2014 FIFA World Cup

[mc ukrneal]

My sense is that there are a lot more wrong offside calls than wrong offside no-calls. I hate that.

Disagree. Most offside calls have been on the money. Just because it is 'close' doesn't mean it shouldn't be called.

[The Six]

Nice ground-view account of some protests that have taken place: http://screamer.deadspin.com/the-view-from-inside-a-sao-paulo-world-cup-protest-1591359585/

[Pat B]

Most offside calls have been on the money. Just because it is 'close' doesn't mean it shouldn't be called.

Neither of those statements conflicts with mine.

[North Star]

Even if I don't like how FIFA and the Brazilian government have handled things, I'd like this thread to be about the sport, and only about it. There are other places to address the issues that are related to corruption or the Brazilian government/society.

[springrite]

The four goal defeat can be catastrophic for Portugal as the competition for second place in the group between them, the US and Ghana may well come down to goal differences and, having one victory in hand, the Germans are unlikely to exert too much to hand out two more big score defeats on their next two opponents.

I wouldn't mind seeing two favourites (or three) get knocked out in the group stages. Both Portugal and Spain, who has a hard task at hand against Chile, are poised to do just that.

[Marc]

Even if I don't like how FIFA and the Brazilian government have handled things, I'd like this thread to be about the sport, and only about it. There are other places to address the issues that are related to corruption or the Brazilian government/society.

Well, uhh, the Dutch did a pretty good job, didn't they?

(Just sayin' to enjoy myself, because everything could be totally different wednesday, after they played Australia. )

Germany looked rock solid. In fact, they have been playing great tournaments since 2006 (both European and World Cups) but never won a title. Somehow I grant them victory this year.

But if my fellow countrymen continue to play as lively as they did against Spain, then of course I would prefer them to win.

Oh wow, great save by the Nigerian goalkeeper right now!

[DaveF]

Some great football in England - Italy! Certainly looks like these two will advance from the group, unless Uruguay can improve a lot (and Costa Rica has about equal chance, I think)

My prediction for the remaining Group D matches:

Italy to win both theirs
England to scrape a narrow one-goal win over Uruguay and draw with Costa Rica

giving a final table that looks like:

Italy         9
Costa Rica 4
England    4
Uruguay   0

[TheGSMoeller]

28 seconds in, US with a goal. Impressive.

[Wakefield]

My prediction for the remaining Group D matches:

Italy to win both theirs
England to scrape a narrow one-goal win over Uruguay and draw with Costa Rica

giving a final table that looks like:

Italy         9
Costa Rica 4
England    4
Uruguay   0

No doubt it's because I'm Chilean and I have seen so many Uruguayan teams winning different cups (one time and again) that intellectually I can accept Uruguay as last place in its group; but emotionally I find it hard to accept.

These guys have a tradition built in adversity.

I know it will sound as Magical Realism, but the ghosts of these guys play soccer and very well.

[TheGSMoeller]

I spent that entire match in wonder of how US was up 1-0. They had two good opportunities and they used them. Ghana looked much better, but a very nice, and nerve-wracking win for US. 

[NJ Joe]

I spent that entire match in wonder of how US was up 1-0. They had two good opportunities and they used them. Ghana looked much better, but a very nice, and nerve-wracking win for US. 

+1

[DaveF]

No doubt it's because I'm Chilean and I have seen so many Uruguayan teams winning different cups (one time and again) that intellectually I can accept Uruguay as last place in its group; but emotionally I find it hard to accept.

These guys have a tradition built in adversity.

I know it will sound as Magical Realism, but the ghosts of these guys play soccer and very well.

Apparently they're playing so badly because they haven't been allowed to take their dulce de leche into Brazil - something to do with import documentation - and without it they can't function.  Or so the BBC news website says.

[springrite]

Great game from Mexico, especially the keeper Ochoa. Brazil hardly impresses. No way this team is the favourite or even one of. Look for them to go out before the semis.

[springrite]

In 50 minutes, my community will start to rock.

This area of Beijing is 60% Korean.

[Gurn Blanston]

Apparently they're playing so badly because they haven't been allowed to take their dulce de leche into Brazil - something to do with import documentation - and without it they can't function.  Or so the BBC news website says.

Seems like the same story I heard with the Americans and their Chobani yoghurt at the Olympics just past. Perhaps Brazil have learned a trick from Putin....

In any case, I just enjoyed Brazil/Mexico. It may have been no score, but those two zeroes tell a lot of stories...

[Wakefield]

Apparently they're playing so badly because they haven't been allowed to take their dulce de leche into Brazil - something to do with import documentation - and without it they can't function.  Or so the BBC news website says.

Yes, they can't live without their dulce de leche and their "mate". But "mate" isn't a problem because it's also drunk in Southern Brazil. 

[Wakefield]

In any case, I just enjoyed Brazil/Mexico. It may have been no score, but those two zeroes tell a lot of stories...

I totally agree, it was a great game. I don't know if Mexico will do something important this time, but nobody will defeat them without a lot of sweat. 

[Wakefield]

Chile scares you: 

http://www.youtube.com/v/hWisXQUtL-0

http://www.youtube.com/v/PRuFLVhdXO0

[springrite]

Aussies did themselves proud. Great showing on the biggest stage. The better team did win. But to score two goals and scaring one of the favourites (not to mention the most impressive team after round one) is beyond most people's reasonable expectation.

[The new erato]

The English team visited a Brazilian orphanage yesterday, "It's heartbreaking to se their sad faces, without any hope", said Jose, age 6.