Re-Cupping The World Cup: Final Four Features South America & Europe

We are going to do a short blog each weekday about the World Cup. There will be a little more on United States obviously, but when it comes to the other games, we will talk about the different games in short recaps like we used to do with the NBA. I am no expert, don't pretend to be, but I want to compile a blog featuring some tweets, GIFs, videos and a couple thoughts from yours truly. If you hate it, let me know or think you could do it better, you know where to find me @SnoTap12 

Friday
Brazil 2 Colombia 1 - This is a tough to game to recap because you want to give Brazil credit for winning this match, but at the same time, I would be remiss without mentioning the poor officiating in the game as well. It felt like Colombia got the short end of the stick on more than one occasion. Despite that, Brazil was the better club on Friday with a great free kick goal from David Luiz that gave Brazil a 2-0 advantage. James Rodriguez, the star of this World Cup, knocked in a penalty kick in the 80th minute giving Colombia a little hope, but they could not find any late magic. The win came costly for Brazil as they lost their star Neymar for the rest of the tournament with a broken vertabrae and Thiago Silva may miss the game with his second yellow card although Brazil is asking FIFA to overturn the decision.

Germany 1 France 0 - This is an obvious rivalry with these two teams sharing a border and being two of the most successful European soccer nations. West Germany knocked off France in 1982 and 1986, but there hasn't been much between the two nations since then. Yet there is still some dislike there among their fans more so than anything else. Mat Hummels nailed the game-winner early on in this one in the 22nd minute to give Germany the win. France had a couple opportunties, but it seemed to me the Les Blues run to the quarterfinals had more to do with who've they played in the tournament versus being a real solid team in this tournament.

Saturday
Netherlands 0 Costa Rica 0 (Netherlands win 4-3 in PK's) - Tim Krul became Julie 'The Cat' Gaffney of the 2014 World Cup. He came in as the goalkeeper for penalty kicks as Louis Van Vaal went with another goalie for penalty kicks. The move paid off in a major way as Krul stopped two Costa Rican attempts and making it a second straight semifinal appearance for Netherlands. This will be a rematch of the 1978 World Cup final, and can Netherlands finally win a World Cup? They have been the groomsman way too many times. At some point, they have to breakthrough, right?  

Argentina 1 Belgium 0 - There aren't many goalkeepers whom have Lionel Messi's number, but Thibaut Courtois (What a ridiculously awesome name), the Belgian keeper has The Magician in a death lock holding him goal-less in the last seven games against each other as Courtois played a year for Athletico Madrid. Courtois held him goal-less again including a great stop at the end of a game, but that didn't stop Argentina from appearing in their first semifinal in 28 years. Gonzalo Higuain knocked in a goal in the seventh minute and Argentina held on with a bruising, defensive style.

-Charlie.

Re-Cupping The World Cup: Brazil Survive, Dutch Flop, & James! James!

We are going to do a short blog each weekday about the World Cup. There will be a little more on United States obviously, but when it comes to the other games, we will talk about the different games in short recaps like we used to do with the NBA. I am no expert, don't pretend to be, but I want to compile a blog featuring some tweets, GIFs, videos and a couple thoughts from yours truly. If you hate it, let me know or think you could do it better, you know where to find me @SnoTap12 

Brazil 1 Chile 1 (Brazil 3-2 penalty kicks) - In all sports, there are teams where they inflict pain on the opposing team in all sorts of fashion. Chile has now been eliminated four straight times in the knockout round by Brazil. This one might have been the worst.  Chile had the game-winning goal in extra time in the 119th minute before a ball hits the post and doesn't go in leading to penalty kicks where once again the posts were not nice for Chile. Brazil went up one and Chile needed a goal to survive yet once again, the post became their cruelest part of the game. Brazil is lucky to be playing in the Round of 8. Neymar's thigh injury has to be a concern for Brazil moving forward. They are fortunate to have five days off before their next match, but a non-100 percent Neymar might hurt Brazil.

