2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil - Predictions/Discussions/Updates

[Angra]

Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!

USA - Portugal 2-1

10 minutes remains.

[Angra]

I wanna see Ronaldo cry.

[Angra]

Ronaldo didn't cry. I did.

2-2

Portugal managed to score with 15 seconds left of the match. That's just cruel.

[_____V_____]

Final Scoreline for Match 31:

KOREA REPUBLIC - 2
(Heong Min 50', Jacheol 72')


ALGERIA - 4
(Slimani 26', Halliche 28', Djabou 38', Brahimi 62')

What a match! Algeria had already impressed in their opening encounter against Belgium, and this was the sort of performance they needed to further boost their morale and chances of getting into the next round.

Thundering goals in the first half itself saw them jump to a super-quick 3-0 lead, and although Korea got one back within 5 minutes of the second half, Brahimi's right-footer secured their 4th goal and the match, despite a second goal by Korea in the 72nd minute. Korea kept pressing through the remaining time, but couldn't have much luck.

If Algeria qualifies for the Round of 16, it will be their first ever shot at the knockout rounds.

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Final Scoreline for Match 32:

USA - 2
(Jones 64', Dempsey 81')


PORTUGAL - 2
(Nani 5', Varela 95')

Looked all over for Portugal until the final minute of added time, when Varela thundered in a header into the US goal to spare them the blushes and escape with a tied draw.

Portugal were off to a quick lead on a hot, humid afternoon - a defensive error helped Nani ease one in to make the scoreline 1-0, and which stayed so when the first half ended. US went on the aggressive in the second half, and were rewarded with goals from Jermaine Jones and Clint Dempsey, whose goal looked like sealing the match for the US and securing a Round-16 spot, until Cristiano Ronaldo's perfect pass found Varela's header in the dying moments of the match and levelled the score again.

Still, USA must be happy to have got a point, while Portugal's chances still hang on tenterhooks. They must win big in their final encounter

[_____V_____]

Two-thirds of the Group Stage of WC 2014 has been completed, and it continues it's superb run, with plenty of goals and very few scoreless draws.

Plenty of surprises have come in this round of matches, with some teams already having packed their bags and booked their tickets for their trip home. None more surprising than the defending champions, Spain, who looked completely out of sorts from their 2010 heydays. Another strong favorite exiting was England, who did very little to boost their chances in their two matches.

Let's see how the teams are performing:-

Red Hot! - The Netherlands, France, Chile, Columbia, Costa Rica.

Winning, Need Improvement - Brazil, Germany, Argentina, Belgium, Mexico, Nigeria, USA.

In Middle - Italy, Ecuador, Algeria, Ivory Coast.

Still A Chance - Uruguay, Portugal, Croatia, Switzerland, Ghana, Japan, Greece, Honduras, Iran, Russia, Korea Republic.

KNOCKED OUT - Spain, England, Cameroon, Australia, Bosnia & Herzegovina.

[roshiq]

Australia - Spain & Netherlands - Chile

Cameroon - Brazil & Croatia - Mexico.

And the final leg of Round 1 starts from tonight! Hope to see all close & some exceptionally great matches ahead. Brazil really needs to improve a lot as they're going to face either Netherlands or Chile in the next round. Both the Dutch & Chileans already shown enough qualities to destroy Brazil's campaign for WC'2014!! Except the AUS - SPN match, hoping the rest 3 matches will be crackers & very competitive.

My favorite Uruguay is going to face ITALY in their final group (of Death!) match...and it'll be Live or Die game for them. From the track records, it seems Italy most probably will go for a draw & that will be enough for them (as they're having 0 goal difference, whereas Uruguay is on -1!!) to move into the next round. Hoping to see Suarez shines for another time & Cavani joins with him in their scorer list and take Uruguay into the 2nd round where they'll face lesser challenging teams like Colombia or Ivory Coast (neither able to impress me much).

[_____V_____]

Matches to watch for in the final leg


The last leg of the group stage will see 2 matches being played at the same time, so let's have a look at which ones we should end up watching:

Group B:
Chile VS Netherlands - Both through, but #1 & #2 in the group? Cracker.
Australia VS Spain - Both teams knocked out, playing for pride.

Group A:
Croatia VS Mexico - Whoever wins goes through. Cracker.
Brazil VS Cameroon - Cameroon already out, but Brazil won't want to lose.

Group D:
Italy VS Uruguay - Desperate for both, more for Uruguay. Cracker.
Costa Rica VS England - England already out, so inconsequential.

Group C:
Colombia VS Japan - Japan need to win, but Columbia look too strong.
Greece VS Ivory Coast - Winner moves to next round. Cracker.

