FIFA World Cup 2014

Well Argentina looking less than very good, so a surprise 0-0 after full time...and Messi getting a little Messi out of frustration it seems.

Jason.

Neither team look like there going to score, Swiss through on pens.

Jason.

Hope so. I've drawn them in the sweepstake at the office.

Really, 0-0? 

Jason.

I mean the Swiss to get through on pens

Ah, I see.

Argentina finally woke up, Come on Swiss.

Jason.

Looking forward to the Belguim v USA, difficult to call this one as both teams have been very good...and I bet Hook is on tender thingies.

2-2 and the penalties are anyone's.

Jason.

So am I Jason. For all their star firepower, Belgium haven't been that impressive - the Yanks could beat them if they stay organised.

Isn't it amazing the number of last-minute goals (and victories) at this WC?

Kevin, just spotted this...are you aware of it? Including bootleg records made from x-rays.

http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-28085892

Jason.

I am indeed Jason - in fact I'm due to go there next Tuesday, when I get back from Luxembourg. Am very much looking forward to it - my never-quite-completed Master's Degree dissertation (1986) was on art and consumerism in the USSR, so this is a subject that holds a lot of interest for me.

My God that game was UNBELIEVABLE! Where did the USA get their energy from? What a comeback - those Yanks never gave up. Fantastic game, fantastic World Cup. Absolutely brilliant entertainment.

Agreed, a superb game of end to end football. I just can't remember a World Cup where the football has been so...thrilling. 

Well done Belguim and well done USA.

Jason.

Gutted by the result, but very proud of the US team's effort. Would have been so easy to quit after going down 2-0...but they didn't.

So many questions about tactics, choice of lineup...and subs.  But none of that matters.  All I'll remember of this game is how hard they tried, and for all 120 minutes.  

Hats off to Tim Howard -- that was an amazing number of saves. I hope he has one more World Cup left in him. I also hope like hell that we can develop some new, young talent over the next 4 years.  Yedlin and Green both have promise, and I have a feeling that there are a lot of 15-18 year olds right now all across America thinking:  I want to be part of this.

Also enjoyed the Argentina/Switzerland match, and am looking forward to seeing Argentina/Belgium.  Lukaku should be starting IMO. When he came on, the entire game changed.

ATB.

Hook

You bet correctly sir!  

Thank goodness I can now retire to the listening (a.k.a. recovery) room for a couple hours of therapy.

ATB.

Hook

My prediction of Belge to win the W/C is looking good,my girls are thru to the last 8 !!!

Mista H

Have I got this correct? The US team lost, then tied, then lost, and yet they were still alive to continue in the tournament and play Belgium? I don't get it. Little wonder soccer lags behind NFL football, NCAA football, MLB baseball, NBA basketball, NHL hockey, NASCAR auto racing, and PGA golf in TV viewership in the US.

joerand

Your lack of interest in the competition is apparent by your knowledge of the basic facts. USA's performance in the World Cup won't have done the TV ratings any harm and they were playing in a “real” world series. Who knows one day football (only Americans call it soccer apparently) may be a major spectator sport in the country.

Dave

Nope, USA won, drew and lost a game in the round-robin phase (mini regular season) then lost in overtime at the first play-off game. USA can feel proud of its performance as 16 teams who made it to the finals went home before them. USA were a credit to football. Unlike England.

Sorry then. I had it wrong. I probably should not have responded to a post about a sport, which as Dave pointed out, I have little interest. Please excuse me, and I recuse myself.

hafler3o

England just weren't good enough, that's all.

Dave

IN CAPS PLEASE! Just in case the FA are looking in 

Talking about the FA, Greg Dyke saying England should aim to reach the semi-finals of Euro 2020 and win the World Cup in 2022 seems like some kind of joke.

Your post is spot on.

Mista h

Am expecting two more great matches tomorrow!

France would need a perfect game to beat Germany. They played very well against a gritty Swiss side, and I'm sure they'll give the Germans all they want and then some.

Brazil has not yet played to their potential, and looks beatable. With the possible exception of Messi, nobody has had a better World Cup than Columbia's James Rodriguez. If the home team is caught looking ahead to Germany, or even to a championship game against Argentina...then anything can happen.

I predict Germany over France, 2-1, and Brazil over Columbia, 3-2.  

But an upset or two would be great fun!

ATB.

Hook

I agree with Hook about Germany overcoming the French, just.  I'm going 3-2 for that one.

I've been very impressed with Colombia and if Brazil doesn't raise the form it has shown to date I think Colombia will prevail 2-1.

Looking forward to both but particularly to the Brazil v Colombia game.