World Cup Open Thread

Mexico just tied it back up

you can watch live on cbssports.com

Really bad result for Mexico. Making my prediction of Uruguay and France advancing look good.

Mexico looked flat, but I’m glad Marquez put in that goal. I’ll take a tie… Hoping the France-Uruguay team is a 1-0 loss by either.

Mex had a goal taken away on the worst offsides call ever early. There may have been a handball when ball came over the top that the announcers have not mentioned

SA scored

Mex scored about 15 minutes later

SA hit the post from close range at 88 min

game over

No one get headbutted por favor!

I agree delias, it was a bizarre offsides call. There was a SA player standing on the goal line behind the Mexico player, how can it be offsides? Still, a tie was about right for that one. Mexico dominated 1st half (from what I saw, missed part of it while waking up), SA 2nd half, and they nearly scored at the very end.

Host countries almost also win or tie their first game, even if they’re an underdog (like today, or at least normally they would have been), with all the momentum, excitement, crowd support…

Looks like France is dominating the play, with 7 shots to Uruguay’s 2.

France leading the shot’s battle 14-5

I predict someone scores a goal with about 5-7 mins left.

Main loser of this match is Mexico.

Sick goal

Per DT

Great player

Game 1: Algeria and Slovenia played so bad today…
Maybe the ugliest match of this WC…
How Slovenia and Algeria were able to qualify by playing so badly??
Another big error by the Algerian’s goalkeeper (maybe Manny would catch that ball!!!!!) and a stupid red card by Ghezzal…

Game 2: An intense match at the physical level, the Serbs have shown despite a plethora of technical players (Stankovic, Krasic, Kuzmanovic …)
Another stupid red card by Kuzmanovic and a penalty scored by Gyan…
Ghana dominated the debate thanks to a greater physical presence in Serbian…

Game 3: Probably the best match of this first round
Germany was impressed me thnaks to his outstanding offense… With their young talent led by Ozil, Muller, Neuer, Lahm, Badstuber, Gomez, Marin, etc… they could win this year… My only issue is the central back because Australia is not strong as Ghana or Serbia… But Germany is the only favorite who played as their level…
What I liked about the Germans is their variety in their attacks, the danger can come from anywhere and even Khedira is able to bring it, we see the whole mentality of the game Joachim Low for two years, I hope that his work will be recognized by all …
It should be that France and Raymond Domenech is inspired because it is not a style of play that wins chilly face Mexican …
Then I sends a message to Mr. Domenech: Please, do dream of all France, make out that the Blues play like the Germans or the Netherlands or Spain or even the U.S. …

Tomorrow, it’s Group E with my favorite team: The Netherlands…

I’ll predict a 4-0 win against Denmark

But with the plethora of good Netherlands offensive players (Kuyt, Robben, Sniejder, Van der Vaart, Van Persie, Huntelaar, Elia…), they can score a lot of goals…

And Demnark has one or two good young players like Bentdner (Striker), Kjaer (Central Back), Poulsen ans Sorensen (GK)…

I cant believe its still 0-0 for Brazil and N. Korea in the 36th minute

I mean i know its soccer and scoring doesn’t happen but it’s #1 vs. #108

Sounded like a great game

Spain seemed to have many chances but couldn’t put it in, and Swiss defense was very solid when it had to be. They deserved to win. Spain will still win their next two games, I predict, but they better wake up.

Game on right now is off to an exciting start as well.

Well, can’t accuse refs of bias for the host country. Hate to be a backup keeper coming in and having to do penalty shot straight away.

Lloris – Sagna, Gallas, Abidal, Evra – Diaby, Toulalan – Govou, Ribery, Malouda – Anelka

got some good cheers for that goal

Au revoir, France!

¡¡¡Viva El Tricolores!!!

likely plays Argentina…

This time I think will be different, Landon Donovan’s quotes about that make me feel less worried, and they are talented but still, I will worry about it until they win.

Slovenia and Algeria didn’t show anything…

Nike wins again.

Serbia 1, Germany 0

Strange things happening in this WC…

I get into the office and its already 1-0 Slovenia at 14 minutes

This blows

2-1 Slovenia

JemeleHill: The Slovenian team must all take drama classes, because every time they are touched, they act as if they were beaten with a sledgehammer

and they tackled him again

BULLSHIT CALL. Completely wrong.

USA still alive

BULLSHIT REFS$#

I’m pretty sure the US will win against Algeria and that leaves Slovenia facing the Brits. We’ll advance

Complete bullshit. There is no offsides there.

“goal” and then it gets called back. total bullshit.

