Category: WORLD CUP

  • BRAZIL DESTROYS CAMEROON;WINS GROUP A

    BRAZIL DESTROYS CAMEROON;WINS GROUP A

    Two goals from young star Neymar in the first half sparked Brazil as the hosts cruised to a 4-1 victory over Cameroon to become champions of Group A and secure a spot in the final 16 against Chile. Neymar, 22, has 35 goals in his young career including 4 at the World Cup, he has looked  unstoppable on his home turf here in Brasil. Fred and Fernandinho put the icing on the cake for the Gold and Green in what was a predictable outcome. Brazil, ranked #3 in the latest FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking (Released June 5th)  will take on Chile (#14). Below is the final Group A standings.

    Group A
    #
    Country
    GP
    W
    D
    L
    GF
    GA
    GD
    PTS
    1
     Brazil
    3
    2
    1
    0
    7
    2
    5
    7
    2
     Mexico
    3
    2
    1
    0
    4
    1
    3
    7
    3
     Croatia
    3
    1
    0
    2
    6
    6
    0
    3
    4
     Cameroon
    3
    0
    0
    3
    1
    9
    -8
    0
  • NETHERLANDS BEATS CHILE TO WIN GROUP B

    NETHERLANDS BEATS CHILE TO WIN GROUP B

    Holland/Netherlands/Dutchland secured the top spot in Group B with a two-zero win over Chile on Monday and will advance to play Mexico in the knockout round. Both goals came in the final 15 minutes of play for the Dutch, the goals being scored by substitutes Leroy Fer and Memphis Depay. Fer hit a header in after a cross from Darryl Janmaat in the 77th minute, 2 minutes after coming into the game. Depay then scored his second goal in as many matches when he nailed a close range strike off an assist from Arjen Robben to secure three points and the title of Group B champions for Louis van Gaal and co. Both teams had already secured qualification after winning their first two matches but the incentive was the opportunity to not play host Brazil on their home turf and now Chile faces a tough test.

  • SPAIN BEATS AUSTRALIA FOR PRIDE

    SPAIN BEATS AUSTRALIA FOR PRIDE

    The defending champions, Spain were already eliminated but in what was just for pride they ended their 2014 World Cup campaign on a high note with a 3-0 victory over the Socceroos of Australia. David Villa scored first for the Spaniards with his 59th and final international goal, Villa is one of multiple Spaniards that will retire after this year. Villa was subbed out at 56′ and he buried his head in his hands, disappointed that in his final tournament of his life he couldn’t advance past the first round.

    2nd half strikes from Fernando Torres and substitute Juan Mata made things comfortable for La Furia Rojo as they cruised to a   3-0 win over Aussie. But now the early elimination begs the question…Is this the end of the golden age of Spain Football? Comment below.

  • LATEST GOAL IN WORLD CUP HISTORY PROVIDES HEARTBREAKING ENDING FOR US FANS

    LATEST GOAL IN WORLD CUP HISTORY PROVIDES HEARTBREAKING ENDING FOR US FANS

    This is what the World Cup is all about! Down 1-0 after a goal from Nani in the 5th minute it looked weak for the US, the Stars and Stripes seemingly couldn’t get any attacks in in the first half, but the 2nd half was a different story. Just 19 minutes after the restart Jermaine Jones buried an equaliser for the US and then captain Clint Dempsy used his stomach to direct a cross from Zusi into the back of the net  for the  lead, with the win the US would clinch a spot in the knockout stage but when the worlds best player is on the field a 1-goal lead is never safe, and Ronaldo proved that as he made a great pass into the box and with just 20 seconds left in stoppage time Silvestre Varela headed Ronaldo’s cross past US keeper Tim Howard for the latest goal in world cup history, breaking the hearts of every american watching  “He made a great cross,” said Howard “Football’s cruel sometimes.” With the goal the game ended in a tie and sets up a tough test for the US with coach Jurgen Klinsmann having to take on his home country, Germany. “Now we have to go out and beat Germany, that’s what we have to do,”Klinsmann said. “We have to play Germany, we have one less day to recover, we played in the Amazon, they played on a place with less travel. We have to do it the tough way.”

