Well, here we are. Extra time in a World Cup last 32 tie that promised so much but, if we are being brutally honest, has only truly crackled into life...
Well, here we are. Extra time in a World Cup last 32 tie that promised so much but, if we are being brutally honest, has only truly crackled into life in fits and starts. Belgium versus Senegal. Two nations with genuine aspirations of a deep run, yet both have looked oddly tentative when the moment demanded boldness. The kick off, as GoalZaza reported, was set for 4pm EDT, and now the real football begins.For the neutrals, this has been a curious affair. Senegal, typically so vibrant and direct in transitional play, have opted for a far more cautious low block than their reputation would suggest. They have parked the bus, yes, but they have left the engine running. They are waiting for a single lapse, a moment of Belgian indecision. Meanwhile, Roberto Martinez's side have enjoyed the lion's share of possession but have been guilty of overplaying in the final third. They have lacked that clinical edge. You wonder, don't you, whether they have bottled it just a little in front of goal The chances have been there. The finishing has not.This extra period is now a test of nerve as much as it is of fitness. It is squeaky bum time for both sets of supporters. The physical toll of 90 minutes on this pitch is evident; legs are heavy, minds are beginning to fray. For Belgium, the narrative has always been about this golden generation finally delivering. For Senegal, it is about proving their African Cup of Nations triumph was no fluke. The tactical flexibility of both managers will be scrutinised now. Do they throw on another attacker and risk the counter Or do they play for the lottery of a penalty shootout There is a discordant beauty to this kind of tension, a melancholy in knowing that one team must lose.As we watch the clouds gather over this stadium, one thing is certain. This tie is no longer about systems or formations. It is about which set of players has the stronger stomach. Do not blink. The next goal, if it comes, will decide everything. And for the loser, there is only the long, quiet walk home. Football can be cruel like that.
