143 Revenge Legion

143 Revenge Legion

Belgium defeated Germany and entered the semi-finals first. Who was the happiest? It was not the Belgians, but the Spaniards. They were happy because finally this opportunity for revenge was once again in front of them.

Originally, football between the two countries could be said to have nothing to do with each other, but in the 2006 World Cup qualifiers, Belgium kicked Spain out of the World Cup very unkindly after they had already advanced ahead of schedule.

In the final of the 2008 European Cup, Spain had a chance for revenge, but it was a pity that they lost to Digan and Belgium again. Now this opportunity comes again. Face Belgium in the semi-finals.

In the quarter-finals of the World Cup between Spain and Paraguay, almost no one would think that Paraguay had a chance to pass this hurdle before the match, but the appearance of one person almost made the biggest upset in the World Cup in South Africa. In the 59 minutes of the second half, when the game Still in the stalemate, the referee awarded a penalty kick.

In the 59th minute of the game, Paraguay won a corner kick. At this time, Spanish defender Pique pulled Cardoso down in the penalty area, and the referee immediately awarded a penalty kick.

If Paraguay can make this penalty, then they can continue their best defensive tactics, and maybe they can really kick Spain out of the World Cup.

However, Cardoso's penalty kick was directly confiscated by Spanish goalkeeper Iker Casillas. For the Spanish hero Casillas, today's scene may remind him of the 2002 World Cup against Ireland.

Eight years ago in South Korea, against Ireland, Saint Cassie was completely possessed by Goyechea. In the 62nd minute, he saved Hart's penalty kick to the right. After entering the penalty shootout, Cassie He also scored two consecutive penalty kicks by Connery and Kilbani, and made three point kicks in a game, so that Casillas also had the name in the goalkeeper ceremony of the World Cup.

And today's game, although it can't be said to be the classic reappearance of eight years ago, but Casillas's steady and ruthless performance when he saved the penalty kick is so similar to that of eight years ago.

Cardoso has no problem with a straight run-up, but his attempt to push his feet sideways, no matter how concealed his movements are, and the slight shaking of his body, for Casillas, who has played 109 times for the national team and 385 times for La Liga. This is already the strongest signal. Before Cardoso touched the ball, Casillas made a pounce to the left. Holding the ball is not a matter of grasping.

In addition to blocking this penalty, Casillas' performance throughout the game was perfect. In a game that was almost dragged to a dead end, what is needed for a strong team is infinite patience. "It seems to be more important than any aggressive offensive tactics.

The role played by the captain, San Kasi, is not an agitator who shouts slogans, but a commander who stabilizes the morale of the army in the backcourt. He needs calmness and calmness more than anyone else. explosive power.

In addition to this penalty, before the end of the game, Casillas relied on a swift flying save, which disintegrated a near-lore shot by Santa Cruz.

Paraguay did not pose a real threat to the Spanish team a few times, but once the threat came, it was almost fatal. Spanish fans should be grateful for the existence of Casillas. He allowed the Spanish team to be upset in a game. Here, he had the last laugh, allowing the Spanish team to maintain a clean sheet. This is also the most reliable guarantee for the Spanish team to dare to launch an overall counterattack at the last moment.

This is Cassie's 109th appearance on behalf of the national team, and he continues to rank second in the history of the Spanish team, 18 games away from his predecessor Zubizarreta.

However, Subizarreta played for the country for 13 years and did not help the team win any honors. Instead, he was burdened by a mistake against Nigeria in the 1998 World Cup. Casillas, he only dared to leave the Spaniard. The dream of world championship, which has never been realized, is only the last two games.

In this game, it was Villa who scored the goal for the Spanish team, but the biggest hero is undoubtedly the captain Iker Casillas. He saved Paraguay's penalty when the game was 0:0 stalemate, and scored a goal. When leading 1:0, they saved Barrios and Santa Cruz's shots consecutively at the last moment, trying to keep the goal clean.

In an interview after the game, Casillas also said: "We played the best game, the game was very difficult, fortunately, we had a lucky goal, the semi-final against Belgium will not be Easy, they have a young team, they have passed through Mexico and Germany in a row, and they beat us to win the European championship two years ago, but everything before has become history. When we face Belgium, there will be no Psychological burden, I hope that in the semi-finals, the scene in the European Cup will not be repeated."

Casillas kept the team's goal and became a major contributor to the game. The same team coach Del Bosque also made great contributions. In the previous game against Portugal, Del Bosque used Llorente's high point to pry open. Portugal's "teeth", but today against Paraguay, Bosque did not sacrifice Llorente again, but changed another substitution strategy. Fabregas and Pedro took the lead. Bregas' Barcelona background, this is a purely Barcelona-style substitution, and Bosque's flexible approach is also the main factor for Spain's unhindered success since its first loss in the group stage.

Bosque knew very well in his heart that the best way for the Spanish national team to go through the World Cup is to use the Barcelona style as king.

The change of today's game, the focus is on Pedro. He replaced Xavi Alonso. There was enough Marchena in the middle. Bosque didn't want the Spanish team to be dragged to a penalty shootout by Paraguay, because at that link, the technical level of the team will not play a role at all.

Going to Pedro is a reappearance of Barcelona's local lineup last season. Pedro kicked his left foot on the right, Iniesta played the characteristic of small quickness on the left, and Harvey directed in the middle.

After Pedro came on the field, he felt very good on the right. Villa's goal came from Pedro's lightning-fast cut to the center post. Before the end of the game, Pedro made a cross from the right and almost helped Villa. Scored twice, must admit, this is a very beautiful substitution.

