2014 World Cup

**NeverFeltBetter** · 15/07/2014, 9:13 AM

Mascherano slid in a bit recklessly on Schweinsteiger in ET, easily worthy of a second yellow. It was bonkers how Aguero stayed on though, he could easily have been shown a straight red for his offence.

**ArdeeBhoy** · 15/07/2014, 9:26 AM

Thanks Osa, though 'not available'...but do recall now.

Not sure how intentional, but definitely reckless, worth a booking. Plus Aguero should probably have walked. Normally too soft in the CL/EPL but that would been a definite red there.

**geysir** · 15/07/2014, 10:31 AM

Originally Posted by DannyInvincible

I didn't think it was that bad a final. It was tense, fairly open with both teams having chances and was decided by a terrific goal. It wasn't as if both teams shut up shop completely. Neuer was great once again and maybe should have won the Golden Ball on second thoughts. I certainly don't think Messi did enough throughout the tournament to deserve it.

Messi didn't deserve it because he didn't do enough in the game that mattered, but up to the finals he produced Messi moments of outstanding ability, enough to swing games on their own but would have had to be the game changer in the Final as well to earn a serious consideration for the golden ball. I don't know what the verdict was on why it wasn't the 'Messi final', tiredness, Argentine tactics or just good covering by Germany?
Likewise I enjoyed the game, it was titanic, either team would have deserved it and good that it didn't go to penalties.

**NeverFeltBetter** · 15/07/2014, 10:59 AM

He did looked wrecked in the last two games. I think he's played every minute of all seven of his nations matches. But, then again, I'm sure he's not the only one.

**Charlie Darwin** · 15/07/2014, 2:28 PM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

Have to say Neuer had eyes only for (and got) the ball for me. Good keeping. Though at least one person I was watching with did mention Toni Schumacher.

SI - the Vlaar penalty is covered a couple of pages back

Schumacher is a bit OTT but it was reckless. The funny thing was the referee awarding Neuer the free kick. Higuain was distraught - he's running after the ball and about to get to it before the goalkeeper comes and knees him in the face at full speed. As baffling a decision as you'll see.

**pineapple stu** · 15/07/2014, 3:04 PM

I can only plead keeper's union!

It does look worse now than it did on Sunday for some reason.

Did Neuer actually get a free out of it? Don't remember that! That's clearly nonsense.

**Charlie Darwin** · 15/07/2014, 3:13 PM

Yep, free kick for Neuer. Baffling.

**pineapple stu** · 15/07/2014, 3:50 PM

Just can't challenge keepers these days, can you?

**DannyInvincible** · 15/07/2014, 3:54 PM

Originally Posted by A N Mouse

Taking for granted they weren't born in Germany, trying to be kind to whoever came up with the figure of 18.

Only other explainations is was for provisional squads, or inclues german parentage. Which is too much wiki work

Taking us back a few weeks to the middle of the World Cup, this - them were the days! - but I read an article today about German youth football and it mentioned that current Fulham player and Iran international Ashkan Dejagah played for Germany at numerous under-age levels before switching to play for Iran at senior level. He was born in Tehran, but his family moved to Berlin when he was one. He might be another one of those who some sources erroneously included in their list of Germany-born players playing for other countries besides Germany.

**DannyInvincible** · 15/07/2014, 4:02 PM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

I can only plead keeper's union!

It does look worse now than it did on Sunday for some reason.

Did Neuer actually get a free out of it? Don't remember that! That's clearly nonsense.

Aye, it was a shocker alright. Neuer was the one with the force behind him. Was it bordering on excessive? Some might say it was.

Was Kramer OK, by the way? Even when he was being helped off ten minutes after his head was on the receiving end of a heavy shoulder, he still looked very shaky and dazed. I hadn't heard anything about him after that.

**pineapple stu** · 15/07/2014, 4:14 PM

Kramer was in with everyone else celebrating at the end anyway, so he can't have been that bad.

**Charlie Darwin** · 15/07/2014, 4:16 PM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

Just can't challenge keepers these days, can you?

I know that's the clich�, but in this case he didn't even challenge the keeper. He was chasing the ball 20 yards from goal and just got completely cleaned out.

**Stuttgart88** · 15/07/2014, 4:19 PM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

Kramer was in with everyone else celebrating at the end anyway, so he can't have been that bad.

Someone probably told him he scored the winner.

He was clearly concussed.

**DannyInvincible** · 15/07/2014, 6:03 PM

Kramer's claimed he doesn't recall the first half, nor how or when he made it into the dressing room: http://www.theguardian.com/football/...ember-anything

Originally Posted by The Guardian

Christoph Kramer has admitted he cannot remember anything about his performance in the World Cup final after he suffered a head injury early in the first half of the victory over Argentina.

The Borussia M�nchengladback midfielder was a late replacement for Sami Khedira, who was injured in the warm-up before the game at the Maracan�. Kramer collapsed to the ground following a sickening collision after 19 minutes with Ezequiel Garay when his jaw smashed into the Argentinian defender’s shoulder. The 23-year-old had lengthy treatment before being allowed to carry on.

But, obviously groggy, he was replaced after 31 minutes by Andr� Sch�rrle, who was to set up Mario G�tze’s winning goal in extra-time.

“I can’t remember that much from the game,” Kramer said. “I don’t know anything from the first half. I thought later that I went straight off after the incident. How I got to the changing rooms I do not know. I don’t know anything else. The game, in my head, starts only in the second half.”

The incident involving Kramer, who was playing his first competitive game for Germany, led Fifpro, the world players’ union, to accuse Fifa of failing to protect players during the World Cup with its treatment of concussion.

**jbyrne** · 16/07/2014, 7:24 AM

just read that we are one of only 3 teams that have never failed to get out of our group at a world cup finals. germany and holland being the others. impressive if true?

**DannyInvincible** · 16/07/2014, 11:06 AM

Originally Posted by jbyrne

just read that we are one of only 3 teams that have never failed to get out of our group at a world cup finals. germany and holland being the others. impressive if true?

If only we qualified more regularly!

**BonnieShels** · 16/07/2014, 3:14 PM

I love those pointless stats.

Italy have a horrendous group record but have 4 World Cups to their name. I'd take that.

**jbyrne** · 16/07/2014, 4:02 PM

Originally Posted by BonnieShels

I love those pointless stats.

Italy have a horrendous group record but have 4 World Cups to their name. I'd take that.

not sure how a stat that shows that we have been competitive at each of the 3 world cups we've qualified for is "pointless" but each to their own i suppose

**centre mid** · 16/07/2014, 4:29 PM

Originally Posted by jbyrne

just read that we are one of only 3 teams that have never failed to get out of our group at a world cup finals. germany and holland being the others. impressive if true?

East Germany have failed to qualify for a major tournament since 1974