World Cup - Day 15
So last day before the Round of 16.
First game is the much anticipated Brazil vs. Portugal. Both teams are top 5 in FIFA rankings and both have looked good. Both teams are essentially in the next round so the outcome is more about seeding.
The 2nd morning game is North Korea Ivory Coast. Sadly Ivory Coast would need a Portugal loss and to make up like 9 points in goal diff to pass to the next round.
In the afternoon we start with Chile and Spain, both very good teams (Chile was #2 in the CONMEBOL conference). Spain needs a win as they currently sit tied with Switzerland with 3 points (and up 1 on goal difference). Chile needs at least a tie to pass first. If they lose then it all depends on the other game. If the Swiss beat Honduras and Spain wins you would have a 3 way tie with 6 points and it'll come down to goal difference.
Sounds like something I'd order at Dairy Queen.
Hahaha, opps, thanks, editing
Some sort of a sex act.
That sounds...uncomfortable.
More importantly, the US is in a great position right now to make a real run. Ghana is quite good, yet if we get past them tomorrow, then LOOK OUT.
Yeah, in a great great spot.... play Ghana and then hopefully the winner of Uruguay/South Korea.
Compare that with England. They have to play Germany next game and then the winner of Argentina/Mexico.
The Brazil-Portugal game will be a fun one to watch, both teams play a more up tempo game. Spain-Chile could be very entertaining as well, the Spanish are going come our hard to get the result so they advance.
Any chance Portugal plays for the draw? They'd be more likely to avoid Spain if they finish second in their group, and they might arguably want to play Chile over Spain. The draw to the semi-finals even looks better for the second-place finisher (Paraguay/Japan seems easier than Netherlands/Slovakia IMHE).
They really don't have a chance to get knocked out anyway, and there is no way of knowing how the Chile-Spain-Switzerland group is going to play out. I think Spain is going to get knocked out, but if Spain wins, they probably win the group, and if not, Chile wins the group. I think Portugal would rather play Switzerland, who would probably be second if they do advance. Also, Portugal should feel that it doesn't matter who they play, they should beat everyone anyway, so I don't think they're focusing on their draw.
I forgot the Swiss were still in the mix. Thanks.
Crazier things have happened... look at this story where the teams started playing each trying to score on itself:
yeah this site is starting to annoy.
Learn how to embed a youtube video, it isn't hard and has been explained numerous times.
- Copy the Embed Code from YouTube
- Switch to Plain Text Editor
- Paste
- Switch back to the rich text editor
- Make sure the video size isn't insane
- Post
- ?????
- Profit!
I didn't want to assume I could actually get negged merely for failing to embed. I honestly didn't know how until now. Thanks again.
Thanks man, that is helpful, I was trying to figure that out
True, but it helps to prevents the accidental 1280x720 embed.
From a historical standpoint, would this game be a rivalry like England v US?
I say this because the Portuguese were the ones who colonized Brazil so are there any hard feelings between these countries or any sense of rivalry?
They don't really play enough for a rivalry to develop. Portugal has Spain, Brazil has Argentina. And the whole ex colony beats its former master dynamic doesn't really work with the bigger new world countries like it does for Africa.
Man they are handing out yellow cards like candy. It hasn't been too physical either. The refs seem to be overly cautious here.
Anyone who's neutral should root hard for Honduras to at least hold on for the draw. The Swiss will play some of the ugliest soccer imaginable if they go through to the next round given the competition they'll face (either Brazil or Portugal). They'll put 10 guys behind the ball and hope for a fluke goal or penalties. And Chile or Spain against Brazil or Portugal are all tasty matches.
If you're a fan of the game though, you want Spain to win regardless. They are arguably the most talented squad in the tournament and have the most attractive game. And i'm not a fan of the big European teams so seeing France and Italy bow out early was awesome to say the least, but i'm definitely pulling for Spain to get out of their group.
Exactly, the best result for the fan of the game is Chile and Spain through. Spain is obvs and Chile has been very fun to watch, unless you get extremely frustrated at squandered chances.
Is the Brazilian keeper a transformer? What kind of mechanical device is strapped to his back?
Brazil/Portugal is always a fun game to watch
I echo the thoughts that the afternnon leg in Group H is where its at.
Spain/Chile was on many people's list as a top game during group play. And, it looks like one wont make it in if the Swiss take care of proper business.
