Two European giants eliminated by penalties in World Cup

Because of good time zones almost exclusively, I am watching a lot of the World Cup this time around. In the past when they were in other countries and adjustment of my schedule would have been necessary to catch most of the matches, I didn't really even bother, even for the USA games. This time around though the times are good and other than the crazy amount of baseball games that stop for no man, there isn't a lot of American sport on TV anyway. So, I've been watching a bunch of it or at least have it on in the background while I am doing something else in my apartment.

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I am a bit of a numpty when it comes to knowledge of the teams, I couldn't name more than half a dozen players on any of the teams combined, but I do know the legacy of several European nations and how they are simply expected to do extremely well.

The biggest shock of the past few days is Germany being eliminated in the first round by none other than Paraguay. Nobody expected this to happen but it just goes to show that a lot of things can happen in these World Cups and a lot of it is heartbreaking. Just ask any Brazilian about what happened in 2014... they remember!

I don't think there was any bookmaker out there that was giving Paraguay even a little bit of a chance in this thing and even when the game ended with two extra-time periods with the score locked at 1-1, necessitating a penalty shoot-out, the odds still looked heavily in Germany's favor. That's not how it works out though and Paraguay ended up shocking the world and winning the shootout 4-3.

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Something that might be inspiring for any USA fans is that the Americans appeared to handle Paraguay quite easily in the group stages but let's not get arrogant, ok?

The other team that got to go home early is less of a legend in the football world but still notable and that team in The Netherlands where they were heavily favored against Morocco.

This game I actually watched and while it was exciting, there wasn't a great deal going on in the first half (by my standards, shoot me). Once the Dutch scored in the 72nd minute and controlled most of the pitch during the rest, the deal looked done but lo and behold, Morocco sent it to extra time in the 91st minute, which does seem to be a bit of a tradition in this tournament and perhaps all of them. I don't know, I am not a full-time fan.

I do know that of the tiers of excellence in this sport is concerned, that The Netherlands are up there probably 2nd tier and Morocco tends to be one of those countries that we expect to see in the World Cup, but don't really expect them to accomplish very much.

The shootout in this game was really horrible on the part of the Dutch though, with two major mistakes defining the who debacle.

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I don't remember exactly what happened but goalkeeper Ronald Koeman just had a few saves that would make him a hero but then this happened. He actually saved the shot but then something happened with his legs after the fact that if he had just stopped moving after saving the shot it would have been over. But he spazzed out a bit and his bottom leg actually kicked the ball into the goal after the shot's velocity was all gone.

Not all the blame lies on him though and it shouldn't. He is the wall, not the gunner and his gunners were less than stellar as well. One of them, was so bad that he will likely be remembered for this.

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His name is Quinten Timber and his shot wasn't even on target. I think that one of the most important aspects of participating in a penalty shootout should be that you can actually get the ball into that target that is the size of a tractor-trailer truck. The shot above make it look like the shot was a meter wide and that is disingenuous. But it was completely wide of the goal and didn't even make contact with the post. This was the true nail in the coffin for Netherlands. I like the look on the keeper, who chose the incorrect direction for the kick but it didn't matter if the kicker misses the target entirely.

I was reminded of Megan Rapinhoe's shot where it went wildly over the target and how she turned around and laughed after the fact.

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Timber's reaction was slightly different. He understood immediately what this terrible mistake meant for his team and his country and I am sure that this will stick with him for a very long time. It will likely be, just like the keeper, the thing that he is best known for. The World Cup is a terrible place to make such terrible mistakes.

So now it is Morocco, not The Netherlands that are moving on to face Canada in the 2nd round and most of the gambling world sees this upcoming game as a bit of an easy one but guys! Have you not been watching this tournament? Seriously anything can happen. Who would have bet that both Germany and The Netherlands would be headed home after the first round? I certainly wouldn't have.