How good is James Rodriguez?! I mean I knew about the kid, seen a lot of YouTube highlights as well as the odd game when he was at Porto but my word this lad is fighting Robben for player of the tournament so far (and may just be winning!). He came off the bench and got two assists and scored that awesome dinked goal, adding to what he'd already done in the previous two games. Never realised just how good he is until this world cup, incredible young player who looks to have a very, very bright future, no wonder Monaco paid something like €40m for him.
As for Suarez, just cemented even more of how much a **** that man is. Wish he'd bit Bonucci instead of Chiellini, Bonucci would've laid him out flat.
If they had Falcao fit I'd put them as a serious contender for the tournament, still have them as an outside bet. They, along with Holland have impressed me the most so far. France have been great too.
Point taken that it must have disrupted Italy's concentration to have that "incident" happen without punishment, because then Uraguay scored from the corner. Even worse, the player that scored should have been sent off against England, so he should have been suspended from that match anyway! There is certainly a case for throwing Uraguay out of the competition but no doubt FIFA will bottle it, saying that the video evidence is not conclusive or something.
Cesare Prandelli resigns from the Italy job...even though his contract was up at the end of the tournament, so basically he's trying to make himself available for any potential jobs in club football a few weeks ahead of schedule. Anyway, time to rant... It's pathetic that the English press are wailing at the injustice of Suarez potentially being banend for two years as he's a great player. First of all, he isn't: this tournament has shown the gulf in quality between Suarez and the likes of Messi, Neymar and James Rodriguez (to name a few) Suarez is just another Wayne Rooney: looks good against the Premier League dross, but as soon as he's against decent opposition he has to bite somebody so that people notice he's even on the pitch. Then, of course, is the idea that just because he's good at football he's allowed to bite or racially abuse anyone he sees fit. So are you telling me that if Peter Sutcliffe was playing for one of England's top sides he would've been given a slap on the wrist? I'd say that somebody's profession doesn't make them exempt from prosecution, but Rebekah Brooks' inexplicable lack of a guilty verdict for perverting the course of justice despite reams of evidence to support the charge disproves that particular theory. And it has to be asked would the English press be so intent on defending Suarez if he was still playing for Ajax, and they;re only saying it would be a shame if he was punished as he's one of "ours"?
Messi and Neymar have certainly fronted up so far. And at least 7 Central/South Americas teams in the last 16 (possibly one more) . Has their game basically matched the climate ?? At least two are guaranteed a QF slot.
I'd say it comes down to four factors: the teams themselves, the draw, the opposition...and the officials. Argentina and Columbia were both drawn in groups they'd expect to qualify from, and did so (Columbia doing so in some style) Brazil had a tough draw - but the officials helped them out against Croatia, and the gulf in quality between them and Cameroon saw them win the group Chile were supposed to be vying with Holland for second spot in Group B, but Spain's abject performances meant they qualified at Spain's expense with a game to spare Mexico had a good shout of going through, the performance against Brazil set them on their way and Croatia getting their tactics hopelessly wrong made sure they did Uruguay were supposed to be the team that pipped England to second spot, but thanks to a shocking display from the referee they pipped Italy for second
I think so from looking at the wall chart my son has! Holland look to have a reasonable passage to the semis. Beat Mexico and they play winners of Costa Rica v Greece, but it could be Argentina then. However, Argentina continue to look less than the sum of their parts. They don't look good defensively at all. They could have Belgium in the Q-F.
Ecuador v France was a terrible first half...but since the sending off Ecuador have done well not to be battered...their keeper has played really well... Ecuador are going out as Switzerland are winning
33 C is a very common temperature in the northern US in the summer. Add the US to the list of hot weather teams doing well.
Been very impressed with the Ecuador striker Enner Valencia, what a leap that guy has! We've been linked with one or two world cup standout players which includes him, I'd definitely be in favour for bringing him in judging on his performances so far.
I see Wilshire has warned the young England players that the clock is already ticking on thier England career,none more than his
