pass through at least three defenders and Shurrle's sublime finish with his heel was what finally broke the deadlock.
Germany continued dominating the game, but Algeria could have equalised at least twice, first from a corner, then from a free-kick. They didn't and paid for it in the 118th minute.
Lowe's side exploded on the counter, Muller passed to Shurrle, Andre found Ozil in front of goal, but then received a return pass. Shurrle's shot was blocked by a defender with Rais stranded, but Ozil was on hand to smash the rebound high into the roof of the net. Lowe was finally able to breathe.
However, Algeria's response was as quick as it was unexpected. I didn't even have the chance to find a suitable picture of Ozil to post on my wall, cause as soon as my eyes darted to my phone, the ball was in the back of the net. Replays informed me of how exactly the goal happened.
Unfortunately for Algeria, this goal came too late. There just wasn't time enough to score another and so it ended 2-1. Rais was later named man of the match by FIFA.
This means France will play Germany in the quarter-final, with up to five Arsenal players involved (I'm counting Sagna out, since it's July 1st). What an opportunity to streamline our squad all at once, by injuring five (key five) our players. I guess Wenger is going to have nightmares until this game is over.
Couple of words on Ozil, by the way. He was criticised by all and sundry for his weak World Cup performances, but, frankly, I don't care how he plays for the Bundesteam as long as he's fit and performs well for Arsenal. However, Ozil yesterday's showing was very good indeed. He really made things happen and scored a goal he thoroughly deserved. My only complaint (and I do realise I may be seeing a problem where there is none) is Ozil's selflessness. At one point he passed the ball despite clearly being in a better position, in another he tried to create a perfect opportunity by rounding off the defender before taking a shot and even in the episode with the goal he opted to pass to Schurrle, though he could have just hit the ball and see what would happen.
Of course, it may have been that selflessness (among other things) that influenced Wenger's decision to sign the guy. Arsene really looks at football as a team game, thus he'd rather have an individual, who'd try to pass the ball to a guy in a better position, then take the shot himself. I remember when Arsene was asked what is, in his opinion, the best way to celebrate a goal he answered: "With the teammates". That's Wenger's philosophy for you in a nutshell.
Finally for today, Debuchy may be our target this summer. Rumour has it, Wenger wants 28-year-old to replace Sagna and I see no problem with it. I quite liked what I saw from Debuchy over France's last games and, as for Aurier (in whom we may have no genuine interest, let me remind you), he's a bit of a gamble. He's 21, attacks a lot more keenly than he defends and may be a risk overall. Debuchy looks a better option to me, especially since he has experience playing in the Premier League.
That's it for today, back tomorrow.
Until then
On the bright side, I'm on holiday, thus sleeping in is no problem. And yesterday's games were worth watching.
In France vs Nigeria, Koscielny and Giroud both started, though the latter was replaced on the hour. Much like everyone else, Olivier failed to break through an organised Nigeria defence and had to give way to Griezmann. The game immediately started to look livelier and the French finally made their effort pay, with Pogba opening the scoring in the 79th minute and Yobo putting the ball into his own net minutes from time. 2-0.
The result was, to my mind, a fair one. Though Nigeria looked more interesting in the first half, scoring (from an offside position) and testing Lloris at least one more time, Deschamps' side stepped it up around the hour mark. Only a combination of luck (Valbuena hitting the bar) and Enyama's agility prevented France from going in front earlier.
The other game was Germany vs Algeria and I decided to watch it out of hope of seeing Algeria spanked. They didn't, as far as I'm concerned, drew Russia fairly (remember those laser antics?) and I was preparing to gloat after the Germans were through with them.
What I saw on the pitch made my jaw drop off. Algeria looked much the better side in the first half, each of their counters ending in something dangerous. They have even scored (from offside) and Neuer had to make at least one charge out of his box to clean up. Germany, meanwhile, were off the pace, Ozil and Kross the only players with some decent ideas and end product.
Shurrle subbed Goetze at half-time and Germany started picking up the pace, and pepper Rais with shots in the process. Algeria continued to look dangerous on the counter and Neuer again had to sweep up. However, despite Ozil's, Muller's and Sweinsteiger's best efforts, the game went into extra time. And Germany has immediately scored.
Muller darted down the left flank, measured a perfect pass through at least three defenders and Shurrle's sublime finish with his heel was what finally broke the deadlock.
Germany continued dominating the game, but Algeria could have equalised at least twice, first from a corner, then from a free-kick. They didn't and paid for it in the 118th minute.
Lowe's side exploded on the counter, Muller passed to Shurrle, Andre found Ozil in front of goal, but then received a return pass. Shurrle's shot was blocked by a defender with Rais stranded, but Ozil was on hand to smash the rebound high into the roof of the net. Lowe was finally able to breathe.
However, Algeria's response was as quick as it was unexpected. I didn't even have the chance to find a suitable picture of Ozil to post on my wall, cause as soon as my eyes darted to my phone, the ball was in the back of the net. Replays informed me of how exactly the goal happened.
Unfortunately for Algeria, this goal came too late. There just wasn't time enough to score another and so it ended 2-1. Rais was later named man of the match by FIFA.
This means France will play Germany in the quarter-final, with up to five Arsenal players involved (I'm counting Sagna out, since it's July 1st). What an opportunity to streamline our squad all at once, by injuring five (key five) our players. I guess Wenger is going to have nightmares until this game is over.
Couple of words on Ozil, by the way. He was criticised by all and sundry for his weak World Cup performances, but, frankly, I don't care how he plays for the Bundesteam as long as he's fit and performs well for Arsenal. However, Ozil yesterday's showing was very good indeed. He really made things happen and scored a goal he thoroughly deserved. My only complaint (and I do realise I may be seeing a problem where there is none) is Ozil's selflessness. At one point he passed the ball despite clearly being in a better position, in another he tried to create a perfect opportunity by rounding off the defender before taking a shot and even in the episode with the goal he opted to pass to Schurrle, though he could have just hit the ball and see what would happen.
Of course, it may have been that selflessness (among other things) that influenced Wenger's decision to sign the guy. Arsene really looks at football as a team game, thus he'd rather have an individual, who'd try to pass the ball to a guy in a better position, then take the shot himself. I remember when Arsene was asked what is, in his opinion, the best way to celebrate a goal he answered: "With the teammates". That's Wenger's philosophy for you in a nutshell.
Finally for today, Debuchy may be our target this summer. Rumour has it, Wenger wants 28-year-old to replace Sagna and I see no problem with it. I quite liked what I saw from Debuchy over France's last games and, as for Aurier (in whom we may have no genuine interest, let me remind you), he's a bit of a gamble. He's 21, attacks a lot more keenly than he defends and may be a risk overall. Debuchy looks a better option to me, especially since he has experience playing in the Premier League.
That's it for today, back tomorrow.
Until then