Day 7 of FIFA Knockouts – Round of 16; Should Have, Could Have

One team said they were better, one team called another dirty. One player admitted to using tactics to get under players’ skin, and one said that some tactics were ugly. 

Canada vs Morocco

This was a game full of surprises. Canada played a really strong first half. They frustrated Morocco with physicality, with fouls, with a stronger offensive attack than Morocco had to offer. There were 6 yellow cards in the first half, including one against Moroccan captain, Achraf Hakimi. I’m a big fan of Hakimi and honestly, Canada put the Moroccan team to the test in the first half. After that, this game was all Morocco. Canada’s head coach Jesse Marsch said that the Canadian team was better despite the loss. I respectfully differ in that opinion, maybe they were the better team in the first half, but when it came to the whole game, Morocco was the better team.

They had class to set up opportunities and finish those opportunities with goals. That’s what sets good teams apart from great teams. Canada played well for long stretches. Morocco played better when it mattered. This team is young and has a great foundation. I’m excited to see where they come back to next World Cup, especially with a chip on their shoulder. Big compliment to Morocco’s Head Coach Mohamed Ouahbi for making a good halftime adjustment to get his team going. 

France vs Paraguay

Wow this game was ugly. If I’m Paraguay, I’m thinking we let this game get away from us. If I’m France I’m wiping my brow and saying thank goodness we got through that. I think Kylian Mbappé showed us why he’s one of, if not thee best player in the world right now. Paraguay tried to get under his skin and by not retaliating or showing any frustration, actually laughing at those tactics, he frustrated Paraguay. The truth about soccer, is that teams will try whatever tactics they can to win. You see it in every sport. Was it dirty to go after Mbappé over and over and over again? Maybe. Did Paraguay take some hard challenges? Yes. Did anyone get a red card? No. Should they have? Again, no.

While some consider it dirty… I considered it smart, honestly. Paraguay played physical and they held France to one goal. The Paraguay forwards were held to one shot and only 42 touches in the whole game. Didier Deschamps and Kylian Mbappé honestly just showed and proved to the world that nobody can take down France, no matter what your tactics are. This is my champion right now. They have speed, they have set pieces, they have the ability to draw fouls anywhere at anytime. Their defense is fantastic. I’d be nervous to face this team after they were put to “war” against Paraguay. 

Every World Cup produces debates over what should have happened and what could have happened. Canada believes it deserved more. Paraguay believes it could have frustrated France just a little longer. But once the final whistle blows, only one thing matters; who’s still playing. Morocco and France are, and that’s a quarterfinal I can’t wait to watch. But until then… cheers!