2014 World Cup

[geysir]

It will be interesting to see how Spain respond - they'll probably end up against Brazil in the 2nd round now.
I picked Chile and Netherlands to go through in this group. Now that Biesla is not with Chile, they are less prone to suicidal tactics.
I suspect the game between them and Netherlands, will be the group winner game. I'd have some hope for a Netherland Brazil last 16 game.

[NeverFeltBetter]

A glorious night.

[osarusan]

I picked Chile and Netherlands to go through in this group. Now that Biesla is not with Chile, they are less prone to suicidal tactics.
I suspect the game between them and Netherlands, will be the group winner game. I'd have some hope for a Netherland Brazil last 16 game.

Spain v Chile will be a big one. Spain will have to know that Netherlands won't do Spain any favours in their last game against Chile, so they'll need to win, and Chile will know that.

I still think they're good enough, although the way the fell apart tonight was terrible. If they go behind against Chile, or even if they feel they need to really attack because of tonight's result, the could be caught on the counter again.

Just looking at the highlights, a high back line and slow centre-halves was a recipe for disaster against players like Robben.

[The Fly]

I welcome anything that shatters the illusion of Casillas as a great goalkeeper.

[geysir]

Spain v Chile will be a big one. Spain will have to know that Netherlands won't do Spain any favours in their last game against Chile, so they'll need to win, and Chile will know that.

I still think they're good enough, although the way the fell apart tonight was terrible. If they go behind against Chile, or even if they feel they need to really attack because of tonight's result, the could be caught on the counter again.

Just looking at the highlights, a high back line and slow centre-halves was a recipe for disaster against players like Robben.
That's fair enough,
it definitely adds the unexpected question to the equation, just how do Spain respond to such a hammering? and respond positively inside a few days.
That's very new territory for Spain. Football excellence has been their hallmark over the past 6 or 8 years, a type of football when played well was unsurpassable by the best of the rest.
Brazil folk will be very happy though, they were a bit aghast that Spain had taken their mantle of playing the beautiful game.

[geysir]

I welcome anything that shatters the illusion of Casillas as a great goalkeeper.
I was just thinking before the game that Casillas would be my nr 1 goalkeeper of all time. Most consistent, versatile all rounder and ...... very good with penalties.
I still think so, just he should have retired before tonight :)

[The Fly]

I was just thinking before the game that Casillas would be my nr 1 goalkeeper of all time. Most consistent, versatile all rounder and ...... very good with penalties.


I thought he was a very good goalkeeper at his peak, but never a truly great one. I think his career with Madrid and the Spanish national team has flattered him to a significant degree. Off the top of my head, in the 20 years I've been watching the game I would rank Schmeichel, Khan and Buffon as truly great goalkeepers. I never put Casillas in that category despite him having a comparable or better career.

I view him in a similar light to Raul; both club legends at Madrid but transfer them to another club and I think neither would've risen to the level that their club careers suggest they belong.

[pineapple stu]

1-0 Chile after ten minutes.

Might reckon they have Spain in their sights.

[pineapple stu]

2-0 after 12 minutes.

Spain v Chile is suddenly a very, very interesting game.

Is 5-1 the worst defeat a world champion has suffered in the World Cup?

Australian defence is all over the shop; with Holland and Spain to come, they could be looking at a performance to rival ours at Euro 2012.

[Closed Account 2]

2-0 now, poor Australia they could be on the end of the wrong sort of records at this world cup.

[NeverFeltBetter]

2-0 after 12 minutes.

Spain v Chile is suddenly a very, very interesting game.

Is 5-1 the worst defeat a world champion has suffered in the World Cup?

Australian defence is all over the shop; with Holland and Spain to come, they could be looking at a performance to rival ours at Euro 2012.

According to Twitter, yes.

[NeverFeltBetter]

Worst cross of the tournament just now from Leckie. Blasted it out for a throw from inside the box.

[pineapple stu]

2-1! Cahill

Didn't see that coming.

Kerr was talking about Chile resting players in the second half ahead of the other two games. Spoke too soon.

[osarusan]

Tim Cahill still has that ability to score headers.

[pineapple stu]

Almost 2-2 there.

After two quiet enough games to start, this World Cup is really coming to life now.

[NeverFeltBetter]

Chile have to win this comfortably enough. The amount of space they're being given on the wings is criminal.

[pineapple stu]

According to Twitter, yes.
Bit of ad break googling - France 3-0 Brazil in the 1998 World Cup final was the biggest win over a reigning champion before.

There's been two goal wins lots of times, though Brazil's two two goal defeats in 1966 are unique.

[pineapple stu]

Cahill seems to be taking on Chile on his own.

2-1's a respectable score in that regard.

[NeverFeltBetter]

Another disallowed goal, but its a great shout this time.

[Real ale Madrid]

This is what the World Cup is all about. Great game.

[BonnieShels]

I hope this starts restoring credibility to 3 at the back. I've always loved it.

Ah yes. I remember a discussion with your good self about solving our LB problem by going with a 3.
3-5-2 has always been my favourite formation.

[pineapple stu]

Presume they're Chilean firecrackers rather than FIFA ones?

