Denmark crash out to Italy in the quarter-finals of the 2022 FIFAe Nations Cup. The home break thus goes into the final day without the host.
Italy not only buried all of Germany’s title hopes at the 2022 FIFAe Nations Cup, but also spoiled the host’s party.
In the quarter-finals, the “Squadra Azzurra” met Denmark, who had beaten Israel 1-0 in the round of 16.
Italy silences Halle
At first it looked like a tight affair: Italy’s early 1-0 was countered by Anders ‘Anders’ Vejrgang with a thumping shot from just over 20 yards into the top left corner to make it 1-1. In the aftermath, the 16-year-old jumped up and gestured ecstatically towards the Danish fans.
Both teams acted defensively strong in the second leg as well. Again it was Italy who took the lead after a powerful shot from the turn. However, the Danish coach substituted FIFA prodigy ‘Anders’ in the 64th in-game minute – Fatih ‘Üstün’ Üstün came on. The change initially looked like the right move. The Danes came back again and postponed the decision to extra time – the hall went wild.
There, however, late starters Italy really turned up the heat and added three goals within 30 in-game minutes. That means the FIFAe Nations Cup trip is over for the hosts even before the final day with spectators on hand.
“I don’t know why I was substituted. ‘Üstün’ didn’t play the whole day, but as a result we scored the goal. So it was the right decision,” Vejrgang summed up. “They had a chance to win this. Then what happened in extra time is of course bitter. ”
Favourites Brazil
The “eSelecao” made it to the next round by playing catch-up, which gave them a boost. However, they eliminated one favourite after the other during the knockout phase.
The Brazilians made it quite exciting. Not only did they beat Spain 2-1 in the last 16, they also beat France in the quarter-finals. After conceding a goal, they were not to be ruffled.
“We kept up the pressure against France, followed through with our match plan as planned. Now whoever wants can come,” the Brazilian team summed up the match against France to eSport.
The fact that they had just knocked the defending champions out of the tournament was acknowledged with a calm: “We told you so! In the semi-finals, the only non-European nation left in the tournament, Brazil, will face party crasher Italy.
Next penalty defeat for ‘Nicolas99FC’
Already struggling in the round of 16, Argentina’s top duo of Nicolas ‘Nicolas99FC’ Villalba and Matias ‘Matiasbonnano’ Bonnano were even behind against the underdogs from Canada.
But a 2-1 win put them into the quarter-finals against Sweden. After switching to the duo ‘Oliboli’ and ‘Optolle’, they found their old strength again – defeating the Netherlands 3:1 in the round of 16.
The Scandinavians were already defensively strong throughout the tournament. Against the well-organised Argentinians, there were accordingly few chances in a strategically high-class match.
The logical consequence: a penalty shoot-out after 210 goalless minutes with the better end for the Swedes. The negative series of ‘Nicolas99FC’ within the FIFAe finals, it continues. “Maybe I should train penalty kicks,” the Argentine replied to eSport with gallows humour. Villalba also lost the final of the individual World Cup on penalties – to Germany’s Umut ‘Umut’ Gültekin.
Poland continue to surprise
Poland were not on our radar either after finishing second in Group D. However, the Eastern Europeans defeated Germany’s dreadful United Arab Emirates 3:1 to reach the quarter-finals against Portugal.
There they continued where they had left off: Surprise the favourites. The FIFAe Nations Cup newcomers really turned up the heat in the second leg after a 0:1 first leg. After an early 1:0, Poland added to their tally in the 71st minute with a Sunday shot from the right side into the top left corner – 2:0.
“Portugal were better than us, but in the end we got the result,” ‘Damie’ summed up after the surprising victory: “We have nothing to lose for tomorrow.”
With Portugal, the next favourite fails in the quarter-finals. Poland will meet Sweden in the second semi-final of the FIFAe Nations Cup on Saturday.