Group F:
Bosnia&Herzegovina VS Iran - Iran would be desperate to win, B&H out.
Argentina VS Nigeria - Nigeria would press for a win. Cracker.

Group E:
Honduras VS Switzerland - Honduras have nothing to lose. Swiss need to win. Cracker.
France VS Ecuador - Not safe just yet for France. Ecuador would press for a win. Cracker.

Group G:
Ghana VS Portugal - Portugal need to win big, so does Ghana. Cracker.
Germany VS USA - Both teams not secure yet. Desperate times. Cracker.

Group H:
Algeria VS Russia - Algeria need to win, so does Russia. Cracker.
South Korea VS Belgium - Korea needs a win, but against Belgium? Doubtful.


Matches marked in BOLD and with "Cracker" are must-watches.

[_____V_____]

Final Scoreline for Match 33:

THE NETHERLANDS - 2
(Fer 77', Depay 92')


CHILE - 0

The first half was pretty much a stalemate, except for a wonderful run by Arjen Robben which culminated in a cross kick which went inches past the goal post, and Chile also came close to scoring as well. Neither team was overly aggressive, and just feeling out each other's strengths and weaknesses.

Robin Van Persie was not playing this match, since he was suspended due to two yellow cards in the earlier games.

It was Netherlands who shifted gears in the second half. They started pressing forward more, and were suitably rewarded late in the second half when Leroy Fer sent the ball in quite nicely to make it 1-0. The score was supposed to stay the same but substitute Memphis Depay and Arjen Robben had other ideas. A break from a Chilean corner kick had Robben speeding through towards the Chilean goal, and his perfect cross found the outstretched leg of Dupay, past the Chilean defense and the keeper. 2-0 Netherlands, and with only a minute or so of play left.

Netherlands win, and top Group B. Chile will have to be content with being #2, and might face Brazil in the Round of 16, if Brazil win their encounter against Cameroon.


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Final Scoreline for Match 34:

AUSTRALIA - 0


SPAIN - 3
(Villa 36', Torres 69', Juan Mata 82')

Ah! This was how Spain used to play. Funny that all 3 goal scorers were not a part of the starting eleven in either of the first two matches which Spain lost and got knocked out of the World Cup. A class apart, David Villa and Fernando Torres have always been reliable performers, and it was surprising to see them warm the benches while Spain lost critical games. Torres & Villa should have been a part in the last game against Chile, at least.

Well, Spain will head back home with this consolation win, and wondering "What if...?" As for the Socceroos, they will leave Brazil licking their wounds and their heads held high. They played well and did their part in keeping Group B exciting.

Goodbye, both of you.

[_____V_____]

Final Scoreline for Match 35:

CAMEROON - 1
(Matip 26')


BRAZIL - 4
(Neymar 17', 35', Fred 49', Luiz Roza 84')

This was more of the Brazil of old - dominating all through the first half and then extending their lead to leave no chance of a comeback by the opposition.

While the hugely talented Neymar ensured a super-quick goal for the lead, Cameroon equalised soon after, making it a delectable contest. Neymar showed why he's so dangerous inside the box yet again by crossing in the nicely-fired pass, and Brazil headed into half-time leading 2-1. Almost as soon as the 2nd half started, Fred headed one in and Brazil were leading 3-1 quickly. Cameroon held on to their defenses while Brazil kept attacking, and substitute Luiz Roza hammered the final nail into Cameroon's coffin in the 84th minute.

Brazil win convincingly and by a big margin to emerge Group A winners, and head into the Round of 16 to face Chile.


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Final Scoreline for Match 36:

CROATIA - 1
(Perisic 87')


MEXICO - 3
(Marquez 72', Guardado 75', Hernandez 82')

Must-win match for both teams, although Mexico were sitting tight, even with a drawn result.

Croatia surprisingly were not that aggressive as they were in the previous game, and Mexico actually came close to scoring at least 3 times in the first half, one of which was a real thunderbolt of a shot which blasted back from the bar! Halftime score was 0-0, and it was a deadlock. Mexico again came out as the aggressor in the second half, and their persistence paid off as Croatia made some huge defensive lapses to allow the Mexicans not once but twice in quick succession to let them go 2-0 up very quickly. And when Hernandez headed the 3rd Mexican goal in, it was all over for Croatia. A feeble goal back didn't help much in the dying minutes, and neither did a red card which made Croatia go down to 10 men.

Mexico won convincingly and rightfully so, as clearly the better team of the contest. They move into the Round of 16, where they face the Netherlands.

[ShankS]

hmmmm which shall I watch... England in a pride match v Costa Rica, or two sweaty semi clothed blond girls battling it out at Wimbeldon choices, choices