Netherlands 2 Mexico 1 - El Tri looked like they were finally advancing into the Round of 8 as they have been denied in the last five years with Giovani Dos Santos' great goal, and Guillermo Ochoa playing his ass again.  But Netherlands wouldn't be denied as Wesley Sneijder broke through with his first goal of the World Cup. In the Extra Time, things got weird as Arjen Robben dove in the box and got the call leading to a penalty kick from Klaas-Jan Huntelaar to put Netherlands up late. I don't understand why Robben apologized for the dive after it. I mean it is not going to make the Country of Mexico ecstatic because he said 'Oh my bad dudes.' Like own the dive, whatever it happens in soccer and other sports. Netherlands got the call at the right time and won the game.

Costa Rica 1 Greece 1 (Costa Rica 5-3 penalty kicks) - If Greece had any sort of offense, I don't know the Ticos are advancing. Costa Rica played with 10 men from the 66th minute on, and it did allow one goal making it a tied game. But Costa Rica and its goalie, Keylor Navas held strong being able to hold on in penalty kicks. There are so many great stories, but Costa Rica might be the most improbable story of them all. No one expected them to get this far, and they are playing with house money. The teams the have beat is an impressive list with Uruguay, Italy and now Greece. Netherlands will be their toughest test.

Colombia 2 Uruguay 0 - Somebody cue up the 'I'm So Paid' theme music for James Rodriguez because that's happening this transfer season. He will be the sexy pick without question. Rodriguez has been all sorts of magical for the Colombia side helping them advance against Uruguay for a showdown with Brazil. Both of his goals on Saturday were great,  and he is now the leader for the Golden Boot. Rodriguez leads this Colombian bunch as another team not many people expected to be in the Round of 8, and honestly, they are dangerous enough to get through to the semifinals without question.

Re-Cupping The World Cup: Bite Heard Round The World, Rodriguez Sparkles, Greece? Greece!!!

We are going to do a short blog each weekday about the World Cup. There will be a little more on United States obviously, but when it comes to the other games, we will talk about the different games in short recaps like we used to do with the NBA. I am no expert, don't pretend to be, but I want to compile a blog featuring some tweets, GIFs, videos and a couple thoughts from yours truly. If you hate it, let me know or think you could do it better, you know where to find me @SnoTap12 

Uruguay 1 Italy 0 - No one really wants to talk about the fact another European soccer club has been eliminated from this year's World Cup. No one really wants to talk about Italy's coach quitting immediately after the game. Everyone wants to talk about Luis Suarez taking a bite from Giorgio Chiellini's shoulder. It set Twitter on fire. Everyone is pissed off at Suarez again calling it unprofessional and things of that nature. I don't know why people are so upset. I guess biting a guy isn't a good thing to do per say, but people are acting like Suarez punched Chiellieni in the face and the balls. Let's settle down a bit boys.

Greece 2 Ivory Coast 1- HOW DO YOU LET THIS HAPPEN LES ELEPHANTS?!?!?! Seriously. I thought we were done with Greece, and now somehow we get another team from Europe in the knockout stages. I have some Greek friends, but man oh man, this is boring soccer. They would run the Greek tapes when they talk about why people hate the game in America. Georgios Samaras hit the penalty kick when it mattered in extra time with an obvious penalty occurring to draw the shot. Greece moves on to face Costa Rica in game that will feature two teams no one probably expected to still be here.

Colombia 4 Japan 1 - Colombia keeps the machine moving as they dominated Japan in all facets of the match in the second half. Japan tied the match right before the half, but the second half, it was all about James Rodriguez, one of the biggest stars of this World Cup thus far. Rodriguez had two assists setting up Jackson Martinez whose been struggling of late and then he added a goal of his own right around stoppage time with a glorious chip-in. Just how dangerous is Colombia? They will play Uruguay in the next round whom will be missing Suarez likely and then a probable showdown with Brazil. (H/T The Big Lead) 

Costa Rica 0 England 0 - Not much from this game honestly, but Group D is the reason we love the World Cup. They feature Italy, England, Uruguay and Costa Rica, no one expected Costa Rica to win the group unless you actually live there. Add to the fact, Italy and England are now eliminated too is absolutely wild. Group D isn't the Group of the Death, but it's damn near close.