    “Obviously we’re disappointed, but at the end of the day you’ve got to look at the positives, we got a point,” said United States captain Clint Dempsey, who scored to give the Americans a 2-1 lead in the 81st. “It’s going down to the last game and hopefully we get the job done.”

    “It was a thriller,” Klinsmann said. “Everybody who had a chance to be today in Manaus will talk about this game for a long time.”

    HOW TEAMS CAN ADVANCE

    #
    Country
    GP
    W
    D
    L
    GF
    GA
    GD
    PTS
    1
     Germany
    2
    1
    1
    0
    6
    2
    4
    4
    ADVANCES WITH WIN OR TIE, ADVANCES WITH LOSS AND GHANA-PORTUGAL TIE, ADVANCES WITH LOSS AND TIEBREAKER OVER GHANA-PORTUGAL WINNER
    2
     United States
    2
    1
    1
    0
    4
    3
    1
    4
    ADVANCES WITH WIN OR TIE, ADVANCES WITH LOSS AND GHANA-PORTUGAL TIE, ADVANCES WITH LOSS AND TIEBREAKER OVER GHANA-PORTUGAL WINNER
    3
     Ghana
    2
    0
    1
    1
    3
    4
    -1
    1
    ADVANCES WITH WIN AND TIEBREAKER OVER LOSER OF GERMANY-US
    4
     Portugal
    2
    0
    1
    1
    2
    6
    -4
    1
    ADVANCES WITH WIN AND TIEBREAKER OVER LOSER OF GERMANY-US

     

  • ALGERIA SURVIVES SOUTH KOREAN THRILLER

    ALGERIA SURVIVES SOUTH KOREAN THRILLER

    With a 4-2 victory over South Korea on Sunday the Algerian national team gained 3 points and moved into second place in the Group H standings. Islam Slimani got things started for the “Desert Foxes” with the opening goal at 26′ and just two minutes later a strike from Académica de Coimbra central midfielder Rafik Halliche put the Algerians up two-nil. A 38th minute goal from Abdelmoumene Djabou off of a missed shot from Slimani put the Algerians, who lost a close one to Belgium in the opener up 3-0 at the half… but the South Koreans weren’t  done yet, and they started a comeback when Son Heung Min’s left-footed strike slid through the legs of the Algerian keeper. But the hope for late drama was ended when Yacine  Brahimi hit a game-sealing strike just out of the keeper’s reach for Algeria. The Algerian’s can advance with a win OR with a tie and winning the tiebreaker.

  • BELGIUM ADVANCES WITH WIN OVER RUSSIA

    BELGIUM ADVANCES WITH WIN OVER RUSSIA

    All Belgium needed was a goal from 19-year old forward Divock Origi to secure advancement for Belgium and get a 1-0 win over Group H rival Russia. The goal came in the 88th minute after a pass from Eden Hazard and was Divock Origi(a 19 year old)’s first international goal. Belgium can win the group with a win or tie vs South Korea on Thursday. Russia can advance with a win over Algeria and a Belgium win or tie OR if Russia and South Korea win and Russia wins the tiebreakers (GD, GF, H2H, coin toss in that order).

    Below is the current Group  H standings. 

    #
    Country
    GP
    W
    D
    L
    GF
    GA
    GD
    PTS
    1
     Belgium
    2
    2
    0
    0
    3
    1
    2
    6 ADVANCED
    2
     Algeria
    2
    1
    0
    1
    5
    4
    1
    3 ADVANCES WITH WIN OR WITH TIE AND TIEBREAKER OVER SOUTH KOREA
    3
     Russia
    2
    0
    1
    1
    1
    2
    -1
    1 ADVANCES WITH WIN AND BELGIUM WIN OR TIE OR WIN AND BELGIUM LOSS WITH TIEBREAKER OVER SOUTH KOREA
    4
     Korea Republic
    2
    0
    1
    1
    3
    5
    -2
    1 ADVANCES WITH WIN AND RUSSIA TIE AND TIEBREAKER OVER ALGERIA OR WIN AND RUSSIA WIN AND TIEBREAKER OVER RUSSIA
  • NIGERIA ELIMINATES BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA

