Here we are once again, ready to chat about football and World Cup. The Group Stage ended two days ago, featuring among other things the shocking elimination of Germany, much disappointment on the part of Poland – an eternally unaccomplished underdog – and the win by the Red Devils of Belgium over the most ancient (together with Scotland) national side in the world: Top scorer Harry Kane’s England.
The first half of Russia 2018 concluded after 48 games, promoting the top 16 among them, which will battle for the title in the remaining 16 matches. Effective today, there is only one law in force, the cruelest one: In-or-out. The true battle is just about to start!
The knock-out stage bracket features two separate parts. The top one is a mix of dreams, amazing football skills, and teams-not-to-be-underestimated. A place frequented by people the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Antoine Griezmann, Edinson Cavani, Eden Hazard and Neymar. Mamma mia!
The lower part of the bracket is a little bit softer, so to speak. Spain bring class and experience to the table, but Croatia are sparkling like the last model of a Mercedes. Not to mention the host country Russia and their young tsar Aleksandr Golovin – the epicenter of these days’ transfer market rumors – or England, the only selection where all players come from the domestic league.
But before getting into football hangover mode again, let’s take a short break. On us, of course. The Cult of Calcio offers you a new Top 11 of players that left their mark during the second and third round games of the Group Stage. Players who most likely will be the object of many of your Youtube search queries in the coming weeks…
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We start from the goalkeeper, as usual. Our votes goes to somebody who, due to his age, wrote a page in the history not only of Russia 2018, but of the entire tournament. Egypt’s Essam El Hadary, the captain of Al-Taawoun, became at 45 (!) the oldest player to have ever participated to a World Cup game – and he decided to celebrate such an achievement by saving a penalty during the match with Saudi Arabia. Longevity and emotions! A dream is a wish!
In defense, Kalidou Koulibaly loses his place. During the decisive match against Colombia, The Senegalese center back based in Napoli didn’t show that typical Neapolitan cazzimma (roughly translated as “smart determination”) that made had his price skyrocket to 60 million euro. It makes total sense then that is place is taken by a Colombian: Yerry Mina, class 1984, the future pillar of Barcelona’s defense according to many commentators. Mina came out with an amazing defendsive performance, cancelling Senegal’s M’Baye Niang, and sent his side ahead with a perfectly-timed header. A natural-born jumper, and a champion in the making!
Another new entry in our lineup versus last week forces us to switch to a four-man defense. Diego Godin from Uruguay earns his place as a center back together with Mina, and his confirmed teammate at Atletico Madrid Jose Gimenez. Between the two of them, Godin and Gimenez collected 450 minutes of play for Uruguay, one goal, one assist and the best defense in the World Cup so far – with no goals conceded yet. Shall we add that they also just won the Europa League with their club? Atletico’s coach Diego Simeone is a lucky man!
If Gimenez can adapt himself to play as a right back on the notes of La Cumparsita, the left side of our pitch dances to Libertango. Not the one by Astor Piazzolla, rather that by Marcos Rojo. An experienced defender playing for Manchester United, in Russia he already collected two caps, one assist and a beatiful volley for the goal that beat Nigeria and delivered us a phenomenal Round of 16 game between Argentina and France. Thank you Marcos, we just can’t wait!
In midfield, we cannot but confirm the presence of Luka Modric with his elegance, class and skills – all clearly displayed in the three games he played so far. A player whom any coach would like to have in his team, and the Captain of a Croatian selection among the most talented ever. Modric rules the game, makes us fall in love, and rip our hair out, wishing to be able to play the football piano like he does. He scored a goal to Argentina, and then run faster than Usain Bolt to celebrate him. Such a joy to see him play!
Left to Modric, we must ask Chelsea’s star Eden Hazard to play in a role not properly natural to him. Born in La Louvière, two goals scored so far, plus much organization and the quality we need to enhance the technical skills of our Top 11.
On the opposite side of the pitch, we place Brazil’s Philippe Coutinho. Just like Hazard, he scored two goals, plus one assist. But the second one of his points had the merit of taking the Selecao out of a tricky situation, breaking the balance with a tenacious Costa Rica in the 91st minute and put his side closer to their knock-out stage qualifications. Neymar and his teammates are safe for now, but next Monday Mexico and tacos are waiting for them!
With such an offensive lineup already, why don’t we just take things to the extreme and go for a wild 4-3-3? So be it, then. Our first striker is somebody whom in his native Korea was already considered an idol. He plays in the Premier League for Tottenham, and is exactly the kind of player who diligently does what you ask him to He didn’t manage to bring his side past the Group Stage, but his goal scored in the 96th minute certified the elimination of Germany, and an historical achievement for his side. Mesut Ozil, Toni Kroos, and Joachim Low came back home with their heads held down. Son Heung-Min did it as a hero. And now Germany, too, have their “Korea!”
Our central forward is an Englishman we couldn’t fail to include. One easy to score, who knows how to use his (many) centimeters of height. One whom, when he plays in your team at an after work game, you just past the ball to, as he’ll know what to do. A 150-million-euro assurance capable of scoring five goals, even when he doesn’t want to. Harry Kane is his name, goleador a possible nick for him. Yes, England, now you can dream!
To end our dream lineup, here’s another confirmation. No doubts again about who should be the key striker in our team. As a form of respect towards the most beautiful game in the world, we are not going to add anything else. Cristiano Ronaldo is our captain, and the true essence of football as of today. Leo Messi, are you there???
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Translated by Matteo Carnevale