A glorious night.
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.
A glorious night.
Author of Never Felt Better (History, Film Reviews).
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.
Last edited by osarusan; 13/06/2014 at 9:23 PM.
I welcome anything that shatters the illusion of Casillas as a great goalkeeper.
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.
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.
Last edited by The Fly; 13/06/2014 at 10:04 PM.
1-0 Chile after ten minutes.
Might reckon they have Spain in their sights.
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.
2-0 now, poor Australia they could be on the end of the wrong sort of records at this world cup.
Author of Never Felt Better (History, Film Reviews).
Worst cross of the tournament just now from Leckie. Blasted it out for a throw from inside the box.
Author of Never Felt Better (History, Film Reviews).
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.
Tim Cahill still has that ability to score headers.
Almost 2-2 there.
After two quiet enough games to start, this World Cup is really coming to life now.
Chile have to win this comfortably enough. The amount of space they're being given on the wings is criminal.
Author of Never Felt Better (History, Film Reviews).
Cahill seems to be taking on Chile on his own.
2-1's a respectable score in that regard.
Another disallowed goal, but its a great shout this time.
Author of Never Felt Better (History, Film Reviews).
This is what the World Cup is all about. Great game.
Bookmarks