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.
LoL!
You’re getting good mileage.
Convincing win by Colombia, 3-0, over Greece.
They look like a team that could make some noise.
While the goal looked pretty, it was not a spectacular goal. The distance from goal does not make it an exceptionally difficult header.
It could not have been set up any better. Had he missed, no knowledgeable person would have said it was a difficult chance. Most would have said he should have put it in the back of the net.
You don’t know the game as well as you think.
Buffon sustained what his manager, Cesare Prandelli, described as “a very, very light ankle twist” on Friday, causing him to miss a scheduled appearance at the pre-match press conference, but it has since emerged that the injury is more serious than hoped and he will not recover in time to face Roy Hodgson’s side in Manaus.
Buffon reportedly underwent physiotherapy at the team’s base earlier in the day, but has not recovered sufficiently to be available for selection at the Arena Amazônia. The goalkeeper then posted a cryptic-sounding message on Twitter shortly after the news broke, saying: “Hello everyone … life is beautiful and I am still in debt to it … neither a game nor a World Cup missed would make me change my mind.
“There are so many ways to be important, even if you are not a starter on the pitch … so … go on Salvatore … come on my magical guys … FORZA ITALY, my great love!”
One thing about Italy, they value stability at goalkeeper, Dino Zoff played for them for a long time.
Suarez could come off the bench for Uruguay.
Buffon, another older guy like Casillas...
Just saying.
Zoff was 40 when Italy won in 82.
There’s a reason Mourinho ditched Casillas while he was still coaching at RM.
I have a feeling Uruguay vs Costa Rica could get ugly.
Especially if Suarez has to be put in.
LoL!
Rumours circulating that Raheem Sterling will start for England tonight. Quite a bold move by Hodgson if that is true.
I suppose from the US perspective we want to see CONCACAF do well so it gives them more slots.
What about Barkley?
Hard to imagine Uruguay has only three million people, that’s not even half the population of the DFW Metroplex.
No Barkley as I hear it. Sterling is a surprise though. I felt sure he would go with Lallana, Welbeck and Rooney behind Sturridge. I suppose Sterling is in for Welbeck. Just rumours at this point though.
Ooops, quick update, it looks like Welbeck plays, Lallana doesn’t.
According to Henry Winter of The Times, the team will be:
Hart, Johnson, Cahill, Jagielka, Baines, Gerrard, Henderson, Sterling, Rooney, Welbeck, Sturridge.
I certainly hope Costa Rica and Honduras can do okay.
Japan Ivory Coast has the potential to be best of Asia vs. best of Africa.
Costa Rica, looks like “simulation” by one of the Ticos as the Costa Ricans are called, that’s garbage to see.
Otherwise, CR looks okay and I suppose have the “sash” on their jersey.
Penalty on CR, and Cavani converts. 1-0 Uruguay
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