Why The World Cup Is Awesome And If You Aren't Watching You Are Missing Out

 If you haven’t been watching the World Cup, then you have been missing out.

As most of you already know the USMNT (United States Men’s National Team) did not qualify for the 2018 World Cup. Yes, that absolutely sucked. Personally, my initial thoughts when finding out this shitty news was, “Welp, fuck this World Cup!” Boy was I wrong!

I am a big soccer fan so granted I see the World Cup from a different perspective then some of the casual fans that start to come around about this time every four years. Now granted I’m not one of those guys who wakes up every Saturday morning at 7 am to watch EPL games but I stay up on the leagues around the world and follow my favorite club team (Liverpool FC) pretty closely as most soccer in the US do.

This time around, for me at least, things felt a little different.  Initially, it was a very upsetting thought to know that there is no emotional investment for us Americans with USMNT not qualifying. But then a series of events happened that completely caught, at least me, off guard. It all started when Liverpool had an amazing year that took them all the way to the UEFA Champions League final. This would only be disappointed by their best player being taken out of the game from an injury on a very questionable call from a known dirty player. That absolutely sucked! 

Every year my best friends from college and I get together to watch the Champions League final. It’s like a holiday for us and been a tradition since our 3rd year in college so being that this year Liverpool was playing for the title there was no way I was missing it. But I digress because this article isn’t about my soccer interests and my conflicting feelings toward the Champions League final. This article is about why watching the World Cup has been AMAZING this year. 

So here is why you should be watching:

PRETTY SIMPLE, THE DRAMA

After what was a captivating and drama filled Champions League tournament the excitement didn’t stop. Only two weeks after club soccer is finished the World Cup starts up and quick. Opening day we see what is supposed to be a terrible Russian team win the opening match 3-0. Not many people saw that coming. Just the following day Mexico pulls off the upset of the decade by beating juggernaut Germany 1-0. Germany a team known for their dangerous attack couldn’t even score a goal on Mexico a middle tear team. After that it was just upset after upset with numerous top teams barely squeaking by in the group stage. Powerhouses like Argentina, Brazil, Spain and Portugal almost not qualifying and needing a win or a loss from another team in their groups.

Belgium v. Columbia

But of course the drama was not over with the group stage. This first knockout round brought 6 of the 8 games coming down to the wire. Particularly the Belgium v. Japan and England v. Columbia game. These games has some of the most nerve racking finishes I’ve ever seen in a soccer game let alone a World Cup match. 

Japan comes out of the gate very aggressive scoring two goals right away. Belgium scores a goal quick coming out of the half to start the comeback. Still with a tough mountain to clim Belgium Head Coach makes a lineup change to bring in veteran Striker Fellani known for his clutch header goals on crosses and corner kicks (mainly because he is one tall MF, 6ft 4in). Fellani scores immediately on a beautiful cross from Hazard to make it 2-2. Things looking like they are heading into OT, Belgium comes with a deadly counter attack off a Japan missed corner kick. Belgium scores with 30 seconds left in added time. Belgium completely crushing the hearts of Japan and their fans with this late goal. Crazy finish to a crazy game.

England v. Columbia

On top of that, the England v. Columbia game goes to penalty kicks after a shocking finish in regulation. Harry Cain, who has been one of the tournaments top players, score a goal in the second half. This game looking like it will inevitably going to be an England win has a shocking turn when Columbia gets fouled in the box on a very questionable call. Columbia ultimately scores the PK and this game goes to OT. No goals scored in OT so you know what that means, penalty kick shootout. Both teams score their first two goals but then Jordan Henderson steps up to the ball. The Vice Captain, former Head Captain and a very reliable player for the English national team gets his shot blocked. 

This puts Columbia up one goal going into the 4th shot but what does Columbia do? Misses the net completely and we are tied up again with one miss each. England scores their 4th shot and it all comes down to the fifth and final shot.  England goal keeper had been guessing wrong all shootout but finally gets it right blocking Columbia’s fifth shot from Carlos Bacca. It all comes down to one final shot and England moves on. Eric Dier steps up to take his shot who came in as a sub late in regulation. He steps up, runs up, kicks shot and it’s nothing but net. Goalie guesses wrong and gets no where near it. About as dramatic of a finish as you can get.

