World Cup 2014 Thread

[XXXIV]

France looking good to start the second...Lets see if Germany is content to play for 1-0. I think its a bad idea.

Germany hold on. Their goal keeper is one cool dude.

[pk500]

Great save by Neuer on Benzema in stoppage time.

But Twellman's post-match analysis was correct: This game lacked the usual intensity of a quarterfinal. It felt more like the third game of the group stage, as Twellman said.

I doubt Brazil-Colombia will lack juice. Far too much pressure on the hosts for them not to go balls out.

[10spro]

France looking good to start the second...Lets see if Germany is content to play for 1-0. I think its a bad idea.

Germany hold on. Their goal keeper is one cool dude.

Big save on Benzema in the last seconds. He was the difference.

Let's go Colombia.

[XXXIV]

Now off to my bros bbq and the Brazil game...Go Brazil!!!

See you suckers tonight in Dragonland!!!!

[10spro]

Easier said than done, but Los Cafeteros can't get intimidated. Brazil was saved by the high post with seconds left against Chile. Play your attacking game, don't stand back as Chile did the first 30 minutes, punch for punch your guys up front will give a fair share of scares to the favorites. They'll miss Gustavo who was supposed to be marking the steps of Rodriguez.

In JaYmeeeh, we all trust!

[rhymes450]

Brazil dominating and playing very well. Great pressing when Columbia have the ball, but the tactics to stop James (who's shown some great touches anyway) are a bit OTT and the ref could give him a bit more protection out there. Slack marking of Silva for the goal. Columbia need to get a foothold in this game or things could get rapidly worse.

[10spro]

I hope Neymar is ok. He was already shaken the last game and the way he was grimacing after the knee to his back, Brazilians fans should be concerned.

They sat back too much in the second half and with Ramires and Hernanes coming in, they obviously just wanted to hang on to the slim lead.

Dumb yellow by their captain T. Silva on the keeper, he'll be missed for sure against the Germans.

A golazo by David Luiz, a great tourney by Rodriguez.

[10spro]

Not good news for Brazil. A broken vertebra will keep Neymar out of the WC.

[rhymes450]

Silva will be missed against the Germans for sure. Looks to me like one of the best central defenders in the tournament. I thought the ref was a bit too lenient in general and Neymar and Rodriguez suffered the consequences. The Brazilians showed some great skills at times, but their commitment to the beautiful game seems negotiable. I literally cringed when Marcelo, who's a very skilful player on the ball, hoofed the thing sixty yards into touch, in the manner of a third division rugby union outhalf trying to gain ground on a wet Sunday morning. For family-related reasons, I'd like Brazil to win this but if they don't, at least it might be the cue for a change back to the more aesthetic style of years gone by.

[rhymes450]

Not good news for Brazil. A broken vertebra will keep Neymar out of the WC.

That was a terrible challenge and as far as I can remember, it wasn't even penalised at the time.

[XXXIV]

Not good news for Brazil. A broken vertebra will keep Neymar out of the WC.

That was a terrible challenge and as far as I can remember, it wasn't even penalised at the time.

WOW

That sux

Feel bad for him and for us all as we watch going forward.

[Macca00]

That was a terrible challenge and as far as I can remember, it wasn't even penalised at the time.

C'mon, it's not like Zuniga bit him or anything!!

I mean, if he bit Neymar then that's a 4 month suspension (until he moves to Barcelona...and then FIFA mysteriously reduce the ban - just watch) but if he breaks his f**king back, well....that's not such a big deal.

Just to review folks;

i. Bite someone - 4 month ban, can't train with a team*, can't be in a team photo*, can't even enter a stadium.
ii. Break someone's back - nothing.




Anyway, big loss for Brazil - especially with Silva out I think the Germans will be too strong.

Big, big match tomorrow (and I'm not talking about the Costa Rica one).



* Unless said team becomes Barcelona.

[RobVarak]

I thought the ref was a bit too lenient in general and Neymar and Rodriguez suffered the consequences.

That is an enormous understatement! It was a bad combination: A lousy and indecisive ref (who never should've gotten another WC match after the England-Uruguay mess) and two teams that from the get-go looked like they were trying to embody ever bad American-held stereotype about Latin American soccer.

Two lousy matches today. Very disappointed. We're definitely at the point where nerves and caution will start to eat away at the quality of the football. The beauty of so many of the earlier matches only makes the difference that much more apparent.