I watched the game from the USA with great passion, tension … And what a game the Americans, I was amazed by their mental power, they never even dropped to 2-0 while the Slovenians dominated the game …
The choice proved pay Bradley in the second half … We found a good kick on Donovan stopped and I especially loved the entry Edu who stabilized the midfield … And what about that Altidore harassed Slovenian defense from start to end by his stall and his incessant gambling hub …
Unfortunately while Malian referee messed because the third goal was absolutely valid, I did not understand his decision, especially since it was not the first time he had a questionable decision against the U.S. .. .
But I have one thing to say, you can be proud of a team that fights to the end, which is never abdicates some circumstances, we really feel that Americans move up in years years and that are no longer tenure as in the past …
Some team should draw inspiration from France because they have lost all sense of fighting spirit, sacrifice, they play only for themselves, not even for their country …

At least I tell myself that Americans can be proud to have a team dedicated body and soul to them …

Congratulations and let me dream again, I hope you beat the Algerian and you will go to the 2nd round because you deserve it, not like the team of France …

By JoJo…

Now we tied Slovenia 3-2. Weird cup for us.

“I’ve just seen that disallowed goal for the US again – and not only was there no foul by a US player, there are probably two penalty-kick offences being committed by the Slovenian defenders. Shocking decision.”

is USA got robbed

richardfarley: Will USA Advance To World Cup Knockout Round? Breaking Down The (Complicated) Scenarios: http://sbnation.com/e/1288869

would be ecstatic at the US and Slovenia going through. Hold on Algeria!!

but I like the US chances right now. A win against Algeria would be so huge… assuming Germany actually wins their group, which is now in doubt.

But trying to rationalize/figure out what the ref was thinking…

1) Most of the hugs by the Slovenians, the Americans are either pushing (making it fouls both ways) or not really trying (and therefore not being obsructed).
2) Bradley was in an ~offside position (though this isn’t what was called), I guess negating his hug.
3) In this video, you can see the ref’s angle, with a bit of contact between Edu and the Slovenian at about 0:46-47, apparently making the Slovenian slow up and not able to reach the ball.

I feel bad for Cameroon, they can’t find the net

Netherlands vs Japan

Robben was out of the lineup again due to his injury, it was very similar as the 1st match they did… They struggled to find Van Persie and Kuyt… Sometimes, Sneijder took the ball on ths own side as a defensive midfielder… Van Der Vaart is not good as the left midfielder… But the defense has been good and the subs are really good…
A good goal by Sneijder and yhe japanese GK helped him…
Japan surprised me again thanks to his great discipline and a great tactic by their coach… Honda is a really good and underrated player… I hope they will advance to the 2nd round… But their GK is the weakest link of the team…

Ghana vs Australia

A very interesting match because Australia was needed a win to stay alive on this pool and Ghana was needed a win to advance in the 2nd round…
The 1st half was dominated by the Socceros and the goal froml Holman was the result of that… But a decision would change everything in this match, Ayew made a cross to Jonathan and he shoots for the goal but the injured Kewell stopped the ball with his arm… So the referee made the right decision with the penalty but the red car was not fair for Kewell… Consenquently Gyan scored his 2nd penalty in 2 matches…

yet it is the Australians who are the most menacing front of the goal of Kingson, Kennedy and his teammates have several opportunities in the second half … Ghanaians have lost their composure by accumulating errors of concentration that could have cost them dear as they played on the powerplay for 60 minutes … How to explain this stress has seized them?? Difficult to say because they seemed to finish the first half on a very good basis but the coaching of the Veerbeck has surely interfere … But the Ghanaians are in favor of waivers for the 2nd round qualification

Cameroon vs Denmark

This is a game which I enjoyed watching as these two teams were obliged to win to hope in this world cup … Le Guen has changed tactics which has led the offensive while the Danes have done this by-cons attack thanks to Rommedhal and Bendtner …
The Indomitable Lions were quickly opened the scoring thanks to the inévatible Eto’o enjoys a back pass from one of its partners … But the Danes have never abdicated and Bendtner equalized quickly on a share of a school Rommedhal perfect service, however the Cameroonian goalkeeper is not blameless in this but …

The second half was a carbon copy of the first, ie a Cameroon team that was moving very offensive opportunities but without success, including Eto’o … And came the cold realism of the Danes that they planted a knife in your back through which mystified Rommedhal Assou Ekoto, and scored with a shot crossed the goal in Cameroon …

Paul Le Guen’s men may bite fingers have missed many opportunities to drive the point home, including Eto’o hit the post in the 43th minute, Webo (58th, 61st), Makoun, Mbia, Emana, Idrissou … What a shame for a team so attractive on paper but ineffective for the 2nd qualifying round …

This pitiful elimination is the result of many months of hesitation under the leadership of Paul Le Guen confirmed that any incompetence lead to a club or a selection from France … I pity the Cameroonian to have stuck with a breeder with a charisma of octopus and has no credibility to them … I hope that the Indomitable Lions will leave on other bases after the World Cup …
It is officially eliminated, much to the despair of fans Cameroonian and African … Now it will take on Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana to see an African team to shine this year …

Go Kiwis!

