Old World vs. New World, Europe vs. North America. Collectively, CONCACAF are having one of their best World Cups, UEFA one of their worst. Netherlands, Mexico, Costa Rica, and Greece took the stage as more fireworks flew in the knockout stage.
Round of 16: 1B Netherlands vs. 2A Mexico
Result: 2-1 win for Netherlands
Goalscorers: 48' Giovani dos Santos (Villarreal), 88' Wesley Sneijder (Galatasaray), 90+4' Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (Schalke)
Bookings: 69' Paul Aguilar (America), 90+2' Rafael Marquez (Leon), 90+3' Andres Guardado (Bayer Leverkusen)
Significance of bookings: If Mexico made it to the quarterfinals, Marquez and Aguilar would've been suspended due to yellow card accumulation.
Lineups
Netherlands (4-3-1-2)
Jasper Cillessen (Ajax); Paul Verhaegh (Augsburg), Ron Vlaar (Aston Villa), Stephan de Vrij (Feyenoord), Daley Blind (Ajax); Dirk Kuyt (Fenerbahce), Nigel de Jong (AC Milan), Georginio Wijnaldum (PSV); Wesley Sneijder (Galatasaray); Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich), Robin van Persie (Manchester United, captain)
Changes from last match
Daryl Janmaat and Jeremain Lens left on the bench, replaced by Verhaegh and van Persie (who was suspended for the Chile game due to multiple yellow cards).
Subs:
Bruno Martins Indi (Feyenoord) 9' for Nigel de Jong
Memphis Depay (PSV) 56' for Paul Verhaegh
Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (Schalke) 76' for Robin van Persie
Mexico (5-3-2)
Guillermo Ochoa (Ajaccio); Paul Aguilar (America), Francisco Rodriguez (America), Rafael Marquez (Leon, captain), Hector Moreno (Espanyol), Miguel Layun (America); Hector Herrera (Porto), Carlos Salcido (UANL), Andres Guardado (Bayer Leverkusen); Giovani dos Santos (Villarreal), Oribe Peralta (Santos Laguna)
Changes from last match
Jose Vazquez was replaced by Salcido in the starting lineup since Vazquez was suspended for yellow card accumulation
Subs:
Diego Reyes (Porto) 46' for Hector Moreno
Javier Aquino (Villarreal) 61' for Giovani dos Santos
Javier Hernandez (Manchester United) 75' for Oribe Peralta
Both of these teams came out of their groups relatively unscathed. Despite having to deal with the likes of Brazil and Spain, Mexico and Netherlands were undefeated in the group stage and deservedly made their way to the Round of 16. Although Netherlands have had less difficulty scoring goals than Mexico, this seemed like a pretty even match up and fans and players of both nations felt they had a decent shot in this game. It was a tale of two halves really. Mexico seemed like the better team in the first half, and then got their goal early on but after that it was almost like they forgot that a 1-0 lead...40 minutes before the end of the game....in a world cup knockout game....against the NETHERLANDS....IS NOT A SAFE LEAD! They were playing with fire, they dropped deep and allowed Netherlands to get more possession of the ball, more corner kicks, and more opportunities. And when you play with fire, you get burned. Wesley Sneijder found his opportunity and buried it past Guillermo Ochoa. Seemed fair, it was a good match, both teams have played well and balanced each other out, we'll see what extra time brings? OR Arjen Robben could dive and settle things 2 minutes before the final whistle by drawing a penalty. Some arguments that it weren't a dive and it was a legitimate call seemed feasible but from my perspective and knowing what Arjen Robben is capable of and how frustrated he was not having made as much of an impact in this game as he had in previous games for the Netherlands in this tournament, I considered it a dive. But regardless, Wesley Sneijder's goal was legitimate and maybe Mexico just lost their concentration for a split second and that's exactly enough time for the story to be rewritten. At the very least without that penalty it would be extra time and maybe still Netherlands had that win coming. Regardless, Netherlands progress to the quarterfinals for the 2nd World Cup running and even though they needed a late surge to get the result they needed, they still look like legitimate contenders to win it all, something they haven't done yet. They're called the greatest team to never win a World Cup for a reason, and now only three games remain for them to discard that title.
Elimination Analysis: Mexico
Mexico will have every reason to be frustrated. 6th World Cup in a row losing at the final 16...that stuff has to be getting old and annoying. 4th time losing in the knockout stage after scoring 1st (1970 vs. Italy, 1998 vs. Germany, 2006 vs. Argentina, and now this time) is brutal. And flop or not, being eliminated by a penalty kick minutes before the end of regulation is a heart breaker. But let's rewind back to the hexagonal. Mexico were falling apart. Drawing at home to Jamaica and USA. Blowing a 2-goal lead away against Honduras to tie 2-2, followed by some tough defeats like the latest "Dos a cero" loss to the USA in Columbus and the "Aztecazo" 2-1 loss to Honduras. Graham Zusi's equalizer against Panama in the final match day gave Mexico the opportunity to face New Zealand for their World Cup spot. It looked like Mexico were gonna limp past the unimpressive Kiwis into the World Cup. But after thrashing New Zealand 9-3 on aggregate Mexico under Miguel Herrera start to regain the form they were in prior to the 2012 Summer Olympics and they were back in business. They played 3 great games in Group A, defeating Cameroon and Croatia and tying to Brazil, but just couldn't keep things going this time. They were very close to their first ever quarterfinal appearance outside of Mexico, and hopefully they continue to work hard and next time it will be their time to do better than top 16, and from there, who knows?
Round of 16: 1D Costa Rica vs. 2C Greece
Result: 1-1 but Costa Rica emerged victorious in the penalty shootout
Goalscorers: 52' Bryan Ruiz (PSV), 90+1' Sokratis Papastathopoulos (Borussia Dortmund)
Penalty Shootout
Costa Rica 1: Celso Borges (AIK) successful
Greece 1: Kostas Mitroglou (Fulham) successful
1-1
Costa Rica 2: Bryan Ruiz (PSV) successful
Greece 2: Lazaros Christodoulopoulos (Bologna) successful
2-2
Costa Rica 3: Giancarlo Gonzalez (Columbus Crew) successful
Greece 3: Jose Holebas (Olympiacos) successful
3-3
Costa Rica 4: Joel Campbell (Olympiacos) successful
Greece 4: Theofanis Gekas (Konyaspor) unsuccessful
4-3 Costa Rica
Costa Rica 5: Michael Umana (Saprissa) successful
Costa Rica advance upon winning the shootout 5-3
Bookings: 36' Andreas Samaris (Olympiacos), 48' Yeltsin Tejeda (Saprissa), 57' Oscar Granados* (Herediano), 42', 66' two yellow cards Oscar Duarte (Club Brugge), 70' Bryan Ruiz (PSV), Kostas Manolas (Olympiacos), 90' Keylor Navas (Levante), 120' Fernando Santos, Greece's coach, sent off
*=Oscar Granados became the 3rd player to receive a yellow card from the bench after confronting the ref.
Significance of bookings: Duarte, for receiving a red card (two yellows), will be suspended for Costa Rica's quarterfinal match against the Netherlands. If Greece progressed, Fernando Santos would've missed the next match as well.
Lineups
Costa Rica (5-2-2-1)
Keylor Navas (Levante); Cristian Gamboa (Rosenborg), Oscar Duarte (Club Brugge), Giancarlo Gonzalez (Columbus Crew), Michael Umana (Saprissa), Junior Diaz (Mainz 05); Celso Borges (AIK), Yeltsin Tejeda (Saprissa); Bryan Ruiz (PSV, captain), Christian Bolanos (Copenhagen); Joel Campbell (Olympiacos)
Changes from last match
Change from 5-3-2 to 5-2-2-1 formation. Randall Brenes and Roy Miller dropped from starting lineup, replaced by Bolanos and Umana respectively.
Subs:
Jose Cubero (Herediano) 66' for Yeltsin Tejeda
Johnny Acosta (Alajuelense) 77' for Cristian Gamboa
Randall Brenes (Cartagines) 83' for Christian Bolanos
Greece (4-5-1)
Orestis Karnezis (Granada); Vasilis Torosidis (Roma), Kostas Manolas (Olympiacos), Sokratis Papastathopoulos (Borussia Dortmund), Jose Holebas (Olympiacos); Giorgos Karagounis (Fulham, captain), Giannis Maniatis (Olympiacos), Andreas Samaris (Olympiacos), Dimitris Salpingidis (PAOK), Lazaros Christodoulopoulos (Bologna); Georgios Samaras (Celtic)
Changes from last match
Panagiotis Kone (wasn't 100%) left on the bench, allowing Samaris to start.
Subs:
Kostas Mitroglou (Fulham) 58' for Andreas Samaris
Theofanis Gekas (Konyaspor) 69' for Dimitris Salpingidis
Kostas Katsouranis (PAOK) 78' for Giannis Maniatis
Neither team was expected to get this far, and the fact that one of them were going to the quarterfinals to face the Netherlands. Both have had interesting paths to get this far. Suddenly Costa Rica became the biggest predator in the Group D shark tank, while Greece had to dig deep against Japan and get a little lucky against Cote D'Ivoire to get here. However, this was probably the worst of the knockout matches so far. A lot of sloppy or boring play between both teams until Bryan Ruiz scored a goal to open things up. It wasn't the fastest shot and Orestis Karnezis didn't even go for it, but a goal is a goal. Costa Rica though they were in control but then Oscar Duarte received his 2nd yellow and Costa Rica were reduced to 10 men for what they thought would be 25 minutes or so but eventually became 55 thanks to Sokratis Papastathopoulos's equalizer in the dying minutes of the game. In extra time, Costa Rica, especially Joel Campbell, appeared to be running on near empty, possibly because they played at a higher tempo for longer than Greece or the numbers disadvantage was taking its toll. As always for Greece, slow and steady wins the race. If it wasn't for Keylor Navas having a fantastic game, Greece would've been the word and the Greeks would've won before a penalty shootout was necessary. But alas it was, and Theofanis Gekas was the unlucky person to blow it as Costa Rica moved on to the quarterfinals for the first time ever for them, and Greece were knocked out, probably not soon enough for the millions of neutrals who criticize their defensive approach to playing soccer. Mexico (1970 and 1986), USA (2002), and, I kid you not, Cuba (1938, their only World Cup appearance) are the only other CONCACAF teams to get this far.
Elimination Analysis: Greece
Greece made their World Cup debut in 1994 but were seen as the sand bags of their group which contained Argentina, Bulgaria, and Nigeria. And then incredibly they managed to win the 2004 UEFA Euro tournament (Giorgos Karagounis and Kostas Katsouranis were a part of that Greek squad), which remains one of the biggest shocks in football/soccer in the 21st century. That tournament, since then, has given Greece the belief that on their day they can stand up to any opponent. Well they haven't been winning any trophies since then but at least they managed to qualify for every major tournament available to them since then, excluding the 2006 World Cup. This tournament will definitely be a success for Greece even though they didn't replicate their 2004 feat (which would've been asking for a whole lot). They made it to the top 16 for the first time at a World Cup, they got out of a group that not too many people predicted them getting out of since Colombia and Cote D'Ivoire/Japan were considered the more likely scenario. Some of Greece's biggest names like Karagounis (37), Salpingidis (32), Katsouranis (34), and Gekas (34) are likely playing on borrowed time for this national team, which means the younger players like Kostas Mitroglou, Andreas Samaris, and Sokratis Papastathopoulos will need to continue to step up and grow stronger to keep Greece as one of the better teams in Europe, though not quite a giant. It would be nice if they could emphasize more attacking play, but every nation has their own style and whichever way gets you results, that's what counts.
Up next
1E France vs. 2F Nigeria
1G Germany vs. 2H Algeria
Europe's battles shift from North American opponents to African ones. France and Germany are undoubtedly favorites in these matchups but can Nigeria or Algeria pull off an upset?
France have been in good form this whole tournament, they have a deep squad, they've scored eight goals in three games, and they're looking to make a deep run in this tournament. Nigeria's coach Stephen Keshi continues to show his faith in his side, whom he once said have the potential to be the first African team to reach the semifinal. It'll take much more than Vincent Enyeama's impressive goal keeping to keep that dream alive though.
Germany look like a powerful team as well. A lot of people foresee this side winning the World Cup even when knowing a European team has only once one a World Cup outside of Europe, and that was Spain 4 years ago in South Africa. For Algeria though, this matchup brings back both great and horrible memories of the 1982 World Cup in Spain. Algeria beat Germany 2-1, an incredible shock at the time and the first time an African nation had beaten a European nation at the World Cup. However, in the final group game, Germany and Austria notoriously played to a 1-0 Germany win (allegedly a case of match fixing), knowing that's what they needed for both teams to advance and eliminate Algeria. 32 years later, Algeria still has kept note of that match and even though they are heavy underdogs in this match, a win against Germany would be as sweet as winning the World Cup.
Monday, June 30, 2014
Sunday, June 29, 2014
2014 FIFA World Cup Day 16 Review Day 17 Preview
No turning back now. On to the knockout phase we go. Only the winners can survive, for the losers the dream ends right then and there.
Round of 16: 1A Brazil vs. 2B Chile
Result: 1-1 after extra time; Brazil advanced 3-2 on penalties
Goalscorers: 18' David Luiz (Chelsea), 32' Alexis Sanchez (Barcelona)
Penalty Shootout
Brazil 1: David Luiz (Chelsea) successful
Chile 1: Mauricio Pinilla (Cagliari) unsuccessful
1-0 Brazil
Brazil 2: Willian (Chelsea) unsuccessful
Chile 2: Alexis Sanchez (Barcelona) unsuccessful
1-0 Brazil
Brazil 3: Marcelo (Real Madrid) successful
Chile 3: Charles Aranguiz (Internacional) successful
2-1 Brazil
Brazil 4: Hulk (Zenit) unsuccessful
Chile 4: Marcelo Diaz (Basel) successful
2-2
Brazil 5: Neymar (Barcelona) successful
Chile 5: Gonzalo Jara (Nottingham Forest) unsuccessful
Brazil advance upon winning the shootout 3-2
Bookings: 17' Eugenio Mena (Santos), 40' Francisco Silva (Osasuna), 55' Hulk (Zenit), 60' Luis Gustavo (Wolfsburg), 93' Jo (Atletico Mineiro), 102' Mauricio Pinilla (Cagliari), 105+1' Dani Alves (Barcelona)
Significance of bookings: Luis Gustavo will miss Brazil's quarterfinal match. Mena and Silva would've missed the quarterfinal if Chile advanced
Lineups
Brazil (4-2-3-1)
Julio Cesar (Toronto FC); Dani Alves (Barcelona), Thiago Silva (PSG, captain), David Luiz (Chelsea), Marcelo (Real Madrid); Fernandinho (Manchester City), Luis Gustavo (Wolfsburg); Hulk (Zenit), Oscar (Chelsea), Neymar (Barcelona); Fred (Fluminense)
Changes from last match
Change from 4-3-3 to 4-2-3-1 formation. Fernandinho replaces Paulinho in the starting lineup
Subs:
Jo (Atletico Mineiro) 64' for Fred
Ramires (Chelsea) 72' for Fernandinho
Willian (Chelsea) 106' for Oscar
Chile (5-3-2)
Claudio Bravo (Real Sociedad, captain); Mauricio Isla (Juventus), Francisco Silva (Osasuna), Gary Medel (Cardiff City), Gonzalo Jara (Nottingham Forest), Eugenio Mena (Santos); Charles Aranguiz (Internacional), Arturo Vidal (Juventus), Marcelo Diaz (Basel); Alexis Sanchez (Barcelona), Eduardo Vargas (Valencia)
Changes from last match
With Vidal fit enough to return to action, Felipe Gutierrez makes way and goes to the bench
Subs
Felipe Gutierrez (Twente) 57' for Eduardo Vargas
Mauricio Pinilla (Cagliari) 87' for Arturo Vidal
Jose Rojas (Universidad de Chile) 108' for Gary Medel
Chile have been knocked out by Brazil in the World Cup a few times and were hoping to snap that streak in this encounter. Chile already had blood on their hands from eliminating one 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup finalist and this team definitely looked like a team that if Brazil were not careful could end their World Cup in a split second. And Brazil just barely hung in there. They started out strong, quickly getting a goal, but after a bad pass from Hulk from Marcelo's throw in, Alexis Sanchez scored a goal that changed the direction of the game. Suddenly Brazil were vulnerable and Chile were confident. Both teams and coaches did what they could to get their second goal but it never came and as the 90 minute mark grew closer, the more and more Chile seemed happy with extra time and maybe penalties. I mean, first world cup knockout match in the tournament and with the host nation involved no less, let's take things to penalty and see how many Brazilians faint or nearly faint. That's an interesting idea of fun. The closest either team came to winning the match in the 90 minutes was Hulk, who looked like he redeemed himself from gifting Sanchez a goal. PSYCHE! He touched the ball with his arm right before he took a shot, so obviously the goal didn't count and Hulk got booked (Ireland were left wishing Howard Webb was referee in their game against France in 2010 World Cup qualifying playoffs, where Thierry Henry handled the ball twice leading up to the decisive French goal and prevented Ireland from reaching the World Cup that year). If it wasn't for Neymar switching his boots at halftime not many non-Brazilian fans would've noticed him through much of the 2nd half. In extra time Brazil had most of the possession but the best chance was Chile's when Mauricio Pinilla's shot at the last minute of extra time hit the crossbar to Julio Cesar's relief. Chile could've won the match right there, but unfortunately it was not to be and penalties loomed. Julio Cesar saved two spot kicks and Bravo saved one: Hulk's (fair to say this was not Hulk's best game). Neymar converted what proved to be the decisive penalty after Gonzalo Jara's shot hit the left post. How crazy was that? Chile were so close to stunning the host nation but once again Brazil gets the better of Chile. Despite this though, many questions surround this Brazilian team, knowing they needed a bit of luck in the end to avoid elimination. In Brazil's defense though, their luck didn't go entirely undeserved IMO. Both Brazil and Chile fought hard and either way it was going to be tough to say goodbye to the losing team.
Elimination Analysis: Chile
This Chilean team was certainly a joy to watch in this tournament and Argentine coach Jorge Sampaoli has done a great job at turning Chile into nearly a South American giant just like Brazil or Argentina, or even Colombia maybe. They definitely exceeded expectations, especially since they looked like the 3rd wheel in a group that Spain and Netherlands look set to advance from, but they sucker punched Spain and they got through instead! Their defense was expected to be shaky with only Mauricio Isla playing for a very well known club, but the defense was not bad, and their attacking play was phenomenal. They were a real live wire in this tournament Chile but there were always a lot of doubts in the Round of 16 because it seemed like Brazil definitely had their number and with Brazil being hosts, it seemed impossible for Chile to stop them, but they nearly did it. A fantastic effort but close just couldn't cut it. I definitely hope Sampaoli stays with Chile for at least one more cycle, and if things keep going well for them (and Arturo Vidal, who will be 31 in the next World Cup, stays healthy), then a quarterfinal appearance for this team is certainly not far fetched, and from there the possibilities are abundant. A great performance especially by Alexis Sanchez and his new Barcelona teammate Claudio Bravo, who made a strong case as to why he should start over Marc-Andre ter Stegen with this World Cup run.
Round of 16: 1C Colombia vs. 2D Uruguay
Result: 2-0 win for Colombia
Goalscorers: 28', 50' James Rodriguez (Monaco)
Bookings: 55' Jose Gimenez (Atletico Madrid), 77' Diego Lugano (West Bromwich Albion)*, 78' Pablo Armero (West Ham United)
*Diego Lugano did not play in the match (injury) but received a yellow card after some banter with the referee from the bench
Significance of bookings: Lugano would miss the next match if Uruguay qualified for the quarterfinals and even if he was fit to play
Lineups
Colombia (4-4-2)
David Ospina (Nice); Juan Zuniga (Napoli), Cristian Zapata (AC Milan), Mario Yepes (Atalanta, captain), Pablo Armero (West Ham United); Juan Cuadrado (Fiorentina), Abel Aguilar (Toulouse), Carlos Sanchez (Elche), James Rodriguez (Monaco); Teofilo Gutierrez (River Plate), Jackson Martinez (Porto)
Changes from last match
Santiago Arias, Carlos Valdes, Eder Balanta, Alexander Mejia, Fredy Guarin, Juan Quintero, and Adrian Ramos move to the bench, being replaced by Zuniga, Zapata, Yepes, Aguilar, Sanchez, Rodriguez, and Gutierrez. (Rodriguez appeared as a sub in the last match). Change from 4-2-2-2 to 4-4-2 formation.
Subs:
Alexander Mejia (Atletico Nacional) 68' for Teofilo Gutierrez
Fredy Guarin (Inter) 81' for Juan Cuadrado
Adrian Ramos (Hertha BSC) 85' for James Rodriguez
Uruguay (4-4-2)
Fernando Muslera (Galatasaray); Martin Caceres (Juventus), Jose Gimenez (Atletico Madrid), Diego Godin (Atletico Madrid, captain), Alvaro Pereira (Sao Paulo); Maxi Pereira (Benfica), Alvaro Gonzalez (Lazio), Egidio Arevalo Rios (Morelia), Cristian Rodriguez (Atletico Madrid); Edinson Cavani (PSG), Diego Forlan (Cerezo Osaka)
Changes from last match
Change from 4-3-1-2 to 4-4-2 formation. Luis Suarez (banned for rest of the tournament and more due to the biting incident) and Nicolas Lodeiro left off the starting lineup, making room for Maxi Pereira and Dieog Forlan
Subs:
Cristian Stuani (Espanyol) 53' for Diego Forlan
Gaston Ramirez (Southampton) 53' for Alvaro Pereira
Abel Hernandez (Palermo) 67' for Alvaro Gonzalez
You know it sucks to be Uruguay when your best striker and player does something STUPID like biting Giorgio Chiellini like he's auditioning for Edward in the Twilight movies (newflash, all the movies have been filmed and released, you're like 6 or 7 years too late Suarez!) and is banned for the tournament and you have to start a 35 year old as striker. Nothing against Diego Forlan, who had an impressive World Cup last time in South Africa and in the 2011 Copa America he was ok too, but it's been downhill from there. The only time they played without Suarez in this World Cup, they lost to Costa Rica. By now Colombia are used to their best player, Ramadel Falcao, not being around, and after this match looks like his wingman James Rodriguez has happily taken over as Colombia's star, even borrowing Lebron James's nickname "King James". And the Colombian King James continued his reign with two goals to put Colombia past Uruguay and into the quarterfinals for the first time in Colombia's World Cup history. This put James Rodriguez's total at 5 goals, the current leading scorer of the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Aside from those goals, Colombia were free to play their brand of soccer/football most of the match and David Ospina came up with decent saves when he was needed. Ultimately there was very little Uruguay could do to turn things around. And now Colombia has to face Brazil in the Quarterfinals. Will their amazing run continue or will the hosts stop them in their tracks?
Elimination Analysis: Uruguay
Luis Suarez is very talented but very volatile and risky, sort of like playing with fire. And when you play with fire, you get burned. Sometimes. They didn't in 2010. Luckily Luis Suarez's hand ball went unpunished by Asamoah Gyan's penalty miss and then Ghana's subsequent failure in the following penalty shootout. What a crazy ride it's been since then. 4th place in 2010 South Africa, 2011 Copa America winners, but then a complicated qualification journey forced them to qualify for the World Cup after defeating Asian minnows Jordan in playoff games. Uruguay also seemed like a contender in 2013 Confederations Cup. They held their own but ultimately lost to all the difficult competition, the likes of Spain, Brazil, and Italy in that order. Uruguay did manage to avenge their defeat to Italy that summer by beating them 1-0 this time around but Luis Suarez couldn't hold out any longer without biting someone and that left Uruguay up a creek without a piranha, I mean paddle. Uruguay's not short on talent without Suarez, with decent plays like Edinson Cavani, Diego Godin, and Fernando Muslera, but we definitely saw how much they depended on him to be a top team, and his absence is greatly felt. So a lot of thinking and wondering left for Uruguay to do as they hope to impress the next chance they get. I'm sure Brazil is relieved Uruguay can't beat them in this World Cup like they did in 1950.
Up next
1B Netherlands vs. 2A Mexico
1D Costa Rica vs. 2C Greece
Two North America vs. Europe showdowns! Both Netherlands and Mexico have been in good form so far in this World Cup. Both have a lot of offensive fire power and skill in pretty much every position, and this has a look of an exciting and high scoring game. For Netherlands, it's another tough task they must pass if this is the year they finally win their first World Cup. For Mexico, it's a difficult task they must pass to make their first ever quarterfinals appearance on foreign soil. And it's the surprise packages duking it out between Los Ticos and the Pirate Ship. Either Costa Rica or Greece will make their first ever run to the quarterfinals. They've already made history for their respective nations but whose style of play will carry them farther?