Amazed they managed to sneak them in. Or are they from the official firecracker partner of FIFA?

Australia ran out of puff the last 20 or so, and the game drifted off. Third goal for Chile capped the game nicely though. Deserved to win.

[NeverFeltBetter]

Last 20 minutes was super dull, but the goal livened up the very end at least. Australia poor in most respects. Chile not great in defence. I'd say they'll both lose their remaining games.

[bennocelt]

World Cup was excellent yesterday. First game was dull but the last two matches were brilliant.
Mexico deserved to win the first game. Makes you wonder why teams go to the bother of qualifying to park 6 players in defence, Cameroon were brutal.
Holland were amazing, Robben and Persie are some strike force, and Spain looked clueless.
Chile and Australia was a real end to end game, loved it. Pity the Aussies are in such a tough group, as they always perform well enough, and Cahill was brilliant.
Chile are great going forward but they have a very leaky defence. Their match with Spain will be some game, Spain that doesnt play with forwards and Chile who cant defend.

[osarusan]

Holland were amazing

I'm still not too sure about this. I've been seeing some comments(not on here, thankfully) about 'the end of an era', or worse, 'the passing of the torch' and stuff like that.

I think it was a case of a Spanish implosion (and Casillas mostly) with the Dutch having the ability to take advantage.

Spain were the better side for most of the first half I thought, and even when they went 2-1 down there was no sign of an era ending or alarm bells ringing. Then Casillas missed the flight of the ball for the 3rd, completely messed up for the 4th, and the 5th was a result of desperation.

The Dutch were good, and clinical at the end, but I can't read too much into it yet.

I think it's far too early to be calling it the end of an era, and after watching the Chile game, I still expect the Spanish to get out of the group.

[Stuttgart88]

I wonder if somewhere in Spanish cyberspace there's a poster on foot.es called Pablo who has been predicting a 5-1 thrashing for years and has been warning that Casillas would cost them a big game.

[Stuttgart88]

Tim Cahill still has that ability to score headers.
Quality analysis. I was struggling to draw a conclusion from Tim Cahill's headed goal until I read that.

:)

[geysir]

Chile are a bit lightweight, still look like a bunch of kids having a good time out there.

Mexico are the closest to us, sneaked qualification, high workrate, average ability, aged look, defenders one paced, dodgy decisions,, strikers can miss sitters, wild fans, enthusiasm and support surpasses the team's ability by a factor of 10.

[Closed Account 2]

I think it's far too early to be calling it the end of an era, and after watching the Chile game, I still expect the Spanish to get out of the group.

Im not so sure, Australia exposed a Chilean weakness out wide and dealing with crosses into the box, can Spain exploit this? Possibly if they use Navas, Pedro and Costa (Llorente would have been ideal too), but if they field the same outfield players that started against Holland I dont think so. It will require a major change from Del Bosque and possibly dropping one (or more) of the Xavi and Iniesta duo. Currently the only genuine player with an attacking ability in wide areas (that they started with) is Alba and him going forward could let Chile in. Also there is the issue that Spain, especially the defensive players (Pique, Ramos) looked flakey when quick players ran at them directly (Robben and even to an extent Schneijder) or made sudden runs in behind them, this could be a problem with Alexis Sanchez, Vidal (if fit), Isla or Vargas playing. Bravo is also an excellent keeper, as we saw with his double save from Bresciano, so Spain will need to be very clincial to beat him.

I think it will be a draw, but there is a slight chance that a narrow win for Spain might not be enough, if they win 1-0 then they will be level with Chile after two games but 3 goals behind (-3 vs 0) going into the last game. Sticking with this scenario of a 1-0 Spain win, assuming Holland beat Australia by 3 or 4 goals they will be in an almost uncatchable position - no one can exceed 6 points and they will be on +7 or +8 goals, Holland could lose to Chile say 1-0 and both of those teams could make it through if Spain dont beat Australia by a big margin. I think Spain will need to beat Chile by a clear margin to take things back into their hands in terms of making the knock outs. Either way that last pair of matches should be very exciting.

[Crosby87]

What do you guys think about a parlay of the 2 late games?
I was thinking england and italy 1-1 draw, and Japan over Ivory 3-1. What would you all bet if u were betting? You have to call the score to make the big bucks.

[pineapple stu]

What a start in the Columbia v Greece game! Not something I thought I'd be saying. Greece playing ok too in fairness.

Some Colombian support in the ground. And a quality goal celebration to boot.

Great start to the epic Saturday all told!

[pineapple stu]

Almost every Greek player has a beard too. Add that the defensive naivety of the only African side we've seen so far and national stereotype bingo is going well.

[pineapple stu]

Commentator wikipedia blunder added to the bingo. Holebas a waiter before he became a footballer? His dad was a waiter, not him. (I'll allow that the wiki article is fairly badly written, presumably by someone for whom English isn't a first language)

[Charlie Darwin]

Almost every Greek player has a beard too. Add that the defensive naivety of the only African side we've seen so far and national stereotype bingo is going well.
The Spaniards proved they don't like it up 'em too. Good show everybody.

