2021 Euro/Copa Quarterfinals (Day 1)

 Good day of soccer watching! Three more to go!

Euro

Switzerland 1-2 (PK) Spain

Spain scored early (8th) on a 'hockey' goal: shot ricocheted off a defender behind the keeper and snuck in the goal. Obviously most every goal in a soccer match is a game changer, but for Spain to score so quick changed the whole shape of each team's attack. Spain was now allowed to play their ball control game and now Switzerland had to press forward. I thought the game was fairly even and when Switzerland tied it up (68th), it felt like we were back to the OT finish I figured we'd get all along. In OT, Spain straight dominated--dang, thought the Swiss keeper was a mad man, he made a ton of great saves. The shootout was weird, seems like neither team wanted to win. Switzerland wanted to win less, I guess, because Spain is moving on. 

Belgium 1-2 Italy

Italy balled out, I thought they were the better team from beginning to end. Their attack was more sustained, their possession in the midfield was better and their full court press defense (especially in the 2nd half) made it hard for Belgium to get across midfield. Belgium just never developed any cohesion on offense. When Italy got the 2nd goal, it felt like the game was over. Belgium was able to get a PK before halftime and made it interesting--fun game, but Italy was the better team and Belgium just couldn't get it going. 

Copa America

Peru 4-3 (PK) Paraguay

I thought Paraguay was generally the better team but it was a fun match, full court action up and down the field. I actually missed the shootout (oh well), but Peru is moving on and I guess that's fine. 

Brazil 1-0 Chile

I didn't bother to make predictions on the Copa because, well, the prediction is basically when/if Brazil is going to lose and I didn't think they would. But Chile is perhaps the team most likely to do it (I kinda feel like that Argentine squad is a little long in the tooth to get the job done). This match started out chippy and the 1st half was mostly a slog. It settled down a little before halftime then the chippiness reemerged right after the break as Brazil scored on their first possession and then got a red card almost immediately after. Generally I felt like this was a midfield battle, never really felt like there were many great chances around the goal for either team. But Brazil converted their one clear chance, Chile was declared offside on their one converted shot, and there you have it, Brazil is moving on.