- First things first, this World Cup has been all out fun.
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Croatia were hard done by. We all know this. It wasn’t a penalty, and they gave it a right go. But what kind of idiocy is it that some people actually believe that it was fixed?! The internet has birthed some real idiots, and now they have voices. Urgh. It wasn’t a penalty, but on first real time viewing, I instinctively said it was. I made a mistake, as did the referee. Nothing more, nothing less. Also, Croatia’s disallowed goal was a foul on the keeper. Like it or not, you basically can’t touch the goalie now. Thems be the breaks. Unlucky Croatia.
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Spain, Spain, Spain *ruefully shaking my head*. And it was all going so well. They took a 1-0 lead, and David Silva should have made it 2. If that goes in, Spain likely waltz that game. As it turned out, van Persie scored a preposterously good goal from the very next attack, and then Holland blew the world champions away in the second half. It was astoundingly good, and it was absolutely breath taking.
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On the other hand, it is just the first game. Let’s not throw the baby out with the bath water. If Spain beat Chile, it’s back to business for them.
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Australia were surprisingly competitive, and probably could have got a point against Chile.
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Joel Campbell is the future of football.
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England were brave, and not in the typical ‘let’s call kicking them brave’ manner. They were bold, attacking and progressive largely. Sterling was a delight to watch, the goal was brilliant and there were really promising combinations. But then Pirlo Pirlo’d. It’s stunning to watch a man saunter round the pitch but play with such intelligence that he doesn’t need to move beyond a brisk jogging pace.
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The 2am game was a bridge too far for me. I’ll take it as a given that my pick Aurier bossed the game.
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How good has this World Cup been by the way?
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France, bloody hell. That was pretty damn good. Just a really smart, organised team performance, finished off with a fine finishing performance from Karim Benzema. Valbuena is a marvel, he has no right to even play the game being 4 foot nothing. On the other hand, Honduras were idiotic. Some of those tackles bordered on assault, and Palacios could have been sent off a few times.
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Switzerland scored a wonderful winner, the tackle from Behrami, then the roll through when he was taken out, followed up by a smart run, ball and finish from Seferovic was brilliant. This World Cup has been brilliant fun.
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It’s time for me to make a confession. Back in 2007, Real Madrid made a double swoop and signed Gonzalo Higuain and Fernando Gago. I was convinced Gago was going to rule the midfield world for years to come. I don’t even know why, I just backed him. And then Real Madrid won the league and he got a few important assists in the run in. Unfortunately, his career didn’t quite take off like I thought it would, but I have always had a special place in my heart for him. So it is with great pride that I say my boy Fernando Ruben Gago changed the game when he came on at half time against Bosnia. Suddenly Argentina had someone to play through, and Messi was closer to Aguero and Higuain, which allowed him to do what Messi always does. Gago, you’re not as good as I want you to be, but I love you nonetheless.
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Germany were frightening. I hate to use national stereotypes, but they were ruthless and efficient. After they took the early lead, they never looked back, and Pepe (what a monumental prick, by the way) basically handed them the cigars and slippers. Muller might be a decent shout for top scorer if you ignore my nailed on Aguero prediction.
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Iran vs Nigeria happened.
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Jones celebration is what the World Cup is about. He looked absolutely overwhelmed by what he just did for his nation, and it was beautiful to watch. Ghana didn’t help themselves with their incessantly awful crossing, but USA ploughed and ploughed and snatched a win. Deserved if only for the brutal karate kick to the face that Dempsey took.
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Belgium were a bit guff, weren’t they?
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Russia vs Korea is on right now, but I’m about to pass out so I’m gonna say that I miss Arshavin’s scampish nature.
- Bar possibly two games, this World Cup has been brilliant. I love football.
honestpro 