Re-Cupping The World Cup: El Tri Stays Hot, Oranje Stays Strong & Neymar!

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 

Mexico 3 Croatia 1 - I realize this is sacrilegious to say as an American, but is Mexico one of the most dangerous teams left in the World Cup. We talk all the time in sports about the hot team in the playoffs and wouldn't it be Mexico right now?  They break out for three goals in 10 minutes including a goal from Chicharito whose been under much criticism. They allowed one goal in the final five minutes of game with a three goal lead. They face another red hot team which we will talk about in a second, but do not count out Mexico in this one. I would have beers with Miguel Herrera without question. I don't care if he is the Mexican coach, whatever, dude is the balls.



Brazil 4 Cameroon 1 - This is the game where we revel at Neymar. Despite having a truly awful haircut, Neymar dominated this game with two goals and being in control of this game until leaving for precautionary reasons. Neymar has four goals already in this World Cup. He looks like one of the best players in the world if not the one whose ready to take the throne from Lionel Messi in the coming years. Even though they beat Cameroon in rousing fashion, I am still not all in on Brazil. They look really good, but something about them makes me think they do not make the semifinals, maybe I am nuts.  (H/T @FlyByKnite)

Netherlands 2 Chile 0 - One of the things I had no idea about was the fact Netherlands had never won a World Cup. They are basically the Buffalo Bills of the futbol world. Netherlands has finished runners-up in three different World Cups in 1974, 1978 and 2010 with a fourth place finish in 1998. But right now, it seems like they are one of the four best teams in this tournament. Arjen Robben is playing at such a high level right now and helped set up Leroy Fer for the first goal of the game. Memphis Depay delivered his second goal of the tournament as a cherry on top of the World Cup sundae. Video quality is terrible, but I cannot find a GIF to save my soul.

Spain 3 Australia 0 - Spanish side have a nice finish to their disappointing trip to the World Cup. David Villa's tears though were a little tough for me. One of the best for the Spanish side in the last five years, and a huge factor for the 2010 World Cup winners.

Re-Cupping The World Cup: Spanish Disappointment, Dutch Hold On, Cameroon's Collapse

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 

Chile 2 Spain 0 - Just like that, the defending World Cup champions are eliminated. They gave up two goals in the last World Cup, and in this one, they gave up seven in two games. It sent shockwaves through the soccer community as people expected the Spanish to at least make it to the knockout stages. Instead, the upstart Chile group led by Alexis Sanchez get another win in their group giving Chile six points for the tournament thus far. Not taking anything away from Chile, but Spain seemed like a team whom only played with each other for about two weeks before taking the pitch. Sloppy, disorganized and deserving of the last two outcomes. The scene in Chile's capital, Santiago, was absolutely wild. (H/T @JulioWright for the pic)

Netherlands 3 Australia 2 - Easily, the most entertaining game of the day by far. Australia and Netherlands went back and forth for the whole game with the Aussies taking a quick 2-1 lead on a questionable handball leading to a penalty kick which Mile Jedinak buried home. Netherlands would strike quickly as Robin Van Persie came through again with a great turn and finish tying this game again. Australia missed an opportunity to go-ahead again, and Memphis Depay made them shortly after it giving Der Oranje their second win of the World Cup.



Croatia 4 Cameroon 0 - While we should spend some time talking about Croatia and their ability to battle back after a heartbreaker against Brazil, this was more about the unraveling of the Cameroon team. Alex Song headbutts a player putting Cameroon with only 10 men for 50 minutes of the game. Croatia took full advantage in the second half with three goals putting them up by four and then things for Cameroon got worse as two teammates headbutted each other during extra time. Cameroon had a full meltdown.  Croatia is now thrown into the mix with Brazil and Mexico with all three having a shot at winning the group.