World Cup Review 2014

France 3 : 0 Honduras 

France took on Honduras in the opening game of group E. 

In a physical battle, France had to endure tactics that they will probably  not face again for some time. Honduras set out to leave their mark (literally) on the French by trying to break up the play and unsettle the game. There were many opportunities for the French to take the lead but could not find a way through. Play was halted after the two sets of teams clashed after an off the ball incident. A petulant stamp on Pogba, resulted in him kicking out. Both players were lucky not to have been sent off. Palacios however did end up being sent off for another needless tackle which resulted in a penalty cooly dispatched by Benzema.  

The tactics didn't change in the 2nd half for Honduras as they continued to take chunks out of the French and another red card was certain to happen (thankfully it didn't). France applied more pressure and early in the 2nd half a sweet cross and volley ricocheted off the post, across the line, hit the keeper which he scooped away. Hawkeye was used to confirm the ball did actually cross the line after hitting the goalie. More tackles flew in, and the French thankful that no one got seriously injured. A set piece whipped in fell to Benzema to rifle in his 2nd and France's 3rd. 

The odd chance here and there for Honduras but in the end a comfortable win for France. 

World Cup Review 2014

Switzerland 2 : 1 Ecuador 

Another close and exciting opening game fro group E as Switzerland played Ecuador. 

It was a game which again, people had Switzerland down as the runaway winners. But it was the underdogs that took the lead. From a set piece the defence of Switzerland lost concentration and Ecuador headed in from close range. The first had lost a little in creativity but both teams continued to try and dominate. 

The second half started in blistering form as Switzerland scored straight after kick from a corner. From the equaliser both teams increased their tempo looking for the winning goal. Switzerland increased their pressure but could not find a way through. 

As it was looking as though it was going to be honours even. Ecuador launched a dangerous attack, only for a last ditch tackle halting what was a sure winner. And from that tackle Switzerland countered their own attack. The referee also needs to be credited with playing a critical advantage play on as Switzerland drove forward after a malicious challenge on the half way line. A low driven cross into the box was met by Stefelociv who roofed the ball into the Ecuadorean goal with the last kick of the game. 

World Cup Review 2014

England 1 : 2 Italy 

England against Italy. A tough opening game for both of these teams. After the result from the earlier game in the group, both teams wanted to get off the the best of starts. 

In a very humid stadium both teams exploded into action, and England went straight on the front foot with a thunderbolt from Sterling just inches wide. Italy controlled the main possession throughout the half and their anchor Pirlo proved why he is still the main catalyst of the Italian side. From a quick corner Italy scored a stunning goal from outside of the box, but they always say the worst time to concede is straight after you score and it was proved right with England's equaliser from close range. Italy hit the post in the last seconds of the half just to ensure that they remained on top for the 1st half. 

Not the best of starts for England in the 2nd half as Italy punished them with a quick break down the right for Balotelli to nod in from close. England again nearly responded. The three lions tried to force the equaliser, and their possession increased, however a solid defence proved difficult to break.  As the 90 minutes came to a close Italy soaked up more England pressure and very near snatched a 3rd from a brilliant free kick from Pirlo. 

Another fantastic group game for the neutrals and if this continues, we are all in for a treat. 

World Cup Review 2014

Uruguay 1 : 3 Costa Rica 

Uruguay and Costa Rica, on paper, had Uruguay ease their way to a win, but luckily for us, it's played on grass. 

Costa Rica started the game very lively and had a few chances to open the scoring. Uruguay took their time in building momentum and it took just under 30 minutes, and another penalty, for them to get on the score sheet. At first it looked like another contentious decision but on replays, turned out to be a great call by the ref. Costa Rica didn't buckle and continued with applying pressure of their own.  And this continued right up to half time, and if it wasn't for a spectacular recovering save from the Costa Rican keeper Navas,Uruguay would have extended their lead. 

