One of the biggest mistakes you can make watching sports is turning off your TV. Other than a select few games at this World Cup, the only sure thing has been that there’s no sure thing.
Fresh off a couple major upsets on Monday, one of the most unpredictable World Cups delivered again on Wednesday, as two European powerhouses nearly suffered untimely defeats, and may have had to take the Uruguay route, forcing their players to fly home on domestic flights rather than the usual charter plane.
Down for most of the game, with dreams of a footy homecoming fading away minute by minute, England roared back to beat Congo DR.
Then, hours later, Belgium nearly failed yet again to capitalize on its golden generation in a teeth-gritting showdown against Senegal.
Though the European sides scraped by on paper, the on-field performances left more questions than answers as the World Cup Round of 32 delivered another set of thrilling matchups.
Here are the big takeaways from Thursday’s action:
Round of 32: USA vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina, 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT
If anyone can bring football home, it’s Harry Kane
Not only was England trailing on the scoreboard for 68 minutes following an opening goal from Congo’s Brian Cipenga, the side looked to be trailing psychologically for the majority of its opening knockout-stage match.
While the Three Lions managed to pot eight shots to Congo DR’s three and had 20 opposing-box touches to seven, nothing looked to be coming easy against the Léopards.
The pairing of Djed Spence and Noni Madueke on the right side looked completely out of sync on both attack and defence, Harry Kane couldn’t solve goaltender Lionel Mpasi, and England missed all five of its big chances.
But Thomas Tuchel built his side around that talisman No. 9 for a reason. Kane is the most fearsome man to don the St. George’s cross since Richard the Lionheart during the Third Crusade for a reason.
Chasing his first career Ballon d’Or, the 32-year-old made quite a statement by dragging his nation to the Round of 16, tucking a header into the bottom-left corner to tie the game in the 75th minute. Then, just over 10 minutes later, he collected a pass at the edge of the box, turned to his left to outrun the Congo defence, and fired a rocket right-footed shot above the once-unbreakable Mpasi, who stood in place, unable to react to the strike.
This side was built around Kane, with the Wingers meant to feed him crosses, the midfielders meant to get the ball to his feet in the box, and the centre-backs meant to deliver him the long balls. England will go as far as he can carry it, and so far that doesn’t seem too bad a plan. A match with co-hosts Mexico at the Azteca awaits.
Miraculous Belgium comeback capped by questionable call
Up heading into the 80th minute, the game looked to be well in hand for the Senegalese.
They held their form, had 1.90 expected goals in the first half to Belgium’s 0.17, made the most of their touches in the box, and took the battle to the Belgians through the first 45 with five shots inside the box and a 2-0 scoreline to boot.
That Senegalese structure came apart in the 86th minute, as substitute striker and all-time leading Belgian scorer Romelu Lukaku potted home a low cross from Thomas Meunier to get his side on the board. Then, not three minutes later, captain Youri Tielemans got his head on a ball as keeper Mory Diaw went in for the punch, but managed to find the back of the net to tie it up in the dying embers.
Though the momentum belonged to The Red Devils heading into extra time, the two sides played a near-inseparable 30 minutes. Until a questionable penalty proved the death knell.
Lamine Camara was called for the foul in the box as he went for the ball against Tielemans. Though the Senegal midfielder did make contact with the Belgian, it wasn’t a clear goal-scoring chance as Tielemans wasn’t in position to get his foot on the ball.
The captain finished the job, calmly potting the penalty to put his side up 3-2, and Belgium closed it the rest of the way despite a free-kick opportunity 10 minutes into stoppage time.
Senegal, undeniably, shouldn’t have let itself give up a two-goal lead with ten minutes to go, but the should-be AFCON champs will surely feel slighted for the second major tournament in a row.
Unrelenting coming out of the half, Senegal built up a 2-0 lead from the foot of Ismaila Sarr. The Crystal Palace striker outran the Belgian backline on a wicked long-ball from centre-back Moussa Niakhate, controlled it with his chest while sprinting, and fired a nasty half-volley while pushing off defender Arthur Theate.
Well, better late than never for the Belgian “Golden Generation” to make good on its promise. If you can call it that.
Look, Come On Eileen and Sweet Caroline are great songs, but the England faithful’s latest tradition just hits a different emotional chord. A song about someone who saves you from yourself; is there a better metaphor for this iteration of the Three Lions?
1. Harry Kane (England): “You’re gonna be the one that saves me,” said every English fan on the Isles and across the world’s many diasporas. The all-time English goalscorer added two more to his tally on Wednesday, saving the side from a historic disappointment.
2. Youri Tielemans (Belgium): Kevin De Bruyne might be the name everyone knows in the Belgian midfield, but Tielemans has been one of the steadiest presences possible in their double-pivot. He crashed the box hard on Wednesday, finishing with seven touches inside, and netted that game-winning brace for Belgium.
3. Anthony Gordon (England): Overlooked after some boring performances in the group stage, the Scouse winger set his side up for success as a substitute against Congo DR, assisting both of Kane’s goals and showing off the relentless pressing that made Barcelona fork up €80 million for him.