My World Cup Review

Greece 2 : 1 Ivory Coast 

Final group game between Greece and Côte d'Ivoire turned out to be an roller coaster of emotions. 

A result for either team would take them through to the knockout stages of the World Cup. The first half was cagey, as both dreams looked nervous. There were chances here and there and Greece almost took the lead after rattling the bar. As it was heading for the end if the first half Greece did get their lead after a cool finish after a direct passing movement. As it stood, they were going through. 

In the second half Ivory Coast had to attack and attack they did. They continued to knock at the Greek door but they were not getting through. With the constant pressure it left them susceptible to the counter attack and time and time again Greece could have/should have extended their lead. Wilfred Bony was brought on and with an attacking formation that include Drogba, Toure, Kalou, Bony, Gervinho surely Côte d'Ivoire would get that equaliser? It was Bony who did get what they wanted after some basic defending let them in and now with the score at 1:1 it was Ivory Coast who would progress. Time to get nervous. The last 10 minutes was constant Greek pressure and into added time (90+3), PENALTY. Could Samaras keep his cool to take Greece through for the first time in their history..? Yes he could. With the final kick Greece won the game and into the knockouts. 

This is what makes the World Cup special. Games like this with a mixture of emotions in 90 minutes. Congratulations Greece. 

COLUMBIA - group winners

GREECE - runners up

Ivory Coast

Japan

My World Cup Review

England 0 : 0 Costa Rica 

Shit. Just utter shit 

My World Cup Review

Cameroon 1 - 4 Brazil

We are into the final week of group games and Cameroon take on hosts Brazil. 

One thing is for sure, the atmosphere when Brazil play is electric.  The passion and emotion expelled from the fans singing the national anthem would give you goose bumps, just like the watching the Haka in New Zealand. Powerful. The first 20 minutes was somewhat of a stalemate. No one giving any room to each other, but Brazil took the lead from Neymar after a low cross found him in the box to slot home. Cameroon though were being party poopers. After conceding the goal they became more aggravated (in a positive way) and went on the offensive and after a corner which was headed against the bar, they broke down the left to play a ball right across goal and all that was left to do was to tap the ball in. 1-1. There was more pressure from Cameroon but they could not take advantage and Brazil made them pay as Neymar again got on the score sheet after a direct run, who was left was unopposed, ended up giving Brazil the lead. 

The samba beat was running through the veins of the Brazilians as they erupted onto the scene in the 2nd half as they scored a 3rd goal through Fred. Who hasn't been praised so far in this competition but Scolari has stuck by him and he returned the faith with a simple nod in (though there was a hint of offside about it). Once Brazil had scored their third they reduced their urgency and became more comfortable on the ball and some showboating was bring displayed. Cameroon unfortunately could not respond to what Brazil were bringing to the game and they became a little heavy handed (well, footed) in their tackling. Now Mexico in the other game in group A had scored a 3rd goal, filtered through to the ground and the atmosphere dropped. Could they steal top spot on goal difference and set up a game between Brazil and Holland? Some very careless defending as Cameroon tried to take a quick free kick on the edge of their own box was intercepted and poked in from Fernandinho. And top spot was confirmed when Croatia scored against Mexico. 

Group A finished with excitement as it was so very close to being a twist in the tale of the World Cup. 

BRAZIL - group winners

MEXICO - runners up 

Croatia

Cameroon

My World Cup Review

S.Korea 2 : 4 Algeria

Group H game between South Korea and Algeria. 

An open and exciting game between two teams that have been dubbed the teams to make up numbers. Algeria did not let off the gas from the first minute as the pressed towards to the S.Korean goal and created numerous chances. S.Korea however, didn't just lie down and role over as the also attacked with pace. Algeria took the lead on 25 minutes and quickly doubled their lead from a well worked set piece.  After the second goal S.Korean heads dropped and they struggled to string more than 5 passes together. Algeria took advantage of this and they scored their 3rd and controlled the game up to half time. 

