With soccer powers dropping out of the World Cup left and right, Monday’s knockout matches in Russia were about passing tests.
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Belgium is the first team to overturn a two-goal deficit in a World Cup knockout match since West Germany beat England in extra time at the 1970 tournament.
Lost among the rojo y verde of the Mexican jerseys and flags and sombreros and Modelo sat a pocket of rambunctious Brazil supporters who made sure to remind the despondent majority whose team won 2-0 in the World Cup knockout stage.
The world’s most expensive player put Brazil in the lead after his back-heel released Willian, who then sent the ball into the penalty area. Neymar slid in to tap in the opener in the 51st minute.
Brazil captain Thiago Silva is hoping Neymar plays as well as some of his Paris Saint-Germain teammates have done in the knockout round of the World Cup.
In the second straight shootout of the tournament, the Croats advanced to the quarterfinals on Sunday with a 3-2 victory over Denmark on penalties following a 1-1 draw.
Russia shockingly eliminated Spain from the World Cup, surviving two hours of dominance by the 2010 champions in a 1-1 draw and then winning a penalty shootout 4-3 on Sunday.
The two most recognizable names in global soccer were eliminated from the World Cup on Saturday, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Lights got only two points from their season series with Tulsa Roughnecks FC, the team with the least points in the United Soccer League.
The Mexican national team will take on Brazil Monday at 7 a.m. with hopes of advancing to the World Cup quarterfinals.
Mexico is plus 1,200 at the South Point to win the championship and as much as plus 600 to win its second-round match Monday against Brazil.
Westgate sports book manager Jeff Sherman’s best bet at adjusted odds to win the World Cup is Croatia, which is the 12-1 sixth choice after beating Nigeria, Argentina and Iceland by a combined score of 7-1 in the group stage.
Martin made the announcement on social media Friday before the Loons were to host a Pride Night at home against Dallas.
Review-Journal reporter Ben Gotz looks at the World Cup’s knockout round bracket and predicts which teams will advance to the quarterfinals.
The Lights acquired midfielder James Murphy and defender Nico Samayoa on loan from Major League Soccer clubs in recent weeks in the hopes of getting production from the two on the cheap.