Posted on 06/14/2014 12:15:55 AM PDT by nickcarraway
Host Brazil kicked off the 2014 World Cup on Thursday with a 3-1 win over Croatia. Three more matches took place today (with four slated for Saturday, including Costa Rica vs. Uruguay at 1 p.m.). Here are the best shots from all of Friday’s games.
See the full schedule for the group stage of the World Cup here.
Group A: Mexico vs. Cameroon
After having their first two goals disallowed, Mexico finally got one that counted in the second half against Cameroon. El Tri then held on for the 1-0 victory.
Group B: Spain vs. Netherlands
The Netherlands got their revenge on Spain in this rematch of the 2010 World Cup final. While Spain struck first on a penalty, the Dutch responded with five unanswered goals to take the 5-1 victory. Netherlands’ first goal, an astounding diving header by Robin Van Persie, might be the best goal anyone will see all tournament.
Group B: Chile vs. Australia
Chile came out with two quick goals in the first half, but then the Chileans found themselves having to hang on against the lowest ranked team in the World Cup. Australia got one goal back, and missed a few chances to equalize before Chile broke through again late to finish off the Socceroos, 3-1.
For the record, box score: http://us.soccerway.com/matches/2014/06/14/world/world-cup/uruguay/costa-rica/1220088/?ICID=HP_MS_01_03
3 yellow cards and one red for Uruguay.
No cards for Costa Rica.
At half time, possession was very much in Uruguay’s favor, I wondered if they even had it correct over at soccer way, game ended with possession fairly even. I can’t trust all of their stats, they are probably correct in general.
Good point. Fortune favors the brave. There is no fear with youth. I think Klinsmann knows what he is doing.
England had to labor to defeat Trinidad and Tobago in 2006, T and T, another CONCACAF team obviously.
So, Costa Rica probably will likely advance out of this group with this huge win.
I just hope if the US doesn’t get out of the group, they don’t get stupid and can Klinsi.....The progress that is taking place in the US program is there, even if it doesn’t necessarily bear fruit this time around.
It could bust the whole tournament open, maybe Ivory Coast will win tonight. Really opens it up and it’s probably true, this tournament is already better than South Africa.
Our’s and England’s group in 2010 with Slovenia and Algeria, those were not the most entertaining games. Ghana beating us or Germany beating England were not that great either.
Germany did show some real good stuff in 2010 though on the attack. That much is so, very exciting play.
Hodgson has been a manager in a whole lot of places all over Europe, he is ideal to manager England’s game tonight imho.
Jordan Henderson starts alongside Steven Gerrard in central midfield, while the defence is the same that began the warm-up matches against Peru and Honduras.
The big news in the Italy line-up was the absence of captain Gianluigi Buffon, who sustained an ankle injury during training at the Arena Amazonia on the eve of the game and is replaced in goal by Salvatore Sirigu.
Go Jagielka and Baines!
Like what I see from Sterling so far.
Oh, nice break, Welbeck, England starting to knock on the door. Italy’s had some chances, another corner for the 3 Lions
For great goals, Argentina vs. Serbia, I’ll always remember that even if the main thing about it is a back kick to the scorer, watching it live, it fooled everyone. Still, not that complex. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COe5Y29-BZY
Goal......1-0 Italy.
STURRIDGE!!!!!!
Ingerlund responds, 1-1 !!!!
Nice one!!!
Sweet feed from Rooney!
Rooney assist, credit where due!
Jagielka, life-saver... Italy getting something here now, half should be just about over...
England got extremely lucky there at the end.
Thank you, Phil!
1-1 at the half :)
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