Round of 16: 1A Brazil vs. 2B Chile
Result: 1-1 after extra time; Brazil advanced 3-2 on penalties
Goalscorers: 18' David Luiz (Chelsea), 32' Alexis Sanchez (Barcelona)
Penalty Shootout
Brazil 1: David Luiz (Chelsea) successful
Chile 1: Mauricio Pinilla (Cagliari) unsuccessful
1-0 Brazil
Brazil 2: Willian (Chelsea) unsuccessful
Chile 2: Alexis Sanchez (Barcelona) unsuccessful
1-0 Brazil
Brazil 3: Marcelo (Real Madrid) successful
Chile 3: Charles Aranguiz (Internacional) successful
2-1 Brazil
Brazil 4: Hulk (Zenit) unsuccessful
Chile 4: Marcelo Diaz (Basel) successful
2-2
Brazil 5: Neymar (Barcelona) successful
Chile 5: Gonzalo Jara (Nottingham Forest) unsuccessful
Brazil advance upon winning the shootout 3-2
Bookings: 17' Eugenio Mena (Santos), 40' Francisco Silva (Osasuna), 55' Hulk (Zenit), 60' Luis Gustavo (Wolfsburg), 93' Jo (Atletico Mineiro), 102' Mauricio Pinilla (Cagliari), 105+1' Dani Alves (Barcelona)
Significance of bookings: Luis Gustavo will miss Brazil's quarterfinal match. Mena and Silva would've missed the quarterfinal if Chile advanced
Lineups
Brazil (4-2-3-1)
Julio Cesar (Toronto FC); Dani Alves (Barcelona), Thiago Silva (PSG, captain), David Luiz (Chelsea), Marcelo (Real Madrid); Fernandinho (Manchester City), Luis Gustavo (Wolfsburg); Hulk (Zenit), Oscar (Chelsea), Neymar (Barcelona); Fred (Fluminense)
Changes from last match
Change from 4-3-3 to 4-2-3-1 formation. Fernandinho replaces Paulinho in the starting lineup
Subs:
Jo (Atletico Mineiro) 64' for Fred
Ramires (Chelsea) 72' for Fernandinho
Willian (Chelsea) 106' for Oscar
Chile (5-3-2)
Claudio Bravo (Real Sociedad, captain); Mauricio Isla (Juventus), Francisco Silva (Osasuna), Gary Medel (Cardiff City), Gonzalo Jara (Nottingham Forest), Eugenio Mena (Santos); Charles Aranguiz (Internacional), Arturo Vidal (Juventus), Marcelo Diaz (Basel); Alexis Sanchez (Barcelona), Eduardo Vargas (Valencia)
Changes from last match
With Vidal fit enough to return to action, Felipe Gutierrez makes way and goes to the bench
Subs
Felipe Gutierrez (Twente) 57' for Eduardo Vargas
Mauricio Pinilla (Cagliari) 87' for Arturo Vidal
Jose Rojas (Universidad de Chile) 108' for Gary Medel
Chile have been knocked out by Brazil in the World Cup a few times and were hoping to snap that streak in this encounter. Chile already had blood on their hands from eliminating one 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup finalist and this team definitely looked like a team that if Brazil were not careful could end their World Cup in a split second. And Brazil just barely hung in there. They started out strong, quickly getting a goal, but after a bad pass from Hulk from Marcelo's throw in, Alexis Sanchez scored a goal that changed the direction of the game. Suddenly Brazil were vulnerable and Chile were confident. Both teams and coaches did what they could to get their second goal but it never came and as the 90 minute mark grew closer, the more and more Chile seemed happy with extra time and maybe penalties. I mean, first world cup knockout match in the tournament and with the host nation involved no less, let's take things to penalty and see how many Brazilians faint or nearly faint. That's an interesting idea of fun. The closest either team came to winning the match in the 90 minutes was Hulk, who looked like he redeemed himself from gifting Sanchez a goal. PSYCHE! He touched the ball with his arm right before he took a shot, so obviously the goal didn't count and Hulk got booked (Ireland were left wishing Howard Webb was referee in their game against France in 2010 World Cup qualifying playoffs, where Thierry Henry handled the ball twice leading up to the decisive French goal and prevented Ireland from reaching the World Cup that year). If it wasn't for Neymar switching his boots at halftime not many non-Brazilian fans would've noticed him through much of the 2nd half. In extra time Brazil had most of the possession but the best chance was Chile's when Mauricio Pinilla's shot at the last minute of extra time hit the crossbar to Julio Cesar's relief. Chile could've won the match right there, but unfortunately it was not to be and penalties loomed. Julio Cesar saved two spot kicks and Bravo saved one: Hulk's (fair to say this was not Hulk's best game). Neymar converted what proved to be the decisive penalty after Gonzalo Jara's shot hit the left post. How crazy was that? Chile were so close to stunning the host nation but once again Brazil gets the better of Chile. Despite this though, many questions surround this Brazilian team, knowing they needed a bit of luck in the end to avoid elimination. In Brazil's defense though, their luck didn't go entirely undeserved IMO. Both Brazil and Chile fought hard and either way it was going to be tough to say goodbye to the losing team.
Elimination Analysis: Chile
This Chilean team was certainly a joy to watch in this tournament and Argentine coach Jorge Sampaoli has done a great job at turning Chile into nearly a South American giant just like Brazil or Argentina, or even Colombia maybe. They definitely exceeded expectations, especially since they looked like the 3rd wheel in a group that Spain and Netherlands look set to advance from, but they sucker punched Spain and they got through instead! Their defense was expected to be shaky with only Mauricio Isla playing for a very well known club, but the defense was not bad, and their attacking play was phenomenal. They were a real live wire in this tournament Chile but there were always a lot of doubts in the Round of 16 because it seemed like Brazil definitely had their number and with Brazil being hosts, it seemed impossible for Chile to stop them, but they nearly did it. A fantastic effort but close just couldn't cut it. I definitely hope Sampaoli stays with Chile for at least one more cycle, and if things keep going well for them (and Arturo Vidal, who will be 31 in the next World Cup, stays healthy), then a quarterfinal appearance for this team is certainly not far fetched, and from there the possibilities are abundant. A great performance especially by Alexis Sanchez and his new Barcelona teammate Claudio Bravo, who made a strong case as to why he should start over Marc-Andre ter Stegen with this World Cup run.
Round of 16: 1C Colombia vs. 2D Uruguay
Result: 2-0 win for Colombia
Goalscorers: 28', 50' James Rodriguez (Monaco)
Bookings: 55' Jose Gimenez (Atletico Madrid), 77' Diego Lugano (West Bromwich Albion)*, 78' Pablo Armero (West Ham United)
*Diego Lugano did not play in the match (injury) but received a yellow card after some banter with the referee from the bench
Significance of bookings: Lugano would miss the next match if Uruguay qualified for the quarterfinals and even if he was fit to play
Lineups
Colombia (4-4-2)
David Ospina (Nice); Juan Zuniga (Napoli), Cristian Zapata (AC Milan), Mario Yepes (Atalanta, captain), Pablo Armero (West Ham United); Juan Cuadrado (Fiorentina), Abel Aguilar (Toulouse), Carlos Sanchez (Elche), James Rodriguez (Monaco); Teofilo Gutierrez (River Plate), Jackson Martinez (Porto)
Changes from last match
Santiago Arias, Carlos Valdes, Eder Balanta, Alexander Mejia, Fredy Guarin, Juan Quintero, and Adrian Ramos move to the bench, being replaced by Zuniga, Zapata, Yepes, Aguilar, Sanchez, Rodriguez, and Gutierrez. (Rodriguez appeared as a sub in the last match). Change from 4-2-2-2 to 4-4-2 formation.
Subs:
Alexander Mejia (Atletico Nacional) 68' for Teofilo Gutierrez
Fredy Guarin (Inter) 81' for Juan Cuadrado
Adrian Ramos (Hertha BSC) 85' for James Rodriguez
Uruguay (4-4-2)
Fernando Muslera (Galatasaray); Martin Caceres (Juventus), Jose Gimenez (Atletico Madrid), Diego Godin (Atletico Madrid, captain), Alvaro Pereira (Sao Paulo); Maxi Pereira (Benfica), Alvaro Gonzalez (Lazio), Egidio Arevalo Rios (Morelia), Cristian Rodriguez (Atletico Madrid); Edinson Cavani (PSG), Diego Forlan (Cerezo Osaka)
Changes from last match
Change from 4-3-1-2 to 4-4-2 formation. Luis Suarez (banned for rest of the tournament and more due to the biting incident) and Nicolas Lodeiro left off the starting lineup, making room for Maxi Pereira and Dieog Forlan
Subs:
Cristian Stuani (Espanyol) 53' for Diego Forlan
Gaston Ramirez (Southampton) 53' for Alvaro Pereira
Abel Hernandez (Palermo) 67' for Alvaro Gonzalez
You know it sucks to be Uruguay when your best striker and player does something STUPID like biting Giorgio Chiellini like he's auditioning for Edward in the Twilight movies (newflash, all the movies have been filmed and released, you're like 6 or 7 years too late Suarez!) and is banned for the tournament and you have to start a 35 year old as striker. Nothing against Diego Forlan, who had an impressive World Cup last time in South Africa and in the 2011 Copa America he was ok too, but it's been downhill from there. The only time they played without Suarez in this World Cup, they lost to Costa Rica. By now Colombia are used to their best player, Ramadel Falcao, not being around, and after this match looks like his wingman James Rodriguez has happily taken over as Colombia's star, even borrowing Lebron James's nickname "King James". And the Colombian King James continued his reign with two goals to put Colombia past Uruguay and into the quarterfinals for the first time in Colombia's World Cup history. This put James Rodriguez's total at 5 goals, the current leading scorer of the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Aside from those goals, Colombia were free to play their brand of soccer/football most of the match and David Ospina came up with decent saves when he was needed. Ultimately there was very little Uruguay could do to turn things around. And now Colombia has to face Brazil in the Quarterfinals. Will their amazing run continue or will the hosts stop them in their tracks?
Elimination Analysis: Uruguay
Luis Suarez is very talented but very volatile and risky, sort of like playing with fire. And when you play with fire, you get burned. Sometimes. They didn't in 2010. Luckily Luis Suarez's hand ball went unpunished by Asamoah Gyan's penalty miss and then Ghana's subsequent failure in the following penalty shootout. What a crazy ride it's been since then. 4th place in 2010 South Africa, 2011 Copa America winners, but then a complicated qualification journey forced them to qualify for the World Cup after defeating Asian minnows Jordan in playoff games. Uruguay also seemed like a contender in 2013 Confederations Cup. They held their own but ultimately lost to all the difficult competition, the likes of Spain, Brazil, and Italy in that order. Uruguay did manage to avenge their defeat to Italy that summer by beating them 1-0 this time around but Luis Suarez couldn't hold out any longer without biting someone and that left Uruguay up a creek without a piranha, I mean paddle. Uruguay's not short on talent without Suarez, with decent plays like Edinson Cavani, Diego Godin, and Fernando Muslera, but we definitely saw how much they depended on him to be a top team, and his absence is greatly felt. So a lot of thinking and wondering left for Uruguay to do as they hope to impress the next chance they get. I'm sure Brazil is relieved Uruguay can't beat them in this World Cup like they did in 1950.
Up next
1B Netherlands vs. 2A Mexico
1D Costa Rica vs. 2C Greece
Two North America vs. Europe showdowns! Both Netherlands and Mexico have been in good form so far in this World Cup. Both have a lot of offensive fire power and skill in pretty much every position, and this has a look of an exciting and high scoring game. For Netherlands, it's another tough task they must pass if this is the year they finally win their first World Cup. For Mexico, it's a difficult task they must pass to make their first ever quarterfinals appearance on foreign soil. And it's the surprise packages duking it out between Los Ticos and the Pirate Ship. Either Costa Rica or Greece will make their first ever run to the quarterfinals. They've already made history for their respective nations but whose style of play will carry them farther?
Saturday, June 28, 2014
2014 FIFA World Cup Day 15 Review Day 16 and KO stage Preview
Do or die time for Groups G and H as we complete the Knockout Stage picture and find out who the top 16 at this World Cup are.
Group G: United States vs. Germany
Result: 1-0 victory for Germany
Goalscorers: 55' Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich)
Bookings: 11' Benedikt Howedes (Schalke), 37' Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy), 62' Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake)
Lineups
United States (4-2-3-1)
Tim Howard (Everton); Fabian Johnson (Hoffenheim), Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy), Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), DaMarcus Beasley (Puebla); Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Jermaine Jones (Besiktas); Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City), Michael Bradley (Toronto FC), Brad Davis (Houston Dynamo); Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders, captain)
Changes from last match
Geoff Cameron (who had a less than stellar game against Portugal) and Alejandro Bedoya left on the bench for Gonzalez and Davis to start
Subs:
Alejandro Bedoya (Nantes) 59' for Brad Davis
DeAndre Yedlin (Seattle Sounders) 84' for Graham Zusi
Germany (4-5-1)
Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich); Jerome Boateng (Bayern Munich), Per Mertesacker (Arsenal), Mats Hummels (Borussia Dortmund), Benedikt Howedes (Schalke); Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munich, captain), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich), Toni Kroos (Bayern Munich), Mesut Ozil (Arsenal), Lukas Podolski (Arsenal); Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich)
Changes from last match
Mario Gotze and Sami Khedira left on the bench for Schweinsteiger and Podolski to start
Subs:
Miroslav Klose (Lazio) 46' for Lukas Podolski
Mario Gotze (Bayern Munich) 76' for Bastian Schweinsteiger
Andre Schurrle (Chelsea) 89' for Mesut Ozil
USA's last stop in this crazy Group G ride saved the toughest for last. Ghana is a decent team. Portugal is a great team. But Germany could possibly be the strongest team in the world. There was a lot of wondering if former coaching partners and alleged BFFs Klinsmann and Low had a secret agreement that they would play for a draw, but considering the strength in the lineups and their offensively inclined substitutions, that myth was busted. It was a rainy day and USA know they needed to get a decent result against the Germans to get through to the KO stage, and they did lose but a 1-0 loss to a team who usually scores at least 2 or 3 goals in most matches isn't the most bitter of pills to swallow. FYI, it's not parking the bus if a team spends a legitimate amount of time outside their penalty box. USA looked decent on and off the ball everywhere on the pitch but Germany were still one step ahead for the majority of the match, and Thomas Muller's goal was a fantastic one. It's Muller's 4th goal of the World Cup (tying him with Neymar and Messi), his 9th in all World Cups (5 from 2010 South Africa), and he's just been one of the guys doing great in a Germany shirt. One of them, Bastian Schweinsteiger (who had a slow start to the tournament due to injury concerns) took a couple of fouls in this match. USA had a couple of chances to threaten but either a bad touch from Michael Bradley or a less than perfect finish from Clint Dempsey kept Manuel Neuer's clean sheet in tact. Ultimately there's still much work that needs to be done. USA needs to be more threatening with possession, and Germany needs to reconsider using Philipp Lahm as a full back since Benedikt Howedes didn't look too comfortable (4 CBs in a back 4 is not really a great idea), but both Jurgen Klinsmann and Joachim Low will be happy with their teams performances and getting out of this group that people just couldn't stop thinking about ever since the draw.
Group G: Portugal vs. Ghana
Result: 2-1 win for Portugal
Goalscorers: 31' own goal John Boye (Rennes), 57' Asamoah Gyan (Al-Ain), 80' Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)
Bookings: 39' Harrison Afful (Esperance), 55' Majeed Waris (Valenciennes), 78' Jordan Ayew (Sochaux), 90+4' Joao Moutinho (Monaco)
Lineups
Portugal (4-5-1)
Beto (Sevilla); Joao Pereira (Valencia), Pepe (Real Madrid), Bruno Alves (Fenerbahce), Miguel Veloso (Dynamo Kyiv); William Carvalho (Sporting CP), Joao Moutinho (Monaco), Ruben Amorim (Benfica), Nani (Manchester United), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid, captain); Eder (Braga)
Changes from last match
Pepe returns from suspension from the red card he received against Germany and returns to the starting line up in Ricardo Costa's place. Andre Almeida, Raul Meireles, and Helder Postiga (possible injury concerns for the latter two) left off the starting lineup, making way for William, Amorim, and Eder to start.
Subs:
Silvestre Varela (Porto) 61' for Joao Pereira
Vieirinha (Wolfsburg) 69' for Eder
Eduardo (Braga) 89' for Beto
Ghana (4-2-2-2)
Fatau Dauda (Orlando Pirates); Harrison Afful (Esperance), John Boye (Rennes), Jonathan Mensah (Evian), Kwadwo Asamoah (Juventus); Mohammed Rabiu (Kuban Krasnodar), Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu (Udinese); Christian Atsu (Vitesse), Andre Ayew (Marseille); Majeed Waris (Valenciennes), Asamoah Gyan (Al-Ain, captain)
Changes from last match
Sulley Muntari and Kevin Prince-Boateng were not available for this match (will explain below) so Agyemang-Badu and Majeed Waris filled those vacancies. Change in formation from 4-2-3-1 to 4-2-2-2
Subs:
Jordan Ayew (Sochaux) 71' for Majeed Waris
Afriyie Acquah (Parma) 76' for Mohammed Rabiu
Wakaso Mubarak (Rubin Kazan) 81' for Andre Ayew
Ghana and Portugal managed to get a point from their first two games thanks to some thrilling 2-2 draws against Germany and USA respectively, but they needed to get things to go their way in this match to advance, but both faced vital set backs. Portugal's 4-0 loss to Germany put them in a huge hole in terms of goal difference, and two of Ghana's best players were sent home early for being dumb. Kevin-Prince Boateng and Sulley Muntari got in a fight during training, Boateng insulted the coach, Akwasi Appiah, and Muntari assaulted a member of the Ghana management. And things only went from bad to worse for Ghana in this game despite causing USA and Germany so many problems in their matches against Ghana. First, John Boye scored an own goal. Then, a poor clearance by Fatau Dauda sent the ball perfectly to Cristiano Ronaldo. You do not give the best player in the world a free goal, and that's exactly what they did to made sure Ronaldo kept his streak of scoring exactly 1 goal in every World Cup he's been in. Yeah, Ronaldo's got 3 World Cup goals total. That's less than Messi has scored in this World Cup alone. Those costly Ghanian errors cancelled out Asamoah Gyan's stunner he put past Beto. However, this result didn't do either of them any good. For Portugal, once against USA and Germany end their dreams earlier than they hoped for. And for Ghana, Germany nearly got another victory against them and USA finally got theirs. It's the group of death, and Portugal and Ghana are the victims with the German coaches successfully navigating through these rough waters.
Elimination Analysis: Ghana
For a nation who is only in their 3rd World Cup and whose first World Cup was 8 years ago, they made an immediate impact. They beat Czech Republic and USA in the Group Stage before hitting a brick wall against the Brazilians in the Round of 16, the only African nation to get that far in Germany 2006. Once again Ghana was Africa's only representative in the KO Stages after beating Serbia, narrowly losing to Germany, and tying with an Australian team that, like Portugal this year, were battered by Germany 4-0. They beat USA once again and looked like they found a 2-1 victory against Uruguay until Luis f-ing Suarez stuck his hand out and you know the rest of the story, and if Asamoah Gyan was reading this he'd thank me for not reminding you guys. Anyway this made Ghana the 3rd African nation to reach the quarterfinals following 1990 Cameroon and 2002 Senegal. Going into this World Cup, it was no secret they were a decent team and they made themselves truly a part of this group of death, but at the end of the day maybe it just came down to wanting it more. They thought they had USA at their knees no matter what and players were talking smack and got their payback courtesy of John Brooks. They played a great game against Germany but they couldn't replicate it against Portugal. If they did, they might've gone through instead of USA. But why did they crumble? Well it certainly didn't help that Boateng and Muntari got themselves exiled. But not much will change. There's still lots of Ghanians playing for decent clubs in European, especially in the French (Andre Ayew) and Italian (Kwadwo Asamoah) leagues. The days of the world underestimating Ghana are over, and they'll be one of the stronger teams from Africa and favorites to represent at Africa in World Cups for a while.
Elimination Analysis: Portugal
Not every great player even gets to the World Cup (George Best and George Weah), and even if you go there it doesn't mean you'll have a good one or you'll win it. After 3 World Cups, it seems like Cristiano Ronaldo's window of opportunity is all done. He'll be 33 for 2018 Russia and he'll likely still be able to make the World Cup squad but will he make as much of a positive impact? Seems unlikely. A lot of people believe Portugal is a one man show. I'm not one of those people. I know that Portugal has several good players like Joao Moutinho, Fabio Coentrao, and Nani. But when Ronaldo's not doing well, Portugal does so much worse. Ronaldo wasn't 100% heading in this World Cup and all it did was make it obvious that Portugal needs him dearly and no one else could quite step it up. Portugal, like Italy, were considered outside favorites to win this World Cup and will be hugely disappointed they couldn't get out of the group stage, just like in 2002 in the height of the Luis Figo days. I guess expectations should've been lower considering Portugal made it here through the playoffs, but then you have teams like Mexico and France, playing like they surely qualified automatically for this World Cup (but they didn't).
Group H: South Korea vs. Belgium
Result: Belgium won 1-0
Goalscorers: 78' Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham)
Bookings: 35' Hong Jeong-Ho (Augsburg), 45' red card Steven Defour (Porto), 50' Mousa Dembele (Tottenham)
Significance of Bookings: Defour will be suspended in Belgium's Round of 16 match
Lineups
South Korea (4-4-2)
Jung Sung-Ryong (Suwon Bluewings); Lee Yong (Ulsan Hyundai), Kim Young-Gwon (Guangzhou Evergrande), Hong Jeong-Ho (Augsburg), Yun Suk-Young (Queens Park Rangers); Lee Chung-Yong (Bolton Wanderers), Ki Sung-Yueng (Sunderland), Han Kook-Young (Kashiwa Reysol), Son Heung-Min (Bayer Leverkusen); Koo Ja-Cheol (Mainz 05, captain), Kim Shin-Wook (Ulsan Hyundai)
Changes from last match
Change from 4-2-3-1 to 4-4-2 formation, and Wook replaces Park Chu-Young in the starting lineup. Son moves to midfield
Subs:
Lee Keun-Ho (Sangju Sangmu) 46' for Han Kook-Young
Kim Bo-Kyung (Cardiff City) 66' for Kim Shin-Wook
Ji Dong-Won (Augsburg) 73' for Son Heung-Min
Belgium (4-2-3-1)
Thibaut Courtois (Atletico Madrid); Anthony Vanden Borre (Anderlecht), Daniel van Buyten (Bayern Munich), Nicolas Lombaerts (Zenit), Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham, captain); Steven Defour (Porto), Mousa Dembele (Tottenham); Dries Mertens (Napoli), Marouane Fellaini (Manchester United), Adnan Januzaj (Manchester United); Kevin Mirallas (Everton)
Changes from last match
Toby Alderweireld, Vincent Kompany, Thomas Vermaelen, Axel Witsel, Kevin de Bruyne, Eden Hazard, and Romelu Lukaku do not start. Only Courtois, van Buyten, Mertens, and Fellaini started the game against Russia but Vertonghen and Mirallas came on as substitutes. Vertonghen fills in for Kompany as captain, and Mirallas plays as a central forward, different from his usual position.
Subs:
Nacer Chadli (Tottenham) 60' for Adnan Januzaj
Divock Origi (Lille) 60' for Dries Mertens
Eden Hazard (Chelsea) 88' for Kevin Mirallas
In a world where Algeria more easily beats South Korea than Belgium did at the World Cup, it seems like a great world for USA fans as they size up their round of 16 opponents. But you're missing the bigger picture. Belgium were already through to the next round, played a lot of their players lower in the pecking order, and were comfortable with a draw against the Taejeuk Warriors. But South Korea knew if they had any shot of advancing, nothing less than victory over the Belgians would be sufficient. Asia's last hope to qualify for the group stage became the 4th of 4 AFC teams not to win a single game at this World Cup (just like Iran, Japan, and Australia; yes Australia is part of Oceania but in football/soccer Australia is part of the Asian Football Confederation). Steven Defour certainly didn't help his case to find more playing time by earning a red card, but the substitute captain Jan Vertonghen earned Belgium a perfect 9 out of 9 points in the Group of Life, I mean Group H. This win confirmed what was nearly certain that Belgium would finish the Group, and on the flip side South Korea finishes on the bottom.
Elimination Analysis: South Korea
Like 2004 Euro Champions Greece, every South Korean team since their 4th place finish in the 2002 World Cup has been compared too and existed in the shadow of that group of players who gifted their nation their greatest moment in their soccer history. South Korea is a team moving in the right direction but still has a long way ahead of it if they want to be the first Asian team to win the World Cup as some rather optimistic Asian soccer legends like Park Ji Sung hope for/predict. They're a skilled and talented team but while USA's domestic players have risen about their league's standards, South Korea's K-League and J-League players don't quite look too impressive. If it wasn't for Igor Akinfeev's horrid mistake South Korea wouldn't have gotten a single point in this World Cup. This team will no longer be content with just qualifying for the World Cup; they've done that since Mexico 1986. But some changes will have to be made otherwise the realistic expectations of this team will rarely exceed an occasional top 16 finish.
