2014 FIFA World Cup

[cubizh]

Tremendous games today, especially in overtime. Argentina passed, but it that header off the post and not going in on the rebound was pretty dramatic. Quite entertaining.
Sad for Tim Howard to leave since he did a tremendous match, with a record ammount of saves, but before taking two goals, USA was just defending the null tie, waiting to get lucky and score one. Howard wasn't enough to stop everything. Great goal from the USA from the new kid. Great comeback, but it wasn't enough this time. It was a very nice game to see.
Interesting that all group winners have progressed. Wondering if quarter-finals will be as emotional as these (only 2 games didn't have to go into overtime!).
Hope so.

 

[CiaranBeahan]

Tim Howard was outstanding, it would have been good to see USA get back into it. I didn't see their first goal live because I had it on pause at the start of the second half and when I came back I just fast forwarded it and I just seen the score line go from 2-0 to 2-1 and my eyes widened.

 

[Dene]

Two awesome games! Especially in overtime. I feel a bit bummed for the USA, who actually created the best opportunity of regulation time, right at the end. I don't know how Wondowlski managed to miss. Also bummed because that denied me a perfect 8 from 8 tips

Tim Howard was outstanding, it would have been good to see USA get back into it. I didn't see their first goal live because I had it on pause at the start of the second half and when I came back I just fast forwarded it and I just seen the score line go from 2-0 to 2-1 and my eyes widened.

I feel your pain. I have to record the matches on a cheap PVR, and it takes about a minute and a half to transition to recording the next program if I'm recording something straight after. Because the TV network playing the games here is stupid, they don't have 3 hours designated to the matches, so I have to set it to record the next program in case it goes into overtime. USA scored the goal during the transition period!

 

[Dene]

The matches and my predictions for the quarter finals:
Brazil vs. Colombia ------> Colombia
France vs. Germany ----> Germany

Holland vs. Costa Rica --> Holland
Argentina vs. Belgium ---> Argentina

 

[CiaranBeahan]

The matches and my predictions for the quarter finals:
Brazil vs. Colombia ------> Colombia
France vs. Germany ----> Germany

Holland vs. Costa Rica --> Holland
Argentina vs. Belgium ---> Argentina

I think everything there is right except for the Brazil and Colombia match. Colombia are a really good team but do you really think that they're better than Brazil?

Edit: Note: This world cup has come up with some amazing upsets so far, for all we know it could be Colombia, France, Costa Rica and Belgium in the Semi's.
I'd also like to add that if there is any underdog that could win in the quarter finals it would be Costa Rica, even if they're playing Holland they have been an
outstanding team getting out on top of group D and causing huge upsets so far.

 

[Yellowsnow98]

I think everything there is right except for the Brazil and Colombia match. Colombia are a really good team but do you really think that they're better than Brazil?

Brazil are average without Neymar. If his legs are broken early enough in the match, who knows what can happen.

In all seriousness, Brazil are pretty dodgy in defence and I'd back Colombia any day of the week.

 

[CiaranBeahan]

Brazil are average without Neymar. If his legs are broken early enough in the match, who knows what can happen.

In all seriousness, Brazil are pretty dodgy in defence and I'd back Colombia any day of the week.

Brazil are ranked 3rd in the world and they have players like David Luiz, Oscar and Julio Caesar is a good goalkeeper. Also Colombia are facing the host nation, so they have the pressure of the majority of neutral supporters against them. But I do see your point, players like Fred and Hulk haven't been performing.
Like I said, Colombia are a really good side, but I think that Brazil are a little bit better considering their ranking, the players that they have and their support.

 

[ySoSrs]

Brazil ranking 3th is the ranking before the start of the world cup, the ranking on this very moment is quite different. Brazil is ranked 8th while Colombia shares first place. Colombia also has the current top scorer and is the second highest scoring team this wc. The statistics are still comparable to Brazil though: Brazil - Colombia.


Virtual FIFA-ranking on July 2nd (current rank between brackets):
1. (8) Colombia 1.555 points
2. (5) Argentina 1.555
3. (2) Germany 1.486
4. (11) Belgium 1.468
5.(15) The Netherlands 1.393
6. (7) Uruguay 1.330
7.(17) France 1.254
8. (3) Brazil 1.233
9. (1) Spain 1.229
10. (6) Switzerland 1.216
11. (4) Portugal 1.148
12.(14) Chile 1.098
13.(12) Greece 1.091
14. (9) Italy 1.056
15.(13) USA 989
16.(28) Costa Rica 982
17.(18) Croatia 955
18.(20) Mexico 930
19.(22) Algeria 924
20.(21) Bosnia and Herzegovina 917
21.(10) England 911
22.(26) Ecuador 901
23.(16) Ukraine 898
24.(19) Russia 897
25.(24) Ivory Coast 850
...

