The knockout stage of the World Cup is gaining more and more momentum, and with it, the number of topics that leave no one indifferent is increasing. As every week, legendary football commentator Nerijus Kesminas, former football player Ervinas Kvitkauskas, and public figure Paulius Vaitiekūnas sat down to discuss them in detail.
The podcast discussed Argentina's dramatic rescue, the U.S. national team's history with Folarin Balogun, Brazil's changing face, the clashes between France and Paraguay, Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo's farewell to the championship, and England's victory while playing with fewer players. They also looked ahead to the quarterfinals.
First, attention turned to the match between Argentina and Egypt. The world champions faced serious problems – until the 79th minute, they were trailing 0:2, but managed to fight back, win 3:2, and advance to the quarterfinals.
The match began with yet another missed penalty by Lionel Messi. This was already the second penalty missed by the Argentinian in this championship, so the question arose immediately in the show – should the world champions change their penalty taker?
"It's interesting because he has scored many throughout his career, but that percentage isn't very high – 77 percent. This is the second one missed in this championship. Both to the same spot, and both uncertain," Kvitkauskas said.
Kesminas evaluated the shot even more critically.
"The easiest shot a goalkeeper can have," the commentator said.
However, Messi's mistake ultimately did not become fatal. A much bigger question is how Egypt, having a two-goal advantage, managed to let it slip away.
"I would link it to a lack of experience under the highest level of tension," he stated. "You concede one – you get scared, then you concede a second – you get even more scared and let a third one in. That's it."
In the second half, in the 58th minute, the Egyptians had their second goal canceled after a VAR review. However, in Nerijus's opinion, this would not have fundamentally changed the logic of the match.
"I think it changes nothing. If they had scored the second goal earlier – they would have quickly conceded three back," the commentator ironized.
Although Argentina was saved, Kesminas insisted that he was not impressed by the world champions' miracle or, moreover, by their performance.
According to him, the world champions still had not faced a team that would truly test their strengths.
"They have not, and still do not, face a truly serious team," Kesminas said. "Egypt is not a team you should evaluate as a super opponent. Switzerland in the quarterfinals, I believe, will be the first serious test. A team that plays cultured, qualified football. If you look at their lineup – two players play at home, and all the others in five of the strongest leagues."
The commentator emphasized that against the Swiss, the Argentinians could no longer afford the start they had against Egypt.
"This will be a serious test, and if you go into the first half against the Swiss with a score of 0:2, such bajeriai as against Egypt won't pass," Nerijus said.
Another hot topic was Folarin Balogun's red card story. The U.S. national team's forward had his suspension lifted and was allowed to play in the quarterfinals, but this did not save the Americans – Belgium crushed them 4:1.
"A controversial situation. Perhaps not even controversial, but simply absurd," Vaitiekūnas assessed. "The maestro (Donald Trump) said he called Gianni Infantino. And in the end, that red card was overturned, and Balogun was allowed to play. What I really enjoy is that those Americans were just smashed together."
Kesminas pondered that such a decision might not have helped the U.S. team and might have actually harmed them.
"I think this decision buried the U.S. If otherwise, the Belgians would have chosen a normal tactic, a normal strategy. Now everything started from the first minute – angry people stepped onto the field with the mentality: 'If you do this to us, then come here now,'" the commentator stated.
He also recalled the broader context and emphasized that in such situations, the responsibility could also have been taken by coach Mauricio Pochettino.
"Another thing – Infantino said that if Trump throws Iran out of the championship, then FIFA will take Italy. Then the Italians themselves said: 'Don't belittle us. We will not agree to that rubbish.' I think Mauricio Pochettino should have just not allowed Balogun to play. The coach has that right. If not the coach, then I would act the same way in Balogun's place," Kesminas said.
The clash between Brazil and Norway also became another topic of discussion. The South American team fell 0:2 to the Norwegians and extended their dark streak against European teams – since 2006, Brazil has not won a knockout match against teams from the Old Continent.
This time, Carlo Ancelotti’s men were sunk by Erling Haaland, who demonstrated impressive form with two goals.
"I agree with the opinion when people say that Brazilians are no longer Brazilians," Kesminas said. "This country used to have a distinct football culture. Now there is no fantasy, creativity – just a robotic team. A completely predictable team. The Norwegians showed more imagination."
Kvitkauskas agreed that the Brazilian team has lost what had long been considered its distinguishing feature.
"In the first half, the Brazilians might have looked better, but we are saying the same thing – the Brazilians are not Brazilian anymore. In the end, playing against the Norwegians, they controlled the ball only 38 percent of the time..." former footballer marveled.
Discussing Norway’s victory, attention inevitably shifted to Haaland. Vaitiekūnas noted that before his goals, the forward looked quite passive, but Kesminas reminded that this is exactly how the Norwegian plays.
"He always looks like that. During matches, he touches the ball five times and scores two goals, so what difference does it make how much he touches that ball?" the commentator said.
Haaland scored the first goal by winning an aerial duel against Gabriel, and the second with a strong and precise shot from outside the penalty area.
"Gabriel looks like one of the best defenders in the world, but then there comes a train, a wardrobe. Pukšt and that’s it. I don't even know what to compare it to," Kvitkauskas expressed vividly.
Meanwhile, the second goal greatly surprised Nerijus.
"Absolutely not a Haaland goal. I wouldn’t have thought he could score like that," he remarked in astonishment.
No less emotion was stirred by the match between France and Paraguay, which saw plenty of tough play, conflicts, and provocations.
