day fourteen
Saturday, December 03, 2022
Netherlands-USA. The second Dutch goal in first-half extra time was the crusher, but the Americans had looked pretty bad throughout the half. The U.S. looked better in the second half, and when Haji Wright scored, it seemed anything might happen. Dumfries' goal five minutes later took away any suspense. The U.S. didn't embarrass themselves ... they were beat by a better team. And least Gio Reyna got some playing time. And, as many pointed out, this is a team with a future. In 2026, Pulisic, Adams, and McKennie will be 27 years old ... and they are the old guys!
Argentina-Australia. Argentina was coasting, Messi had scored, and then, in the 77th minute, Australia got on the board via an own goal that made it 2-1. The match was hot and heavy after that, and Australia never gave up, but honestly, both teams looked tired by then. Great ending, great Messi, I'll take it.
A continuation of a theme: players I mentioned at the beginning of the competition ... did I know what I was talking about?
USA: Yunus Musah, 20 years old, great promise for the future, had excellent match vs. Iran but fell off significantly against the Netherlands, likely because he was exhausted. Fellow 20-year-old Gio Reyna only got 52 minutes over two games, and it's hard to know why. If we are giving grades, he gets an imcomplete.
Australia: Garang Kuol. Another youth story. Kuol is only 18. He got 35 minutes during the tournament. Remember his name.
Tomorrow:
France-Poland, England-Senegal. France and England are favored. I'll miss the Senegalese fans when they are gone ... nothing against England, but I wouldn't mind seeing Senegal get the upset. No surprise that Kylian Mbappé has been France's best (3 goals and an assist), but Antoine Griezmann has been almost as good. Poland has only scored two goals so far ... they will rely on goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny. England has several players doing well so far ... Harry Kane is goalless, but he has 3 assists, and Marcus Rashford has 3 goals in only 107 minutes. Ismaïla Sarr and Kalidou Koulibaly have been among Senegal's best.