Group H: Algeria vs. Russia
Result: 1-1 draw that the Algerians will be much more happy with than the Russians
Goalscorers: 6' Aleksandr Kokorin (Dynamo Moscow), 60' Islam Slimani (Sporting CP)
Bookings: 39' Djamel Mesbah (Livorno), 57' Dmitri Kombarov (Spartak Moscow), 59' Aleksei Kozlov (Dynamo Moscow), 87' Nabil Ghilas (Porto)
Also, Algeria's Liassine Cadamuro-Bentaiba (Mallorca) got booked at 90+2' for time wasting for refusing to give the ball to the Russians who had possession at the time
Lineups
Algeria (4-2-3-1)
Rais M'Bohli (CSKA Sofia); Aissa Mandi (Reims), Essaid Belkalem (Watford), Rafik Halliche (Academica, captain), Djamel Mesbah (Livorno); Carl Medjani (Valenciennes), Nabil Bentaleb (Tottenham); Sofiane Feghouli (Valencia), Yacine Brahimi (Granada), Abdelmoumene Djabou (Club Africain); Islam Slimani (Sporting CP)
Changes from last match
Change from 5-2-2-1 to 4-2-3-1 formation. Medjani moves from defense to midfield. Madjid Bougherra (on a yellow card) left on the bench for this match and was replaced by Belkalem.
Subs:
Hassan Yebda (Udinese) 71' for Yacine Brahimi
Nabil Ghilas (Porto) 77' for Abdelmoumene Djabou
El Arbi Hillel Soudani (Dinamo Zagreb) 90+2' for Islam Slimani
Russia (4-2-3-1)
Igor Akinfeev (CSKA Moscow); Aleksei Kozlov (Dynamo Moscow), Vasili Berezutski (CSKA Moscow, captain), Sergei Ignashevich (CSKA Moscow), Dmitri Kombarov (Spartak Moscow); Denis Glushakov (Spartak Moscow), Viktor Fayzulin (Zenit); Aleksandr Samedov (Lokomotiv Moscow), Aleksandr Kokorin (Dynamo Moscow), Oleg Shatov (Zenit); Aleksandr Kerzhakov (Zenit)
Changes from last match
Change from 4-1-1-3-1 to 4-2-3-1 formation (so the two central midfielders now playing side by side). Kokorin moves to central attacking midfielder. Maksim Kanunnikov on the bench, allowing Kerzhakov to start (sub appearance against Belgium)
Subs:
Igor Denisov (Dynamo Moscow) 46' for Denis Glushakov
Alan Dzagoev (CSKA Moscow) 67' for Oleg Shatov
Maksim Kanunnikov (Rubin Kazan) 81' for Aleksandr Kerzhakov
Everything on the line for these two countries large in area and more promising in talent in this sport than in previous recent years. Russia got off to a great start with a goal from Aleksandr Kokorin, but Algeria were breathing down their neck in set pieces. Russia had most of the possession but failure to score a 2nd goal meant they were dangerously balancing on a tight rope, knowing just one Algerian goal crushes Russian hopes of advancing past the group stage. And that one Algerian goal came from an Algerian free kick which Islam Slimani scored and will be considered Algeria's hero from that match. But really given Algeria's chances of getting out of the group, everyone on that team deserves a medal of honor for playing with such heart, especially Rais M'Bohli. If you watched this game you wouldn't believe me when I told you he was a 2nd choice goal keeper for a freaking Bulgarian club. Russia blew a lot of their best chances and the match ended in a draw, sending Algeria through to the knockout round of the World cup for the first time ever, while the Russians were sent home. Fabio Capello wasn't happy one bit, blaming the referees at this World Cup (who in fairness, shouldn't all be getting A's in their report cards) and the laser pointed at Igor Akinfeev. Yeah that excuse is render invalid when Akinfeev can make mistakes without lasers point at him (remember the South Korea game? Besides Akinfeev admitted it wasn't the laser's fault). The celebrations for the Desert Foxes and their supporters were pure and great as they wrapped up the 16 team lineup for the KO Stage in Brazil 2014.
Elimination Analysis: Russia
If Russia don't sort things through and the draw comes to bite them in the ass, maybe South Africa won't be the only host nation to get eliminated in the group stage (but they'll be followed by Qatar, no doubt). And a lot will be rethaught after this. Will Fabio Capello keep his job or was getting Russia to this World Cup enough to keep the Russian Federation happy? Will the Russian players be urged to leave their domestic league and play elsewhere in Europe? Will Igor Akinfeev get the Robert Green treatment? Well considering Robert Green wasn't played again after his mistake while Akinfeev remained Capello's 1st choice keeper, at least all is not lost for them. Where was the Russian team that looked like a forced to be reckoned with in qualifying and shoved Portugal into the playoff route and a date with Sweden to qualify for the World Cup? That's what everyone in Russia is wondering and hoping they'll see again soon.
Na na, na na na na, hey hey hey, goodbye
Australia 4th Group B
Bosnia and Herzergovina 3rd Group F
Cameroon 4th Group A
Cote D'Ivoire 3rd Group C
Croatia 3rd Group A
Ecuador 3rd Group E
England 3rd Group D
Ghana 4th Group G
Honduras 4th Group E
Iran 4th Group F
Italy 3rd Group D
Japan 3rd Group C
Portugal 4th Group G
Russia 3rd Group H
South Korea 3rd Group H
Spain 3rd Group B
Even though you guys didn't survive the group stage, you still provided a lot of fascinating moments in the World Cup, and aside from a few exceptions, your fans will still be proud of you.
Congratulations Knockout Class of 2014!
Algeria 2nd Group H
Argentina 1st Group F
Belgium 1st Group H
Brazil 1st Group A
Chile 2nd Group B
Colombia 1st Group C
Costa Rica 1st Group D
France 1st Group E
Germany 1st Group C
Greece 2nd Group D
Mexico 2nd Group A
Netherlands 2nd Group B
Nigeria 2nd Group F
Switzerland 2nd Group E
United States 2nd Group G
Uruguay 2nd Group D
6 European teams, 5 South American teams, 3 North American teams (a first), and 2 African teams (another first) are in the knockout stage. No Asian teams made the cut. This is what the World Cup is all about: the knockout stage. No second chances. Do or die. 15 games (not counting the 3rd place match), 15 dreams of World Cup glory out the door. Some may be disappointed that their team didn't get this far and maybe bitter that one of their less favorite teams did. But not me. I look at this lineup, remember the games they've participated in so far, and I'm looking forward to the rest of this tournament. Even the David and Goliath matchups like Argentina vs. Switzerland or Germany vs. Algeria, judging by the way this tournament has gone so far, have the potential to be entertaining games. So get ready for what hopefully will be a great World Cup ride.
Up Next
1A Brazil vs. 2B Chile
1A Colombia vs. 2B Uruguay
Another 2010 rematch! Here we go again! Brazilian fans at a minimum expect them to keep their quarterfinals streak that's been kept alive since their victory in 1994 USA going, especially against the likes of Chile. However, as Spain found out the hard way, Chile have the potential to give favorites a sucker punch or two. How many Chilean punches will Scolari and his Brazilians be able to take, and will Neymar be able to deliver another knockout blow?
Colombia have been one of the most fun teams to watch so far, while the same isn't exactly true for Uruguay, whose chances of lasting much longer in this World Cup took potentially a fatal blow with Pacman, I mean Luis Suarez's, ban. But like Colombia, Uruguay are still a talented team without their main man. However, the last match Suarez didn't appear in, they lost....to Costa Rica. Anywho, this looks like one of the closest matchups in the Round of 16.
These matchups assure at least one South American team will make it to the semifinals. It's the 2nd World Cup in a row where 5 South American teams made it to the knockout stage (Brazil Argentina Uruguay Paraguay and Chile in 2010, the above 4 plus Argentina in 2014). The winners of these two matches will face each other in the quarterfinals. The losers will be out. The stakes have been raised, who will keep their dreams alive one day more?
Oh and the other matchups are France vs. Nigeria, Germany vs. Algeria, Netherlands vs. Mexico, Costa Rica vs. Greece, Argentina vs. Switzerland, and Belgium vs. USA, but more on those matchups later.
Group G: United States vs. Germany
Result: 1-0 victory for Germany
Goalscorers: 55' Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich)
Bookings: 11' Benedikt Howedes (Schalke), 37' Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy), 62' Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake)
Lineups
United States (4-2-3-1)
Tim Howard (Everton); Fabian Johnson (Hoffenheim), Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy), Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), DaMarcus Beasley (Puebla); Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Jermaine Jones (Besiktas); Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City), Michael Bradley (Toronto FC), Brad Davis (Houston Dynamo); Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders, captain)
Changes from last match
Geoff Cameron (who had a less than stellar game against Portugal) and Alejandro Bedoya left on the bench for Gonzalez and Davis to start
Subs:
Alejandro Bedoya (Nantes) 59' for Brad Davis
DeAndre Yedlin (Seattle Sounders) 84' for Graham Zusi
Germany (4-5-1)
Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich); Jerome Boateng (Bayern Munich), Per Mertesacker (Arsenal), Mats Hummels (Borussia Dortmund), Benedikt Howedes (Schalke); Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munich, captain), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich), Toni Kroos (Bayern Munich), Mesut Ozil (Arsenal), Lukas Podolski (Arsenal); Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich)
Changes from last match
Mario Gotze and Sami Khedira left on the bench for Schweinsteiger and Podolski to start
Subs:
Miroslav Klose (Lazio) 46' for Lukas Podolski
Mario Gotze (Bayern Munich) 76' for Bastian Schweinsteiger
Andre Schurrle (Chelsea) 89' for Mesut Ozil
USA's last stop in this crazy Group G ride saved the toughest for last. Ghana is a decent team. Portugal is a great team. But Germany could possibly be the strongest team in the world. There was a lot of wondering if former coaching partners and alleged BFFs Klinsmann and Low had a secret agreement that they would play for a draw, but considering the strength in the lineups and their offensively inclined substitutions, that myth was busted. It was a rainy day and USA know they needed to get a decent result against the Germans to get through to the KO stage, and they did lose but a 1-0 loss to a team who usually scores at least 2 or 3 goals in most matches isn't the most bitter of pills to swallow. FYI, it's not parking the bus if a team spends a legitimate amount of time outside their penalty box. USA looked decent on and off the ball everywhere on the pitch but Germany were still one step ahead for the majority of the match, and Thomas Muller's goal was a fantastic one. It's Muller's 4th goal of the World Cup (tying him with Neymar and Messi), his 9th in all World Cups (5 from 2010 South Africa), and he's just been one of the guys doing great in a Germany shirt. One of them, Bastian Schweinsteiger (who had a slow start to the tournament due to injury concerns) took a couple of fouls in this match. USA had a couple of chances to threaten but either a bad touch from Michael Bradley or a less than perfect finish from Clint Dempsey kept Manuel Neuer's clean sheet in tact. Ultimately there's still much work that needs to be done. USA needs to be more threatening with possession, and Germany needs to reconsider using Philipp Lahm as a full back since Benedikt Howedes didn't look too comfortable (4 CBs in a back 4 is not really a great idea), but both Jurgen Klinsmann and Joachim Low will be happy with their teams performances and getting out of this group that people just couldn't stop thinking about ever since the draw.
Group G: Portugal vs. Ghana
Result: 2-1 win for Portugal
Goalscorers: 31' own goal John Boye (Rennes), 57' Asamoah Gyan (Al-Ain), 80' Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)
Bookings: 39' Harrison Afful (Esperance), 55' Majeed Waris (Valenciennes), 78' Jordan Ayew (Sochaux), 90+4' Joao Moutinho (Monaco)
Lineups
Portugal (4-5-1)
Beto (Sevilla); Joao Pereira (Valencia), Pepe (Real Madrid), Bruno Alves (Fenerbahce), Miguel Veloso (Dynamo Kyiv); William Carvalho (Sporting CP), Joao Moutinho (Monaco), Ruben Amorim (Benfica), Nani (Manchester United), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid, captain); Eder (Braga)
Changes from last match
Pepe returns from suspension from the red card he received against Germany and returns to the starting line up in Ricardo Costa's place. Andre Almeida, Raul Meireles, and Helder Postiga (possible injury concerns for the latter two) left off the starting lineup, making way for William, Amorim, and Eder to start.
Subs:
Silvestre Varela (Porto) 61' for Joao Pereira
Vieirinha (Wolfsburg) 69' for Eder
Eduardo (Braga) 89' for Beto
Ghana (4-2-2-2)
Fatau Dauda (Orlando Pirates); Harrison Afful (Esperance), John Boye (Rennes), Jonathan Mensah (Evian), Kwadwo Asamoah (Juventus); Mohammed Rabiu (Kuban Krasnodar), Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu (Udinese); Christian Atsu (Vitesse), Andre Ayew (Marseille); Majeed Waris (Valenciennes), Asamoah Gyan (Al-Ain, captain)
Changes from last match
Sulley Muntari and Kevin Prince-Boateng were not available for this match (will explain below) so Agyemang-Badu and Majeed Waris filled those vacancies. Change in formation from 4-2-3-1 to 4-2-2-2
Subs:
Jordan Ayew (Sochaux) 71' for Majeed Waris
Afriyie Acquah (Parma) 76' for Mohammed Rabiu
Wakaso Mubarak (Rubin Kazan) 81' for Andre Ayew
Ghana and Portugal managed to get a point from their first two games thanks to some thrilling 2-2 draws against Germany and USA respectively, but they needed to get things to go their way in this match to advance, but both faced vital set backs. Portugal's 4-0 loss to Germany put them in a huge hole in terms of goal difference, and two of Ghana's best players were sent home early for being dumb. Kevin-Prince Boateng and Sulley Muntari got in a fight during training, Boateng insulted the coach, Akwasi Appiah, and Muntari assaulted a member of the Ghana management. And things only went from bad to worse for Ghana in this game despite causing USA and Germany so many problems in their matches against Ghana. First, John Boye scored an own goal. Then, a poor clearance by Fatau Dauda sent the ball perfectly to Cristiano Ronaldo. You do not give the best player in the world a free goal, and that's exactly what they did to made sure Ronaldo kept his streak of scoring exactly 1 goal in every World Cup he's been in. Yeah, Ronaldo's got 3 World Cup goals total. That's less than Messi has scored in this World Cup alone. Those costly Ghanian errors cancelled out Asamoah Gyan's stunner he put past Beto. However, this result didn't do either of them any good. For Portugal, once against USA and Germany end their dreams earlier than they hoped for. And for Ghana, Germany nearly got another victory against them and USA finally got theirs. It's the group of death, and Portugal and Ghana are the victims with the German coaches successfully navigating through these rough waters.
Elimination Analysis: Ghana
For a nation who is only in their 3rd World Cup and whose first World Cup was 8 years ago, they made an immediate impact. They beat Czech Republic and USA in the Group Stage before hitting a brick wall against the Brazilians in the Round of 16, the only African nation to get that far in Germany 2006. Once again Ghana was Africa's only representative in the KO Stages after beating Serbia, narrowly losing to Germany, and tying with an Australian team that, like Portugal this year, were battered by Germany 4-0. They beat USA once again and looked like they found a 2-1 victory against Uruguay until Luis f-ing Suarez stuck his hand out and you know the rest of the story, and if Asamoah Gyan was reading this he'd thank me for not reminding you guys. Anyway this made Ghana the 3rd African nation to reach the quarterfinals following 1990 Cameroon and 2002 Senegal. Going into this World Cup, it was no secret they were a decent team and they made themselves truly a part of this group of death, but at the end of the day maybe it just came down to wanting it more. They thought they had USA at their knees no matter what and players were talking smack and got their payback courtesy of John Brooks. They played a great game against Germany but they couldn't replicate it against Portugal. If they did, they might've gone through instead of USA. But why did they crumble? Well it certainly didn't help that Boateng and Muntari got themselves exiled. But not much will change. There's still lots of Ghanians playing for decent clubs in European, especially in the French (Andre Ayew) and Italian (Kwadwo Asamoah) leagues. The days of the world underestimating Ghana are over, and they'll be one of the stronger teams from Africa and favorites to represent at Africa in World Cups for a while.
Elimination Analysis: Portugal
Not every great player even gets to the World Cup (George Best and George Weah), and even if you go there it doesn't mean you'll have a good one or you'll win it. After 3 World Cups, it seems like Cristiano Ronaldo's window of opportunity is all done. He'll be 33 for 2018 Russia and he'll likely still be able to make the World Cup squad but will he make as much of a positive impact? Seems unlikely. A lot of people believe Portugal is a one man show. I'm not one of those people. I know that Portugal has several good players like Joao Moutinho, Fabio Coentrao, and Nani. But when Ronaldo's not doing well, Portugal does so much worse. Ronaldo wasn't 100% heading in this World Cup and all it did was make it obvious that Portugal needs him dearly and no one else could quite step it up. Portugal, like Italy, were considered outside favorites to win this World Cup and will be hugely disappointed they couldn't get out of the group stage, just like in 2002 in the height of the Luis Figo days. I guess expectations should've been lower considering Portugal made it here through the playoffs, but then you have teams like Mexico and France, playing like they surely qualified automatically for this World Cup (but they didn't).
Group H: South Korea vs. Belgium
Result: Belgium won 1-0
Goalscorers: 78' Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham)
Bookings: 35' Hong Jeong-Ho (Augsburg), 45' red card Steven Defour (Porto), 50' Mousa Dembele (Tottenham)
Significance of Bookings: Defour will be suspended in Belgium's Round of 16 match
Lineups
South Korea (4-4-2)
Jung Sung-Ryong (Suwon Bluewings); Lee Yong (Ulsan Hyundai), Kim Young-Gwon (Guangzhou Evergrande), Hong Jeong-Ho (Augsburg), Yun Suk-Young (Queens Park Rangers); Lee Chung-Yong (Bolton Wanderers), Ki Sung-Yueng (Sunderland), Han Kook-Young (Kashiwa Reysol), Son Heung-Min (Bayer Leverkusen); Koo Ja-Cheol (Mainz 05, captain), Kim Shin-Wook (Ulsan Hyundai)
Changes from last match
Change from 4-2-3-1 to 4-4-2 formation, and Wook replaces Park Chu-Young in the starting lineup. Son moves to midfield
Subs:
Lee Keun-Ho (Sangju Sangmu) 46' for Han Kook-Young
Kim Bo-Kyung (Cardiff City) 66' for Kim Shin-Wook
Ji Dong-Won (Augsburg) 73' for Son Heung-Min
Belgium (4-2-3-1)
Thibaut Courtois (Atletico Madrid); Anthony Vanden Borre (Anderlecht), Daniel van Buyten (Bayern Munich), Nicolas Lombaerts (Zenit), Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham, captain); Steven Defour (Porto), Mousa Dembele (Tottenham); Dries Mertens (Napoli), Marouane Fellaini (Manchester United), Adnan Januzaj (Manchester United); Kevin Mirallas (Everton)
Changes from last match
Toby Alderweireld, Vincent Kompany, Thomas Vermaelen, Axel Witsel, Kevin de Bruyne, Eden Hazard, and Romelu Lukaku do not start. Only Courtois, van Buyten, Mertens, and Fellaini started the game against Russia but Vertonghen and Mirallas came on as substitutes. Vertonghen fills in for Kompany as captain, and Mirallas plays as a central forward, different from his usual position.
Subs:
Nacer Chadli (Tottenham) 60' for Adnan Januzaj
Divock Origi (Lille) 60' for Dries Mertens
Eden Hazard (Chelsea) 88' for Kevin Mirallas
In a world where Algeria more easily beats South Korea than Belgium did at the World Cup, it seems like a great world for USA fans as they size up their round of 16 opponents. But you're missing the bigger picture. Belgium were already through to the next round, played a lot of their players lower in the pecking order, and were comfortable with a draw against the Taejeuk Warriors. But South Korea knew if they had any shot of advancing, nothing less than victory over the Belgians would be sufficient. Asia's last hope to qualify for the group stage became the 4th of 4 AFC teams not to win a single game at this World Cup (just like Iran, Japan, and Australia; yes Australia is part of Oceania but in football/soccer Australia is part of the Asian Football Confederation). Steven Defour certainly didn't help his case to find more playing time by earning a red card, but the substitute captain Jan Vertonghen earned Belgium a perfect 9 out of 9 points in the Group of Life, I mean Group H. This win confirmed what was nearly certain that Belgium would finish the Group, and on the flip side South Korea finishes on the bottom.
Elimination Analysis: South Korea
Like 2004 Euro Champions Greece, every South Korean team since their 4th place finish in the 2002 World Cup has been compared too and existed in the shadow of that group of players who gifted their nation their greatest moment in their soccer history. South Korea is a team moving in the right direction but still has a long way ahead of it if they want to be the first Asian team to win the World Cup as some rather optimistic Asian soccer legends like Park Ji Sung hope for/predict. They're a skilled and talented team but while USA's domestic players have risen about their league's standards, South Korea's K-League and J-League players don't quite look too impressive. If it wasn't for Igor Akinfeev's horrid mistake South Korea wouldn't have gotten a single point in this World Cup. This team will no longer be content with just qualifying for the World Cup; they've done that since Mexico 1986. But some changes will have to be made otherwise the realistic expectations of this team will rarely exceed an occasional top 16 finish.
Group H: Algeria vs. Russia
Result: 1-1 draw that the Algerians will be much more happy with than the Russians
Goalscorers: 6' Aleksandr Kokorin (Dynamo Moscow), 60' Islam Slimani (Sporting CP)
Bookings: 39' Djamel Mesbah (Livorno), 57' Dmitri Kombarov (Spartak Moscow), 59' Aleksei Kozlov (Dynamo Moscow), 87' Nabil Ghilas (Porto)
Also, Algeria's Liassine Cadamuro-Bentaiba (Mallorca) got booked at 90+2' for time wasting for refusing to give the ball to the Russians who had possession at the time
Lineups
Algeria (4-2-3-1)
Rais M'Bohli (CSKA Sofia); Aissa Mandi (Reims), Essaid Belkalem (Watford), Rafik Halliche (Academica, captain), Djamel Mesbah (Livorno); Carl Medjani (Valenciennes), Nabil Bentaleb (Tottenham); Sofiane Feghouli (Valencia), Yacine Brahimi (Granada), Abdelmoumene Djabou (Club Africain); Islam Slimani (Sporting CP)
Changes from last match
Change from 5-2-2-1 to 4-2-3-1 formation. Medjani moves from defense to midfield. Madjid Bougherra (on a yellow card) left on the bench for this match and was replaced by Belkalem.
Subs:
Hassan Yebda (Udinese) 71' for Yacine Brahimi
Nabil Ghilas (Porto) 77' for Abdelmoumene Djabou
El Arbi Hillel Soudani (Dinamo Zagreb) 90+2' for Islam Slimani
Russia (4-2-3-1)
Igor Akinfeev (CSKA Moscow); Aleksei Kozlov (Dynamo Moscow), Vasili Berezutski (CSKA Moscow, captain), Sergei Ignashevich (CSKA Moscow), Dmitri Kombarov (Spartak Moscow); Denis Glushakov (Spartak Moscow), Viktor Fayzulin (Zenit); Aleksandr Samedov (Lokomotiv Moscow), Aleksandr Kokorin (Dynamo Moscow), Oleg Shatov (Zenit); Aleksandr Kerzhakov (Zenit)
Changes from last match
Change from 4-1-1-3-1 to 4-2-3-1 formation (so the two central midfielders now playing side by side). Kokorin moves to central attacking midfielder. Maksim Kanunnikov on the bench, allowing Kerzhakov to start (sub appearance against Belgium)
Subs:
Igor Denisov (Dynamo Moscow) 46' for Denis Glushakov
Alan Dzagoev (CSKA Moscow) 67' for Oleg Shatov
Maksim Kanunnikov (Rubin Kazan) 81' for Aleksandr Kerzhakov
Everything on the line for these two countries large in area and more promising in talent in this sport than in previous recent years. Russia got off to a great start with a goal from Aleksandr Kokorin, but Algeria were breathing down their neck in set pieces. Russia had most of the possession but failure to score a 2nd goal meant they were dangerously balancing on a tight rope, knowing just one Algerian goal crushes Russian hopes of advancing past the group stage. And that one Algerian goal came from an Algerian free kick which Islam Slimani scored and will be considered Algeria's hero from that match. But really given Algeria's chances of getting out of the group, everyone on that team deserves a medal of honor for playing with such heart, especially Rais M'Bohli. If you watched this game you wouldn't believe me when I told you he was a 2nd choice goal keeper for a freaking Bulgarian club. Russia blew a lot of their best chances and the match ended in a draw, sending Algeria through to the knockout round of the World cup for the first time ever, while the Russians were sent home. Fabio Capello wasn't happy one bit, blaming the referees at this World Cup (who in fairness, shouldn't all be getting A's in their report cards) and the laser pointed at Igor Akinfeev. Yeah that excuse is render invalid when Akinfeev can make mistakes without lasers point at him (remember the South Korea game? Besides Akinfeev admitted it wasn't the laser's fault). The celebrations for the Desert Foxes and their supporters were pure and great as they wrapped up the 16 team lineup for the KO Stage in Brazil 2014.