[BonnieShels]

This game needs to stay this way for the pool,thank you very much.

[Charlie Darwin]

Colombia haven't looked at all impressive. Japan to do a job on Ivory Coast tonight and top the pool.

[pineapple stu]

Enjoyable enough game overall. Some super defending from Greece in the first half. Colombia did very little after going ahead until they got their second, but did better from there in. Greece died away after hitting the bar.

Osarusan - are Japan likely to be up to anything? Or is it looking like Colombia and Ivory Coast in the second round?

Bit of additional googling on my earlier question of worst defeats for reigning champions in the World Cup; last night's game was joint for the worst result ever by a reigning champion (any tournament). Ties with Italy 0-4 England in 1948 (bit harsh as it was a completely different team to the one that won in 1938), Belgium 5-1 Brazil in 1963 and Portugal 4-0 Spain in 2010.

Anyways, on to the next one.

[Crosby87]

Thousands of empty seats for this Uruguay match.

[DeLorean]

I view him in a similar light to Raul; both club legends at Madrid but transfer them to another club and I think neither would've risen to the level that their club careers suggest they belong.

Yeah nothing like the comfort zone of having to perform for the biggest club in the world to create the illusion that you're world class. The Bernabeu crowd are a forgiving bunch :)

[pineapple stu]

Uruguay v Costa Rica must be how Ireland games in 94 seemed to the neutral. An ageing squad badly missing their main forward who are largely devoid of ideas other than to hoof long balls.

Ivory Coast or Colombia to beat England in the second round?

[DeLorean]

Possibly if they use Navas, Pedro and Costa (Llorente would have been ideal too), but if they field the same outfield players that started against Holland I dont think so.

I fairly sure I read that Navas didn't make the squad, unless he got a late call up I didn't hear about?

[pineapple stu]

Looks like an awful lot of empty seats at this one

[pineapple stu]

Super goal. Costa Rica deserve that. Or maybe more accurately, Uruguay deserve that.

[Stuttgart88]

So, 3-1. Interesting. Uruguay look ordinary. It's not often Andy Townsend is worth quoting, but one paced and straight lines is exactly what I thought.

But was Duarte not a couple of feet offside for the second goal?

Costa Rica must put something in their tea at half time. Makes our result look more respectable.

Joel Campbell must be playing his way into the Arsenal squad for next season. If Yaya Sanogo can play for them...

[pineapple stu]

But was Duarte not a couple of feet offside for the second goal?
Maybe a smidgen offside, but not that much. Remember the arm doesn't count. It was a very tight call, and I think you yourself suggested (correctly, as far as I know) that in doubt, advantage should be given to the attacking player.

Three superb goals; Costa Rica were a joy to watch once they got going. Uruguay's only contribution was to add to my stereotype bingo card - rough, nasty fouling. Pereira's kick was a disgrace. I think I said it in the Ireland v Costa Rica thread too, but CR are exactly the kind of team I can see giving England trouble.

After a slow start, this World Cup is really picking up.

[geysir]

So, 3-1. Interesting. Uruguay look ordinary. It's not often Andy Townsend is worth quoting, but one paced and straight lines is exactly what I thought.

But was Duarte not a couple of feet offside for the second goal?

Costa Rica must put something in their tea at half time. Makes our result look more respectable.

Joel Campbell must be playing his way into the Arsenal squad for next season. If Yaya Sanogo can play for them...
Campbell is a good Arsenal name.

I didn't think there was that much difference between 1st and 2nd half from Costa Rica, it was more Uruguay who wilted through being one paced. Costa Rica have a good quality and gradually took their grip on the game. They have adjusted well to losing 4 from their original squad. A great result for the smaller football nation, here's hoping they make it through.

[osarusan]

Osarusan - are Japan likely to be up to anything? Or is it looking like Colombia and Ivory Coast in the second round?

.
This time is absolutely the golden generation for Japanese football. They have best midfield they've ever had. They probably have the best strikers ever too. They are very very good at passing the ball and creating chances.

I think they are pretty weak defensively though, and I'm not sure how they handle the pressure of expectation at a World Cup. They've selected good passers of the ball at the expense of some strength in midfield too, which might be a problem.

I think they have a chance of finishing second in the group behind Colombia, because I don't think Ivory Coast are all that good.

[Crosby87]

Italy and engie look like they have cement in their shoes. Too hot in the rain forest? Also how old is Pirlo? He looks like he is in his 50s. I thought italians all aged like sofia loren.
Im betting heavily on Japan. Anyone else wagering?

[Stuttgart88]

This is a cracking game too. Two lovely goals. England look more threatening in the final third. Apart from Rooney looking a little lost on the left (though what a cross) this is the best balanced England team I've seen in a long time.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Italy controlling the midfield but they are missing someone to link the play up or offer a proper goalscoring threat. Pity Darmian is a RB and not a LB. If he can do what he is doing to Baines, imagine what he could do to Johnson.

Welbeck and Stirling are what Italy are missing up front. Torturing Italy's defence. Chiellini out of position is disadvantageous.

Gerrard in being pedestrian and bossed by Pirlo and Candreva et al. at this level shocker.