There are few things in football quite as raw, quite as unforgiving, as a World Cup knockout tie decided from twelve yards. When the dust settles on t...
There are few things in football quite as raw, quite as unforgiving, as a World Cup knockout tie decided from twelve yards. When the dust settles on this particular thriller in the round of 16, the narrative will not be about the ninety minutes of high octane transitional play that saw both sides trade blows. No, the story belongs to the lottery of penalties and the furious fallout that has left Egypt fuming and Croatia manager Zlatko Dalic walking away from the dugout.Let's be honest about the Argentina versus Egypt clash. The South Americans, despite their pedigree, looked nervy against a well drilled Egyptian low block. For long spells, Messi's men were forced to recycle possession without finding the killer pass. But Egypt, to their credit, did not simply park the bus. They countered with venom, stretching Argentina's backline and forcing their goalkeeper into a handful of desperate saves. It was a classic tactical arm wrestle, with both managers reluctant to blink first. The game ebbed and flowed until extra time, when legs grew heavy and minds began to wander. And then came the shootout. Argentina, as they so often are in these situations, were clinical. Cold blooded. The kind of nerve that wins silverware. For Egypt, it was a different story. A miss from the spot, a sudden stop of the heart, and the dream was over. GoalZaza sources confirm the Egyptian camp has expressed fury over certain decisions in the buildup to the decisive kicks, but in the cold light of day, football does not care for grievances. You put it in the net or you go home.Meanwhile, across the draw, Croatia are facing a rebuild of their own. Zlatko Dalic, the man who led the Vatreni to a World Cup final, has resigned. It is a decision that has been coming, whispered about in corridors and press boxes for months. After what has been a transitional tournament for the Croatian veterans, Dalic has decided that his time is up. He leaves with his head held high, a legacy of tactical flexibility and a golden generation that nearly toppled the world. You have to wonder, who steps into those shoes And for Argentina, the path forward looks treacherous but tantalising. Can Messi carry this team all the way If their nerve in the shootout is anything to go by, you would be a fool to bet against them.