Elimination Analysis: Russia
If Russia don't sort things through and the draw comes to bite them in the ass, maybe South Africa won't be the only host nation to get eliminated in the group stage (but they'll be followed by Qatar, no doubt). And a lot will be rethaught after this. Will Fabio Capello keep his job or was getting Russia to this World Cup enough to keep the Russian Federation happy? Will the Russian players be urged to leave their domestic league and play elsewhere in Europe? Will Igor Akinfeev get the Robert Green treatment? Well considering Robert Green wasn't played again after his mistake while Akinfeev remained Capello's 1st choice keeper, at least all is not lost for them. Where was the Russian team that looked like a forced to be reckoned with in qualifying and shoved Portugal into the playoff route and a date with Sweden to qualify for the World Cup? That's what everyone in Russia is wondering and hoping they'll see again soon.
Na na, na na na na, hey hey hey, goodbye
Australia 4th Group B
Bosnia and Herzergovina 3rd Group F
Cameroon 4th Group A
Cote D'Ivoire 3rd Group C
Croatia 3rd Group A
Ecuador 3rd Group E
England 3rd Group D
Ghana 4th Group G
Honduras 4th Group E
Iran 4th Group F
Italy 3rd Group D
Japan 3rd Group C
Portugal 4th Group G
Russia 3rd Group H
South Korea 3rd Group H
Spain 3rd Group B
Even though you guys didn't survive the group stage, you still provided a lot of fascinating moments in the World Cup, and aside from a few exceptions, your fans will still be proud of you.
Congratulations Knockout Class of 2014!
Algeria 2nd Group H
Argentina 1st Group F
Belgium 1st Group H
Brazil 1st Group A
Chile 2nd Group B
Colombia 1st Group C
Costa Rica 1st Group D
France 1st Group E
Germany 1st Group C
Greece 2nd Group D
Mexico 2nd Group A
Netherlands 2nd Group B
Nigeria 2nd Group F
Switzerland 2nd Group E
United States 2nd Group G
Uruguay 2nd Group D
6 European teams, 5 South American teams, 3 North American teams (a first), and 2 African teams (another first) are in the knockout stage. No Asian teams made the cut. This is what the World Cup is all about: the knockout stage. No second chances. Do or die. 15 games (not counting the 3rd place match), 15 dreams of World Cup glory out the door. Some may be disappointed that their team didn't get this far and maybe bitter that one of their less favorite teams did. But not me. I look at this lineup, remember the games they've participated in so far, and I'm looking forward to the rest of this tournament. Even the David and Goliath matchups like Argentina vs. Switzerland or Germany vs. Algeria, judging by the way this tournament has gone so far, have the potential to be entertaining games. So get ready for what hopefully will be a great World Cup ride.
Up Next
1A Brazil vs. 2B Chile
1A Colombia vs. 2B Uruguay
Another 2010 rematch! Here we go again! Brazilian fans at a minimum expect them to keep their quarterfinals streak that's been kept alive since their victory in 1994 USA going, especially against the likes of Chile. However, as Spain found out the hard way, Chile have the potential to give favorites a sucker punch or two. How many Chilean punches will Scolari and his Brazilians be able to take, and will Neymar be able to deliver another knockout blow?
Colombia have been one of the most fun teams to watch so far, while the same isn't exactly true for Uruguay, whose chances of lasting much longer in this World Cup took potentially a fatal blow with Pacman, I mean Luis Suarez's, ban. But like Colombia, Uruguay are still a talented team without their main man. However, the last match Suarez didn't appear in, they lost....to Costa Rica. Anywho, this looks like one of the closest matchups in the Round of 16.
These matchups assure at least one South American team will make it to the semifinals. It's the 2nd World Cup in a row where 5 South American teams made it to the knockout stage (Brazil Argentina Uruguay Paraguay and Chile in 2010, the above 4 plus Argentina in 2014). The winners of these two matches will face each other in the quarterfinals. The losers will be out. The stakes have been raised, who will keep their dreams alive one day more?
Oh and the other matchups are France vs. Nigeria, Germany vs. Algeria, Netherlands vs. Mexico, Costa Rica vs. Greece, Argentina vs. Switzerland, and Belgium vs. USA, but more on those matchups later.
Thursday, June 26, 2014
2014 FIFA World Cup Day 14 Review Day 15 Preview
Groups E and F would wrap it up today. With Argentina already qualified and France nearly there, it was a matter of who would join them and what the matchups would be.
Group F: Nigeria vs. Argentina
Result: Argentina won 3-2
Goalscorers: 3', 45+1' Lionel Messi (Barcelona), 4', 47' Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow), 50' Marcos Rojo (Sporting CP)
Bookings: 49' Kenneth Omeruo (Middlesbrough), 51' Juwon Oshaniwa (Ashdod)
Lineups
Nigeria (4-4-2)
Vincent Enyeama (Lille); Efe Ambrose (Celtic), Joseph Yobo (Norwich City, captain), Juwon Oshaniwa (Ashdod), Kenneth Omeruo (Middlesbrough); Ogenyi Onazi (Lazio), John Obi Mikel (Chelsea), Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow), Michel Babatunde (Volyn Lutsk); Peter Odemwingie (Stoke City), Emmanuel Emenike (Fenerbahce)
Changes from last match
Same starting 11 from the game against Bosnia-Herzegovina, but change from 4-2-3-1 to 4-4-2 formation
Subs:
Michael Uchebo (Cercle Brugge) 66' for Michel Babatunde
Uche Nwofor (Heerenveen) 80' for Peter Odemwingie
Argentina (4-3-3)
Sergio Romero (Monaco); Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City), Federico Fernandez (Napoli), Ezequiel Garay (Benfica), Marcos Rojo (Sporting CP); Fernando Gago (Boca Juniors), Javier Mascherano (Barcelona), Angel di Maria (Real Madrid); Lionel Messi (Barcelona, captain), Gonzalo Higuain (Napoli), Sergio Aguero (Manchester City)
Changes from last match
Same starters and formation used against Iran
Subs:
Ezequiel Lavezzi (PSG) 38' for Sergio Aguero
Ricardo Alvarez (Inter) 63' for Lionel Messi
Lucas Biglia (Lazio) 90' for Gonzalo Higuain
These teams have quite a repetitive history in the World Cup, with Argentina beating Nigeria every time they met in the Group Stage. It was especially a rematch for Lionel Messi against a goal keeper who prevented him from scoring against Nigeria in 2010 South Africa: Vincent Enyeama. It only took 3 minutes for Messi to score this time around but a minute later, Musa drew Nigeria level. Then Messi scored again, then Musa. And then Rojo scored off a set piece to give Argentina a slim lead but by then Nigeria were out of responses. It was another nerve wracking win for Argentina and once again Messi saves the day and earns them another 3 points to finish the group stage perfectly. Lionel Messi is now tied with Neymar for leading scorer with 4 goals. However due to the result of the Iran-Bosnia match, Nigeria would follow Argentina out of this group in 2nd place.
Group F: Bosnia and Herzegovina vs. Iran
Result: 3-1 win for Bosnia and Herzegovina
Goalscorers: 23' Eden Dzeko (Manchester City), 59' Miralem Pjanic (Roma), 82' Reza Ghoochannejhad (Charlton Athletic), 83' Avdija Vrsajevic (Hajduk Split)
Bookings: 78' Muhamed Besic (Ferencvaros), 88' Karim Ansarifard (Tractor Sazi)
Lineups
Bosnia and Herzegovina (4-4-2)
Asmir Begovic (Stoke City); Avdija Vrsajevic (Hajduk Split), Toni Sunjic (Zorya Luhansk), Emir Spahic (Bayer Leverkusen, captain), Sead Kolasinac (Schalke); Miralem Pjanic (Roma), Muhamed Besic (Ferencvaros), Anel Hadzic (Sturm Graz), Tino-Sven Susic (Hajduk Split); Edin Dzeko (Manchester City), Vedad Ibisevic (Stuttgart)
Changes from last match
Mensur Mujdza, Haris Medunjanin, Izet Hajrovic, Zvjezdan Misimovic, and Senad Lulic left off the starting lineup, allowing Vrsajevic, Kolasinac, Hadzic, Susic, and Ibisevic to start (Susic and Ibisevic appeared as subs against Nigeria)
Subs:
Ognjen Vranjes (Elazigspor) 61' for Anel Hadzic
Sejad Salihovic (Hoffenheim) 79' for Tino-Sven Susic
Edin Visca (Istanbul Basaksehir) 85' for Edin Dzeko
Iran (4-2-3-1)
Alireza Haghighi (Sporting Covilha); Jalal Hosseini (Persepolis), Amir Sadeghi (Esteghlal), Pejman Montazeri (Umm Salal), Mehrdad Pooladi (Persepolis); Javad Nekounam (Al-Kuwait, captain), Andranik Teymourian (Esteghlal); Ashkan Dejagah (Fulham), Masoud Shojaei (Las Palmas), Ehsan Hajsafi (Sephana); Reza Ghoochannejhad (Charlton Athletic)
Changes from last match
Same formation and players that faced Argentina
Subs:
Khosro Heydari (Esteghlal) 46' for Masoud Shojaei
Alireza Jahanbakhsh (NEC) 63' for Ehsan Hajsafi
Karim Ansarifard (Tractor Sazi) 82' for Ashkan Dejagah
Bosnia and Herzegovina were heading out of the World Cup no matter what happened in this match but they made sure they didn't go out without a fight. Iran needed to beat Bosnia and Herzegovina to have a shot at advancing to the next round but even though the Dragons have been slayed already, they are still a decent team especially compared to the Iranians. Led by the Roma star Miralem Pjanic who had 1 goal and 1 assist, Bosnia and Herzegovina earned their first world cup win ever. As for Iran, at least Reza Ghoochannejad made sure Iran didn't go home without scoring a single goal. And this meant that every team at this World Cup scored at least 1 goal.
Elimination Analysis: Bosnia and Herzegovina
A nation that gained independence in a war-torn area of Europe in the 1990s, and fast forward 20 years and a poor nation dealing with floods would get to cheer on their team going to their first ever World Cup. In a difficult period, the 23 Dragons representing this young and growing nation were hoping to put a smile of the faces of the people rooting for them back home. Now they'll be wondering what went wrong and how they could be going out this early, and upon reflection they won't be happy. Edin Dzeko's goal against Nigeria was unjustly disallowed and if it stood, Bosnia and Herzegovina would be going through to the next round. Even though this journey ended sooner than they would've liked, their journey to Brazil was quite impressive and now there's another decent European team in the mix to qualify for future competitions.
Elimination Analysis: Iran
Well they ended with 1 point and dead last in this group but they far from embarrassed themselves at this World Cup. Finishing the tournament with the same amount of points as England is nothing for Carlos Quieroz and Iran to be ashamed of. They put in decent performances against their opposition in this group. The fact that some people believed they outplayed Argentina in Argentina's narrow 1-0 victory over Iran is a huge compliment. If Iran qualify for the next World Cup, the world will be a lot less shocked to see them truly go toe to toe with some of the best teams out there. Hopefully they can get a few more players playing in Europe (preferably top divisions in Europe) in the next few years and then perhaps Iran will become even more threatening.
Group E: Honduras vs. Switzerland
Result: 3-0 victory for the Swiss
Goalscorers: 6', 31', 71' Xherdan Shaqiri (Bayern Munich)
Bookings: 66' Jerry Palacios (Alajuelense)
Lineups
Honduras (4-4-2)
Noel Valladares (Olimpia, captain); Brayan Beckeles (Olimpia), Victor Bernardez (San Jose Earthquakes), Maynor Figueroa (Hull City), Juan Carlos Garcia (Wigan Athletic); Jorge Claros (Motagua), Wilson Palacios (Stoke City), Oscar Boniek Garcia (Houston Dynamo), Roger Espinoza (Wigan Athletic); Carlo Costly (Real Espana), Jerry Bengtson (New England Revolution)
Changes from last match
Emilio Izaguirre and Luis Garrido replaced by J.Garcia and W.Palacios (the latter who returned from suspension after receiving a red card against France) respectively.
Subs:
Jerry Palacios (Alajuelense) 40' for Carlo Costly
Martin Chavez (Chivas USA) 46' for Roger Espinoza
Andy Najar (Anderlecht) 77' for Oscar Boniek Garcia
Switzerland (4-2-3-1)
Diego Benaglio (Wolfsburg); Stephan Lichtsteiner (Juventus), Johan Djourou (Hamburger), Fabian Schar (Basel), Ricardo Rodriguez (Wolfsburg); Valon Behrami (Napoli), Gokhan Inler (Napoli, captain); Xherdan Shaqiri (Bayern Munich), Granit Xhaka (Monchengladbach), Admir Mehmedi (Freiburg); Josip Drmic (Nurnberg)
Changes from last match
Steve von Bergen (injury) and Haris Seferovic left off the starting lineup for Schar and Drmic to start.
Subs:
Haris Seferovic (Real Sociedad) 74' for Josip Drmic
Michael Lang (Grasshopper) 77' for Granit Xhaka
Blerim Dzemaili (Napoli) 87' for Xherdan Shaqiri
Honduras mathematically weren't eliminated going into this match but they were just about. Considering the wealth of talent the Swiss have, things looked like they would be different than the 0-0 draw that happened in South Africa. Perhaps Ottmar Hitzfeld will remember that match and would be especially careful to avoid history repeating itself, and thankfully Xherdan Shaqiri and Josip Drmic stepped up and led Switzerland to another 3-0 defeat for Honduras to deal with. Drmic did a good job setting up opportunities, most of which Shaqiri made good use of to score the 50th hat trick at the FIFA World Cup. This win allowed Switzerland to finish in 2nd in this group and will face Argentina in the Round of 16. Switzerland don't look like the most threatening team in the tournament but Argentina haven't been coasting through this World Cup so far so anything is possible. For Honduras though, it's another group stage exit.
Elimination Analysis: Honduras
Mexico advanced from Group A, Costa Rica won Group C, USA are in a good position to advance from Group G, but Honduras couldn't do as well as their CONCACAF rivals and leave the World Cup without a single point just like Cameroon and Australia. Honduras gave teams like USA and Mexico a tough time in the final round of qualifying for CONCACAF (the Hexagonal), but once again they failed to compete in the group stage. At the very least, at least Carlo Costly ended their goal scoring drought at the World Cup. It'll be another four years before Honduras can have another chance to prove they belong at the World Cup after another less than impressive performance.
Group E: Ecuador vs. France
Result: 0-0 draw
Bookings: 50' red card Antonio Valencia (Manchester United), 83' Frickson Erazo (Flamengo)
Significance of Bookings: Antonio Valencia would've missed the next match, but since Ecuador lost in the group stage, it was everyone's last match for Ecuador at this tournament.
Lineups
Ecuador (4-4-2)
Alexander Dominguez (LDU Quito); Juan Paredes (Barcelona, ECU), Jorge Guagua (Emelec), Frickson Erazo (Flamengo), Walter Ayovi (Pachuca); Jefferson Montero (Morelia), Christian Noboa (Dynamo Moscow), Oswaldo Minda (Chivas USA), Antonio Valencia (Manchester United, captain); Michael Arroyo (Atlante), Enner Valencia (Pachuca)
Changes from last match
Same formation and starters that faced Honduras except Felipe Caicedo moving to the bench for Arroyo
Subs:
Renato Ibarra (Vitesse) 63' for Jefferson Montero
Gabriel Achilier (Emelec) 82' for Michael Arroyo
Felipe Caicedo (Al-Jazira) 89' for Christian Noboa
France (4-5-1)
Hugo Lloris (Tottenham, captain); Bacary Sagna (Arsenal), Laurent Koscielny (Arsenal), Mamadou Sakho (Liverpool), Lucas Digne (PSG); Morgan Schneiderlin (Southampton), Paul Pogba (Juventus), Blaise Matuidi (PSG), Antoine Griezmann (Real Sociedad), Moussa Sissoko (Newcastle United); Karim Benzema (Real Madrid)
Changes from last match
Mathieu Debuchy, Raphael Varane, Patrice Evra, Yohan Cabaye (yellow card accumulation), Mathieu Valbuena, and Olivier Giroud are replaced by Sagna, Koscielny, Digne, Schneiderlin, Griezmann, and Pogba. Pogba, Griezmann, and Koscielny came on as subs against Switzerland.
Subs:
Raphael Varane (Real Madrid) 61' for Mamadou Sakho
Olivier Giroud (Arsenal) 67' for Blaise Matuidi
Loic Remy (Newcastle United) 79' for Antoine Griezmann
Ecuador's dropped point against Switzerland looked ready to come back to haunt them as they needed a result, preferably a win by a few goals, against France to advance. Even though to some it may have looked like France were taking their foot off the gas by resting a few of their starters, you're forgetting that France have a versatile and deep squad. Even the latest addition to their World Cup squad, Morgan Schneiderlin (only made it due to injuries) is an underrated talent Didier Deschamps has at his disposal, and with goals likely to come from as many of at least half the French starters, Ecuador truly faced an uphill battle. But it's one they took head on, absorbing pressure and getting a few good chances along the way. Hugo Lloris wasn't given the day off; he was put to work on a few occasions (certainly more than the game against Honduras). Alexander Dominguez's heroics kept France from scoring despite the amount of shots that came his way. And this match was certainly a physical one, with Christian Noboa suffering a head injury but was able to continue playing, and Antonio Valencia with a horrible and dangerous tackle he delivered to Lucas Digne to earn Ecuador's captain a Red Card. That should've been game over for Ecuador, with 40 minutes to go with only 10 men and it seemed like the next French goal invasion was due to take place, but Ecuador continued to fight but unfortunately despite working hard for a 0-0 draw, Switzerland taking all 3 points against Honduras meant that Ecuador would be out of the tournament. To me at times it almost seemed like France were content with a draw, and hopefully this performance against Ecuador doesn't sap too much of their momentum going into the knockout round against Nigeria. No doubt France will be favorites against Stephen Keshi's side but "Favorites" may no longer be the ideal role in the World Cup considering the upsets that have occurred thus far. Nonetheless, even though this current French team shouldn't be compared to the one Didier Deschamps, as a player, lead to glory in the 1998 World Cup, they look like one of the most formidable teams in the tournament.
Elimination Analysis: Ecuador
The only South American nation to go out in the Group Stage of this world cup. That is the disappointing reality that haunts La Tri right now. But nothing will disturb them more than Haris Seferovic's goal in the 3rd and final minute of stoppage time that gave Switzerland a last minute win in Brasilia. Had they kept their composure Ecuador could've gotten a point from that match which would've meant 5 points total compared to Switzerland's 4, and they would be the ones advancing instead of the Swiss. Talk about a missed opportunity. But what an impressive way to go out of this tournament. Antonio Valencia's red card is nothing to brag about, but Ecuador still managing to end the match in a draw against the group favorites France is not bad at all. The skill isn't there yet for Ecuador to be one of the big guns of South America just yet, but they certainly play with passion and despite a few crucial mistakes that ended their World Cup after 3 games and prevented them from at least replicating their best ever finish at the World Cup (Round of 16 in 2006), hopefully they keep their heads held high for fighting hard.
Current Round of 16 Matchups
Brazil vs. Chile
Colombia vs. Uruguay
France vs. Nigeria
1G vs. 2H
Netherlands vs. Mexico
Costa Rica vs. Greece
Argentina vs. Switzerland
1H vs. 2G
Up next
Group G Finale: United States vs. Germany, Ghana vs. Portugal
Group H Finale: South Korea vs. Belgium, Algeria vs. Russia
8 teams.....4 spots in the Round of 16.....4 more group stage losers.....all to play for
Belgium: The team that can breath the easiest. Their victory over Russia and Algeria's win over South Korea confirmed Belgium will be moving on to the Round of 16, and a point against an unimpressive South Korean team will put the Red Devils (yes, I mean Belgium, not Manchester United, although for Marouane Fellaini and Adnan Januzaj it doesn't make much of a difference) through Group H in the 1st spot. However Belgium have looked less like a seeded team than any other seeded team except Switzerland and maybe Uruguay. Fans expected more than a come from behind 2-1 victory over Algeria and a late goal winner over Russia, even if this is Belgium's first World Cup in 12 years. After all, this is their golden generation. Teams like Spain, Italy, and England will finish saying goodbye to theirs but for Belgium it's just beginning, and Belgium will be hoping for a comfortable win against South Korea to send them through to the knockout stages in good form.
Algeria: From being able to take several punches to being able to punch back as we saw from South Korea, Algeria must repeat their performance against Russia to make it out of the Group Stage for the first time ever. A draw against Russia and a Belgium win or draw would be enough for Algeria to advance. What does the fox say? Algerian fans will hope that their desert foxes can say they're going to the last 16.
Russia: Once again all eyes are on Fabio Capello, who has one last chance to deliver after disappointing performances against South Korea and Belgium that have only given Russia 1 point. No if, ands, or buts: Russia need to win this game. Will some of the Russian Premier League's finest be able to have their finest moments of the World Cup against an Algerian side you shouldn't dare to underestimate? Or will Russia crumble?
South Korea: Mathematically they're not out but like Honduras and Ecuador, they couldn't get more points where they needed to and have a difficult task ahead of them. In the match against Belgium, former Belgian player Marc Wilmots will battle former South Korean player Hong Myung-Bo. Unless some of the magic from the 2002 World Cup finds its way to inspire South Korea in this match, there's very little hope for them and they should be among the teams heading out.
Portugal: They might be in a hole not even Cristiano Ronaldo can dig Portugal out of. Their horrendous loss to Germany 4-0 is making life difficult for them as they hope to advance to the next round. Their best bet is to beat Ghana heavily and for the Germans to inflict a similar magnitude of damage towards the Americans. Their fate is not entirely in their hands, and they could be following their neighbors Spain out of the World Cup in the group stage unless a miracle happens, and it's happened before thanks to the presence of technically the best player in the world.
Ghana: They impressed in their 2-2 draw against Germany and looked threatening in their 2-1 loss to the USA. What can they do to Portugal? That is the big question. Ghana's goal difference is less ugly than Portugal's so a win of any sort could give Ghana a chance to progress. From the young talents such as Christian Atsu to the leader of the pack Asamoah Gyan, this Ghanian team is all about belief and they have done wonders as a group over the last 8 years. Will this be the first time Ghana go out of a World Cup in the Group Stage or will the Black Stars shine through to the knockout round?
Germany: Germany are still one of the teams to watch in this World Cup, you don't need me going on about how great this team is, but the Ghana matched showed they are vulnerable, and now they face the United States in what's sure to be an interesting encounter. Despite USA playing well, Germany still look like the more likely side to win, but there are no guarantees. They'll have to play at their highest level to ensure they don't just qualify to the KO Stage but finish 1st.
United States: Usually playing a team like Germany has American players and fans quaking in fear. Oh wait, this isn't the 1990s. USA have looked the part in their first two games in a group that was supposed to murder them and now just a draw against Germany guarantees they qualify to the knockout stage and like Costa Rica, teach the critics a lesson. Jurgen Klinsmann has done well to make this team as strong as it currently is. Can they finishing things off and at the very least manage a point against Klinsmann's country?
Group F: Nigeria vs. Argentina
Result: Argentina won 3-2
Goalscorers: 3', 45+1' Lionel Messi (Barcelona), 4', 47' Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow), 50' Marcos Rojo (Sporting CP)
Bookings: 49' Kenneth Omeruo (Middlesbrough), 51' Juwon Oshaniwa (Ashdod)
Lineups
Nigeria (4-4-2)
Vincent Enyeama (Lille); Efe Ambrose (Celtic), Joseph Yobo (Norwich City, captain), Juwon Oshaniwa (Ashdod), Kenneth Omeruo (Middlesbrough); Ogenyi Onazi (Lazio), John Obi Mikel (Chelsea), Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow), Michel Babatunde (Volyn Lutsk); Peter Odemwingie (Stoke City), Emmanuel Emenike (Fenerbahce)
Changes from last match
Same starting 11 from the game against Bosnia-Herzegovina, but change from 4-2-3-1 to 4-4-2 formation
Subs:
Michael Uchebo (Cercle Brugge) 66' for Michel Babatunde
Uche Nwofor (Heerenveen) 80' for Peter Odemwingie
Argentina (4-3-3)
Sergio Romero (Monaco); Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City), Federico Fernandez (Napoli), Ezequiel Garay (Benfica), Marcos Rojo (Sporting CP); Fernando Gago (Boca Juniors), Javier Mascherano (Barcelona), Angel di Maria (Real Madrid); Lionel Messi (Barcelona, captain), Gonzalo Higuain (Napoli), Sergio Aguero (Manchester City)
Changes from last match
Same starters and formation used against Iran
Subs:
Ezequiel Lavezzi (PSG) 38' for Sergio Aguero
Ricardo Alvarez (Inter) 63' for Lionel Messi
Lucas Biglia (Lazio) 90' for Gonzalo Higuain
These teams have quite a repetitive history in the World Cup, with Argentina beating Nigeria every time they met in the Group Stage. It was especially a rematch for Lionel Messi against a goal keeper who prevented him from scoring against Nigeria in 2010 South Africa: Vincent Enyeama. It only took 3 minutes for Messi to score this time around but a minute later, Musa drew Nigeria level. Then Messi scored again, then Musa. And then Rojo scored off a set piece to give Argentina a slim lead but by then Nigeria were out of responses. It was another nerve wracking win for Argentina and once again Messi saves the day and earns them another 3 points to finish the group stage perfectly. Lionel Messi is now tied with Neymar for leading scorer with 4 goals. However due to the result of the Iran-Bosnia match, Nigeria would follow Argentina out of this group in 2nd place.
