World Cup 2014 Thread

[Naples39]

Robben scores and I'm thinking the rout may be on for Holland, but Tim Cahill answers with maybe the goal of the tournament thus far less than a minute later. Wow.

[10spro]

Robben scores and I'm thinking the rout may be on for Holland, but Tim Cahill answers with maybe the goal of the tournament thus far less than a minute later. Wow.

Another fantastic game. The Aussies even should have been ahead 3-2 with that open header ahem chest, and right away the Dutch team counterattacks and scores. Back and forth stuff, me thinks the orange will go for the kill now.

[rhymes450]

The Aussies gave the Dutch a bit of a fright by all accounts.

For Spain, Javi Martinez replaces Pique in the centre of the defence. Pique looked very sluggish against Holland. Not sure if Martinez has any kind of track record as a central defender.

Xavi Hernandez dropped in favour of Pedro. I thought Xavi did some great work in the first half against the Dutch and for me, he's arguably the best player Spain have ever had but I guess he's not getting any younger and I'm sure Del Bosque knows what he's doing. We'll soon see how it pans out

[rhymes450]

End of the road for Tiki Taka...they looked physically knackered and without Xavi (the world's best midfield playmaker in recent years for me, though Pirlo is great too) at times they even seemed to lack cohesion. End of a glorious era for Spain.

[RobVarak]

I think Puyol's absence was as influential as Xavi's decline...for both club and country.

But the hell with the under-card, it's go time for the match that matters.

[rhymes450]

Good point Rob. Puyol's contribution was often underrated but he was a great player for Barca and Spain, and they're struggling to replace him.

[Jimmydeicide]

Great pass , i didnt think Olec was going to get in front of his man but well played he did.

[XXXIV]

Very nice Rob!...I am talking about the win.

I am thinking your boys have the ability to win vs Mexico.

[XXXIV]

I hate having to work through the first two games every week day. Really wanted to see the Dutch today, Brazil yesterday and would like to see England Uruguay tomorrow.

Sadly I will be able to see most of my guys vs Japan.

[RobVarak]

I'm just happy knowing that the blonde in the hat is happy somewhere tonight.

The Mexico game is going to be bonkers. I'm afraid it might come down to the keepers and that's a losing proposition for the Croats.

[Jimmydeicide]

I hate having to work through the first two games every week day. Really wanted to see the Dutch today, Brazil yesterday and would like to see England Uruguay tomorrow.

Sadly I will be able to see most of my guys vs Japan.

Thats why you gotta ignore the world and watch them all back to back to back like i have too.

The Croatia game is the first live midweek game ive seen.

[XXXIV]

I hate having to work through the first two games every week day. Really wanted to see the Dutch today, Brazil yesterday and would like to see England Uruguay tomorrow.

Sadly I will be able to see most of my guys vs Japan.

Thats why you gotta ignore the world and watch them all back to back to back like i have too.

The Croatia game is the first live midweek game ive seen.

Good point.

Sometimes its hard to shut it down when there are Mexicans telling you how they just heard they had won or that they had just drew with Brazil.

but yeah I haven't tried hard enough.

[XXXIV]

I'm just happy knowing that the blonde in the hat is happy somewhere tonight.

I think we all are.

[Inuyasha]

Why is Puyol not on the team? Not selected, injury, or other? Can't believe Spain is out. Not impressed by Brazil either. If it wasn't for the ref, Croatia ties them.

[Naples39]

Semi-official update.

Matt Besler fine for Portugal match.

Altidore with strained hamstring and unavailable for Portugal match. Hopeful for later in the tournament.

[pk500]

That's hopeful-speak from the USMNT. Altidore is done for the World Cup, barring a miracle or a deep run in the tournament.

Severely pulled hamstrings don't magically heal, especially for bulky, power players like Altidore. He missed considerable time in 2011 with a pull of the same hammy.

[fsquid]

Spain learning the same lesson Italy learned in 2010, you can't just bring the same team that won the last world cup and expect the same result.

[pk500]

Spain learning the same lesson Italy learned in 2010, you can't just bring the same team that won the last world cup and expect the same result.

France in 2002, too.

[rhymes450]

Spain learning the same lesson Italy learned in 2010, you can't just bring the same team that won the last world cup and expect the same result.

France in 2002, too.

Easy to be wise after the event. Maybe they should've dismantled the team that won Euro 2008 and the events of 2010 and 2012 could've been avoided.

[RobVarak]

Three of the last four champs were eliminated in the group stage of the subsequent tournament. I don't think there was a hell of a lot different that del Bosque could have done. I wonder if the addition of Costa and the benching of Villa (entirely defensible on their league form) might have caused some splits in the dressing room. He's a difficult personality and Villa has been such a talisman for the national team.

As I said, I also think Puyol's absence was enormously important. St. Iker went from saint to sinner in mind boggling fashion.

They've got loads of young talent coming through, having just won the Euro U21 tourney, so I wouldn't see this as any reason to believe they're returning to their old, under-performing ways for the long haul.

[fsquid]

Spain learning the same lesson Italy learned in 2010, you can't just bring the same team that won the last world cup and expect the same result.

France in 2002, too.

Easy to be wise after the event. Maybe they should've dismantled the team that won Euro 2008 and the events of 2010 and 2012 could've been avoided.

didn't say dismantle, but Marcello Lippi has mentioned many times that his biggest mistake in 2010 was being loyal to the players that won in 2006. You must cycle in younger blood.

[Naples39]

In defense of France 2002 and Spain 2014, how much change do you want to impose on a team that is currently defending WC and Euro champs?

[fsquid]

In defense of France 2002 and Spain 2014, how much change do you want to impose on a team that is currently defending WC and Euro champs?

enough not to go winless in your defense?

In all seriousness, when your starting XI looks almost identical (and it might even be totally identical) to your 2010 and 2012 teams, you are predictable. Jese and Morata should have been in there and Reina should have been in the goal.

[rhymes450]

Uruguay clinical when they got that bit of space in midfield. Great pass by Cavani and Suarez surgical in his run and finish. Reminded me a bit of the Chilean first goal yesterday, where a small error was punished so severely. England a bit unlucky for my money.

[10spro]

Uruguay clinical when they got that bit of space in midfield. Great pass by Cavani and Suarez surgical in his run and finish. Reminded me a bit of the Chilean first goal yesterday, where a small error was punished so severely. England a bit unlucky for my money.

They get rewarded finally with a nice run by Shrek. Boy that Uruguayan D just looked tired to me as they were all just watching the play develop.

It can go either way still.