As the teams returned to the field, there was something about Costa Rica that made you think they could get back into this game. They started sharper and quicker than Uruguay and the passed the ball around well creating chances. They got their reward as Campbell cooly volleyed home another smooth passing move. And on the hour the team everyone thought as being the whipping boys took the lead from a set piece with a header from close range. Uruguay tried to get back into the game but Costa Rica were too good. They pushed and pressed and punished Uruguay again with another beautifully crafted goal. 

The first red card of the World Cup was shown after a frustration set in right at the end of the game. Costa Rica ended with the first 'upset' of this competition. 

World Cup Review 2014

Columbia 3 - 0 Greece

Opening game of group C saw Columbia take on Greece. 

This was Columbia's first World Cup since 1998 and they were in the party mood. A very loud and lively atmosphere was infectious as Columbia applied immediate pressure and opened the scoring with a goal in the first 5 minutes (and a contender for celebration of the tournament). Greece however, who do have a major tournament title under their belts nearly pulled one back after the restart. As the game continued the tempo slowed with some chances for both counties to score. Kone forced a great save (albeit one for the cameras) right at the end of the half which ended with Columbia taking a slender lead into half time. 

Both teams needed to/wanted to improve from the first half and it was Greece who started the better team. A few attacks came to nothing as Columbia were just strong for any Greek advances, then a moment of honesty from Samaras as he went over in the box only to turn to the ref and indicate that it was not a foul. Columbia doubled their lead from a scruffy corner (they all count). We also may have had the miss of the tournament as Gekas headed onto the bar from 5yrds with the open goal in front of him.  As the game drew to a close, Columbia finished as they started, strong and confident with Greece running out of stamina and ideas and a late late goal from Rodriguez made sure they take 3 points into their next game. 

This is going to be a tough group for Greece if they do not improve, whereas Columbia, even without the injured Falcao, could qualify into the knockouts after this display. 

World Cup Review 2014

Chile 3 - 1 Australia

The final opening game in group B saw Chile take on Australia. It was alway going to be a tough ask for Australia who are the lowest ranked team in this years World Cup, and it didn't take long for an attack minded Chile to open up their campaign with a goal in the first 11 minutes, shortly followed by their 2nd, four minutes later. The dominance continued and every man and his dog assumed it was going to be a cricket score, but this is the World Cup, it's not meant to be as straight forward as we all believe as the 'Socceroos' got their first goal of the competition through Timmy Cahill. Slowly but surely Australia gained confidence and composure and threatened to upset the Chilean party just before half time. The 2nd half was a complete contradiction of the 1st with Australia applying constant pressure on the Chilean goal and Bravo making a stunning save to deny a the volley from Bresciano. As the game continued it became more open with attack after attack for both team and the tournaments organisers finally got some use out of the 'goal line' technology system being used (ironically made by a German company) after a goal line clearance from Australia.  The tempo did not drop right up to the final whistle and Chile hung on to take the 3 points as Beausejour scored a 3rd Chilean goal in injury time. One thing is for sure though is that the Aussies will have gained many fans after this opening game and shouldn't be labeled a team making up numbers. 

World Cup Review 2014

Spain 1 - 5 Holland

In a repeat of the 2010 World Cup final, Holland got their revenge in an epic opening game between two of the potential European winners of this years cup. 

In a game which The Chuckle Brothers would be proud of, both teams traded blows. An early chance for Holland easily kept out, followed by a few half chances for Spain. However, another contentious decision paved way for the opening goal with another soft penalty awarded to the current World Cup holders, cooly dispatched by the consistent Alonso. More blows were traded and on the stroke of half time a moment a brilliance from Van Persie who dared to Zlatan with a beautifully guided diving header from the edge of the area. This even resulted from a "now that was a goal" by the non-football loving Kate. The second half started in the heavy rain in Salvador and the orange men (though wearing blue) took an early lead with another well taken goal and the pattern of the 1st half continued. Holland increased their lead from a set piece and with Spain pressing for the equaliser, a costly error from the most decorated Spanish player Casillas gifted RVP his second. To add salt into the wound, Holland kicked the Spanish while they were down to make it 5 and completed in what was an total brilliant 2nd half display.