If all the drama that filled the tournament so far doesn’t captivate you then the talent should.

THE TALENT

To be honest only about half of the teams remaining have top tier talent. We will get into them but we can't not talk about the two best in the world so let's talk about them first.

The GOATS

If you are going to start to tune in now, well you missed a lot. I won’t even get into the Messi v. Ronaldo drama because as it typically does for them, it’s over. Messi and Ronaldo both are out after the first round of knockouts. Both of their teams barley making it through the groups were disappointed yet again early in the tournament. Both Messi and Ronaldo still do not have a single goal in the knockout rounds in the World Cup. This is absolutely shocking to think of being they are two of the best of all time and will probably go down as THE two best.

So now that we got the GOATs talk out of the way let’s talk about the remaining teams talent:

Uruguay:

Up top you got two of the best Strikers in the world in Edison Cavani and Luis Suarez. Yes Suarez has a rough past but the guy can still play and he can score better then most. Cavani from PSG has steadily been an outstanding forward and continues his success in international play. This is the duo’s third straight World Cup together up top and no duo is more in sync. Now Cavani unfortunately suffered an injury last game and we probably won't see him play. Let's see how Suarez does without his long time partner.

Not to mention one of the best back lines in international soccer. Diego Godin and Jose Gimenez both of Athletico Madrid have played some of the best soccer in the tournament so far. Two of the best in the world at their position and they have been the heart of this team so far. 

 France:

Paul Pogba who is one of the biggest names in the sport who can do literally everything. Antoine Griezmann who is in my opinion the best striker in the world. THIS GUY SCORES GOALS! Griezmann along with Mbappe is a DEADLY combo up top. They will continue to dominate on the offensive end. Simple as that. Also don’t forget Hugo Loris from Tottenham in goal who is one of the best in the world. That helps a lot.

Brazil:

Absolutely stacked! Everyone knows Neymar. The do it all forward for Brazil known as one of the best in the world as a soccer player and an actor. He can be so much fun to watch play until he does his flopping thing he does which happens at least twice a game. Then their is Phillipe Coutino who has had one of the best tournaments of any player so far. Thiago Silva and Marcelo in the back field, Willian in the midfield, and my boy Bobby Firminio coming off the bench.

Belgium:

So this team is basically the best of the best in the English Premier League. They have Romelu Lukaku from Manchester United, Eden Hazard from Chelsea and Napoli FC’s Dries Mertens. In midfield the stud Kevin De Bruyne from Manchester City who can create a offensive chance out of any play. The vet Marouane Fellani from Man U also coming off the bench to come in big with the corner kick headers (helps to be a whapping 6’4’’). And don’t forget Thibaut Courtois in goal who, of course, plays for Chelsea as well. This team is absolutely stacked!

England:

Harry Kane has, in my opinion, been the best player in this tournament so far. He looks to be the winner of the Golden Boot with six goals. He single handedly won England their first two games in the group stage by dominating on offense all by himself. Raheem Stirling has been an absolute disappointment but he could surprise everyone and turn it on. Jordan Henderson of MY TEAM Liverpool is one of the most consistent players on the team and a hell of a leader (the former England Captain now Vice Captain).  Also, don’t forget The Dark Knight Dele Alli who has the potential at any moment to spark the offense. There is also Jamie Vardy off the bench who we know what he did for Leicester City a few years ago.

To be honest the last three teams don’t have much. Russia’s roster is pretty bad and it’s an absolute shock they have made it this far. They have a pretty easy road too and we could actually see them go to the semi-finals as the host nation. THAT WOULD BE AMAZING.

Basically what I’m trying to say is that if you aren’t watching the world cup you better start. No better time then now with the quarter finals tomorrow. If you are a die hard fan or a casual fan there is excitement and fun for every viewer. Tune in this weekend and you will not be disappointed.