Group F: Bosnia and Herzegovina vs. Iran
Result: 3-1 win for Bosnia and Herzegovina
Goalscorers: 23' Eden Dzeko (Manchester City), 59' Miralem Pjanic (Roma), 82' Reza Ghoochannejhad (Charlton Athletic), 83' Avdija Vrsajevic (Hajduk Split)
Bookings: 78' Muhamed Besic (Ferencvaros), 88' Karim Ansarifard (Tractor Sazi)
Lineups
Bosnia and Herzegovina (4-4-2)
Asmir Begovic (Stoke City); Avdija Vrsajevic (Hajduk Split), Toni Sunjic (Zorya Luhansk), Emir Spahic (Bayer Leverkusen, captain), Sead Kolasinac (Schalke); Miralem Pjanic (Roma), Muhamed Besic (Ferencvaros), Anel Hadzic (Sturm Graz), Tino-Sven Susic (Hajduk Split); Edin Dzeko (Manchester City), Vedad Ibisevic (Stuttgart)
Changes from last match
Mensur Mujdza, Haris Medunjanin, Izet Hajrovic, Zvjezdan Misimovic, and Senad Lulic left off the starting lineup, allowing Vrsajevic, Kolasinac, Hadzic, Susic, and Ibisevic to start (Susic and Ibisevic appeared as subs against Nigeria)
Subs:
Ognjen Vranjes (Elazigspor) 61' for Anel Hadzic
Sejad Salihovic (Hoffenheim) 79' for Tino-Sven Susic
Edin Visca (Istanbul Basaksehir) 85' for Edin Dzeko
Iran (4-2-3-1)
Alireza Haghighi (Sporting Covilha); Jalal Hosseini (Persepolis), Amir Sadeghi (Esteghlal), Pejman Montazeri (Umm Salal), Mehrdad Pooladi (Persepolis); Javad Nekounam (Al-Kuwait, captain), Andranik Teymourian (Esteghlal); Ashkan Dejagah (Fulham), Masoud Shojaei (Las Palmas), Ehsan Hajsafi (Sephana); Reza Ghoochannejhad (Charlton Athletic)
Changes from last match
Same formation and players that faced Argentina
Subs:
Khosro Heydari (Esteghlal) 46' for Masoud Shojaei
Alireza Jahanbakhsh (NEC) 63' for Ehsan Hajsafi
Karim Ansarifard (Tractor Sazi) 82' for Ashkan Dejagah
Bosnia and Herzegovina were heading out of the World Cup no matter what happened in this match but they made sure they didn't go out without a fight. Iran needed to beat Bosnia and Herzegovina to have a shot at advancing to the next round but even though the Dragons have been slayed already, they are still a decent team especially compared to the Iranians. Led by the Roma star Miralem Pjanic who had 1 goal and 1 assist, Bosnia and Herzegovina earned their first world cup win ever. As for Iran, at least Reza Ghoochannejad made sure Iran didn't go home without scoring a single goal. And this meant that every team at this World Cup scored at least 1 goal.
Elimination Analysis: Bosnia and Herzegovina
A nation that gained independence in a war-torn area of Europe in the 1990s, and fast forward 20 years and a poor nation dealing with floods would get to cheer on their team going to their first ever World Cup. In a difficult period, the 23 Dragons representing this young and growing nation were hoping to put a smile of the faces of the people rooting for them back home. Now they'll be wondering what went wrong and how they could be going out this early, and upon reflection they won't be happy. Edin Dzeko's goal against Nigeria was unjustly disallowed and if it stood, Bosnia and Herzegovina would be going through to the next round. Even though this journey ended sooner than they would've liked, their journey to Brazil was quite impressive and now there's another decent European team in the mix to qualify for future competitions.
Elimination Analysis: Iran
Well they ended with 1 point and dead last in this group but they far from embarrassed themselves at this World Cup. Finishing the tournament with the same amount of points as England is nothing for Carlos Quieroz and Iran to be ashamed of. They put in decent performances against their opposition in this group. The fact that some people believed they outplayed Argentina in Argentina's narrow 1-0 victory over Iran is a huge compliment. If Iran qualify for the next World Cup, the world will be a lot less shocked to see them truly go toe to toe with some of the best teams out there. Hopefully they can get a few more players playing in Europe (preferably top divisions in Europe) in the next few years and then perhaps Iran will become even more threatening.
Group E: Honduras vs. Switzerland
Result: 3-0 victory for the Swiss
Goalscorers: 6', 31', 71' Xherdan Shaqiri (Bayern Munich)
Bookings: 66' Jerry Palacios (Alajuelense)
Lineups
Honduras (4-4-2)
Noel Valladares (Olimpia, captain); Brayan Beckeles (Olimpia), Victor Bernardez (San Jose Earthquakes), Maynor Figueroa (Hull City), Juan Carlos Garcia (Wigan Athletic); Jorge Claros (Motagua), Wilson Palacios (Stoke City), Oscar Boniek Garcia (Houston Dynamo), Roger Espinoza (Wigan Athletic); Carlo Costly (Real Espana), Jerry Bengtson (New England Revolution)
Changes from last match
Emilio Izaguirre and Luis Garrido replaced by J.Garcia and W.Palacios (the latter who returned from suspension after receiving a red card against France) respectively.
Subs:
Jerry Palacios (Alajuelense) 40' for Carlo Costly
Martin Chavez (Chivas USA) 46' for Roger Espinoza
Andy Najar (Anderlecht) 77' for Oscar Boniek Garcia
Switzerland (4-2-3-1)
Diego Benaglio (Wolfsburg); Stephan Lichtsteiner (Juventus), Johan Djourou (Hamburger), Fabian Schar (Basel), Ricardo Rodriguez (Wolfsburg); Valon Behrami (Napoli), Gokhan Inler (Napoli, captain); Xherdan Shaqiri (Bayern Munich), Granit Xhaka (Monchengladbach), Admir Mehmedi (Freiburg); Josip Drmic (Nurnberg)
Changes from last match
Steve von Bergen (injury) and Haris Seferovic left off the starting lineup for Schar and Drmic to start.
Subs:
Haris Seferovic (Real Sociedad) 74' for Josip Drmic
Michael Lang (Grasshopper) 77' for Granit Xhaka
Blerim Dzemaili (Napoli) 87' for Xherdan Shaqiri
Honduras mathematically weren't eliminated going into this match but they were just about. Considering the wealth of talent the Swiss have, things looked like they would be different than the 0-0 draw that happened in South Africa. Perhaps Ottmar Hitzfeld will remember that match and would be especially careful to avoid history repeating itself, and thankfully Xherdan Shaqiri and Josip Drmic stepped up and led Switzerland to another 3-0 defeat for Honduras to deal with. Drmic did a good job setting up opportunities, most of which Shaqiri made good use of to score the 50th hat trick at the FIFA World Cup. This win allowed Switzerland to finish in 2nd in this group and will face Argentina in the Round of 16. Switzerland don't look like the most threatening team in the tournament but Argentina haven't been coasting through this World Cup so far so anything is possible. For Honduras though, it's another group stage exit.
Elimination Analysis: Honduras
Mexico advanced from Group A, Costa Rica won Group C, USA are in a good position to advance from Group G, but Honduras couldn't do as well as their CONCACAF rivals and leave the World Cup without a single point just like Cameroon and Australia. Honduras gave teams like USA and Mexico a tough time in the final round of qualifying for CONCACAF (the Hexagonal), but once again they failed to compete in the group stage. At the very least, at least Carlo Costly ended their goal scoring drought at the World Cup. It'll be another four years before Honduras can have another chance to prove they belong at the World Cup after another less than impressive performance.
Group E: Ecuador vs. France
Result: 0-0 draw
Bookings: 50' red card Antonio Valencia (Manchester United), 83' Frickson Erazo (Flamengo)
Significance of Bookings: Antonio Valencia would've missed the next match, but since Ecuador lost in the group stage, it was everyone's last match for Ecuador at this tournament.
Lineups
Ecuador (4-4-2)
Alexander Dominguez (LDU Quito); Juan Paredes (Barcelona, ECU), Jorge Guagua (Emelec), Frickson Erazo (Flamengo), Walter Ayovi (Pachuca); Jefferson Montero (Morelia), Christian Noboa (Dynamo Moscow), Oswaldo Minda (Chivas USA), Antonio Valencia (Manchester United, captain); Michael Arroyo (Atlante), Enner Valencia (Pachuca)
Changes from last match
Same formation and starters that faced Honduras except Felipe Caicedo moving to the bench for Arroyo
Subs:
Renato Ibarra (Vitesse) 63' for Jefferson Montero
Gabriel Achilier (Emelec) 82' for Michael Arroyo
Felipe Caicedo (Al-Jazira) 89' for Christian Noboa
France (4-5-1)
Hugo Lloris (Tottenham, captain); Bacary Sagna (Arsenal), Laurent Koscielny (Arsenal), Mamadou Sakho (Liverpool), Lucas Digne (PSG); Morgan Schneiderlin (Southampton), Paul Pogba (Juventus), Blaise Matuidi (PSG), Antoine Griezmann (Real Sociedad), Moussa Sissoko (Newcastle United); Karim Benzema (Real Madrid)
Changes from last match
Mathieu Debuchy, Raphael Varane, Patrice Evra, Yohan Cabaye (yellow card accumulation), Mathieu Valbuena, and Olivier Giroud are replaced by Sagna, Koscielny, Digne, Schneiderlin, Griezmann, and Pogba. Pogba, Griezmann, and Koscielny came on as subs against Switzerland.
Subs:
Raphael Varane (Real Madrid) 61' for Mamadou Sakho
Olivier Giroud (Arsenal) 67' for Blaise Matuidi
Loic Remy (Newcastle United) 79' for Antoine Griezmann
Ecuador's dropped point against Switzerland looked ready to come back to haunt them as they needed a result, preferably a win by a few goals, against France to advance. Even though to some it may have looked like France were taking their foot off the gas by resting a few of their starters, you're forgetting that France have a versatile and deep squad. Even the latest addition to their World Cup squad, Morgan Schneiderlin (only made it due to injuries) is an underrated talent Didier Deschamps has at his disposal, and with goals likely to come from as many of at least half the French starters, Ecuador truly faced an uphill battle. But it's one they took head on, absorbing pressure and getting a few good chances along the way. Hugo Lloris wasn't given the day off; he was put to work on a few occasions (certainly more than the game against Honduras). Alexander Dominguez's heroics kept France from scoring despite the amount of shots that came his way. And this match was certainly a physical one, with Christian Noboa suffering a head injury but was able to continue playing, and Antonio Valencia with a horrible and dangerous tackle he delivered to Lucas Digne to earn Ecuador's captain a Red Card. That should've been game over for Ecuador, with 40 minutes to go with only 10 men and it seemed like the next French goal invasion was due to take place, but Ecuador continued to fight but unfortunately despite working hard for a 0-0 draw, Switzerland taking all 3 points against Honduras meant that Ecuador would be out of the tournament. To me at times it almost seemed like France were content with a draw, and hopefully this performance against Ecuador doesn't sap too much of their momentum going into the knockout round against Nigeria. No doubt France will be favorites against Stephen Keshi's side but "Favorites" may no longer be the ideal role in the World Cup considering the upsets that have occurred thus far. Nonetheless, even though this current French team shouldn't be compared to the one Didier Deschamps, as a player, lead to glory in the 1998 World Cup, they look like one of the most formidable teams in the tournament.
Elimination Analysis: Ecuador
The only South American nation to go out in the Group Stage of this world cup. That is the disappointing reality that haunts La Tri right now. But nothing will disturb them more than Haris Seferovic's goal in the 3rd and final minute of stoppage time that gave Switzerland a last minute win in Brasilia. Had they kept their composure Ecuador could've gotten a point from that match which would've meant 5 points total compared to Switzerland's 4, and they would be the ones advancing instead of the Swiss. Talk about a missed opportunity. But what an impressive way to go out of this tournament. Antonio Valencia's red card is nothing to brag about, but Ecuador still managing to end the match in a draw against the group favorites France is not bad at all. The skill isn't there yet for Ecuador to be one of the big guns of South America just yet, but they certainly play with passion and despite a few crucial mistakes that ended their World Cup after 3 games and prevented them from at least replicating their best ever finish at the World Cup (Round of 16 in 2006), hopefully they keep their heads held high for fighting hard.
Current Round of 16 Matchups
Brazil vs. Chile
Colombia vs. Uruguay
France vs. Nigeria
1G vs. 2H
Netherlands vs. Mexico
Costa Rica vs. Greece
Argentina vs. Switzerland
1H vs. 2G
Up next
Group G Finale: United States vs. Germany, Ghana vs. Portugal
Group H Finale: South Korea vs. Belgium, Algeria vs. Russia
8 teams.....4 spots in the Round of 16.....4 more group stage losers.....all to play for
Belgium: The team that can breath the easiest. Their victory over Russia and Algeria's win over South Korea confirmed Belgium will be moving on to the Round of 16, and a point against an unimpressive South Korean team will put the Red Devils (yes, I mean Belgium, not Manchester United, although for Marouane Fellaini and Adnan Januzaj it doesn't make much of a difference) through Group H in the 1st spot. However Belgium have looked less like a seeded team than any other seeded team except Switzerland and maybe Uruguay. Fans expected more than a come from behind 2-1 victory over Algeria and a late goal winner over Russia, even if this is Belgium's first World Cup in 12 years. After all, this is their golden generation. Teams like Spain, Italy, and England will finish saying goodbye to theirs but for Belgium it's just beginning, and Belgium will be hoping for a comfortable win against South Korea to send them through to the knockout stages in good form.
Algeria: From being able to take several punches to being able to punch back as we saw from South Korea, Algeria must repeat their performance against Russia to make it out of the Group Stage for the first time ever. A draw against Russia and a Belgium win or draw would be enough for Algeria to advance. What does the fox say? Algerian fans will hope that their desert foxes can say they're going to the last 16.
Russia: Once again all eyes are on Fabio Capello, who has one last chance to deliver after disappointing performances against South Korea and Belgium that have only given Russia 1 point. No if, ands, or buts: Russia need to win this game. Will some of the Russian Premier League's finest be able to have their finest moments of the World Cup against an Algerian side you shouldn't dare to underestimate? Or will Russia crumble?
South Korea: Mathematically they're not out but like Honduras and Ecuador, they couldn't get more points where they needed to and have a difficult task ahead of them. In the match against Belgium, former Belgian player Marc Wilmots will battle former South Korean player Hong Myung-Bo. Unless some of the magic from the 2002 World Cup finds its way to inspire South Korea in this match, there's very little hope for them and they should be among the teams heading out.
Portugal: They might be in a hole not even Cristiano Ronaldo can dig Portugal out of. Their horrendous loss to Germany 4-0 is making life difficult for them as they hope to advance to the next round. Their best bet is to beat Ghana heavily and for the Germans to inflict a similar magnitude of damage towards the Americans. Their fate is not entirely in their hands, and they could be following their neighbors Spain out of the World Cup in the group stage unless a miracle happens, and it's happened before thanks to the presence of technically the best player in the world.
Ghana: They impressed in their 2-2 draw against Germany and looked threatening in their 2-1 loss to the USA. What can they do to Portugal? That is the big question. Ghana's goal difference is less ugly than Portugal's so a win of any sort could give Ghana a chance to progress. From the young talents such as Christian Atsu to the leader of the pack Asamoah Gyan, this Ghanian team is all about belief and they have done wonders as a group over the last 8 years. Will this be the first time Ghana go out of a World Cup in the Group Stage or will the Black Stars shine through to the knockout round?
Germany: Germany are still one of the teams to watch in this World Cup, you don't need me going on about how great this team is, but the Ghana matched showed they are vulnerable, and now they face the United States in what's sure to be an interesting encounter. Despite USA playing well, Germany still look like the more likely side to win, but there are no guarantees. They'll have to play at their highest level to ensure they don't just qualify to the KO Stage but finish 1st.
United States: Usually playing a team like Germany has American players and fans quaking in fear. Oh wait, this isn't the 1990s. USA have looked the part in their first two games in a group that was supposed to murder them and now just a draw against Germany guarantees they qualify to the knockout stage and like Costa Rica, teach the critics a lesson. Jurgen Klinsmann has done well to make this team as strong as it currently is. Can they finishing things off and at the very least manage a point against Klinsmann's country?
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
2014 FIFA World Cup Day 13 Review Day 14 Preview
Colombia and Costa Rica already qualified and England were already up a creek without a paddle, while 5 teams fought for the remaining 2 places in the Round of 16 between Groups C and D today, the Pirate Ship, the Blue Samurai, les Elephantes, the Azzurri, and La Celeste.
Group D: Italy vs. Uruguay
Result: A narrow but decisive victory 1-0 that went Uruguay's way
Goalscorers: 81' Diego Godin (Atletico Madrid)
Bookings: 22' Mario Balotelli (AC Milan), 46' Egidio Arevalo Rios (Morelia), 59' red card Claudio Marchisio (Juventus), 77' Mattia de Sciglio (AC Milan), 90+1' Fernando Muslera (Galatasaray)
Significance of bookings: Balotelli and Marchisio would've been unavailable for Italy's next match if they had progressed to the knockout stages.
Lineups
Italy (3-2-3-2)
Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus, captain); Andrea Barzagli (Juventus), Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus); Claudio Marchisio (Juventus), Marco Verratti (PSG); Mattie de Sciglio (AC Milan), Andrea Pirlo (Juventus), Matteo Darmian (Torino); Ciro Immobile (Torino), Mario Balotelli (AC Milan)
Changes from last match
Change from 4-5-1 to 3-2-3-2 formation. Ignazio Abate, Daniele de Rossi, Thiago Motta, and Antonio Candreva replaced by Bonucci, Verratti, De Sciglio, and Immobile.
Subs:
Marco Palolo (Parma) 46' for Mario Balotelli
Antonio Cassano (Parma) 71' for Ciro Immobile
Thiago Motta (PSG) 75' for Marco Verratti
Uruguay (4-3-1-2)
Fernando Muslera (Galatasaray); Martin Caceres (Juventus), Jose Gimenez (Atletico Madrid), Diego Godin (Atletico Madrid, captain), Alvaro Pereira (Sao Paulo); Alvaro Gonzalez (Lazio), Egidio Arevalo Rios (Morelia), Cristian Rodriguez (Atletico Madrid); Nicolas Lodeiro (Corinthians); Luis Suarez (Liverpool), Edinson Cavani (PSG)
Changes from last match
Same formation and starters from their encounter with England
Subs:
Maxi Pereira (Benfica) 46' for Nicolas Lodeiro
Christian Stuani (Espanyol) 63' for Alvaro Pereira
Gaston Ramirez (Southampton) 78' for Cristian Rodriguez
Literally a do or die match. Italy needed a draw, Uruguay needed a win. PSG and Juventus teammates may have reunited but it certainly wasn't a friendly affair because for both nations their spot in the next round was on the line, which is interesting because a fair amount of people expected both teams to finish on top of Group D, but in fairness no one expected Costa Rica to be shockingly good. Things were getting nasty quick, and even though it's not abnormal for Mario Balotelli to pick up a yellow card here and there, it only made things more nerve wracking for Italy given his unpredictability and the fact that he'd miss out on the Round of 16 match if Italy made it there. So Cesare Prandelli decided now was not the time to roll the dice and put Marco Palolo in for Balotelli, but this is where things turned south for the Italians. Claudio Marchisio's foot, meet Egidio Arevalo Rios's shin, and meet his friend, a red card. Italian fans were not happy, felt it was undeserved, and it wasn't the most straight forward of red card instances, but even if people hate me for thinking this, cleet meets shin, not safe at all, reckless challenge, a red card was fair game but maybe a yellow would've been enough. Definitely a tense moment that caused both teams to go to the next gear and things got more and more interesting until the man who scored his side's only goal in Atletico Madrid's 4-1 loss to Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League final this season came to Uruguay's rescue. Smartly taken from the Southampton man Gaston Ramirez's corner kick, Godin broke the dead lock and gave Uruguay the win they needed to become the 5th South American team (and probably the last unless Ecuador comes up big in their closing match) to qualify for the next round. This meant Italy were out in the group stage for the 2nd tournament in a row following their 4th World Cup title in 2006. But what will bother Italy more than losing will be the fact that they lost to a piranha. Or a vampire. Or Pacman. He's something of that sort, Luis Suarez. In the 79th minute, Luis Suarez bit Giorgio Chiellini, the 3rd time he's bitten a player. 1st in the Eredivisie, then the Barclays Premier League, and now at the World Cup. Dude what is wrong with you? At least your hand ball against Ghana, which was a huge dick move, had something to do with helping your team, but what was he thinking? Luis Suarez in a 2 second span turned millions of neutrals into Colombian fans for Uruguay's next match, and many hope that Suarez gets a ban immediately for that kind of behavior. And fair is fair, if Marchisio's incident was punished, so should Suarez's. Aside from that, Uruguay will be quite happy they're moving on.
Elimination Analysis: Italy
Over the span of the history of the sport, Italy are one of the all time greatest soccer/football nations. Over the span of the last 8 years though, they've cracked in some tournaments since then. Out in the group stage in 2009 Confederations Cup, 2010 World Cup, and now the 2014 World Cup, but also quarterfinalists in Euro 2008, runners up in Euro 2012, and 3rd place in 2013 Confederations (all 3 instances losing to Spain), it's been the best of times and the worst of times for the Azzurri. Italy join the ever growing group of European nations heading home from Brazil after 3 matches and this means both finalists of the Euro 2012 are out already. It's a bittersweet way to say goodbye to legends Gianluigi Buffon and Andrea Pirlo, who guided Italy to their most recent World Cup trophy but who retired from international soccer on this day. The days are numbered for the other two remaining members of the 2006 World Cup winning squad, Andrea Barzagli and Daniele de Rossi. Italy had made so much progress in the past 4 years that even when drawn into a difficult group they were expected to have a strong showing at the World Cup in Brazil, potential semifinalists, maybe just maybe finalists or even champions once again. And even in defeat to Costa Rica and Uruguay, Italy played like a team that you'd think, without looking at the score board, they'd be going places. It's back to the drawing board for the once European powerhouses. Or maybe they are still. Time will tell, the possibilities are plentiful for this team.
Group D: Costa Rica vs. England
Result: 0-0 draw
Bookings: 53' Ross Barkley (Everton), 57' Adam Lallana (Southampton), 60' Giancarlo Gonzalez (Columbus Crew)
Lineups
Costa Rica (5-3-2)
Keylor Navas (Levante); Giancarlo Gonzalez (Columbus Crew), Oscar Duarte (Club Brugge), Roy Miller (New York Red Bulls), Cristian Gamboa (Rosenborg), Junior Diaz (Mainz 05); Celso Borges (AIK), Bryan Ruiz (PSV, captain), Yeltsin Tejeda (Saprissa); Randall Brenes (Cartagines), Joel Campbell (Olympiacos)
Changes from last match
Changed from 5-2-2-1 to 5-3-2 formation. Michael Umana and Christian Bolanos left on the bench allowing Miller and Brenes to start.
Subs:
Christian Bolanos (Copenhagen) 59' for Randall Brenes
Marco Urena (Kuban Krasnodar) 65' for Joel Campbell
Michael Barrantes (Aalesund) 78' for Celso Borges
England (4-2-3-1)
Ben Foster (West Bromwich Albion); Phil Jones (Manchester United), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Chris Smalling (Manchester United), Luke Shaw (Southampton); Frank Lampard (captain), Jack Wilshere (Arsenal); James Milner (Manchester City), Ross Barkley (Everton), Adam Lallana (Southampton); Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool)
Changes from last match
Joe Hart, Glen Johnson, Phil Jagielka, Leighton Baines, Steven Gerrard, Jordan Henderson, Danny Welbeck, Raheem Sterling, and Wayne Rooney on the bench to let 9 other players start in nothing more than a potential consolation game in England's perspective. Lampard acts as captain in Gerrard's absense.
