Football, inevitably, moves in cycles. Nothing lasts forever, even though in football it seems like it will. Sir Alex seemed like he’d be the United manager forever. But Fergie himself proved countless times during his Old Trafford tenure that that same old adage, nothing lasts forever, rings true.
And just like that, it was over. One of the best World Cup’s we have ever seen came to a close on Sunday night with Germany the entirely deserving winners. Goodbye to Brazil, you hosted a fantastic tournament and did it without hitting us right in the ear with the dull hum of a vuvuzela. We now stand firmly in the midst of the World Cup aftermath. All the things that normally accompany our post tournament depression are unfolding right in front of us once again.
It has probably been the greatest World Cup in the lifetime of most supporters. And, unless you have a very clear memory of 1966, there’s a very good chance that it’s been the best tournament you’ve ever seen. Of course we’re very nearly at the end, but not quite. Still to come we have Sunday, Rio de Janeiro, Germany vs Argentina, the final.
It’s a perfect time for reflection, a chance to bask in the glow of what has been a tremendous World Cup while speculating on the wonders that it is still to bring us. The first knock out round has passed and we are left with 8 teams. All of which have arrived at this stage on merit and all of which must now believe that, having reached the quarter finals they harbour at least a small chance of winning it.
The group stages of this summer’s world cup are done and dusted – effectively marking the halfway point of the greatest show on earth –and 16 teams remain for the knock-out stages.
The perceived wisdom among the football fraternity is that, so far, the extravaganza in Brazil has been highly (and perhaps refreshingly) entertaining.
By and large, the games have been relatively open affairs, with chances created and goals aplenty. (We currently stand at a fraction shy of an average of three goals per game, which is clearly testament to the attacking philosophy applied by most of the combatants.