Charlie.

Re-Cupping The World Cup: France Flies High, Magical Messi and German Survival

We are going to do a short blog each weekday about the World Cup. There will be a little more on United States obviously, but when it comes to the other games, we will talk about the different games in short recaps like we used to do with the NBA. I am no expert, don't pretend to be, but I want to compile a blog featuring some tweets, GIFs, videos and a couple thoughts from yours truly. If you hate it, let me know or think you could do it better, you know where to find me @SnoTap12 

Friday
Costa Rica 1 Italy 0 - Currently, the Ticos are the most surprising team of the tournament for my money. They take down Uruguay and now put themselves through with a win against Italy. This is a big moment for CONCAF getting a win against a team like Italy. The goal by Bryan Ruiz defined the term "Ball Don't Lie" after being denied a penalty. Costa Rica winning Group D featuring England, Italy and Uruguay is wild.

France 5 Switzerland 2 - Les Blues might be playing the best soccer after two games. A team not expected to do much damage in the tournament could be on the verge of making a lot of noise. They played at such a high level against an upstart Switzerland getting five straight goals before allowing two late in the game. Oliver Giroud and Karim Benzema really played strong throughout the game leading to France's probable advancement to the Round of 16.

Ecuador 2 Honduras 1 - This was the Enner Valencia game with two huge goals in the game to complete the comeback against Honduras. Valencia had two great goals hanging around the net with a great finish with his foot and his head. It gave Ecuador a chance to advance in the World Cup with a win or a draw against France. This is a massive hill to climb given how well France played throughout the first two games of the World Cup, but we have seen some crazier things.



Saturday
Germany 2 Ghana 2 - Might have been the game of the weekend if Portugal and the United States didn't happen because it featured a possible chance Germany would drop a game in group stages something that didn't even seem possible during their drubbing of Portugal. Miroslav Klose saved the team with an equalizing goal in the 71st minute. Thomas Mueller took a big hit leading to blood everywhere around his facial area. Who knows if Mueller will play against the United States.



Argentina 1 Iran 0 - There are games where you know why Lionel Messi is better than everyone else in the world. This game was headed to an improbable tie before Messi made his move in stoppage time netting a goal to put Argentina ahead and through to the Round of 16. I mean Iran didn't screw up really honestly. They had a strong defense on him with not much space, but Messi found enough to put it home. Iran can still advance with a win plus some goal differential help.

Nigeria 1 Bosnia-Herzegovina 0 - Oh man, I felt for Bosnia as they had a couple chances late in the game. They had a perfect opportunity at the very end, but the ball went off the post sending them home from Brazil. Nigeria does have to play Argentina, but they control their own destiny. They could lose and still be in if the goal differential doesn't get out of wack.

Sunday
Algeria 4 South Korea 2 - Honestly, how bad is the defending by South Korea? They looked horrible on Sunday with Algeria attacking the goal consistently. They went up three goals in the first 40 minutes of the game. Algeria looked much more improved from their first game against Belgium. Algeria could get through with a win against Russia and a draw against Russia would probably do the trick as well unless Korea blows out Belgium.

Belgium 1 Russia 0 - The 'dark horse' continues their push into the Round of 16 even if they are not playing the best soccer. I am curious to see how different the results would be for Belgium if they were in a group with stiffer competition. They got a pure goal at the 88th minute, but this game did not leave anything for people to get on the bandwagon for this Belgium team.

Charlie.