Subs:
Raheem Sterling (Liverpool) 62' for Adam Lallana
Steven Gerrard (Liverpool) 73' for Jack Wilshere
Wayne Rooney (Manchester United) 76' for James Milner
Roy Hodgson decided to completely change the starting lineup, giving some younger players like Luke Shaw and Chris Smalling a chance as well as some lesser used veterans like Frank Lampard and James Milner a chance. For Jorge Luis Pinto, he was well aware that a point would secure 1st place for Costa Rica, so he relied on mostly the same players who beat Uruguay and Italy. And turns out it was a goalless affair with not much going on. For Costa Rica it was "Mission Accomplished". They got the point they needed to win a group they were expected to be trampled by and finishing in last. For England, they don't have to worry about leaving Brazil without a point: they finish their run in the tournament with one. First time since 1958 they didn't get out of the group stage and also the least amount of points earned by England in a World Cup ever. Even considering the lack of high expectations surrounding the Three Lions this time around, this is surely a bitter pill to swallow. For Costa Rica though, they move on to the Round of 16 and hope to continue this historic run going as long as they can.
Elimination Analysis: England
England: creator of this very sport, home to arguably the best football/soccer league and league system in the World, with clubs like Manchester United, Arsenal, and Chelsea practically their own brands across the globe, and the homeland of many of the commentators we listen to. But suddenly the national team has fallen into a rut that will take some work to get out of. At the turn of the century England's future looked bright with players like David Beckham, Michael Owen, Paul Scholes, Joe Cole, Sol Campbell, and Rio Ferdinand, supposedly England's golden generation. They failed to live up to their expectations and now all that remains of them are the trio of Steven Gerrard, Wayne Rooney, and Frank Lampard. We see these players playing in some of the most iconic stadiums and for some of the most well known teams in Europe, and the world, and we're left wondering why this team isn't doing better? Expectations were thought to be a factor, but they can only go so low for a team with so many individually talented players. And then that's when the light bulb goes off. This isn't about individuals, it's about one team. They simply haven't found a way to reach their potential as a team yet. With virtually all their players (the exception being Celtic's Fraser Forster) playing in the same league but in different clubs, it takes some getting used to and strong mental power. One day Wayne Rooney and Joe Hart go head to head in a Manchester derby, the other they must be on each other's side. You'd think and you'd hope that sooner or later this group of players, or whatever group of players is deemed necessary, will find away to make their nation proud again.
Group C: Japan vs. Colombia
Result: 4-1 victory for Colombia
Goalscorers: 17' penalty Juan Cuadrado (Fiorentina), 45+1' Shinji Okazaki (Mainz 05), 55', 82' Jackson Martinez (Porto), 90' James Rodriguez (Monaco)
Bookings: 16' Yasuyuki Konno (Gamba Osaka), 63' Fredy Guarin (Inter)
Lineups
Japan (4-2-3-1)
Eiji Kawashima (Standard Liege); Atsuto Uchida (Schalke), Maya Yoshida (Southampton), Yasuyuki Konno (Gamba Osaka), Yuto Nagatomo (Inter); Toshihiro Aoyama (Sanfrecce Hiroshima), Makoto Hasebe (Nurnberg, captain); Shinji Okazaki (Mainz 05), Keisuke Honda (AC Milan), Shinji Kagawa (Manchester United); Yoshito Okubo (Kawasaki Frontale)
Changes from last match
Hotaru Yagamuchi and Yuya Osako are replaced by Aoyama and Kagawa in the starting lineup
Subs:
Hotaru Yagamuchi (Cerezo Osaka) 62' for Toshihiro Aoyama
Yoichiro Kakitani (Cerezo Osaka) 69' for Shinji Okazaki
Hiroshi Kiyotake (Nurnberg) 85' for Shinji Kagawa
Colombia (4-2-2-2)
David Ospina (Nice, captain); Santiago Arias (PSV), Carlos Valdes (San Lorenzo), Eder Balanta (River Plate), Pablo Armero (West Ham United); Alexander Mejia (Atletico Nacional), Fredy Guarin (Inter); Juan Cuadrado (Fiorentina), Juan Quintero (Porto); Adrian Ramos (Hertha BSC), Jackson Martinez (Porto)
Changes from last match
Juan Zuniga, Cristian Zapata, Mario Yepes, Abel Aguilar, Carlos Sanchez, James Rodriguez, Victor Ibarbo, and Teofilo Gutierrez left on the bench making way for 8 other players to start. Change from 4-2-3-1 to 4-2-2-2 formation
Subs:
Carlos Carbonero (River Plate) 46' for Juan Quintero
James Rodriguez (Monaco) 46' for Juan Cuadrado
Faryd Mondragon (Deportivo Cali) 85' for David Ospina
Colombia knew that if they kept things up from their performances against Greece and Cote D'Ivoire, they should definitely at least draw but preferably a win against Japan. Japan needed a win against Colombia to have a shot at getting out of the group stage and they couldn't rely on Pikachu's Thunder Wave attack to paralyze the Colombians. Aside from Yasuyuki Konno giving away a penalty which Juan Cuadrado put away, Japan got off to a good start, especially with Shinji Okazaki scoring right at the end of the 1st half. But then James Rodriguez came in and completely change the game, allowing every to see how much of a difference Falcao's right hand man at Monaco makes for this Colombian team. 3 second half goals gave Colombia a thrilling win that makes them 3 for 3 in the Group Stage. A lot of critics will ding Colombia style points for being in a "weak group", but they're playing well so far and they'll have to continue that against Uruguay in the Round of 16. For Japan though, it was always going to be difficult for them but many people expected them to do better, especially with the strong midfielders they have. Another historic moment: Colombian legend Faryd Mondragon, who had a terrific tournament in the 1998 World Cup, became the oldest player to play at a World Cup at 43 years and 3 days old.
Elimination Analysis: Japan
Video game fans were excited when Japan made Pikachu their mascot going into this World Cup but Japan were exciting for more reasons than just the most popular Pokemon out there. More and more of their players playing in Europe, the emergence of Shinji Kagawa in Borussia Dortmund and then moving to Manchester United, and Japan were an exciting team to watch. Even though they lost all their matches in the 2013 Confederations Cup there were positives to take from that experience, which included an exciting 4-3 loss to Italy. But I guess they just couldn't break the trend. This is Japan's 5th straight World Cup appearance. 1998: Group stage, 2002: KO Stage (16), 2006: Group Stage, 2010: Top 16, and here we are and Japan fail to make it out of the group again (if they qualify for 2018, looks like then they would make it out of the group). Japan still have much work to do before becoming a higher profile team in the soccer world. They'll be disappointed with the points they gave up against Cote D'Ivoire and Greece.
Group C: Greece vs. Cote D'Ivoire
Result: 2-1 win for Greece
Goalscorers: 42' Andreas Samaris (Olympiacos), 74' Wilfried Bony (Swansea City), 90+3' Georgios Samaras penalty (Celtic)
Bookings: 37' Didier Drogba (Galatasaray), 62' Salomon Kalou (Lille), 70' Serey Die (Basel)
Lineups
Greece (4-5-1)
Orestis Karnezis (Granada); Vasilis Torosidis (Roma), Kostas Manolas (Olympiacos), Sokratis Papastathopoulos (Borussia Dortmund), Jose Holebas (Olympiacos); Giorgos Karagounis (Fulham, captain), Giannis Maniatis (Olympiacos), Lazaros Christodoulopoulos (Bologna), Panagiotis Kone (Bologna), Georgios Samaras (Celtic); Dimitris Salpingidis (PAOK)
Changes from last match
Giannis Fetfatzidis, Kostas Mitroglou, and Kostas Katsouranis (suspended due to red card against Japan) left off starting lineup allowing Christodoulopoulos, Karagounis, and Salpingidis to start this time.
Subs:
Andreas Samaris (Olympiacos) 12' for Panagiotis Kone
Panagiotis Glykos (PAOK) 24' for Orestis Karnezis
Theofanis Gekas (Konyaspor) 78' for Giorgos Karagounis
Cote D'Ivoire (4-2-3-1)
Boubacar Barry (Lokoren); Serge Aurier (Toulouse), Kolo Toure (Liverpool), Sol Bamba (Trabzonspor), Arthur Boka (Stuttgart); Cheick Tiote (Newcastled United), Serey Die (Basel); Salomon Kalou (Lille), Yaya Toure (Manchester City), Gervinho (Roma); Didier Drogba (Galatasaray, captain)
Changes from last match
Didier Zokora suspended due to yellow card accumulation and Max Gradel and Wilfried Bony move to the bench allowing Kolo Toure, Kalou, and Drogba to start
Subs:
Wilfried Bony (Swansea City) 61' for Cheick Tiote
Ismael Diomande (Saint-Etienne) 78' for Didier Drogba
Giovanni Sio (Basel) 83' for Gervinho
Neither Greece nor Cote D'Ivoire had gotten out of the group stage at a World Cup before, but one of these two teams were almost certain to with one game left to play for. And to make things even more interesting but a lot more tragic, the Toure brothers had gotten news that their younger brother Ibrahim Toure lost his battle with cancer and died a few days prior. Cote D'Ivoire looked the more likely side to progress since they only needed a draw, and Greece hadn't scored a goal yet in the tournament. An interesting decision made by the manager Sabri Lamouchi was to start Didier Drogba instead of Wilfried Bony, which didn't quite make sense. Bony has had a good tournament so far, having scored a goal against Japan, and Didier Drogba had been doing just fine as a super sub and not being as young as he once was, it was a huge question if he was fit to start. Cote D'Ivoire had this in the bag but two bad moves resulted in two Greek goals that cancelled out Wilfried Bony's goal and eliminated Cote D'Ivoire from the World Cup. Greece had their backs against the wall once again when a Jose Holebas effort hit the crossbar and fatigued and injured Greek duo Karzenis and Kone had to be subbed off early. But Greece carried on and Samaris got a goal that was gifted to him from a bad giveaway by Cheick Tiote. And then in the dying minutes (probably minute) of the game, with a draw being enough for Cote D'Ivoire to advance, Giovanni Sio's poor challenges gives Greece a penalty that Samaras gets right to give Greece one of their most important victories ever.
Elimination Analysis: Cote D'Ivoire
We've been saying good by to a few golden generations lately. Australia, Spain, England all must move on from their players that held so much promise years ago, and Cote D'Ivoire are in the same boat. Looks like the end of the line for Didier Drogba and company, but they still have players like Serge Aurier, Gervinho, and Wilfried Bony that look to have bright futures ahead of them. Disbelief for the Ivorians. Their 3rd World Cup in a row and for the first time they were given a reasonable group. But they couldn't make this work. They will probably hate the referee for giving Greece that penalty, but even if that wasn't rightfully a penalty kick you can't excuse Cheick Tiote's giveaway. Cote D'Ivoire remains one of the strongest teams in Africa, for now at least. Their window of opportunity looks all but shut but can be opened once again if the next wave of Elephantes step up. Didier Drogba is a tough act to follow, a good man and a talented footballer, known for his actions on and off the pitch, most notably when he asked the people of Cote D'Ivoire for a ceasefire in their civil war which was successful. This will be a bitter pill to swallow given their expectations but this team will be motivated to reach higher and work harder.
Eliminated: Australia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cameroon, Cote D'Ivoire, Croatia, England, Italy, Japan, Spain
Round of 16 Matchups and other Qualified: Netherlands vs. Mexico, Costa Rica vs. Greece, Brazil vs. Chile, Colombia vs. Uruguay, Argentina, Belgium
Still looking: Algeria, Ecuador, France, Ghana, Germany, Honduras, Iran, Nigeria, Portugal, Russia, South Korea, Switzerland, United States
Up next
Group F Finale: Nigeria vs. Argentina, Bosnia and Herzegovina vs. Iran
Group E Finale: Honduras vs. Switzerland, Ecuador vs. France
Nigeria and Argentina aren't unfamiliar opponents and the roles are certainly familiar with Argentina being favorites and Nigeria being underdogs. Argentina had to work hard and use the skill of Lionel Messi to beat Bosnia and Herzegovina and Iran. Can Nigeria go one further and upset the Argentines with a win or draw, or will this be the 2nd 9 point group stage performance for Argentina in a row?
Bosnia and Herzegovina may be out but they will certainly look to give Iran a good fight in this match. Iran have been impressive so far but only 1 point to show for it, and they'll need a win and for Argentina to beat Nigeria by 2 goals to advance. Can Carlos Quieroz lead Iran to another strong showing or do they have nothing left in the tank for a formidable Bosnia and Herzegovina looking to exit the World Cup on a high note?
Honduras need a win plus a few other stars to align to advance but THEY ARE NOT OUT. That alone will give Honduras belief, and it'll be another 2010 rematch. Last time Honduras drew 0-0 against Switzerland and cost Switzerland their spot in the Round of 16. Switzerland do not want history to repeat itself and will hope to finish what they started and this time beat the Central Americans.
France have been steam rolling their opposition in Group E and Ecuador look like just part 3 of France's journey to 9 points. France certainly look like one of the strongest teams in the tournament and also one of the few European teams to advance unless they should lose to Ecuador, Switzerland beats Honduras, and they have the worst goal difference. But after 2 wins by 3 goal margins, that looks very unlikely. Are Ecuador screwed or do they have an ace up their sleeves to surprisingly get them through the group stage and make South America 6 for 6 in this World Cup?
Group D: Italy vs. Uruguay
Result: A narrow but decisive victory 1-0 that went Uruguay's way
Goalscorers: 81' Diego Godin (Atletico Madrid)
Bookings: 22' Mario Balotelli (AC Milan), 46' Egidio Arevalo Rios (Morelia), 59' red card Claudio Marchisio (Juventus), 77' Mattia de Sciglio (AC Milan), 90+1' Fernando Muslera (Galatasaray)
Significance of bookings: Balotelli and Marchisio would've been unavailable for Italy's next match if they had progressed to the knockout stages.
Lineups
Italy (3-2-3-2)
Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus, captain); Andrea Barzagli (Juventus), Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus); Claudio Marchisio (Juventus), Marco Verratti (PSG); Mattie de Sciglio (AC Milan), Andrea Pirlo (Juventus), Matteo Darmian (Torino); Ciro Immobile (Torino), Mario Balotelli (AC Milan)
Changes from last match
Change from 4-5-1 to 3-2-3-2 formation. Ignazio Abate, Daniele de Rossi, Thiago Motta, and Antonio Candreva replaced by Bonucci, Verratti, De Sciglio, and Immobile.
Subs:
Marco Palolo (Parma) 46' for Mario Balotelli
Antonio Cassano (Parma) 71' for Ciro Immobile
Thiago Motta (PSG) 75' for Marco Verratti
Uruguay (4-3-1-2)
Fernando Muslera (Galatasaray); Martin Caceres (Juventus), Jose Gimenez (Atletico Madrid), Diego Godin (Atletico Madrid, captain), Alvaro Pereira (Sao Paulo); Alvaro Gonzalez (Lazio), Egidio Arevalo Rios (Morelia), Cristian Rodriguez (Atletico Madrid); Nicolas Lodeiro (Corinthians); Luis Suarez (Liverpool), Edinson Cavani (PSG)
Changes from last match
Same formation and starters from their encounter with England
Subs:
Maxi Pereira (Benfica) 46' for Nicolas Lodeiro
Christian Stuani (Espanyol) 63' for Alvaro Pereira
Gaston Ramirez (Southampton) 78' for Cristian Rodriguez
Literally a do or die match. Italy needed a draw, Uruguay needed a win. PSG and Juventus teammates may have reunited but it certainly wasn't a friendly affair because for both nations their spot in the next round was on the line, which is interesting because a fair amount of people expected both teams to finish on top of Group D, but in fairness no one expected Costa Rica to be shockingly good. Things were getting nasty quick, and even though it's not abnormal for Mario Balotelli to pick up a yellow card here and there, it only made things more nerve wracking for Italy given his unpredictability and the fact that he'd miss out on the Round of 16 match if Italy made it there. So Cesare Prandelli decided now was not the time to roll the dice and put Marco Palolo in for Balotelli, but this is where things turned south for the Italians. Claudio Marchisio's foot, meet Egidio Arevalo Rios's shin, and meet his friend, a red card. Italian fans were not happy, felt it was undeserved, and it wasn't the most straight forward of red card instances, but even if people hate me for thinking this, cleet meets shin, not safe at all, reckless challenge, a red card was fair game but maybe a yellow would've been enough. Definitely a tense moment that caused both teams to go to the next gear and things got more and more interesting until the man who scored his side's only goal in Atletico Madrid's 4-1 loss to Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League final this season came to Uruguay's rescue. Smartly taken from the Southampton man Gaston Ramirez's corner kick, Godin broke the dead lock and gave Uruguay the win they needed to become the 5th South American team (and probably the last unless Ecuador comes up big in their closing match) to qualify for the next round. This meant Italy were out in the group stage for the 2nd tournament in a row following their 4th World Cup title in 2006. But what will bother Italy more than losing will be the fact that they lost to a piranha. Or a vampire. Or Pacman. He's something of that sort, Luis Suarez. In the 79th minute, Luis Suarez bit Giorgio Chiellini, the 3rd time he's bitten a player. 1st in the Eredivisie, then the Barclays Premier League, and now at the World Cup. Dude what is wrong with you? At least your hand ball against Ghana, which was a huge dick move, had something to do with helping your team, but what was he thinking? Luis Suarez in a 2 second span turned millions of neutrals into Colombian fans for Uruguay's next match, and many hope that Suarez gets a ban immediately for that kind of behavior. And fair is fair, if Marchisio's incident was punished, so should Suarez's. Aside from that, Uruguay will be quite happy they're moving on.
Elimination Analysis: Italy
Over the span of the history of the sport, Italy are one of the all time greatest soccer/football nations. Over the span of the last 8 years though, they've cracked in some tournaments since then. Out in the group stage in 2009 Confederations Cup, 2010 World Cup, and now the 2014 World Cup, but also quarterfinalists in Euro 2008, runners up in Euro 2012, and 3rd place in 2013 Confederations (all 3 instances losing to Spain), it's been the best of times and the worst of times for the Azzurri. Italy join the ever growing group of European nations heading home from Brazil after 3 matches and this means both finalists of the Euro 2012 are out already. It's a bittersweet way to say goodbye to legends Gianluigi Buffon and Andrea Pirlo, who guided Italy to their most recent World Cup trophy but who retired from international soccer on this day. The days are numbered for the other two remaining members of the 2006 World Cup winning squad, Andrea Barzagli and Daniele de Rossi. Italy had made so much progress in the past 4 years that even when drawn into a difficult group they were expected to have a strong showing at the World Cup in Brazil, potential semifinalists, maybe just maybe finalists or even champions once again. And even in defeat to Costa Rica and Uruguay, Italy played like a team that you'd think, without looking at the score board, they'd be going places. It's back to the drawing board for the once European powerhouses. Or maybe they are still. Time will tell, the possibilities are plentiful for this team.
Group D: Costa Rica vs. England
Result: 0-0 draw
Bookings: 53' Ross Barkley (Everton), 57' Adam Lallana (Southampton), 60' Giancarlo Gonzalez (Columbus Crew)
Lineups
Costa Rica (5-3-2)
Keylor Navas (Levante); Giancarlo Gonzalez (Columbus Crew), Oscar Duarte (Club Brugge), Roy Miller (New York Red Bulls), Cristian Gamboa (Rosenborg), Junior Diaz (Mainz 05); Celso Borges (AIK), Bryan Ruiz (PSV, captain), Yeltsin Tejeda (Saprissa); Randall Brenes (Cartagines), Joel Campbell (Olympiacos)
Changes from last match
Changed from 5-2-2-1 to 5-3-2 formation. Michael Umana and Christian Bolanos left on the bench allowing Miller and Brenes to start.
Subs:
Christian Bolanos (Copenhagen) 59' for Randall Brenes
Marco Urena (Kuban Krasnodar) 65' for Joel Campbell
Michael Barrantes (Aalesund) 78' for Celso Borges
England (4-2-3-1)
Ben Foster (West Bromwich Albion); Phil Jones (Manchester United), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Chris Smalling (Manchester United), Luke Shaw (Southampton); Frank Lampard (captain), Jack Wilshere (Arsenal); James Milner (Manchester City), Ross Barkley (Everton), Adam Lallana (Southampton); Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool)
Changes from last match
Joe Hart, Glen Johnson, Phil Jagielka, Leighton Baines, Steven Gerrard, Jordan Henderson, Danny Welbeck, Raheem Sterling, and Wayne Rooney on the bench to let 9 other players start in nothing more than a potential consolation game in England's perspective. Lampard acts as captain in Gerrard's absense.
Subs:
Raheem Sterling (Liverpool) 62' for Adam Lallana
Steven Gerrard (Liverpool) 73' for Jack Wilshere
Wayne Rooney (Manchester United) 76' for James Milner
Roy Hodgson decided to completely change the starting lineup, giving some younger players like Luke Shaw and Chris Smalling a chance as well as some lesser used veterans like Frank Lampard and James Milner a chance. For Jorge Luis Pinto, he was well aware that a point would secure 1st place for Costa Rica, so he relied on mostly the same players who beat Uruguay and Italy. And turns out it was a goalless affair with not much going on. For Costa Rica it was "Mission Accomplished". They got the point they needed to win a group they were expected to be trampled by and finishing in last. For England, they don't have to worry about leaving Brazil without a point: they finish their run in the tournament with one. First time since 1958 they didn't get out of the group stage and also the least amount of points earned by England in a World Cup ever. Even considering the lack of high expectations surrounding the Three Lions this time around, this is surely a bitter pill to swallow. For Costa Rica though, they move on to the Round of 16 and hope to continue this historic run going as long as they can.
Elimination Analysis: England
England: creator of this very sport, home to arguably the best football/soccer league and league system in the World, with clubs like Manchester United, Arsenal, and Chelsea practically their own brands across the globe, and the homeland of many of the commentators we listen to. But suddenly the national team has fallen into a rut that will take some work to get out of. At the turn of the century England's future looked bright with players like David Beckham, Michael Owen, Paul Scholes, Joe Cole, Sol Campbell, and Rio Ferdinand, supposedly England's golden generation. They failed to live up to their expectations and now all that remains of them are the trio of Steven Gerrard, Wayne Rooney, and Frank Lampard. We see these players playing in some of the most iconic stadiums and for some of the most well known teams in Europe, and the world, and we're left wondering why this team isn't doing better? Expectations were thought to be a factor, but they can only go so low for a team with so many individually talented players. And then that's when the light bulb goes off. This isn't about individuals, it's about one team. They simply haven't found a way to reach their potential as a team yet. With virtually all their players (the exception being Celtic's Fraser Forster) playing in the same league but in different clubs, it takes some getting used to and strong mental power. One day Wayne Rooney and Joe Hart go head to head in a Manchester derby, the other they must be on each other's side. You'd think and you'd hope that sooner or later this group of players, or whatever group of players is deemed necessary, will find away to make their nation proud again.
Group C: Japan vs. Colombia
Result: 4-1 victory for Colombia
Goalscorers: 17' penalty Juan Cuadrado (Fiorentina), 45+1' Shinji Okazaki (Mainz 05), 55', 82' Jackson Martinez (Porto), 90' James Rodriguez (Monaco)
Bookings: 16' Yasuyuki Konno (Gamba Osaka), 63' Fredy Guarin (Inter)
Lineups
Japan (4-2-3-1)
Eiji Kawashima (Standard Liege); Atsuto Uchida (Schalke), Maya Yoshida (Southampton), Yasuyuki Konno (Gamba Osaka), Yuto Nagatomo (Inter); Toshihiro Aoyama (Sanfrecce Hiroshima), Makoto Hasebe (Nurnberg, captain); Shinji Okazaki (Mainz 05), Keisuke Honda (AC Milan), Shinji Kagawa (Manchester United); Yoshito Okubo (Kawasaki Frontale)
Changes from last match
Hotaru Yagamuchi and Yuya Osako are replaced by Aoyama and Kagawa in the starting lineup
Subs:
Hotaru Yagamuchi (Cerezo Osaka) 62' for Toshihiro Aoyama
Yoichiro Kakitani (Cerezo Osaka) 69' for Shinji Okazaki
Hiroshi Kiyotake (Nurnberg) 85' for Shinji Kagawa
Colombia (4-2-2-2)
David Ospina (Nice, captain); Santiago Arias (PSV), Carlos Valdes (San Lorenzo), Eder Balanta (River Plate), Pablo Armero (West Ham United); Alexander Mejia (Atletico Nacional), Fredy Guarin (Inter); Juan Cuadrado (Fiorentina), Juan Quintero (Porto); Adrian Ramos (Hertha BSC), Jackson Martinez (Porto)
Changes from last match
Juan Zuniga, Cristian Zapata, Mario Yepes, Abel Aguilar, Carlos Sanchez, James Rodriguez, Victor Ibarbo, and Teofilo Gutierrez left on the bench making way for 8 other players to start. Change from 4-2-3-1 to 4-2-2-2 formation
Subs:
Carlos Carbonero (River Plate) 46' for Juan Quintero
James Rodriguez (Monaco) 46' for Juan Cuadrado
Faryd Mondragon (Deportivo Cali) 85' for David Ospina
Colombia knew that if they kept things up from their performances against Greece and Cote D'Ivoire, they should definitely at least draw but preferably a win against Japan. Japan needed a win against Colombia to have a shot at getting out of the group stage and they couldn't rely on Pikachu's Thunder Wave attack to paralyze the Colombians. Aside from Yasuyuki Konno giving away a penalty which Juan Cuadrado put away, Japan got off to a good start, especially with Shinji Okazaki scoring right at the end of the 1st half. But then James Rodriguez came in and completely change the game, allowing every to see how much of a difference Falcao's right hand man at Monaco makes for this Colombian team. 3 second half goals gave Colombia a thrilling win that makes them 3 for 3 in the Group Stage. A lot of critics will ding Colombia style points for being in a "weak group", but they're playing well so far and they'll have to continue that against Uruguay in the Round of 16. For Japan though, it was always going to be difficult for them but many people expected them to do better, especially with the strong midfielders they have. Another historic moment: Colombian legend Faryd Mondragon, who had a terrific tournament in the 1998 World Cup, became the oldest player to play at a World Cup at 43 years and 3 days old.
