jenni_blog | UNDER-20 WORLD CUP: QUARTER-FINAL SHOCKERS (Reply)

All the favourites went out! With the possible exception of Brazil, but since they won on penalties over Spain, and both these teams were considered favourites depending on who you talked to, then you could say that four favourites were eliminated. Mexico beat hosts Colombia simply by putting on a better performance on the night, France overcame Nigeria, and Portugal beat a consistently booed Argentina on penalties. It was actually stunning to hear the wall of noise cheering for Portugal and booing Argentina every time one of their players was on the ball. Argentina didn't do themselves any favours in Colombia by trashing their dressing room at the Atanasio Girardot stadium in Medellin after the Round of 16. The four teams remaining to battle it out for the top four places in the world are: Mexico, Portugal, France and Brazil.

This doesn't have anything to do with football, but it happened in Colombia. This is a mother cat who recently gave birth, and she is carrying a little wild leopard-thing (called a Tigrillo) that was found at the side of a road near Medellin and given to her to nurse along with her own kittens. I kind of saw the mother as Mexico and the leopardling as Colombia.

Mexico vs Colombia

Mexico had started off slow in this competition, scoring only 3 goals through the group stage, while Colombia had been brilliant. Their top scorer, Luis Muriel, had 4 goals and playmaker James Rodriguez 3. But for some reason, Colombia played differently tactically, concentrating on wing play and leaving the center of the field open. Two of their best defenders had to sit out this match as well, due to suspension. Colombia had many scoring chances, outshooting Mexico by 12 to 1 in the first half alone. But they were unlucky and none of their attempts to score paid off. In the second half they seemed tired and nothing went right for them. Mexico, on the other hand, kept getting stronger, gaining in confidence all the way through the match. Their 3 goals equalled their entire tally so far in the tournament.

Here are photos:

Juan David Cabezas vs Ulises Davila