2014 World Cup

[DannyInvincible]

This unfolding result is a disaster for the Russians. They'll need to beat Algeria by two clear goals as it stands, and it could yet get worse.

Wouldn't a simple victory for Russia suffice, assuming Belgium also beat South Korea? Russia are on one point at the minute. Algeria will have three if they win this. Russia would finish on four points if they beat Algeria in the final round of games.

Algeria are walking all over South Korea here. The Russians must be livid watching this. Why didn't they go for it in their opener?

[OwlsFan]

Isn't great when an African team goes out to attack from the start. Two beautiful hoof ball goals as well.

[NeverFeltBetter]

Wouldn't a simple victory for Russia suffice, assuming Belgium also beat South Korea? Russia are on one point at the minute. Algeria will have three if they win this. Russia would finish on four points if they beat Algeria in the final round of games.

Algeria are walking all over South Korea here. The Russians must be livid watching this. Why didn't they go for it in their opener?

You're right, for some reason I thought Algeria had a point already.

[DannyInvincible]

He nutmegged the keeper from seven yards after taking it down on his back. Impressive!

[DannyInvincible]

South Korea have been a lot more positive this half - they've had no other option - but that goal will surely have burst any bubble of resurgence.

[Razors left peg]

Almost didnt bother watching this game.... should have known better in this World cup!

[Stuttgart88]

I didn't watch. Saving my family credits for USA v Portugal.

[DannyInvincible]

I mentioned it at the time in the eligibility thread that I was listening to the Guardian's World Cup Football daily podcast the other day and James Richardson claimed that on top of their 23-man squads, France and Germany are the best-represented nations at the tournament with 16 and 18 extra players respectively participating in the tournament who would be eligible to play for them except for the fact they are presently representing other countries. I suppose I just accepted it to be true at the time without really thinking too much further about it, but I'm struggling to think of who these 18 German players to whom Richardson would have been referring are. I know 16 members of the Algerian team are from France, but I'm struggling trying to think of 18 Germans not playing for Germany. There's Boateng for Ghana, of course, and there are three or four Germans in the USA squad. Can anyone think of who the others would be?

[pineapple stu]

Would they be in the Dutch, Belgian and Swiss squads? German grandparents; something like that. You wouldn't really know with the names.

[BonnieShels]

I mentioned it at the time in the eligibility thread that I was listening to the Guardian's World Cup Football daily podcast the other day and James Richardson claimed that on top of their 23-man squads, France and Germany are the best-represented nations at the tournament with 16 and 18 extra players respectively participating in the tournament who would be eligible to play for them except for the fact they are presently representing other countries. I suppose I just accepted it to be true at the time without really thinking too much further about it, but I'm struggling to think of who these 18 German players to whom Richardson would have been referring are. I know 16 members of the Algerian team are from France, but I'm struggling trying to think of 18 Germans not playing for Germany. There's Boateng for Ghana, of course, and there are three or four Germans in the USA squad. Can anyone think of who the others would be?

There was an awful article I read last week on the same subject which delineated foreigners as people not born on that territory but neglecting to realise that the likes of Martinique, French Guiana and Saint-Martin etc. are France. They're not in Europe but they are French. I wouldn't be surprised that the information that Richardson referred to in his article would be similarly flawed.

[Stuttgart88]

Danny, look at tonight's USA game for a start. Very interesting article actually.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/foo...-USA-side.html

[geysir]

Isn't great when an African team goes out to attack from the start. Two beautiful hoof ball goals as well.

Algeria are well ahead so far in the race for the Trapattoni golden hoof award. They excel in the classic lines, the appropriate hoof, wing play, set pieces, hard team work, grit and they look like a team of Jon Walters.

[pineapple stu]

What on earth were the American team doing during their anthem?

Ronaldo "risking his career" and playing against doctors' advice tonight?

[BonnieShels]

Danny, look at tonight's USA game for a start. Very interesting article actually.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/foo...-USA-side.html

I saw this being referred to last week. But is it really surprising given the plethora of American bases in Germany still. Lots of Americans are born in Germany as a result.

Being born in a stable...

[pineapple stu]

That's the US I remember as a kid.

I still can't quite get to terms with the idea that they're quite good, and have been for a while.

[BonnieShels]

Brutal from the US.

[DannyInvincible]

Lovely bit of play from Ronaldo before Nani's goal, but if that above story is true, it's incredibly reckless from both the player himself and the management team. Group stage of the World Cup or not, I can't imagine Ronaldo would be allowed to play if there was a serious risk the injury he's carrying could end his career.

[BonnieShels]

That's the US I remember as a kid.

I still can't quite get to terms with the idea that they're quite good, and have been for a while.

Me too. It's pretty annoying. Same goes for Oz qualifying for world Cups. I'll never forget being the lone Uruguay supporter in 2005 in Federation Square, Melbourne when they qualified. Eugh.

Bring back the 90s.

[DannyInvincible]

Is that a medieval tunic Klinsmann's wearing?!

[pineapple stu]

it's incredibly reckless from both the player himself and the management team.

Just on this - wtf were Uruguay doing letting the unconscious, and then staggering, player play on against England? Literally unbelievable stuff.