Futbol can be cruel. We saw how cruel it was when Chile almost beat host country and tournament favorites Brazil. If it weren't for a couple of crossbar and post strikes, the Chileans would be in the quarterfinals. but this is futbol. It was Mexico this time who suffered the cruelness of futbol. The Mexicans lost 2-1 after leading the game for 88', and it was an Arjen Robben dive that cost them the game.
Colombia put on a clinical performance Saturday in easily dispatching a Luis Suarez-less Uruguay squad 2-0 to advance to the quarterfinal stage for the first time in the nation’s history. Enjoying a nearly 3:1 advantage in fan support in the stadium, the Colombian fans were going crazy as its team put on a dominant performance. Uruguay started aging superstar Diego Forlán in Suarez’s place up front alongside Edinson Cavani in a 4-4-2 formation.
Goodness this was a heated and breathless affair, enjoyable as much for what each team did off the ball as on it. While we may think of South American football, especially Brazilian, as being all flair and fancy footwork, this was a slug-fest: two teams, toe-to-toe, no quarter given.
The World Cup is more than just a sporting institution. It’s a guide to leading a better life. The18 considers the most important lessons from the tournament so far:
1. It’s Good To Have Goals In Life…
"I'm so honored to be playing tomorrow," he says. "But I'm not going to lie to you. I'm not in the best shape. I'm not in soccer shape right now."
And so begins Will Ferrell's "pump up" speech to a crowd of rowdy Americans the night before the final U.S. match of the group stage. What's "Frank The Tank" from Old School doing speaking on behalf of U.S. Soccer, you ask? Why wouldn't he. After all, in movies such as Old School, Ferrell has demonstrated an ability to motivate crowds to such extreme action as a naked run through the quad to the gymnasium.
In the last matches of the 2014 FIFA World Cup group stage, Belgium defeats South Korea with 10 men and Algeria secures a draw with Russians to advance.
Belgium-South Korea
No more scenarios, no more watching other games closely, the United States Men’s National Team is through to the Round of 16 and will play Belgium on July 1st at 4pm EST.
Conditions were tough in Recife, where the city suffered severe flooding hours before the match. The match went on as planned, though, as the Germany beat the Americans 1-0 in rainy Arena Pernambuco.
Last minute goals, amazing saves, fantastic moves, heartbreak and elation (sometimes both in the course of the same match) – World Cup 2014 continues to thrill. For fans everywhere, the ecstasy of victory and the agony of defeat leave little time to consider the journey World Cup players have made to star on soccer's largest stage. Many arose from such dismal origins it is amazing that they survived childhood, let alone continued to play and excel at soccer.
Switzerland vs Honduras
An already-eliminated Honduras practically laid down against Switzerland in the final round of matches in Group E, as Switzerland cruised to a 3-0 victory. The Swiss knew a victory would go a long way to get them into the knockout stage with Ecuador facing a hot French team.
To most, heading into World Cup 2014 in Brazil, the USA didn’t stand a chance of getting out of the group stage. Chances aside, the U.S. plays tomorrow against heavily-favored Germany, with a spot in the knock-out stage on the line. Click here to see scenarios that will have the U.S. advancing.