 

[Dene]

I think everything there is right except for the Brazil and Colombia match. Colombia are a really good team but do you really think that they're better than Brazil?

I was gonna say what ySoSrs said, so I won't repeat that. Have you actually been watching the games? Colombia are pretty much better than Brazil in every way in this World Cup. Brazil have had two draws, Colombia have won every game. Colombia have scored considerably more goals (3 more, or 37% more), and have conceded less (Colombia 2, Brazil 3). Brazil don't look especially threatening in general, while Colombia are harassing defences left right and centre. The only possibly way Brazil can win is in a shoot-out.

 

[Dene]

Bring on the quarters!!

 

[ajayd]

Germany played well, France played badly, and guess Colombia isn't as good as y'all thought, eh? That or you could always play the refs card, the amount of fouls in this game is absurd.

 

[cubizh]

Brazil's game was over at halftime.

 

[Dene]

Germany played well, France played badly, and guess Colombia isn't as good as y'all thought, eh? That or you could always play the refs card, the amount of fouls in this game is absurd.

I have to admit, the ref waited way too long to start throwing out the yellow cards. It was so scrappy, and that played right into Brazil's hands. Well done to Brazil, they finally decided to play some football and they managed the win. Interesting that there were no goals in general play. A corner and a free kick for Brazil, and a penalty for Colombia. Not much you can do to defend against that free kick, but that corner should have been defended properly, absolutety shocking by Sanchez. Colombia just couldn't get into their game with all the fouls. When Ramos came on he only seemed to be able to head the ball away from goal. Quadrado should never have come off. I have no idea why the coach put him on the left later in the game when he was causing so much havoc down the right. Brazil's best performance + Colombia's worst, and that's what happens. At least I can put my faith in the German's to avenge my Colombian brothers.

 

[ajayd]

I have to admit, the ref waited way too long to start throwing out the yellow cards. It was so scrappy, and that played right into Brazil's hands. Well done to Brazil, they finally decided to play some football and they managed the win. Interesting that there were no goals in general play. A corner and a free kick for Brazil, and a penalty for Colombia. Not much you can do to defend against that free kick, but that corner should have been defended properly, absolutety shocking by Sanchez. Colombia just couldn't get into their game with all the fouls. When Ramos came on he only seemed to be able to head the ball away from goal. Quadrado should never have come off. I have no idea why the coach put him on the left later in the game when he was causing so much havoc down the right. Brazil's best performance + Colombia's worst, and that's what happens. At least I can put my faith in the German's to avenge my Colombian brothers.

So true, If there's one game that I would bet money on, it's that Germany beats Brazil.

 

[CiaranBeahan]

Weird, one of the scrappiest games of the hole tournament and it brings out one of the best goals since the world cup started. Brazil won't get past the Germans in the Semi's, not a hope, at least not if Neymar's going to be out with that bad injury, you have to admit it was a horrible tackle on Neymar. I still want Holland to win, I'll get 10 euro from my Dad if they do! Julio Caesar is out of their next match as well. Who are the other keepers that can play? Yes, there were a lot of fouls, but just be glad that the ref didn't make it like the 2010 final. However it could be possible that Brazil could get 3rd place, they've already got a secured 4th place anyway.

Q. What do people think is the best goal of the tournament so far? I think it's Cahill's volley at #1, Luiz's Free kick tonight at #2 and Van Persie's header at #3.

 

[Tim Major]

Brazil es numero uno

BR BR BR

Really good game, I've watched 4 games this world cup, seems like I chose a good game to watch.

 

[Sin-H]

So true, If there's one game that I would bet money on, it's that Germany beats Brazil.

In Germany, people are not that sure. The lack of Thiago Silva and Neymar might help Germany a lot, though.

Julio Caesar is out of their next match as well.

I don't think that's sure yet, his injury might be not that bad.

 

[CiaranBeahan]

I don't think that's sure yet, his injury might be not that bad.

But he got a yellow card so that means he misses the next match.

 

[Dene]

Ya Brazil are in all sorts of crisis at the moment. Anyway, two games ahead of us before that one. I need to get to bed or I'm not going to get any sleep at all. Go the Netherlands!!!!!!

 

[CiaranBeahan]

Ya Brazil are in all sorts of crisis at the moment. Anyway, two games ahead of us before that one. I need to get to bed or I'm not going to get any sleep at all. Go the Netherlands!!!!!!

What times are the matches on at where you are? In Ireland they're around anywhere from 5-10pm which isn't bad.