Re-Cupping The World Cup: The Brazil Beatdown

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 

Germany 7 Brazil 1 - When Brazil and Germany ended up meeting on the schedule for the semifinal of the World Cup, the matchup was met with great intrigue. Despite the Brazilians missing Neymar due to injury and Thiago Silva due to a second yellow card, many believed this would be a tremendous futbol match between the two winningest teams in World Cup history. That didn't happen as Germany had an onslaught of goals scoring five in a mere 20 minutes powering them ahead of Brazil and into a World Cup Final for the first time since 2002. First, it was Thomas Muller in the eleventh minute, Miroslav Klose in the 22nd and then it went downhill with Toni Kroos two goals in two minutes making it a 4-0 game in the 26th minute. (H/T @StoolMillmore for the Vine)



Simply put, Germany punched Brazil square in the mouth, and the Brazilian team did not know how to recover from it. They haven't played well all tournament with surviving against Mexico, Croatia and even Colombia in a sense and finally, they were exposed by the much stronger German side. I thought David Luiz played a piss-poor match essentially giving up after the first three goals were scored. I also think Brazil never expected Germany to be as attacking as they were early on in the game. As for Germany, this is their chance to win the first World Cup since 1990, they have been so close since then with third place finishes in 2006 and 2010. Whether Germany wins or loses on Sunday, this is one of the most impressive runs in the last 14 years.

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.