France March on to the Semis as Uruguay Stutter without Cavani
That Uruguay was missing Cavani is a simple understatement. His loss created a mental void in most Uruguayan players.
It was never going to happen. At around the 70th minute of the round of 16 match contested by Uruguay and Portugal, Ronaldo helped Cavani leave the pitch in anguish. His goals - aided by the selfless drive of Suarez - had propelled Uruguay to a 2-1 victory over Portugal. And there it was. Cavani’s limp would be emulated by his national team in a stuttering performance against the team touted to be the champion. Les Bleus march on to the semis after an assured 2-0 quarter-final victory against Uruguay.
The eve of the game exposed Didier Deschamps to a barrage of questions of which the recurring enquiry was regarding France’s chance of winning the cup. The man who lifted the trophy back in 1998, dismissed these and refuse to look too far away. However, this subject cannot be avoided any longer as France reach the semi-finals for the first time since 2006. Raphael Varane’s header and Muslera’s moment of madness have confirmed that.
That Uruguay was missing Cavani is a simple understatement. His loss created a mental void in most Uruguayan players. Suarez opened the match brilliantly and fed Stuani into the right inside the channel. Stuani unnecessary made things difficult for himself as we went for the drive across goal from a really tight angle. It was a poor effort from the striker. The move took place in the 5th minute of the match. It was a sign of things to come. This was the pattern of the match throughout for Uruguay. The feeling that one could generate from watching the Uruguayans play was that they either looked dazed and subdued or they simply failed to force themselves into giving their best shot.
France started in familiar fashion with the suspended Matuidi being replaced by Tolisso. It was 4-2-3-1 for them with Giroud the lone striker up front and Griezmann operating right behind him. The first half drifted in and out as the Frenchmen looked too comfortable against Uruguay. The French midfield is anchored by a combination of paradoxical values. Pogba’s gliding grace is made possible by the hard work of N’Golo Kante. Kante, an update on Claude Makelele gives Pogba the adequate freedom to conduct from deep. Tolisso was also an assured replacement and like Matuidi never shied away from covering defensively. Uruguay started in a diamond 4-4-2 formation with Bentancur operating right behind Suarez and Stuani. On the 38th minute, Bentancur unnecessarily fouled Tolisso. The resultant free-kick gave France the much-deserved lead. Varane headed home and the jubilant French were greeted with a wave of Uruguayan attack as a response.
Caceres was fouled by Kante and Torreira floated in the free-kick. It was headed down powerfully towards the bottom corner. Lloris made an incredible one hand stop and the ball rebounded on Godin’s feet. Danger still not averted and here Uruguay could smell blood. But it was never going to happen. Lloris made himself big on the blink of an eye and Godin nervously blasted the ball to oblivion.
The second half started and France were in total control. They kept the ball and the Uruguayans looked dejected. The culmination of this was Muslera’s error. Griezmann aimed a powerful swerving shot towards the goalkeeper who went left before checking himself and then was caught between two minds - to punch or to catch. The end result was a fumble and a goal for France. Griezmann who shocked the world by avowing his loyalty to Atletico and rejecting the alluring Barcelona approaches did not celebrate in an act of supreme sportsmanship. He has surely earned further respect from his club mate Godin. From then on it was never ever going to happen.
France simply toyed with Uruguay with stylish flicks and interplays which at times bordered upon disrespect for the opponent. This resulted into a fracas. Mbappe after one flick too many was gently nudged by Rodriguez. Mbappe fell down and writhed in pain as if a freight train had run over him. Tempers flared immediately and game descended into a travesty. The match never recovered from here on. FIFA must take extra caution to weed out this cancer of play-acting that has gripped the game.
The match resembled a friendly exhibition after the second goal had been scored. Tabarez’s side had been punching above their weights in the last three cups. They should be proud of their effort and the hard work they had put in to ensure that they reach this stage. For France, from here on, nothing but the trophy will feel satisfactory.