Elimination Analysis: Japan
Video game fans were excited when Japan made Pikachu their mascot going into this World Cup but Japan were exciting for more reasons than just the most popular Pokemon out there. More and more of their players playing in Europe, the emergence of Shinji Kagawa in Borussia Dortmund and then moving to Manchester United, and Japan were an exciting team to watch. Even though they lost all their matches in the 2013 Confederations Cup there were positives to take from that experience, which included an exciting 4-3 loss to Italy. But I guess they just couldn't break the trend. This is Japan's 5th straight World Cup appearance. 1998: Group stage, 2002: KO Stage (16), 2006: Group Stage, 2010: Top 16, and here we are and Japan fail to make it out of the group again (if they qualify for 2018, looks like then they would make it out of the group). Japan still have much work to do before becoming a higher profile team in the soccer world. They'll be disappointed with the points they gave up against Cote D'Ivoire and Greece.
Group C: Greece vs. Cote D'Ivoire
Result: 2-1 win for Greece
Goalscorers: 42' Andreas Samaris (Olympiacos), 74' Wilfried Bony (Swansea City), 90+3' Georgios Samaras penalty (Celtic)
Bookings: 37' Didier Drogba (Galatasaray), 62' Salomon Kalou (Lille), 70' Serey Die (Basel)
Lineups
Greece (4-5-1)
Orestis Karnezis (Granada); Vasilis Torosidis (Roma), Kostas Manolas (Olympiacos), Sokratis Papastathopoulos (Borussia Dortmund), Jose Holebas (Olympiacos); Giorgos Karagounis (Fulham, captain), Giannis Maniatis (Olympiacos), Lazaros Christodoulopoulos (Bologna), Panagiotis Kone (Bologna), Georgios Samaras (Celtic); Dimitris Salpingidis (PAOK)
Changes from last match
Giannis Fetfatzidis, Kostas Mitroglou, and Kostas Katsouranis (suspended due to red card against Japan) left off starting lineup allowing Christodoulopoulos, Karagounis, and Salpingidis to start this time.
Subs:
Andreas Samaris (Olympiacos) 12' for Panagiotis Kone
Panagiotis Glykos (PAOK) 24' for Orestis Karnezis
Theofanis Gekas (Konyaspor) 78' for Giorgos Karagounis
Cote D'Ivoire (4-2-3-1)
Boubacar Barry (Lokoren); Serge Aurier (Toulouse), Kolo Toure (Liverpool), Sol Bamba (Trabzonspor), Arthur Boka (Stuttgart); Cheick Tiote (Newcastled United), Serey Die (Basel); Salomon Kalou (Lille), Yaya Toure (Manchester City), Gervinho (Roma); Didier Drogba (Galatasaray, captain)
Changes from last match
Didier Zokora suspended due to yellow card accumulation and Max Gradel and Wilfried Bony move to the bench allowing Kolo Toure, Kalou, and Drogba to start
Subs:
Wilfried Bony (Swansea City) 61' for Cheick Tiote
Ismael Diomande (Saint-Etienne) 78' for Didier Drogba
Giovanni Sio (Basel) 83' for Gervinho
Neither Greece nor Cote D'Ivoire had gotten out of the group stage at a World Cup before, but one of these two teams were almost certain to with one game left to play for. And to make things even more interesting but a lot more tragic, the Toure brothers had gotten news that their younger brother Ibrahim Toure lost his battle with cancer and died a few days prior. Cote D'Ivoire looked the more likely side to progress since they only needed a draw, and Greece hadn't scored a goal yet in the tournament. An interesting decision made by the manager Sabri Lamouchi was to start Didier Drogba instead of Wilfried Bony, which didn't quite make sense. Bony has had a good tournament so far, having scored a goal against Japan, and Didier Drogba had been doing just fine as a super sub and not being as young as he once was, it was a huge question if he was fit to start. Cote D'Ivoire had this in the bag but two bad moves resulted in two Greek goals that cancelled out Wilfried Bony's goal and eliminated Cote D'Ivoire from the World Cup. Greece had their backs against the wall once again when a Jose Holebas effort hit the crossbar and fatigued and injured Greek duo Karzenis and Kone had to be subbed off early. But Greece carried on and Samaris got a goal that was gifted to him from a bad giveaway by Cheick Tiote. And then in the dying minutes (probably minute) of the game, with a draw being enough for Cote D'Ivoire to advance, Giovanni Sio's poor challenges gives Greece a penalty that Samaras gets right to give Greece one of their most important victories ever.
Elimination Analysis: Cote D'Ivoire
We've been saying good by to a few golden generations lately. Australia, Spain, England all must move on from their players that held so much promise years ago, and Cote D'Ivoire are in the same boat. Looks like the end of the line for Didier Drogba and company, but they still have players like Serge Aurier, Gervinho, and Wilfried Bony that look to have bright futures ahead of them. Disbelief for the Ivorians. Their 3rd World Cup in a row and for the first time they were given a reasonable group. But they couldn't make this work. They will probably hate the referee for giving Greece that penalty, but even if that wasn't rightfully a penalty kick you can't excuse Cheick Tiote's giveaway. Cote D'Ivoire remains one of the strongest teams in Africa, for now at least. Their window of opportunity looks all but shut but can be opened once again if the next wave of Elephantes step up. Didier Drogba is a tough act to follow, a good man and a talented footballer, known for his actions on and off the pitch, most notably when he asked the people of Cote D'Ivoire for a ceasefire in their civil war which was successful. This will be a bitter pill to swallow given their expectations but this team will be motivated to reach higher and work harder.
Eliminated: Australia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cameroon, Cote D'Ivoire, Croatia, England, Italy, Japan, Spain
Round of 16 Matchups and other Qualified: Netherlands vs. Mexico, Costa Rica vs. Greece, Brazil vs. Chile, Colombia vs. Uruguay, Argentina, Belgium
Still looking: Algeria, Ecuador, France, Ghana, Germany, Honduras, Iran, Nigeria, Portugal, Russia, South Korea, Switzerland, United States
Up next
Group F Finale: Nigeria vs. Argentina, Bosnia and Herzegovina vs. Iran
Group E Finale: Honduras vs. Switzerland, Ecuador vs. France
Nigeria and Argentina aren't unfamiliar opponents and the roles are certainly familiar with Argentina being favorites and Nigeria being underdogs. Argentina had to work hard and use the skill of Lionel Messi to beat Bosnia and Herzegovina and Iran. Can Nigeria go one further and upset the Argentines with a win or draw, or will this be the 2nd 9 point group stage performance for Argentina in a row?
Bosnia and Herzegovina may be out but they will certainly look to give Iran a good fight in this match. Iran have been impressive so far but only 1 point to show for it, and they'll need a win and for Argentina to beat Nigeria by 2 goals to advance. Can Carlos Quieroz lead Iran to another strong showing or do they have nothing left in the tank for a formidable Bosnia and Herzegovina looking to exit the World Cup on a high note?
Honduras need a win plus a few other stars to align to advance but THEY ARE NOT OUT. That alone will give Honduras belief, and it'll be another 2010 rematch. Last time Honduras drew 0-0 against Switzerland and cost Switzerland their spot in the Round of 16. Switzerland do not want history to repeat itself and will hope to finish what they started and this time beat the Central Americans.
France have been steam rolling their opposition in Group E and Ecuador look like just part 3 of France's journey to 9 points. France certainly look like one of the strongest teams in the tournament and also one of the few European teams to advance unless they should lose to Ecuador, Switzerland beats Honduras, and they have the worst goal difference. But after 2 wins by 3 goal margins, that looks very unlikely. Are Ecuador screwed or do they have an ace up their sleeves to surprisingly get them through the group stage and make South America 6 for 6 in this World Cup?
Tuesday, June 24, 2014
2014 FIFA World Cup Day 12 Review Day 13 Preview
This is where things get interesting. The last batch of group games. 16 teams will be playing their last games at the World Cup. For them it's better luck next time 4 years from now in Russia. Even though 3 of the 4 eliminated teams were known after their 2nd games, we'll go over where the 4 teams that qualified from their groups stand and who joined Australia, Cameroon, and Spain in the loser's circle today.
Group B: Australia vs. Spain
Result: 3-0 win for Spain that couldn't come soon enough
Goalscorers: 36' David Villa (Atletico Madrid), 69' Fernando Torres (Chelsea), 82' Juan Mata (Manchester United)
Bookings: 62' Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), 88' Matthew Spiranovic (Western Sydney Wanderers), Mile Jedinak (Crystal Palace)
Significance of bookings: None; both teams would be eliminated after this game regardless of the result.
Lineups
Australia (4-3-3)
Mathew Ryan (Club Brugge); Ryan McGowan (Shandong Luneng Taishan), Matthew Spiranovic (Western Sydney Wanderers), Alex Wilkinson (Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors), Jason Davidson (Heracles Almelo); Matt McKay (Brisbane Roar), Mile Jedinak (Crystal Palace, captain), Oliver Bozanic (Luzern); Mathew Leckie (Frankfurt), Adam Taggart (Newcastle Jets), Tommy Oar (Utrecht)
Changes from last match
Change from 4-2-3-1 to 4-3-3 formation. Tim Cahill is suspended from this game from yellow card accumulation and Mark Bresciano was left off the starting lineup as well, allowing Bozanic and Taggart (who appearance in the last game as subs) to fill in those vacancies
Subs:
Ben Halloran (Fortuna Dusseldorf) 46' for Adam Taggart
James Troisi (Melbourne Victory) 61' for Tommy Oar
Mark Bresciano (Al-Gharafa) 72' for Oliver Bozanic
Spain (4-2-3-1)
Pepe Reina (Napoli); Juanfran (Atletico Madrid), Raul Albiol (Napoli), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid, captain), Jordi Alba (Barcelona); Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), Koke (Atletico Madrid); Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Santi Cazorla (Arsenal), David Villa (Atletico Madrid); Fernando Torres (Chelsea)
Changes from last match
Iker Casillas, Cesar Azpilicueta, Javi Martinez, Sergio Busquets, David Silva, Pedro, and Diego Costa (7 of the 11 that started against Chile) were left on the bench for Reina, Juanfran, Albiol, Koke, Cazorla, Villa, and Torres respectively. (Torres, Koke, and Cazorla made substitute appearances in previous matches while the others were making their debut in this tournament). Ramos was named captain instead of Casillas.
Subs:
Juan Mata (Manchester United) 56' for David Villa
Cesc Fabregas (Barcelona) 68' for Santi Cazorla
David Silva (Manchester City) 83' for Xabi Alonso
All this talk about Spain's golden generation coming to a close after 6 years has over shadowed the fact that Australia are going through the same thing, by their standards. You could see it in their lineup. Both of Australia's remnants of their golden generation (which included Australian soccer legends such as Harry Kewell, Lucas Neill, and Mark Schwarzer) Tim Cahill and Mark Bresciano were not in the starting lineups, the only player in Australia's starting 11 that was in the last World Cup was Mile Jedinak, who along with Cahill, Bresciano, and Mark Milligan are the only survivors from the class of 2010 South Africa. Vicente Del Bosque also made numerous changes to his side (something he doesn't normally do, as we remember from the Spain/Chile match). Both these teams, even though one is a former World Cup champion and the other is still a growing soccer/football nation, will be looking for new players and new ideas to lead them to greater journeys in the future, and the future has the potential to be bright for both teams. Enough about the future talk, in today's match Spain finally got a win by beating Australia 3-0. None of Spain's goalscorers in this game started in either of Spain's first two matches. Spain is a very stacked nation. They have 40+ decent soccer players, many of which didn't make it to Brazil (Jesus Navas, Roberto Soldado, Fernando Llorente, Gabi, to name a few). When you have that much talent at your disposal and one result goes horrible wrong like Netherlands beating Spain 5-1, you can't be afraid to shuffle the deck and try something new. Coulda woulda shouda. But it was a remarkable day for David Villa: who else to open the scoring for the Spanish? He scored in what would be his final match for Spain, 97 appearances and 59 goals later from making his debut in 2005 in a 5-0 victory over San Marino in a 2006 World Cup qualifier. I doubt on that day he'd foresee the succeed he would have playing for Spain. Despite Australia holding its own against eventual group winners the Netherlands better than Spain did, Australia couldn't get much going without Tim Cahill but despite the loss, Australian fans will be proud of their team for not being a dormat. They still didn't get a single point but the 3 points each of their Group B rivals earned from those matches were far from automatic.
Elimination Analysis: Spain
They didn't want to be a part of this trend, but Spain join 2002 France and 2010 Italy as the 3rd defending World Champions to go out in the group stage in the 21st century. It's always exciting stuff when champions are dethroned, like when the San Antonio Spurs prevented the Miami Heat from getting their threepeat, no one can take away what they did before coming to Brazil. Back to back European championships and winning their first ever World Cup in 2010 South Africa with a common core of players (Casillas, Alonso, Xavi, Iniesta, Ramos), it truly is incredible. And many will still argue that the Spanish team between the 2006 and 2014 World Cups is one of, if not the, best teams of all time in soccer/football. But now it's time for new chapters to be written and new stories to unfold. Whichever players and coach shows up for Euro 2016, they will not want to repeat what happened in 2014 Brazil.
Elimination Analysis: Australia
As soon as the draw Australia was doomed. I'm a firm believer of anything can happen, not anything WILL happen. Despite getting to the round of 16 before falling to eventual champions Italy in 2006 and getting edged out of the group stage by goal difference in 2010, it was very unlikely Australia could get 4 points again with this kind of group. But credit to them for giving it their best shot and actually losing with style. 3-1, 3-2, and 3-0 losses to go out of the World Cup sting but it probably could've gone so much worse for the Socceroos. This team was definitely in transition. Schwarzer and Neill are gone, Cahill and Bresciano soon will be too, hopefully Jedinak stays a while longer and some of Australia's younger players like Davidson, Ryan, Bozanic, McGowan, Leckie, and Taggart continue to grow and lead Australia to more incredible moments.
Group B: Netherlands vs. Chile
Result: Netherlands win 2-0
Goalscorers: 77' Leroy Fer (Norwich City), 90+2' Memphis Depay (PSV)
Bookings: 25' Francisco Silva (Osasuna), 64' Daley Blind (Ajax)
Lineups
Netherlands (4-3-1-2)
Jasper Cillessen (Ajax); Daryl Janmaat (Feyenoord), Ron Vlaar (Aston Villa), Stefan de Vrij (Feyenoord), Daley Blind (Ajax); Georginio Wijnauldum (PSV), Nigel de Jong (AC Milan), Dirk Kuyt (Fenerbahce); Wesley Sneijder (Galatasaray); Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich, captain), Jeremain Lens (Dynamo Kyiv)
Changes from last match
Change from a 5-3-2 to 4-3-1-2, likely partially due to Bruno Martins Indi being injured. Robin van Persie would also be absent due to yellow card accumulation. Those two along with Jonathan de Guzman would be replaced by Wijnauldum, Kuyt, and Lens in the starting lineup. Robben acts as captain in place of van Persie.
Subs:
Memphis Depay (PSV) 69' for Jeremain Lens
Leroy Fer (Norwich City) 75' for Wesley Sneijder
Terence Kongolo (Feyenoord) 89' for Dirk Kuyt
Chile (5-3-2)
Claudio Bravo (Real Sociedad, captain); Gary Medel (Cardiff City), Francisco Silva (Osasuna), Gonzalo Jara (Nottingham Forest), Mauricio Isla (Juventus), Eugenio Mena (Santos); Charles Aranguiz (Internacional), Marcelo Diaz (Basel), Felipe Gutierrez (Twente); Alexis Sanchez (Barcelona), Eduardo Vargas (Valencia)
Changes from last match
Only change is Gutierrez replacing the injured Arturo Vidal.
Subs:
Jean Beausejour (Wigan Athletic) 46' for Felipe Gutierrez
Jorge Valdivia (Palmeiras) 70' for Francisco Silva
Mauricio Pinilla (Cagliari) 81' for Eduardo Varges
2 games, 2 wins and 2 impressive showings of entertaining soccer are what Netherlands and Chile have brought to the table so far in this World Cup. And now they go head to head to determine who will finish in 1st in Group B. It was quite the chess match as both sides tried to get at the other but had a response for everything thrown at them in the first half. Then the subs came in and that's when the dice started rolling. Even though Louis van Gaal put in Memphis Depay, he made a defensive minded substitution in bringing in Leroy Fer, who is sort of like Netherlands's Jermaine Jones or Kyle Beckerman. After all, Netherlands only needed a point to win the group while Chile needed 3. Looks like Fer believes in "the best defense is a strong offense", as he scored for Netherlands late on to all but certainly seal the top spot for the Oranje. And Memphis Depay keeps his goal scoring streak alive as Netherlands's subs get the job done. Although Jorge Valdivia got a warm welcome from Brazilians who are used to seeing him play in the club he captains in Brazil, that's about as close to an impact Chile's subs made in this game. But regardless both Netherlands and Chile deservedly go through to the next round and will definitely be a handful for Mexico and Brazil respectively.
Group A: Cameroon vs. Brazil
Result: Brazil winning 4-1
Goalscorers: 17', 35' Neymar (Barcelona), 26' Joel Matip (Schalke), 49' Fred (Fluminense), 84' Fernandinho (Manchester City)
Bookings: 11' Eyong Enoh (Antalyaspor), 76' Edgar Salli (Lens), 80' Stephane Mbia (Sevilla)
Lineups
Cameroon (4-5-1)
Charles Itandje (Konyaspor); Allan Nyom (Granada), Nicolas N'Koulou (Marseille, captain), Joel Matip (Schalke), Henri Bedimo (Lyon); Landry N'Guemo (Bordeaux), Stephane Mbia (Sevilla), Eyong Enoh (Antalyaspor), Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (Mainz 05), Benjamin Moukandjo (Nancy); Vincent Aboubakar (Lorient)
Changes from last match
Mbia and Matip play in different positions than in the previous match. Aurelien Chedjou, Assou-Ekotto (likely due to his behavior against Croatia), and Alex Song (red card against Croatia) do not appear in the starting 11 with Nyom, Bedimo, and N'Guemo filling in the vacancies.
Subs:
Edgar Salli (Lens) 58' for Benjamin Moukandjo
Pierre Webo (Fenerbahce) 72' Vincent Aboubakar
Jean Makoun (Rennes) 81' for Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting
Brazil (4-3-3)
Julio Cesar (Toronto FC), Dani Alves (Barcelona), Thiago Silva (PSG, captain), David Luiz (Chelsea), Marcelo (Real Madrid); Luiz Gustavo (Wolfsburg), Paulinho (Tottenham), Oscar (Chelsea); Hulk (Zenit), Neymar (Barcelona), Fred (Fluminense)
Changes from last match
Hulk back in the mix after recovering from injury to force Ramires back onto the bench, change from 4-2-3-1 to 4-3-3.
Subs:
Fernandinho (Manchester City) 46' for Paulinho
Ramires (Chelsea) 63' for Hulk
Willian (Chelsea) 71' for Neymar
Cameroon certainly looked like a team that couldn't wait to get this game over with. They were already eliminated, arguably their best player Alex Song couldn't play because he foolishly got himself a red card against Croatia, and there was a very unlikely chance of Brazil not beating them. Mexico would've loved Cameroon to at least draw against Brazil though, and it looked like that when Joel Matip's goal cancelled out Neymar's earlier skillful effort. That lasted nine minutes before lightning, excuse me Neymar, struck twice and brought his tally up to 4 goals in this tournament, currently ahead of everyone else (closest to him are the following players tied with 3 goals: Karim Benzema (FRA), Thomas Muller (GER), Arjen Robben (NED), Enner Valencia (ECU), Robin van Persie (NED)). Even though Fred looked offside, he piled it on the Indomitable (I really need to start calling them just the lions, do these guys look indomitable to you?) Lions, and then Fernandinho, the Manchester City star, makes it 4. So realistically this kind of a dominating performance over Cameroon prevented any chance Mexico had of winning this group. Brazilian fans love it when their team not only wins but scores a crap ton of goals and Scolari's side did exactly that to go to the knockout stage in style. But they want to see A Selecao play 4 more games at the World Cup, and if they thought the Group Stage was tougher than they initially anticipated (Croatian fans will not remember their game against Brazil fondly after going out in the group stage, and Ochoa was a beast against Brazil), wait until the group stage, starting with a new and improved Chile side looking for more 2010 revenge. They got Spain, can they get Brazil back too?
Elimination Analysis: Cameroon
7 appearances at the World Cup, this makes Cameroon 6 for 7 in being eliminated in the group stage. Once again their inspiring 1990 Italy run to the quarterfinals remains the only time they got out of their group, and unfortunately 24 years later it hasn't been enough to inspire the future generations of Cameroonian football players to do better. Samuel Eto'o would like to be the next Roger Milla and be around for the next World Cup in a nation familiar to him when he played for Anzhi Makhachkala in the Russian Premier League, but his limited involvement in this World Cup could be the clock is ticking quite fast for the prolific and legendary player. Their fans would have hoped they at least performed a bit better in this group but it wasn't even close. Brazil, Croatia, and Mexico might've been a tougher trio collectively than Denmark, Japan, and Netherlands in 2010, but it still wasn't pretty for Cameroon. From being scored on 9 times in 3 games, an ugly red card for Alex Song, and Benoit Assou-Ekotto headbutting Benjamin Moukandjo, they were a mess, and there's major sorting out to do if they want to not only have a better showing at the next World Cup but even qualify for it. There will be plenty of other decent African nations like Egypt, South Africa, and Burkina Faso that would cherish a World Cup experience that Cameroon didn't make the most of, even given their realistic expectations.
Group A: Croatia vs. Mexico
Result: El Tri win by 3-1
Goalscorers: 72' Rafael Marquez (Leon), 75' Andres Guardado (Bayer Leverkusen), 82' Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez (Manchester United), 87' Ivan Perisic (Wolfsburg)
Bookings: 9' Ivan Rakitic (Sevilla), 39' Rafael Marquez (Leon), 66' Jose Vazquez (Leon), 89' red card Ante Rebic (Fiorentina)
Significance of Bookings: Jose Vazquez will miss Mexico's Round of 16 matchup against Netherlands
Lineups
Croatia (4-2-3-1)
Stipe Pletikosa (Rostov); Darijo Srna (Shakhtar Donetsk, captain), Vedran Corluka (Lokomotiv Moscow), Dejan Lovren (Southampton), Sime Vrsaljko (Genoa); Ivan Rakitic (Sevilla), Danijel Pranjic (Panathinaikos); Ivan Perisic (Wolfsburg), Luka Modric (Real Madrid), Ivica Olic (Wolfsburg); Mario Mandzukic (Bayern Munich)
Changes from last match
Pranjic moving from full back to central midfielder, Sammir left off the starting 11 with Vrsaljko returning as a starter
Subs:
Mateo Kovacic (Inter) 58' for Sime Vrsaljko
Ante Rebic (Fiorentina) 69' for Ivica Olic
Nikica Jelavic (Hull City) 74' for Danijel Pranjic
Mexico (5-3-2)
Guillermo Ochoa (Ajaccio); Francisco Rodriguez (America), Rafael Marquez (Leon, captain), Hector Moreno (Espanyol), Paul Aguilar (America), Miguel Layun (America); Jose Vazquez (Leon), Hector Herrera (Porto), Andres Guardado (Bayer Leverkusen); Giovani dos Santos (Villarreal), Oribe Peralta (Santos Laguna)
Changes from last match
Same formation and starting 11 that took on Brazil
Subs:
Javier Hernandez (Manchester United) 62' for Giovani dos Santos
Carlos Pena (Leon) 79' for Oribe Peralta
Marco Fabian (Cruz Azul) 84' for Andres Guardado
In their first two games, Mexico and Croatia have delighted the world with great football considering they were supposed to be OK teams but just stepping stones for Brazil. They were certainly anything but. Croatia gave Brazil a thrilling opening encounter and after a match full of controversial moments Croatia were unlucky not to get anything from that. Mexico did one better and succeeded in denying Brazil some points with an epic performance, especially by Guillermo Ochoa, who's most impressive save denied Thiago Silva a goal from point blank range. Now these two teams were ready to lock horns. Mexico needed a draw to advance, Croatia needed a win. Croatia started out strong with long spells of possession but without really testing Ochoa too much. Then the pendulum swung in favor of Mexico, then back and for, and believe it or not we went 70 minutes without a goal despite the offensive focuses and the desperation of both teams (Mexico needed a draw, but a goal would've been an excellent safety net). Well who better than Mexico's captain to lift the Mexicans to a victory, starting with his goal from an Andres Guardado corner kick. Then shortly afterwards Guardado and substitute Chicharito made it 3-0 for Mexico and all hope seemed lost for Croatia. Ivan Perisic did deny Ochoa a clean sheet, something Cameroon and Mexico both failed to do, but it was too little too late. And to add insult to injury, the rising star of Fiorentina Ante Rebic had a clumsy challenge on Carlos Pena and got a red card. It didn't mean much since Croatia were going out anyway but at least try to go out fighting respectfully. Ultimately Mexico kept pushing and pushing and got a victory they deserved, especially when the ref inexplicably didn't call a handball on Croatia twice, most notable the clear one from Darijo Srna in the box. Miguel Herrera, who was entertaining to watch as he joyously celebrated each Mexican goal, has certainly worked his magic and turned Mexico into a force to be reckoned with. But will they be able to withstand the Dutch in the next round?