The match ended with a score of 1:0 in favor of the French, with Kylian Mbappe's penalty determining the victory.
"I really liked how France and Paraguay dubasinosi," Vaitiekūnas marveled. "And I loved Zlatan Ibrahimović's comment, he said he would have received four red cards in this match."
Kvitkauskas reacted to this idea with a smile but doubted whether the Paraguayans would have acted the same way against the Swedish legend.
"Do you think the Paraguayans would have been so ferocious against Ibrahimović? I highly doubt it. They would have run from two meters away. Against Mbappe and Olise, they are mandruoliai," he said.
Evaluating Paraguay's behavior on the field, Kvitkauskas acknowledged that the sight was not pretty, but he put the greatest responsibility on the referee.
"Well, it looked unpleasant, but on the other hand – what could they do? The fact is they played for a scoreless draw. But here I blame the referee the most – you cannot not show a single card to such a team. Just show one or two cards, and maybe they'll calm down a bit," explained the former footballer.
Portugal's loss to Spain also prompted discussions not only about one game but also about the entire Cristiano Ronaldo era in the national team.
Kesminas first looked at the structure of the Portuguese game. The midfield, according to him, remains impressive, but the problem is up front.
"If we look at the Portuguese midfield trio, it is probably the best in the world. But when in Paris they have Kvaratskhelia, Doué, and Dembélé, it's a pleasure to play – Kesminas spoke. – Here they have no one to give the ball to. Yes, Ronaldo isn't running, isn't playing, but there are no options..."
Gonçalo Ramos is not the guy who... Well, he's not Haaland and not Harry Kane. Let's put it this way.
Ervinas compared Portugal's problems to the Brazilian team.
"If we say that the Brazilians have lost their vision, we also used to call the Portuguese the European Brazilians. But now I don't see anything like that in them either. I see no impetus, no desire to play sharply," he asserted.
Speaking about the end of Ronaldo's era in World Cups, Kvitkauskas did not hide his regret. In his opinion, Portugal could have achieved much more in the past cycles.
"It's a pity, but I still look four years back. The Portuguese could have achieved more then – they showed better football, Ronaldo was even better, the same Gonçalo Ramos played more solidly – Ervinas laid out. – They really looked like a team that could do something. They failed against Morocco. It’s really a shame. Ronaldo, it seems, could have achieved more in the championships."
"But you look at Argentina and see that everyone is ready to give their head for Messi," Kvitkauskas continued. "Were the Portuguese ready to give their head for Ronaldo? I don't think so. I think it shows a lack of respect from the Portuguese side to waste opportunities with such a legend."
"I don't agree that they played 10 against 11. We saw that if you pass the ball to Ronaldo in the penalty area, he will still solve situations."
The England national team continues its campaign as they defeated Mexico 3:2 and ended the hosts' journey. From the 54th minute, at a score of 2:1, the English played with fewer players.
"I saw the highlights that the English held off Mexico's pressure with fewer players. But was there any pressure there?" Vaitiekūnas asked.
"That just means they held up," Kesminas defended. "It wasn't that the Mexicans didn't want to; the English didn't let them. I really liked how England played with 10 against 11."
Kvitkauskas also praised England's decisions, highlighting head coach Thomas Tuchel's mindset.
"I agree with Nerijus; Dan Burn's entry onto the field was very good when it became clear that Mexico would be sending more high balls. I think the key episode in the match was when the Mexicans made such a silly penalty. That's where the match was lost," Kvitkauskas summarized.
France – Morocco:
The French are considered almost the biggest favorites of this championship. Although Nerijus does not rule out the possibility of a stubborn fight, everyone unanimously sees Didier Deschamps’ troops triumphing.
"If Morocco has a good day, it might be interesting, but the French are just too good," Kesminas said.
Nerijus Kesminas: 2:1 France
Ervinas Kvitkauskas: 3:1 France
Paulius Vaitiekūnas: 2:0 France
Spain – Belgium:
The impressive Belgian national team, which saved itself against Senegal, undoubtedly enters this match without much tension. The quarterfinals are already a solid result for them, while the Spaniards will feel pressure.
"They have already done their part; they are already pofik," Kvitkauskas said about the Belgians.
"Absolutely a black horse that appeared out of nowhere in 10 minutes," Vaitiekūnas added.
Nerijus Kesminas: 2:0 Spain
Ervinas Kvitkauskas: 2:0 Spain
Paulius Vaitiekūnas: 2:1 Belgium
England – Norway:
This clash was highlighted by the trio of men as a quarterfinal dessert.
"The Norwegians have good players and in the flanks; I really liked that they made changes during the break against the Brazilians. I really like them; they look good. I will definitely support them," Kvitkauskas said.
Nerijus Kesminas: 2:1 England
Ervinas Kvitkauskas: 2:2 – Norway advances on penalties
Paulius Vaitiekūnas: 3:1 Norway
Argentina – Switzerland:
As previously mentioned, Kesminas repeated once more. If the Argentinians do not come to the quarterfinals in their best form, they could be severely burned.
"The Swiss are that team against which you cannot afford any bajeriai like with Green Kyšuli or with Egypt. If you concede a couple of goals – write letters, because there is a 90 percent chance you won't equalize," the commentator stated. "They will just play calmly; their defense is solid.
Here you will need to play – try to score first, and if you concede first – you may face big problems."
Nerijus Kesminas: 1:1 – Argentina advances on penalties
Ervinas Kvitkauskas: 1:1 – Switzerland advances on penalties
Paulius Vaitiekūnas: 2:1 Switzerland
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