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Mirallas can't do it for Belgium
Argentina 1 - 0 Belgium
Kevin Mirallas has been chosen by Wilmots to start Belgium's crucial quarterfinal game against Argentina in Estadio Nacional, Brasilia. Romelu Lukaku is on the bench.Belgium made just one change from that dramatic extra-time victory in Salvador. Kevin Mirallas comes into the side on the strength of an excellent performance as a substitute in that last-16 victory. He replaced Dries Mertens. Divock Origi kept his place as Belgium's lone striker despite the impact made by Romelu Lukaku.
Argentina made three changes, with Manchester City's Martin Demichelis replacing Federico Fernandez, Jose Basanta replaced the suspended left-back Marcos Rojo, who served a one-game ban, Lucas Biglia coming into the side in place of Fernando Gago.
But the early goal, a first-time volley by Higuain off a deflected pass, gave Belgium a massive mountain to climb and they struggled again to gel as a team, Mirallas coming off at the hour mark, and Lukaku coming on after Higuain hit the bar for Argentina.
Belgium huffed and puffed, resorting to a horrible display of hoofball in the last 10 mins, trying to take advantage of their obvious height advantage in the Argentine penalty area, but failing miserably, allowing a slightly better Argentina team to make another step toward the 'dream' final with their hosts.
Reader Comments (18)
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2 Posted 05/07/2014 at 19:00:23
How much will Fellaini go for? Very good at the snide studs down the back of the leg, the elbow in the face, and the leave-your-studs-up challenge.
His football ability? No thanks.
3 Posted 05/07/2014 at 18:58:21
Let's hope that Costa Rica can provide an upset to keep the interest alive for the neutrals as none of the other sides provide the quality you would expect from teams of the caliber of those particular nations. It would appear that the game of football is more about the historical reputation of a club or nation rather than the actual quality of the players representing those clubs or nations.
I''m not for one moment doubting that the three sides who have managed to get to the Semi-Finals have not deserved to, rather, I would have hoped to have seen far more quality and adventure from them during the competition.
But if Holland do manage to make it to the Semis I am expecting both Semi-Final games to go to a penalty shoot-out and likewise the final with the strong possibility of not a single goal from open play being scored in all three matches.
4 Posted 05/07/2014 at 19:16:58
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYCYVy6R4O4
Look how many of our goals he played a key role in. Plus, this year we can play him against Chelski too.
5 Posted 05/07/2014 at 19:28:20
6 Posted 05/07/2014 at 19:33:00
7 Posted 05/07/2014 at 19:36:46
I agree with everything you said. The quality of the football hasn't been to the expected standard by any means, despite what the TV pundits say.
8 Posted 05/07/2014 at 19:52:22
9 Posted 05/07/2014 at 20:05:22
There has been too much snide tackling especially the stamping on players' feet which seems to be the new tactic. The challenge on Neymar yesterday was awful and was deliberate. Belgium played as well as they could but lacked the pace and the smarts of the Argies.
I for one will be glad when the Prem.starts up.
10 Posted 05/07/2014 at 20:26:01
Mirallas was really pPissed off when he was subbed and I don't blame him. Belgium were really slow in their build-up and did not use Mirallas or Lukaku properly. De Bruyn is over rated and really poor.
Refs are spoiling the games of late and are favouring South American sides. I am afraid this World Cup is going the usual way of late and refs are not being strong enough. The ref in the Brazil match marked out the ten yards and then allowed Brazil to charge down the free kick without yellow-carding the offenders.
11 Posted 05/07/2014 at 21:01:02
12 Posted 05/07/2014 at 23:56:07
As for Mirallas, I canÂt see why people give him such a hard time. Today out of BelgiumÂs four attackers (De Brune, Hazard, Origi and Mirallas), I thought Mirallas was clearly the most dangerous. I can understand his frustration at being substituted when the other three are doing less than him.
I think Mirallas can be a little frustrating at times (for Everton this is now) hence BobbyÂs constant decision to take him off or drop him; he sometimes doesnÂt get involved enough for me as he has all the ability plus a fair bit of fire and fight in his belly, but still goes missing for big portions of the game.
That said, he assisted more than any other Blue last season, plus chipped in with a couple of goals. If Bobby can make him feel important and get the ball to him more often, he could become massive for us. Coleman and Mirallas down our right should be frightening.
Anyways, hard lines today, Kevin, get your self on ya hols and come back to us fresh and ready for a big season. Also, try an bring a few friends, as you have plenty of talented ones. Belgium have a big chance of ripping up Euro 2016.
13 Posted 06/07/2014 at 03:39:18
As with all football issues, itÂs a matter of opinion and yet no oneÂs opinion except the people who run the club matters. But I for one live in hope that Everton will carry on where they left off.
14 Posted 06/07/2014 at 07:57:50
I agree with your post in the main about the Lukaku debate dragging on. I personally think he will end up going to Spurs or Atletico Madrid.
If he leaves Chelsea on a permanent, then we wonÂt be in the running for him, you can see as clear as day that Kenwright was hoping for a another loan agreement from his "friends at Chelsea".
I think we are entitled to be getting a tad nervous though, it may only be July 6 but we have lost three key members of the squad and are yet to sign anybody; we have lost our top scorer with no real sign of replacing him in the near future. We have not replaced the pace on the wing from the subs bench in Deulofeu – cameo displays they were from him, but still he was a big asset to have.
I am also concerned as to why the Gareth Barry deal seems to be dragging on and on. I said last week, how long are we prepared to wait for him?
Then there is the nonsense of re-signing that Traore. If we need 6-7 players then we are entitled to start getting nervy in my opinion.
15 Posted 06/07/2014 at 09:08:40
16 Posted 07/07/2014 at 22:35:39
17 Posted 08/07/2014 at 11:11:54
Belgium – a team full of excellent players who under-performed as a team. Problem – Players or coach?
18 Posted 08/07/2014 at 11:22:21
Fellaini, De Bruyne, Mertens... no thanks.
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1 Posted 05/07/2014 at 18:55:37