Source : the age
Very different vibes for these two sides.
Cape Verde, of course, produced the shock of the tournament by holding reigning European champions Spain to a goalless draw. Veteran goalkeeper Vozinha went viral. It very cool and heartwarming.
Uruguay, conversely, were held 1-1 by Saudi Arabia (who’ve just this morning been beaten 4-0 by Spain), dominating possession but failing to convert it into three points.
The question ahead of this match is whether Cape Verde can frustrate Uruguay in a similar fashion. It’s unlikely they’ll be able to match them in possession but if their opponents cannot make better use of all the ball they’ll quite possibly have, well … let’s just say it’s going to be fascinating.
Marcelo Bielsa has dropped Darwin Nunez from his starting XI, which is not really surprising, in favour of Agustin Canobbio.
Uruguay: Muslera; Sanabria, Olivera, Caceres, Varela; Bentancur, Ugarte, Araujo, Valverde, Canobbio; Vinas
Cape Verde: Vozinha; Lopes Cabral, Diney, Lopes, Moreira; Pina, Rodrigues, Monteiro, Mendes, Arcanjo; Tavares
Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium is filling up and kick-off is 20 minutes away.
It’s all done and it’s all square. The whistle blows to confirm the shutout that was Iran’s defensive performance. Goalkeeper Beiranvand was a standout. Belgium suffered a hefty setback with that second-half red card for Ngoy. But really, they didn’t do enough regardless.
That’s three Group G games played and three draws. To say the group is finely balanced would be an understatement. Belgium play New Zealand in their final match, while Iran will face Egypt.
But first, New Zealand and Egypt will meet later today, at 11am AEST.
Mechele finds himself in space near the penalty spot and tries a header but, as a defender challenges him, diverts it over the bar in a fashion that is the opposite of convincing. Lukaku stands in Belgium’s dugout, clutching at a piece of stadium behind him. A very large man in the crowd dressed in a Belgian-coloured one-piece swimsuit and Belgian-coloured plaited wig puts his face in his hands.
Lukebakio now fires wide of the upright.
Belgium 0-0 Iran, 90+5 minutes
He leaves the field and is replaced by Matias Fernandez-Pardo, who gets to work as Belgium push forward again and again in their own desperate attempts to force a result in their favour.
There will be five added minutes.
Belgium 0-0 Iran, 90 minutes
This game has been another exhibition in quality goalkeeping.
Belgium drive forward and De Bruyne, who looks like he’s just about had it, picks out Castagne out wide. He crosses and Tielemans stretches at it just enough to send it to De Cuyper, who has the space for a powerful shot. But Beiranvand gets low to stop it in its tracks.
Belgium 0-0 Iran, 86 minutes
They must be going for a winner, and it almost arrives in the 81st minute. De Bruyne coughs up possession in Belgium’s half and Ezatolahi winds up for a crack from distance. Courtois sort of fumbles the ball before properly holding onto it, but he needn’t worry as there are no other Iranians rushing in.
Belgium 0-0 Iran, 81 minutes
It’s hard to tell if Taremi would have actually scored when he was that distance from goal, but he might well have. And if Belgium want to take a silver lining from this, they might be a man down but at least they’re not a goal down.
What Iran decide to do with this opportunity is their choice. They can push for three points here, which would be more exciting for the viewer. Or they could hold on for a draw, which would also work in their favour.
Amid all of that drama, I haven’t even mentioned several substitutions.
For Iran, Mohebi and Hajisafi have called it a day and are replaced by Torabi and Mohammadi.
For Belgium, Saelemaekers, Meunier and Raskin have taken their leave and are replaced by Castagne, Vanaken and Lukebakio.
Now Lukaku comes off and Theate comes on, and Iran’s Ghoddos makes way for Moghanlou.
Belgium 0-0 Iran, 79 minutes
Ngoy makes his first mistake when he is dispossessed just inside his own half after a clumsy attempt at a backpass.
He makes his second mistake when, I assume in panic, he grabs at and brings down Taremi, who had grabbed the ball and is now denied a clear goal-scoring opportunity.
Ngoy is in shock. His hand is on his forehead, his eyeballs popping, as the referee goes to his pocket and pulls out a straight red. There was no indecision on that one. He ran straight over.
Belgium 0-0 Iran, 66 minutes
