Posted on 06/20/2014 11:19:50 PM PDT by Berlin_Freeper
The Real Madrid winger scored 51 goals in 47 matches across all competitions in 2013-14, ending Lionel Messi’s four-year reign as world player of the year. Ronaldo has posted 252 goals in 246 appearances since joining the Spanish titans in 2009 — the primary reason he is, according to Forbes magazine, the world’s second highest-compensated athlete at more than $80 million ($52 million in pre-tax salary, $28 million in global endorsements).
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
With Germany and perhaps Netherlands and all due respect to other teams, there may be an edge with management and technical proficiency coming out of Europe. At the same time, some others have had a rough time.
But the proficiency and management may well see Europe win this I think.
Match underway. GO Argentina...
I like the NCAA March Madness Tournament because of the unpredictability, this tournament has been fairly good at that.
I’ve heard people say the World Cup should be run that way, 64 teams invited, knock out game every game. One doesn’t need to do that I suppose but it would be interesting to see how that would work.
Team Melli is going to play with a lot of defense, park the bus, they may be able to keep it down to a 2-0 score.
I wish both teams could lose.
Almeida is supposed to be ready for tomorrow but may be dropped for Helder Postiga anyway due to poor play against Germany before his injury.
Team Melli in the house.
Iraq in the Confederations Cup 2009 really kept Spain at bay, I think Spain only won that by a goal.
So, I’m not ruling out some success by Iran in keeping goals out.
I got a grab-bag of soccer videos out, Syria vs. Iran, Iran just ripped them, something like 11-0. Big win. Iran has a history in the sport.
Drew Scotland in 1978 and of course, defeated us in our very bad World Cup 1998 as I know most people know.
Iran doing well to keep it scoreless after 20 minutes, Argentina is going to need more pinpoint passes to pierce this defense.
Good attack by Argentina right there, came up short, good goalkeeping. Argentina must have 80% possession or more....
The Manufacturers, unofficial World Cup. I find this interesting because some of the more obscure kit/uniform makers are in this World Cup.
Nike - France, Netherlands, Croatia, Greece, Australia, South Korea, Brazil, USA, Portugal, England
Addidas - Germany, Argentina, Spain, Japan, Russia, Colombia, Mexico, Nigeria, Bosnia
Puma - Uruguay, Italy, Ghana, Chile, Switzerland, Ivory Coast (liked their green kits), Cameroon, Algeria
Burrda - Belgium (the dark one looks okay to me)
"The tournament's dark horses represent Burrda's first (and possibly last) trip to the World Cup with a pair of shirts that look as though you could find them hanging in a counterfeit shirt vendor's stand on the way to the ground — where you still wouldn't buy one for $10."
Joma - Honduras (I wondered if Honduras is just a fairly small market for selling such jerseys)
Lotta - Costa Rica
Uhlsport - Iran (imprint of a cheetah on it)
Marathon - Ecuador
Iran tough nut to crack
Great play, pretend the opposing player with the ball socked you in the mouth.
Well, he did.
The Argies are not as good as I had expected.
Wow
Messi scores in stoppage time, 1-0 Argentina.
Hummels in for Germany
For the record, sounds like Roberto Martinez and ESPN are indicating Iran should have been given a penalty kick in the 2nd half. Just saying for the record.
I was either out for a brief time or vaguely remember that, maybe they will show a replay.
Overall, they aren’t calling penalties much in this world cup, France got a penalty kick on play at the left side of the goal net vs. Switzerland.
Overall, better to not call penalties but still, you don’t want to see teams treated harshly as well.
Posted at 18:30
"The jacket has come off for Carlos Queiroz and who can blame him given then red-hot atmosphere generated by his team's remarkable second-half performance? Iran could easily have been 2-0 up and had a penalty. Argentina appear to be on the ropes."
Dejegah was astonishing for Iran. He is a great player on a nobody team. That team played the best team in the World Cup to a draw for 90 minutes. There were a few missed calls, but the Iranian defense was outstanding ... and I definitely do not like Iran the country of murderous mullahs, but that soccer team played an inspired game.
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