    NIGERIA ELIMINATES BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA

    Bosnia-Herzegovina was eliminated from the 2014 World Cup with a 1-0 loss to Nigeria on Saturday. Peter Odemwingie’s 29th minute goal was the difference-maker for the “Super Eagles” as Nigeria improves to 4 points, +1 GD and will face Argentina, who has already qualified for the knockout round on Wednesday. The three points move Nigeria into 2nd in Group F and with a win or draw vs Argentina they will advance to the knockout stage. Below are the current Group F standings…

    #
    Country
    GP
    W
    D
    L
    GF
    GA
    GD
    PTS
    1
     Argentina
    2
    2
    0
    0
    3
    1
    2
    6 ADVANCED
    2
     Nigeria
    2
    1
    1
    0
    1
    0
    1
    4 ADVANCES WITH DRAW OR WIN
    3
     Iran
    2
    0
    1
    1
    0
    1
    -1
    1 ADVANCES WITH WIN, NIGERIA LOSS, TIRBREAKER VS NIGERIA
    4
     Bosnia and Herzegovina
    2
    0
    0
    2
    1
    3
    -2
    0 ELIMINATED
  • GERMANY-GHANA TIE, EXPLORING EVERY POSSIBLE USA SCENARIO

    GERMANY-GHANA TIE, EXPLORING EVERY POSSIBLE USA SCENARIO

    Miroslav Klose scored his 15th World Cup goal to salvage a 2-2 draw for Germany from the fire that was a Ghana comeback. Mario Gotze got “The Team” on the board first with a fierce strike that made it’s way into the back of the net for a 1-0 Germany lead. But Ghana is known for coming back and they did here at Fortaleza, Andre Ayew volleyed a header that got past the goalies reach at 54′ and Asamoah Gyan added the 2nd for the Black Stars when his shot fired into the corner of the goal to complete the comeback. Germany couldn’t answer until finally substitute and Lazio striker Miroslav Klose’s shot slid in off a corner kick for a record-tying 15th WC goal. The result means that with a win vs Portugal the US will qualify for the round of 16.

  • EVERY POSSIBLE USA OUTCOME UPDATED FOR DRAW VS PORTUGAL

    EVERY POSSIBLE USA OUTCOME UPDATED FOR DRAW VS PORTUGAL

    EVERY POSSIBLE GROUP G OUTCOME

    GHANA WIN VS PORTUGAL, USA WIN VS GERMANY

    USA advances, Germany or Ghana decided on GD

    GHANA WIN VS PORTUGAL, USA TIE VS GERMANY

    USA and Germany advance

    GHANA WIN VS PORTUGAL, USA LOSE VS GERMANY

    Germany advances, USA or Ghana decided on GD

    GHANA TIE VS PORTUGAL, USA WIN VS GERMANY

    USA and Germany advance

    GHANA TIE VS PORTUGAL, USA TIE VS GERMANY

    USA and Germany advance

    GHANA TIE VS PORTUGAL, USA LOSE VS GERMANY

    USA and Germany advance

    GHANA LOSE VS PORTUGAL, USA WIN VS GERMANY

    USA advances, Germany or Portugal decided on GD

    GHANA LOSE VS PORTUGAL, USA TIE VS GERMANY

    USA and Germany advance

    GHANA LOSE VS PORTUGAL, USA LOSE VS GERMANY

    Germany advances, USA or Portugal decided on GD

  • MESSI SCORES WINNER IN EXTRA TIME, ARGENTINA ADVANCES

    MESSI SCORES WINNER IN EXTRA TIME, ARGENTINA ADVANCES

    For the 2nd straight game Argentina needed heroics from world-class star Lionel Messi as the forward scored a game-winner in stoppage time to send Argentina into the next round and break the hearts of Iran. The goalkeepers looked unbeatable as Argentina’s Sergio Aguero had a beautiful strike that was saved and Reza Ghoochannejhad came close multiple times and missed a penalty for “شاهزادگان پارسی” (Translates to “Princes of Persia”). The game winner came when Zabaleta passed it to Messi and the FC Barcelona forward powered it into the corner, out of the goalies reach for a goal.