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

[Jeff Kelly]

That ref was such an idiot. He couldn't even properly send the Greek manager off the field. He sent him off and the manager still stayed on the pitch for more than five minutes talking to his team and even deciding the PK lineup before eventually leaving. It was silly even sending him off that late in the game anyway but doing it and then not following through was equally stupid.

[HaemishM]

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

Just want to echo that Greece plays all the worst aspects of Italian, park the bus football, only without even the slightest hint of real football skill at any point on the pitch.

[Lucas]

So far I've only watched Brazil - Chile and Netherlands - Mexico: both great matches. France-Nigeria is shaping up to be a very entertaining match as well (both teams are running like crazy, might run out of steam soon).

[Hoax]

PSA reminder: The free univision feed is gorgeous hd and smooth as butter. 

[Lucas]

Nigeria goalkeeper: from hero to douchebag in a minute or less  

[Cyrrex]

I saw all of the game pretty much except for the goal you are referring to.  He's a pretty good keeper to my eyes.  Nigeria lost because, despite the glimpses of brilliance, they are ultimately toothless.  In fact, it seems like all the African teams are kind of like that.  All bark, no bite.  I keep rooting for them, and they keep disappointing me.

[Lucas]

No matter the fact that some of the key members of an african team might play in european teams, where they are taught a more "thoughtful" and wary approach to football, once they're together in the national squad, they simply play a different kind of game, to exploit their physicality and quickness. But the lack of tactical awareness inevitably shows, which can be countered by courage, that, again undoubtedly, Nigeria showed today.

Goalkeeper IS very good, but not all-around: great when he has to block shots, good reflexes, but he lacks on the more..."finer" aspects, like rushing out, timing and handling (yep, good example today :P) on corners. Goalkeeping has always been the football role I've been more fascinated with, and my favourite one. VERY complex and rewarding.

[01101010]

I really started to root for Mexico solely for Ochoa.

oh and Costa Rica! 

[IainC]

Goddamn that was tense. Could have gone to penalties at the very last second.

[Rasix]

Algerian goalie played really well.  That was a pretty nifty back heel to get it past him.  

Germany had so many opportunities.  Ever since that opening romp, they've had issues finishing plays.

[Jeff Kelly]

That game has cooled my enthusiasm for the WC. Not because of the game or the performance of the German team, though.

I can't handle all of the shit that has been going around the press and the net during and after the game. Each and every one of those chauvinistic fuckers expected us to steamroll Algeria. And now that we didn't because Algeria has played great football throughout the tournament and wasn't really going to stop doing that just because they played Germany people are talking all kinds of crap.

'I hoped that we lose so that they finally sack Löw' was one of the more harmless ones. Dumb entitled chauvinistic stupid fucks, all of them. The Algerians fought like lions and had the full support of their fans even after they lost, while our players have to answer fuckers like the German reporter who asked Mertesacker after the game about  'what went wrong because they didn't easily win against Algeria'. Mertesacker almost decked him because of that question and I kind of wished he did just so that no one would ever asked such crap ever again. As if we were somewhat entitled by birthright to win the World Cup especially when we play against stupid brown people from Northern Africa.

I'm angry and sad because a lot of teams and their fans this WC have been very passionate about the tournament and kept their enthusiasm even after they have been defeated while the majority over here is acting like entitled and spoiled brats. Watch all kinds of crap being poured out over our team if we don't win this time...

[Jeff Kelly]

Actual headlines of a few major tabloids in Germany right now:

'This is how we're going to lose against France, Jogi'
'the dumb luck win'
'if we're having such a hard time against Algeria, we're going to get trounced by France'
'We have graded all German players' performances: F for Mustawi and Hoewedes'
'the return of clumsy football.

and so on and so forth.

[Tale]

Sauerkraut-eating surrender monkeys?

[Jeff Kelly]

So a French German then?

We're not at this stage yet but it will be any minute now until some third rate paper will come up with something similar in the run up to the Fra Ger game.

[01101010]

I still have them winning out, but man that defense looks suspect. Maybe this just proves how bad Portugal was... 

And I'll call it now. Belgium 3-0 over the USA.

[Paelos]

I still have them winning out, but man that defense looks suspect. Maybe this just proves how bad Portugal was... 

And I'll call it now. Belgium 3-0 over the USA.

That was my pick as well. 3-0 over the USA and it's not close. Love to be wrong and the USA pulls it out, but oh well.

[Ingmar]

I think the US defense is too good to allow 3 goals most likely. I'm not saying they're going to win, but I think it will be tighter than that.

[IainC]

Sauerkraut-eating surrender monkeys?

Alsaciennes.

[Teleku]

Heh, nice.

[Jeff Kelly]

I'm legally forbidden from making that joke

[Jeff Kelly]

I wish the US team the best of luck for the game today. I hope we se each other again at the final

[Rasix]

I think the US defense is too good to allow 3 goals most likely. I'm not saying they're going to win, but I think it will be tighter than that.

Yah, I think the likely outcome is 2-1.   We can win this, it's just unlikely. 

I'll be getting dental work done during the first half.   

[Lucas]

another match, another fight. Switzerland is making this more interesting than expected 

[01101010]

another match, another fight. Switzerland is making this more interesting than expected 

They really are. I am torn because I liked both teams..but would like to continue to watch Messi play at least another match.

[Cyrrex]

I can't decide if it is Switzerland's solid defense, or Argentina's mostly toothless attack.  It isn't a boring game, it just seems to lack some quality.

I've decided I prefer to see Argentina through, based primarily on the fact that several of the Swiss players look EXTREMELY punchable.

[Ingmar]

I'll be getting dental work done during the first half.   

I'll be getting cortisone shots in my hand during the second!

[Abagadro]

Beautiful run and dish by Messi.

[Jeff Kelly]

Goddamm messi

[Cyrrex]

Yeah, but Di Maria is the man.  He was working his goddamn ass off that last 15 minutes, and totally deserved the goal.

[Lucas]

whoa, what a ending! 

[01101010]

Intense last 10 minutes of this long ass match.

[Cyrrex]

Wild ending to an otherwise shit match.

[Malakili]

This is why I don't like the playing for a 0-0 tie style of play.  I don't understand it.  No matter what sport it seems like whenever teams go into a defensive shell and give up offense altogether they make it harder on themselves.

[01101010]

This is why I don't like the playing for a 0-0 tie style of play.  I don't understand it.  No matter what sport it seems like whenever teams go into a defensive shell and give up offense altogether they make it harder on themselves.

Turtling to penalty kicks because a team believes it is outmatched is a sure fire way to lose any interest the group stage generated.... Especially in the US.

Really have to wonder what would have happened if the Swiss actually put forth that offensive show during the actual match.

[Tale]

C'mon USA! Crushing a small nation and making a movie - you can do this :)