Elimination Analysis: Croatia
Croatia missed out on the 2010 World Cup after finishing in 3rd of their qualifying group behind England by 7 and Ukraine by 1 point, but they bounced back, and made it to Euro 2012 where they narrowly got eliminated in the group stage to Italy and Spain (the eventual finalists of that tournament). They couldn't overcome Belgium though and had to get past Iceland (which turned out to be harder than they anticipated) to get to Brazil. This team may not have too many superstars but you start with a UEFA Champions League winner like Luka Modric, a UEFA Europa League winner like Ivan Rakitic, an experienced captain like Darijo Srna, and suddenly more and more pieces fall into place. A run to 3rd place like in 1998 France was always wishful thinking but Croatia is a team more people should keep an eye on because they are closer to repeating a feat like that than you think. The match against Brazil, the goal that wasn't allowed, the bs penalty called on Dejan Lovren, it's going to haunt the Croatian fans and players for a while but they still had their chance to redeem themselves by beating Mexico. They certainly didn't lack confidence as head coach Niko Kovac and Luka Modric talked a little bit of crap about Mexico going into the game, and they got blindsided. If they learn their lesson from this experience, the next major tournament we see Croatia in (which hopefully is Euro 2016) we'll see them get out of their group and they'll go from there.
Eliminated: Australia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cameroon, Croatia, England, Spain
Qualified: 1A Brazil, 2A Mexico, 1B Netherlands, 2B Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Argentina, Belgium
Still in the hunt: Algeria, Cote D'Ivoire, Ecuador, France, Ghana, Germany, Greece, Honduras, Iran, Italy, Japan, Nigeria, Portugal, Russia, South Korea, Switzerland, United States, Uruguay
Up next
Group D Finale: Italy vs. Uruguay, Costa Rica vs. England
Group C Finale: Japan vs. Colombia, Greece vs. Cote D'Ivoire
For Italy, a draw will send them through to the KO Stage, while Uruguay need a win, and will likely, once again, turn to Luis Suarez to make it happen. For Italy, as always the experience of the likes of Gianluigi Buffon, Giorgio Chiellini, and Andrea Pirlo, plus the youth and talent of players like Mario Balotelli will be the key to their success.
Costa Rica are no longer underdogs. The way things have gone, they look more than likely to beat England, especially with Bryan Ruiz and Joel Campbell and the gang looking as threatening as ever. Can the Three Lions regain their roar for a lifting send off to this tournament or is more disappointment on the menu for the English players and fans?
Japan couldn't get the points they needed from other games, and face long odds to advance to the KO Stage, especially when one of the prerequisites now is to beat a Colombian team that's been unstoppable so far in this group. Colombia need just a point to grab hold of 1st place in Group C, and a performance identical to either their 3-0 win over Greece or 2-1 win over Cote D'Ivoire will surely do the trick. From Mario Yepes in defense to Teolifo Gutierrez in the front and everywhere in between, this looks like the best Colombian team we've seen in a long time.
It's a shield vs. spear encounter between a sturdy defensive team, Greece against a team with lots of attacking power, Cote D'Ivoire. Can the Elephants sink the Pirate Ship or will the Pirate Ship find 3 points hidden somewhere. If they don't, Greece will be out. As long as Japan don't beat Colombia, Cote D'Ivoire just need to not lose to Greece and they'll be fine.
2 teams already qualified! 6 teams looking to qualify! 2 will succeed, 4 will head out!
Group B: Australia vs. Spain
Result: 3-0 win for Spain that couldn't come soon enough
Goalscorers: 36' David Villa (Atletico Madrid), 69' Fernando Torres (Chelsea), 82' Juan Mata (Manchester United)
Bookings: 62' Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), 88' Matthew Spiranovic (Western Sydney Wanderers), Mile Jedinak (Crystal Palace)
Significance of bookings: None; both teams would be eliminated after this game regardless of the result.
Lineups
Australia (4-3-3)
Mathew Ryan (Club Brugge); Ryan McGowan (Shandong Luneng Taishan), Matthew Spiranovic (Western Sydney Wanderers), Alex Wilkinson (Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors), Jason Davidson (Heracles Almelo); Matt McKay (Brisbane Roar), Mile Jedinak (Crystal Palace, captain), Oliver Bozanic (Luzern); Mathew Leckie (Frankfurt), Adam Taggart (Newcastle Jets), Tommy Oar (Utrecht)
Changes from last match
Change from 4-2-3-1 to 4-3-3 formation. Tim Cahill is suspended from this game from yellow card accumulation and Mark Bresciano was left off the starting lineup as well, allowing Bozanic and Taggart (who appearance in the last game as subs) to fill in those vacancies
Subs:
Ben Halloran (Fortuna Dusseldorf) 46' for Adam Taggart
James Troisi (Melbourne Victory) 61' for Tommy Oar
Mark Bresciano (Al-Gharafa) 72' for Oliver Bozanic
Spain (4-2-3-1)
Pepe Reina (Napoli); Juanfran (Atletico Madrid), Raul Albiol (Napoli), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid, captain), Jordi Alba (Barcelona); Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), Koke (Atletico Madrid); Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Santi Cazorla (Arsenal), David Villa (Atletico Madrid); Fernando Torres (Chelsea)
Changes from last match
Iker Casillas, Cesar Azpilicueta, Javi Martinez, Sergio Busquets, David Silva, Pedro, and Diego Costa (7 of the 11 that started against Chile) were left on the bench for Reina, Juanfran, Albiol, Koke, Cazorla, Villa, and Torres respectively. (Torres, Koke, and Cazorla made substitute appearances in previous matches while the others were making their debut in this tournament). Ramos was named captain instead of Casillas.
Subs:
Juan Mata (Manchester United) 56' for David Villa
Cesc Fabregas (Barcelona) 68' for Santi Cazorla
David Silva (Manchester City) 83' for Xabi Alonso
All this talk about Spain's golden generation coming to a close after 6 years has over shadowed the fact that Australia are going through the same thing, by their standards. You could see it in their lineup. Both of Australia's remnants of their golden generation (which included Australian soccer legends such as Harry Kewell, Lucas Neill, and Mark Schwarzer) Tim Cahill and Mark Bresciano were not in the starting lineups, the only player in Australia's starting 11 that was in the last World Cup was Mile Jedinak, who along with Cahill, Bresciano, and Mark Milligan are the only survivors from the class of 2010 South Africa. Vicente Del Bosque also made numerous changes to his side (something he doesn't normally do, as we remember from the Spain/Chile match). Both these teams, even though one is a former World Cup champion and the other is still a growing soccer/football nation, will be looking for new players and new ideas to lead them to greater journeys in the future, and the future has the potential to be bright for both teams. Enough about the future talk, in today's match Spain finally got a win by beating Australia 3-0. None of Spain's goalscorers in this game started in either of Spain's first two matches. Spain is a very stacked nation. They have 40+ decent soccer players, many of which didn't make it to Brazil (Jesus Navas, Roberto Soldado, Fernando Llorente, Gabi, to name a few). When you have that much talent at your disposal and one result goes horrible wrong like Netherlands beating Spain 5-1, you can't be afraid to shuffle the deck and try something new. Coulda woulda shouda. But it was a remarkable day for David Villa: who else to open the scoring for the Spanish? He scored in what would be his final match for Spain, 97 appearances and 59 goals later from making his debut in 2005 in a 5-0 victory over San Marino in a 2006 World Cup qualifier. I doubt on that day he'd foresee the succeed he would have playing for Spain. Despite Australia holding its own against eventual group winners the Netherlands better than Spain did, Australia couldn't get much going without Tim Cahill but despite the loss, Australian fans will be proud of their team for not being a dormat. They still didn't get a single point but the 3 points each of their Group B rivals earned from those matches were far from automatic.
Elimination Analysis: Spain
They didn't want to be a part of this trend, but Spain join 2002 France and 2010 Italy as the 3rd defending World Champions to go out in the group stage in the 21st century. It's always exciting stuff when champions are dethroned, like when the San Antonio Spurs prevented the Miami Heat from getting their threepeat, no one can take away what they did before coming to Brazil. Back to back European championships and winning their first ever World Cup in 2010 South Africa with a common core of players (Casillas, Alonso, Xavi, Iniesta, Ramos), it truly is incredible. And many will still argue that the Spanish team between the 2006 and 2014 World Cups is one of, if not the, best teams of all time in soccer/football. But now it's time for new chapters to be written and new stories to unfold. Whichever players and coach shows up for Euro 2016, they will not want to repeat what happened in 2014 Brazil.
Elimination Analysis: Australia
As soon as the draw Australia was doomed. I'm a firm believer of anything can happen, not anything WILL happen. Despite getting to the round of 16 before falling to eventual champions Italy in 2006 and getting edged out of the group stage by goal difference in 2010, it was very unlikely Australia could get 4 points again with this kind of group. But credit to them for giving it their best shot and actually losing with style. 3-1, 3-2, and 3-0 losses to go out of the World Cup sting but it probably could've gone so much worse for the Socceroos. This team was definitely in transition. Schwarzer and Neill are gone, Cahill and Bresciano soon will be too, hopefully Jedinak stays a while longer and some of Australia's younger players like Davidson, Ryan, Bozanic, McGowan, Leckie, and Taggart continue to grow and lead Australia to more incredible moments.
Group B: Netherlands vs. Chile
Result: Netherlands win 2-0
Goalscorers: 77' Leroy Fer (Norwich City), 90+2' Memphis Depay (PSV)
Bookings: 25' Francisco Silva (Osasuna), 64' Daley Blind (Ajax)
Lineups
Netherlands (4-3-1-2)
Jasper Cillessen (Ajax); Daryl Janmaat (Feyenoord), Ron Vlaar (Aston Villa), Stefan de Vrij (Feyenoord), Daley Blind (Ajax); Georginio Wijnauldum (PSV), Nigel de Jong (AC Milan), Dirk Kuyt (Fenerbahce); Wesley Sneijder (Galatasaray); Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich, captain), Jeremain Lens (Dynamo Kyiv)
Changes from last match
Change from a 5-3-2 to 4-3-1-2, likely partially due to Bruno Martins Indi being injured. Robin van Persie would also be absent due to yellow card accumulation. Those two along with Jonathan de Guzman would be replaced by Wijnauldum, Kuyt, and Lens in the starting lineup. Robben acts as captain in place of van Persie.
Subs:
Memphis Depay (PSV) 69' for Jeremain Lens
Leroy Fer (Norwich City) 75' for Wesley Sneijder
Terence Kongolo (Feyenoord) 89' for Dirk Kuyt
Chile (5-3-2)
Claudio Bravo (Real Sociedad, captain); Gary Medel (Cardiff City), Francisco Silva (Osasuna), Gonzalo Jara (Nottingham Forest), Mauricio Isla (Juventus), Eugenio Mena (Santos); Charles Aranguiz (Internacional), Marcelo Diaz (Basel), Felipe Gutierrez (Twente); Alexis Sanchez (Barcelona), Eduardo Vargas (Valencia)
Changes from last match
Only change is Gutierrez replacing the injured Arturo Vidal.
Subs:
Jean Beausejour (Wigan Athletic) 46' for Felipe Gutierrez
Jorge Valdivia (Palmeiras) 70' for Francisco Silva
Mauricio Pinilla (Cagliari) 81' for Eduardo Varges
2 games, 2 wins and 2 impressive showings of entertaining soccer are what Netherlands and Chile have brought to the table so far in this World Cup. And now they go head to head to determine who will finish in 1st in Group B. It was quite the chess match as both sides tried to get at the other but had a response for everything thrown at them in the first half. Then the subs came in and that's when the dice started rolling. Even though Louis van Gaal put in Memphis Depay, he made a defensive minded substitution in bringing in Leroy Fer, who is sort of like Netherlands's Jermaine Jones or Kyle Beckerman. After all, Netherlands only needed a point to win the group while Chile needed 3. Looks like Fer believes in "the best defense is a strong offense", as he scored for Netherlands late on to all but certainly seal the top spot for the Oranje. And Memphis Depay keeps his goal scoring streak alive as Netherlands's subs get the job done. Although Jorge Valdivia got a warm welcome from Brazilians who are used to seeing him play in the club he captains in Brazil, that's about as close to an impact Chile's subs made in this game. But regardless both Netherlands and Chile deservedly go through to the next round and will definitely be a handful for Mexico and Brazil respectively.
Group A: Cameroon vs. Brazil
Result: Brazil winning 4-1
Goalscorers: 17', 35' Neymar (Barcelona), 26' Joel Matip (Schalke), 49' Fred (Fluminense), 84' Fernandinho (Manchester City)
Bookings: 11' Eyong Enoh (Antalyaspor), 76' Edgar Salli (Lens), 80' Stephane Mbia (Sevilla)
Lineups
Cameroon (4-5-1)
Charles Itandje (Konyaspor); Allan Nyom (Granada), Nicolas N'Koulou (Marseille, captain), Joel Matip (Schalke), Henri Bedimo (Lyon); Landry N'Guemo (Bordeaux), Stephane Mbia (Sevilla), Eyong Enoh (Antalyaspor), Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (Mainz 05), Benjamin Moukandjo (Nancy); Vincent Aboubakar (Lorient)
Changes from last match
Mbia and Matip play in different positions than in the previous match. Aurelien Chedjou, Assou-Ekotto (likely due to his behavior against Croatia), and Alex Song (red card against Croatia) do not appear in the starting 11 with Nyom, Bedimo, and N'Guemo filling in the vacancies.
Subs:
Edgar Salli (Lens) 58' for Benjamin Moukandjo
Pierre Webo (Fenerbahce) 72' Vincent Aboubakar
Jean Makoun (Rennes) 81' for Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting
Brazil (4-3-3)
Julio Cesar (Toronto FC), Dani Alves (Barcelona), Thiago Silva (PSG, captain), David Luiz (Chelsea), Marcelo (Real Madrid); Luiz Gustavo (Wolfsburg), Paulinho (Tottenham), Oscar (Chelsea); Hulk (Zenit), Neymar (Barcelona), Fred (Fluminense)
Changes from last match
Hulk back in the mix after recovering from injury to force Ramires back onto the bench, change from 4-2-3-1 to 4-3-3.
Subs:
Fernandinho (Manchester City) 46' for Paulinho
Ramires (Chelsea) 63' for Hulk
Willian (Chelsea) 71' for Neymar
Cameroon certainly looked like a team that couldn't wait to get this game over with. They were already eliminated, arguably their best player Alex Song couldn't play because he foolishly got himself a red card against Croatia, and there was a very unlikely chance of Brazil not beating them. Mexico would've loved Cameroon to at least draw against Brazil though, and it looked like that when Joel Matip's goal cancelled out Neymar's earlier skillful effort. That lasted nine minutes before lightning, excuse me Neymar, struck twice and brought his tally up to 4 goals in this tournament, currently ahead of everyone else (closest to him are the following players tied with 3 goals: Karim Benzema (FRA), Thomas Muller (GER), Arjen Robben (NED), Enner Valencia (ECU), Robin van Persie (NED)). Even though Fred looked offside, he piled it on the Indomitable (I really need to start calling them just the lions, do these guys look indomitable to you?) Lions, and then Fernandinho, the Manchester City star, makes it 4. So realistically this kind of a dominating performance over Cameroon prevented any chance Mexico had of winning this group. Brazilian fans love it when their team not only wins but scores a crap ton of goals and Scolari's side did exactly that to go to the knockout stage in style. But they want to see A Selecao play 4 more games at the World Cup, and if they thought the Group Stage was tougher than they initially anticipated (Croatian fans will not remember their game against Brazil fondly after going out in the group stage, and Ochoa was a beast against Brazil), wait until the group stage, starting with a new and improved Chile side looking for more 2010 revenge. They got Spain, can they get Brazil back too?
Elimination Analysis: Cameroon
7 appearances at the World Cup, this makes Cameroon 6 for 7 in being eliminated in the group stage. Once again their inspiring 1990 Italy run to the quarterfinals remains the only time they got out of their group, and unfortunately 24 years later it hasn't been enough to inspire the future generations of Cameroonian football players to do better. Samuel Eto'o would like to be the next Roger Milla and be around for the next World Cup in a nation familiar to him when he played for Anzhi Makhachkala in the Russian Premier League, but his limited involvement in this World Cup could be the clock is ticking quite fast for the prolific and legendary player. Their fans would have hoped they at least performed a bit better in this group but it wasn't even close. Brazil, Croatia, and Mexico might've been a tougher trio collectively than Denmark, Japan, and Netherlands in 2010, but it still wasn't pretty for Cameroon. From being scored on 9 times in 3 games, an ugly red card for Alex Song, and Benoit Assou-Ekotto headbutting Benjamin Moukandjo, they were a mess, and there's major sorting out to do if they want to not only have a better showing at the next World Cup but even qualify for it. There will be plenty of other decent African nations like Egypt, South Africa, and Burkina Faso that would cherish a World Cup experience that Cameroon didn't make the most of, even given their realistic expectations.
Group A: Croatia vs. Mexico
Result: El Tri win by 3-1
Goalscorers: 72' Rafael Marquez (Leon), 75' Andres Guardado (Bayer Leverkusen), 82' Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez (Manchester United), 87' Ivan Perisic (Wolfsburg)
Bookings: 9' Ivan Rakitic (Sevilla), 39' Rafael Marquez (Leon), 66' Jose Vazquez (Leon), 89' red card Ante Rebic (Fiorentina)
Significance of Bookings: Jose Vazquez will miss Mexico's Round of 16 matchup against Netherlands
Lineups
Croatia (4-2-3-1)
Stipe Pletikosa (Rostov); Darijo Srna (Shakhtar Donetsk, captain), Vedran Corluka (Lokomotiv Moscow), Dejan Lovren (Southampton), Sime Vrsaljko (Genoa); Ivan Rakitic (Sevilla), Danijel Pranjic (Panathinaikos); Ivan Perisic (Wolfsburg), Luka Modric (Real Madrid), Ivica Olic (Wolfsburg); Mario Mandzukic (Bayern Munich)
Changes from last match
Pranjic moving from full back to central midfielder, Sammir left off the starting 11 with Vrsaljko returning as a starter
Subs:
Mateo Kovacic (Inter) 58' for Sime Vrsaljko
Ante Rebic (Fiorentina) 69' for Ivica Olic
Nikica Jelavic (Hull City) 74' for Danijel Pranjic
Mexico (5-3-2)
Guillermo Ochoa (Ajaccio); Francisco Rodriguez (America), Rafael Marquez (Leon, captain), Hector Moreno (Espanyol), Paul Aguilar (America), Miguel Layun (America); Jose Vazquez (Leon), Hector Herrera (Porto), Andres Guardado (Bayer Leverkusen); Giovani dos Santos (Villarreal), Oribe Peralta (Santos Laguna)
Changes from last match
Same formation and starting 11 that took on Brazil
Subs:
Javier Hernandez (Manchester United) 62' for Giovani dos Santos
Carlos Pena (Leon) 79' for Oribe Peralta
Marco Fabian (Cruz Azul) 84' for Andres Guardado
In their first two games, Mexico and Croatia have delighted the world with great football considering they were supposed to be OK teams but just stepping stones for Brazil. They were certainly anything but. Croatia gave Brazil a thrilling opening encounter and after a match full of controversial moments Croatia were unlucky not to get anything from that. Mexico did one better and succeeded in denying Brazil some points with an epic performance, especially by Guillermo Ochoa, who's most impressive save denied Thiago Silva a goal from point blank range. Now these two teams were ready to lock horns. Mexico needed a draw to advance, Croatia needed a win. Croatia started out strong with long spells of possession but without really testing Ochoa too much. Then the pendulum swung in favor of Mexico, then back and for, and believe it or not we went 70 minutes without a goal despite the offensive focuses and the desperation of both teams (Mexico needed a draw, but a goal would've been an excellent safety net). Well who better than Mexico's captain to lift the Mexicans to a victory, starting with his goal from an Andres Guardado corner kick. Then shortly afterwards Guardado and substitute Chicharito made it 3-0 for Mexico and all hope seemed lost for Croatia. Ivan Perisic did deny Ochoa a clean sheet, something Cameroon and Mexico both failed to do, but it was too little too late. And to add insult to injury, the rising star of Fiorentina Ante Rebic had a clumsy challenge on Carlos Pena and got a red card. It didn't mean much since Croatia were going out anyway but at least try to go out fighting respectfully. Ultimately Mexico kept pushing and pushing and got a victory they deserved, especially when the ref inexplicably didn't call a handball on Croatia twice, most notable the clear one from Darijo Srna in the box. Miguel Herrera, who was entertaining to watch as he joyously celebrated each Mexican goal, has certainly worked his magic and turned Mexico into a force to be reckoned with. But will they be able to withstand the Dutch in the next round?
Elimination Analysis: Croatia
Croatia missed out on the 2010 World Cup after finishing in 3rd of their qualifying group behind England by 7 and Ukraine by 1 point, but they bounced back, and made it to Euro 2012 where they narrowly got eliminated in the group stage to Italy and Spain (the eventual finalists of that tournament). They couldn't overcome Belgium though and had to get past Iceland (which turned out to be harder than they anticipated) to get to Brazil. This team may not have too many superstars but you start with a UEFA Champions League winner like Luka Modric, a UEFA Europa League winner like Ivan Rakitic, an experienced captain like Darijo Srna, and suddenly more and more pieces fall into place. A run to 3rd place like in 1998 France was always wishful thinking but Croatia is a team more people should keep an eye on because they are closer to repeating a feat like that than you think. The match against Brazil, the goal that wasn't allowed, the bs penalty called on Dejan Lovren, it's going to haunt the Croatian fans and players for a while but they still had their chance to redeem themselves by beating Mexico. They certainly didn't lack confidence as head coach Niko Kovac and Luka Modric talked a little bit of crap about Mexico going into the game, and they got blindsided. If they learn their lesson from this experience, the next major tournament we see Croatia in (which hopefully is Euro 2016) we'll see them get out of their group and they'll go from there.
Eliminated: Australia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cameroon, Croatia, England, Spain
Qualified: 1A Brazil, 2A Mexico, 1B Netherlands, 2B Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Argentina, Belgium
Still in the hunt: Algeria, Cote D'Ivoire, Ecuador, France, Ghana, Germany, Greece, Honduras, Iran, Italy, Japan, Nigeria, Portugal, Russia, South Korea, Switzerland, United States, Uruguay
Up next
Group D Finale: Italy vs. Uruguay, Costa Rica vs. England
Group C Finale: Japan vs. Colombia, Greece vs. Cote D'Ivoire
For Italy, a draw will send them through to the KO Stage, while Uruguay need a win, and will likely, once again, turn to Luis Suarez to make it happen. For Italy, as always the experience of the likes of Gianluigi Buffon, Giorgio Chiellini, and Andrea Pirlo, plus the youth and talent of players like Mario Balotelli will be the key to their success.
Costa Rica are no longer underdogs. The way things have gone, they look more than likely to beat England, especially with Bryan Ruiz and Joel Campbell and the gang looking as threatening as ever. Can the Three Lions regain their roar for a lifting send off to this tournament or is more disappointment on the menu for the English players and fans?
Japan couldn't get the points they needed from other games, and face long odds to advance to the KO Stage, especially when one of the prerequisites now is to beat a Colombian team that's been unstoppable so far in this group. Colombia need just a point to grab hold of 1st place in Group C, and a performance identical to either their 3-0 win over Greece or 2-1 win over Cote D'Ivoire will surely do the trick. From Mario Yepes in defense to Teolifo Gutierrez in the front and everywhere in between, this looks like the best Colombian team we've seen in a long time.
It's a shield vs. spear encounter between a sturdy defensive team, Greece against a team with lots of attacking power, Cote D'Ivoire. Can the Elephants sink the Pirate Ship or will the Pirate Ship find 3 points hidden somewhere. If they don't, Greece will be out. As long as Japan don't beat Colombia, Cote D'Ivoire just need to not lose to Greece and they'll be fine.
2 teams already qualified! 6 teams looking to qualify! 2 will succeed, 4 will head out!
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