Enner Valencia scored both the goals (including an amazing header to take the lead) for La Tri as they came back from down 1-0 to win 2-1 over Honduras and keep France out of the round of 16…for now (Ecuador and Switzerland would have to win by combined 9 goals to eliminate France). Honduuras forward Carlo Costly scored the lone goal for “Los Catrachos”. The win moves Ecuador level with Switzerland at 3 points.
Category: WORLD CUP
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FRANCE CRUISE IN HIGH-SCORING DUEL VS SWITZERLAND
With a 5-2 win over “Nati” France took control of Group E at Salvador. Three goals in the first half for Les Bleus highlighted an incredible performance as France basically secures a spot in the round of 16 (Ecuador and Switzerland would have to win by combined 9 goals to eliminate the French).
Olivier Giroud got things started f0r the French with a beautiful header at 17′ and just 1 minute later Blaise Matuidi struck home a 2nd for the French for an early 2-0 lead. Mathieu Valbuena slotted home a 3rd goal before the half to increase the Les Bleus lead to 3-0. Karim Benzema added 1 more each and the French took a 5-0 lead when Moussa Sissoko added the finishing touches to a dominating performance from France with a goal. The Swiss would score two “garbage goals” in the last 10 minutes but the game was already won.
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WITH A 1-0 WIN OVER ITALY COSTA RICA ADVANCES AND ELIMINATES ENGLAND
With a 1-0 win over Italy, Costa Rica secured a berth into the round of 16 and mathematically ended England’s World Cup dream. Bryan Ruiz’s header was the difference maker as “Los Ticos” became the first team from Group D to advance. England was eliminated and Italy plays Uruguay, winner advances (in the case of a tie Italy advances).
#CountryWDLGDPTS ADVANCE STATUS1Costa Rica20036 ADVANCED2Italy10103 WIN OR TIE VS URU3Uruguay101-13 WIN VS ITA4England002-20 ELIMINATED -
10-MAN GREECE ESCAPES WITH DRAW
10-man Greece fought Japan to a scoreless dray Thursday night in Natal. Both teams gained their first point in group C with the draw but Japan should have gotten three failing to capitalize on the 11-on-10 advantage after “Το Πειρατικό” captain Konstantinos Katsouranis was sent off on 38 minutes after getting two yellow cards for some stupid late challenges. Below is the current Group C standings.
#CountryGPWDLGFGAGDPTS1Colombia220051462Côte d’Ivoire210133033Japan201112-114Greece201103-31 -
SUAREZ SCORES TWICE IN RETURN
Luis Suarez made his return after sitting out the first game of the world cup as he scored both goals for Uruguay in a 2-1 victory for “The Sky Blue”. Both teams had chances in the first half with Wayne Rooney barely missing on a free kick and on a header and a strike from Cristian Rodriguez going just over the top bar.
Suarez got on the scorecard first as his strike got past the hands of Man City keeper Joe Hart to give Uruguay a 1-0 lead but Rooney kept attacking and it was no surprise when the man untd. forward broke through and scored his first goal in the world cup finals to tie the game at 1. The tie didn’t last long though as just 10 short minutes later Suarez found the back of the net for the 2nd time in the game with a wide-open easy goal where the keeper had no chance. Uruguay walks away with three points in a wide-open Group D.
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COLOMBIA EDGES IVORY COAST TO ADVANCE TO ROUND OF 16
Colombia advanced to the round of 16 with a 2-1 win over Group C rival Ivory Coast in a hard fought game at Brasilia.
James Rodriguez broke the deadlock with a header from the corner at 64′ and Juan Quintero scored a 2nd for “Los Cafeteros” in the 70th minute with a strong left-footer that got past the keeper and into the back of the net for a Colombian goal but Ivory Coast would get a comeback started with a goal from Roma forward Gervinho when he got past 3 Colombian defenders to score and set up an exciting last 17 minutes but after a few failed runs Ivory Coast just couldn’t get an equaliser before the full time whistle and Colombia escapes with 3 points and a ticket to the knockout stage.
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CROATIA ELIMINATES CAMEROON
Croatia came back from their controversial loss to Brazil in the opener to steamroll and eliminate Cameroon from Group B with a 4-0 victory over a 10-man Cameroon squad (Alexandre Song was given a red card at 40′). Mario Mandzukic scored twice for “Vatreni” in his return. Ivan Perisic scored at 44′ and Ivica Olic added the 4th and final goal as Croatia now moves into third place in Group B with three points and a +2 GD. They will play Mexico (4 points, +1 GD) Monday, June 23rd at 4:00 ET on ESPN the winner will advance to the round of 16.
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DEFENDING CHAMPS ELIMINATED BY CHILE
Defending world cup champions, defending euro cup champions, #1 team in the world those are just a few titles you can call Spain now you can add another one: first team eliminated from the 2014 Fifa world cup. With a 2-0 loss to Chile La Furia Roja was eliminated. Eduardo Vargas broke the deadlock at 20′ with a goal for Chile and Charles Aranguiz added 1 more goal for Chile as La Roja blanked the defending champs. With the win Chile advances to the Round of 16.
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SOCCEROOS FALL TO DUTCH
The Netherlands picked up their 2nd win in Group B yesterday, beating Australia 3-2. “Oranje” got things started nicely when Arjen Robben scored a breakaway goal, but the fast-paced offense of the Socceroos came right back with a goal from New York Red Bulls forward Tim Cahill and then Mike Jendinak scored a beautiful PK for the Aussies to give Australia a 2-1 lead at halftime. But Dutch coach Louis van Gaal made halftime adjustments and it was “The Flying Orange” who came out swinging in the 2nd half and Robin Van Persie scored an equaliser 13 minutes into the 2nd half and PSV Eindhoven left winger Memphis Depay hit the game-winner for the Netherlands and the Dutch (basically) secure a spot in the round of 16.
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AKINFEEV’S KEEPING BLUNDER COSTS RUSSIA A WIN
Igor Akinfeev let Leo Keunho’s shot go right past him on what should have been an easy save and Russia could only pull in 1 point in Group H. The CSKA Moscow keeper finished a mistake-strewn performance by letting Keunho’s strike slide through his hands Russia was lucky to even pull in one point after substitute Alexandr Kerzhakov was finally able to pull in an equaliser at the 74th minute in what must have been a heart-racking game for “Sbornaya” Niether team could take a lead before the full-time whistle and this game ended in a draw.