[10spro]

Maybe coach Sabella reads DSP. For today's game vs Belgium Argentina may have two, actually three new faces as Rojo won't be able to play because of his second yellow card. But he's been one solid LB even though it's not his preferred position.

But on practice yesterday, I saw Biglia playing Gago's position in midfield. Not that the Boca Juniors player played badly but they need more speed and collective play. Biglia has to pass the ball sooner to the open man.

And M. Demichelis should take over F. Fernandez's place. He's been the weak link in the blue line and hopefully the City player can add more stability in the back.

Still, I am cautiously optimistic about this game today, but Argentina can't depend on just single individuals like Messi, or Di Maria. They must all played cohesively better, hope Higuain gets it going and hope Aguero is healed enough to make an appearance.

[XXXIV]

Good luck 10s!

GO ARGENTINA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

MESSI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[10spro]

Good luck 10s!

GO ARGENTINA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

MESSI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We'll need it. As I was telling you last night, I am a bit worried about the dark horses.

[pk500]

We'll need it. As I was telling you last night, I am a bit worried about the dark horses.

No need to fret, dude. The favorites held serve in the Round of 16 and yesterday. That will repeat today.

The World Cup is reminding me more and more of this year's NBA Playoffs. The first round was wild, with numerous overtime games and upstarts pushing established powers to the brink. But the power teams settled down in the second round, and we ended up with the Finals everyone expected.

I think the same will happen today and next week. We'll end up with a high-quality Final between two of the world's superpowers. In other words, buh-bye Belgium and Costa Rica.

[10spro]

This is as solid as I've seen Argentina defending in this WC. Two solid screens, Mascherano in front of the CB's, Biglia always in good position, the offside traps set perfectly. We move on, so glad Higuain broke his silence, he could have scored another beauty. Solid collective performance, I can continue to dream...

[XXXIV]

Nice win Argentina.

Just two more.

I will be rooting for Holland but if Costa Rica do win thats not so bad for Argentina.

[Jimmydeicide]

If Costa Rica win i will buy you your first xbox one game. Not because it will be that big a upset but so you dont have a cardiac arrest on the forums again.

[XXXIV]

If Costa Rica win i will buy you your first xbox one game. Not because it will be that big a upset but so you dont have a cardiac arrest on the forums again.

GO COSTA RICA!!!

[10spro]

If Costa Rica win i will buy you your first xbox one game. Not because it will be that big a upset but so you dont have a cardiac arrest on the forums again.

GO COSTA RICA!!!

Vamos Los Ticos! Hey Jimmy, Guacamelee is free this month for X1.

[RobVarak]

This is as solid as I've seen Argentina defending in this WC. Two solid screens, Mascherano in front of the CB's, Biglia always in good position, the offside traps set perfectly. We move on, so glad Higuain broke his silence, he could have scored another beauty. Solid collective performance, I can continue to dream...

Felt like they were a little deep for the second half, though. That's fine if your forwards are pressuring the ball, but that's not going to happen with that group.

Belgium just haven't gotten confident with their pattern of play. Their tactics weren't unsound, but they just never demonstrated a consistent understanding of how they wanted to break Argentina down. Maybe more of a threat in the Euros, after some more time together.

[XXXIV]

If Costa Rica win i will buy you your first xbox one game. Not because it will be that big a upset but so you dont have a cardiac arrest on the forums again.

GO COSTA RICA!!!

Vamos Los Ticos! Hey Jimmy, Guacamelee is free this month for X1.

I can be bought but not with a free game.

[rhymes450]

This is as solid as I've seen Argentina defending in this WC. Two solid screens, Mascherano in front of the CB's, Biglia always in good position, the offside traps set perfectly. We move on, so glad Higuain broke his silence, he could have scored another beauty. Solid collective performance, I can continue to dream...

Felt like they were a little deep for the second half, though. That's fine if your forwards are pressuring the ball, but that's not going to happen with that group.

Belgium just haven't gotten confident with their pattern of play. Their tactics weren't unsound, but they just never demonstrated a consistent understanding of how they wanted to break Argentina down. Maybe more of a threat in the Euros, after some more time together.

Maybe they were defending a bit deep in the second half and Belgium were able to just pump a lot of high balls into the box and create half chances. Despite that, I thought Argentina were pretty impressive. The defence was very hard for Belgium to break down by any other means, which may be why Hazard was taken off and Argentina looked very in control on the ball. They've got a lot of seasoned top drawer players in the team and seem to be coming good at the right time, though if Di Maria were to be unavailable, I think they might miss him even more than say Aguero.