Following a large survey carried out by Sport / Foot Magazine among its readers, our editorial team has compiled the top 25 matches that have made you feel the most over the years. Today the big winner: the diabolical summit against Brazil.
As he prepares to lead the most important game of his career, Roberto Martinez is contacted by the Spanish Football Federation. Just before the tournament, Spain indeed said goodbye to Julen Lopetegui, already a little too head to Real Madrid, and is looking for a coach to succeed the interim Fernando Hierro. The Catalan is part of the Iberian short-list.
The timing is far from ideal, but Martínez reassures: he is totally in a bubble at the World Cup, focus on his preparation and his plan. “I didn’t see anyone distracted among my players as they were all extremely focused on our project.” A global project, which goes through a qualifying against Brazil.
On the day of the match, a Brazilian journalist tells us that Tite is incredibly prepared: an analyst has been following everything Belgium has been doing for a year! Whatever, confidence is high in the Belgian camp. Around the team too. We meet the Belgian Ambassador, proud of his country and of the way it is presented in Russia, thanks to a particularly offensive team.
Make way for the match. Titus does not turn out to be as well prepared as expected. A few seconds after the kick-off, Willian No longer knows what to do and looks at the bench questioningly. What to do ? The Devils surprise the Auriverde. This confusion is understandable, because even if we all guessed correctly the starting line-up, Martínez’s tactics did not leak. And what a tactic! A four-way defense, De Bruyne placed differently, Lukaku right winger, … Tite is surprised. Like everyone.
Surprised by Martinez, a coach strongly criticized before the tournament for not having selected Radja Nainggolan, then for an hour against Japan, due to a tactic that looked like it failed when it was 2-0. 120 minutes later (thirty against Japan and ninety against Brazil), Señor Martinez is once again a national hero. On the bottom of Freed from Desire of Gala. People want more and more…
Match sheet
Buts: Augusto 76e / Fernandinho 13e (csc), De Bruyne 31e
Brésil: Alisson, Fágner, Silva, Miranda, Marcelo, Fernandinho, Paulinho (Augusto), Coutinho, Willian (Firmino), Jesus (Costa), Neymar
Belgian: Courtois, Meunier, Alderweireld, Kompany, Vertonghen, Fellaini, Chadli (Vermaelen), Witsel, Lukaku (Tielemans), De Bruyne, Hazard
Kazan Arena, Kazan
Quarter-final 2018 World Cup
July 6, 2018
–
As he prepares to direct the most important match of his career, Roberto Martínez is contacted by the Spanish football federation. Just before the tournament, Spain has indeed said goodbye to Julen Lopetegui, already a little too head to Real Madrid, and is looking for a coach to succeed the interim Fernando Hierro. The Catalan is part of the Iberian shortlist.The timing is far from ideal, but Martínez reassures: he is totally in a bubble at the World Cup, focus on his preparation and his plan. “I didn’t see anyone distracted among my players as they were all extremely focused on our project.” A world project, which goes through a qualifier against Brazil. On the day of the match, a Brazilian journalist tells us that Tite is incredibly prepared: an analyst has been closely following everything Belgium has been doing for a year! Whatever, confidence is high in the Belgian camp. Around the team too. We meet the Belgian Ambassador, proud of his country and the way it is presented in Russia, thanks to a particularly offensive team. Titus does not turn out to be as well prepared as expected. A few seconds after kick-off, Willian already does not know what to do and looks at the bench questioningly. What to do ? The Devils surprise the Auriverde. This confusion is understandable, because even if we all guessed correctly the starting line-up, Martínez’s tactics did not leak. And what a tactic! A four-way defense, De Bruyne placed differently, Lukaku right winger, … Tite is surprised. Like everyone else. Surprised by Martinez, a coach strongly criticized before the tournament for failing to select Radja Nainggolan and then for an hour against Japan, due to a tactic that seemed to have failed when it was 2-0. 120 minutes later (thirty against Japan and ninety against Brazil), Señor Martinez is once again a national hero. Against the backdrop of Freed from Desire de Gala. People want more and more …
– .
