FIFA World Cup 2014

hmm Russia had some pretty good attacks, thought they rely mostly on long passing shots, i was hoping they'd score.

Martens is so sharp in his play, and very dangerous, hopefully the Russians will score and win. let's see the 2nd half.

I think we need a match like that about once every three or four days so we can fully appreciate the excitement elsewhere in the tournament. Pretty dire stuff for about 85 minutes, until someone gave Eden Hazard a prod. You have to hand it to Wilmots though, another one of his subs has done the business for him.

Russia lost.

I think the next game will be boring, I'm thinking of going to bed tonight earlier, because tomorrow we have very exciting games and I'll have to chose which once to watch. Always a tough call, because sometimes  i flip through both games and i end up not seeing anything from either game, so now ill have to choose

On behalf of the country of Belgium, I would like to apologize to the rest of the world for that display. Shittest game I have seen at the WC (with the caveat that I did not see Nigeria-Iran, which was apparently also dire).

Happy with the three points and for that kid Origi.

Very impressed by how cool Origi's finish was, a good goal all round. I assume Lukaku will lose his starting place now, immobile and seemingly uninterested in the play in the opposition third. Belgium look to me like they need open space to operate well, and neither Russia nor Algeria allowed them much. A Capello team, a Capello game.

Another great night for the Africans, (Y) African teams are really doing big this CUP.

Wow Algeria won 4-2,the first win for an Arabian country in the WC in 16 years,a historic win then.Amazing match from both teams.

On a side note,I don't know but seems that the era of Europe and Brazil to rule the WC competition is coming into an end,with so ordinary,weak performances from Brazilians,Germans,Italians,Spanish,English,Portugese,and others,except Dutch and French.South Americans and Africans are showing better,advanced performances.

On the balance of play, Nigeria were good value for their win last night. Frustration for Bosnia though, especially when you consider their bad luck in Dzeko's goal being wrongly disallowed. Can't help feeling for a decent side who had a real chance of making it to the next round, only to end up with nothing.

And a wrong allowed goal for Nigeria,I think.

Very bad refereeing at Nigeria x Bosnia match.from both main referee and linesman.They both acted weirdly and very wrongly.

don't know which is more pathetic...that shanked clearance or Nani scoring on them.

Less than one minute away from taking the win... then that heartbreaking goal
 
And jeezes, Bradley is getting some serious hate at the moment

all the goals USA have conceded this world cup have come off of dumb turnovers.

If I'm not mistaken, Portugal and the USA was the last of the late night group matches.
 
CONCACAF coming on strong at the moment. You can't help but admire the USA's attitude, they're a hell of a lot more than the sum of their parts. After a shaky opening they kept possession well, played a few telling passes, and with a bit more cutting edge up front would have helped themselves to a relatively comfortable victory. Barring the unlikely event of a fully fit Ronaldo (or a completely different Portuguese team) turning up on Thursday, I suspect Ghana will beat Portugal in the last group game, in which case it could come down to goal difference between Ghana and the USA for the final place. Promises to be very tight, nail biting stuff, wouldn't rule out a couple of late twists.

I can honestly say that I didn't expect to see such a classy attacking display from Algeria last night, albeit against a Korean defence apparently comprised of holograms rather than humans in the first half. Brahimi's fourth goal was one of the best collective efforts I've seen at the tournament so far. For all the talk of African regression lately, they could quite easily occupy four places in the knockout rounds this year.

Agree, Algeria really impressed me last night.

What is it with all recent games that the interesting part begins at the 80+ minute and ends at 90+(5)??

I'm happy for the Dutch of course great last 10 minutes of the game. From now on, ill be sitting only for the second half of the games, because the first half seems like everyone is still asleep on the field.

I heard Spain scored 3 goals in the other game! Great, but a bit too late, 2 games too late.

Hopefully Holland doesn't meet Brazil in the next round, but the way it seems right now, the shouldn't

Partially face-saving result for Spain. Seeing the old Torres-Villa partnership one last time was terribly evocative, particularly with both getting on the scoresheet. A bit of a sad way for the Aussies to sign off, they played too well for too long to deserve elimination without a single point.

Chile and Holland didn't live up to expectations at all, pretty intriguing tactical exchange though. On paper, this is one of the weaker Dutch sides I've seen at a World Cup. In reality, they're a well-drilled and super efficient outfit who look capable of going far in the tournament, although Sneijder appears a shadow of the player he was four years ago. Chile will be disappointed not to have avoided Brazil, but I have a hunch they'll beat them.

French TV presenter Smail Bouabdellah celebrates Algeria's victory. This is how you do football coverage!

^ LOl     Very funny.

But notice,his name seems Arabian,so he's rooting for Algeria I think,I mean not ordinary match for him,IMO.

What is it with all recent games that the interesting part begins at the 80+ minute and ends at 90+(5)??

 

I'm happy for the Dutch of course great last 10 minutes of the game. From now on, ill be sitting only for the second half of the games, because the first half seems like everyone is still asleep on the field.

I feel  the same with matches of recent days.

And here comes this last match of tonight,with Mexico scoring all 3 goals in the last 20 mns of the match followed by a goal for Croatia in the last 7 mns.

Seems like this is big approving for your theory,

Haha yes it is. I was sad Van Persie didn't play last night, but he should be in next game.

The later games were too late for me last night, but I checked the scores and wow Brazil!! But glad they are not facing Holland next.

Conclusive proof that Neymar is in fact good at football, the guy is almost singlehandedly carrying his team and the hopes of a nation on his back. While there were glimpses of the old Brazil, they were few and far between and the flattering nature of the scoreline was largely down to Cameroon’s complete incompetence at the back. Still have no idea what the point of Hulk is, and Paulinho looks so un-Brazilian in his play, he should be stripped of the ‘inho’ suffix to just Paul. It's already happened to Fred, Bernard and Jo.
 
Glad to see Mexico get through to the next round, they were so impressive in all three of their group games, particularly after enduring such a torrid qualifying campaign. Their midfield was superb in their pressing, which kept Modric and Rakitic out of the game. Cracking consolation goal from Croatia though, this World Cup continues to impress, even teams facing certain elimination seem to be bringing quality.
 
Always a bit of a pity when the group stages draw to a close and half the teams start heading home. Goodbye Modric, Rakitic and Mandzukic, adios Spain, farewell Cameroon.

^ LOl     Very funny.

But notice,his name seems Arabian,so he's rooting for Algeria I think,I mean not ordinary match for him,IMO.

I don't know much about him, but he's described online as a Franco-Algerian journalist, so he definitely has a vested interest. I suppose you'd have to have one to even consider doing a dance like that on national TV.

Rooting for Mexico now, just so we get more of this from Miguel Herrera...