Pedro's appearance is also good news for Harvey and Iniesta. Pedro, who has grown at a rocket-like speed in the past two seasons, has become very accustomed to the fast pace of Harvey and Iniesta. The tacit cooperation of the local players can also be regarded as the leader in the offensive combination of local players. After he came on the field, the entire advancement speed seemed to be faster, and Iniesta suddenly became daring to break through from the original balance. and extraordinary.

Of course, the fans want to see this kind of Barcelona-style offense. Once they pass the midfield, the rhythm suddenly speeds up, and they move forward quickly with extremely precise passes. Although there is no Messi, this trinity combination is enough to find the Paraguayan defense. Notch punched in.

At the front, there is another Belgian who is rumored to be moving to Barcelona next season. His feeling is completely in line with the pace of Iniesta and Harvey. He eliminated his opponent with one goal in the two knockout games. Villa played against the Barcelona players. The comprehension of the method and the way of delivering the ball is amazing. The veteran of Valencia can feel so much like Barcelona. This is also an important guarantee for Bosque's offensive organization and tactics against Barcelona.

As for Cesc Fabregas, it is not easy to say anything in this game. His replacement of Torres is a very unique way of substitution. Del Bosque probably wants Fabregas to play the feeling of playing as an attacking midfielder at Arsenal.

But this errand is obviously not so easy to do. Fabregas' Barcelona status is quite far away from now, and he has no feeling at all.

Harvey does not use the Fabre level as the delivery station for the ball, but Xiaofa is very flexible. He knows that no matter how flexible the combination of Barcelona is, the final battle will be resolved in the middle. Understand and integrate into Barcelona's tactics.

Perhaps this game made Bosque figure out a reason. If he can't break the deadlock, or if he wants to reverse the situation, he must get rid of some non-Barcelona factors without hesitation, and concentrate on playing the team that Barcelona are very good at breaking secret defense. The passing and cutting penetration, and then think about Pique and Puyol behind, and the entire Spanish team, that is to have a stable backcourt, look at Barcelona, ​​and have to look at Barcelona if you want to attack sharply.

If the exact position of Cesc Fabregas can be resolved, I believe that this Spanish team, which is moving closer to Barcelona's style without hesitation, will only play better and better in the subsequent games.

After the game, Bosque also explained his substitution: "Today's game against Paraguay was the most difficult opponent we have encountered since the start of the game. We have never felt so difficult to control the ball like today. The substitution in the second half is for us. The players feel fresh, we have a problem with the ball, bringing in Cesc Fabregas will give us one more midfielder and make the ball run more smoothly, and putting Pedro on the field will increase the depth of the team's attack ."

The actual effect is very obvious, Bosque's two substitutions really played a magical role in finishing the finishing touch.

The Spaniards who won can continue to play the role of their revenge army and look forward to the semi-finals with Belgium. Paraguay, who lost the game, need not be depressed, because their performance is enough to be proud of.

Some fans may feel fortunate that the ugly Paraguayans finally ended their trip to South Africa, but compared to their South American brother Brazil who was eliminated before them, the Paraguayans can hold their heads high and bid farewell to South Africa with pride.

In the last 1/4 match of this World Cup, the Paraguayans completed a beautiful game. Facing the powerful European champion Spain, the weak Paraguay team used extremely targeted tactics to deal with the Spaniards.

Although they lost to Spain in the end, the Paraguay team has used their performance to prove to people that it is not luck that they entered the quarterfinals.

On the other hand, the Brazilian team, which was eliminated in the quarter-finals before this, only played a good half-time goal, and then used inexplicable performance, red cards and own goals. This way of losing and losing, was defeated by the Netherlands. reversal.

Compared with Brazil, Paraguay's performance is definitely eye-catching. The Paraguay's tactics are obviously effective in restraining Spain's performance, and even once reminded Spain of the nightmare of losing to the Swiss team in the first game. .

In fact, this 1:0 is not boring!

For neutral fans, watching the game naturally likes to score as many goals as possible, and 0:0 or even 1:0 games are often synonymous with dull or boring in people's impression.

However, in the match between Paraguay and Spain, although the result was only 1:0, it definitely has nothing to do with words like boring.

The tension and dramatic ups and downs of the game are enough to drive any fan into a frenzy and eclipse any Hollywood blockbuster.

After the game, coach Martino seemed calm with some turmoil. When answering reporters' questions, he said: "We played very hard in this game, but we were just unlucky. Today is destined not to be a good day for us. In the locker room I comforted my players, I thank them very much, I have nothing to say other than that, I am very proud of them."

Paraguay failed to make it to the semi-finals, but the quarter-finals was already the best record of this South American team in the World Cup. After the game, the President of Paraguay congratulated the national team. Medals are awarded to all members of the national team.

"The joy and dignity we get through the game can't be bought anywhere in the world. We all hoped that the team could win further, but in the end it failed to achieve the dream, and the players shed their last drop of sweat for victory in the World Cup , they are already champions in the hearts of the Paraguayan people."

Now that the four quarter-finals have come to an end, the semi-finals have been born. Three European teams plus one South American team. The segregation of football is about to change accordingly. Before that, South American football has always played the leading role. This time it may be the turn of the Europeans.

As for Asia and Africa, after the quarter-finals, the entire army was completely wiped out. After finishing the soy sauce, they all went home and slept.

The next two semi-finals will be the Netherlands against Argentina and Belgium against Spain.

The two games are constantly talked about, the Netherlands and Argentina have played against each other in the 1978 World Cup in Argentina, and the stories of Belgium and Spain are even more.