(I actually watched one of the NZ players play in college at UCSB. They’re npt as bad as people made them out to be.) But Italy sure better wake up…

Poor Ivory Coast.

Slovakia 0-2 Paraguay

In this game already for determining qualification for the next round, the Paraguayans have decided to go a very offensive team with the “Argentine” naturalized as Barrios …
The Paraguayans start the match off the floor with ball possession in their favor and that increased opportunities to the opening goal of the latter by Vera (26th minute) with a shot from the left uncrossed just die in the ventilator Mucha and served by the inevitable Barrios …
They have also mastered the corridors, preventing Slovak develop their offensive, including the image of a Bonet in great shape …
A timid response of the Slovak second half did not affect the dominance of the outrageous Albijora which will have to wait the 86th minute to finally get away by typing a new Riveros uncrossed his left into the side netting Mucha …
The score could have been much higher if they had missed their numerous occasions, including Santa Cruz, Barrios and Valdez …
But much has been done and they can wait calmly New Zealand for a match which must confirm their first place of this group …

Italy 1-1 New Zeland

Certainly the 2010 World Cup gives trouble to leading European teams, Italy is no exception to the rule …
Even facing the weakest team of the group and the competition, the Azzuri were nonexistent offensively, especially since their Lippi has warned of the trap that the All Whites tended, while many of them provided a easy victory at the 78th in FIFA rankings …
The All Whites have played with their weapons, that is to say the physical battle in midfield which considerably General Italians …
This pattern of play has borne fruit in the 7th minute when Smeltz resumed successfully a free kick from Elliot, fear then took hold of the Azzurri who puffed the absence of Buffon …
But this does not count on their strength of character they manage to return to the party thanks to a penalty converted by Iaquinta (29th) …
But the mental strength does not beat a team ranked poorly, the Azzurri have had a terrible time around the block strong team for the All Whites who have never really suffered …
This game has also found deficiencies in both tactical and technical, a lack of speed on the wings and finish again …
In short, Marcelo Lippi still has work to do in order to retain their trophy and the last game against the Slovak part is not fun …

Brazil 3-1 Ivory Coast

They were waiting for the turn after selecção first game winded meet North Korean … The response was scathing and flashy …
Yet the first half was not great quality, not bad approximations of the two technical teams … There are a few flashes of Robinho but without success until this superb collective action taken by Robinho, Kaka and Luis Fabiano to the conclusion (24th) …
Opening the scoring was freed auriverde who have proven their efficiency thanks to a Luis Fabiano of great nights, silent for 10 months in selection, FC Sevilla signs lined with a fine individual action, even if it contains two non-hands whistled by referee Mr Lannoy (50th, yet the french !!!!!!!)…
Kaka has finally delivered a performance worthy of its status as part of auriverde with two assists including one on the 3rd goal for Elano (63), but its good game suffers from an unjustified expulsion late in the game on a nudge more spectacular than wicked sent Keita (they are zero referees French) …
For the record, Drogba saved the honor of Elephants in the end game of a head …

Dunga’s Brazil is the second team qualified for the next round, as it will count on them even if the game is not flamboyant far, at least efficiency is …

PS: I guess many of you have followed the adventures of France for a few days, I would speak on Tuesday after the match against South Africa because the France team disgusts me …

The suggestion first. Can we have a new open thread each day? It’s very hard to find this thread on mobile.

The question now. Am I reading right? Did Portugal drop seven goals on North Korea? Good gosh amighty.

have now gone more than 6 games (over 550 minutes) since conceding a goal. Pretty impressive. Good game between SUI and Chile. Got a little chippy around the 60th minute.

I want to apologize to any fans of Switzerland. I get on their nuts about not conceding a goal in in forever, and you guessed it! 1-0 Chile.

Hernandez should get the start. ManU fans must be excited about this young kid. Great footwork.

Hey Delias man, you think he’s Mexico’s best striker?

http://www.truebluela.com/2010/6/22/1529844/new-world-cup-open-thread

You can thank my temporary insomnia.