FIFA World Cup 2014 (Brazil) SPOILERS: Read at own risk

[Ingmar]

Stuff like adding stoppages or whatever, sure, but I don't think anyone is actually suggesting that; 45 minute halves with no breaks is something I don't like, but changing it would be too big a structural change.

I find it really weird that is an issue for you. I've watched many fine football games with you where you don't move for at least 45 minutes, even with commercial breaks happening. I've also watched movies with you where you were capable of going 90 minutes without needing to pee!

I don't always get up during a football game, but I have time to look away and have conversations, etc., there's not something always happening.

And movies are different shut up.

[WayAbvPar]

That another thing I love about watching soccer- the whole thing is over in 2 hours give or take 10 minutes. And all over that save halftime is actual play! No huddles, no goal reviews, no pitching changes (especially to face 1 fucking batter and then change again), no network timeouts.

[Sjofn]

And movies are different shut up.

NO U

 

[HaemishM]

Bradley was decent last game except a bit wasteful in final third, played some nice long balls and broke up the German play well.

And that was the thing... he was MUCH better when he played more as a holding midfielder/midfield engine room type of guy, like the role Gerrard has played for Liverpool this season. That allowed Jermaine Jones to get forward and HE has actually been able to pass, shoot and hold the ball up. Bradley has just been SO wasteful in possession in the final third. He could have created at least 3-4 gilt edged chances had he remembered he could use his feet.

[WayAbvPar]

It is funny how much tenser everything feels in knockout.

Also get up Neymar, you diving cunt.

[Abagadro]

Heh. They are beating the hell out of that guy.

[WayAbvPar]

Well this just got interesting.

[Abagadro]

Fred rockin the pornstache.

[Cyrrex]

I submit that if your name is Fred, and you rock both the curly hair and the pornstache and are TOTALLY UNABLE TO FINISH ANYTHING RIGHT GODDAMN IN FRONT OF YOU, then perhaps you are unfit for the Brazilian national team. 

Seriously, he has already blown at least two big ones.

[WayAbvPar]

Hulk smash with hand! Eat a dick.

[Abagadro]

pornstache  

he has already blown at least two big ones.

 

[Abagadro]

Hulk smash with hand! Eat a dick.

Only Maradona gets away with that kind of thing.

[Nebu]

For the amount of talent on the pitch, this Chile v Brazil match is god awful.

[Azuredream]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks so.

[Rasix]

Lucky bastards.

[Amarr HM]

Well there's the goal of the tournament, wow.

[Trippy]

Well there's the goal of the tournament, wow.

I'm still more impressed by Cahill's volley. Rodriguez volleyed it off of his chest stop making it much easier to judge the ball trajectory before the volley.

[Amarr HM]

Yeh I'd forgotten about that one, it's marginal but you're probably right, that was a serious hit. I couldn't help be astounded by the way Rodriquez controlled it with his chest and then used the outside of his boot for the volley. That's an über difficult technique.

I'd put Van Persies header against Spain in there with the two of them all the same, that was genius.

[Cyrrex]

I think Van Persie's was more a product of excellent timing on both parts.  A fantastic goal, but probably slightly less skill involved in either of the volleys we saw.

The most impressive thing about the Rodriguez volley was his body position.  It wasn't just a simple bounce of the chest.  He had his back to the goal and bounced it off and dropping it to his left foot, keeping his back to the goal and turning into the shot.  Incredible.  His shot and Cahill's are 1 and 1a.

[lamaros]

As an Australian I can let you all know: Rodriguez kicked the better goal. Holy crap it was a fine goal.

[Amarr HM]

I think Van Persie's was more a product of excellent timing on both parts.  A fantastic goal, but probably slightly less skill involved in either of the volleys we saw.

The most impressive thing about the Rodriguez volley was his body position.  It wasn't just a simple bounce of the chest.  He had his back to the goal and bounced it off and dropping it to his left foot, keeping his back to the goal and turning into the shot.  Incredible.  His shot and Cahill's are 1 and 1a.

RVPs showed the most ingenuity. I've watched it back a few and not once does he take his off the ball, yet he knows where the keeper is.

Spot on about Rodriguez the chest control was sublime. Watch the behind goal replay and you can see just before it hits his chest he's looking to where he knows the ball is going to be. The only other player I think could have pulled that off was Zidane.

[Cyrrex]

After 45 minutes, Mexico looks far more dangerous than Netherlands in this match, which is a mild surprise.  Of course, Netherlands seems to always go bonkers in the second half, so let's see what happens.  One thing, though...whoever Mexico has playing up front, especially on the right side....just waaaay too fast for the Dutch defense.  They are lucky not to be down a goal.

[Abagadro]

Oranje look in disarray. That was nice goal by Mexico.

[Cyrrex]

I wonder how much the heat is getting to them.  They strike me as a team that works really hard, but not so much today.

[Abagadro]

That was a pretty cheap penalty.

[Malakili]

That was a pretty cheap penalty.

I feel less bad about it given the one he wasn't given in the first half.

[Cyrrex]

It was a bit cheap, but he probably got stiffed for at least one earlier.  Netherlands ultimately deserved the win, I guess, but what a bummer for the Mexicans.  You can't give those Dutch so many chances and expect to win.

[Trippy]

Wow poor Mexico.

[Hoax]

I feel bad for both Chile and Mexico but at this point you need to take it from your opponent unless you are Italy (or maybe Greece?) you can't try to go into a defensive shell and survive. Even Colombia with a 2 goal lead looked like they might throw it away for about ten minutes but Uruguay just didn't have the talent without Saurez to get that first goal to ramp up the pressure.

There are only six teams left that I can see potentially winning it all:
Brazil
Colombia
Dutch
Germany
Argentina
France

That's it. I don't believe in Belgium despite Hazard being one of the top players at the tournament. Its a real shame that four south american squads were grouped in that corner of the bracket. I much prefer rare match ups to regional rivalries at this stage. Instead we will get Brazil vs Colombia and most likely France vs Germany. Good games but still a little bit disappointing.

Also insane considering how awful African teams have looked in Brazil that we were so close to having 3 African teams in the knock outs which I'm pretty sure has never happened. In South Africa there was one team.

[Malakili]

Netherlands coach has to look good for bringing in Huntelaar for van Persie. 

[Jeff Kelly]

God the refereeing thus far is so bad. Another clear penalty not given at gre vs. cr.

[Tale]

God the refereeing thus far is so bad. Another clear penalty not given at gre vs. cr.

Aussie referee Ben Williams. Quite unpopular in our own A-League.

[WayAbvPar]

This CRC V GRE match has been a fucking war. Down to PKs now.

[Shannow]

Costa Rica!!!!

And fuck Greece , it was a completely horrible call that put you past Ivory Coast and you play shit soccer.


Costa RICAAAAA!!!

[Amarr HM]

And fuck Greece , it was a completely horrible call that put you past Ivory Coast and you play shit soccer.

Damn straight.