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: Suarez Ends England & Colombian Team Celebrations!

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 2 England 1 - In Uruguay's first game in a loss against Costa Rica, Luis Suarez could not play because he had knee surgery three weeks ago. Suarez said he thought it was possible to give it a go, but Uruguayan coaches decided against it. Suarez came back to the pitch and delivered like one of the best players in the world. He had the first goal of the game and the last one basically sending England home. Suarez is playing at such a high level right now.  We are a week into the tournament and possibly England and Spain not making the round of 16. I'm not shocked about England though. Big time game for Costa Rica this afternoon. (H/T South Dublin & @FlyByKite)

Colombia 2 Ivory Coast 1 - One of the best matches of the tournament thus far. It did not feature any scoring for the first 63 minutes and then next 10 minutes, things went HAM.  James Rodriguez, one of the stars of the tournament thus far, nailed a beautiful header to put Colombia up 1-0 and had an ESPN announcer say he was more popular Colombian figure than Shakira. Six minutes later, Juan Quintero had a breakaway after a Ivory Coast turnover leading to their second goal. Gervinho had a stunning goal to pull Ivory Coast closer, but it wasn't close enough. Ivory Coast will likely advance given the other two teams in their group. Colombia is practically through to the next round. (H/T @StoolPresidente) 





Japan 0 Greece 0 - BOOOOOOORIIIIING.  I don't know how people support Greece. Bless their hearts. I have a couple Greek friends and Giannis.  But the fact is they play a boring brand of soccer. Greece's captain Konstantinos Katsouranis received two quick yellow cards leading to his dismissal by the 38th minute. Greece played with 10 men for the rest of the game, and with their defensive nature, Greece held on with the only real chance coming from Japan in the 68th minute. Both teams still have a chance to win, but they need to actually score goals.

Charlie.