Posted on: December 8, 2022, 10:46h.
Final up to date on: December 8, 2022, 12:20h.
Thursday marks the final day of the break between the World Cup quarterfinals and semifinals, and the final probability the remaining groups have to organize for the subsequent spherical. Lots of the surviving groups can thank their goalkeepers for serving to them alongside the way in which, and a number of other of these gamers rank excessive to take dwelling this 12 months’s Golden Glove award.
Morocco nationwide soccer group goalkeeper Yassine Bounou defends the web in the course of the World Cup. He’s one of many finalists for this 12 months’s Golden Glove award within the contest. (Picture: Related Press)
The Golden Glove is given to one of the best goalkeeper of every version of the World Cup. This award, which was referred to as the Lev Yashin Award earlier than the 2010 World Cup in South Africa in honor of the legendary Soviet goalkeeper, has been received by plenty of legendary goalkeepers through the years.
Michel Preud’homme took it for Belgium in 1994, and Germany’s Oliver Kahn obtained it in 2002. Iker Casillas picked it up for Spain in 2010 earlier than Germany obtained it once more in 2014 by way of Manuel Neuer’s efficiency. Of the eight groups nonetheless standing now, just a few names stand out.
Going for the Gold
Alisson Becker has been on level together with his efficiency within the web. When he’s not defending for Brazil, the Liverpool goalkeeper has gone above and past. To this point on this World Cup, virtually no balls have gotten previous him, which is why BetMGM favors him for the Golden Glove award at +150.
Argentina has Lionel Messi controlling the ball on the sphere, however Emiliano Martinez controlling the web. He’s been the group’s savior greater than as soon as already, notably in opposition to Australia, and is now at +380 to win on BetMGM.
Jordan Pickford was decrease within the rankings when the World Cup video games began, however has moved up. When he’s not taking part in Fortnite to distract himself throughout his off time, he’s lighting up England’s web. Iran scored two objectives in opposition to the group, however nobody else has scored since then. Pickford is now +750 on BetMGM.
No record of Golden Glove candidates can be full with out Yassine Bounou. Morocco’s goalkeeper has allowed just one aim in additional than 390 minutes. Not even Spain was capable of get previous him within the Spherical of 16. BetMGM has him at +1400, however that would change quickly.
Dominik Livaković has been placing on a efficiency for Croatia. Danijel Subašić set a excessive bar in Russia in 2018, however there isn’t any doubt that the Dinamo Zagreb goalkeeper has lived as much as his predecessor’s efficiency. At +1800, he’s among the many longest to win, however he nonetheless deserves recognition for what he’s achieved.
Ronaldo In, Enrique Out
Cristiano Ronaldo might have variations with Portugal’s head coach, Fernando Santos, however solely due to his fiercely aggressive nature. After not beginning within the group’s sport in opposition to Switzerland, Ronaldo is lastly calming down and setting apart his points to guide Portugal to victory.
The alleged malaise began when Ronaldo was substituted on the finish of the group stage in opposition to South Korea. His departure within the sixty fifth minute to make means for André Silva, after scoring a penalty aim within the first sport in opposition to Ghana, didn’t sit effectively with him. His anger escalated when he realized that he wouldn’t begin in opposition to Switzerland within the Spherical of 16.
As a result of Portugal deftly defeated Switzerland with out one in every of its finest abilities, there isn’t a lot strain to start out Ronaldo in opposition to Morocco. Santos is reportedly going to let him play, however not as a starter.
Spain’s embarrassing efficiency in opposition to Morocco will go down in historical past as a significant failure, and also will ceaselessly mark the profession of coach Luis Enrique Martínez, who’s not answerable for the group.
The Royal Spanish Soccer Federation (RFEF, for its Spanish acronym) is parting methods with Martínez, whose contract expired on the conclusion of the World Cup. It’s heading in a special course and has confirmed that Luis de la Fuente, till now the technical director of the sub-21 group, might be his substitute.
de la Fuente performed for 17 years in Spanish soccer with a number of groups, beginning with Bilbao Athletic in 1978, returning to them in 1991. After that second stint, which lasted two years, he moved to Alavés for a season. Since then, he’s managed a number of groups, and can now be charged with doing higher than Martínez.