Re-Cupping The World Cup: Dutch Surprise, Super Mario, Magical Messi

We are going to do a short blog each weekday about the World Cup. There will be a little more on United States obviously, but when it comes to the other games, we will talk about the different games in short recaps like we used to do with the NBA. I am no expert, don't pretend to be, but I want to compile a blog featuring some tweets, GIFs, videos and a couple thoughts from yours truly. If you hate it, let me know or think you could do it better, you know where to find me @SnoTap12 

Friday
Netherlands 5 Spain 1 - Even though this was a couple days later, Holland's beatdown of the defending World Cup champs on Friday is the biggest news of the World Cup this far. Arjen Robben added two goals with a beauty for the fifth goal of the night plus Robin Van Persie's first goal is one that will be on the montage at the end of the World Cup.

Mexico 1 Cameroon 0 - El Tri is one of the more talked about teams given the way they backed into the World Cup, but they played world class defense against an attacking Cameroon in a driving rain. Mexico had two goals called off with offside calls, but Orbie Peralta put one home in the 61st minute. Mexico needed this one badly before their showdown with Brazil.

Chile 3 Australia 1 - Chile came out fast and furious with two goals in the first 15 minutes of the game with Alexis Sanchez in the 12th minute and Jorge Valdivia 14th minute.  Tim Cahill did add a goal for the Socceroos at the 35th minute splitting the lead in half before we even reached halftime. Chile held on as Australia tried to equalize throughout the second half of the game. Finally in the extra period, Jean Beausejour gave Chile the dagger.

Saturday
Italy 2 England 1 - This was a really fun game of high level football.  Italy got the scoring started with a beautiful strike from Claudio Marchisio in the 35th minute including a great dummy run by the legend Andrea Pirlo. Daniel Sturridge came right back with a quick equalizing goal in 37th minute with a great dance afterwards which is featured below. Mario Balotelli had the game-winner in the 50th minute with a wonderful header. Wayne Rooney had a chance to equalize again for England but pulled the ball wide. Both teams look very dangerous moving forward.

Costa Rica 3 Uruguay 1 - TICOOOOOOOOS. As someone whom put many eggs in the Uruguay basket, this was a nightmare scenario. Edinson Cavini got an early goal, but after that it was all downhill like that New Found Glory song. Costa Rica had three second half goals including two in three minutes changing the course of this game. To add insult to the injury of the opening loss, Uruguay's Maxi Pereira was sent off with a straight red in extra time meaning he will miss at least the next game against

Ivory Coast 2 Japan 1 - LES ELEPHANTS. I need myself a 1000 percent Elephants scarf by Cote D'Ivore's next game honestly. This whole game changed on a dime when Didier Drogba came into this game. It really did seem to open things up leading to second half goals from Wilfred Brony and Gervinho. Japan really didn't have an answer for them.

Colombia 3 Greece 0 - Arguably the strongest statement by a team not named Netherlands was Colombia. They are without their star player Radamel Falcao, but it didn't phase them with a quick goal in the fifth minute from Pablo Armero. Colombia had control of the entire game adding another goal in the 58th minute along with one in the extra time. Greece didn't really have any sort of chance against the Colombians

Sunday
Argentina 2 Bosnia-Herzegovina 1 - MESSI MESSI MESSI. Everyone wondered if the pressure was getting to Lionel Messi, and he responded with a 'Hi haters' moment with a beautiful goal in the second period putting Argentina up two. Bosnia-Herzegovina didn't play too poorly, but the early own goal hurt their chances in a major way.

Switzerland 2 Ecuador 1 - Many people thought the Swiss were overrated with them being sixth in the FIFA rankings. Many people thought they would be comparable to their famous cheese with lots of holes. The critics seemed right early with Enner Valencia adding an early goal, but the Switzerland battled back with an early second half equalizing goal from Admir Mehmedi and then Haris Seferovic gets a goal in the final 30 seconds of extra time for the incredible win. Big time three points.

France 3 Honduras 0 - The story could be about how goal line technology still didn't look like it did its job despite what ESPN might tell you. The story could also be how Honduras played with 10 players most of the game. But what it's about is Karim Benzema's two goals and causing an own goal. Benzema started to wash away the bad taste South Africa gave Les Blues.

Charlie.