In one of the sloppiest games of the World Cup thus far, Belgian narrowly squeaked by a very good Russian side. The Russians were by far the better side on the day, but they missed numerous opportunities to gain the three points. It was 19-year old substitute Divock Origi who scored the winner for Belgium, who now have booked themselves a spot in the Round of 16.
The world famous Maracana in Rio de Janeiro was filled to capacity to see Russia take on Belgium. It was a must win for Fabio Capello and the Russians if they wanted to have any shot of advancing to the knockout rounds, while Marc Wilmots’ Belgium were looking to lock up an early ticket into the Round of 16.
Through the opening few minutes Belgium easily controlled the pace of the game as they held the majority of possession. The Russians appeared content with letting the Belgians hold the ball in their own area as they seemed prone to look for opportunities in which to counter in.
Belgian keeper Thibaut Courtois was forced into making a good save on 12’ as the first real chance of the match fell to Russia’s Victor Fayzulin. The Russians were coming more and more into this game at this point as they began to pressure higher up on the field, holding the ball well when they gained possession.
It made for a rather open match from about the 15’ as both teams were looking to gain the early upper hand. Dries Mertens looked most likely to give Belgium that upper hand, as he was by far the best player on the pitch through twenty-five minutes, using his speed and quickness to cause the Russian backline a few early problems.
Courtois was again called into action on 30’ as he was forced into a good save from about 20-yards out off the boot of Alexey Kozlov. A minute later Thomas Vermaelan was forced off, as he was not able to shake off a lingering knee injury that he has been battling for quite some time.
Russia should have gone into the half 1-0 as Russia’s Aleksander Kokorin had a wide open header from about 8-yards out, only to hit the ball wide of Courtois’ goal. It was by far the best chance either team had throughout the first forty-five, one that Kokorin will surely want to have back.
As the first half came to a close it has to be said that Russia looked the more threatening side. Belgian wonder boys Romelu Lukaku and Eden Hazard were absent for most of the half and outside of Mertens, Belgian looked unthreatening in the final third.
Neither side came out of the dressing rooms with any changes, as the Russians started off right where they left off, looking the better side in the opening ten minutes. It didn’t take long for Wilmots to make the first change for Belgium though as Divock Origi was put on in place of a less than thrilled Romelu Lukaku, who was seen having some words with his trainer as he walked to the bench. You can’t fault Wilmots for making the change, as Lukaku made almost no impact on the game in the almost sixty minutes that he played.
Through seventy minutes, the Russians continued to look the stronger side even though neither team could muster up any real clear-cut chances. The Belgians looked sloppy whenever they tried pushing the ball forward, losing the ball a number of times to the dismay of their fans; whose mounting frustration was beginning to be heard.
It was the substitute Andrey Eshchenko who nearly gave the Russians the goal that they were seeking as he had a clear shot on goal to from about 13-yards out, only to pull his shot just wide of the Belgian goal. It was the first real chance for either team, in a half that was as sloppy as any in the World Cup thus far.
The Russians got a real scare on 84’ as Kevin Mirallas’ free-kick from 23-yards out beat keeper Igor Akinfeev’s outstretched hand, only the bounce back off of the post. It was the spark that the Belgians were looking for as they finally began to show signs of life. And what do you know, the Belgians got the winner in the 88’ minute as nineteen year old substitute Divock Origi struck the ball into the top of the net from 9-yards out.
It has to be said that for eighty minutes, Russia was the better side on the day. It goes to show that in a tournament as big as the World Cup, you need to capitalize on the opportunities that are presented, and on the day, Russia was not able to do that.
With the win, Belgium secures their spot in the next round, while Russia will have their fate lie in the hands of Algeria vs. S. Korea. Russia should feel unlucky as they were the better team on the day, but not taking advantage of their chances proved costly as they very well may be going home earlier than expected.
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