High drama....and, if Spain does qualify, they are either playing Brazil or Portugal regardless of how that game turns out or eventual seed by Spain.
Great stuff.
(and,a JCB plug. There's a bit of a breakdown of who exactly Ghana is on the site today and there will be another roundtable posted later after the Knockout Bracket is complete. Other posts to follow even that. We got you covered for an exciting weekend of futbol)
This Brazil - Portugal game, however, is pretty mediocre stuff.
...ESPN GameCast guys are saying about it (read from bottom to top). Sounds pretty bad.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: There's your live analysis.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: This. Game. Is. Terrible.
Jeff Bradley: I think I just saw one of the Portuguese players smoking a cigarette
...from the GameCast.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Cramps. Speaking of bran.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Danny is down.
[Comment From Chris]
If the muffins were bran you'll have more movement than the second half of this game.
Jeff Bradley: I just ate my second muffin of the day, folks. That's a lot of calories
From the Guardian's gamecast...
68 min: Nothing to report.
70 min: Still nothing, in fairness. "All that on-field treatment time for Julio Cesar seemed to negate any momentum Portugal had gained from Ronaldo's run into the box," laments Will Oliver. "Suggestion: Require an injured goalkeeper to leave the field for treatment, just as outfield players must do. Seems only fair." That sure would give keepers an incentive not to feign injury ... and players an incentive to really maim them.
72 min: Dani Alves sends a wobbly shot far, far wide.
73 min: Tackle ... shove ... fall ... throw-in....
88 min: The stats show Brazil have had 61% of the possession. What they don't explain is that that has mostly involved stroking the ball around their own backline as Portugal deny them any openings. The crowd are now booing ...
90 min: Oh good. There will be five more minutes.
For those who missed it - you missed very little. Most boring game of the tournament (yes, worse than the France-Uruguay snoozefest). The two teams were perfectly happy with a draw. It was disturbingly reminiscent of the soccer game from The Simpsons, with the ESPN guys playing the role of Kent Brockman. ("Halfback . . . passes to the wing . . . back to the center . . . holds it . . . holds it...")
That Simpsons game, of course, also featured Portugal.
Spain are pretty bad by their standards so far... But Chile look like they may end with 8 men.
Wow. What a goalkeeping mistake. Great first time finish by Villa, though.
Awful referreeing. Late, tactical foul, should have been the Chilean's 2nd yellow.
Yeah, that was horrible. It's not even late. Chile has 55 minutes down a man.
Chile now melting down
EDIT: Another bad referreeing decision.
That totally warranted a red card...
But as a Liverpool fan, I'm thoroughly embarrassed by Torres right now. Not only does he look like Robbie Findley on the ball, but his shameful dive caused that second yellow for Chile.
It's one thing to dive when you're a truly dangerous player. Still sucks, but easier to take. It's revolting for someone who's playing like garbage on the pitch to continue to cheat for an advantage.
If I wasn't sure that his transfer fee would go right into Tom and George's Cayman Islands accounts, I'd half support LFC selling him and buying a couple of top drawer players who have a better chance of avoiding injury with the cash.
He got clipped. He may have stayed down, but his back leg definitely got clipped. It looked accidental, and I don't think the ref needed to go yellow, especially given the goal, but Torres didn't dive.
That said, Estrada should have been gone 10 minutes earlier for the foul on Iniesta.
He does look like Robbie Findlay on the ball, though. He's shockingly rusty.
Chile pull a goal back, and now the Swiss need to score 2 in the other game.
And Spain cannot give up the equalizer. Or can they afford to?
Spain go through on a tie if SWI-HON remains tied.
I love Bielsa. This man needs to manage a major club team so I can enjoy his work more often. The way Chile plays by attacking everyone with speed and width is absolutely fantastic. I'd imagine if he was able to build a team with players of his choosing (rather then making due with the current generation of some national team) it would be fantastic to watch.
The SUI-HON game has actually been pretty good. I've tried watching both, but can't keep up.
The Swiss -Honduras game has suddenly become wildly entertaining. Great save by the Swiss keeper as Honduras break.
I love espn 3.
Tremendous save by the Swiss goalie to get a hand on it. Honduras had two in the box with a one-on-one with the goalie after the cross. Huge save.