Jonathan Wilson
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The best images from Belgiums win over RussiaIf there was one man you could guarantee would stand aloof from the general joie de vivre of this World Cup, it was Fabio Capello. He is living this World Cup as he lived the last, grimly battering away criticism as drab tournament performances fail to live up to the promise of qualifying. The Sovetsky Sport columnist Yury Tsyban had described Capellos football as being whisky after the champagne of Guus Hiddink at the Euros in 2008; this felt more like a £3.99 cava grabbed as a last resort at the garage on the way home after a late night.
Not that Belgium were much better. They had offered almost nothing in the second half before suddenly being stimulated by a Kevin Mirallas free-kick that hit the post with seven minutes remaining. Eden Hazard, uninvolved until then, woke up and, after having a shot deflected wide for a corner, set up the winner with a darting run to the byline, before cutting the ball back for Divock Origi to take his time and smash a shot past Igor Akinfeev. All three of Belgiums goals at this tournament have been scored by substitutes, which has brought two victories and passage to the last 16, but it was another scratchy display from a side widely tipped as potential winners.
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Not that Belgium were much better. They had offered almost nothing in the second half before suddenly being stimulated by a Kevin Mirallas free-kick that hit the post with seven minutes remaining. Eden Hazard, uninvolved until then, woke up and, after having a shot deflected wide for a corner, set up the winner with a darting run to the byline, before cutting the ball back for Divock Origi to take his time and smash a shot past Igor Akinfeev. All three of Belgiums goals at this tournament have been scored by substitutes, which has brought two victories and passage to the last 16, but it was another scratchy display from a side widely tipped as potential winners.
Continue reading...
More...