What ever was said to S.Korea during the team talk worked as they scored after a number of promising attacks from kick off. There was always going to be danger with constant pressure from S.Korea, as it left them light at the back and Algeria took advantage of this to scored their 4th. There was still plenty of time for more goals in this game and we weren't disappointed as S.Korea scored again to make it 4-2 and they still pushed on. No more goals were scored however we were treated to a very good, quick, open game. 

Algeria won to give themselves the best ever chance to progress and they will be taking on Russia in their final game. 

My World Cup Review

Belgium 1 - 0 Russia

Belgium against Russia in group H's second game. A win for Belgium would take them through to the knockouts. 

After Belgium's opening game victory they should have brought a confidence into this game which would have been no match for Russia, considering after their opening performance against South Korea and a 'keeper who was looking nervous every time the ball went near him it was the opposite. Belgium, even with the majority of the possession could not take advantage and as the first half progressed Russia looked comfortable with anything that the Belgium's threw at them and even looked like punishing them on the counter. 

The second half started in the way the first half finished. Lacklustre and stale. There was no tempo, no drive, do none of these teams want to progress? It was looking to be heading for a bore draw but around the 60th minute an inspired substitution form Belgium seemed to lift their spirits. A young 19 year old Origi, full of pace and confidence dragged Belgium back up towards their best and gave the neutrals who have Belgium as the dark horses of the competition reason why they have been tipped as the 'maybes'. Hazard slipped down the left to cooly play a pass back to Origi to smash home an 85th minute winner. 

Belgium through (just) needing the Algeria - South Korea game to do them a favour. 

My World Cup Review

Germany 2 : 2 Ghana

Germany face Ghana for the 2nd game in group G

In this game we all presumed that this again would have been a walk over for the Germans who looked so comfortable in their victory over Portugal in their first game. Both teams though produced a great first half which would have brought concern to the Germans as they couldn't break down Ghana. The first half ended with both teams equal and all to play for in the second half. 

The second half turned out to be a more memorable half. Both teams wanted to take all 3 points away from the game and the way both teams played, it could have gone to either team. The Germans took the lead from a well placed cross which found Gozte who somehow found the net after heading the ball onto his knee. The lead only lasted 3 minutes when Ghana equalised from another header from a well placed cross. To everyone's surprise Ghana took the lead through a Gyan well struck goal. 2-1! Tactical substitutions from the Germans was key to their equaliser as Klose scored another World Cup goal equaling Brazilians Ronaldo's total tally of World Cup goals. Could he break that that? Both teams huffed and puffed but no one could break the door down to grab that 3rd goal and after lots at German pressure it could have been Ghana who could have taken the win. 

In the end a very entertaining game for us neutrals and this leaves group G open with still everything to play for in the final game  

My World Cup Review

Switzerland 2 : 5 France 

France and Switzerland kick off the 8pm game tonight. 

Both teams started the game with 3 points from their first match of the group games so both were full of confidence. France soon took control and stamped their authority on the game and hit Switzerland hard with 2 goals in the first 20 minutes. They could have made it 3 from the penalty spot but Benzema's shot was well saved, fell kindly to Cabaye who's volley hit the bar. Switzerland had opportunity to attack the French on the counter attack but could not take any chances. France scored their 3rd with a counter attack of their own following a Swiss corner. 

Switzerland would have had the team talk from hell after that first half and they would have wanted to start in the best way possible. They did come close but if it wasn't for Hugo Lloris they may have found a way through. A sublime pass from a rising star Pogba with the outside of the boot fell to Bezema to sweep home. France could have had 5 in the first half, but it took them 73 minutes to get there with another sweet passing movement ending in a slotted finish from Sissoko into the corner of the Swiss goal. A consolation goal was scored by Dzaimali from a free kick, which was some distance out, somehow went through the wall, cut daisies, found its way into Lloris' goal. A little late from Switzerland as they scored their 2nd on the 87th minute with another well taken goal. A pass over the French defence was hit first time from Xhaka. The greatest comeback? Surely not. 

The final whistle blew just as Benzema scored a wonder goal, shame, but he wouldn't mind as another 3 points gained. The Swiss however wishing they could turn the clocks back (sorry) after that poor performance.